Howdy folks!

It's tour time again, and, boy, am I ready to get the hell out of dodge. In the next couple of weeks we will be heading to NYC, Boston, Cleveland, Delaware, Athens, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Dayton. We hope to see you out there!

In other news, I'm here to tell you that we will likely be discontinuing this blog in favor of the new options provided us at our spiffy new website, still at www.theprincesofhollywood.com.

If you'd like to go directly to our new blog, please go here.

Thanks, and hugs,
TK and all at The P of H

Whoa, October!

So, for the second time, we played the Midpoint Music Fest in Cincinnati. And, well, it wasn't really that bad. I usually hate music "conferences" or "summits". They are similar to the Guitar Center experience, where there's a bunch of immature musicians looking for gear that they don't need and some staff who don't really know anything about music or the gear they're schlepping trying to convince these poor sixteen year olds playing "Smoke on the Water" that they need to buy a $2000 Gibson on daddy's credit card. Meanwhile, there will undoubtably be some long-haired, misanthropic jerk in a Slayer t-shirt playing speed-metal riffs and tapping through a fully-cranked Marshall half-stack while a motley little group of neophyte rockers drool in a half-circle around him.

Basically, Dante's fifth circle of hell, the one with the river Styx running though it, where the wrathful and slothful battle in the murky water.

Sorry--please pardon my tangential bitching, and keep in mind that I know I'm probably wrong about everything.

Anyway, last night: not so bad. We drove to Cincinnati, checked in with the Midpoint folks, walked around the block a few times, unloaded the car, played our show, drank copious amounts of coffee, and drove home. All in all, not a bad night.

But, really, what is the point of music conferences? People don't actually "network," at least not productively. It seems like the only thing to do is go there and feel bad that there are a whole glut of folks who, just like you, aren't making it in the biz. But, why? Why don't we all just buckle down and work on our craft, develop genuine relationships through working, co-existing, and cooperation? All the folks who I love and respect in music aren't just sitting around talking about the hustle. They're practicing they're craft everyday, like all the generations of fine, hard-working folks who came before, dirt on their hands, sweat on their brows. The Kinsley family, in generations past, was made up of a long ling of farmers and quarry men, up to my dad, who split for the world of academia, but not before spending his first 20 years milking cows and forking silage. I say this only to prove that, by proxy, I know a think or two about a working man's life (a collective HA! issues from the aforementioned Kinsleys of generations past). I tend to think, in my romanticizing little brain, that farming and music ain't so different. You just have to keep waking up early, work your hands each day, and and make sure that you keep your land tilled and watered, because crops can't grow if you just pop some seeds in the ground and move on to see how many friends you have on myspace.

Well, I guess I should get back to work.

Best,
Tristan

P.S. I'm sorry about the photograph situation. I've been really bad about remembering the camera.

Hello friends,

It's been a while since I've checked in here, and my apologies for my absence.

Man, what a weird freakin' year its been. There's been a little bit of everything: your garden variety bucket o' troubles from death to heartbreak, hospitals and hangovers, not to mention that ever-present, pesky little friend called hope.

And now here we all sit (except those of us in the southern hemisphere, lucky bastards) on the verge of my least favorite season, Autumn (bristle not, as you are sure to do, as it has been brought to my attention by ciderholics, halloweenheads, and football lovers in my midwestern locale that this is near blasphemy, my hating fall; you're free to hate whichever season you wish, and I will respect that. When my excommunication comes, I hope to be relocated to warmer and beach-ier environs).

And, yet, I feel great!

We, The Princes of Hollywood, played three fun and well-received gigs last weekend, and I've managed to be more social in the last five days than I had been through the whole of summer. I've been reading, running, playing jazz on the ukulele out on the deck, started attending a yoga class (hippie! Go get a haircut!), doing some serious film-watching with the gang, wearing my cowboy hat inside, while driving, and when fetching the mail, and generally doing my best to show old Autumn that he can't get the best of me.

Meanwhile, we're gearing up for the remainder of our tours dates, which we will be filming for a yet-untitled and generally unplanned documentary/TV show. In the midst of that, we'll be running off to California for a week, and following that, we will (hopefully) be packing our things into the van for Nash-diggity.

But who knows? So many well-laid plans have already been diverted or canceled or completely rethought this year, so what the hell do I know about making plans. I'm getting better about rolling with the punches, though.

I hope to see you soon.

