Getting Better

He appears to be ok, or at least he is facebooking again, if that is anything to go by. 

New Solo Album!

There is a new post on Marks blog that says that he has a new solo acoustic album in the works.

I am making a record called 'The Bill Is Due'. It is taking a while because I keeping writing new songs for it - and throwing old songs away. So far there are 13. I think it is great. I am proud. My plan is to make an acoustic album. Just guitar and vocal. Maybe one other instrument or a backing vocal. I know the world needs another 'acoustic' record like it needs a hole in the head - but I listen to a lot of random stuff and most of it is noise. Remember the signal to noise ratio? I want to be all signal. I am working with the engineer who shares the space where I work. His name is Ron Macleod and he is very decent and kind. He leaves me alone mostly - he sets up fancy mics and and lets me go.

I don't have a record label for this yet though I have a couple of ideas. I know that what people want is an AMC record - and so do I - but honestly I have to make some money now and this is the only way I know.

Are we looking forward to it?

Marks Top 10 of 2010

Over at the Merge web site Mark Eitzel has posted his top 10 cultural hilights of 2010.  Strangely enough, number 1 was getting his musical produced.

Marks Blog

Nothing to report really. Marks blog is worth a quick read as he has started posting again.  A dream about Vic Chestnut and musings on why he isn't playing Vegas?

Also Jace Everett likes the American Music Club.

New Bruce Kaphan Album

Feeling a bit nostalgic? Then pop over to Bruce Kaphans website and check out the page for his new album Hybrid. Like his first solo album Slider, its an all instrumental affair but listening to the clips of the tunes, you can't help but think back to his contribution to Everclear. The slides and the twangs take you back to the last time they really sounded alt-country. It is released the 1st June and can be brought from his website for $15.

Upcoming TV Appearance!

A quick note from Marks mangement ...

Also Mark will be performing as well with the Marine Parade band doing some scenes from the Musical on the Culture Show for BBC which will go out on the 20th. This is the biggest UK TV show Mark has done in quite some time. It is being filmed next Monday in London so you may be able to get tickets somehow to see it taped.

Here comes the big time.

Marine Parade - Details

Details of the Marine Parade performances have finally reached the Brighton Festival website.

18 May 2010 to 23 May 2010 at Tue 18 & Wed 19 May, 8pm. Thu 20 & Fri 21 May, 6pm & 9pm. Sat 22 & Sun 23 May, 3pm, 6pm & 9pmThe Old Market£12.50, Festival standby £10

Get booking them tickets now.

Vic Chesnut- R.I.P.

I have been meaning to blog about the passing of Mr Chesnutt for a while now, as I was a fan. I had a few of his albums and had seen him half a dozen times, including once with the Undertow Orchestra. While life was never easy for him he seemed a fighter and as long as there was the promise of some weed at the end, he always put on a good show. The Undertow Orchestra gig was special as Mark and Vic and the others all played as each others backing band. The hi light for me was Vic singing "In My Way, Yes" with some beautiful harmonies behind him. As a new recording of them seems to have turned up now seemed a good time hear it again. Enjoy.

Marks Best of 09

Merger records has a blog post from Mark listing his musical hilights of the last year.

In no particular order:
Scott Walker – The Drift

Peter Broderick – Home

Tim Fite – Fair Ain’t Fair

Samuel Barber – Songs

Carletta Sue Kay – Live at the San Francisco Eagle

Christopher Wheeldon - Within the Golden Hour – War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco CA

The Wrestler – Movie

Mahler: Symphony #5 In C Sharp Minor - 4. Adiagietto

Kath Bloom – various songs

Joe Henry – Blood From Stars

Into Great Silence – Movie

More Reviews

Here are some more reviews of the album, tour and even the bootleg.

The forum seems to be slowly taking off. I am still planning on writing a decent review of Klamath at some point. Unless anyone else want to have a go?

More Kalmath Reviews

There are a few reviews ou there courtesy of Drowned In sound, the BBC, the Independent and the German edition of Rolling Stone.

There is also a very revealing interview with the Scots Herald.

Brannan St CD Finally Available

Mark Eitzels other new album "Brannan St" is now available in the UK on Decor Records. I quote ...

The new tour/mail order only cd to accompany Mark's new release Klamath. The cd was recorded in San Francisco Sept 2009 and contains all new material including a few reworkings of songs from Klamath. Many of the songs are acoustic based demos with just Mark and his guitar. It is limited to 250 in the US
(available directly from Mark's new site soon) and 500 copies in the rest of the world available here Oct 21, 2009. The cd is in a PVC sleeve.

1.Friends (Instant Song)
2.There's Someone Waiting
3.Please
4.Winners Always Win
5.It's Never Over
6.ssssss
7.Ramblin' Man
8.Your Heart
9.Eva
10.Corny Spaceship Song
11.Tori
12.River

Only £10 so get it while its hot.

Misc Appearances

According to a Facebook group, there will be an interview with Mark Eitzel in the Octber issue of Acoustic Magazine. The Klamath should also be getting a feature in the next issue of Uncut magazine.

There is also some new YouTube footage from the current tour.

New Album Details

Mark Eitzel has finally posted some details about his forthcoming solo album on his blog. It is called Klamath and the cover is quite lovely.

Secret Show?

According to a post on the FireFly mailing list from a certain Danny Pearson,

I will be playing at the hotel utah on friday the 28th of august with my band. We will be performing some old songs from some band I used to play in with the singer appropiate to the venue... danny

I wonder who that could be?

US Tour Update

Seems the Philadelphia show was a bit of a disaster. Mark being on the bill between a couple of covers bands on a covers evening. Still, elsewhere he has been getting good reviews.

Anyone here seen any of the shows and care to comment?

New Post By Mark

There is a new post by Mark on his blog. There are some new dates and some other news.

9/19/09 Triple Door Seattle WA
9/20/09 Mississippi Studios Portland OR
9/24/09 Red Devil Lounge San Francisco CA

"There may also be a show at the beginning of August in SF but I am not sure about that one yet... These are the same shows with Marc Capelle on Piano that i am doing on the East Coast.

As soon as I finish this record - I can start working on the new American Music Club record - and also the new record I am doing with Peter Buck.

In addition I started sketching out a new solo record that I will sell for Merch in Europe when I tour there in October and November. I wrote them quickly and can't wait to start on them. "

So it looks like there might be a tour CD to go along with the tour for the new CD.

Another Record With Pete Buck?

Over on Pitchfork they ask Pete Buck from REM what he has been up to recently. He mentions Mark Eitzel and says they have some tracks that need finishing. It is not quite clear if this is new stuff or something left over from West, their album together. How do you read it?

Birthday Vids

It seems there is some footage from Marks birthday bash on YouTube. It is of the local band the Enablers doing their thing.




There is also a bizarre one of Vudi cycling down the street one night.

Happy Birthday Me !!!

Would you believe it, it has now been TWO years since my first post on the "Invisible Blog"! That is a couple of albums and a couple of tours worth of news and reviews. This year looks just as busy, so lets see what happens.