weird beard frame

this past summer I grew a beard. it was atrocious. hideous. offensive. and very itchy-scratchy. i never liked it, but Chris Crosby told me i needed to keep it for at least 6 weeks. so i did. and then i shaved it. immediately.
for christmas, suzie made me a frame to commemorate that special time in my life:

beautiful.
and gross.

happy holiday~!

jon canlas sent this over to me today from our vacation in hawaii several months ago.
it feels fitting for today, though. take away the lay and the tiki torches and the palm tree, i suppose, but I relaxation, the love, the happiness—although I think we were actually in a bit of a faux-fight at the time—is about right.
I’m just finishing up the last of my very-most pressing work and packing up the studio. and we have one more day of snowfall and cold feet, but then it’s off to 70º durham for christmas with suzie’s family.
and that will be great.
merry christmas to anyone out there in cyberland who stumbles across this.
god bless.

last day in the amanda knight…

photo by: daniel vineyard

the empty room that we turned into a cozy little studio in the back of the amanda knight hall is no more. most of the books are removed, the computers taken down and set out for deployment elsewhere, our map curtains are rolled back up and stored in a closet, and the miscellaneous musical equipment that spiced up the room is all packed away.
it’s official: we’re getting kicked out of the amanda knight hall.

and it’s a little weird. anyone that knows me probably well knows the amanda knight hall. much to suzie’s shagrin, the akh has become a second home of sorts (though I think even she will miss it a bit once it’s gone).
there’s been a lot of good times here, a lot of crazy stressful times, times of frustration and success. i’ve been in the hall for five years now, and probably spent 50+ full nights here—and countless full days. and while at times there’s a bit of embarassment that i still go to “school” everyday and i’ve yet to receive any sort of official degree, it’s a really uncomfortable feeling to be kicked out. justified or not, i’ve taken an ownership and a kinship to an inanimate building that i have no right to. and we’ve built a friendship with Amanda Knight the person—or the ghost—who always seems to look out for and provide for us.
but, time to move on, i guess—all part of growing up: looking for a real job, having a baby!, leaving school at 27… it all happens so fast, right? right?!

Suzie says whatever it takes to “get me excited…”

Well, this is pretty cute.



Now she won’t ever have to go to the grocery store without some One’s that’s clean and a shirt with a team.

…

bring a torch…

Suzie and I made this video last year, but never quite got around to sending it out.
It’s quiet and seemingly slow, but it’s rewarding… so, give it a minute.
Happy Christmas, friends…

~c+s

summer holgas

In attempts to forget the snow that fell yesterday here in Utah, I’m going to post some long lost pics from our vacation to the Northwest this past summer. I have lots more 35mm I may post tomorrow or something. But, just the holgas for today.
Leo—thanks for developing, scanning, and delivering my film for me. You’re awesome.

have you ever wanted to have like five of you?

Micah and i used to have this conversation quite a bit…
If there was five of me I would have one that would give everything to being a rock star, go on tour and all that; one that would get married and do the home and family thing; one that would work like crazy on all the insane-awesome, time-consuming, unpaying projects your job doesn’t allow you to do; one would travel the world and gather all the experience, stories, and knowledge it has to offer; and one… i guess to chase the girls you didn’t marry. I don’t remember what the last one was supposed to be, but that’s not a horrible option. At least not if there’s five of me, right?
Well… recently I’ve started to feel like that dream has come true. Only, it’s become a nightmare. Digitally, I’m reproducing exponentially like worms cut in half. It’s gotten out of hand and I feel at times like I’m suffering an identity crisis. Sometimes I’m cole#1 when I’m really supposed to be #3. And so on and so forth.
Here’s what I mean:

colenielsen.com
colenielsen.com/blog
colenielsen.com/blog3
crosstowntrains.blogspot.com
thechildrenkids.blogspot.com

and there may be more, but I really can’t keep track anymore…

So here’s the point of all this: if you have interest in cole#1, please follow cole#1’s story; if your interest is in cole#2, please don’t be bothered by cole#1, #3, #4, or #5.
Is this sounding narsicistic? It’s not supposed to be. It’s more of an apology.
I saw Chris Coy the other day and he said to me: I used to read your blog, but I don’t care about the Sonics so I stopped. And I don’t blame him! Our connection is design, not basketball. No one—not even my wife—has interest in all these various web pressences, so I’m sure neither do you.