Oh, and also, here are some things that I've been digging on recently:
1. Chet Baker -- like Sinatra, if he had played music and not crowds, or Miles if he hadn't had a big stick up his ass. Not revolutionary Jazz, but who cares when its this good, this cool.
2. Deadwood -- Just watch it already.
3. No Reservations -- a new season just started on the travel channel, and man, do I want to go to Argentina.
4. Tony Bourdain novels -- And just when you thought Anthony was only good for Travel shows and bitching, you find out he writes great stories about mobsters, organized crime, chefs, and exotic locales.
5. Zero 7 -- They use real instruments, and real string orchestras (and somebody who writes some mean charts) and yet they are classified as "electronica". Maybe they should just classify them as "awesome".
6. Josh Rouse - Country Mouse, City House -- This dude just makes me feel good, and he always had.

Till next time,
paz,
TK

Rehearsals for Departure

Salaama, dear friends. I guess summer is coming to a close. My sister just went to her first day as a junior in a new high school, and my brother will be leaving home soon to begin at The Ohio State University. The weather is still decidedly unpleasant in southern Ohio, and we here seem to be in various states of emotional disarray. Yep, fall is close at hand; I can feel it.

I am reminded of my mantric formulation of the First Noble Truth of Buddhism: Change is ubiquitous and constant. Indeed, the universe seems to have noticed certain instabilities our plans and so attacked them from every side; what was very recently a wagon, albeit a rickety and likely misguided one, has become a sled, if you get my meaning. But I do not mean to complain, nay. There's plenty of good stuff rolling around in this bucket, too. For instance, the new season of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations recently began; Coleman duPont Donaldson III is back in the states, and a new, still more agile troupe is reworking plans for our kick-ass move to the Nashdiggity.

I guess my point is that we've been getting ready for some big changes, here at PofHQ, and so I've gotten to thinking about my time in Athens, the past crazy-$%^&#$ year and where we're going. In the post below, I've just presented some advice for those who might be passing through Athens after we've gone.

(Above: From two years ago, home to Athens for the holidays. As I recall, this was a lovely and quite civilized dinner party that escalated very quickly. Case in point--Below: I don't now, nor have I ever, played the clarinet.)


Anyway, I just wanted to say hey. Look for us over the next couple months, armed with new ideas about "intentional living," a book on home improvement, new pocket calendars, and renewed musical ambition. Please, feel free to drop us a note and let us know what's new with you!

Best,

-HD

P.S. If you need a pick-me-up and can stand some foul language, I thoroughly recommend Superbad. I know what you're thinking, and it really is better than that.

Hometown Recommendations

I've just added a few of my favorite things to the list at theprincesofhollywood.com. (Above: The largest Cactus sign in New England; Saugus, Mass.) Meanwhile, I've also been preparing to move away from Athens again, so I thought I should publish some parting thoughts for future passers-through, collegians, and transplants. Athens can be a delightful place. Enjoy.

If you ever find yourself in Athens, Ohio, Harlan Dalzell of The Princes of Hollywood recommends the following:

Casa Nueva and Casa Cantina - (As recommended by the band Cake.) For libation and repast, this ought to be your first stop. Patently Athenian and worker-owned, with a focus on locally produced groceries, Casa Nueva serves frikkin' tasty and very affordable hippie-Mexican. (Don't be ruffled if you receive middling service--See above.) Also a vegetarian's haven, Casa offers nearly every dish in a meat-free rendition. (I hear the vegan parfait is first rate.) This is where The PofH take out-of-town musicians. I eat here at least weekly. Meanwhile, next door at the Cantina there is live music, pretty much nightly, exclusively Ohio-brewed goodies on tap (with a formidable bottled beer selection from all around this thirsty, spinning rock), 'Bodega' appetizers from the Casa Nueva menu, and the superlative liquor selection in town. Cheers. 6 W State St. 740-592-2016

O'Betty's Red Hot! - Hands-down the best hotdogs and hand-cut french fries in town. Vegetarian friendly, too. 15 W State St. 740-589-6111

Magic Video - Athens' independent movie rental choice for over 20 years. No, they don't have 60 copies of the new horror fiasco. And, yes, rentals really are only for one night, but Martha Laufman has made a business of getting movies that matter. Their selection rivals the best I've seen in major metropolitan independent movie stores. 20 W State St. 740-592-4544

Athena Cinema (Uptown) - Just got an afternoon to burn and can't wait for the new arthouse flick to make it to Magic Video? Hit the Athena Uptown. As I see it, this is one of the most productive ways Ohio University is spending money, these days. 20 S Court St. 740-592-5106

Donkey Coffee and Espresso - Fuel up. 17 1/2 W. Washington St. 740-594-7353

The Front Room Open Stage - Bruce Dalzell has been hosting this open stage--8:00 (almost) every Friday night--for years, and it is the standard by which the numerous others in town would be judged, if anyone really judged open mics. Go tell a joke or perform hip-hop with cello accompaniment or, better yet, do something I've never even considered. At least go say hi to Brucie and see who's playing in town these days--they all come through eventually. (Bruce also hosts numerous other open stages at Baker Center during the week. See the website for details. And, during the summer, you must go to the Athens Public Library on Monday nights for the Family Open Stage that he hosts with his wife, Gay. *This is on my list of "Happiest Places on Earth.")

