PATIENCE PLEASE…
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the international version of Soft Commands has had its release date pushed back to Oct. 11. This version has the two bonus tracks (Never My Love and Down to the Wire, cover versions of the Association hit and Neil Young) and will be released by Rykodisc in Europe, Australia/NZ, Asia, S. America, etc. etc. Rykodisc is also releasing the new recordings by Big Star and the Posies that will be released next year.
During the Soft Commands tour this summer, I stopped by the XM Satellite radio studios and recorded a few performances plus an interview for ‘the Loft’ program. It will air on XM at noon eastern time on Sept 13, and be replayed that night at 9pm ET, 9/16 at 3pm and 9pm ET, and 9/18 at 6pm ET.
I also visited WUGA in Athens this week and taped a few songs for broadcast at a future date...
Love
KS
Athens GA
Played the 'Little Steven's Underground Garage Festival" yesterday...Big Star played a 15 min. set, following Nancy Sinatra, and we did just fine, without any leggy dancers. If you ever wondered what it sounds like when you cross #1 Record with Live at Leeds, yesterday was your chance to find out. Amazing day of music...the Chocolate Watchband, the Stooges (Iggy attacking the cameras in TV Eye prob. the highlight of the day) , the Creation, the raunchy Pretty Things (LSD!) all killer. Never had seen the Woggles either...stormin'!
I don't know if I was clear but Soft Commands comes out Worldwide on Rykodisc next month with extra tracks. It's already out in the US and Canada, of course, and now Spain on Houston Party, and soon...everywhere from Andorra to the UAE and inbetween on Ryko.
Also, this coming week's issue of Mojo has 2 free CDs with american groups covering the Beatles...Nilsson to the Four Tops to...the Posies. There's a good story behind the track--get the mag and find out!!
Love
KS
New Canaan CT
TOUR COMES TO A PEACEFUL CONCLUSION
Was it worth all the worry, all the anticipation? *I* thought so. I am the first to admit that I am no big deal…just doing my version of painting my little corner of music’s great house. Sometimes I paint myself into a corner, sometimes, I just walk up a wall when I’m done (done?).
The tour, as far as I’m concerned, was all highlights. I came away from each night feeling like I had added something positive to the lives of those present. But also, I constantly asked what more I could do. I try and discern what is most useful but also, music is subject to different valuations…that which makes money, that which garners attention, that which foments change. On that big grand scale, I am getting about a D+. But so many tiny musical things changed me, gave me the components of my intellect and aesthetics, maybe I will provide those little grains for someone’s, uh…loaf of thought. Argh.
Folks, I want to thank everybody who came out to see the shows, who put them on, and all the great op’ners…from Bridget St. John to Jesse Sykes to the Ex-Lovers to the Minders to Jessy Green to Kenny Howes….and to Oranger, for providing explosive back-up on ‘Down to the Wire’ and ‘Never My Love’ (the latter also augmented by Patented Padilla Peavey Power).
Highest order of thanks to all the providers of gear—Will K., Brian P., REM/Dewitt, Beth & Ed, Rachel I., JKY, Aaron, Padilla…and let us not forget one of my favorite moments, having the very talented Ian McGlynn play piano on ‘You Drew’…and a version of the ‘Summer Wind’. His new record, Tomorrow’s Taken, is a current fave of mine, I think anyone who likes my stuff would like his…check out ianmcglynn.com
And god bless the Magnum.
Several of the shows were recorded, and available online. The Boston show at the Middle East (thru the club’s website
), the Hoboken show at Maxwell’s, and the Chicago show at Schuba’s. (for the last two, check the club websites,
and look for the emusic links.
I hope to hit some dates in Europe before the year’s end…in the meantime, I’ll be traveling around with REM (see tour page).
As always, I am looking for tennis partners on tour! Feel free to drop me a line if you’re up for a match around one of the posted tour dates.
Best
KS
New Canaan CT
SOFT COMMANDS TO BE RELEASED BY RYKODISC SEPT. 27 OUTSIDE OF US/CANADA/SPAIN
with two extra tracks, no less-- a cover of the Association's 'Never My Love' (feat. Larry Knechtel on keyboards/bass--the keyboard player on the original version!!) and a wild n woolly cover of Neil Young's 'Down to the Wire'.
I can only say that my lack of posts means that I have been working quite hard on this tour --and it has been a joy to do so. But it hasn't left much time for me to sit in front of a computer. I will write a summary when I am off the tour next week.
Love
KS
Napa CA
