A COMEDOWN OF SORTS, WITH OPINION.

It's good to feel like I'm re-acclimating to the daylight. 

As mentioned in my previous blog, I was working tirelessly on the new website for a couple weeks prior to its rollout.  I won't go into any more detail at the risk of boring you (which is abnormally gracious of me).  Suffice to say, I made a point of spending the subsequent four days after the site's "live" day just hanging, resting, doing things that didn't require my eyes to be focused on a Mac screen or think business.  So now, while listening to "Spirit In The Night", I find myself ready to punch keys again for a few minutes.  This blog is a bit long... I've got a few weeks' worth of brain mess to sort out.

Friday night (5.16) I played in a local poker tourney, about 30 were there to compete.  For those of you who don't know, or who are new to the band or these blogs... I like poker, the cerebral aspects of it, the angles, numbers, feelings, instinct reliance.  Plus, it's been supplemental income for me over the years!  Additionally, it serves as a way for me to focus entirely on a competitive task, and frees my mind from chronic multitasking for a few hours, which is welcomed beyond words.  Anyhow, I won the tournament, and it was good to play and win after not playing any cards for awhile.
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**WARNING: NON-MUSICAL CULTURAL ASSESSMENT FOLLOWS:

After the tournament, I went to Seymour High School (where I graduated) and walked a 1am-2am shift at the local Relay For Life gathering with a handful of friends.  I've got far too many people in my life whose family members are being affected by cancer.  We could be taking better care of ourselves here in the US, we've become proud and indifferent about so much.  MC Thom and I (I call Thom "MC Thom" now on account of his holistic endeavors...) have discussions all the time about health in the USA, where the perils are, where capitalism plays an ever-present role, and how not all is as it seems.  This is not the "Sicko" dialogue.  It's more about how the smartest salesmen know how to house their wares in noble guise.  I tend to listen closely to the advice of my physician, who is a gracious friend and has been my doctor for 15 years.  You've got to find as much info as possible, filter it, let the trust you grant people be trust they've earned.  But this is a conversation reserved for actual... conversation. 

While I'm at on the topic of conversation, let me just say that the internet is NOT proper relationship building.  It's NOT the "new culture of interaction." It's NOT meant to replace, or be a substitute for actual, eye-to-eye and heart-to-heart contact between people.  I could give extremely vivid examples of my recent feelings of horror regarding this matter, but I'll keep things global in nature.  The internet is for surface communication: blogs, diaries, teleconference, email, or things that aspire to a mass audience.  It's for gathering info, music, video, and other media resources.  S.A.T. ANALOGY: The internet is to real human interaction what ringtones are to music -- lo-fi, succinct, one-dimensional glimpses of the real thing.  To say that a ringtone accurately represents a piece of music's sonic and emotional scope would be silly, no?  Such is saying that internet exchanges accurately represent the way people ought to engage each other.  I like the internet.  I like keeping in touch with people using it.  I fear only that there are people out there who think that their service or duties to people they hold precious can be more conveniently accomplished using the internet.  Herein lies the problem: relationships are meant to require sacrifice.  That's where the spiritual transactions are worth most: in service.  So, I hope you're not letting your PC (or Mac, hopefully) become your easy, convenient way of being available to people close to you.  God forbid it becomes and integral part of your identity.
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So now that we've given you the new site and let you hear some tunes, my attention goes elsewhere. Ultimately, efforts will all point to finishing the record and getting it out.  I know that the discussion about the music biz is one that can grow thin, but its affect is very noticeable to bands like The Elms who have relied on various traditional elements of the business for a few years, but still maintain an independent spirit.  I have probably bought a total of five physical records in the last two years.  I buy digital all the time.  Whatever we do, I find it difficult to believe that we'll do something 100% traditional or 100% non-traditional.  I think we'll be able to take the best bits of each.  Thoughts?   

This weekend, I fly out to judge a music competition in NC.  I hope the Carolinas are nurturing some fine rock bands, I'd love to get in on the ground level of the next cool band.

To conclude, a few pop culture YES's and NO's:
-Duffy? YES
-New Coldplay tune? NO
-Iron Man? YES
-Clif Bar? YES
-Scarlett Johansson? YES
-Scarlett Johansson's music? NO

K.O.K.O.
Owen

**EDIT (9:09pm, 5.20.08): There's a fantastic documentary on PBS's "Frontline" tonight about the topic of "the digital divide."  It's a very interesting look at how a growing majority of young people's lives are becoming intrinsically linked to their online identity.  Parents are talking about how their primary interfaces with their kids involve IM's, email, and text.  It then talks about people attempting to resolve disputes on MySpace, the effect of social networking on people upon attempting to enter the professional workplace, and the noticeable social dysfunction that accompanies kids who are "too connected" to their online character.  Fascinating! 

Comments

[Rivka]

Hey Owen, I agree with you, in that if it's possible to interact face-to-face, you should. But I'm glad that there are many ways to socialize on the internet, b'cos I have developed some very meaningful relationships with some people that way. See, I'm homeschooled, and I don't know a lot of people outside of church. I love boards and blogs and such! I used to be on The Buzzing... I wish I could join the new board!
~~Rivka~~[REEV-kuh]~
p.s. is fun.

[Hayley]

So... does that mean you're not going to respond to my comment on your myspace? :-)

[Owen]

Oh, I'll reply at some point, hahaha... I rarely comment with MySpace.

