Two Priorities

Yesterday had 2 major elements:

1. Mom's birthday!
2. Eric's artist's lecture at the college!

We started off the morning by meeting up for a family birthday breakfast with my mother. Cordelia was so excited for my mother's birthday. I was afraid that she might be confused and think she would receive gifts, but she was just so happy to snuggle and hug her grandma. When we arrived at breakfast we couldn't help but notice that my mother had her celebration color on. She wears orange when she's happy. We ate our breakfast and read some of mom's birthday cards, it was nice and laid back.

After breakfast I dropped Eric off at the college to set up for his lecture. I took Cordelia to the dollar store to find some junky toys to entertain her through the duration of the lecture. I had intended to pop in and out of the store in 5 minutes or less, but one thing led to the next and finally we found ourselves in line behind a woman who had an entire shopping cart filled with shampoo---there was only one person manning the checkout line so we waited. We made our break 45 minutes later than expected and it was time to head up to the college.

Cordelia, all set up with snacks and junky toys to entertain her through the lecture.

Opening Slide for the lecture, also the name of his exhibit

We met my family there and settled in to watch the lecture. The crowd was so much bigger than anticipated, it was awesome! Eric did a great job and the whole thing went down without a hitch. Cordelia was perfectly well-behaved; she is almost always well-behaved, but sometimes she gets chatty and she was silent and sweet through the hour long lecture.

Eric is looking over his notes as people begin to file in.

After the lecture Eric stayed behind to chat with the folks who remained while Cordelia went home for a nap. I prepped for my class that night and set up for mom's birthday as Cordelia rested. I hung the bunting and other birthday decorations, frosted the cupcakes and set everything up.

Later in the afternoon my parents came over for cupcakes and present opening. Lovely time all around.

The birthday girl

Cordelia and my father

Later I went back to the college to teach my class while Eric and Cordelia enjoyed some father/daughter time. When class was done the snow had begun to fall. I stood in the parking lot for a moment and just watched, taking it all in, letting the snow fall on my cheeks and tongue for a minute. Then I was afraid my students may see me so I quickly hurried to the car, trying to look professional.

I drove home slowly, watching the snow fall in a glittering rain, it was beautiful. Finally I was home. I was greeted by my husband, sweet girl and the squeaky whines of my basset houndfriend. It was just one of those really full and fulfilling days.

Interview With the Coolest Musician in the World!!!

You may recall that my husband, who just so happens to be the coolest musician in the world, has just released his newest album, The Invisible Audience. Today I thought I would interview him about his new release.

Maria Rose: I guess I will refer to you as EK in this interview as that is your music name. Can you share the basic stats about your new album, The Invisible Audience?
EK: The record has 11 tracks that were all recorded within this past year (except one song). It was recorded in several states including Montana, Colorado and Wyoming as well as a couple of tracks in England. I have a couple of British vocalists, some Canadian rockers and you! I feel like Paul Simon doing some sort of global unity project. Okay, maybe that was stretching it, but I did have fun working with all the musicians on the record.

Maria Rose: Can you tell us a bit about your musical background?
EK: I joined elementary band as a percussionist in 5th grade and stuck with it all the way into college, so on one hand I'm a classically trained musician. On the other hand I've been in rock bands since I was 14. Punk, surf, indie, metal, electronic and even cover bands have been pretty steady in my life over the past 15 years. I guess the combination of all of that formed my sound on the solo records.

Maria Rose: Please tell us what the intention is behind this album and how it came to be.
EK: The term "The Invisible Audience" refers to the notion that artists can fall victim to creating something they think their audience will enjoy. The result is an attempt to please an audience that doesn't exist. That's never good because the product isn't sincere. My album is an attempt to not let outside opinions about my past records influence the sound and style on this album. The result is the most diverse group of songs on a single album that I think I've ever done.

Maria Rose: How does this album differ from other works you've released?
EK: Live drums! After nearly a decade it's my first ever non-electronic album. It's more of a traditional rock record. Bass, drums, vocals, guitar, keyboards and piano. In the past it was more programming, drum machines, samples, synths, etc. Also, like I said earlier, everything was recorded in the past year which is huge for me. I usually have albums that are more like compilations because the songs were written years apart and clumped into one collection. On my new album it's self-contained. The collaborations with other musicians is also a big first!

Maria Rose: What track is your favorite and why?
EK: Oh man. I just read a quote from David Lynch answering the same question about his movies. He said something like, "A good parent never favors one child over the other." On this album each song is almost a different genre so I can't really compare them. It depends on which mood I'm in. If I'm feeling down I'll like the depressing song or if I'm feeling happy I'll like the upbeat song. You get the idea.

Maria Rose: This album does have a lot of diversity. After listening to it I feel as though I've taken a little tour through your mind. The song A Well Traveled Ghost in particular is very different for you. How did you come to that style and was it difficult to let your hair down and do something out of your comfort zone?
EK: It felt like a trip back in time. When I released my first album back in 2001 it was over-the-top experimental. Since then I've refined my sound and I've been hesitant to take risks. Back to your last question, A Well Traveled Ghost would probably be one of my favorites because of that reason. I really wanted one more song written in 6/8 for the album so I picked up my bass guitar. I wrote it in about 15 minutes. It was the last song written for the album. It just came out of nowhere! Sometimes that happens and I just have to ride with it. It's rare, but always welcomed.

