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Hey Sugarbear.
Posted by on June 3, 2010
Hey Sugarbear,We're 10 days out from our Boulder CD release show at the Fox Theatre for Beautiful Empty. Good Lord. This show's gonna be hotter than two rats kissin' in a wool sock.Scroll down to see all of the incredibly cool music+film+art that will be happening that night. Also, Love Hope Strength will be there signing up donors to help fight cancer. (Hell yes.)Oh, and tell your friends who had… (read more)
CALL FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS (music+photography project)
Posted by on April 20, 2010
Hi Everyone!We're doing another music+art collaboration! Only this time, it centers around photography. Artists and photographers of all locations, levels, types and points of view are invited to participate! You? Your friends?This link has all of the details:http://beautifulemptyphotoconspiracy.blogspot.com/Please tell all of your artist / photographer friends who might dig this kind of thing.More… (read more)
This Saturday at Walnut Room in Denver!
Posted by on March 9, 2010
Hello Foxes and Tigers,I hope you're all hopped up and ready to come to our show on Sat, March 13th at The Walnut Room. Do you know about the The Walnut Room? It's one of the best sounding venues in Colorado(not just my opinion). This will be our first headlining show in Denver since releasing our new record,Beautiful Empty. We'll be playing songs from the new record plus some others... we'll have… (read more)
Facebook group for JC&BFoL
Posted by on February 22, 2010
People in our FB group are well-spoken, dashing and lovely: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2220762949 (read more)
Valentine's Reminder: Love Is A Shark
Posted by on February 17, 2010
Hello Current and Former Lovers of Love,It's Valentine's Day on Sunday. For some of you, this news is a total bummer. For others, it's a delight. One thing we can all agree on is that Love Is A Shark. Here are three ways to SHARE A SHARK, whether you are heart-broken or heart-happy:A T-SHIRT ($15)Buy a Love Is A Shark T-shirt -- Available in mens and womens. Colors: black and chocolate brown. (We… (read more)
Gift Ideas from John Common & Blinding Flashes of (Holiday) Light(s)
Posted by on December 8, 2009
Hey Elves!Our new record, Beautiful Empty, is being released Saturday, January 16 in Denver, CO. But that's AFTER the holidays!Fear not!  We found a way for you to give our new record as a gift to friends and family (and yourself too).  See if any of these ideas grab ya. There are three options -- they're all great deals:Gift idea 1: BEAUTIFUL EMPTY CD HOLIDAY PACKGift idea 2: A TICKET to… (read more)
JC&BFoL at Meadowlark
Posted by on November 5, 2009
Hiya Lovers,We're playing a great show tomorrow night (11/5) at the Meadowlark. It's likely to be the last time you'l be able to see us before the big Denver cd release show for Beautiful Empty (New date for cd release: Sat, Jan 16 -- save it!)Here is the schedule (pronounced "shedjuwell") for tomorrow night. It's back-to-back loveliness:11:15 LSW10:30 JOHN COMMON & BLINDING FLASHES OF LIGHT (JESS,… (read more)
Snowy morning
Posted by on October 28, 2009
Snowy mornings make me remember that little house where I rented a room in Johnson, Vermont... a sleeping bag and my books. A wood stove for heat. A happy young couple shared the rent -- they took the room upstairs. She was gorgeous. I secretly loved her. She let me borrow her Leonard Cohen record. That's how I disovered Cohen: a beautiful girl, an impossible love triangle, self-imposed loneliness… (read more)
Yul Brynner
Posted by on October 23, 2009
E "john common is no longer idle" is what it says right now. 10:57amJohni'm eating a pb&j for bfast, making coffee and watching it's always sunny in philadelphia.life is good, E. 10:57am Egod damni thought i had it easy by sleeping in until 7i went to Jenny Morgan's art opening last night at plus gallery. fucking amazing.you gotta go see it. 10:58amJohnjennymorgan.i wanna see it. 10:59am E you know… (read more)
This Thursday at The Walnut Room: me, you us
Posted by on October 19, 2009
'Sup Punkin',I'm playing a tres cool show this Thursday (Oct 22) at the inestimably great sounding Walnut Room. I will be playing the show with the lovely Jess DeNicola and the beguiling Dave Preston. How's that for a power trio? Also playing that night: Liz Clark, Tessa Perry and Melanie Susuras. Not to turn this into a gender thing, but I just realized I'll be the sole male songwriter of the night.… (read more)
Super Cool Merch Project Idea Thingy
Posted by on October 16, 2009
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Beautiful Empty Supercool Merch Project (BEScMP)
Posted by on October 9, 2009
Hi -- Here's the idea for the BEScMP:Rather than doing merch the normal way for this new record, we want to make it more artful and collaborative. The idea is to work with a handful of chosen graphic designers/artists who create an amazing custom design that is inspired in some way by a song from our new record.If this goes the way we're hoping it will, 1) artists will get introduced to a bunch of… (read more)
Latest JC Newsletter
Posted by on October 8, 2009
Subject: "Fort Collins" spells "Come to show" if you re-arrange the letters.Hey Crackerjack,I'm playing a fun show this Saturday, Oct 10th in Fort Collins at Everyday Joe's with Dan Craig and Danielle Ate The Sandwich. 7PM. It's a bit of an early show too. So put that in your pipe and smoke it.This is the part of the email where I write something funny/witty to get you to come. Pretend I just did… (read more)
Sprint Triathlon at Pensacola Beach
Posted by on October 3, 2009
I did a sprint TRI at Pensacola Beach with my brother this morning. It was his first -- he did great! He was thinking his time would be 2 hrs 45 min. But he did it in 2:13! Go Bruce! I wrote this on my arm to look at during the race:My goal was 2 hrs 5 min.My stretch goal was 1 hr 48 min.I did it in 1:48:25.Yay!The Statsswim (1/3 mile) 12:25T1 3:09bike (18 mile) 1:02:27T2 1:43run (3.1 mile) 28:44total… (read more)
Surgery
Posted by on October 3, 2009
I just had a dream that I could perform something I named "time travel surgery". I have no idea what that means. (read more)
Pad Thai
Posted by on October 3, 2009
I had a dream about Pad Thai and Christmas. That is all for now. (read more)
Really?