I have a new website up, so if you want to see my finished design work, don’t look here! Look there. It’s not 100% complete, but it gets closer everyday.
And, to go along with that, I have a new design blog. Everything there will be design-related posts all the time. (Same address as the last one, but I think it may need to be reloaded into GoogleReader… sorry)
If you want to know what’s happening with Children Kids, don’t hold your breath. You’ll die. We’re working hard. It’s just so so slow. And we get plenty of ribbing about it, I assure you. I promise to keep you updated.
And last, if for some reason your heart feels kindly toward me and can stand to bare my ramblings about basketball, suzie, music, life, religion, travels, or what have you… you’re actually in the right place. Congratulations.
and thanks.

good day.
and, farewell to a few of you, I suppose. I would say it’s been nice, but most of the time I feel 100% like I’m talking to myself. There could be worse things. I suppose.



…

I was going to publish, but then I thought: If someone actually made it this far, they deserve a treat. And so, here it is: my new favorite song. Don’t hold your breath for this one either. It’s a long one. But it’s worth it. All 620 seconds of it.
~!

saint sebastian's q&a with muse music (3 of 3)

last one…

What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever’s available? What made you choose the instruments you have now?)
LEO: I use a Rickenbacker 4003 Bass. I'm not loyal to a brand, but I won't just play whatever’s laying around. I love guitars so I chose quality instruments. I've loved Rickenbacker basses since I was twelve. I went to the music store and tried it and I bought it.

MICAH: Mine were the best sounding instruments for my budget. And they’re all classic instruments. The amp is a remake of a classic Fender amp. And the Danelectro—while not the most sturdy guitar—the sound is a classic sound. I don’t really have brand loyalty, but aesthetic loyalty—It's gotta sound good and look good. I don’t have a sponsor, so i have no loyalty. My loyalty can be bought—or at least paid for.
COLE: I’m never totally comfortable with what I have because I always kinda of feel out of place in the world of electric instruments. So I like trying new things out—be it pedals or amps or guitars if someone has one to loan. But, recently, I’ve started growing into my sound and would be less apt to swap. I think I finally found the guitar that fits me… and I can’t even think of what it’s called right now. Bummer.
(fender telecaster t90)

What advice do you have for people who want to write and perform their own music?
COLE: Anytime you step out of your comfort zone, it’s generally going to be appreciated by the audience. Be honest. Don’t give too much heed to the trends. Provo’s much too mired in them as it is.
LEO: Do whatever you want to do. Be yourself.
MICAH: Quit. Go get a job. haha. It’s addictive. It's hard to get out of. I can’t stop. It will ruin your life.
BRET: Do it. Just go on tour as soon as you can if you’re serious.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a CD?
LEO: Yes. Myspace.com/sss4wg.
COLE: And like a million other places littered throughout the web via CD Baby. even iTunes. We do have a CD.


Any last words?
LEO: Queria mandar un saludo a todos los que me conocen. Y, siganme que no los voy a defraudar.


see you tomorrow night~

saint sebastian's q&a with muse music (2 of 3)

(continued from yesterday)


In what ways does living in Provo, or other places you have lived effect music you create or your music taste?
LEO: Places don't effect the music i create or my musical taste.
MICAH: I never really look to my surroundings for musical inspiration. The scenes in Rexburg and here are really different now… there’s a lot of synth and tight jeans.
COLE: I don't really feel like we’ve ever been very connected to the Provo scene. Not that we're above it or anything, we just never really seemed to fit. Ugly duckling or something.
BRET: Living in Provo has put a bad taste in my mouth for playing music. Everyone takes themselves so seriously, and does absolutely nothing to warrant it. Bands play at same venues once every other month and put out a CD every two years. Whenever the new fans arrive in the fall they can pretend they are celebrities for a while. I have resigned myself from trying to do anything about it. Any band that doesn't fit into the already established mold is shunned, and any band who sucks up to said celebrities is privileged. It's more funny than anything. The only reason to write music anymore is Provo is and try and piss people off.

What band or musician do you love? Is the music you listen to similar or different from your own?
COLE: The music that i listen to is often quite different from what we play. I like artists like Jens Lekmen and Beirut—artists that really make the most of their instrumentation. And I love, love, love The Beatles. Also, I’ve been really into hip hop like the Blue Scholars and Kanye West.


Can you describe the music making process for you as a group?
MICAH: um……… It would be nice if that were clearer.
COLE: Broken.
MICAH: Basically, it’s been “Micah has an idea and he brings it to the band,” but now, the whole band tries to bring something to the table.
COLE: Part of dealing with the change that I mentioned earlier is re-learning how to make new music in a new way. We combine in the music writing process more now than we used to, but we still haven’t quite learned how to be what we want to be.

What are the main themes of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
LEO: I have no idea.
COLE: Micah writes a lot about growing up, i think. it's hard to understand a lot of what he says.
MICAH: If you look at How to do Everything Correctly, the overall theme of the entire album is revisiting childhood. Now I kinda wait for the song to dictate what it’s going to be about. It starts out as a mumble to a melody. And then some words will form. Then some more. And then it starts to becomes about something. And, eventually, it has meaning—it turns into something. Once i know what the songs about, I can go back and actually write the song because I have a subject.

