New Hampshire Notes #2

Been in the mountains for about a week. I can certainly admit that I did not come through the door and jump right on my guitar to write half a dozen great songs. It never works like that. I had to really get into a certain mood to feel good about working on some ideas. Finally, two days ago, I began to feel that "pull." It's a weird sense and attraction, like a magnet, to my instruments and notebook.

I have several strong ideas working right now and it's feeling pretty good. There is one tune in particular that I've been working well on, but I have not found a chorus for it that really clicks. The ideas are there, but it's not complete. The odd thing is I can almost feel the chorus coming, but I just can't seem to find it. Right now, it's a faint sketch in the distance. It's almost as if I am groping in the dark for something that I know is there. There is a particular combination of vocal melodies and guitar chords that will fit, eventually. At the moment, I have not been combining my ingredients in the right way to make this dish taste good-- and you just know when it tastes good.

The good news is, I can feel that the song is on its way. The ideas are floating there. It's a matter of pulling them down and assembling them into place, like a puzzle. Once the ideas of a song are settled and they fit together, I usually get a feeling in my stomach similar to that of being starving and then immediately sitting down for an amazing steak dinner at Peter Luger in Brooklyn. You can see the food right in front of you on the table that are you about to eat to fill your hunger. Have I provided enough analogies?

...More soon.

-AN



POSTED FROM WATERVILLE VALLEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE AT 1:21 PM

In New Hampshire

I have arrived to New Hampshire (White Mountain National Forest) and I'm hauled up in a ski bungalow with several guitars, microphones, computer(s), recording gear, books (novels), plenty of fire wood, wine, selected cheeses, guinness stout, jameson irish whiskey, and my songbook. New York is my home and my life, but having some time in reclusion is just what I need. The bustling of the City is what keeps me going, yet it can be that same bustling, which jumbles my thoughts, keeps me unfocused, and makes me anxious to get things done quickly in order to keep up. I have learned myself that "getting things done quickly" is never the right way, especially with songwriting and subsequent album-making.

So, I decided in November, around Thanksgiving, that I would leave my band behind in New York, temporarily, to travel to New Hampshire to really focus on flushing out my ideas and coming up with some melodies and lyrics that were well-crafted with the help of important elements like vino rosso and warm fires.

I built a grand fire last night, my first night, and it was while I was sitting there on the bricks with a glass of whiskey that I began to think clearly about the many song ideas I've put together since the summer. I was actually quite surprised that it was my eyes looking into the fire that led me to feel good about being in the mountains. Most of the time I hear something that inspires me. But, in solitude, I think one begins to draw from many sources because the man in solitude only has himself. There are no distractions. His "friends" become his eyes, hands, his thoughts, his ears. I know some of this sounds ridiculous and melodramatically poetic, like I'm some kind of Thoreau or Rousseau wanna-be. But, I can only explain what I feel. And, if those feelings yield great songs, then I will know what I write here in this blog entry is truth. If I come back to Brooklyn with a bag of frozen horse shit, then I will know this was all bullocks...But hopefully this will not be the case.

I have just made some coffee with cinnamon and have to attend to it. I'll keep you updated here as things progress this week and will add some more photos. I can say with all sincerity that I truly appreciate the love from you guys since being off the tour road while I've been working on this new album. It's been a longtime, but I decided I had to dedicate myself to getting something great out there for you...stay with me on this.

Much Love,
Alex


POSTED FROM WATERVILLE VALLEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE AT 12:28 PM

It's the rain

It's raining in New York, and cold. I'm sorry to evoke a Garbage song here, but I really am happy when it rains. Bad weather makes me think more and makes me more focused on those things that are important. I think I need to move to Seattle or London.

-Alex



POSTED FROM NEW YORK, NY AT 12:38 PM

Back to the basics

Excuse the lapse in posts...I've been thoroughly re-vamping a few tunes and have started some new ones. It's hard to just say, "I'm finished and that's it."

This weekend I've been re-listening to the new box set of The Beatles...every song, every album. "Revolver" still owns me. Good headspace as I grab my Martin.

-AN


POSTED FROM NEW YORK, NY AT 5:29 PM

Rehearsals

Had the first rehearsal tonight with the guys since January. The record isn't finished yet, but it felt great to get back to the rehearsal space and test drive a few of the new songs, while also going back to some older and more familiar ones. There are some kinks that need to be ironed out, especially with translating some of the newer songs from the studio to the live setting, but I'm really encouraged by tonight. It's always hard reconvening for rehearsals because I automatically want us to just rock it and kill every song. But, in reality these things take time and work. Even the older songs need a slight re-touch. We can't sound terrific after just one rehearsal, nor should we, or we wouldn't be really striving to get any better. The boys and I work our asses off, which is why I know each rehearsal is better than the previous. Their dedication means everything to me, so I'm confident by all this.

