Soup Greens

Gospel Pool

Lucas Gonze — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:31:17 +0000

The Joy Drops play a tune from The Sacred Harp.

The lyrics move me. This song is about humility, frailty, vulnerability.

Vicksburg Stomp

Lucas Gonze — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:27:53 +0000

The Joy Drops play a Charlie McCoy Tune.

This piece has a ton of charm, and it’s really straightforward. Just make the notes happen and it’ll feel good.

bookstore gig

Lucas Gonze — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 12:54:59 +0000

I’ll play at Diesel bookstore in Oakland on Friday night, April 12. Start time 7pm, set length 60 minutes, maybe 90 if I feel long winded.

5433 College Ave Oakland, California 94618-1502. A short walk from Rockridge BART.

My plan is to do more moodier, quieter, smarter pieces. Lots of instrumentals. Notes flying willy nilly. This is a solo show, I think. Unless I change my mind.

Diesel has a nice feel to it. I love bookstores.

Owler

Lucas Gonze — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:52:46 +0000

Homestyle Mandolin MP3

Lucas Gonze — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 06:00:23 +0000

A couple years ago I posted a set of 11 short mandolin improvisations titled “homestyle mandolin sample pack” They were targeted at remixers and video makers, not plain old listeners, so I put them in AIFF format, which is unfriendly for ordinary listening.

Since then one of the 11, #17, has become far and away the most popular. It has 1551 plays on Freesound, more than double the next most popular and about 15X more than the other nine. It has been used in about five videos; none of the others have been used AFAIK. It clearly deserves to be an MP3 for ordinary listening and to be accessible apart from the pack.

This one is the only one that in the future won’t have a number. It’s new name is simply “Homestyle Mandolin.”

Lucas Gonze – Homestyle Mandolin (0:35 MP3)

Scary Olden Days Dude

Lucas Gonze — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 22:30:35 +0000

An 1880 Gem tintype on Retronaut -

Photos from The Joint show

Lucas Gonze — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 23:07:12 +0000

Introducing the band, clockwise from the chair:

1928 Gibson L3
2003 National Estralita
1900 tater bug mandolin, made in Boston
1890 parlor guitar, no name, cheapo
2006 Collings mandolin

Drawing a crowd

Lucas Gonze — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 00:14:38 +0000

There was a point in my musical life where I decided that I’m committed, with no holds barred. Not long after that I stopped taking bookings where I was supposed to draw an audience.

Drawing an audience is a big distraction from playing. If I have time to spend on preparing for a gig, I want it to benefit people’s ears – things like practicing, working on the set list, improving my equipment. Quality is hyperefficient. I have limited resources. The music is the best place to invest them..

Also, drawing a crowd is a con game. Making It In The Music Business is not what I’m about. As much respect as I have for people who make this game work, they are vastly outnumbered by people getting fleeced.

So I direct my attention to pre-existing crowds in need of music. Parties, for example. Problem solved. But then there’s a new problem – the music isn’t what they’re there for.

So last night I happened to play a gig for an audience which was there for other reason than to listen, and it was awesome. A quiet room. Comfortable seats. Ability to follow the phrases back and forth. I felt like they were disappointed when the big dumb songs arrived instead of relieved that the pointy headed stuff was finally over.

Maybe I can find a way to achieve both goals.

Jan 17 show

Lucas Gonze — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 01:44:52 +0000

The show I’m doing on Jan 17 is just solo Me in a quiet room with no distractions for 1 1/2 hours. I’m looking forward to doing the many thoughtful tunes I never get to play because they’re not right for happy-go-lucky drinkers.

Talk About Nike

Lucas Gonze — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 01:34:02 +0000

This usage of my song “Talk About Suffering” for a Nike spot is well done. I like the synchronization.

Pomme Chan | Nike Cortez 40/40 from London Sessions Productions on Vimeo.