A paradox of life as a nearly functional entertainer is that when I appear to have a lot going on, I’m not really doing a whole lot, and when it appears that I’m not really doing anything is when the actual work is being done. Touring, rolling out a record and launching merchandise are the culmination of months spent in the hole writing, producing and planning. The presentation of it all is more about letting fly free something that you have been nurturing for so long.
Scenario 1:
“So Butch, what’s going on with you?”
“I’m putting out a record and going on tour.”
BOOM. Interaction complete. I look good. I feel good. Everybody is happy.
Scenario 2:
“So Butch, what’s going on with you?”
“Sitting in my garage. Strumming chords. Humming melodies. Mumbling words. Trying things. Failing. Trying again. Taking breaks to do dishes. Cursing the fact that I have to eat at some point. Setting up mics. Troubleshooting software issues. Troubleshooting hardware issues. Trying to figure out what that noise is. Running to the post office. Changing guitar strings. Catching rats in my studio. Sweeping out water that has flooded into my studio. Trying to find my capo. Trying to find a pick. Sitting over a matcha americano at a coffee shop with a notebook open in front of me, staring into the middle distance, essentially cosplaying the performative male memes. You know, nothing, really.”
Sounds terrible, right? Well, it’s not. Scenario 2 is the good stuff. For an artist this is kind of the whole point. This is the fabled journey that outshines the destination.
But as far as brief interactions I might have with people who I bump into at Trader Joe’s, I choose Scenario 1 all day.
Unfortunately, I can’t help but care what the outside world thinks of me. So a few years back in hopes of remaining somewhat visible during the time periods described in Scenario 2, I started documenting my demoing process by filming the various parts live as I recorded them. During COVID especially I embraced this as a way to remain active and sharp. It also gave me a chance to “perform” them when bars and venues were shut down. Several of the songs on Death Valley started this way. This is what I refer to as the “Live Demo Series”.
Today, I present the latest installment in the Live Demo Series with a brand new song, “God Forbid (Take 5)”. This is a snapshot of where the song is now and an exploration into the creative process.
Thanks as always to all of you. The Black Friday promo in the Butch Bastard store continues with 30% off your order with the code BFRIDAY.
If you’re in LA, be sure to come see me at Healing Force of The Universe on 12/14. Dixie from the Misty band opens.
Below I have provided all of the previous Live Demo videos (that I could find) including Elegy for the Baby Boomer in D (but it was in C at the time which was much harder for me to sing).
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