HM Magazine Staff Picks 2008
I had the privilege of doing some freelance writing for HM Magazine this past year. In the tradition of all things "end of the year" here's the HM Magazine Staff Picks of 2008. It's featured in the Jan./Feb. '09 issue (Red on the cover) on news stands now.
My staff picks were as followed.
Favorite Albums:
House of Heroes - The End Is Not The End
John Mark McMillan - The Medicine
Corey Crowder - Gold & The Sand
Verra Cruz - Innocence
The Showdown - Back Breaker
Favorite Live Show: Underoath
Favorite Indie/Unsigned Artist: John Mark McMillan
To California…and back again
So, this is a long overdue post, but better late than never.
Sara and I went to Cali for Thanksgiving, specifically the San Diego area. We flew in on Thanksgiving and drove up to Dana Point to meet the family. Overall we were very busy, driving up and down the 5, hitting as many spots as we could.
On Black Friday we spent time in Laguna Beach after grabbing breakfast at The Greeter's Corner Restaurant...
...and then hit up the Irvine Spectrum for some insane shopping while getting some killer food and brews at The Yard House.
The next day we drove north to visit the Zappin's and Oatley's. We hit up Kingsroad Cafe for breakfast, cruised by their friends boutique, did some shopping in Santa Monica, and ended the day with dinner at C & O Trattoria in Venice followed by a walk on the pier. It was a great time.
The next day we hit up Kono's Cafe at Pacific Beach for an AMAZING breakfast burrito brunch...
...and then hit up the Coronado area, specifically the beautiful Hotel Del Coronado.
For dinner that evening we were treated to a home-cooked Korean meal courtesy of a family friend. I even tried the jellyfish.
Our last day in SD we hit up the San Diego Zoo with Sara's mom. Pandas, gorillas, hippos, rhinos, and elephants oh my!
And yes, I finally had In-N-Out for the first time.
After returning back to TN, and starting back at my new/old job, I got the privilege to return to Cali this past week with Relient K. They performed their version of "Sleigh Ride" with Tom Wilson (Biff from Back to the Future) on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Tuesday evening. It was surreal being backstage as the other guests included Jim Carrey, Rosario Dawson, and Fred Willard.
I even walked away with a Christmas gnome from the set.
My new/old job
Well, I started my new/old job at Gotee Records today. I didn't sleep too much last night because I was so excited. Below is part of an email that our label president, Joey Elwood, sent out to our artists, managers, and agents today.
I'm excited and encouraged to officially relay to all of you that starting on Wednesday December 3rd, Brad Moist (former head of A&R at Gotee and General Manager at Mono vs. Stereo) has accepted the position to return to the label, and head up our A&R efforts at Gotee Records. Obviously, to have a familiar face return to our label is exciting, but Brad's experience I think will also be felt in all areas of our business as we move into this new season.
It's times like these that Jeremiah 29:11 rings truer than ever. Here's to the future.
Free Holiday Sampler from Zambooie.com
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My parting gift to Zambooie was a digital Holiday Sampler that is FREE with every purchase on Zambooie.com. Thanks to BoerHaus and UNLBLD for the help. Here's the tracklisting.
1. Project 86 - This Time Of Year
2. House Of Heroes - Lose Control
3. Living Sacrifice - Death Machine
4. Sever Your Ties - This Is What You Get
5. Relient K - 12 Days of Christmas
6. Ruth - Back To The Five
7. John Reuben - Burn It Down
8. Since October - Disaster
9. Trenches - Ocean Currents
10. War of Ages - Through The Flames
11. Novelift - the Sccar
12. Becoming The Archetype - Dichotomy
13. Destroy Destroy Destroy - The Wretched Forrest
14. Stavesacre - Saviour Of The Fools
15. Damion Suomi - Archer Women
