| www.joshualong.org (c)2007 Joshua Long |
What's up, everybody? I wanted to throw out a blog about an upcoming event that I'm putting together. It's a benefit concert that will raise money for the Mina Project. Mina is a charity drive put together by Hope Community Church in Raleigh/Cary, NC. Here's the basic concept: the church put cash in random amounts into envelopes and passed them all out one weekend. Everyone who got an envelop is to take that cash, use it to make more cash and then turn that money in, where it will go in two directions. First, half the money is going to the creation of a hospital in Haiti, in an area where medical care is not really available. The building has been picked out and the budget set to turn it into a great facility that people can rely on for health care. Second, the other half of the money will be given out to local non-profits, such as the Raleigh Rescue Mission and the Healing Place of Wake County. These are all great places that do hard work and need a lot of support. For more info, check out www.gethope.net/Mina2008.htm. The concert is gonna be on Friday, October 17th at North Hills in Raleigh. I'll be playing with my band, but I'm still looking for a couple other acts to join us. If you are a band or know one that's awesome and loves helping other people, send me a message. I'm looking for groups with some original music that would appeal to an all-ages audience. And if nothing else, come to the show! There's gonna be a raffle on top of all that fun, so you don't want to miss it! Peace, Joshua
17 January 2008 - New Happenings, The Band, Etc
What's up, everybody? 2008 is moving right along, and a bunch of stuff is changing for me. First off, the band has finally hit the scene. It's awesome, and I love playing with Jon and Josh, but we need your help! I've gotten into a month's worth of venues for my acoustic shows, but with the band we're starting almost from scratch when it comes to bookings. So let us know your favorite places to hear bands, and tell them how bad you want us to play at their locations.
And just in case you haven't heard any of our stuff, play all the LIVE songs on my myspace music player, and check out the videos in the YouTube player. I'll be working to get more stuff in there as time goes along.
My first album "Acoustics," is doing well. I'm selling cd's at every show now, which blows my mind. I love it when people are excited to get their hands on a disc, and especially afterwards when they tell me how much they enjoy it. I'll keep the good stuff coming, and make sure to write and record more songs this year.
So for 2008, I promise to be busy if you promise to come hear me! Keep an ear out, cause you'll be hearing a lot from me this year!
21 Nov 2007 - guitar hero makes me better
It's been too long since I've posted a blog! On the day before Thanksgiving, I've finally gotten a big enough break to write one!
To follow up from my title, i'll discuss guitar hero 3. Fantastic and tons of fun, sure, but can it make you better guitar player??? I say yes, depending on what you already know. I think a beginning player would be very disappointed to rock a solo on Hero and then stink up a real guitar. But an intermediate player such as myself can really get something. I'm not great at lead, but Hero forces me to pick up speed, on both fingering and picking. But the real bonus is that it forces me to use my pinky. I rarely ever used the pinky in leads before, but then as I've practiced since getting guitar hero, I've found myself using the pinky almost without thinking. Who says video games don't make the world a better place?!?!?!?
On somewhat related news (I used my pinky), I've gotten all the recording done here at home for my Christmas EP. I just have to finish the mixing the audio and attempt to "master" it. It sounds great so far and will only get better from here. We also took a bunch of pictures today for album art. This one is a super-fast home brew project, but I'm just as proud of this as I am of my studio album. Speaking of, it's available now for purchase. If you get one from me, I'll sign it. But if you want to download, go here: http://www.digstation.com/ArtistAlbums.aspx?artistname=JoshuaLong
I've got the info to get things in to CDbaby and iTunes, but haven't had the time yet to get it done.
I also have a ton of shows lined up for the next 3 weeks. Check me out in Raleigh, Durham, or Apex before Christmas!
Peace.
06 Nov 2007 - Two shows that couldn’t be more different
So last Saturday I played at Dakota, which is one of my favorite locations to play. But during my first set, the final patrons from dinner drifted out, and then no one else came in all night. The staff got a private show, which they can brag about when I'm famous.
Then last night I played in the talent competition at the Blue Horn Lounge with my band. After circling the block multiple times (which is the only way I know how to park and get anything done in Chapel Hill) we get our mess unloaded and look at the bar. People are standing all outside the door like the place is packed. Which it was, it's just that there wasn't much room to begin with. But I gotta say, the venue owner's commitment to live music more than made up for the small space. That man's giant heart and enthusiasm go a long way!
Marty had to leave about half his drum set in the car and play while sitting on a bench in the corner. My 212 amp was stacked on Jon's bass amp, and he was playing from the doorway. And it was awesome. The debut was a total success, and while we didn't win that night, we're already working on future gigs. Plus we got to entertain, meet, and learn from a lot of very cool people.
