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Hop On Pop
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Topics

6/9/2020 7:33:54 PM
Mr. Troll -- RIP

6/7/2020 5:41:42 PM
Live online performances

5/20/2020 7:56:17 PM
I'd like this to be a manly music forum

5/2/2020 10:50:28 AM
I was interviewed for a podcast

3/26/2020 1:20:44 PM
I've been doing live stream concerts, too

2/24/2020 10:47:42 PM

2/4/2020 12:36:06 PM
Every write a "thank you" note to your favorite musicians?

9/29/2019 3:14:27 PM
The Alan Lomax of Indie music

9/11/2019 7:30:19 PM
Daniel Johnston died

8/8/2019 7:32:09 AM
RIP David Berman (Silver Jews)

6/12/2019 9:01:48 PM
A message from Ray Porter

5/21/2019 1:22:39 PM
The greatest live show I ever attended...

5/15/2019 1:53:19 PM
Jazz

5/10/2019 2:59:16 PM
Listen to me live on the radio TODAY (5/10)

2/28/2019 10:05:15 AM
Saw The Chills last night!

2/6/2019 4:01:04 PM
Booked another gig -- in May!

2/1/2019 5:15:39 PM
I'm thinking of stepping into Brazilian Pop

12/14/2018 8:06:23 AM
A great quote about playing guitar

12/9/2018 8:08:46 PM
How many of you have actually recorded to TAPE?

11/15/2018 10:12:59 AM
Anyone gonna be around Chicago for the Holidays?

10/18/2018 2:41:47 PM
SONGWRITERS: Is there a singer you would love to hear sing one of your songs?

8/27/2018 8:39:33 AM
Woke up with a completed song in my head!

8/20/2018 1:18:27 PM
I have this song about my little baby boy, Cary

7/5/2018 2:43:50 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRYON!

6/15/2018 8:36:36 AM
Meeting IMPeople

5/8/2018 5:32:45 PM
Coming soon...the Hop On Pop BOX SET!!!

3/25/2018 9:40:15 PM
I think I have achieved my goal as a musician.

3/1/2018 2:28:05 PM
Which should I record next?

2/22/2018 6:57:58 PM
I'm gonna be a baby now

2/4/2018 10:54:01 AM
I saw a guy who looked like Scott last night

12/18/2017 7:32:11 AM
Thank you SO much for the "Best Band" nomination!

11/13/2017 6:30:24 PM
New songs are UP!!!

10/13/2017 9:48:24 AM
New songs—mixes are coming in!

9/30/2017 11:11:11 AM
Recording next week!

9/14/2017 10:46:42 AM
RIP Grant Hart

8/30/2017 9:51:19 AM
Tomorrow is my 20th wedding anniversary!

8/18/2017 9:13:28 AM
Cary turns 18 today!

7/1/2017 6:44:21 PM
I did a Facebook Live stream

5/1/2017 8:03:38 AM
The Monkees

4/10/2017 7:20:20 AM
Where did Larree's topic about The Beatles go?

4/5/2017 7:31:26 PM
I'm playing at Billy Corgan's place next week

3/24/2017 7:03:39 AM
If any of you are ever in Chicago

3/20/2017 8:08:09 PM
Vagina

3/6/2017 7:53:07 PM
Chance the Rapper donates $1M to Chicago Public Schools

12/2/2016 7:35:56 PM
The perfect Christmas gift!!!

12/2/2016 1:30:27 PM
Why is there a picture of Stoneman at the bottom of the front page?

10/23/2016 6:26:43 AM
Somewhere, Steve Goodman is smiling...

7/23/2016 6:04:51 AM
Live on the radio 7/29—stream or over the air!

7/8/2016 7:54:23 AM
I've been covered again -- this time by BEATLESEX!

5/16/2016 10:11:22 AM
I was on TV last night

4/21/2016 10:36:51 AM
Prince: Rest In Peace O(+>

3/24/2016 8:13:54 AM
Just finished writing my first song in almost 2 years!

3/15/2016 5:49:20 AM
Just catalogued my entire music collection!

2/26/2016 8:38:28 AM
Emitt Rhodes! His first album in 40 years released TODAY!!!

2/18/2016 6:34:00 PM
Writing on instruments that you don't actually play

1/7/2016 7:38:02 AM
Are there any artists whose new albums you will ALWAYS buy?

1/2/2016 5:28:44 PM
Free damn download

12/21/2015 6:24:03 AM
Happy Holidays, from Hop On Pop

12/15/2015 6:55:34 AM
Todd's top albums of 2015

11/27/2015 7:20:14 AM
In Chicago? I'm playing a show tonight (11/27)!

9/4/2015 11:17:13 AM
Twitter account from "Person Who Sits Next to Kim Davis"

8/22/2015 7:45:49 AM
My band got some airplay in Sweden!

8/14/2015 4:47:00 AM
I've been writing full-on record reviews

7/24/2015 11:09:54 AM
MY stumper questions for music geeks

5/29/2015 5:08:24 PM
#TheThankYouProject

5/27/2015 6:41:39 AM
What music is on your iPod/phone/portable device?

5/21/2015 4:20:23 PM
Rock quote of the day

5/20/2015 9:03:22 AM
A dissertation on… my lyrics?!

5/19/2015 7:20:04 AM
Looks great! So… any new features we should know?

4/29/2015 4:32:18 AM
Hooray! I've been waiting to post this NEW song!!!

3/5/2015 8:01:07 AM
New song: "We Made It To the Middle"

2/26/2015 5:01:03 AM
A couple of recipes, if you like to cook:

1/9/2015 12:24:15 PM
Sunday -- recording session

9/19/2014 7:50:00 AM
First full-band rehearsal in a long time

8/27/2014 6:14:48 AM
New way of releasing an album

6/23/2014 10:43:19 AM
Okay, so the new song is UP "Spinning, Standing Still"

6/12/2014 12:04:32 PM
Anyone in ST. LOUIS?

4/23/2014 8:35:19 AM
One of the best songs I have ever written

4/22/2014 5:07:29 AM
Muscle Shoals documentary -- you should ALL see this

3/4/2014 6:46:59 AM
Brand New FULL-BAND recording

2/26/2014 10:19:40 AM
Video from 2/21 show

2/13/2014 11:31:58 AM
I'll be on the radio tomorrow (2/14/2014)

1/2/2014 9:11:46 AM
It's been 10 years since my first album came out

12/16/2013 6:02:50 AM
The Curtis Mayfield Story

12/9/2013 12:05:06 PM
Your best of 2013?

12/6/2013 10:25:40 AM
Happy Holidays!!!

11/14/2013 10:34:41 AM
Back in the studio

11/12/2013 6:28:34 PM
Are we in a new Golden Age of mainstream pop?

10/11/2013 6:40:55 AM
This salsa...

10/9/2013 7:50:11 AM
When the demo is better than the released version

9/26/2013 5:34:43 AM
Anybody remember this guy from Garageband.com?

8/16/2013 7:44:31 PM
So, what is/are your main axe(s)?

8/8/2013 10:05:14 AM
Help me get a little press? Thanks!

7/14/2013 4:41:08 PM
It's nice to be on the Hitline

6/29/2013 12:45:14 PM
Giving it all away

6/18/2013 4:41:49 AM
Interviewed for a blog

6/3/2013 4:30:59 PM
One of those moments that keeps me going...

5/1/2013 4:53:15 PM
The one UK punk band that actually LIKED Thatcher

5/1/2013 2:02:23 PM
Money and time

4/30/2013 4:04:12 PM
My friend Phil almost died

4/18/2013 10:06:19 AM
What have I been listening to?

2/22/2013 7:31:46 AM
New single for download at my Bandcamp page

2/4/2013 7:16:59 AM
After 22 years a NEW MY BLOODY VALENTINE ALBUM!!!