[Nathan Walker]

You hit the nail on the head, great job describing the lackluster nature of using the internet to make relationships. Really liked how you wrote all that.

I also agree that Iron Man = Yes.

Alas, I am saddened that you're headin towards where I live without the rest of the band to join in and play behind you. At least a hundred of my own friends in NC love you guys. :(

Anywho,, I must say, I really enjoyed what bit of Scarlett Johansen I heard on last.fm (singing Summertime).

[Quinn]

What's the big freakin deal about Scarlett Johansson!?

She aint nothin!

I mean, it all just seems so manufactured!

I just don't find her that appealing...in pretty much any way at all. That's why I am perplexed at the attention she gets. I guess.

[Lisa]

You write so well. I love the way you write and the way you think.

I also like the music you make and the shows you put on; hope to be able to catch one this year.
The Trews were in [our rock station's] studio the other day. I wasn't there see them, actually, but I left a note requesting they take you guys on tour some time soon.
*fingers crosses* haha!
All the best.

[Lisa]

Just to be clear: I absolutely agree with your assessment of internet communication etc.

[Lisa]

Music love for your band online at
http://www.1075koolfm.com/Announcers/LisaMorgan.aspx

In moments I'll be sending my listeners there to see your latest Monofilm.
I hope you don't mind me posting them on my site instead of a direct link to you guys.

[Sylvia]

I agree with your thoughts on relationship building via the Internet. People have long been observing that as communication technology advances, we're becoming more isolated individuals taking the easier routes. We become afraid of reaching out, or just apathetic toward meaningful relationships as we forget what they look and feel like. I.e., we're scared or lazy or both.
I really wonder about the 10-year-olds I see texting each other furiously in public.
True relationships will always require risk, confrontation and sacrifice, and healthy, happy humans will always require true relationships.

[Ziggy]

I really hate to tell you this, but I do believe referring to SAT analogies will date you. I know, I'm one to talk.

An authentic relationship most certainly requires sacrifice. I too fear for those who consider their home the cyberworld. However, the written word is a very powerful thing. Sacrificial relationships have always had a rather beautiful opportunity where pen and paper meet. In that way, the internet can be a useful tool in the serious business of serving each other in love.

[Aut]

What you said about internet relationships rings so true. My older sister, since about age 15 or so, has had no, I repeat NO real friends that she can talk to in person. It's all been online, even her dating. She met her past 2 boyfriends online, and, thankfully, though she met her current boyfriend in real life and has a real, face-to-face relationship now, the majority of her social interaction remains cyber in nature. It's really sad...I try to get her to go out more and meet people, to make real friends, but sadly, she remains addicted to the web.

It's really unfortunate, 'cause I know how fulfilling, heart-warming and mind-expanding real-life relationships can be, having a few friends and probably way too many acquaintances. And to see someone of my own family neglect that for as poor a substitute as the internet...gah, it really makes me mad.

Sincerely,

~Aut~

[Laura]

AH! Thank you about the relationship issue. It seems so easy to interact with people via text messages, email, blogs, etc...and yet we're losing something that's so vital when it comes to face to face relationships. Let's try vulnerability and intimacy something that's important when building solid relationships not I have a spare minute let me shoot you some words, but how about I've set aside time to spend with you let's get some coffee? Thanks, i was inspired to be a better daughter, sister, cousin, grandaughter, friend, co-worker, etc...i think you get my drift.

[Brittany Scroggins]

To comment a little on your thoughts about the tone of your upcoming tunes, one of the things I have appreciated the most about your music is the raw, dirty feel you create while still sounding clear and amazing. I'll never forget the first time we saw you guys at The Door in Dallas after hearing the "Hey Hey" single. We were completely blown away by the tunes and different sound those tunes embodied. I think you are still being true to the elements Kyle and I have associated with The Elms music from the beginning, even though you have had different overtones on the records since "Big Surprise". I agree with you that I can't imagine you guys doing a project that is 100% on either end of the spectrum. A thought though, I know from watching other non-traditional artists, specifically Owsley, who try to stay true to who they are and have record exec's involved...either end up producing albums that are so "fine tuned" by the label that they might as well not have their name on the music, or they give up because they are so frustrated and tired of fighting to produce the music they love, the way they want. I don't know Man, it's a tough one. But, as long as you guys don't loose who you are and don't let someone else tell you how to do what you already know how to do best, you'll do great. Your influences integrate so well into your sound and yet you're still so original and fresh. You're doing such a great job. Keep it up!

[Rivka]

I want to say another thing, similar to what Brittany said at the end of her comment.
I think you guys do very well with doing your best and being proud of what your hard work has produced, and still being proud of it later. I have found that by trying to look at things from other people's points of view and listening to every word they say, then I'm never satisfied with my own work or the things I like. Yet if I'm totally honest, then I'm able to be thoroughly content, b'cos it's what I like and what I'm good at and what God made me for, and that's that.
And...yeah, that's that. :^)
~~Rivka~~[REEV-kuh]

[Mandini]

Hey I don't think that Coldplay tune is all that bad, and Clif bars are the shit, black cherry almond is my fav

[Jason Z]

Owen-
I was a DJ at a local CCM(Rock) station in OKC, OK from 87 to 2000. Played and played all your stuff. Excellent really. I was asked many times to compare your band's work to Oasis(my absolute favorite). While I couldn't agree more with this post, I just wanted to say thanks for making such great music!!!!!!!
p.s. Wish you guys could Tour with Oasis! Just greatful for you man!!