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Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

We're playing a gig at 12,000 feet on Pikes Peak!

We're playing a set at 12,000 feet on Pikes Peak on July 31st as part of Love Hope Strength's Pike Peak Rocks event.  See the poster below.  We're really proud to be a part of this great cause!

Click here (or the poster) for the details!

Posted By John Common at: 1:07 pm. Add Comment

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Things I Heard John Macy Say In The Studio

We recorded Beautiful Empty with my good friend John Macy at his fabulously relaxed and beautiful sounding studio, Macy Sound Studios. 



Anyway, I've known John for a long time... and one of the many things I love about him is his uncanny ability to drop the perfectly hilarious phrase at the right moment.  Below are a list of things I heard John during the course of tracking and mixing Beautiful Empty.   (In typical Macy fashion, he gave other people credit for a lot of these... but to me, they're Macy's sayings.)

As a side note, during the making of Beautiful Empty John and I invented what is quite possibly the most perfect studio drink ever created: The Jameson Slushy.  Invented might be the wrong word.  Maybe we just chanced upon it... perhaps it was merely a discovery.  Maybe it always existed out there, lurking in the mysterious ether, waiting to be found. But we found it. 

THE JAMESON SLUSHY
Directions:
Find a tall, relatively clean glass. 
Fill it with Sonic Ice. (Yes -- a bag of ice you drove to buy from Sonic.  It's a bag of impossibly round little snowy ice balls that melt at the perfect rate. Just trust me.) 
Fill glass with Sonic Ice. 
Crack open a fresh bottle of Jameson. 
Pour until the elixir is 1/8" from glass rim. 
Dive in. 
Now get back to work.

John Macy's Studio Sayings
- "Well that wasn't far from close."
- "Let's punch in at bar 1."
- "Everything sounded good up until bar one."
- "Other than style and delivery, that was a great take."
- "Is the click speeding up?"
- "Anything other than a major chord is a 'shit chord'." (this is from a country legend, he says)
- "The trick is to go for spontaneity.  No matter how long it takes."
- "Music is about selling emotion.  And there's no emotion on a grid."  -- Michael Wagner, metal producer as channeled by Macy
- "Perfect equates to shit."  Cowboy Jack Clement as channeled by Macy
- "The three R's of recording: reflect, repent and reboot."
- "That's right out of the book of wrong."  from Michael Rhodes (bass player) or "That sounds like it's been sauteed up in a bunch of wrong sauce."
- "That guy lives in his own world... and it's not crowded. - Michael Rhodes
- "i just found this new signal path for a harsh vocal. it's like pouring cream all over it man."
- "I play bad, but my tone is terrible...."
- "Sounded great right up to where you started playing..."
- "Hey, i'm slow but I do poor work...."
- "You count it in and I'll meet you at the fade."
- "This mix is getting gooshy and cool."

There are many, many, many more.  These are just the ones I was able to write down.  Please comment and add your own favorite studio sayings!

~John Common

Posted By John Common at: 10:07 am. 1 Comment

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

Some pics I took at Red Rocks

We played Red Rocks for the first time last night -- to a sold out audience who was there for their Film On The Rocks concert+film series.  It was... incredible.

It was hot at sound check.  Really hot.  But still lovely.

This is me thinking, "Am I here?"

The rock.

We're gonna need a bigger banner.  See this video.

Best merch crew ever.

There's never enough time to play everything we want to play!

A picture of Bruce Springsteen playing Red Rocks.

A picture of Radiohead playing Red Rocks.

A picture of Tom Petty playing Red Rocks.

A picture of me realizing I'm about to play Red Rocks.

Red Rocks after everyone has gone home... I just stood there and took it all in.

Posted By John Common at: 12:07 pm. 2 Comments

Sunday, July 11th, 2010

Free ticket giveaway for our Red Rocks show!

Hi!