1/8/2013 8:23:34 AM
Not feeling very inspired

1/2/2013 5:10:59 AM
The No-Getters - "Sympathy"

12/31/2012 6:40:42 AM
A Happy New Year song!!!

12/28/2012 11:46:03 AM
Todd's Top 10 (or so) albums of 2012

12/6/2012 6:46:07 AM
Maybe my favorite album of the year

11/28/2012 10:33:28 AM
Holiday special:

11/27/2012 7:15:20 AM
Happy 70th birthday Jimi Hendrix

11/21/2012 2:56:51 PM
A bunch of new acoustic tunes posted

11/6/2012 7:23:04 AM
In or around Chicago? Playing a show Thursday night.

10/22/2012 11:12:32 AM
A work tape of a new song

10/18/2012 6:44:58 AM
Hop on Pop is on Spotify

9/14/2012 12:17:47 PM
Dreamtown

9/6/2012 6:18:52 AM
Whiteboarding an arrangement.

8/21/2012 5:35:18 AM
I was listening to Chicken on a Bicycle last night...

7/20/2012 11:04:16 AM
Another song from the new EP -- so hard to sing

6/11/2012 6:26:08 AM
Anyone pitch their songs to "major" artists?

4/17/2012 6:20:19 AM
Another song from the new EP -- my newest composition

4/13/2012 2:14:34 PM
Just got the first bit of radio play for my new album!

4/9/2012 10:32:47 AM
I have my new EP available for download (and streaming)

4/5/2012 10:34:34 AM
A song unlike I've ever done before... or since

3/26/2012 10:30:18 AM
First song streaming from my new EP

3/26/2012 7:24:45 AM
Release date for my new EP: 4/10

3/5/2012 5:35:39 AM
CHICAGO: playing a show Thursday (3/8)

2/13/2012 10:07:06 AM
Where the hell was the love for Don Cornelius at the Grammys last night?

2/8/2012 10:15:41 AM
If you're gonna be in or around CHICAGO next month...

1/13/2012 12:50:25 PM
JESSE ADAMS! Another one who is finally getting his due on the front page.

1/1/2012 7:20:29 AM
Thanks for putting "Suckers" on the Hitline

12/22/2011 7:09:13 AM
Nice one, Phlegm and Coversation Suicide!

12/14/2011 6:22:33 AM
Another overdue artist gets theirs... congrats SILVERWOOD STUDIO

12/5/2011 11:17:54 AM
Nice work, Hugh Hamilton.

8/30/2011 8:05:58 AM
Interview with Todd at Hearts of Country Radio

7/5/2011 5:46:10 AM
More than a year and a half after its release... another review. Weird.

6/28/2011 8:01:46 AM
Thanks for (finally) paying me

5/31/2011 7:39:38 PM
The first new song that I've written in THREE YEARS?!?!

5/18/2011 5:40:25 AM
VIDEO of me playing live, on the air (5/20)!

5/9/2011 10:04:58 AM
Well, thank you!!

4/16/2011 9:42:43 AM
Chicken T-shirts!

3/22/2011 7:35:08 AM
Who here is from the Chicago area?

3/16/2011 6:50:33 AM
Recording my first official "solo" record?

3/7/2011 8:48:06 AM
I would like to get involved here again, but...

2/16/2011 8:36:45 AM
Happy birthday -- CHICKEN ON A BICYCLE

2/14/2011 5:46:13 AM
As long as we're on the subject of Facebook...

2/9/2011 6:26:28 AM
If you think that you hate rap music... think again

12/21/2010 6:37:18 AM
The nature of the creative mind:

12/9/2010 5:42:28 AM
Tribute to Alex Chilton

12/2/2010 5:48:39 AM
CHICKEN named one of the "10 Best Albums of the Year"!

12/2/2010 5:24:49 AM
Death Cab for Cutie!

11/23/2010 7:00:03 AM
New YouTube for "Here"

11/11/2010 8:55:11 AM
Money?

11/9/2010 6:48:52 AM
Whoever bought 2 songs from me today... THANK YOU!

11/8/2010 5:48:00 AM
An interview with Hop On Pop at Aussie web mag Tomatrax

11/2/2010 6:35:00 AM
Taking a page from Bryon's book: play this tune and help out Hop on Pop...

10/29/2010 5:33:31 AM
Both HoP albums AND the Cash Cow album are ALL available for DL

10/25/2010 6:59:05 AM
Hop On Pop knows egg rolls!

10/22/2010 9:04:27 AM
Playing a gig in Chicago -- 11/6

10/21/2010 7:22:23 AM
For those of you who like Jackass

10/21/2010 5:40:28 AM
"Sheila of the Worms" has crawled onto the HITLINE

10/19/2010 7:45:31 AM
New demo posted

10/8/2010 8:36:52 AM
F*cking disheartening

10/1/2010 9:08:50 AM
My label is folding

9/28/2010 6:19:20 PM
October 16 -- come see me play in Chicago

9/20/2010 5:07:03 AM
Is anybody listening? Strange.

9/10/2010 11:14:50 AM
Interviewed at Wobblehouse.com

9/9/2010 4:48:56 AM
Happy New Year!

9/1/2010 7:59:27 AM
What the hell? I'll post another song from CHICKEN...

8/26/2010 4:51:23 AM
Thanks for putting me on the Hitline

8/20/2010 12:56:22 PM
"What a Fool Believes" played entirely ON TOY INSTRUMENTS!!!

8/17/2010 12:01:10 PM
The "LIKE" buttons on our IAC pages...

8/16/2010 7:14:01 AM
I don't know what to say anymore

8/4/2010 10:26:57 AM
New rap/hip hop station... accepting submissions

7/19/2010 6:20:47 AM
Gonna record a follow-up single: A- and B-sides

7/9/2010 10:50:06 AM
Roky Erickson playing for little kids.

6/30/2010 6:01:17 AM
Heard my song on the radio last night... and IT WAS A REQUEST!

6/28/2010 5:26:48 PM
Follow me on Twitter?

6/28/2010 11:34:39 AM
Chicago -- CITY -- gig 7/24: advance ticketing!

6/25/2010 6:36:12 AM
R.I.P.: Pete Quaife (original Kinks bassist)

6/15/2010 4:04:09 PM
New Hop On Pop website!

6/14/2010 11:46:38 AM
Hop On Pop (Todd) live ON THE RADIO (streaming, too)

6/14/2010 5:47:44 AM
What's Todd Listening to in 2010? (part 2)

6/14/2010 5:13:24 AM
Back From Vacation. Hey!

6/2/2010 6:37:10 AM
What's your favorite chord? Do you have one?

5/18/2010 7:05:25 AM
I still just want to be heard

5/18/2010 5:03:38 AM
Chicken On a Bicycle -- pay what you want!!

5/5/2010 10:19:04 AM
Hey... Nashville!!!

4/23/2010 1:34:27 PM
Chicago... I am playing this weekend, if you are near here or whatever.

4/14/2010 2:23:09 PM
Bring the topics back to the front page!

4/9/2010 2:10:08 PM
IAC just feels dead.

3/30/2010 9:11:55 AM
What inspired you to start playing music? Writing music?

3/29/2010 7:51:34 AM
Just a thread to say "thank you"

3/25/2010 8:21:01 AM
Why I write songs

3/18/2010 6:42:56 AM
Alex Chilton (Box Tops/Big Star) is dead

3/15/2010 7:26:11 AM
AllMusic entry for CHICKEN...

3/8/2010 6:38:36 AM
Check out The Garden Clots -- I love these songs!

3/4/2010 7:49:23 AM
Holy crap! "HERE" is at #13 on the OVERALL charts?!?!

2/26/2010 8:31:59 PM
VIDEO: "Here" live and acoustic at the record release party 2/18

2/26/2010 2:43:36 PM
"TORTURED ARTIST" for your listening pleasure

2/22/2010 1:10:12 PM
So, I decided to post another song... "Sheila Of the Worms"

2/15/2010 7:20:41 AM
RIP: Doug Fieger (The Knack)

2/3/2010 2:35:05 PM
Second CHICKEN song on the Hitline in as many weeks?!?!

