Rob Christensen: News

Hey Everyone! Here's what's been happening:


Tape Op Conference -
Just got back from the 2007 Tape Op Conference in Tucson. These things are always fun and educational and this year was no exception. Saw a lot of old friends, saw some great bands (Calexico, DeVotchka, and John Vanderslice from poolside! Plus Mitch Easter, Jon Rauhouse, and Gina Noell!), and met some great folks. This year I once again moderated the Home Recording Workshop. The panalists were Darron Burke, Nick Urata, Howe Gelb, Jon Rauhouse, Phil Lipman, and Steve Fisk. Quite a bunch of folks. I feel honored to be able to discuss recording with people like this.

Live -
It looks like I've got a show down in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on September 9. Details will be up on the calendar page soon.
In the next few weeks I'm going to be booking shows for the late summer and fall. I'm available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, so if you'd like me to play or have any ideas on where to play, please let me know via email at heyrob@robchristensen.com.

Cheers!

Got a few pieces of news for y'all -

I'll be playing my first full solo show in five years (!!!) on April 13th (that's a Friday) at Border's Books - located at the corner of 18th and L, NW, in Washington DC. I'm really looking forward to getting back out there in front of folks. Several songs from "Roses For Sharon" have never been played live, plus I'll probably have a new tune or two to play. Be there or be square!

I've started a blog over at BlogSpot where I hope to talk about the various things going on in my life and in my head. I figure the posts will be a little more random than is appropriate for this little news forum, so over there I go. Passengers are welcome!

I'm a big fan of Continuum Books' 33 1/3 seris, in which each book is written about a specific record. I'm currently reading Ric Menck's book on "The Notorious Byrd Brothers", one of my favorite albums, and I've already finished their books on Bowie's "Low", the Beatles' "Let It Be", the Kinks' "Village Green", Neil Young's "Harvest", and several more. I've also submitted a proposal to them to write a book on XTC's "Skylarking", as it's creation is a story that's very interesting to me. I hope my proposal is accepted. Cross your fingers for me!

www.rpmchallenge.com has issued a challenge to the musicians of the world to write and record an album - at least 10 songs, 35 minutes - during the 28 days of February. I signed up for this crazy little contest with great hopes. My day job is also been very busy. Do you think I've written any songs? Maybe next year.

Finally, it looks like I'll be moderating the Home Recording workshop at the 2007 Tape Op (magazine) Conference. As you may know, I've moderated the last four workshops and had a terrific time. I'm thrilled to be doing it again! Check back at this space to see who my esteemed panalists are this year!

I’ve had a very busy last few months. So busy I haven’t had time to write anything down. So why have I been too busy to update for my friends? Well, beside the fact that I often have update lapses, here’s what’s been going on:

1. School –

As you’re probably aware I’ve been spending the last few years nestled in my birthplace of Humboldt County, in Northern California, earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and getting a Teaching Credential. I earned the BA in May of 2005, and this last year I’ve been working toward the Credential by student teaching and attending various post-graduate classes. And let me tell you, this year was a bear! Especially the last six months. No extra time for anything. But it was also fun in a lot of ways. I mean, you get to be with kids all day, and that’s pretty cool. You can even play songs for them every once in a while.
Now, when I started back at this school thing, I was kinda sick of playing the music game and figured I was ready to settle into a stable career, and a stable life, and have my summers and other vacations off for “hobbies” like playing music. Which still sounds good, and it’s something I may still do, but at this point I’m not so sure…

2. Tape Op Conference –

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: An extended weekend hanging out with music makers. Summer camp for music recording geeks. Every year has been great, inspiring, educational, and fun. These conferences have made me think seriously about being a small recording studio owner and helping to aid other folks into shaping their music, in addition to my own career as a performer and recording artist. So we’ll see what the future brings...
Anyway, this year’s conference was wonderful as usual. The location this time around was Tucson, Arizona, at the (perhaps too) fabulous El Conquistador resort – very swanky. I ran two home recording discussion workshops this time around and had some incredible panelists, including Brian Berg (of 44 Long), skater / musician Ray Barbee, Ireland’s Mark O’Connor, and Nik Frietas, among others. Let me tell you, Nik is one to watch. The workshops seemed to go well and good information was exchanged. Other conference highlights were the potluck studio, “My Favorite Mix Moments,” and especially “Records that made me want to record” which was capped by Mark Rubel’s stirring tribute to Ray Charles’ recording of “Georgia On My Mind.”
Unfortunately, I didn’t get that many pictures this year, but I do have photos of both of my workshops as well as me and Mark O’Connor hobnobbing with Joey Waronker They’ll be up on the website’s picture page very soon.