Maria Rose: As you mentioned you have three different guest singers on this album. Tell my readers how you found your collaborators and a bit about the process you used to work with people from as close as your own home to as far away as the other side of the globe.
EK: I was a big fan of these two British groups, The Electrilickers and Theoretical Girl. I had interviewed them both back when I used to interview people. I just went out on a limb and asked if they'd be up for lending their voice to a track. Amy from Theoretical Girl was just finishing up her debut record and getting ready to play Japan or something crazy like that so I was very surprised she said yes. I sent them the songs and the lyrics. I had them record their parts then send them back to me. We live in a great time! The other collaborations were Paul and Sarah from Two Year Touqe. That track was recorded all together back in Missoula, MT. The last collaboration was you! I just forced you to be involved on the record and you finally agreed to do it. In addition to your vocal part, the lyrics for track #3 are taken from a short story you wrote.

Maria Rose: I think the album artwork is really spectacular. How and why did you decide on this particular design? My readers might like to know that you did all of the design yourself.
EK: Thanks! This is definitely my favorite album layout so far. The cover is a photo of my grandfather from the 1950s. I didn't change anything which made it perfect for a cover! The back tray piece is a photo of my dad as a child jumping off a dock into a lake in New York. The inside artwork is a collage of my family from the 1950s as well as a portrait of me that you actually took a few years ago! The overall design is about the past and the connection between generations.

Maria Rose: You have total creative control of your album from start to finish. Do you enjoy the process or do you just do it out of necessity?
EK: Both. Sometimes I love letting other people do the hard work. Studios are expensive, but not always worth it. It depends on the sound I want. With bands I'm in I like studios, but for my solo stuff I like doing it myself. It's been that way for so long that I couldn't imagine recording a solo record in someone else's studio (although I'd like to have access to their equipment)!

Maria Rose: Why did you take such a long break in writing new material?
EK: I was burnt out, uninspired and was focusing more on my film and photography. I didn't want to force another album. I knew it would come eventually. I'm glad I waited because the end result feels right.

Maria Rose: Where can people buy this album?
EK: Ha ha! Well, thanks for asking! You can buy cds and downloads through CDbaby or you can do the itunes thing. It'll be available in a bunch of other places soon also.

Maria Rose: Anything else you want to share?
EK: I'm a dad! My baby is insanely cute and my wife is smokin' hot!

Maria Rose: How does it feel to be the coolest musician in the world?
EK: Very similar to being the coolest dad in the world.

Maria Rose: Thanks for the interview. I love you.
EK: Thanks dear. I love you too and if any of your readers actually made it to the end of this interview then you have very dedicated followers! You should do something special for them.

Mom's Brown Suitcase

We were all sitting around the living room at my parent's house this weekend. Talking together with family we hadn't seen in a while. You know how it goes when family gets together. Stories are told, memories are shared. Often we have to relive a few favorite stories, laughing like it's the first time we've ever heard them. Sometimes a new story is thrown into the mix. This past weekend I heard a new story from my mom, about her childhood. I thought the story was so precious and so telling of the generous person my mom has always been. I wanted to share it with you...

When my mom was a little girl she kept her treasured dolls in a brown suitcase and slept with it, just in case there was a fire she'd be able to escape with her prized possessions. She moved a lot as a kid and I think maybe the suitcase was just a way of life for her.

One day she heard that her friend was ill. She now thinks that the girl had chicken pox, but at the time my mom thought her friend was on the brink of death. My mom, being the generous person she is, gave her treasured brown suitcase full of her beloved dolls to the sick girl. How sweet is that?!

She does admit that she was a little surprised when the girl made a full recovery, but she didn't ask for her dolls back. I love my mom.


***On a completely different note, Eric's album was released today! Wahooo. If you want to check it out (and I think you do) you can click right here. I will post an interview with my husband later this week.

He Makes Music Too!

I may have already mentioned this a few dozen times, but did you know that my husband is an amazing musician? Let me tell you, this guy has talent oozing out of every pore...well, that sounds kind of gross. Let's just say he is crazy good at about everything he does. So it goes without saying that his most recent album is also amazing.

He has managed to complete his album, The Invisible Audience, in the midst of all of the change that we are currently undergoing. He has three guest singers including: Amy Turnnidge (of Theoretical Girl), Stavrini Koumi (The Electrilickers), and me (of my house).

The official release date for his new album is on the 27th, but I thought I'd mention it now because we are just so excited about it. Yesterday it arrived in the mail and we had a great time listening to it last night as we sat around with our daughter.

If you haven't heard his music before you can go to this site and check out his past works. I will remind you all again on the 27th when his album is officially released!