We'll keep pressing onward. I want to get back to the stage soon. It's been more than a year since Bowery Ballroom show in New York and I know the boys and I are truly itching to be back in front of you all. It's been a long road. Staying positive is important.

-AN


POSTED FROM BROOKLYN, NY AT 11:25 PM

"Wait For Me" - on Real World Cancun finale

Thanks for the emails guys..."Wait For Me" did sneak its way onto the season finale of Real World: Cancun. If you have not seen the finale yet, go to: www.mtv.com

The studio has been treating the band and I very well, but it has been a long year with a lot of writing. With 55 new songs written (and most recorded), I'm happy to be in a position of having to choose 10-12 for the new album, rather than scrambling to fill the last few spots on the record. I have a ton of material that I'm really excited about. The sound is quite different.

If you haven't already, go to www.alexnackman.com to grab a free download of "Bizarre Love Triangle," the New Order cover I did earlier this year. It's all yours.

-AN


POSTED FROM NEW YORK, NY AT 11:56 AM

advice.

"In this life, just find something you really love doing. Then, simply learn to do it better than anyone else, and you won't have anything to worry about."

-Chet Baker




POSTED FROM NEW YORK, NY AT 11:43 PM

Fun times at All Points West

Some visuals...w/ Coldplay, from APW last weekend...smelly mud, but amazing.

-Alex





POSTED FROM BROOKLYN, NY AT 8:10 PM

Films (noir et les autres)

While writing and working on the new songs, I've been also watching a ton of old films that I had always heard and read about, but never had a chance to see. In recent weeks, I've watched "Amarcord" and "8 1/2" by Fellini, "Last Tango In Paris," as well as "Breathless" and "Band of Outsiders" by Godard. One of my favorite films of all time that is in my own DVD collection: "Jules et Jim" by Fançois Truffaut. There is something amazingly true and honest about these films. Admittedly, Fellini can be pretty odd and unrealistically dream-like at times, but the language and the writing has just hit me certain ways because it reminds of me of how some musicians phrase their lyrics-- a good song, lyrically speaking, phrases lines in a way that isn't out-right obvious in its meaning, but can be understood if thought about only for a few more seconds (does that make any sense??). I hope so. Here's a clip from "Band of Outsiders" ("Bande à Part" en Français).





-Alex


POSTED FROM BROOKLYN, NEW YORK AT 2:07 PM

Just saw "TRAINSPOTTING" again and couldn't resist:

"So why did I do it? I could offer a million answers, all false. The truth is that I'm a bad person, but that's going to change, I'm going to change. This is the last of this sort of thing. I'm cleaning up and I'm moving on, going straight and choosing life. I'm looking forward to it already. I'm going to be just like you: the job, the family, the fucking big television, the washing machine, the car, the compact disc and electrical tin opener, good health, low cholesterol, dental insurance, mortgage, starter home, leisurewear, luggage, three-piece suite, DIY, game shows, junk food, children, walks in the park, nine to five, good at golf, washing the car, choice of sweaters, family Christmas, indexed pension, tax exemption, clearing the gutters, getting by, looking ahead, to the day you die.

- RENTON



POSTED FROM NEW YORK, NY @ 8:17 AM

McCartney

I got a chance to catch Paul McCartney's performance atop the David Letterman marquee at the Ed Sullivan Theatre yesterday...pretty darn cool to say the least (massive Beatles fan).

-Alex





POSTED FROM NEW YORK, NY AT 8:18 AM

Greener

I think last year while touring, the road began to wear on me a bit. I could see the fatigue in the band as well. I decided in November of 2008 to take a breather and really hunker down on writing a great bunch of new songs. I wanted them to brew a bit. I had just moved to a new place in Brooklyn and I knew my unfamiliar surroundings would help keep inspiration strong. Since November, I've been able to get together roughly 50 new songs (some much, much, much stronger than others). I really feel that the break was a success. Having been in my studio to write and record for more than 8 months, I can also say that the road is calling. I miss it. I miss the cramped van, the sweating to load gear into the venue, the frustrated sound-techs who may not want to be at the venue that night, my band, and the feedback from all you guys afterwards.

What is hard about taking a touring break for an artist is that he/she fears that those who've followed him will leave or worse, forget. There is only so much an artist can do to keep people at his side for the long term. Much of it depends on the motivation of the fans. So many of you have been asking what's been going on and when I'll be returning to the stage...the time is soon. I thank you for staying with me and pushing this forward. In the end, an artist needs an ear. I don't write just for myself, otherwise I'd lock myself in a room below ground and just play all day everyday and never leave. The pull comes from those who listen and those who care. I'm like a kid who wants to show his parents a new trick, but the trick in this case is a serious trick-- one that just may have the power to affect someone in a significant way.