2/1/2010 9:38:23 AM
The first CHICKEN review arrived today!

2/1/2010 9:12:51 AM
Turning my 10-year-old on to music!

1/30/2010 8:56:14 PM
I PUT UP A THIRD SONG: so, which is "The Single"?

1/30/2010 10:39:05 AM
Drum solos

1/28/2010 2:05:21 PM
CHICKEN ON A BICYCLE: NOW FOR SALE (PHYSICAL CDs)

1/25/2010 1:24:01 PM
So, a tune of mine is being used on a radio commercial...

1/19/2010 12:47:48 PM
Hop On Pop - Chicken On a Bicycle: NOW AT ITUNES

1/19/2010 10:44:11 AM
So, IAC Support... did you get my email?

1/11/2010 10:54:18 AM
NEW!!! songs up at IAC... welcome the Chicken.

1/8/2010 7:14:41 AM
RECORD RELEASE PARTY!!! (if you're in or around Chicago at the time)

1/5/2010 7:38:11 PM
Do I have "The Eye Of the Tiger"? I'm gonna find out.

1/4/2010 6:51:14 AM
What is Todd Listening to in 2010?

12/31/2009 9:29:23 AM
"New Year's Eve" on New Year's Eve

12/24/2009 6:40:52 AM
Merry Christmas, you sexy people, you!!!

12/15/2009 7:56:30 AM
Just bought a new guitar last night!

12/10/2009 7:03:45 AM
Hey Larree: Who's The Guitar God NOW?!?!

12/7/2009 8:21:11 AM
CHICKEN ON A BICYCLE: official release date announcement

12/2/2009 6:22:17 PM
A Genius. And the documentary film about him!

11/29/2009 1:20:14 PM
Muppet "Bohemian Rhapsody"

11/16/2009 9:43:37 AM
I started a new blog

11/13/2009 1:56:33 PM
This song has been broken so long, I need to promote it now that IT'S FIXED!

11/9/2009 9:29:34 AM
Is the CD dead? Am I wasting my money?

11/9/2009 8:05:06 AM
Perry Como -- this is not a joke

11/3/2009 8:33:12 AM
Strippop

11/2/2009 8:34:46 AM
You may have noticed that I removed a few songs from my page.

10/28/2009 8:28:30 AM
To those of you who have AutoPlay enabled at any of your pages...

10/19/2009 2:29:21 PM
Mojo Nixon is GIVING it ALL away for FREE!

10/13/2009 12:17:17 PM
Do you remember your first gig?

10/8/2009 2:21:33 PM
Another Todd song faceoff: "Sweet Jane" vs. "Blitzkreig Bop"

10/7/2009 12:57:05 PM
I have NO new songs up!!!

10/6/2009 9:37:24 AM
Gentlemen...

10/5/2009 9:59:06 AM
I have $25 to spend at Borders how should I spend it?

9/25/2009 8:36:46 AM
Todd's song challenge: "Waterloo Sunset" vs. "God Only Knows"

9/21/2009 12:52:48 PM
HOP ON POP versus XTC?!?!

9/17/2009 8:12:53 AM
Another new Good Stuff Station!

9/16/2009 5:01:18 PM
It's people like THIS that bring this place to a whole nother level!

9/16/2009 3:29:39 PM
Favorite LONG jams?

9/13/2009 9:42:13 PM
Jim Carroll DEAD?

8/31/2009 7:59:09 PM
I bought a piano at an estate sale this weekend

8/5/2009 7:38:06 PM
Ever have one of your best songs not make it onto the album?

8/5/2009 2:37:43 PM
My ChewToy entry in the Punk/Emo/Ska contest is top 10? Help, please?

7/31/2009 4:39:24 PM
The Takers dirtyass country in a bottle.

7/27/2009 2:40:01 PM
Okay, so a new song IS up: "I'm Pathetic"

7/22/2009 7:55:41 PM
The big number at the top of the page!

7/16/2009 4:12:59 PM
The greatest Drummer Joke EVER!

7/15/2009 10:09:55 PM
This is weird. How did this happen?

7/15/2009 2:59:49 PM
What defines a "BAND"?

6/25/2009 6:28:13 PM
Farrah Fawcett: RIP

6/19/2009 7:26:07 PM
Discovering your favorite albums in a record store. Ever happen to you?

6/17/2009 6:22:58 PM
Excellent rant on the death of music criticism

6/3/2009 2:30:30 PM
So, what is your "Day Job"?

6/2/2009 9:07:27 PM
A true demo

6/2/2009 12:43:33 PM
What's Todd Listening to Today? 2009 Edition, vol. 2

5/12/2009 7:08:31 PM
Pre-release CHICKEN ON A BICYCLE Buzz!

5/11/2009 1:34:41 PM
Not your typical High School Musical (Neutral Milk Hotel!)

5/6/2009 2:34:26 PM
Which song of yours is unfairly overlooked?

5/4/2009 6:19:29 PM
Yeah, I put it on here for streaming, but can I RELEASE it like this?

4/29/2009 2:29:40 PM
With sites like IAC, et. al., is there a need for an "official" site for your band?

4/28/2009 4:04:58 PM
Can you say CONSERVATIVE Media Bias?

4/24/2009 4:42:30 PM
Chicago tomorrow morning free festival show

4/16/2009 3:14:35 PM
Pop/Rock Suites?

4/15/2009 2:18:08 PM
Placing your music into TV/Films/Commercials?

4/7/2009 8:27:36 PM
IAC artist HAPPY ASHTRAY song on TV tonight (4/7/09)!!!

4/2/2009 2:14:10 PM
CHICKEN ON A BICYCLE!

4/1/2009 2:21:13 PM
Favorite quotes Muhammad Ali version

3/31/2009 1:02:46 PM
New song from this weekend - "Sheila of the Worms"!

3/26/2009 11:40:57 AM
"Ashes On the Water" #35 in the Underground 40!

3/19/2009 12:45:56 PM
The Killed Spirits

3/11/2009 1:15:23 PM
"I'm Pathetic" well, it's true!!!

3/4/2009 2:16:36 PM
I think I'm becoming a producer.

3/3/2009 1:47:31 PM
You like beer? I do.

3/2/2009 3:49:47 PM
Kevin White - "A Song For Holly"

2/25/2009 1:56:26 PM
NEW BEATLES SONG UNEARTHED!!!!

2/24/2009 8:31:34 PM
Favorite SINGLE LYRIC!

2/22/2009 2:50:13 PM
I might be a little absent for a bit

2/18/2009 2:47:56 PM
Writing a song? Can't finish it?

2/17/2009 6:38:06 PM
Thelonious Monk's advice to Steve Lacy

2/16/2009 5:53:11 AM
Say what you want about her boobies...

2/9/2009 8:12:52 AM
I called the radio station to request a song and...

1/30/2009 8:59:59 AM
Hey Everyone! LET'S LISTEN TO SOME MUSIC!!!

1/30/2009 6:40:00 AM
Funny thing about the blogs/internet boards

1/29/2009 6:10:53 AM
Math: the language of God, which makes Music....

1/27/2009 12:09:22 PM
This one's for Holo!

1/27/2009 6:02:57 AM
I know what's happening!!!

1/20/2009 7:20:30 AM
Licensing cover songs?

1/19/2009 6:01:45 AM
New song is only up for a short time "Come On, Let's Go"

1/15/2009 11:54:34 AM
Rob the Rich - "Forbes"

1/14/2009 6:53:30 AM
The newest GOOD STUFF station!

1/14/2009 6:30:01 AM
Not just favorite music movies, but also favorite movie quotes...

1/12/2009 6:23:50 AM
With which (non-IAC) artists do you most wish to collaborate?

1/7/2009 5:54:39 AM
The hardest song to sing?

