everything else is none of your business

Where to begin?
First off, I wish to thank those of you who have been faithfully reading this. I truly appreciate it. It’s helped spark an interest in writing that I never knew I had. A secret and somewhat nasty little habit that I had been burying I suppose. So thanks. I mean that.
It’s been sometime since I’ve updated this thing. I feel bad about that. To my defense however, it’s been a wonderfully busy time. Let’s see if I can cover it all.
I finished mastering my next record and started designing the layout for it with dear friend J Johnson at Designfarm. During this time I had one monstrously helacious time with the foundation that owns the estate of Henry Darger (the artist from which I picked a 3 panel piece of artwork for “the killing card”. The cover photo is shown above). Ceaseless emails and phone calls. A purchasing and re-purchasing of copyright rights between 3 different organizations. It instilled some panic but only a healthy amount. The kind that keeps things electric and firing. I realized during the mastering process and initial layout sessions that this entire record is and exact replica of an anxiety attack. It starts frantically and grows slowly towards a horrific crash and then curtails you back into what you think is safety. In reality it’s simply a cushion for the next inevitable takeoff. Sure, make the metaphor yourself. Picture yourself taking off on a plane. As it reaches its peak altitude it is struck by lightning and descends erratically but ultimately safely. A friend said to me (just last night) that she believed that the true purpose of art was to make the truth beautiful. I can’t tell you how strongly that resounded with me. I won’t be so bold as to presume that I’ve done that with the themes of this forthcoming record, but God knows that that’s where my attempts in all forms of art lay their collective heads. The CD should most certainly be out at the turn of March. I promise.
Also, thanks to J Johnson, I have my own website now. Check it out. It's got a link to this blog there as well as the other shit that all music websites have. www.markschwaber.com
Jen and I expanded our record store. It’s almost too overwhelming to describe what it means to build something from scratch and nurture the ever-loving shit out of it. Thinking that it might be all for naught. Then one day you stand back and discover that you are capable of doing it. And not only capable, but on some levels you have succeeded. Come see for yourself sometime.
The holidays were great, albeit a bit quick and wearing. The store was bustling (well, let’s be relative here, we’re not exactly Best Buy. Thank God.) The last week before Christmas was definitely worth the wait business wise. We truly appreciate all of those of you that support us. It means more than you know.
I played a few solo shows that were really wonderful. I really enjoy playing to small crowds that are attentive. It makes it so much more special. Thanks to those of you who came out to the Apollo, Bishop’s Lounge and the Abbey Lounge in Somerville.
It’s been one month now. For those of you who don’t know, I asked Jen to marry me on Christmas morning. We cried. She said yes. Everything else is none of your business.