3. Tape Op Con Hootenanny -

I’ve been saying for the last couple of years that when I was done with college that I’d return to live performing. What I didn’t realize was that I’d be performing the day after college was officially over. But thanks to good friend and Tape Op founder Larry Crane, I was asked to play a songwriter’s hootenanny at this year’s conference at Tucson’s Club Congress. The hoot featured Leigh Marble, Brian Berg, Nancy Hess, Ben London, and myself. We all sat on the Congress’s wonderful little stage and traded songs, one after another. Both Brian and Nancy mentioned ahead of time that they were nervous because they hadn’t played in a year. You can imagine how I felt – I haven’t performed in four years. And guess what? I had to start it off. First I did “Thirteen Weeks”, which felt sloppy and off-key. Then the rest of the folks played some marvelous songs – no wonder we (they?) were billed as some of the country’s best songwriters – which made me feel more inadequate. Next I did “Hollywood’s Dreams”, which felt a little better. That was followed by a slowly strummed “These Days”, by which time I felt I’d shaken off the rust. After songs from everyone else again, I closed with “September Knows”, which felt really good. It was a great night and I felt very honored to be sharing the stage with folks of that caliber.
Also performing at the Congress for Tape Op Con were American Music Club, Cracker, M. Ward, Nik Frietas, Jay Bennett, Rebecca Gates, Norfolk and Western, and several others. It was a great weekend!

4. Moved to Washington, DC

Yep, now I live in Washington, DC. If you know me or have kept up with the website or these pages, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to you. I’ve been planning a move east for years. I’m in an apartment on the Northeast side of town. The rent’s cheap but the neighborhood is less than desirable, but it’s improving fast. I’ve got my studio set up and I hope to start recording soon.
Now that I’m out of college I need to get me a day job. I’m not sure what I’m going to do, but I’m sure it’ll have something to do with teaching, or maybe retail. I certainly have tons of experience doing retail.
I’m also hoping to get back to playing live. I figure I’ll knock off the rust by playing some open mics. That’ll be a good way to meet other musicians around town, too, as I’d love to play with other people.

5. Complete Catalog Available on iTunes

Yep, everything’s available now, so you can download from all four studio albums, from the live album, and even from the rarities and outtakes album. I would’ve never thought that there’d be so many versions of “Opera Alley” out there! Links to all of the albums are on my website, or, if they aren’t there now, they will be soon! Download away and help me keep from working for The Man!
Funny thing, by the way – my top song on iTunes is “Alison Day”, an outtake from Smile Slightly that was finally released on the rarities album. Go figure.

6. The Future

So what does the future hold? Well, here are some things I’d like to happen I the next few years:
· A return to regular live performing - I miss playing live. I’d like to have a band – one that’s flexible. That is, if one person can’t make it, we can still perform. If the drummer’s gone, the bass player and guitar player and I can do an acoustic show. If the bass player’s out, either the other guitar player can play bass or the drummer can play congas and the two guitar players can do, again, an acoustic show. You get the idea.
· Playing with other folks – there’s nothing like playing with other people when it comes to improving your musical skills. I’d love to just jam with other people. To just sit back and exchange tunes. I haven’t done enough of that. Washington D.C. folks, are you listening?
· Touring all over - I’d love to play in Europe, Australia, Japan, and all over the U.S. and Canada. One of these days, I will. And I’ll see you there.
· Moving to the Shenandoah Valley – It’s a beautiful area. Fewer “big city” problems, yet seemingly very healthy musically. As I mentioned, I’m thinking of opening a recording studio there in a couple of years. I think the area is ripe for it. James Madison University is growing like crazy, and universities bring musicians and bands. And those musicians and bands will need places to record.
· Producing other musicians and helping them with their records – This goes hand in hand with having a studio, of course.
· Properly mastering my entire recorded output and getting it out on “real” CDs – This will happen in the next few years. So buy your artist-assembled CD-Rs now, they’ll be collector’s items soon!

Guess that’s about it for now. Come back real soon!