Details

Do you take a daily drive to work or have a specific daily routine? I do and I sometimes get so plugged into the routine that I need to take a moment and think about the details that become all too easy to overlook. It's all in the details as they say. So, I thought I would share a few details from my routine.

After I get home from work I have to take off my socks and shoes. Sometimes I take them off at work...as long as there are no meetings at the office. Anyway, when I get home off come the shoes, the socks and I change from work clothes into my comfortable clothes. My toes spend much of the day longing to be free and their liberation is a daily joy. I am one of those weird people who uses their feet like extra hands, so wearing shoes is akin to wearing boxes over my hands. Why oh why can't people just accept that I want to use my feet like a monkey? I wish it were socially acceptable.


Eric and I listen to records. We have the ipod and all of that, but we began to lament the loss of the experience of an album. We had our ipod on continual shuffle and never sat down with an album and really listened to it anymore. Well, at least until we got crazy with the records. We are always on the lookout for records at thrift stores and garage sales. Since we listen to music mainly from the 1970s and 1980s there are always records floating around.


My parents got us a wooden W for Christmas. I am not sure why they got it, or why I was so excited about it. I coated it in glitter and hung it by a black ribbon from our front door. Every time I close the door it bangs against it, but I don't really mind. I love the giant glittering W it kind of adds a disco appeal to the front door and what's not to like about that?

Mia's delicate feet. Her little velveted paws. Every night as I lay down to go to bed the cat comes over to my side of the bed and slaps me with her tiny paws, let's out a Marge Simpson-esque meow and demands a little attention. While her meow is less than ladylike her demands are clear and I happily oblige.

Interview With My Husband, E.K. Wimmer

Last night I decided to interview my husband. Enjoy.

Maria: For the record please state your name

E.K.: Um, Eric…EK Wimmer.

Maria: Which is it? Eric or E.K.?

E.K. : Uh, let’s see. Well this is an official interview so I have to go by my professional name. Never mix business with pleasure (laughs at his own joke and slaps his knee….interviewer remains silent).

Maria: So E.K. How do you know Maria Rose?

E.K.:We’re high school sweethearts. I first met her when I was…gosh…what 15? And she was just as intriguing as she is now.

Maria: No, don’t say that.

E.K.: Hmm...She was the most interesting person I’d ever met.

Maria:That’s nice.

Maria: How was your weekend?

E.K.: My weekend was awesome.

Maria:Why?

E.K.: I got a new pair of glasses.

Maria: Tell me about your glasses.

E.K.: They look like they're from the 1950s. Also, my optometrist told me I have an incredibly rare astigmatism and that made me feel pretty good even though that means my eyes are wonky.

Maria: Anything else happen this weekend?

E.K.: What did I do this weekend? (Interviewee thinks whilst playing with facial hair) I worked a little on making some touch up’s on the design for my upcoming E.P.

Maria: That’s right you are a musician. When did you first consider yourself a musician?

E.K.: I guess (counts on his fingers, interviewer begins to worry that interviewee has forgotten about the interview) maybe 9 years old.

Maria: What was it that made you feel like a musician?

E.K.: (More finger counting) Wait, I was 11 when I felt like a musician, but I wanted to be one when I was 9. When I was 11 I joined the school band after my best friend pressured me to join... because he wanted a drummer for his band.

Maria: How many bands have you been in?

E.K.: Oh my, let’s see….Over 10. I know that.

Maria: And what was the worst band name for a band that you were in?

E.K.: My first. Imperie Acid. That was 7th grade going into 8th.

(Interview is dumbfounded by the awful band name and decides the best course of action is to change the subject.)

Maria:When did you first consider yourself an artist?

E.K.: Grade four.

Maria: Why?

E.K.: I won an illustration contest for the Hank the Cow Dog series. I got to meet the author and all of that.

Maria: What are you most proud of?

E.K.: Um, I’m most proud of maybe..oh this is going to be sappy… giving love a chance when I least wanted it.

Maria: So, I assume you’re talking about me.

E.K.:(Laughs) Yeah.

Maria: Why are you proud of that?

E.K.: When I first started dating you it was at a time in my life when I absolutely did not want to be dating anymore, but I wanted to see it through because you seemed different.

Maria: Do you mean different in a good way?

E.K.: Definitely. I mean when we seriously started to hang out not when we first met in Jr. High or whatever.

Maria: Hang out means dating right?

E.K.: Yeah, or as my mom would say, going steady.

Maria: How do you feel about living with only females?

E.K.: It’s pretty much all I’ve ever known. My Dad’s always been the main provider, so I have my Mom and two older sisters.

Maria: Now you have me and 3 girl animals.

Maria: What are your plans for the week?

E.K.: Well, I have to remix some music for my solo stuff and for Maps and Mapping. Working on some new collages. And….(Again interviewee trails off causing the interviewer to wonder if he has forgotten).

Maria: How do you feel about this interview?

E.K.: (Laughs) Um, it’s a very ideal setting because I have a dog cuddled up to me, a cat demanding attention and we’re listening to Material Girl by Madonna.

Maria: Do you want to eat dinner now?

E.K.: Sure