So come out to some shows soon, and look for more rockin from my band in the near future.
02 Nov 2007 - Drummer and Album Updates
First, thanks to all who helped me out in my search for a drummer. I was able to secure someone for the Blue Horn dates, which is a huge load off my shoulders. We did a quick practice yesterday and things went really well. Marty's in a working cover band so he's well practiced and skilled.
He is however for the moment, a fill-in. I'll still be searching for that special someone who clicks with myself and Jon, wants to rock often, and can do it both short- and long-term. So the drummer search continues!
My acoustic album is being manufactured as I type, so look for that to be available very soon. Should get shipped to me in mid-November, so I'll plan a CD release event as soon as I know when they'll be here. Get ready to own a piece of history!
22 Oct 2007 - I need a drummer badly!!!
Here's the bulletin I've been posting recently. I seriously do need some help here, so if you know anyone who fits the description below, send me a message!!!
Long story short, I have lost two drummers over the last month, and have a show coming up REAL FAST where I need one badly. Here's what I need:
Must be available to play in Chapel Hill on Monday Nov 5th for a competition. Playtime is approx. 11:15pm. Also would be available Dec 3rd for the finals if we make it. And IF we make the finals, there will be prize money and potential gigs!
Practice is in Apex, and you gotta have your own drums. We'd need a couple practices before Nov 5th, and it would probably be the week prior. For the competition, you will have to learn 4 originals, that's it.
Music sounds like Switchfoot, Daughtry, that kind of stuff. You can hear acoustic recordings on my page, and imagine them loud and rocking.
No drugs/egos.
If this fits you or someone you know, write me back PLEASE!!!!
03 Oct 2007 - fashion, blackouts, adventure!!
I so often feel like starting my blogs with, "wow!" It's been an interesting past few weeks.
I got hooked up with Future Marketing and Design for some shows recently that really streched my concept of myself and what I'm doing. The first was playing outside their booth at the Southen Ideal Home Show. Completely unplugged, I was an indoor street performer for 2 hours. Mostly people just walked by, maybe looking a little confused. But every now and then someone stopped to actually enjoy a song for a little bit. I think I just learned to try to rock it regardless of the venue. It's all about attitude, right?
Then, FMD got me booked as some intro entertainment for Fashion for Food, a charity fashion show for Meals on Wheels. Again, completely out of my realm of experience and understanding. I went to NV men's clothes the day before to get an outfit to model as I played, which was fun. Betzi at NV put me in a lot of stuff, and the outfit ended up being great. So we get to club Mosquito in downtown raleigh, and get set up in the corner near the DJ and wait. I played my stuff, capped off with some signature Journey to end the set (any way you want it, baby!). Afterwards, we watched a pretty interesting catwalk show, complete with dudes in briefs. One guy looked just like Bobby Lee from MAD TV, especially in the underwear (a la, 24 hours in the life of Bobby Lee). I got to meet Salt from 96rock, and people seemed to dig me playing. Overall, a great night.
Next up was Mr Toad on Saturday; a venue I'd played before and enjoy very much. Got to play some new covers that I'd learned, and made a few new friends. Most notably a woman whose husband is serving overseas. I am honored to have played music that reminded her of him. That's what this is all about. But then just after 9pm, the power went out in the whole block. Did we all pack up and go home? No way! I guess that's the beauty of a small room and an acoustic guitar. We got our hands on some flashlights and I played until about 9:30. What was the best, though, was that people I didn't know stayed there in the dark to listen. What a great night.
In new news, "the band" is going through a reforming. But we've got our sights set on a local competition that will give us a good chance to get out and play. Definitely look forward to it.
And I got my first real paying gig! Check out my upcoming gigs and come when you can!
Sep 19, 2007 FIRST BLOG!
I think I've finally gotten it! The scrolling text box is now working so I can blog away on this webpage. In the past, I've just been blogging on my myspace page, and I will continue to do so. But I want there to be good stuff here for the wider audience to access.
So here goes for my first update here EVER:
I got together with the band last night after quite a long time and things went pretty well. All the music sounds great, we're just gonna have to put our heads together to book some live performances. If I can make it happen, look for at least an open mic debut sometime in early October.
I am (hopefully) in the latter stages of making my acoustic album. It'll be 8 tracks, all acoustic guitar and vocal. If I decide that it's ready, I'll just have to go forward with mastering and duplication. Today I've been working on some different graphics to use for cover art, etc. Looking good so far!
As always, if you have a place local to you that you want me to play just send me an email with the contact info. I'll do my best to get something together!
