Chris Griffin
Christmas In The Air
Life is moving at such a pace that I often look at the gig dates to get my bearings…In a nut shell….Disney was fantastic…The Decatur GA Beer festival was interesting to say the least…(Got to meet Chris Smither…One of my all time favorite blues guys)…Drove to Kentucky and Texas for college showcases….The Texas trip was an all nighter after a local gig…We just finished working with a marketing group from a local university. They made a semester project out of getting more college exposure for the band….The climax was inviting a bunch of local university SGA kids to a campus gig….It was a success…This is my crunch time week for work stuff…Two recitals….Christmas program…end of semester stuff..etc…A. B. and I worked on a caribbean style tune today. B. was telling us all about the Bela Fleck concert she went to last night…..I have been loving my new guitar a Collings C-10…It’s pretty great…I’m having to part with my Goodall though…Every question that pops up from a ebayer sends pains through me…I’ve had a lot of memories with that guitar…Love the new J. Mayer disc…That guy has talent…Working on my swing guitar….Bob Taylor is giving me some inspiration…Looking forward to spending time with my kiddos…
Saturday
Most of this morning was preparing for Sunday church responsibilities. We’re very fortunate to have the guy that cuts all our band percussion parts coming in to play drums. He is my favorite musician. I really mean that. He is so great….
This afternoon, I drove to get the van, and then off to A.’s house for rehearsal. We worked out another new tune today. It’s super cool. Then, it was off to play a wedding. The people were crazy! They had the best time dancing and having fun. Many of the guest were from the arts community. T. got his prius stuck in the mud on the way out, which delayed out leaving about an hour. We finally hooked up a tow rope to the van and got it free. The band gets to pay for my dry cleaning.
Video of the day…This guy was at the wedding today..
Friday
This morning was a continuation of yard month. I borrowed the neighbors shovel and G. and I dug up two huge bushes. Then, we got mulch and filled in the two holes. Next, it was edge, and mow time….It ended up being a good sense of accomplishment. Kiddo #1 and I then charged up his RC monster truck, and jumped skateboard ramps in the driveway. After lunch, it was off to band practice. We were minus the fiddle today, but the three of us got a lot done. I’m feeling more in the groove of things with pre-production. In two hours A. and I finished up the arranging of one tune. We then worked with T. on the bass part of another new tune. Once we have a skeleton song written…meaning structure, vocal melody, etc…. it’s on to the individual instruments….The bass is usually the first one. I think we finished a good part in an hour or so…After all the parts are written, we record them on A.’s computer and listen to rough tracks for a month or so. After changes are made and we’re happy with the tune, we go and record it for real. We’re toying with doing a 4 song e.p. in a couple months. A. and his wife then came over for desert. We had a lovely time….
In other news, the string endorsement we got put us on their website. I’m pretty honored….www.daddario.com/DaddarioArtistDetails.Page?ActiveID=2049&ArtistId=40409……..
No video of the day…
Thursday
One of my kiddo’s went to pre-school orientation this morning. I met with some old friends for coffee, and then headed back to the house. On the Bob Villa agenda today was spraying the perimeter of the house with bug spray,digging some space between the foundation and the soil, and fixing the fence. Tonight, we went on a fall feeling walk. Kiddo #1 pitched a huge fit because he fell off his bike(very minor) at the bottom of the hill. I made him push it back up, and he preceded to scream the entire 10. min way back. Ah, yes parenthood…Afterwards I responded to an interview from yesterdays request. I’m posting below minus B.’s #5 response.
1. AOC is unlike anything I’ve heard. But if two current artists mated to make-up AOC and its music, who would you say they were?
Thanks. That’s tough to narrow down. We are all from different musical backgrounds. When we came together for the “Declaration” album, Nickel Creek and Vertical Horizon we’re probably rolling around in the back of our minds. The great thing about being a fully independent artist, is that we can delve into any genre we wish. Right now, we’re into a lot of John Mayer and Coldplay type stuff. For the next album, I anticipate more groove orientation in our tunes.
2. When I listen your music, the first thing to jump out is the instrumentation. What has motivated or inspired you to become such masters of your instruments?
Trust me, we’re not masters of anything. There are people out there that are ridiculously talented. (my old jazz teacher used to say “stupid talented”) For Adam and I, these are not primary instruments or our primary style of music. Adam plays the piano first, then guitar, then mando….I’m a big electric guitar geek at heart. For this group of people, this instrumentation just seems to fit. We put a lot of thought into the compositional aspects of writing, and we are all perfectionist which helps. We all teach private lessons in B’ham M-W, when the band is not playing. I actually think students push us a lot to continually progress as well.