Posted by on September 16, 2009
Rain the color of cementRain in the morning depresses meRain the color of MondayRain the color of workSocked in to this life'A job is good' Beats the alternative,' Dad would say.Really?Really? (read more)
My status is hiatus.
Posted by on September 12, 2009
Hi All,Just wanted to write a short note and tell you that 1) the new record is pretty much done, 2) it's named Beautiful Empty, 3) our Denver release party will be Sat, Dec 12 at Curious Theatre (save the date!), 4) that night is gonna be crazy cool, and that 5) we're taking a break from music for a month or so... to rest up for all the flashing and lighting and blinding that we'll soon be doing.Enjoy… (read more)
I Should Read This Every Day
Posted by on September 4, 2009
A good friend just sent me this:DesiderataGo placidly amid the noise and haste,and remember what peace there may be in silence.As far as possible without surrenderbe on good terms with all persons.Speak your truth quietly and clearly;and listen to others,even the dull and the ignorant;they too have their story.Avoid loud and aggressive persons,they are vexations to the spirit.If you compare yourself… (read more)
New Piano
Posted by on August 23, 2009
Here's a picture of my new piano... its dimensions, actually. (read more)
Channel 34
Posted by on August 20, 2009
I'm sitting in bed in a low end hotel in San Francisco's China Town. I've been here 3 days. Four days? It's all blending together now. At any rate, a couple of nights ago I was mindlessly flipping through the few channels available on the old television set in my room when I came across a subtle meditation. Apparently, there is an entire television channel devoted to 24 hour coverage of what looks… (read more)
Posted by on August 15, 2009
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Latest JC Newsletter
Posted by on August 13, 2009
Hiya,Ever want to make a short film? Know any budding filmmakers? We're cooking up a really creative film project attached to the upcoming release of our new record. The idea is to collaborate with all kinds of artists around the songs that are going to be on the new record. Just like the Box Project, only with film!Visit this link if you or someone you know might be interested:www.beautifulempty.blogspot.comAnd… (read more)
Live Photos from Denver Post UMS
Posted by on August 13, 2009
These photos were taken by the amazing Lindsay McWilliams at the Denver Post Underground Music Showcase. We finished the set out in the audience. (read more)
Flickr Feed
Posted by on August 9, 2009
I'm trying to learn how this Flickr feed thing works...The photos were taken by a bunch of amazing photographers including (but not limited to) kelly kievit, lindsay mcwilliams, ann fealteau, rhiannon royce, photog brian and many more... (read more)
Impossible
Posted by on August 7, 2009
impossibleshe was raised by machinesand she doesn't give a shitshe's beautiful yehbut she's about to splither smile is a thing you could never keepshe was raised by machinesshe's got wolf blood in her veinsshe eats rocks and glassshe'll hate you even moreif you kiss her ass that snarky sneer goes bone deep she's got wolf blood in her veins impossible, impossible impossible, impossible impossible,… (read more)
Playing with David Lindley
Posted by on August 6, 2009
Super honored to be asked to open up for David Lindley, acoustically. I did the show with Jess (from Blinding Flashes of Light). It was such a fun night. The audience was very kind and seemed to genuinely like our music.We ended up meeting and hanging out with David and Norm, his road manager, before the show. Right before we went on, I was trying to decide what song we should start with and suggested… (read more)
Possible name for the record after Beautiful Empty.
