Apr
28
2009
Good news everyone, the writer’s strike that was affecting this blog has been called off as both parties have resolved whatever petty differences they once had. Now, it our pleasure to bring you, without further ado…gabe’s rantings, and meaningless drivel…brought to you by the maker’s of ‘axe body spray’… ‘axe’, it smells like crap, but guys still buy it because of our marketing campaign. ‘axe body spray’…ha, ha, we got you, suckers!
(just spray this stuff on guys…same thing)
Hello, dear readers. The world is a much different place when we last had a conversation. Allow me to recap: Your fearless and deeply flawed heroes had wrapped up a tour of the northeast…highlights included performing for amazing people in New Hampshire, Maine, Delaware, New York, New Jersey and Indiana, eating pizza in times square, and writing new circleslide tunes.
Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts and other varieties of coffee were consumed by the gallons.
An old van died with 386,000 miles causing our faith to be tested…a new one was miraculously purchased, causing our faith to be bolstered… and, already less than a month old… it already has 5,000 miles.
Circleslide returned to Nashville and began recording with Salvador’s Keyboard player/producer Chris Bevins. A fine, fun time was had by all. The result was three new songs: “Ever going to win”, “Gone”, and “Looking UP”. The songs were recorded at Chris Bevin’s studio and at my house, which I’ve decided to call, “reveal” studios…it’s actually just a room above my garage…but I’m going to insist on telling my wife, “hey, I’m heading up to ‘reveal’…be back in a second”…and wait for her to blow her bangs up and roll her eyes at me. Yay!
Recently, Nic Gonzales, (Salvador) invited me to join his band and his lovely wife, Jaci Valasquez on a couple of shows in Austin and Corpus Christi, Texas. The only thing is that there wouldn’t be room on the bus for the rest of the guys…would I mind opening the show by myself? Hmm. I thought about saying no… It’s a bit terrifying to be up on a stage, alone, when you are so used to having a full-fledged rock band that’s got your back, night after night. Circleslide is a band, after all…and it just felt a bit weird.
However, it might be good for me to be forced to open the show, just me and an acoustic guitar…get back to my roots…the coffee house days…trying to stop the conversations in the back of the room…try to let the baristas hear a lyric …try to get all of us to share a moment together. So I’m doing it. The bus leaves on Thursday…I’m excited, nervous, scared and I might fall off the stage…so, I’ll keep you posted.
In the meantime, thanks for sticking with me as I took a break from blogging. There was no ‘real’ writer’s strike…and yet, there kinda was. Once we got back from the road, my mac died on me. The hard drive just quit. Thankfully, I had backed everything up…and I had Apple Care. But I went without the computer for about a week…and it felt kinda good. But, I’m back…and the hiatus has allowed me to think of some cool ideas for this place…and once, again…I’ll be at the computer…over sharing…and trying to have some kind of dialogue with you…some of the coolest people around.
Linda said:
May 14, 2009 7:00 am
Your coming back to Texas in Sep?…..
Hillfest?! I need to look that up!!!! Getting excited already!!!
Adriel said:
May 10, 2009 8:27 pm
I heard your music last Saturday in good old Georgetown, TX and it was fantastic! Thank you so much for helping me to open my heart once again to Jesus. I really needed the refresher, and y’all did it. Even if it was 2 of you, it was still one of the best performances that I’ve seen. Come back soon! I can’t wait to see the whole band next time!
Cherylyn said:
May 05, 2009 12:29 pm
YAY. you’re back.
i thought you had vanished!
Jaci & Salvador are phenomenal. i’ve never seen either live.
p.s. when are you EVER going to journey to Virginia Beach! We need to see you in this land! :]
Susie said:
May 02, 2009 7:53 am
What an amazing performance last night in Corpus Christi! You won us all over with your awesome talent. Great to meet you and you have a true treasure in your sweet wife. We will be praying for the band to be blessed beyond your wildest dreams.
In Him,
Your newest fans
Darla said:
Apr 29, 2009 11:30 pm
we would so love to see that show in Austin, however we will catch you in New Braunfels for the Hillfest in Sept. (with the band)
– your music sounds great!
Gina said:
Apr 28, 2009 9:59 pm
(says she who lost track of what she was doing and pressed “Submit” instead of delete)
Lets focus…
on WHO you are doing this for. The fans? God? As a challenge to yourself? In the end, does it really matter if you fall on your face?
(even though it’s discouraged)
In the end, it’s all going to be ok.
And quite frankly… you’re going to rock it.
Gina said:
Apr 28, 2009 9:54 pm
Hm…
I was just listening to Slacker.com and Circleslide popped on. Then I went to blogger.com and saw your blog in my reader… I suppose that means something. Are you a slacker?
I’ll be praying that you don’t fall off the stage (don’t ‘break a leg’- break a string instead!)
Wait… don’t break a string… it might prove distracting. Then you might knock over the mic stand… and knock out a fan.
If you’re the opening act… I would not recommend broadsiding fans. It may embarrass your producer… who may ruin your album… thus ending your (and Circleslide’s) career.
But let’s not think about that… let’s focus
Mr. & Mrs. Jeremiah Hunter said:
Apr 28, 2009 8:07 pm
Oh sweet! It wasn’t a case of stranded musician/sometimes blogger after all! We’re quite glad you’re back writing, and we’re also excited to hear the songs you’ve been writing while not blogging!
Have a “fine, fun time” in Texas!
Kayla
Isaac Milton said:
Apr 28, 2009 2:15 pm
Finally!
I just started blogging earlier this month and was disappointed to find out that a number of friends (particularly you) had stopped. Good to see you back working the ‘press.
Damaris said:
Apr 28, 2009 9:26 am
You know that the actual turning point of your decision to come to Texas with Salvador & Jaci was to REALLY to see us. ;-P
Just had to throw that out there.
Damaris said:
Apr 28, 2009 9:23 am
So you’re coming to Texas???
By yourself???
You may just get spoiled! Definitely keep us posted and we’ll try to make it out to see you if you get within a 300 mile radius of Dallas… yeah you know how that goes.
And Jonathan looks like he has vampire skin in that picture. (that’s a compliment)
And I miss Eric.
And Lee is the funniest kid alive.
See you soon???
divietro said:
Apr 28, 2009 4:44 am
glad to see you back and writing again!
congrats on the opportunity!
gabe martinez replied:
Apr 28, 2009 1:23 pm
of course my friend…i did it all for you, as a way of thanking you for driving me all over town looking for hair product. heh, heh.
gabe martinez replied:
Apr 28, 2009 1:25 pm
we are playing in Austin and Corpus Christi.
I’ll let you know where and when as soon as i get the info…yikes!
but getting spoiled sounds wonderful.
You’re right about all the boys…Lee is becoming one of my favorite people really fast. great guy.
gabe martinez replied:
Apr 28, 2009 1:26 pm
um, you caught me. it was those brownies you gave us back in dallas at 4 am. You never forget kindness like that.