2011.

I wonder why it is that we, as New Englanders, suddenly acted like Texans in response to this Nor'easter. It was pretty obvious from the barometric pressure charts that we weren't really due for much of a snowfall. Yet it seemed that people talked about how they were boarding up their windows and stocking up on canned goods as if it were 12/22/12. But it does come with its perks. My wife had herself an official snow day, and we're proud to announce that we've fully taken advantage of it. Nothing like a half day on the couch, complete with tea, Great homemade turkey soup, bad movies and very happy (yet slightly confused) dog. Scooter just can't figure out why we've all been together in the same place for close to 72 hours. Not that he's complaining.

So the holiday season is finally over. Well, I don't really count rookie night on the 31st. So it's time for many things. Here's a short list.

1) Building a home studio with producer/musician wizard Rob Connelly.
2) Painting our bedroom, walk in closet, and upstairs bathroom. Finally.
3) Quitting smoking (?!). I seem to be down to about 10 a day. Down from 20+, that is. Crossing my fingers on that one.
4) Getting back to the gym at least 4 times a week. Something that I haven't done since October.
5) Prepping mentally and financially for a LONG six months of touring with Lloyd Cole and The Small Ensemble.
6) Recording and releasing (digitally) as many songs as I can get done through January. Seems like the perfect month for it. Would love to sell as much as possible. Would you buy individual songs for 99 cents? I mean, if they don't suck?
7) Spending as much time with friends as possible. I sense many a dinner gatherings at our house to start the new year.
8) Cashing in on a couple of gift cards to the movie theater.
9) Playing NBA 2K11 as the Springfield Armor for a full season.
10) Play guitar. Lots and lots of guitar.

Not so bad, I suppose. For one month.

I am curious, what do you plan on doing during the January bore-fest?

The Small Ensemble heads back to oui.

Looks like we get to see more of France this Spring. Dates just in for The Small Ensemble. Many, many more to come. To the tune of 5 more weeks on top of this. Ballpark. I have heard some countries thrown around, but I don't want to throw them out there just in case it's incorrect. But as soon as I know, I promise to post them on here. As you can see, these dates are already on sale! Just for the record, I can't wait to see Nice.

Wed 23-Mar France, Nancy, L'Autre Canal
http://www.livenation.fr/event/23408/lloyd-cole-small-ensemble-tickets

Fri 25-Mar France, Tours, Escal
http://www.livenation.fr/event/23024/lloyd-cole-small-ensemble-tickets

Sat 26-Mar France, Nantes, Onyx
http://www.livenation.fr/event/23025/lloyd-cole-small-ensemble-tickets

Sun 27-Mar France, Rennes, Etage
http://www.livenation.fr/event/23027/lloyd-cole-small-ensemble-tickets

Tue 29-Mar France, Lyon, Salle Moliere
http://www.livenation.fr/event/23220/lloyd-cole-small-ensemble-tickets

Wed 30-Mar France, Toulouse, Bikini
http://www.livenation.fr/event/22975/lloyd-cole-small-ensemble-tickets

Thu 31-Mar France, Bourdeaux, Rocher de Palmer
http://www.livenation.fr/event/23221/lloyd-cole-small-ensemble-tickets

Sat 2-Apr France, Nice, Salle Grappelli
http://www.livenation.fr/event/23057/lloyd-cole-small-ensemble-tickets

All photos by Laura Patterson of Fresh Photography. Live at Glee - Nottingham, England. Please give credit if you use them elsewhere. Cheers!

Shiny pictures for the Holidays

The Town? Highly recommended. I am shocked that Affleck can step away from his usual hideousness long enough to direct and star in this throwback, inner-city thriller in the vein of 1990's widely ignored State of Grace. Sure, it's silly. And most certainly not flawless. But for those of you longing for this genre to make a comeback (I really thought that 2007's We Own the Night was going to do just that, but nope) let's hope that this can kick start a whole new batch of smart, tough thrillers. And no, I don't want to hear anyone ask "What about The Departed?". If you need to ask that then you need to go back and listen to Nicholson's magical Boston accent. And by magical I mean that it keeps disappearing and reappearing like some sort of Copperfield cast off. Which was one of its very many unappealing aspects. As a matter of fact, Alec Baldwin was the only person that justified my admission.

If nothing else, The Town should at least allow us to see more of Jeremy Renner (whose break out party was in the Oscar nominated The Hurt Locker back in '08). Renner should not only get more work, but if he doesn't get a best supporting nod for his role in The Town then heads should roll. And he should be in charge of rolling them. His character means even more to us folk from Western Massachusetts that have met this guy in real life, a few too many times.

It's seems like it has been a few years (yep, it has) since there has been a ration of films out at the same time that actually appeal to me. Excited to see The Fighter, True Grit (great poster!), Black Swan (my great friends Niko Tavernise and Rob Connelly worked on this!), The Inside Job and The King's Speech.

I'll let you know how I feel about them one by one. Well, if Santa brings me that gift certificate that he usually brings me.

Not the worst idea

Maybe it's not the worst idea to write here everyday. Even if I have nothing to say. Which is definitely most days. Like today. I've been doing nothing but buying (then wrapping) presents, watching movies on the couch with Scooter (and then my wife at night), trying to save as much money as possible by not leaving the house (a plan that I will keep for all of January) and playing guitar. The kind of shit that would make the most insipid of facebook users salivate. Just imagine how many status updates you could have with inane events like this.

"I want it to snow before Christmas."

"I just had 3 cookies that my son and his friend made."

"We just got a new bookcase."

And on and on. Feel free to pillage any of the above for use in your very own profile. I am such an asshole.

The Small Ensemble is going to New Zealand and Australia in February.

Thu 3-Feb New Zealand, Dunedin, Glenroy Auditorium
Fri 4-Feb New Zealand, Christchurch, Isaac Theatre Royal
Sat 5-Feb New Zealand, Auckland, Mercury
Sun 6-Feb
Mon 7-Feb New Zealand, Wellington, Paramount Theatre
Tue 8-Feb New Zealand, Napier, The Cabana
Wed 9-Feb
Thu 10-Feb Australia, Brisbane, Old Museum
Fri 11-Feb Australia, Sydney, Enmore Theatre
Sat 12-Feb Australia, Melbourne, Thornbury Theatre
Sun 13-Feb Australia, Melbourne, Thornbury Theatre
Mon 14-Feb option for 3rd show
Tue 15-Feb
Wed 16-Feb Australia, Adelaide, The Gov
Thu 17-Feb Australia, Perth, Becks Music Box - Perth International Arts Festival

Rob and I are going to build a home studio in my office in January. So I can finally get back to recording my own stuff. Thinking of trying to release as much stuff as possible in 2011. Even if it is just rough, unadulterated tracks from home.

The Spurs are 24-3.

The Giants only need 1 win to lock up a playoff spot.

The Sox have signed Gonzalez, Crawford, Jenks and Wheeler.

In 2010 I took my first ever flight (which then turned into 11 within 3 months), visited and performed in 8 different countries in Europe, played shows in Pittsburgh Cleveland Detroit and Chicago, got a grant for work on our house and Jen and I got to get away to the Cape. Here's to hoping that 2011 is a bright as 2010 was. From the shape of things on the previous list (Australia, New Zealand, music and sports), it ain't looking too bad.



So yeah, I guess I'll try to write a little something everyday. I know I've said that before, but what the hell. Let's give it another go.

Hope you are all well,

M