Happy Birthday, Bret!

My, oh my how could another year have slipped by?

I've got a little goodie for you here, Bret. I found it for you. It will do in a pinch.

I'm sorry I couldn't be there this year. Janet's been having contractions, baby number two could decide to arrive at anytime.

But the party sounds like a scream. I look forward to seeing the documentary.

Best wishes to you, and have a great birthday.

Katrina Stories: The Good

I found this post. You know, I hope it's true.

Now that the National Guard is on the scene, perhaps things will get better.

Perhaps.

New Orleans, Katrina, and the ability to communicate

I had a couple of minutes to look around online during lunch to take a look at different articles and sites on the aftermath of the hurricane.

One blog, Katrina Aftermath had some jarring information on the lack of infrastructure funding for levee maintenance. It also had some interesting notes about the real life benefit of text messaging.

Text messaging has been the saving technology for us in this hurricane.
While the normal voice circuits have been down completely (in New
Orleans) or clogged (in Baton Rouge), text messages have been getting
through even to those completely cut off in every other way. We managed
to locate our friend Shirley that way today.

It's interesting: so many older mobile phone users just aren't into
texting, and so they never use it. Now, they're learning on the spot.
When Shirley received our text message she had never received one before
and wondered what on earth her phone was doing. She finally figured out
how to read the message and reply to us, and so we now know she is safe
out of New Orleans. Her husband, though, is stuck and isolated in his
house. It's too dangerous to leave so he's going to try to hold out
where he is until the national guard show up.

In case you were wondering what's going on in the Big Easy, this guy works in the only company with internet access in downtown New Orleans. As it turns out it was a company established by Enron called...I can't remember what it's called. Sorry, Interdictor. I can't remember the name of your company, but I'm sure you have other things on your mind.

10:46pm

The Real News The following is the result of an interview I just conducted via cell phone with a New Orleans citizen stranded at the Convention Center. I don't know what you're hearing in the mainstream media or in the press conferences from the city and state officials, but here is the truth: "Bigfoot" is a bar manager and DJ on Bourbon Street, and is a local personality and icon in the city. He is a lifelong resident of the city, born and raised. He rode out the storm itself in the Iberville Projects because he knew he would be above any flood waters. Here is his story as told to me moments ago. I took notes while he talked and then I asked some questions:

Although obviously he has no exact count, he estimates more than 10,000 people are packed into and around and outside the convention center still waiting for the buses. They had no food, no water, and no medicine for the last three days, until today, when the National Guard drove over the bridge above them, and tossed out supplies over the side crashing down to the ground below. Much of the supplies were destroyed from the drop. Many people tried to catch the supplies to protect them before they hit the ground. Some offered to walk all the way around up the bridge and bring the supplies down, but any attempt to approach the police or national guard resulted in weapons being aimed at them.

And earlier:

4. National Guard shoving water off the backs of trucks. They're just pushing it off without stopping, people don't even know it's there at first -- they drop it on the side in debris, there's no sign or distribution point -- people are scared to go near it at first, because the drop points are guarded by troops or federal agents with assault rifles who don't let people come near them, which scares people off. It is a mess. When people actually get to the water, they are in such a rush to get it that one family left their small child behind and forget about him until Sig carried him back to the family.

5. Lots of pics coming soon when Sig has time to update.

It's raining now and I guess that's a relief from the heat. It's hot as hell down there in the sun. Crime is absolutely rampant: rapes, murders, rape-murder combinations.

The situation is hard for me to comprehend. Terribly disurbing. I am at a loss for words.

Best of luck.

Bret Phillips Podsafe Music: The Hill Free MP3 Download

Here it is...

The Hill

I forget how much I like this tune. I liked it the first time I heard it and I'm surprised I haven't loaded it up here yet. Bret's playing with Shaye, Dirk, and Steve. It's about Eagle Creek, Alaska, where they all met and from where they fled. I wonder if there are still outstanding warrants.

Download, listen, podcast, thanks.

Ray LaMontagne, Griffin House, Mary Gauthier, Ben Weaver, Joseph Arthur, and Bret Phillips

Bill Flanagan is senior vice president of VH1 and a contributor to my favorite, non-football Sunday morning program, Sunday Morning on CBS. This past Sunday he opened my ears and wallet to some fantastic singer-songwriters, Ray LaMontagne, Griffin House, Mary Gauthier, Ben Weaver, and Joseph Arthur.

In my experience, Mr. Flanagan has consistently presented new music, and new ways of describing music, like a real, honest fan - like the kid from Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous grew up. He has such a pure, flawless love of music that he is able to capture emotion, mood, the essence of the song and translates it to prose equal to the poetry and power of the music. Literally, nothing is lost in his translation. I both admire and envy his ability.

Today was devoted to Ray LaMontagne. (I've linked to his bio, because it's an inspiring read.) I listened to his song, Trouble, two or three dozen times. Suddenly the pile of script edits I had stacked in front of me became managable and the disagreement my wife and I might have had last night seems a distant, faded memory.

So, yeah, the headline is a cheap Technorati plug for my favorite singer-songwriter, but the way I see it is, it's just one more way to grab Mr. Flanagan's notice, and perhaps get Bret on his next list of singer-songwriters to be discovered.

Mr. Flanangan, thanks for stopping by. Perhaps we'll get to talk music sometime.