3. What do you think is the most important characteristic in a band that hopes to make it big? Determination? Heart?
Not to get spiritual, but building your band on a firm relational foundation is the most important thing. Every band we have ever been involved in failed, because friendship plays second fiddle to the desire for success. We are constantly working on our relationship with one another. On another thought, I don’t know what making it big is anymore. I just finished watching the documentary “Before The Music Dies” on Hulu.com. I strongly recommend it for anyone wanting to get in the music business right now. One thing we do preach to each other, is being consistent on a daily basis. When this band started two years ago, we didn’t have any gigs or any pressing business. It was just write a record and see what happens. Now it’s a daily job of making sure we stay on task regarding the business end of things. This means anything from approving t-shirt designs, negotiating with potential gigs, setting up rehearsals/writing sessions, updating content sites, it’s a never ending thing. The main point we came away from that documentary with was that in the current music world…You are you label, distribution, marketing, product,etc….You are the final say in whether you succeed or fail.
4. Your tour schedule has been pretty bananas this year, how have you grown as a band through all of these performances?
In the past year we have done a variety of settings including:radio spots, television morning shows, coffee houses, house shows, big festivals opening for headliners, small festivals where we were the headliner, college campuses, label showcases, listening rooms, bars, out door amphitheaters, a ballet, SXSW, rally’s, churches, weddings, private parties, performing arts centers, and in the next few months we’re playing at Disney, doing a collaboration with a symphony, and a guy called last week and wants to send us to military bases. It’s comical when I think about it! I think through all of this, AOC is growing in realizing who we are musically and what our outside the box career potential is. It’s way cool.
5. Bethany (love the name by the way), speaking of touring, tell us, what’s it like traveling around with 3 guys all the time!
6. John Mayer and Toby Keith seem pretty polar-opposite, yet you’ve opened for both, how have you varied your set from one crowd (mellow Mayor lovers) to another (rambunctious and crazy Keith fans)?
We really don’t do anything different. We are a unique group, and people typically respond well to us. I think we are growing comfortable with who we are as a band.
7. It’s been awhile since we’ve heard any new stuff. When can we expect to see Declaration’s follow-up?
It’s just now been a year since we released “Declaration.” We finished a 3 song cover e.p. about 8 months ago. It’s been crazy trying to get the proper licensing to release it. Our attorney has about wrapped up that end of it, and we hope for a digital release in the next month or so. We’ve also done some interesting one off stuff. We have a instumental tune on the new Maylene and the Sons of Disaster III album, the documentary for the show Arrested Development asked us to write a theme song for them, and we realeased an i-Tunes version of Carol Of The Bells early this year. As far as a new record, we went through a tough period about three months ago. When writing for “Declaration” we didn’t have any other duty’s except to write. We are a fully independant band, so all the booking,press, etc. duties fall on us. This is a tough thing to balance, and we we’re struggling to get in a writing groove. We’re happy to say that in the last month or so, we have found our groove. Adam and I meet three times a week via Skype and start writing ideas. We try to get a skeleton song written in an hour or so. So far we have about 13. I think the goal is 20, and then we will present these to the band. The band will pick twelve, and the process will begin of running them through our compositional filter. Because we don’t want to waste our producer Jason Elgin’s time, we try to be ready for first or second takes in the studio. It’s a long but economicly effeciant process. We think we’re 12 or so months out from a new album.
Video of the day:A documentary trailer..found on Hulu.com…Warning Kiddos…Some Adult language..and Content.
Wednesday
Yesterday I met with the symphony conductor…I think I expected the silver haired guy you see on the movies…But this guy looked like he just left a college class….He was very down to earth and we got along quiet well….He was describing all the boards this collaboration had gone through….It was pretty involved…I think it’s going to end up being 7 tunes that the 65-piece youth symphony plays with us…and another 7 or so tunes we play by ourselves…It’s slated for March and has to go through one more voting process in two weeks…The band is super excited about how cool this could turn out…(Can you say You Tube)….After our lunch meeting I taught a bunch of kiddos and took it to the house….
Today our ace graphic design guy sent some new ideas….In addition to the new t-shirt design, and poster he did last week, he sent a new business card that rocks….Love this guy….
My dad called and said we we’re on this month’s cover of a local bluegrass magazine…I’ve never heard of the publication…but I’m glad they thought they could use our image when and however they felt like it..hmm….Ourstage.com also called for an interview today….They are a neat website that holds artist competitions each month…You should check it out…
A. and I had a writing session today…I think we have 12 or so skeleton song ideas….He said he wanted to take a break from new ideas and focus on writing lyrics for a few weeks….