Posted by on August 5, 2009
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Angels and Sharks
Posted by on August 5, 2009
Today's paraphrased quote: "Angels are just sharks who have learned to control their appetite." -- the Cook in Moby DickThe actual quote:"Your woraciousness, fellow-critters. I don't blame ye so much for; dat is natur, and can't be helped; but to gobern dat wicked natur, dat is de pint. You is sharks, sartin; but if you gobern de shark in you, why den you be angel; for all angel is not'ing more dan… (read more)
John and Darci Talk About B.E.
Posted by on August 5, 2009
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Mixing Same Scar... Self-amusement
Posted by on August 2, 2009
This is me trying to amuse myself In the studio with John Macy. We're mixing a song named Same Scar from the upcoming JC&BFoL record (Beautiful Empty). (read more)
John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light: DPUMS Day 3: Goodwill Experience
Posted by on July 29, 2009
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John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light: DPUMS Day 2: After the Sketch Wine Bar Show
Posted by on July 25, 2009
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John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light: DPUMS Day 1: After the Michaelangelo's Show
Posted by on July 25, 2009
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John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light: DPUMS Day 1: Before the Michaelangelo's Show
Posted by on July 25, 2009
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Spoons
Posted by on July 24, 2009
Years ago, I was standing in my kitchen one night, looking down into the silverware drawer. I noticed that there were more than a few spoons whose origins I couldn't quite pin down. Such as that really nice heavy one with the longish handle. Or that Mickey Mouse spoon from Disney World. Or that little ornate tea spoon. Or that strange-ish, wooden spoon with a Russian peasant-looking paint job. Or… (read more)
Monday night (yes, Monday): JC&BFoL, Nathan Moore, Tyler Despres @ Walnut Room
Posted by on July 20, 2009
Hellooooo, We had such a great time playing at the Denver Post Underground Music Showcase this past weekend! We played three shows and had a blast at every one of them. Visit my blog (www.hitrecordandplay.blogspot.com) to see some lofi videos that I made.JC&BFoL SHOWS THIS COMING WEEK!We are playing an EARLY SHOW this coming Monday night, August 3rd, with the full band at the Walnut Room. I you hope… (read more)
Calling All Filmmakers
Posted by on July 13, 2009
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Production notes for one instrument on one song
Posted by on July 9, 2009
Some times, making a record is just about hanging a microphone in a room, inviting in some friends and hitting record... Mostly it's not though.Here is an example of the kind of detail we've put in to the new record -- these notes are for one instrument (cello), on one song (Turnaround).intro- i'll need to hear this against the organ/rhodes stuff. it'll probably workverse 1- i'll probably use all… (read more)
Dream this morning -- missing a plane
Posted by on July 9, 2009
I dreamt that I was in some 4th floor walkup apartment in Paris sleeping on a friend's couch -- it was raining outside. I napped so long that I missed my flight back to Denver. The airport felt like that John Lennon video for Imagine where everything was white.The pervasive feeling in the dream was... that my unwillingness to make or stick to a plan made me a royal fuckup and that this was why I kept… (read more)
Remote recording.
Posted by on July 6, 2009
My friend Evan sent me this, thinking I'd like it. He was right.Reice Hamel, in 1960, at the Hungry I in San Francisco. This is the uncle of bassist Edo Castro... He was one of the pioneers of remote recording. He built his own portable mixers when none existed and also created other mic'ing techniques for recording live. (read more)
So many cool things to tell you... Grab a cup of coffee.
Posted by on July 5, 2009
Hey Summer Squash,Sorry I've been incommunicado lately. We've been sequestered in the studio wrapping up our new record. And man... I think you're gonna like it. I hope you're gonna like it. I've never made a record like this. It's orchestral and patient and quiet and lush and layered and very, very real. And it has a name: Beautiful Empty.We'll be releasing it this fall (late September). But you… (read more)
Looking for Filmmakers - Beautiful Empty: Music+Short Film Conspiracy
Posted by on July 3, 2009
BEAUTIFUL EMPTYA CD Release Show + Short Film Conspiracy + Box Art Exhibi + Written WordTHE BASIC IDEA• A non-competitive short film festival inside of a CD release show and box art exhibit all inspired by the upcoming new record, named Beautiful Empty, from John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light to happen in Denver, CO• Filmmakers from all backgrounds, skill levels, and artistic points of view… (read more)
Why I Like My Friend Julie
Posted by on July 1, 2009
An excerpt from our Facebook status tete-a-tete:be my friend on facebook :: facebook.com/jcommoni'm learning to twitter :: twitter.com/johncommonshall we myspace :: myspace.com/johncommon (read more)
DETAILS: Box Project Exhibition and Listening Party
Posted by on June 28, 2009
JOHN COMMON, ABECARDIAN GALLERY AND 65 ARTISTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY COLLABORATE IN “THE COMMON BOX PROJECT”June 22, 2009, Denver, CO – Abecedarian Gallery director Alicia Bailey and Denver-based independent recording artist John Common (www.johncommon.com) share a belief that art forms benefit from overlap, and that collaborative efforts usually have rewarding and exciting outcome. That belief… (read more)