Bret Phillips Podsafe Music: Summer Son free MP3 download

I didn't want this song to get lost in the shuffle. Bret sent this along yesterday. I 've listened to it several times now. He wrote: "This is the saddest song I've ever written," which would lead you to believe it's some sappy piece of crap White Lion power ballad. Not so. It's insightful, relevant, and timely. Sad? Perhaps. Thought provoking for sure.

Summer Heat

Download, listen, podcast, thanks.

Coming Up: More Podcast Love spotlighting the insightful Tower of Song from Dallas, Texas. Thanks to Tim Harlow for dropping Seratonin Blue on his Podcast #5. Bret and I both appreciate the exposure and support.

Goodness, I've never loaded Seratonin Blue here. Hey! More free podsafe downloads are on their way.

Bret Phillips Podsafe Music: Pollen Sneezes (i'll bless u)2 free MP3 download

I got a flurry of email, new songs, and calls from Bret today. He's been busy recording a number of new bands at his Wax Poetic Recording Studios on Bainbridge island. Unforunately I was in strategy meetings and slinging scripts all day...

Seems he got hold of a trumpeter to give his new demo song, Pollen Sneezes, a '70s vibe to it - at least I think it has a Herb Alpert vibe. Bret was raving about the trumpet player, but never mentioned him by name. So if you are the trumpet player on this track, please let us know. I'd love to give you some sweet credit.

So here it is: Pollen Sneezes (i'll bless u)2

And don't forget there is the streaming audio, Bret Sounds Radio, too. Good Lord, I sat too close to the marketing reps at work again...apologies.

Download, listen, podcast, thanks.

Bret Phillips Live Portland, Oregon Friday, August 26 McMenamin's White Eagle Saloon

Sitting on Hawthorn? Want a night off from the Oregon Trail Museum?

Well then, come on down to the show this Friday, August 26 at McMenamin's White Eagle Saloon.

Git on down to the show!
Friday, August 26
McMenamins White Eagle Saloon
with Bella Fays and Jasmine Ash

Bret would like to give you the following warnin':
"With this flask in my boot,
I'll make sure it's a hoot,
and have you to confession by mornin'."

C'mon, it's the White Eagle Saloon. I've got to throw in a "rawhide" and "spittoon'd" maybe even a "y'all" for good measure. You know, for the good of the show.

Bret also sent along another new demo from his next studio album. I dig it. I'll admit, I didn't dig it the first listen, but by the third - that little phucker just has a way with stringing words together that always surprise me. Dagnabit. I left it on my desktop at work, so I can't upload it here. But if you want to listen to it through the better-than-I-ever-expected streaming player on Podacst Music Network it's worth the click.

Sarsaparilla, download, podcast, thanks.

Jeanne Tripplehorn and Brad Pitt have nothing to do with Bret Phillips Podsafe Music, but...

Hmmm..., originally uploaded by BretSounds.

The side-by-side comparison is noteworthy.

I'm also testing a theory on the effectiveness of using Brad Pitt and Jeanne Tripplehorn in blog content to see how it affects the traffic to Bretsounds.

I am positive I am the only one interested in this information. So let see if I can make it fun.

THE JEANNE TRIPPLEHORN BRAD PITT BRETSOUNDS USED WATER BOTTLE non-CONTEST!
Here's how it works:
1. Read the fine print
2. Close your browser window
3. Go outside

The Fine Print:
No purchase is necessary. There is no contest. There is no monetary value to this contest, because it's not really a contest, but feel free to read on anyway. Like the Grover book; "Monster at the End of this Book," there is no contest, or monster. or moster at the end of this contest. This contest is in no way connected to Blogger, Google, Flickr, Sesame Street, Grover, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, or Angelina Jolie, their families, co-workers, production companies, or any known associate living or deceased of Blogger, Google, Flickr, Sesame Street, Grover, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Brad Pitt, Jennfier Aniston or Angelina Jolie. This contest is for satirical purposes only to drive traffic to the Bretsounds blog: http://bretsounds.blogspot.com. Bretsounds does not endorse or claim responsiblity for any of the views or opinions expressed in connection to this contest. Bretsounds certainly does not advocate the use of this contest to indicate or support the unfairness of Brad Pitt's level of female companionship. I mean c'mon, Jennifer Aniston AND Angelina Jolie? That's totally uncalled for. And I certainly hope you appreciate your time with both of these outstanding women, Mr. Pitt.

And really, why do Brad and Jean look so similar?

Now, go outside.

Podsafe music: Bret Phillips Campground Crusading Clan free mp3 download

I've got a new little goodie for you. Bret's been recording several different bands at his Wax Poetic Recording Studio, but he's still made time to slap some compression on a drum mike and pop out another sweet ditty.

Check it out.

Campground Crusading Clan

And while I'm at it, I stopped by Jasmine Ash's site to download some of her clips. Bret's playing a show with her and the Bella Fays on Friday, August 26 in Portland's White Eagle Saloon. I'm sure I"ll mention it again.

Listen, download, podcast, thanks.

Creepy...plus a little comment spam

I was wandering around Blogger following the stream of "Next Blog>>" directionlessness and came across a strange, abandoned blog. The post is creepy. The comment spam is four days long and, in juxtaposition, bitterly comedic. I don't know how else to describe this, just go take a look.

Here.

Feel free to report back on your thoughts.

Permanent...er, I mean president vacation

Everyone deserves vacations.

From the New York Times:
Dubya will "by the end of this summer will have spent more time away from the White House than any other president in history."