Mistretta's Italian Market - Serious panini and daily deli specials, along with various Italian imports make this a sure bet and my regular sandwich fix. Also, they feature a specialized wine selection and reliable imported beer choices. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. 9 N Shafer St. 740-594-4949

Seaman's Grocery - For in-town meat selection, you can't beat Seaman's. When The PofH smoke a pork shoulder, this is where we buy it. Also, their beige-colored plastic shopping bags are my favorite in Athens County. 305 W. Union St. 740-594-2238

Athens Farmers Market - Saturday (year-round) and Wednesday (April-November), 10:00 AM-1:00 PM. Do it. Parking lot of the University Mall, E State St.

Alvis Auto Repair - Car trouble? 186 Columbus Rd. 740-594-3222

Casa Lopez - Cheap and tasty Mexican, has finally usurped the title of Best Mexican Restaurant Staffed by Mexicans in Athens from Rio Grande, especially by periodically offering live Mariachi! 1017 E. State St. 740-592-3833

Glasshouse Works - For readers inlcined toward horticulture or statuary, you have to check out the GHW, the world-famous mail-order greenhouse, two blocks from my childhood home in Stewart, Ohio. They have some amazing stuff, including regional artisanal offerings, such as rock sculpture, bird baths, etc. Church St., Stewart 740-662-2142

Passion Works Studio - "Passion Works Studio supports collaborations between artists with and without disabilities." Seriously good place. The PofH were honored to be included in the Passion Works Music Project Volume II. Look for it soon. (Our track is called "My Little Pancake Button.") 21 S. Campbell St. 740-592-6659

Not Doing "The Court Street Shuffle" - Although it is true that there are 23 liquor serving establishments on an easy walking route uptown, this in no way makes visiting each of them in one night--Athens' famous pub crawl--a good idea. Indeed, if this is your idea of a good time, you will likely find the rest of my advice on this page of little use.

The Athens Do-It-Yourself Shop - Tired of buying crappy beer from Anheuser-Busch? Me too! Let's make our own! This bloke will be happy to help us on our way. 6 Euclid Dr. 740-594-2349

The Bike Path - It is what it sounds like. As 'progressive' as Athens is, that whole cycling thing isn't really a big deal, but there is a lovely bike path if you want to get away and enjoy the Hocking River.


--Well, folks, hopefully that'll keep you busy for the afternoon. If you have any questions about categories not listed--for example, fellow musicians looking for places to play in A-Town--please don't hesitate to ask (harlan350@excite.com)!

Otherwise, be well, and we'll see you in Athens.
-HD

(Photo from Yellstone National Park, by me)

Holy, July.

I can't believe another Independance day has come and gone. That means the summer has turned, and we officially on our way towards fall. And, boy, do I hate the fall.

But there is other good news. I've fallen back in love with music. When you start to spend too much time working your budget, booking shows, getting angry with myspace, etc, it is easy to loose sight of why you started doing all of those things in the first place.

But yesterday, on my way home in the midst of a light, hazy summer afternoon rain, with the sun just poking through the trees (and a fresh bottle of just-bought whiskey in the back seat--unopened, of course), I put on a record by my fellow Ohio homeboy Tim Easton (Ammunition, which he released late last year) and was moved by the moment. It wasn't much, just a pretty little song, unadorned with over-production or studio trickery, and a soothing moment in the mid-afternoon heat, but it was enough to push me back over the fence, where the grass was green, the music was sweet, and I remember what it was like to be a romantic about things. Today, at work with my iPod on, I got lost in song after song, tunes that I had not visited with in a while and songs that I had listened to only yesterday but had missed the point, my perspective clouded by record sale numbers, mounting debt, unreturned booking emails, and that goddamn myspace.

So next time your feeling lost, try and remember that the only things that we humans have over all the other animals and other lifeforms on earth is that we can use our brains to be both logical and romantic. And we should spend a lot more time being both.

Hugs,
TK

Harlan's wisdom of the week (presented by Tristan):

[In response to a sign reading "Virtue is its own reward"] "Luxury is its own reward."

Till' next time,
TK