We're giving away 4 free tickets to our Red Rocks show this Tuesday (July 13th) for their Film On The Rocks series.

Here's how you can win:

1) Go to our Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2220762949
2) Join the page by clicking the "join" button if you're not already a member - it's free.
3) Leave a comment -- something creative, sublime, transcendent, poignant, hilarious or otherwise interesting -- about our new record Beautiful Empty. Leave as many comments as you'd like!
4) Monday night at 7PM, the band will choose our 4 favorite comments and contact you if you're a winner!

Have fun with it and see you soon!

Love,

John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light

+++++++++++++++
UPCOMING SHOWS
+++++++++++++++

Tuesday, July 13, 2010
John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light
@ Red Rocks
Film On The Rocks
Morrison, CO
Movie: Superbad
6:30pm! $10! Might sell out!
Tix: http://www.johncommon.com/shows


Friday, July 23, 2010
John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light
@ Denver Post Underground Music Showcase
Car Toys Outdoor Stage
Denver, CO
8:30PM
Tix: http://www.johncommon.com/shows

Saturday, August 7, 2010
John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light
@ Saxon Pub
Austin, TX!
6PM!
Tix: http://www.johncommon.com/shows

Saturday, August 21, 2010
John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light
@ Chatauqua Auditorium
Boulder, CO
Opening for Toad The Wet Sprocket
7PM!
Tix: http://www.johncommon.com/shows

Posted By John Common at: 3:07 pm. Add Comment

Friday, July 9th, 2010

We're playing Red Rocks!

Yowza!

We're playing Red Rocks this coming Tuesday (July 13th) for their Film On The Rocks series.  Yes.  We're rather excited.  Hope you'll be there!  Show starts at 6:30.  We play at 7-ish.  The movie (Superbad) starts at dusk. 
Lordy.

And now... some fun things for you:

- New live photos taken by Kristine Ridley: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcbfol

- A new short film from Darci Alishouse inspired by the song "Turnaround" from Beautiful Empty: http://johncommon.com/media

- A new short film from David Dyster inspired by the song "Don't Follow Virginia" from Beautiful Empty: http://johncommon.com/media

- Join our beloved Facebook fan page and make it awesomer: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2220762949

Love,

JC&BFoL

Photo by Kristine Ridley


++++++++++++++++
UPCOMING SHOWS
++++++++++++++++

Friday, July 9, 2010
Skyline Park
Just off 16th Street Mall by the Clocktower
Denver, CO
John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light
Noon!  Free!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
@ Anythink Farms Grand Opening
Thornton, CO
John Common, Jess DeNicola & Wes Michaels
4pm!  We love libraries!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010
@ Red Rocks
Film On The Rocks
Morrison, CO
John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light
Movie: Superbad
6:30pm!  $10!  Might sell out!

Friday, July 23, 2010
@ Denver Post Underground Music Showcase
Denver, CO
John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light

Saturday, August 7, 2010
@ Saxon Pub
Austin, TX! 
6PM!

Posted By John Common at: 10:07 am. Add Comment

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

New short films on our media page!

Check out the new videos on our media page when you get a chance!

Here's the link:
http://johncommon.com/media

"Turnaround" and "Meet John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light" were both directed by Darci Alishouse from Knowhere Media

"Don't Follow Virginia" was directed by David Dyster from Umbrella Brigade

Beautiful stuff... we have talented friends!

Love,

JC&BFoL

P.S. Visit our shows page too... we have some cool shows coming up. Example: Red Rocks / Film On The Rocks!

Posted By John Common at: 2:07 pm. Add Comment

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Westword Music Showcase: This Saturday @ Curious Theatre

I just realized that our show this Saturday at Westword's annual music showcase is... a showcase. 

SHOWCASE.

I've been thinkin about that word for like, 20 minutes.  Which, for me, is a very long time to continuously think ...    ...     ...  