The same could be said about my time in high school.

Bret Phillips Live Portland, Oregon August 26 McMenamin's White Eagle Saloon

I thought it was worth mentioning the Portland show again. So, here are the details...

Git on down to the show!
Friday, August 26
McMenamins White Eagle Saloon
with Bella Fays and Jasmine Ash

Bret would like to give you the following warnin':
"With this flask in my boot,
I'll make sure it's a hoot,
and have you to confession by mornin'."

C'mon, it's the White Eagle Saloon. I've got to throw in a "rawhide" and "spittoon'd" maybe even a "y'all" for good measure. You know, for the good of the show.

Bret also sent along another new demo from his next studio album. I dig it. I'll admit, I didn't dig it the first listen, but by the third - that little phucker just has a way with stringing words together that always surprise me. Dagnabit. I left it on my desktop at work, so I can't upload it here. But if you want to listen to it through the better-than-I-ever-expected streaming player on Podacst Music Network it's worth the click.

Sarsaparilla, download, podcast, thanks.

PSA: KMRE 102.3FM Bellingham radio station

Hey Kids, do you have a band, a flair for the acoustic, a demo, and a compulsion to hear it on air. Well, head on down to the new KMRE 102.3 FM broadcasting in full stereo power out of the American Museum of Radio and Electricity in beautiful downtown Bellingham and drop off your CDs! So that's what they do in there. I always thought it was some sort of Stephen King Dark Tower fan club.

I saw an ad in the Echo. It's a call for original acoustic music from local artists for a show that airs Saturday nights 8-10 pm. You can also mail in your CDs if you're not old enough to drive and are too embarrassed to have your parents drop you off in front of all the cool guys smokers that are ALWAYS out in front. Send your CDs to the attention of NW Soundscapes c/o the American Museum of Radio and Electricity 1312 Bay St., Bellingham, WA, 98225.

Best of luck. Inspire the masses.

Podcast Love: Op de Cast Gejaagd

Thanks to Bryan for dropping Bret Phillips's Chasing (The Intro) into his podcast.

Check out the Dutch podcast, Op de Cast Gejaagd -which is a Dutch expression for "hunted on the Cast" - but I'm not yet worldly enough to know what that means. My apologies. I look forward to learning more.

Time for bed.

Dios mio, que una dia.

I don't know what that means either.

Bret Phillips Live Portland, Oregon August 26 McMenamin's White Eagle Saloon

Well now, Bret left me a message sometime over the course of this week (workblur) that he's got another fab-u-lous show in Portland, Orgeon. I think I might hitch up the horses and make the 5 hour drive to see him. Heck, the new baby ain't due till September, anyways...

Git on down to the show!
Friday, August 26
McMenamins White Eagle Saloon
with Bella Fays and Jasmine Ash

Bret would like to give you the following warnin':
"With this flask in my boot,
I'll make sure it's a hoot,
and have you to confession by mornin'."

C'mon, it's the White Eagle Saloon. I've got to throw in a "rawhide" and "spittoon'd" maybe even a "y'all" for good measure. You know, for the good of the show.

Bret also sent along another new demo from his next studio album. I dig it. I'll admit, I didn't dig it the first listen, but by the third - that little phucker just has a way with stringing words together that always surprise me. Dagnabit. I left it on my desktop at work, so I can't upload it here. But if you want to listen to it through the better-than-I-ever-expected streaming player on Podacst Music Network it's worth the click.

Sarsaparilla, download, podcast, thanks.

Beer + Politics + Blog + Long Day at Work = Obnoxious Posting

Mission Control, originally uploaded by BretSounds.

Ahem, allow me to step down from this soapbox here. Wow.

Beer + Politics + Blog + Long Day at Work = Obnoxious Posting.

"Sir, put down the beer and step away from the keyboard. Keep your posts where we can see 'em!"

Okay. We're back on track. Let's talk music.

I had a good conversation with Bret Phillips last week. He's been busy recording all sorts of new bands. His Wax Poetic Recording Studio is becoming known in Seattle as an excellent place to record. I need to take the ferry across to Bainbridge and snap some photos of the house and studio. Do I sound like a brochure? I don't mean to sound like a brochure...Edge, play the blues.

Guns don't kill people. Bullets don't kill people. So, it's a good thing I have a small penis and a big ass gun

Unfortunately, I needed to pick up a piece of research off the gawd-dong Internet, when I saw this old article staring at me from my Personalized Google Home Page. It says the Senate has passed pro-gun legislation limiting the liability of the gun manufacturers to be held liable for, well anything, if their products (GUNS and BULLETS) during a crime.

There is a fantastic book, Balance of Power, by Ricahrd(beer-typing-0) North Patterson. Read it. It's an engaging and very well thought out account both the gun advocates and gun victims perspectives in this legal stuggle. What's more, it was written long before this current legislation, and it nearly mirrors the outcome. Art imitatiing life? Assoles on parade?

People, we have a long running national ad campaign about friends not letting friends drive when intoxicated, but we are going to immunize - no, authorize - gun manufacturers to build guns and bullets and promote their purchase for protection under the thin guise of "terror. extremists. BAD PEOPLE are under your bed, shoot them. You know, you should protect your family, because we know the danger you're in. We built and sold him his gun and ammunition, too."

?!?!

I'm going to go find a drunk person to drive me home.

Piss.

5 o'clock drinkers with 8 am shakes

Top 25, originally uploaded by BretSounds.

