IT WAS SO GOOD, FILL ME ANOTHER CUP

Making a record is like writing poetry. It is hard, inspirational, empowering, and methodical. In the end you have a group of songs that hold together by meaning, time and space. And, just like a poem, when you listen back it feels effortless —as if it just fell together.

The new record we are working on has been the most collaborative yet. We have all
stuck our hands in different parts and pushed them around like a piece of clay. Chick and I have swapped
parts of different songs, changed each others lyrics, added chords, and then Joe turned it all upside down and forced us to remove our thoughts of notes, chords, and melody and simply feel the heartbeat of each song. Along the way, our friend
Chris Cugini has driven us on this journey in his studio at his house. Chris has been a friend for so long that he is a great driver for this band, and has given us the space and time to allow things to be what they will.

We are at the halfway point in the record. Drums and bass tracks all layed down along with some padded
acoustic guitars. Some vocals and rhythm guitars are there as well like sketches of what is to come, and now we are getting ready to build that into something. The music seems to be moving in several new directions off of a single path from which we started on as a band. We are on a journey and we don't know which way it will lead us in the end, but we are moving from one place to another. The movement is the part to feel and to really take in. Where you are headed is less important. I try to bring myself back to that thought in life, but playing music forces me to do just that.

Even the song titles as I look at them scribbled down in my notebook, feel like they tell many stories. Stories that keep evolving. Stories don't stay stationary. Here is the list of song titles as they have come along so far, (not in album order, but does anyone listen like that anymore?):

1. Southern Highway
2. If you did not Know it
3. Jacqueline
4. The Hurricane
5. Break your Heart
6. No one likes you
7. The River
8. Stupid in a cup
9. Circus Boy
10. Between my teeth
11. Slowlearner

Along the way to restarting Scarce and making this new record, I have met people that ask me why I keep doing this "band thing" . You can't possibly make any money off of it. But this band, I realized is much more than just a band making music. It is a part of my family. The day that Joe and I found Chick in his apartment caused a connection so deep and special. It was hidden though and I didn't see it for a long time. When you have found something in your life that makes you grow and change hold on to it with dear life, reader. I walked away once not realizing that simple thing. Chick, Joe, and I give each other that remembrance every time we spend time together— life isn't where you are going. It is where you are. It should always be. It is easy to get lost when the drive in this world is on money, fame, success, things that hold monetary value only. I find now that the simplest things that give your life meaning are the ones that you have had all along inside of you. It is in your power to have that, you just have to make sure you are looking close enough. I feel so lucky that Scarce is my constant reminder to do so.

I will leave you with some of Chick's lyrics that put my head in the space of remembering this thought this morning:
(From the song "Stupid in a cup")
It was so good, it tore me up
It was so good I'm all torn up
It was so good, won't you fill me another cup