1/2/2009 5:43:33 AM
The 2009 "What's Todd Listening To?" thread

12/29/2008 6:19:22 AM
Your favorite quotes from the film: "A Christmas Story"

12/26/2008 8:21:39 PM
Just a reminder about this excellent song

12/25/2008 7:23:21 PM
Does this work?

12/24/2008 8:54:38 PM
Something deep for you all to ponder.

12/24/2008 6:07:20 PM
New Year's Eve song

12/19/2008 11:01:26 AM
I love you all

12/15/2008 10:33:51 AM
Give me a reason to keep this song up at IAC

12/14/2008 8:12:59 PM
What would REALLY happen if you got to open for THE BEATLES?!?!?!?!

12/11/2008 8:39:39 AM
Ray Porter's interview with Phlegm

12/10/2008 11:01:36 AM
Cash Stream Buy-In value has dropped? Already?

12/8/2008 11:16:50 AM
Leo Goldberg is now available for streaming.

12/8/2008 7:36:28 AM
Bringing in an outside SINGER?

12/1/2008 10:18:38 AM
Converting .m4a to .mp3 for use here?

11/28/2008 7:06:35 AM
What I'm thankful for

11/26/2008 6:10:49 AM
So, I'm being covered... TWICE. Make that THREE times!!!

11/16/2008 10:13:26 AM
Any of you struggle with disabilities

11/16/2008 9:43:22 AM
Interview with legendary producer Jim Dickinson on Public Radio

11/11/2008 9:37:36 AM
A song for Veteran's Day

11/11/2008 6:09:57 AM
To those of you who served in the Military:

11/11/2008 5:59:17 AM
Dear Man With No Band Sam,

11/10/2008 7:36:51 AM
When an artist has a mountain of music at their IAC page...

11/7/2008 11:13:13 AM
Can you tell it's been slow at work for me?

11/6/2008 12:46:41 PM
Hear where it all started!

11/6/2008 11:20:07 AM
Adding songs to a DMD, but not to your artist page?

11/6/2008 5:19:01 AM
Those of you who noticed the new DMD at my page....

11/4/2008 1:39:49 PM
Photographic evidence that I really did vote!

10/30/2008 12:51:25 PM
I just got an AllMusic entry for me, by myself.

10/30/2008 11:46:58 AM
You who have autoplay enabled...

10/29/2008 7:48:32 AM
I am so ready for this election to be over!

10/28/2008 8:00:55 AM
You know, the great thing about democracy....

10/23/2008 6:19:23 AM
Chicago area: I'm playing a rare club show... November 13!

10/22/2008 12:18:39 PM
Chinese Democracy FOR REAL... do you care?

10/17/2008 12:16:12 PM
Levi Stubbs dead

10/15/2008 6:59:39 AM
A Year With Swollen Appendices: The Diary of Brian Eno

10/13/2008 10:39:02 AM
LISTEN TO MY NEW SONG!!!!!!! or something.....

10/9/2008 5:02:20 AM
"C'mon Angel" is at #12 on the Country charts!

10/2/2008 6:44:47 AM
So you like albums to have a consistent sound, or to sound different from song-to-song?

9/29/2008 8:30:23 AM
I am such a wuss now.

9/22/2008 10:28:37 AM
The best rock n' roll scream on IAC?

9/19/2008 6:48:21 AM
Where Todd recommends specific music for specific folks here at IAC:

9/18/2008 11:30:12 AM
The craziest, coolest song that I have yet heard on IAC

9/17/2008 9:20:47 AM
All options to promote on the web: iLike

9/8/2008 11:01:24 AM
Great new tune...

9/8/2008 5:26:32 AM
One of my favorite songs has made the Hitline

9/5/2008 2:30:10 PM
Totally psyched! My birthday concert will be...

9/5/2008 5:20:40 AM
Ricky Skaggs?

9/3/2008 5:52:55 AM
How many of you here actually entertain the idea of making a living with your music?

9/2/2008 4:32:52 AM
This is why I make music

8/20/2008 6:21:33 AM
Nick Lowe fans: LISTEN UP!!!

8/20/2008 5:11:15 AM
Brought my guitar to work

8/18/2008 12:39:27 PM
Not just spam, but I am having issues playing my songs

8/15/2008 7:42:51 AM
My top 100 albums of all-time

7/26/2008 3:35:51 PM
"Hey" remixed and up for only a couple of days.

7/22/2008 3:15:18 PM
Open Mic night: I'll be at Fitzgerald's (Chicago) tonight (7/22)

7/18/2008 12:37:00 PM
The Truth about McCain and his Bush

7/15/2008 6:20:57 AM
My station: "The Good Stuff"

7/9/2008 6:55:33 AM
Hop On Pop recording updates

7/7/2008 8:50:59 AM
Lest you all think that I was serious...

7/4/2008 9:23:22 AM
A wonderful musician who wants to TEACH

7/2/2008 7:36:38 AM
Needed: Chicago-area bluegrass musicians

6/23/2008 5:23:46 AM
Second MIXTAPE song posted... again for a short time, only.

6/11/2008 5:54:55 PM
Your favorite moment gigging?

6/10/2008 11:37:59 AM
Now YOU can listen to some of my extensive music collection

5/29/2008 7:36:41 PM
Basic tracking for MIXTAPE song #2 is done!

5/22/2008 12:16:25 PM
I'm trying to bring this guy to IAC

5/22/2008 7:52:18 AM
A NEW SONG -- well, a new old song...

5/19/2008 6:01:53 AM
What's Todd Listening to Today? -- 2008 Edition, vol. 2

5/19/2008 5:59:19 AM
Whoever bought a HoP DMD: Thank you!!!

5/16/2008 5:03:41 AM
Todd: Solo, Live, and Acoustic -- CD available

5/12/2008 11:52:17 AM
No more small shows in CHICAGO??!? --- STOP THIS!!!

5/8/2008 11:05:12 AM
Post the link to your IACer-selected cover tune here!!!

5/7/2008 12:12:52 PM
Pick a Cover for another IAC Musician

5/5/2008 10:44:30 AM
What is up with ukelele?!?!?!

5/5/2008 6:59:02 AM
Which of your songs surprised you?

4/30/2008 12:15:44 PM
Kids review Yo La Tengo

4/29/2008 11:29:40 AM
HEY BLUEGRASS MUSICIANS!!!!

4/29/2008 4:58:52 AM
Oblique Strategies

4/28/2008 12:41:23 PM
Another MIXTAPE demo is up for your perusal

4/21/2008 9:26:46 AM
CHICAGO: I'm playing a show on Apr. 24

4/11/2008 6:38:04 AM
If you like the new song...

4/9/2008 6:27:28 AM
New station - The Good Stuff, Too!

4/7/2008 5:01:58 AM
FIRST "MIXTAPE" SONG UP (for a short time only)

3/28/2008 7:28:28 AM
How do we (CAN we) search by city?

3/25/2008 11:49:47 AM
One of my best-ever songs... is incomplete. What would you do?

3/7/2008 7:35:00 AM
And... WOW!!! Thank You!

3/6/2008 4:26:12 AM
I saw The Pogues last night.

3/5/2008 5:53:30 AM
HEAVY FREAKIN' METAL!!!

2/22/2008 8:47:12 AM
A meditation for you:

2/19/2008 6:57:09 AM
Songs that you wrote around a song title.

2/7/2008 7:39:12 AM
Because we could all use a good laugh

1/31/2008 10:53:59 AM
I have been here since the beginning and never had a Top-50.

1/31/2008 9:32:30 AM
A new station: Yin/Yang

1/22/2008 7:23:26 AM
I don't wanna be famous.

1/17/2008 11:18:04 AM
You have the power... I know that I do.

1/15/2008 6:38:50 AM
Anyone see Roky Erickson on Austin City Limits the other night?