The interactive movie scripts are keeping me late at work. But at least I have my iTunes. Here's a little insight into my world. I'd never actually clicked the Top 25 Most Played in my iTunes navigation. I'd got to say, this is EXACTLY what I wanted to hear tonight, Friday night at work after enjoying a fourth anniversary dinner with my wife at Fino in Bellingham, Washington. Okay, so, I've been drinking. NOw, I need to get back to writing these fucking scripts. Technorati that, mother.././/to hell twith typoing.

Trendmapper: podsafe, podsafe music, podsafe music network

I figured it was time to fiind out how quickly the podsafe music movement was growing. I'm also a big proponent of the Podsafe Music Network. So I added the three different variables/terms to the Trendmapper main list. Stay tuned...

Major record label Sony BMG admits to bribing for sucky-band airplay

The Guardian has a story today about the admitted, underhanded tactics (read: pay for play) Sony BMG had delivered to different radio stations to play their artists. While this accusation comes as no surprise (actually, I think the very 1987 phrase would be "no, duh"), it does validate my opinion of the loathsome puppy-haters who run the major labels and prove my long-held conviction all the more accurate.

Though it is a nice feeling to have my conspiracy theory confirmed and validated, the vidication comes at a cost. J-Lo, Brittany Federline, and Franz Ferdinand will now be shadowed by this cloud of doubt over the legitimacy of their pop culture influence. Are they truly pop stars, meriting iconical status, or are they trash, benefiting from the deep pockets and lascivious - or is it libidinous - exploits a powerful label? I have no idea what that means, but it took me twelve minutes, a dictionary, and two thesauri to put it together. Anyway, big labels = bad. Podcasting podsafe music and under-appreciated artists will rip the entertainment dollars away from the bigs and give it - all of it - to the people who deserve it - the musicians.

...like Bret Phillips. (C'mon, I had to mention him. What's the point of this spot if I don't?)

Listen, download, podcast, thanks.

Bret Phillips show 2?

Bret Phillips show 2?, originally uploaded by BretSounds.

I really need to stay away from the bar...or get a better camera. Sheesh.

Bret Phillips show?

Bret Phillips show?, originally uploaded by BretSounds.

When the week is done and I'm going to a Bret show, I have a great time - at least it looks like I have a great time - and powerful thirst.

Podcast Love: The Roadhouse visit and the Podcastspherezoneplex

At Bret Sounds, I am always appreciative of the time podcasters take to stop by. I assume the majority of folk have jobs (fingers crossed) and social lives, so taking time to produce a podcast is quite a commitment. What's more, I'm really jazzed when I feel like I might have actually contributed a little something to the bigger scheme of things. For instance, Tony was kind enough to quote a little somethin'-somethin' on his Roadhouse blog.

Brett coined a new phrase to describe the podcasting world. I’m not sure it’ll catch on, but it’s interesting, nonetheless.The podcastspherezoneplex as a mechanism for de-efficiency. I love it.

I don't expect podcastspherezoneplex to catch on...so I'll hyphenate it! PCSZP. And it's true, the PCSZP - man, that's a bitch to type, all capitalized and whatnot - has really been a time drain, particularly at work. As I told Tony:

We spend a lot of time on the iTunes grabbing the latest and greatest podcasts. The pair has become the new water cooler. The Roadhouse, DSC, Al Franken, Seattle and Beyond (we’re just “beyond” Seattle) are the popular podcasts here and generate a great deal of conversation. Plus, the great, under-experienced music is really distracting. It’s hard to concentrate when you’re thinking “*#%!, when is that band/musician on tour.” Once the Googling starts, productivity ends.

Not that work has suffered. It just takes longer to get anything accomplished. So thanks to all the podcasters for making work a little bit longer, but much more enjoyable.

Congratulations to Bret Phillips and his Wax Poetic Studio

CNN/Money Best Places to Live 2005 ranked Bainbridge Island SECOND out of 100 top places in America. As a Bainbridge Island, Washington musician, resident, and business owner, Bret Phillips, his two St. Bernards and his Wax Poetic Studios probably had nothing to do with it. But then again, when every resident counts, Bret and his kin might have made the difference over lame ass Naperville, Illinois and its skyrocketing sunbaked yuppie epidemic.

Of course, all the heavy, sweet music coming out of Bret's Wax Poetic Recording Studio (and bedroom?) might have cost Bainbridge Island the top spot. Now, if you don't like to have sex, listen to excellent music, and hate dogs, the matronly Moorestown, New Jersey would be the ideal spot for your pruny, Republican ass. Happy trails. Don't break a hip.

So I say cheers to Bainbridge Island resident, Bret Phillips and Wax Poetic Recording Studio, for helping to the little island claim the #2 spot of CNN/Money Magazine Best Places to Live 2005.

Podsafe music: Bret Phillips Concrete free mp3 download

I've got one of my favorite Bret Phillips tunes here. It's called Concrete. On this track he has friends Dirk, Shaye, and Steve backing him up. I really need to find out what their last names are so I can give credit where credit is due.

Why I like it? Its lyrics describe a universal situation - great expectations and good intentions lead to an underwhelming reality through no mistake of their own. I think Bret and the boys do a masterful job of building the tension to highlight the protagonist's frustration.

Or I've listened to this song WAY too many times.

But if you think this analysis was over the top, I also have a detailed synopsis of Wrapped around Your Finger by the Police, if your interested. It earned me a very nerdy A+ in A.P. English some ten years ago.