We recently got a endorsement from my favorite company…I think the band went a little overboard though….We’re getting 75% off, and the bill was almost a thousand bucks!….Stuff is showing up at my house in huge boxes….Our producer wanted a bunch off stuff, so in addition to strings, there are drum heads, cables, and all kinds of fun stuff….
Video of the day….Cody is my favorite flatpicker…..
I also really like this new cover tune by C-Sky...
Weekend
Just to warn u…I’m not doing spell check on this one….Read at ur own risk….
We played a joint gig with two popular local bands on Sat..I have long time conections with one of the groups…”The Great Book of John”….The frontman went to college with me….The bass player’s older brother and I were good friends in High School….Both of these guys had just stepped down from another well known group to focus on this band…The opener of the night was another friend I knew from the early stages of AOC…It was great to reconnect and catch up with such talented folks…We tried out two new tunes….one instrumental…one singer….I was pretty pleased with the response and our performance…We’re also trying out a new presonus digital board that is pretty amazing…
On sunday a new candidate tried out for the church position…He was really talented, but on the second song he forgot to move his capo, and we played it in A instead of Bb…This is not an issue except for when you have a 10 piece horn section coming in 20 sec. after the song starts playing Bb…..We managed warn the other guys to lay out, and transpose the tune on the spot…It was interesting….
This morning was off to work out, then A and I had a writing session. After lunch I settled in for 15 students…I’m just now wrapping up…This semester, I have some really talented kiddos…I’m excited to see where music takes them, and I’m thankfull God has put our paths together….
Tommorrow I go with A. to meet a symphony conductor for lunch…In March we are playing five of our tunes with a regional symphony. The scores are being written by this super famous Nash. guy…I’m pretty pumped….
Video’s of the day….Bands from the weekend…
I’m thankful for
I’m thankful for friends who keep me motivated to update:)
The band gets an opportunity to play for Disney in Oct. The event is held inside Epcot center. I’ve been consistently impressed with the way they do business. Today I had a conference call with 6 people. One was in charge of the facilities, one handled logistics, one handled sound, another was just for our stage needs, and another was the officiator of the call….Before we could sign a contract…there was a pre-contract for the event….Another thing they needed was a technical rider….We have never needed a technical rider..The most we have ever had to send is a stage plot…(I guess we’re movin on up)….I’m going to copy the basic one we sent so you can see it after the post….Some of the riders I’ve seen require red m&ms and all kind of crazy stuff..Our’s needless to say doesn’t…..I wish all the people I deal with handled themselves in this kind of professional manner…It’s refreshing…
On a sad note, my music boss at church is stepping down. It’s my fourth boss in four years…I know God has the perfect next step planned out just for him…Change is just sometimes tough for me…
Other random cool band stuff…..We played in Kentucky last weekend at a prestigious festival…An Orlando booking agent has contacted us about performing on military bases across the SE……We have a new t-shirt design as well as new press pics….There is a huge billboard on interstate I-65 for a festival with our pic. on it…we’re making progress on new songs…Adam and I have 10 or so rough ideas from our Skype internet writing sessions…We’re going to play one of them tomorrow night at a B’ham gig…I’m actually the most happy about finding a writing format that works for us…It’s been challenging to figure out a 2nd album plan….I think it’s gonna work out well though…A. and I are going to go for 20 ideas…Then bring those ideas to the rest of the band and Jason (producer)…We will narrow down to 12 or so and then start the composition/arranging process…I’m guessing we’re 12-15 months our from starting the studio tracking. For every band this is a totally different process…But for our band, we usually do all the compositional work before hand….Then use the studio for laying down parts…Jason then takes our mess and makes it sound presentable……………………..Video of the day is the tune adam and I worked on for X band…
AOC Technical Rider (with omissions)
Thank you for booking – for your event. This rider is an attempt to provide you with information that will help your event run smoothly, efficiently, and most importantly, effectively. If any areas are unclear or appear to be difficult in your particular situation, don’t hesitate to contact Management with questions. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to work with you and are eager to help you. Please read and sign the attached rider and mail or fax it in with your contract.
Management and Booking:
Chris Griffin
Addicus Media
SECTION 1 – VENUE
Merchandise Area – Please provide one (1) six-foot table for the sale of our artist merchandise.
Dressing Room Area – Please provide artist with two (2) private rooms where they can change clothes before the event.
Volunteers – We would like to have at least two (2) people to help us load in and set up. We will also like to have two (2) people at the end of the night to help us tear down and load out. We would also like to have onr (1) female over the age of 21 to assist with merchandise available from the time the band arrives until after the show.
SECTION 2 – HOSPITALITY
Artist’s personnel will be comprised of the four (4) band members, one (1) sound engineer and two (2) crew. All arrangements for food and lodging should be made with this information taken into consideration.