1/9/2008 6:09:17 AM
I fear that I've lost my passion

1/2/2008 7:30:12 AM
What's Todd listening to today? -- 2008 Edition

12/26/2007 9:18:07 AM
Chicago: I'm playing a show on Jan. 4

12/24/2007 7:51:19 AM
My end-of year mix

12/10/2007 9:42:27 AM
Volume control issues?

12/4/2007 9:03:58 AM
What's the most-embarassing album in your collection?

11/29/2007 10:34:20 AM
List here ALL of the projects that you have on IAC

11/27/2007 3:08:12 PM
ESSENTIAL READING FOR ANYBODY WHO RECORDS MUSIC!!!

11/26/2007 11:11:04 AM
Have you ever shared a gig with an IAC artist? How was it?

11/26/2007 9:45:33 AM
My "The Good Stuff" station is #33 on the station charts?!?!

11/20/2007 10:14:23 AM
Creating stations of entirely your own music?!?!

11/14/2007 3:15:10 PM
Who is selling HARD-COPIES of CDs here?

11/1/2007 12:12:44 PM
I'm going to play for my son's 2nd Grade class tomorrow!

10/29/2007 3:38:42 PM
Let's hook up on MySpace, too!

10/26/2007 8:49:43 AM
Let's hear your musician jokes.

10/24/2007 3:35:22 PM
Scott, add a new genre? Lo-Fi?

10/24/2007 2:14:32 PM
So. Cal. IACer check-in. Are you okay? Status?

10/10/2007 9:49:56 AM
Post your AllMusic listings/reviews

10/10/2007 9:09:26 AM
So, I won concert tickets to see... Steve Earle

10/5/2007 10:21:51 AM
I just upped the first song I ever wrote

10/2/2007 9:13:54 AM
I bought a resonator guitar yesterday!

9/26/2007 3:44:33 PM
Hop On Pop planning to record again in the near future!

9/25/2007 9:05:27 AM
New station -- BlergleFlorp

9/10/2007 1:29:16 PM
Anyone ever organize a Benefit concert?

9/10/2007 10:40:31 AM
Why I love IAC

9/7/2007 12:25:30 PM
A universal invitation to all you IACers

9/6/2007 11:45:35 AM
Drop me a line to see HoP live on TV

9/5/2007 9:44:57 AM
What was your FIRST gig?

8/31/2007 8:44:47 AM
It's my 10-year wedding anniversary!!!

8/28/2007 9:52:21 AM
Another community for IACers to take advantage of....

8/23/2007 9:18:33 AM
You know what pisses me off?

8/20/2007 3:48:31 PM
The next logical step for IAC? Their own LABEL!

8/15/2007 3:16:47 PM
CHICAGO!!! I'm calling to you!

8/9/2007 10:27:43 AM
Updated daily: What is Todd listening to today?

8/7/2007 8:12:39 AM
Anybody in Chicago wanna play with me?

8/3/2007 9:57:52 AM
I decided that i LIKE our album!

7/30/2007 3:11:33 PM
Finally got a MySpace page up!

7/30/2007 9:00:39 AM
Back from vacation -- and I'm not happy about it.

7/20/2007 12:13:29 PM
To those of you who have cover songs up here...

6/28/2007 8:26:02 AM
Anyone see the Paul Simon tribute on PBS last night?

6/19/2007 8:49:27 AM
Making "mixes" for friends... want a mix?

6/13/2007 12:08:35 PM
Is it me, or do you always see the same artists on the front page?

6/11/2007 8:52:21 AM
Perpetual member?

6/6/2007 1:45:44 PM
Just created a new, Live music-only station

5/25/2007 9:55:36 AM
Another site that I think many here could benefit from... JPFolks

5/18/2007 10:33:53 AM
I'll be playing a solo/acoustic show May 24.

5/17/2007 1:54:52 PM
What makes for a good cover song?

5/14/2007 3:49:49 PM
THE GOOD STUFF!!!!

5/11/2007 10:37:40 AM
One time, when I was taking with the late Stanley Kubrick...

5/8/2007 9:25:49 AM
One World, One Music

5/1/2007 2:51:27 PM
What inspires me? What inspires you?

4/23/2007 9:41:25 AM
Autoplay: Good marketing, or just-plain annoying?

4/12/2007 2:45:13 PM
Getting airplay on our local station?

4/4/2007 2:53:54 PM
A special offer from Hop On Pop:

3/27/2007 11:56:06 AM
Calling Nick Lowe! Nick Lowe: you are being paged!

3/20/2007 10:43:42 AM
Back to the basement...

3/16/2007 9:18:05 AM
I'm playing a free acoustic show Sunday!

3/9/2007 2:32:17 PM
The change in season does something to me

3/6/2007 4:14:40 PM
A crazy, all-over the place mix for you

2/5/2007 8:39:15 AM
Um.. Prince at the Super Bowl... WOW!

2/2/2007 10:14:55 AM
Is there any way to convert from .m4a to .mp3 on a Mac?

1/31/2007 8:48:40 AM
Allow me to rephrase: MY STATION NEEDS SONGS!!!

1/30/2007 2:13:06 PM
The Demonstration Station!!!

1/17/2007 4:12:28 PM
The WGN vid has been taken down.

1/8/2007 12:14:06 PM
I finally got our TV performance up on the web!!!

9/25/2006 10:22:55 AM
All I want is to be heard...

7/17/2006 9:07:29 AM
Hop On Pop is on the Hitline.



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Hop On Pop

7/9/2008 6:55:33 AM

Hop On Pop recording updates
7/8/08:
Just in case you really wanted to know about what's up, I'm starting this blog.

I've been forging ahead with the new Hop On Pop record since April: Dave and I have 2 songs in the can and a third that is almost done.

And, now we've now had a couple of rehearsals with Nils St. Cyr on lead guitar and Steve Siculan on bass. The 2 songs we're going to record with these folks are really starting to shape up. Looks like there is a tenetive date to record the songs, as well.

Now, another new development:
in order to record an old instrumental of mine, I've recruited Todds Lazar and Gutner to join in the fun. Dave will be switching over to either rhythm guitar or bass. Hopefully I'll also be able to lure Ivo Braun away from the Maxwell St. Klezmer Band again for this one, so that he can lay some tasty trumpet licks like he did on the first record. (He played the trumpet solo on "Cary's Here".)

Heading back to Noah's place, too (on 7/26). Jan is going to re-record her viola part for "Come On, Let's Go" and I'll probably record one of the solo, acoustic songs.
Wow, we're busy!
That's a good thing.


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Hugh Hamilton

7/9/2008 7:42:02 AM


Sounds good, Todd - ain't recording FUN?
:)
H


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Hop On Pop

10/27/2008 8:24:35 AM


Tonight I'm going to a friend's rehearsal space to record a little instrumental interlude for the record. It's a punk/country/klezmer hybrid that I like to call:
"Leo Goldberg's 2-Step"

Hopefully it'll be as simple as it should be and we'll actually get it done tonight.
But most likely, it won't.

With this recording complete, we'll have
3 completely done
3 almost done
and
3 more waiting to record.
I am so damn impatient!


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Conversation Suicide

10/27/2008 8:30:03 AM


ROCK ON brother, you're basically half way there! It takes time & patience to record & mix good music. Keep that studio track listenin' ear well rested.


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Hop On Pop

10/27/2008 8:35:26 AM


Patience... you're not kidding.
With all the different folks I'm trying to bring together, and all the different places that I'm recording, this has been a logistical nightmare! A couple of those other full-band songs are going to have to be pieced together over a period of weeks, with different folks coming in whenever they all can.
Ugh.

So, yeah, patience is something that I am having to force upon myself. I think that I'm learning, though.


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srm

10/27/2008 9:46:19 AM


It's good to hear things are moving along well, Todd. Being a bit of a klez-maniac (as well as a Texan), I'm interested in hearing "Leo Goldberg's two-step".