I hope you like it as much as I do. Listen, download, podcast, thanks.

Great crowd

Bret Phillips Show, originally uploaded by BretSounds.

I found this in my digital photography folder here at home. Seattle show in the spring? Or was it in Bellingham this summer? I can't remember taking it, so it must have been a hell of a show. That whole "I'm with the singer...*hic*" thing worked like a charm. For those of you wondering, my wife drove home. God bless her. She has the patience of a saint.

On being like Yoda: a Father's perspective

You scored as Yoda. Yoda 78% Anakin Skywalker 72% Clone Trooper 69% General Grievous 61% Mace Windu 58% C-3PO 50% Darth Vader 50% Chewbacca 47% R2-D2 47% Obi Wan Kenobi 42% Padme Amidala 33% Emperor Palpatine 28% Which Revenge of the Sith Character are you? created with QuizFarm.com

I thought this was a hoot. Apparently, I score equally big on the opposite ends of this test. It appears I am 6% more Light Side than Dark Side. Perhaps my daughter brings it out in me...

Go check it out. Let me know how it turns out for you.

Podcast love: Ken Clark's Seattle and Beyond podcast and 7800 hits

A BIG thanks to Ken Clark over at Seattle and Beyond including Pacific Western Jet Stream Home and Here's to Third Place in his 30th podcast. Ken puts in a good amount of time keeping his playlists fresh, so all of us at Bret Sounds appreciate both his support and his excellent ear for new, under-experienced music : ) .

And Ken, thank you for the very kind words of encouragement. We'll do what we can here to drive more listeners your way...

...for Technorati Listeners:
If you like tasty music, served up right go to Seattle and Beyond for quality fresh out of the oven podcast experiences.

Go. Now. Listen to Bret Sounds Radio tomorrow.

Oh, and we're just shy of 8000 hits over at Blogging Stats Top Blogs. 8000 hits - Six songs - 35 days old. More than I ever imagined. Thanks to everyone who has participated and made this a remarkable experience so far.

Listen, download, podcast, thanks.

Nothing, nada, zilch...

I figured I should get a little something up tonight. It's been a crazy weekend - I was looking forward to today, Monday, just for things to slow down a little. Camping Friday and Saturday out at Larrabee and a wedding on Sunday.

At the wedding, the reception had an old, and I mean old, bluegrass band. They were called the Old Fiddles Local 41 serving Whatcom, Island, and I think, the greater Ferndale area here in Washington state. When they sang the old timin' version of "When I'm 64," it was bittersweet. None of them were under 70. Few could remember back to when they were sixty four, so the questions posed by the song, unfortunately and cruely, remain a mystery to them.

Anyway, I wanted to thank Ken Clark from Seattle and Beyond for stopping by. I've been enjoying the podcasts and look forward to catching up with more.

If you get the chance, drive by Seattle and Beyond and while you're at it, enjoy some Bret Sounds Radio, too.

Listen, download, podcast, thanks.

Seattle and Beyond

I found another podcast for you to check out. It's called Seattle and Beyond. I listened to it while I finshed the interactive movie scripts. I enjoyed the band, bill. I found both while registering to this great new podsafe music site, called the Podsafe Music Network. It's part of Podshow.

So check 'em out. Enjoy some Purple Mayonnaise.

Listen, download, podcast, thanks.

Podsafe music: Bret Phillips Separate but Equal MP3 free download

Separate But Equal reminds me of my college radio days. It's rock at the core with self-effacing lyrics to keep it really one of a kind. Clash? PIL? The Specials? I can't put my finger on it. I hope you like it.

I'll be posting a mirror link for Glass Bottom Boat to handle the volume of traffic after work. So if you get a 504 or 404 or whatever number error it is, it'll be remedied later today.

By the way, we've closed the gap on the #1 spot on BloggingStats Top Blog. We're within 150 hits of becoming the leader. Thanks to everyone who has stopped by and made this such an unexpectedly quick success.

Listen, download, podcast, thanks. Really. Thank you very much. You're making a difference.

Blaring good music: the Roadhouse podcast

I've got to admit, I didn't get nearly enough done at work because I was listening to show #21 from Tony. It's been great finding all the different new music out in the podcastospherezoneplex...what the hell name are they going to pin to the podcasting collective?

In other Bret Sounds news, I've pinned a list of podsafe, free MP3 downloads written and delivered by Bret Phillips (shameless Technorati plug, sorry). Oh, and I've figured out how to set the GarageBand.com plug-in so it doesn't begin playing automatically. It was much easier than I expected, perhaps I'm picking up some bits and pieces from the Flash designers I work with. Speaking of work, I still have 28 interactive movie scripts to finish in the next six days. So if you have any good podcast leads...

Of course, you can always tune into Bret Sounds Radio.

Listen, download, podcast, thanks.

Podcast Love: the Roadhouse: "Finest blues you've never heard"

I found this podcast early this afternoon. I'd just finished listening to The Rock Show on the Podcast Network (by the way, if you get the chance, Smokestar kicks ass. It's got a Stabbing Westward feel to it. And My Little Radio was a surprise. Their song reminded me of Josie Cotton from the Valley Girl soundtrack and - apologies to the little radios - a little No Doubt. Plus, I swear the guitar progression is straight from Go-Gos or Bangles. Still a pleasant surprise).