Hey Everyone!
I'm working on a big entry that'll catch you up on everything, but for now I just wanted to let you know that we've got the new Washington DC address on the Contact page, more iTunes links on the CDs For Sale Page, and that the show in Tucson was fun and seemingly went pretty well. Bye for now! Rob

I'm excited to have been invited to perform at TapeOpCon2006's Artist Showcase, to be held at Club Congress in Tucson. I'll be sharing the stage in an "all-star hootananny" (their words) with Leigh Marble, Nancy Hess, and more. It's funny - I made a promise to myself that I'd get back to playing live when I was done with college, but I didn't think I'd be playing literally the day after I was done, and with such esteemed company. Hope to see you there!
Got to http://www.hotelcongress.com/tapeop/ for details.

Been fighting a cold for the last several weeks. Thats what you get when you start spending time with a lot of kids, as I am student teaching. My voice is a thin and raspy and has been for a while. Ive totally lost my falsetto I cant do any high woo sounds. Im assuming itll get better, but the Doc said he was a little concerned. If it doesnt, I guess Ill have to re-think my whole approach to singing. Ill cross that bridge when I come to it.

MySpace is pretty cool. Ive connected with folks I havent talked to in ages. I see that the Curious Hair have a real catchy tune on their page called Wannabe Beat, Newcastle have a CD I didnt know about, and lots of other people have been keeping busy making music.

Again, Ive got to say Big Sincere Thanks to everyone whos been downloading my songs from iTunes and other services. Its amazing just how far the internet can reach.

Guess thats about it. I really dont have much music news. My schoolwork has taken up most of my time and will continue to do so over the next several weeks. Less than two months until its over, though! Yay!

When I started thinking about writing the follow-up to “Roses For Sharon” I thought I might write an album that explored, bold voice, American Themes. I’d been listening to a lot of Dylan, the Band, Richmond Fontaine, and Calexico, and wanted to go for that Americana thing that seems to be so popular right now. Not that I want to hop on any bandwagons. But sometimes it’s easy to be swept up in their wakes, to mix a metaphor or two.

Last October I wrote in my songbook that I want to do, “An ‘American’ album; an album for adult listeners” that would “cross between Wilco, R.E.M., and Neil Young.” It was going to be a doomy, gloomy album drenched in reverb. I even had a title. It would be called “The Gentleman’s Rainy Day Companion.”

Problem is, I haven’t written any songs. Okay, I’ve written two songs, neither of which fits my vision for my “American” album. One song is “Not A Local Girl”, which is about a high school girlfriend I let slip away, much to my later regret. The other is “Seeing Double” about making it through hard times. Those are both American enough themes, but they just didn’t seem right for what I thought I wanted to do.

Earlier today I was working on an essay for the upcoming Book of Kills box set. In it I wrote that an artist should release an album, or whatever the medium is, every year or so in order to honestly document his or her life. So I got to thinking, “What has been on MY mind? What am I doing? What am I thinking about?” And I realized that I am very worried right now. I’m worried about leaving California in June – I really don’t have any choice about it, though it’s not an involuntary move. My current student-teaching assignment is very difficult and stressful, as are my college courses. I’ve got a feeling of burnout and I’m questioning whether I really want to be an elementary teacher (for my “real” job). And I’ve got some money troubles. I do have a safety net, but it comes with some strings. So the strains of “Worried Man Blues” ring in my head.

So I think “Worried Man Blues” is my key. I think that’s the door the next batch of songs is behind. We’ll see what happens.

***

In other news, Jim Shelley has covered my own “These Days”, from the “Smile Slightly” album, for the aforementioned Book of Kills box set. He did a great job on it. It’s always interesting to hear your songs in the hands of others. Different musicians will play up different nuances or may substitute words or change the melody slightly. This is the third time I’ve been lucky enough to hear one of my songs covered, and the first time someone’s done a studio take. Check it out for yourself at http://www.geocities.com/jnipe/jimshelleymusic.html .

See you next time!

We've added some links for the albums that are available for download on iTunes. At this point "Roses For Sharon", "Opera Alley", and "The Truth Hurts" are available. The rest of the catalog should be available shortly.

Also, the boys and girls of Sweet Science extend a warm welcome to those of you who have come over from Diaryland, Blogspot, LiveJournal, or MindSay. Cheers!

The boys and girls have added some pictures to the 'Photographs' page, including some pics of Rob recording 'Someday Soon', from 2000's 'Opera Alley' album. Take a look!

Our first album, 1994's "Smile Slightly" is back in print and available for sale on this website and at CDBaby.com.