Also- I know it's difficult, when you can 'hear' what the tunes sound like in your head, to have to wait for various elements to come together. But the end result will be well worth the wait.

I look forward to hearing more progress reports and, of course, the final product.


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The CODE

10/27/2008 11:26:49 AM


Go for it Todd - Good luck with the schedules!

A lot of hard work, but worth it!


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Hop On Pop

10/28/2008 7:12:54 AM


So, we got basics done for the instrumental that we're recording now.
And, even though it's an older song and I am a much better musician now then I was when I wrote this, in attempting to play this cleanly, it has hit me just how hard it is to do so. Quick little 2/4 runs of 8th notes, skipping 2 strings and all.

Wow. My fingers are sore. And I'm gonna have to go back in and re-do my part next week in overdubs.

Still, should be a good wedding reception song. Just like "Hava Nagila"!


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Hop On Pop

10/29/2008 5:23:29 AM


So, I just got a rough mix in my email this morning and "rough" isn't even the word for it! I won't be posting this one anytime soon!

Dave compared this little instrumental to The Who's "Cobwebs and Strange" (from A Quick One). I can hear the similarity in the structure and in the feel and in the whimsey.

Next will be overdubs and retakes and maybe a pre-mix.


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Hop On Pop

1/9/2009 7:09:07 AM ---- Updated 1/9/2009 7:09:52 AM


It's been a while since an update, huh?

Well, here's one:
Okay, so now:
We have a 1/17 session scheduled to complete the tracking for my love song/courtship in 3 parts: "Come On, Let's Go".
We'll be tracking some viola and vocals. Also, possibly some of those vocals may come courtesy of fellow IAC artist AUSET; and maybe some steel guitar from her husband! They'll be in Chicago on that day and just may be able to make it up to the session. (Of course I probably just jinxed that, huh?

Anyway...
We also tracked some vocals for "I'm Pathetic", but being that the song title is pretty true, I'm gonna have to re-do them. Or, maybe I'll be able to talk one of my other friends, who can actually stretch over that range, to sing it for me?

Stay tuned, as, after a little hibernation, things are starting to move again.


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Hugh Hamilton

1/9/2009 8:10:36 AM


TOO COOL that Auset and Brad may get on your track, but even better that you may meet in person...hope it all works out!
:)
H


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Eaglehead

1/9/2009 9:45:44 AM


I join with Hugh in saying good luck and I look forward to hearing the results of that particular collaboration : )


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Hop On Pop

1/16/2009 11:47:47 AM ---- Updated 1/16/2009 11:50:02 AM


Just had a rehearsal with the violist here at work. We grabbed a conference room, shut the door, and let 'er rip. She sounds really good on it, although is having a bit of a time with a pizzicato part in the middle section. I think she'll have it down by tomorrow, though.

Also waiting to hear from Auset and Brad, on whether or not they'll actually make it.
Come on guys!!!
(Auset, I just sent you guys an email with my cell number, in case you are in town and need directions.)


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Bob Elliott

1/16/2009 5:22:42 PM


Couple things:

You're the real deal, so pour your soul into it.

I want a copy.


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the perfect banana

1/16/2009 7:32:15 PM


I hope for these new songs you're going to finally get some proper mastering suite.


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Conversation Suicide

1/16/2009 11:08:09 PM


Lucky dog! Auset would be an awesome musician to work & record with....


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Hop On Pop

1/17/2009 9:25:01 AM


Banana:
For these new songs, yes they will be mastered properly. I will make sure of it!
And, Auset and Brad are not here, but I am awaiting a file from Brad that I will overlay into the recording to see if it works... Pretty excited to get it.


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Hop On Pop

1/18/2009 12:55:02 PM


The mix is now pretty much DONE!
Although I did just get Brad's file with his pedal steel part and Auset is also sending me her backing vocal track.
So, we'll lay those onto the finished mix and see how they fit in...
Brad's steel part sounds great by itself; very laid back, atmospheric, and unobtrusive. Could add a lot to the song.

Might not be done, after all...

And now, tomorrow (1/19) we'll be heading into another studio to retake the bass and lay down some lead guitar on "I'm Pathetic" -- also known as the song that I'm gonna let someone else sing. Although I may take one more shot at the vocal if we have time and I'm feeling it.

Then, sadly, I'll have to take a break for a while while my wife and I focus on our oldest son as he performs in his first play here at the community theater. (He's very excited!)


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Conversation Suicide

1/19/2009 10:58:14 AM


I know you didn't mean "sadly", 'cause I can tell your excited also, about your son's upcoming first performance in community theater!

But I feel ya on the difficulty of having music projects take necessary breaks while life happens... Not to worry -- this new eclectic album of yours is DESTINED to rock, with so many guest vocalists & musicians! Take your time with it, my good man....


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Hop On Pop

1/20/2009 4:55:48 AM


We got that bass tone fixed on "I'm Pathetic" last night and then got some really good takes for the lead guitar, too. Nils came in with a great idea about the arrangement (I love playing things in rounds!) and it happened to work really nicely.
No time to mix, though, so that'll have to come at a later time.

Oh, and my son got a major role in the play!
:-D


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Hop On Pop

2/11/2009 12:05:40 PM


So, I just got the initial mix of "Come On, Let's Go" that includes contributions from from Auset: Harmonies from Auset and steel guitar from Brad.

Gotta say that it adds a LOT!
The song has a whole new lushness that it did not have before and is, actually closer to my original concept for the feel of the song (although it's being achieved with a very different arrangement).

You would think that I would post it, but Homie don't play dat!
You've hopefully heard the previously most-recent version (with the repaired viola). Now imagine that with a very tasteful, atmospheric steel guitar part and subtle female harmonies every here and there.

I think that this thing might be starting up again pretty soon. Hopefully I'll be able to present it to you as an album sometime in the foreseeable future.


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The Man With No Band

2/11/2009 1:56:14 PM


Looking forward to hearing it Todd ! ...

On another note just wanted to offer my condolences to you and your family on the recent passing of your Grandmother ...


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Hop On Pop

3/6/2009 3:20:05 PM


3/6/09:
In a couple of weeks, it's back up to Baraboo, for another recording session with John from Happy Ashtray.
Still thinking about which song it'll be, but it's exciting stuff!

Also, still trying to schedule a time to record "Happy Days", "C'mon Angel", and "The Key", and to mix "I'm Pathetic".
Then... it'll be pretty durned close to release time!

So, maybe it'll be an early summer release, instead of springtime. Can you wait? I'm finding it kinda hard, but I think it'll be worthwhile.

(And, thanks for the condolences, Sam.)


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Hop On Pop

3/10/2009 12:53:27 PM


Okay, so I think that THIS is the song that I am going to record with John in 2 weeks.

Maybe.

It's either that or a jazz/pop tune that I wrote (with a 2-step break?) a while back... if we can rehearse it and get it tight enough to record in that day or two. So, probably the song mentioned above.

I am getting so damn antsy!

Listen to that demo up there and let me know what you think. It's gonna sound a bit different, because I am gonna go nuts with it. Yay, me!!!! (If I'm not my own cheerleader, ain't nobody else gonna be.)

Dig it!


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Hop On Pop

3/25/2009 1:20:06 PM


Now it appears that it may be another song that we record this weekend:
"Sheila Of the Worms"

The lyric is as odd as the title would lead you to believe and I'm thinking of doing a DEVO-esque take on it.
We'll see.

T


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Hop On Pop

3/30/2009 1:22:33 PM


So, nothing happened this weekend, as anticipated!
We did not record "All About the Feeling" (even though we tried). Although we DID do "Sheila of the Worms". But instead of the DEVO-type take that I anticipated, we got a live semi-acoustic 3-piece recording that I'm pretty proud of.
John was able to muster up a pretty good crowd at a local club and it was decided that, if we got anything usable, I'd release that. We got an entirely usable recording!

Also, I quickly demoed an old song that I'm gonna try to finish writing for recording sometime later.