Anyway, to get through the first half of the 35+ interactive movie scripts I need to complete in the next 8 days, the Roadhouse: "Finest Blues you've never heard" was just what I needed to get me through the afternoon.

Go check out the podcasts - and a little Bret Sounds Radio

Listen, download, podcast, share.

Assassination Press and Purple Mayonnaise

Just helping a guy out...


“I was talking to my mother yesterday, and we both agreed that Purple Mayonnaise would be great!”. “We both talked about Purple Mayonnaise and how fun it would be to have Purple Mayonnaise. Purple Mayonnaise, it’s something we have always wanted.” “Mmmmm-mmmm, Purple Mayonnaise!”, Mom said. “Mmmmmm-mmmm, Purple Mayonnaise”, I said.

Fingers crossed.

Podsafe music: Bret Phillips free MP3 downloads - week in review

Well, we want to keep the visitors satisfied. Rather than scrolling through all the posts, here are the Bret Phillips's podsafe, free MP3 downloads for the week.

DemarolLane
Fairest, Eden State Line
Glass Bottom Boat

And thanks again to Ewan Spence from The Podcast Network - the Rock Show ("this show goes to eleven") for stopping by. I've been enjoying the 'casts, so if you need a good fix and don't want to stream Bret Sounds Radio on your broadband, check out the Rock Show. Oh, and Ewan, I'm going to steal and use your phrase, "the revolution is happening between your ears." I hope you don't mind. It's got that Daily Source Code ring to it...

Listen, download, podcast, thanks.

More new music from Bret Phillips's upcoming release All Seasons Portfolio next week.

Old Man Winter, Bret Phillips, 4000 hits in 19 days

So I have some news. Bret has stumbled across this page, so now he knows what I've been up to here. So please, welcome Old Man Winter himself, Bret Phillips to the contributors' board. (Polite smattering of applause). I'm going to hound him about contributing to this. He's been busy recording three new bands at Wax Poetic Studios, so snagging a bit of his time might be a little tough.

I know, working on this blog without his knowledge sounds a little odd, but I wanted to get Bret Sounds up and running before making him aware of it. A funny thing happened on the way to the blog: 4000 hits in 19 days, which places BretSounds solidly in the #2 position on the Top Blogs list at BloggingStats. Our search engine average is increasing, too: Bret Phillips on Trendmapper and BretSounds on Trendmapper.

The response to Bret's podsafe (sorry for the search engine plug, but I need to keep the ball rolling) tunes has been exceptional.

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by and passed the music along to friends and, well, enemies, too.

Listen, download, podcast, thanks.

Podcast love: the Podcast Network

I found this podcaster, Ewan, with The Rock Show ("this show goes to eleven") at the podcast network while searching around for good podcasts. Worth a listen when you get the chance.

A damn scary movie: Unprecedented

Just finished watching "Unprecedented" about the 2000 presidential election in Florida. It was terrifying. Not because of the voting irregularities and other questionable things that occured (though with these kinds of movies, the information is often biased and slanted one way or another, so take it with a grain of salt), but because of the trend towards computer, or touch-screen, voting. I need to check, but at the time of the making of the film, 2002, there isn't anyway of checking the accuracy of the voting machines. For an added terror bonus, an elected official from Nebraska won his seat, fair and square...thing is, he was the chairman and CEO of the company that designs and manufactures the voting machines they used in the Nebraska election.

So, let this be a cautionary tale to all of us, Democrat and Republican alike. Check out the voting procedures in your area, make sure that every vote counts. And make sure the guardians of the republic don't give away the keys to the democracy.

Now, give yourself a break. Listen to some Bret Sounds Radio.

More podsafe music: Glass Bottom Boat free download

I've been meaning to get this onto the server for a couple of days now. It's called Glass Bottom Boat.

Enjoy, share, podcast. Please pass it along.

Sith Sense: the dark side of cheese, powerful it is...

Sithsense2
Originally uploaded by BretSounds.

From www.sithsense.com

I saw the first Star Wars (Episode 4: A New Hope) in Columbus when I was 7 years-old. Darth Vader was scary and powerful. Now, with the help of Burger King, George Lucas has cheesed Darth Vader a step beyond the ridiculous Jar Jar Binks. I didn't think he could do it, but I should have learned by now that Mr. Lucas is solely interested in the integrity of his bank account.

May the cheese be with you.

More podsafe music: another MP3 download from Bret Phillips

Holy cow it's been a crazy week. Bretsounds has welcomed over 2100 visitors in less than 10 days - making us # 2 on the Blogging Stats Top Blogs list. Thanks to everyone who has stopped by. The music is starting to get out there.

And as you might have noticed, GarageBand.com has set us up with a little goodie in the column. If you are wearing earphones when you arrive, I apologize. I've been blasted out several times in the last couple of days because of the autoplay feature. I'm working on correcting that.

I've got another podsafe download from Bret. It's another demo track he's been tinkering around with. I has the pleasure of hearing for the first time at a brew fest just outside of Bellingham, Washington.

Absolutely true story:
We were completely lost on our way to the beer festival. We pulled off the two-lane highway at some itty bitty grocery store in the middle of the woods, and who is playing on the sound system? Yup, Bret Phillips. The girl behind the counter had been at the festival before stumbling into work. She'd caught a bit of Bret's first set and bought All Seasons Portfolio right then and there to take to work with her. Coincidence or serendipity?

The song:
Fairest, Eden State Line

If you like it, please pass it along. 2100 people and growing. Thanks to everyone who has helped so far...and wants to help in the future. We need you.