What was I saying?  Right: showcase.  It dawned on me that I don't even know what that really means.  Which is embarassing.  So yeh, I Googled it (not ashamed).  I mean, deep, deep down, I'm a pleaser.  I want to make sure that I meet and/or exceed your expectations.  Or, in this case, Westword's expectations.  Whatever is required at a showcase, by God, I want to do it and do it good.

Here's what I found:

Pronunciation: ˈshō-ˌkās
Function: noun

1 : a glazed case, box, or cabinet for displaying and protecting wares in a store or articles in a museum
2 : a setting, occasion, or medium for exhibiting something or someone especially in an attractive or favorable aspect

I'm going to assume we're supposed to follow the 2nd definition on Saturday.  Based on that, I SOLEMNLY COMMIT TO YOU HERE AND NOW that John Common and Blinding Flashes of Light will exhibit ourselves to you in a highly attractive and/or favorable aspect.  You think I'm kidding?  We're gonna showcase the shit out of ourselves on Saturday.



Come to our showcase, won't you?  The schedule is below.  I messed with the band names a little bit.

WESTWORD MUSIC SHOWCASE @ CURIOUS THEATRE (All Ages)
Location: 11th and Acoma
12:15 - 01:00 - Fatbutt Fires
01:15 - 02:00 - Achey Laura
02:15 - 03:00 - Daniel At the Manwich
03:15 - 04:00 - Ian Kook
04:15 - 05:00 - Hello Kitty Vita
05:15 - 06:00 - Gary Coleman & Grinding Flashers in Flight
06:15 - 07:00 - Snack Snack Rattle Tattle

Posted By John Common at: 5:06 pm. Add Comment

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Upcoming Summer Shows

6/19 Westword Showcase
7/09 Skyline Park
7/10 Anythink Wright Farms [TRIO]
7/13 Film On The Rocks [Superbad!]
7/23 Denver Post UMS

Posted By John Common at: 8:06 pm. Add Comment

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Recent band photo

Posted By John Common at: 11:06 am. Add Comment

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Hey Sugarbear.

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 U2 tickets to come drown their sorrows at our show.  I'll personally give them a hug and softly sing "With Or Without You" in their ear.  Also, they'll save $5 if they buy tickets in advance.  Here's the ticket/info link:
http://www.foxtheatre.com/Store/ChooseTicket.aspx?sid=15696

Bus Ride To/From The Show? - Denver People!
For Denver peeps, Wynkoop Brewing Company is willing to charter a bus from downtown Denver to the Fox Theatre and back the night of the show.  The cost would be $10 but you'd get a safe ride to and from the show AND they're gonna throw in a free beer during the ride up!  They need 40 people to make it worthwhile.  HURRY UP and email us at letters@johncommon.com if you and your friends are interested, and we'll keep you posted.

Love ya and see you soon!

JC&BFoL

http://www.foxtheatre.com/


P.S. Here's a little video of us playing Same Scar live recently:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LH5cNuDnaQ

P.P.S. This is Natalie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfJNxduEHkw

P.P.P.S. Do you Facebook?  Join our FB fan page:  http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2220762949

++++++++++++++++++
UPCOMING SHOWS
++++++++++++++++++

BOULDER CD RELEASE SHOW!!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light
Boulder CD Release Party
for Beautiful Empty at THE FOX THEATRE

+ Original short films inspired by Beautiful Empty
+ Original visual art inspired by Beautiful Empty
+ Ticket price includes a FREE copy of the new CD!
   (Or any other CD in the JC catalog - you pick)

Buy tickets in advance - $13 / Day of show - $18

Tickets: http://www.foxtheatre.com/Store/ChooseTicket.aspx?sid=15696

Saturday, June 19, 2010
@ Westword Music Showcase
Denver, CO
John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light

Tuesday, July 13, 2010
@ Red Rocks
Film On The Rocks
Morrison, CO
John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light
Movie: Superbad

Posted By John Common at: 11:06 am. Add Comment