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Hop On Pop

4/21/2009 1:15:02 PM ---- Updated 4/21/2009 1:15:41 PM


Last night we got Dave, Steve, and Nils together with the OTHER two Todds (Lazar and Gutner) and got the basics recorded for "Happy Days" (a live, acoustic version of which is here).

Basically just did a bunch of live takes, of which I think the last 2 are pretty good. Nils wanted to re-do some of his lead guitar, though. So he's gonna record some at home and send the files back to Gutner, who will drop it into the session . We'll see how much better it sounds because, frankly, Nils is a monster. And he got some pretty damn good licks in last night.

Next step is to bring in my wife, Sharon, and our boys to do some vocals. (I wrote the song for her to sing. Even if she is hesitant about it, she'll sound great!)

Just a couple more songs to get recorded and then we'll be just about there!

Oh, also, I have tagged someone to finally do the lead vocals on "I'm Pathetic" - Jonathon Newby, formerly of the band Brazil. (If you haven't heard Brazil, do yourself a favor and check them out, really great stuff, along the lines of Sonic Youth/My Bloody Valentine/...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead.) Waiting to get his vocals in the email soon.


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The Man With No Band

4/21/2009 4:22:12 PM


Keep typing Todd ... We are still reading .... Sounds like you are having fun ....

I have checked out Brazil before ... they are a bit guitar heavy for my taste but I do like a couple of their tunes ... One was "Life Death" and the other one escapes me ... I shall have to go have a listen again ...


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Hop On Pop

4/29/2009 1:36:59 PM


I just got the tracks and a rough mix of "I'm Pathetic" form previously mentioned Jonathon Newby.

Gotta say, the guy went all-out. The vocals are great. He not only stayed on-key :-) but was also able to hit the high notes in full-voice, without slipping into falsetto. And, on top of that, he created an entire vocal arrangement, that I could kinda describe, but never execute myself.

We'll try to get it in for final mixing (with Nils' guitar, too) sometime soon.


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Hop On Pop

5/27/2009 12:49:45 PM


Live has intruded upon (and temporarily derailed) the recording process.
Hopefully we'll get back on-track soon. In the mean time, please keep us in your thoughts.

Thanks.


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Hop On Pop

7/26/2009 3:51:57 PM


Had a mixing session yesterday: "I'm Pathetic" and a couple of tweaks to "Come On, Let's Go" (with Brad and Auset Sarno).

Both are now DONE!
Making the album 60% complete -- actually more. 60% of the songs are complete, there need to be just a couple of tweaks to the other 40% and then it will be DONE! DONE! DONE!!!

As Lou Reed once sang, "I'm beginning to see the light."


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Jeff Allen Myers

7/27/2009 8:48:53 AM ---- Updated 7/27/2009 8:51:07 AM


Todd,

I started reading this thread and thought "Cool, he is getting alot done it won't be long now.."

Then I noticed I was reading posts from July 2008!

You say you are 60% done?? I understand you want all the tracks the best they can be, but don't fall into the trap of making the songs too sterile with too much attention. Sometimes a sense of urgency translates into power and honesty.

The funny thing is, as musicians we try to get the best take, then on the 30th take we listen to the first ones and they are better...why??? they are fresh and full of energy!

Set a goal and stick to it, get the songs in the can and don't second guess yourself. You have great material, get them in the can ...man!!! :)

Please keep me updated...

Jeff


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Hop On Pop

7/27/2009 12:47:53 PM


It's not a matter of overworking the songs, Jeff, it's a matter of having the TIME (and people) to actually make it all happen. I have no space to record in my home, and even if I did, I have no recording equipment or recording expertise.

Also, I play guitar and that's about it. Well, I play some bass too, but don't own one.

I gotta find the time, the place, and the people to get it all done. Plus, with no space to rehearse, either, I have to find the time and place to rehearse, as well. It's been a tough go.

Then, you know, family stuff gets in the way...

But not to fret, I don't think that it's gonna be OVERworked. But it does have to be RIGHT. And I honestly think that I am getting it right.

Anyway, just note the amount of time BETWEEN updates and you'll get an idea of how much I am facing in terms of logistical difficulties.

But, back to point, I am getting really excited. This thing is sounding pretty much the way I was hoping it would. And that's what matters.


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Jeff Allen Myers

7/27/2009 6:42:32 PM


As a Family and working guy myself I certainly can relate. I picked up where you said you needed to "Tweak" a few things, and this is what made me comment.

Recording time is scarce, sometimes I just feel I need to kick my Wife and Son out of the house for the day to record...Of course I don't becuae I love being with them:) So I usually track when they are gone to visit her Mom or Sisters. I usually need to do it all in a day. I am lucky that I have a pretty good set up in a spare bedroom, and I don't rely on anyone else. I know the logistics get more complicated when you have other peoples schedules to consider.

Keep at it, one day at a time :) Its good that you can see the finish line.


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Hop On Pop

8/28/2009 8:00:04 PM


Sunday afternoon, 8/30:
Going in to record the vocals for "Happy Days", with my wife on lead vocals and my kids joining in for the "na-na" coda. Pretty apropos activity for the day before our 12th wedding anniversary.

Should be the last tracking that we need to do. Then, just some mixing, and we're done.

That is, unless I find somebody in the next couple of weeks to record the one more song that I want to put on the album.

Still.... YAY!!!


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Hop On Pop

8/31/2009 1:15:15 PM


So, Sharon added her vocals and she sounded really good!
Unfortunately, we had to vamos from the studio (engineer's apartment) a bit abruptly, as one of the kids was reacting to his cats. (They sang a bit on the song, too.)

Hopefully, I'll get a mix in the email sometime soon, and we'll get this bad boy pounded out.


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Hop On Pop

9/22/2009 2:11:13 PM


The recording engineer on "Happy Days" (and also "Leo Goldberg's 2-Step") bitched out on us, so I've been flailing around for someone to mix those songs.

And, finally, I found somebody to finish up the job!
YAY!
Jonathan Newby, who performed the vocals on "I'm Pathetic", will be mixing the songs. They should be done in a couple of weeks, if all goes according to schedule, and then I'll have the album READY to go off to mastering!

My friend Jim is currently designing the packaging, and I'm talking to Spade Kitty about how we're going to handle the release in this post-CD music market. (Probably a small run and then some other, creative marketing strategies.)

Almost there...


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Hop On Pop

10/12/2009 8:45:58 AM


So yeah, tracking is done.
But the recording engineer has NOT made the fucking files available to the mixing engineer.
And, on top of that, he has not provided me with a rough mix, as promised.

Fucking BITCH!!!

I am getting REALLY exasperating with this whole fucking thing.


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The Man With No Band

10/12/2009 9:02:39 AM


Hang in there Todd ! ... The stars may be waiting for the perfect alignment ... I'm sure your Baby will be beautiful ...


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Auset

10/12/2009 9:46:39 AM


man, that's just WRONG! want us to bring the music thugs up your way and put the squeeze on??? stay on top of it...bug em everyday, get your friends and family to start buggin'...

release todd's work
release todd's work
release todd's work


blah. good luck my friend.


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Hop On Pop

10/14/2009 10:15:47 AM


Recording engineer finally put up the tracks for the mixing engineer yesterday.
Of course, the recording engineer uses Logic and the mixing engineer is in ProTools, so there are compatibility issues!

So now I have to wait for him to RE-up the damn files, sit on my ass and wait around, damnit!!!

At least I feel like I'm getting SOMETHING done by calling around and getting estimates from mastering engineers and CD duplicators in the area. I just hope that I can scrape up the cash now, as my label is not going to pick up that part of the bill, like they did last time.

I'm also working on the design. (I have moderate QuarkXpress skills; a REAL designer is cleaning up my initial mess.)

Started with a blast of shit and it appears to be ending the same damn way.

I sure as shit hope it's all worth it.