Podsafe music: Bret Phillips Free MP3 Download

Just found this in my inbox. Bret sent along another new song. This is an unfinished, unmastered piece, meaning it's like a polished first draft. As I get newer versions of this I'll continue to post, so you can experience how a song transforms.

Song: Demarol Lane

If you like it, please pass it along. And if you don't want to commit to a download, here's the streaming audio Bret Sounds Radio.

Wanna get away?

Today was shit. Then I came across this site Quite American. If you need a mental vacation, do yourself a favor and download some of these podcasts.

Podsafe music: Bret Phillips free MP3 downloads - week in review

Wanted to start this week off right. Here are the three links to the free MP3 downloads of songs from Bret Phillips. I'll have more MP3s to share this week.

Every song posted on BretSounds is free and available to use for postcasting. So if you need new music, Bret is all for it. From his bio: "I am now ready to spread my brand of indie-rock, singer/songwriter folk-trash across the world." Thanks for helping.

Here's to Third Place
Pacific Western Jet Stream Home
I Saw You Won

And don't forget, if you don't want to commit to a download, you can listen to the streaming audio feed (best for broadband users) at Bret Sounds Radio.

If you like what you hear, please pass it along.

Podsafe music: Bret Phillips new song "Here's to Third Place - free MP3 download

Weekend of madness. We just drove, today, seven and a half hours to attend a wedding. How long were we at the wedding, an hour and a half. Egad.

Here's a new song from Bret, which I honestly thought I'd posted previously, Here's to Third Place. This song is the reason I began working on BretSounds and Bret Sounds Radio.

Have you seen Almost Famous? The kid. The music. That's as close as I can get to putting the emotional reason behind this sight into a cool movie that won't bore you.

Download the song. Enjoy. Podcast it like a mother, and if you really like it, please pass it along.

Thanks for listening.

Third place, Bainbridge Island, Gnomedex, and the Podfather, Adam Curry

Wow. Thank you for making this a successful week. According to Blogging Stats
we're third for hits in just four days.

Thank you for spreading the word. Please tell the good people you know, or send them to Bret Sounds Radio so they can hear for themselves.

Don't forget Bret is playing a tour tune up show tonight at the Pegasus on the idyllic Bainbridge Island. So if you are at Gnomedex and hanging out with Adam Curry, the PodFather, hop on the Bainbridge Island ferry and get yourselves to the show.

Podsafe music: Pacific Western Jet Stream Home MP3 download

Whoops. Still getting the hang of the downloads...

Try again: Pacific Western Jet Stream Home

The little things you remember - Bret Phillips on the back porch

April, 2004, Seattle

It was my birthday. It was a Saturday. We were sitting on our covered porch, drinking a lot of wine. A lot of wine. Bret had just bought a ‘68 dreadnaught Gibson acoustic guitar that’d been played on stage at Woodstock. Yup, the original Woodstock. From Joe Cocker's set.

Now when you meet Bret, it doesn't take much to get him to drop everything and play. But there is a moment just before he begins, a pause, mental switching of the tracks. It's eerie and cool to watch the subtle transformation from Bret at my house to Bret somewhere else. His spectacles slide off the bridge of his nose. His foot taps randomly. He changes.

In March 2000, Tom Waits went on tour for the first time in a decade in support of Mule Variations. He played two shows in Seattle at the Fifth Avenue Theater. My girlfriend at the time, now my wife, and I had seventh row seats. It was as if we were sitting in a living room with the troubadour himself. Mr. Waits came through the crowd that first night (too many of us were expecting it the second night and clogged the isles, prepared to pounce) climbed the stairs, and just before he started into his first song, he paused for just a moment and transformed, just like...

On the back porch, Bret played a show just him and his new old guitar. No mic, no amp, no sound guys. The neighbors from across the street, behind us, and next door started showing up. Gravitating out of curiosity and stayed as Bret played for over an hour. Someone brought more wine, Chinese food, and a full rack of Rolling Rock. Honestly, it was one of the most special nights - forget birthdays - I've ever had. Bret played some songs he’d been crafting since his band had broken up. It was heartwarming to hear Bret's new music again. The break up had been really rough. The band had gotten national distribution – finally. They’d played three great shows at CMJ, and then promptly imploded.

But my fondest memory of the entire day: my eight-month-old daughter cooing along to what would eventually become Pacific Western Jet Stream Home.

I hope you coo too. If you do, please pass it along.

Bret Phillips: Live, solo, acoustic June 24

I can't believe I forgot to mention...Bret is playing a pre-tour tune up show at Pegasus tomorrow night at 7:30. If you're in the greater Seattle area, and want to enjoy a ferry ride over to Bainbridge Island to catch an early show, here's a map.

While you're thinking about it, enjoy a little Bret Sounds Radio.

Fairest, Eden, Lightpost Records and digital delivery

I got word yesterday that Bret Phillips has already begun work on his next album, tentatively named Fairest, Eden. He sent a couple of tracks to me at work yesterday. Even unmastered, they sound pretty compelling. I look forward to sharing them with you here, but I need to pull them off my machine at work.

If a record label, like Lightpost Records, becomes an all digital delivery label, are the albums called collections?

Thanks for your patience with me as I pissed and moaned about the flag burning amendment.

Flag buring vs. more important things to do: hey, Congress, quit fucking around.