-Alex


POSTED FRO BROOKLYN, NY AT 8:16 AM

More studio photos

yo everyone...thanks for the kind emails on the "Forever Young" cover. If you still haven't gotten it for free yet, please do. It is, a mentioned, totally free. Just visit www.alexnackman.com for the details.

Here are some new studio photos, working on some rough vocals.

-Alex

POSTED FROM BROOKLYN, NY AT 5:38 PM

"Forever Young"

Hey Guys,

In the interim of hearing tracks from the upcoming new album, the boys and I have been working on a few cover tunes that struck our fancy. So, up on the mypace player right now is a new cover of "Forever Young," the Alphaville song we all know and love.

Hope you dig it. We tried to keep some of the original elements and also added our own little touch. The new album is sounding so great and you'll all hear it very soon...thanks for the love and patience. It all means so much. It's been a long road.

If you want a FREE mp3 of "Forever Young," it's yours. Just sign up on the email list at www.alexnackman.com. No catch.

Much Love in the meantime,
-Alex, Dan, Keith

_________________
ALEX NACKMAN on FACEBOOK:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ALEX-NACKMAN/6605501241
become a fan now!



POSTED FROM BROOKLYN, NEW YORK AT 3:36 PM

Ramblings? Or, Ruminations.

During the process of working on this new album, I've gone through many moods-- satisfaction, happiness, frustration, anxiety, and all the rest. It's been pretty conducive to the "art," which I like. But, the point is, each album has its own drive. It's like getting into a new car. Yes, they all have 2 pedals and a steering wheel, but the feel is different each time-- thus there can't be any expectations before the process starts. I've had ups and downs this year and I'm hoping the new songs will strike a chord (seriously, no pun intended) in you guys who've stayed behind me. Fortunately there seem to be a lot of you; that support of which I can't fully express how much it means to me.

I've even had thoughts of moving away from my long time home of New York...trying something new, a fresh landscape. But, in the end, the music keeps motivating me and I'm not tired of it, despite the inconsistencies of this pursuit. I can only write what drives me and create something that will stir thoughts in myself and others who connect with it.

...some cool cover songs are coming for you all soon (sort of a small sample in the interim of hearing the new album). I think they'll hit in a good way.

~Alex

POSTED FROM NEW YORK, NY AT 5:52 PM

Quick shots.

Just a few shots from late last night working on some backing vocal ideas. I could feel some ear-fatigue coming on...thus, the beanie.

On a totally tangential point, my cable television hasn't worked for a month due to apartment building ridiculousness (argh!), which has prevented me from watching BBC America and Gordon Ramsey's "Kitchen Knightmares."

--- Not happy about it.

-A.N.






POSTED FROM BROOKLYN, NY AT 3:05 PM

On and On.

i thought i was done writing, but then something came. pushing ahead with guitar in lap, hands on piano, mouth to mic. good things arriving guys...

LOVE,
Alex

POSTED FROM BROOKLYN, NY AT 10:48 PM

New Song...Progress, right?

Hey Guys,

It's been awhile, but all is ok. I swear. I've been locked in a really productive studio with loads of coffee.

Ok, so there is a new song up right now on the WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ALEXNACKMAN profile. It's truthfully a b-side, because I'm not so sure it'll make the cut for the new album, but I wanted to toss some of the new ideas out there in the meantime. So, grab a listen. The song is called "Things I Could Say." Hope you dig, even though it's a b-side. It has a rough and raw vibe to it, but there's something about the track that I like. Perhaps its imperfections.

Hope you've all caught the tons of love we've been lucky enough to get on MTV this season. They been super-supportive, which has been truly great.

More soon...and yes, the real album with all the hot tracks.

Much Love,
-Alex

----------------------
WWW.APPLE.COM/iTUNES
WWW.ALEXNACKMAN.COM

POSTED FROM BROOKLYN, NY AT 8:17 PM

Writing

Writing lots..sorry for the lapse my friends. Been head-over-heels for some new ideas I've been mulling over. When I get into writing mode, I can't leave my guitar.

-Alex

POSTED FROM BROOKLYN, NY AT 11:16 PM

Feature at MTV

Hey my peeps,

there is a nice little feature at MTV right now from Real World Brooklyn. They have been showing some love and it's been pretty darn cool of them at the network.

check it out:

http://soundtrack.mtv.com/the-real-world-brooklyn

-Alex


_______________________
www.alexnackman.com
www.facebook.com