*sigh*


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Auset

10/14/2009 10:25:52 AM


you know, mastering is Brad's full time day job... we are St. Louis' only analog studio. you may want to check with him on pricing.

our website is bluejadeaudiomastering.com
(in update mode now.. but basics are there).

Good luck!
A


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Hop On Pop

10/14/2009 10:47:06 AM ---- Updated 10/14/2009 10:50:58 AM


Did you misspell the URL, or is it totally down for now?
It's not connecting at all.

EDIT:
Nevermind, I found you. It's http://bluejadeaudio.com (No "mastering" in the URL)

T


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Auset

10/14/2009 11:32:39 AM


doh...


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Noah Spaceship

10/14/2009 12:08:11 PM


great blog, great read, kick ass, todd
i am looking forward to hearing this.


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Hop On Pop

10/21/2009 1:21:44 PM


Received the first (of 10) AIFF files yesterday afternoon.
Of course, upon listening to it, all I hear are the things that I would change. But, that said... we are always our own worst critics, right?

Overall, the song sounds ready to go to mastering. Just need 6 more (that are already complete) and then to finish those last 2 mixes (which I'm still waiting on the fucking files) and then... off to mastering.

Not sure who is doing it yet, but I gotta find a decent, affordable, reputable place to do it up. Auset and Brad, you may be getting a call from me... I like the flat-rate per song thing. But I still do have to shop around, as I'm running out of funds (like a year ago!) and still need to pay for the CD pressing myself, too!

But I like the cut of your jib.

Anyway, the story continues...


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Hugh Hamilton

10/21/2009 4:06:01 PM


"own worst critics" - yes yes yes


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Otis and the Professors

10/21/2009 5:47:05 PM


This is all sounding great man. We used these guys, pretty basic but I like their work.

http://masteringbooth.com/

Mostly we like their rates.

Keep up the good work!


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Hop On Pop

10/26/2009 12:28:13 PM


I was finally able to download the dry tracks, and so was the mixing engineer! So, it looks like mixing of the final 2 tracks will be completed sometime in the next couple of weeks.

Then, off to mastering.

Damn.

*awaits the next nasty little surprise to delay the album's completion*


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Hop On Pop

10/27/2009 7:55:01 AM


So... the mixing engineer WAS able to DL all the dry tracks -- all that he needed for mixing; and apparently they all lined up right. We're going to have a phone convo. tonight (he lives 250 miles from me) and he's gonna get started on the mix this week.

I also got a rough mix from the recording engineer and I like a lot of what I hear. There are a couple of things that I want to change but, given the way things have gone, I can't. Damnit. I think (hope) that I good mix will help. But, I'm pretty pleased. overall with the sound of the individual tracks.

Still waiting on the AIFFs from a couple of the other engineers (I gotta contact them today), but I have faith that I'll be able to get those pretty soon.

And Brad Sarno... I'll be calling you.


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Hop On Pop

10/28/2009 2:49:07 PM ---- Updated 10/28/2009 2:49:42 PM


I now have in my possession 7 out of 10 of the song files for mastering.
Waiting on the last 2 mixes and then one more 24-bit file to be sent to me before we're ready to go to mastering.

Starting to breathe a little easier, but for some reason I keep peeking over my shoulder.


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Hop On Pop

10/30/2009 1:18:06 PM


There are now 8/10 AIFF files in my possession, as I just received the final mix of "Happy Days" from the mixing engineer.

Well, actually... it's not the FINAL mix, but it's damn close. He's gonna tweak it tonight and then send me the new final mix tomorrow. Along with the final mix for track number nine.

Then, well... you know... there'll only be one more final mix left to get!

Deep breath.


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Hop On Pop

10/31/2009 2:20:04 PM ---- Updated 11/3/2009 9:46:30 AM


Just got back the final mixes for "Happy Days" and "Leo Goldberg's 2-Step" and HOLY COW!!! They sound amazing; better than I thought they could, even.

"Leo" especially... I had forgotten that I had laid down some synth tracks and Jon the mixer found them, sliced and diced them, and made them sound like I actually knew what the hell I was doing with them! Completely makes the track.

The credit for that song will now read "Produced by Todd Leiter-Weintraub and Jonathon Newby"; the guy completely earned it. He also earned a production credit for "Happy Days," as well. I wasn't sure how the end of the album was going to play out, but having his fresh set of ears mixing those songs perked them up big time!

Also... 9 of 10 tracks are in my possession.
And then... off to mastering, for whom I already found an engineer. Nice.

A quick addition:
I just got the first version of the album art and it looks really good. Just a couple of minor tweaks (including corrections to my own grammar in the liner notes!) and, I think that part is done!


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Hop On Pop

11/6/2009 8:01:36 AM


11/6/09:
All songs now in my possession and about to go off for MASTERING!!!

Artwork is now back with the designer and going through (what I think are) the final tweaks.

Holy shit, this is actually happening!


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Hop On Pop

11/6/2009 10:28:28 AM


Poor Brad (Auset).

He's mastering the thing for me. And, seeing as how I am new, not only to the whole taking on the entire logistics thing, but also using PayPal... I started freaking out when my payment looked kinda odd.

I called PayPal and demanded that they cancel my payment, because I thought I had been duped into paying the wrong person! And then I frantically called and emailed Brad probably a dozen times, just to make sure that I actually had it right... maybe I hadn't been duped. I probably woke the poor guy up, although he didn't let on if I did.

Anyway, long story short... everything was kosher. I sent the discs off to Brad just now. He should be getting them in a day or two we should have this thing mastered soon.

He and Auset probably think that I am a headcase.
But, it's only because I am.

I am so on-edge about this whole thing and even moreso the closer we get to completion.


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Hop On Pop

11/21/2009 9:52:33 PM


Just got the masters back in the mail, today!
A first (cursory) listen:
Although I will probably have one or two tweaks to request... they sound great!

Oy.

Yeah.


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Hop On Pop

11/24/2009 9:13:06 AM


Got the masters back from Brad and they sound pretty good. Of course (as always) there are things that I would like tweaked, but for the first run-through, it sounded pretty damn good. Brad is a very talented guy.



So, not only did he add brilliant pedal steel to one song, but he's mastering the whole damn thing. Hooray for IAC for hooking me up with him!



Also, in our conversations, it turns out that we have another (loose) connection, as he used to play in the local Dead cover band when I was in college down at the University of Missouri, Columbia -- Blue Dixie. I think that I saw them only once, but their flyers were [i]everywhere[/i] when I was down there, as they seemed to play all the freaking time at the Blue Note. (A wonderful club, which happens to be the first place that I ever got up on stage to play in front of a crowd!)



Sending off the artwork to the duplication folks today, also. They're gonna check it to make sure that it all fits into their template; and then they'll get the printing set up. After that, when the final masters come in... it's MUSIC AHOY!!!



I should have the discs in my greedy little hands before the end of the year. My label is gonna get us set up at iTunes, eMusic, Amazon, and CD Baby in time for an "official" release date sometime in early/mid February.



:>D

:>D

:>D

:>D

etc...


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Hop On Pop

12/3/2009 1:43:27 PM ---- Updated 12/3/2009 2:33:37 PM


And...
IT'S OFF TO THE PRESSES!!!

Should be back sometime before the end of the year.
We're looking at an "official" release date sometime in February.

How's that?



2 years in the making (on and off).
Some of the trials and tribulations can be read about HERE.

This is a really good fucking record that I am really proud of. Because, despite bringing in a variety of collaborators, it's not a band: It's pretty much ALL ME.
I brought in WHO I wanted to, WHEN I wanted them in; to do THEIR PART, and that was it.

When I release it, I hope that you all do at least listen. If you don't like it, that's okay. I can live with that, because I know that I did what I did, how I wanted to do it. No regrets. You just don't like it.

But I think that a lot of you will like it. No two songs are anything like one another. It covers a lot of stylistic ground, and I think that's it's biggest strength.


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