Hello. This is a public service announcement from Bret Sounds Radio:

I'm usually not a politically motivated person, but today seems to be an exception. (Also from the New York Times - subscription. Go to bugmenot.com and pull one of the logins from there)Seems our House of Representatives, unable to fix healthcare, Social Security, or any number of important issues has taken up the task of making an icon of our government, our flag, more important than the people it serves.

Yup, I mean flag burning. A ridiculous argument that will further polarlize an uncomfortable electorate. Ridiculous because: a) it's been more than two hundred years and many, many people have sacrificed their lives and loved ones to protect the freedoms our flag symbolizes, the first and foremost the right to be free of oppression from any sort of government (how does it go, a government of the people, by the people, for the people). I'm absolutely positive that if our forefathers wanted the flag to be more important than the people it represents, then they've had ample opportunity do manage that LONG before now - after the Revolution, the Civil War, either World War, Civil Rights Movement, the addition of designated hitter, or the shot clock. Don't use it as a thinly veiled attempt to distract the people or drag an already contentious legislative branch further into the crap pool.

And b) for all of you who work in any sort of trademark/brand related industry, in order to legally protect a logo - such as a national flag - you need to define the logo very specifically -to the point of Pantone numbers, size, fabric, weight, and any number of other details. So if I burn a pink, white, and blue flag, or a red, white, and blue flag out of construction paper, or if I make a flag using aluminum Pabst Blue Ribbon cans, what happens then. Do we really need to burden our courts with the number of incidents (WTO was a media driven event. Every case but, what, eight, were thrown out)?

Alas, I've gone on longer than I intended to. Now, back to our regularly scheduled blog...

NotZero 3G

College, how I miss the days of screaming fast T1 lines. Now, I'm saddled with combined $118 a month broadband and cable television bill. I was excited to see NetZero 3G was advertising a new, faster, cheaper way to surf. OneHop suggests before you sign up, read the fine print. So I'm still looking for a cheaper way to stream and download than Comcast. Any suggestions?

Podsafe music: Downing Street Memo and a song - free MP3 download

Here's a great column by San Francisco Chronicle writer Mark Morford about the uncovered Downing Street Memo, a document which proves the American president had made his decision to go to war and the manipulation of the evidence to persuade the American people and the Brits to invade.

I remember the night after the presidential election when Bret called me and played this song to me over the phone. It sounded a little different, a little more hungover over the phone, but it turned out to be one of my favorites. It's called I Saw You Won (Four More Years).

If you would like to hear more, try Bret Sounds Radio, streaming audio player.

If you like it, please pass it along.

The Damion Virgil Experience

As I mentioned, when I started researching the Bret Phillips online experience, I came across this gentleman, Damion Vigil, at akpodcast.com. He'd podcast one of Bret's songs, I Saw You Won, on May 4, #34. He's got a slick operation I learned more about podcasting in the five minute segment of his show than all the reading I've done to date. AND, I found some other excellent music to listen to at work. Go check him out.

Check out Bret Sounds Radio. It will stream, if you have broadband. If you like it, pass it along.

The Hype Machine

As I've been seeking the best resources to build this little truckstop on the streaming broadband thoroughfare, I've come across several excellent attractions: this one, the Hype Machine, aggregates all the uploaded MP3s from out and about for your listening pleasure. Look for Bret Phillips and Bret Sounds to land on the short list real soon.

Please pass it along.

Bret Sounds Radio

G’day.

I’ve built a little pop-up radio goodie for your listening pleasure. I’ll be following up with some downloadable MP3s, but in the meantime, you can get a preview of Bret Phillips and his music.

Enjoy. And pass it on.

An introduction

Hi. Welcome to Bret Sounds, a little place to rest for a minute before moving on to your next destination. While you’re here – and thanks for stopping by – let me explain to you this whole Bret Sounds concept:

a. Bret Phillips
b. American roots rock (strongly influenced by the Tom Waits carnival)
c. I’m in the middle of reading Seth Godin’s Unleashing the Ideavirus (yup, I’m that far behind in my reading. I’ve got Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point queued up next…)
d. I want to explore the concepts and conventions of the book
f. I still believe rock n’ roll can change the world
g. I have faith I am not alone in this belief

So here’s my pitch:

Alaska native, Bret, is preparing his debut solo album, All Seasons Portfolio, which he recorded at his 24-track monster studio on the idyllic Bainbridge Island and mixed with indie icon producer Phil Ek in Seattle. Discover his powerful guitar driven rock and exhaust-scented garage influenced tales of collapse and redemption.

Fighting against the rising tide of digitally manipulated craptunes with a guitar and a hangover, Bret has built up a rabid and growing following. Bret and his music are authentic, bracing, and beautiful. It’s honest, tangible, and unadulterated music craftsmanship. Think: Tom Waits, Jeff Tweedy, Jay Farrar, early Michael Stipe, Paul Westerberg, Frank Black, and Al Green. Yup, Al Green.

For as much as others in the industry contribute to the grand deception, he is the genuine article. Perhaps by putting this here for people to trip over, more people will find, hear, and ultimately place their faith in his music.

Just listen…you have everything to gain.

While I was working on this, I came across this gentleman, Damion Vigil, at akpodcast.com. He’s a straight shooter. Check him out.

If you want to learn more about recording at Bret’s Wax Poetic Studio, call:(206)780-0243.

Thanks for stopping by. If you think Bret is worth the time, please pass it along to as many people as you can…