Also "So She Said", from "Smile Slightly", is available for download, and three other songs from the same album are now up for streaming on the 'Downloads & Streams" page. Give 'em a listen!

Finally, check out the Rob Christensen myspace page at www.myspace.com/robchristensen .

Hope you're all having a great New Year so far!

The boys and girls here at Sweet Science have just uploaded a batch of live photos from 1999 - 2001. More photos and other additions to come in the next few days.

All of the songs on the 'downloads & streams' page now have lyrics. Just click on a song's title to see for yourself!

Today we've been busy adding reviews for the debut album, "Smile Slightly", the live album, "At The End Of The Day", and the rarities album, "I Hope You're Happy Now - The Thrift Store Series, vol. 1"

Also added was a nice story from the Williamsport, PA, Sun-Gazette previewing an appearance there.

Check them out via the "Press / Reviews" page.

If you've visited here in the last couple of days you may have noticed some slight changes. The boys and girls of Sweet Science have been tinkering about and trying things in a continuing effort to make the website as informative, comprehensive, and enjoyable as possible. Please bear with our little design adjustments & thanks for stopping by!

Thought I'd better check in... I've been laying pretty low recently, music-wise, and have been concentrating on my student teaching. Thus there's not much to report.

I am happy to say that CDBaby raised over $165,000 for the American Red Cross and that Rob C. CD sales contributed a small droplet to that bucket. Big Thanks to the folks who purchased CDs.

Cheers,
Rob C.

As you probably know, I've participated in the last two Tape Op magazine conferences in New Orleans. While there I've been fortunate to meet some wonderful people and form some good friendships. As far as I know, my friends are all safe. But at least one couple lost their home and lifetimes of possessions. My heart goes out to them and everyone affected by Katrina.

In order to hopefully add a couple of drops to the help bucket, the boys and girls at Sweet Science are donating all profits from sales of Rob C discs from CDBaby.com to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Go to the "Store" page, choose a CD (or 3!) and click on "Buy this CD at CD Baby!"

I realize this isn't much, but if everyone contributes just a little bit in some way we can get some help to these folks who've taken some awfully hard blows.

In an effort to get more music into more hands, the boys and girls of Sweet Science have slashed prices on the CDs available at CDBaby.com! All Rob Christensen CDs are now only $6.99 each when ordering from CDBaby! And if you order three, they're reduced to $5.00 each! Whatta deal!!!

As the headline says, we've updated the Bio section.

We've added two interviews, one from 1994 and one from 1997. See the "Press" page.

Today I spent several hours trying on new suits for the website. This one is called "Americana" and was designed by Petrik de Heus. Sign the guestbook and tell me what you think.

We've also added several writeups and reviews of the 'Opera Alley' and 'Truth Hurts' albums. Several writers have been very kind over the years and their work is much appreciated. Have a look. Enjoy and see you soon!

Today the boys and girls of the Sweet Science Recording Company have put up some songs you can listen to or download for free. Will wonders never cease? We've got a couple from each of the last three albums. Take a listen. If you like what you hear, think about purchasing a CD. Like mp3s? All songs from these three albums are available on iTunes. And don't forget to sign the guestbook!

The Tape Op Magazine conference in New Orleans was really super. Craig Schumacher, Larry Crane, and the rest of the crew did a fabulous job making sure a fun and informative time was had by all.

My panel, Home Recording, went really well. Fred Cornog (East River Pipe), Charles Bissell (The Wrens), Anders Parker (solo and Varnaline), Scott Bomar, and John Plymale all had interesting things to say and all were really great.

Right now I'm staying with Jim Shelley from Book of Kills (and more recently Book of Proles) in Bridgewater, Virginia, and am exploring the area and trying to decide if I indeed want to move here next year.

There's a lot of work to do before then (new album?) and we'll just have to see what happens.

See you soon!

Hey everybody! Time passes quickly and I need to hit the road to head to New Orleans. I'm participating in TapeOp Magazine's 4th annual conference, moderating a discussion panel on home recording. I feel very lucky to have a great group of panelists: Fred Cornog (East River Pipe), Anders Parker (Varnaline), John Plymale, Scott Bomar, and Charles Bissell (Wrens).

After the confernce I'm heading to Northern Virginia to see if that's indeed the place I want to move to when I finish my college requirements next year.

I'd hoped to have much more up on the website by now, but you know how it goes... I'll report in when I get back, if not sooner. Cheers!

I just added a photo page & a links page. I hope to upload more stuff soon!