How has your music evolved since you first started songwriting?
MICAH: It’s gotten better. haha.
LEO: I don't think it's changed that much. Technology changes, but songwriting is still the same.


Do you have a favorite song to perform?
LEO: Carpal Tunnel.

COLE: Yeah, that's at the top because it is, musically, probably our best compositions. And Kandahar has been really fun because it's a dirty, happy, rock song and both us and the audience tend to enjoy it. But, I think our favorite changes.
MICAH: I’m hoping that our new song will be our favorite song to perform. It's pretty cool… I like what we do.
COLE: Exactly. If we ever have something new that generally jumps to the top.

more tomorrow! betchu can’t even wait…

saint sebastian's q&a with muse music (1 of 3)

In attempt to get a little promotion for our show this saturday at Muse Music in provo, Jake Haws (owner, manager, musician, sound and recording tech at muse) asked the four of us some questions. If I learned some stuff about my own band that I’ve been playing in for years, I thought some of you might find a thing or two of interest…

So you guys have an interesting name. What is the inspiration behind it?
MICAH: We were looking for something sassy. “Saint Sebastian's School for Wicked Girls” came from The Simpsons when Milhouse's girlfriend was sent off when the two of them were caught kissing in Bart’s treehouse.


Who is in the band and what role do they play?
MICAH: Me, Cole, Leo, Bret… Our roles are becoming less distinguished as we go on. We’re more equals, all writing and producing the music.

How long have you all known each other and how did you meet?
COLE: Micah and I have known each other since ’99. We met at a battle-of-the-bands type concert at Ricks college. We’ve been playing together almost straight since then. During one span when we weren’t—while I was in Korea—I introduced a friend to Micah and they eventually formed a band in 2002 called Magnolia. Leo was in that band. So, Micah and Leo have been playing together ever since then. And then Bret’s the drummer that didn't leave us. He’s been with us since last year and we hope he doesn’t leave soon.

How did you first get interested in music and/or playing music?
LEO: I’ve always been interested in music. I remember watching crappy ’80s videos with my sister after watching the Thundercats. That’s a pretty big part of my childhood—cartoons and music videos.

MICAH: I just started writing music when i was little. I always have, always will…
BRET: I started playing in clubs when I was 13. It has pretty much been a staple in my life since then.

What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?
LEO: Creating, playing, performing… it’s always been the same and it will never change.

What aspect of making music gets you the most discouraged?
COLE: Struggling to write new songs, to change with our personal growth and interests, and to balance making music with work and family life.
MICAH: Originally, we just want to be this straight rock thing and it’s not really us anymore, nor is it very appealing. But bringing in those things that would make it more appealing takes so much time and it seems like the band’s more of an afterthought now. We don’t have the time to put in the kind of time it would require to do what we want to do.
COLE: But we’re still trying. Goonies never say die…



…hmmm, that’s kind of a depressing note to end on. but there will be more tomorrow. :)

All becomes vibrant and alive…

Suzie left a message on my phone today telling me that Elder Wirthlin passed away last night. Over the past few years, Joseph Wirthlin endeared himself to our hearts as we learned to look through his uncomfortable and monotonous delivery in General Conference and actually hear the heart of his message. Most of his talks were filled with an energetic optimism and love of life and people, not to mention annectdotes from his glory days on the football field.
I pulled a few of my favorites quotes from recent addresses. Also, maybe take a minute to (re)read his last words to us on a whole—“Come what may, and love it”—words that epitomize the approach that he took to life.

“Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles. It leads us through valleys of darkness and through the veil of death. In the end love leads us to the glory and grandeur of eternal life… True love lasts forever. It is eternally patient and forgiving. It believes, hopes, and endures all things. That is the love our Heavenly Father bears for us.… As you prayerfully consider what you can do to increase harmony, spirituality, and build up the kingdom of God, consider your sacred duty to teach others to love the Lord and their fellowman. This is the central object of our existence. Without charity—or the pure love of Christ—whatever else we accomplish matters little. With it, all else becomes vibrant and alive.”

—from The Great Commandment (this talk you may remember being given as his body shook uncontrollably. I don’t know what the medical cause or if it was triggered by anxiety or what, but he stood strong and delivered, in spite of his mortal frailty, an extrememly powerful discourse on love.)

“To all who are weary, let the comforting words of the Savior console you: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Let us rely on that promise. The power of God can infuse our spirits and bodies with energy and vigor. I urge you to seek this blessing from the Lord.”

—from Concern for the One

“I urge you to examine your life. Determine where you are and what you need to do to be the kind of person you want to be. Create inspiring, noble, and righteous goals that fire your imagination and create excitement in your heart. And then keep your eye on them. Work consistently towards achieving them.”

—from Life’s Lessons Learned