Meals – After artist arrives, please provide meals for artist and crew. Take out food from restaurants is also welcome, but please take orders from the band when they arrive and send someone out to pick it up.
Snacks – Please have a few snacks in artist’s dressing room area throughout the day. Some favorites are fresh fruit (Grapes, Bananas, Peaches, Apples), fruit trays, Sun Chips, Gold Fish, Nature Valley or Quaker Granola Bars. Please also provide artist with 1 loaf of whole wheat bread, 1 pack of sandwich meat (turkey or ham), and one pack of sandwich cheese.
Beverages – Please provide a wide assortment of beverages to be kept on hand throughout the entire day from Artist’s arrival through their departure. This should include at least 24 bottles of water. Some favorites are Gatorade, and Starbucks drinks
SECTION 3 – LODGING
If overnight lodging is needed for the event:
Please provide two (2) rooms (with two double beds and non-smoking) at a nearby good quality hotel or motel. These rooms should be reserved and paid for in advance by the Purchaser. We ask that you also pre-pay for Internet access whenever possible. The rooms should be held under the name -.
**On occasion, the band may need to drive part of the way to their next location after your event. If so, please provide the band with the cash value of the hotel rooms instead of booking the rooms.**
SECTION 4 – PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Sound System – a mixer/amplification/speaker system that is of good quality and that is capable of providing adequate sound for the venue.
Mixing Console – one professional quality mixing console with at least 10 input channels, each input channel should have a minimum of a four band semi-parametric EQ.
Main Speakers – at least 2 main speakers (15” and a horn) and 2 subs
Monitors – at least four stage monitors (12” and a horn)
Amps – power amps capable of powering the above sound system
Misc – All microphones, cables and stands that are called for in the attached input list
- INPUT LIST
CHANNEL INPUT MIC TYPE STAND TYPE
1 Chris Vox SM58 or better Boom
2 Guitar xlr n/a
3 Dobro condensor Boom
4 Adam Vox SM58 or better Boom
5 Mandolyn xlr n/a
6 Guitar xlr n/a
7 Bethany Vox SM58 or better Boom
8 Violin xlr n/a
9 Tim Vocal SM58 or better Boom
10 Bass xlr n/a
ARTIST REQUESTS A LOW MONITOR STAGE VOLUME.
MONITOR MIX SHOULD BE USED MAINLY FOR VOCALS.
SECTION 5 – FEES
All payments on behalf of the band should be made via cash or check. Checks should be made payable to Act of Congress LLC. The band should be paid on the day of the performance.
CONTRACT CONFIRMATION
I, the Purchaser, have read and understand that this rider is to be treated as part of the legally binding performance contract that I have entered into with -. By signing below, I agree to fulfill the requirements laid out for me in this contract. I understand that if I have any questions or problems regarding this rider, I will contact Act of Congress well in advance of the date of the event.
____________________________________________
Purchaser Representative
____________________
Date
Webcam
This week I’ve been setting up a webcam to teach an out of state kiddo. I did some research on the subject and picked up the Logitech pro 9000. During the course of the week’s experimenting, I learned that the band can also use this method for meetings. Using AIM, four people can web conference at one time. This particular camera also lets you take a video and upload directly to youtube. It has great potential….The pics went great last week. We are shooting a video with the same photographer in late Aug…..Some positive momentum has been happening in regard to next album pre-production. I had no idea how difficult a follow up album could be. There are all these factors that we didn’t face with the first one. To be honest, it’s been a small identity crisis for me personally. We didn’t have any gigs or set or anything when writing the first album. We just met three times a week and worked. Now, we have a member that lives out of town and most rehearsals are working our set and business talks. It’s good though, adversity encourages growth. One advantage to not being on a label are no time constraints. When we are happy with a direction, we’ll put it out there. I was sad to hear this week about arguably our city’s biggest band loosing two of its key members. It’s a tough thing to get four people going in one positive creative direction. It’s more difficult to put your personal career on the line for a dream that might never happen financially. It creates all kind of hurdles to overcome. I have the utmost respect for WSO and what they have accomplished over the last few years…..
Picture Time
Last week I played a conference in North Carolina. It was a good time to catch up with old friends, and enjoy75 degree days…Highlights were white water rafting by “Razor Rock”….The crazy great speaker…and the 8 hour bus ride home with a bunch of 3rd graders…I did some group teaching, and tried out a new compression pedal “hot pink” built by a friend of mine. Upon arriving home, I hopped in the car with my brother in law and joined the rest of my family at the lake. For two days, we then wore out a prestine 1985 wave runner that was donated to our family. (they couln’t sell it)
This week the band has been getting ready for new pictures. It’s actually a fairly involved process. There is lots of planning with the stylist, photog….etc…Hope it goes well….