Todd Steed and the Suns of Phere: News

This just in:

On Amazon.com one can now download all the Smokin' Dave records. Music for Bus Stations is on there, too. Suns of Phere, of course.

Ta'

Suns had two shows this past weekend, the fabulous benefit for WUTK at the Valarium and also a private party out in outer reachers of Anderson County.

Live music is better.

Eskimo Hair is truly almost finished and ready to go to the pressing plant. It's a full on eco-package with lots of stuff to see and hear.

Off to West Virginia in July for a couple of solo shows with Owen Davis.

Time for some sencha.

WOOOF! ARF!

New record almost done- plus in the meantime we have an EP called ESKIMO HEAR. Full length is ESKIMO HAIR.

Simple enough.

Getting lots of questions about Bonnaroo and clues, DjJd, etc.

It ain't me babe, no no no it ain't me babe. Though I have a small part. (I am a good translator)

Very funny though.

In the words of a certain bad man from the 60s: I'm a patsy.

You will be better served by going to bonnaroo.com/ and looking for Zimmy, I believe. He's not as stupid as he sounds. (Thanks a lot Zimmy- revenge is sweet!!)

The March march forward on Eskimo Hair continues- for proof that this recording is actually in progress go to our ’video’ section on our profile and see Hector Qirko in action. I love the facial expression he makes near the end of the song. The chord is changing- but hector’s one note part doesn’t go with it, but his facial expression indicates something is turning, just not the e-bow note. This is why we love Hector Qirko.

The record is about 90% done in terms of tracking. Mixing has commenced as well- so we are now looking at a late spring release if things go well.

Just back from Austin, went down for SXSW. Abigail Washburn (who we manage at AC Entertainment) did several brilliant sets. Of all the stuff I saw at SXSW, Abigail Washburn and the SQ was my favorite. For real. Abby and the Sparrow Quartet will be in Knoxville at the Blue Plate special- stay tuned for details.

Other things that were of note: X, The Slits, The Giraffes, Joe Arthur, Martha Wainwright with Daniel Lanois, and oh I can’t remember all of ’em. OH - Jackie Joke Man gave a great performance in the hotel bar at the D. Hotel.

Other than that, I saw about a zillion bands walking around looking for somebody famous to spot.

Some cool gigs are coming up- earth day in Oak Ridge, Blue Plate Special, Dylan Tribute, Sun Ra thing- details all coming soon.

Studio 865 continues to get more and more fun to do. Last tapings were the everybodyfields and Greg Horne. Both were fabu.

I tried to watch the movie Moby Dick with Jean Luc Picard in it. I couldn't make it until the end. What a great book, minus the how to scale a whale chapters. Even those are kinda cool.

OK-lah.

Got a new shot on WUTTV (Comcast Channel 194) and WUOT FM.

For all the news- check out:

http://studio865.utk.edu/host/index.html

and:

http://metropulse.com/articles/2008/18_09/coverstory_2.html

and:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=307871937

Enjoy y'all.

We are going to play T-head Maryville next week. Looking forward to some garlic filled goodies.

I deleted my personal myspace page. Enough is enough. We still have the suns of phere myspace page.

Work continues on the new record- it's turning out mighty fine.

So far.

It's 23 degrees outside. Great weather for the Packers.

In any case, I have posted several songs up on 'music' page of this website. Enjoy.

It's O8.

Wow.

NYE show at Corner Lounge was a musical tonic for me, to paraphrase a remark heard second hand at a party. I still can't think of a better way to bring a new year than with music and stout beer. Thanks to Corner Lounge for hosting- and Don, Tim & Ed for arranging it all. TL3 and 1220 brought the rock.

I also did a meander across the street to the Ironworks Fiesta- it was fabulous. Missed Dixie Dirt and the Ball dropping, though. I did see Divorce for the first time, they were intense- and Gypsy Hands with a new routine which I dug- and a great performance by some secret street musicians with a sign that said BUMS when it was time to sing along. I did. Fab.

This is is the first time in a long time the suns of phere have no bookings on the calendar. It's time to finis the record- which is really coming along at this point. We're doing tracks here at Apeville and then some stuff with Eric at Indie Recorders.

The record is going to be the most varied one I've done. Lots of instruments I've never done- and as always lots of guests. (list to come soon!) It's perhaps the most interesting groups of songs I've assembled as well. Some of you will like it- some of you will buy and it give it to your strangest friends.

We may play at the T-Head in Maryville, though.

OK- wish us luck and we do the same for you.

saw Zeppelin in London-
played Blue Plate-
eating lots of garlic
not ready for holidays
ready to not be ready
watching DVDS again after a break
enjoying family/friends

Quit my UT job, going to work for AC Entertainment and also developing new show for WUOT: Studio 865. Suns of Phere on NY Eve at the Corner.

It's going to be cold tonight. So here I write.

et's see. What's next?

We are off to Asheville, NC this weekend to play with the Cheeksters. They are releasing a new fab record, too. Come see us if you are around that way.

Just finished mixing a song for a WUTK compilation. It's a cover of Randall Brown's CROSSTOWN WALTZ from his Year of the Monkey.

Friday night is the Jazz For Justice show at World Grotto- and I will be interviewing folks at WUOT on Thursday night's improvisations. (Got an improvisations facebook page now.)

Ian is coming in to town. So is Uncle Pete.

More big news just around the corner. And speaking of the Corner- we should be there on NY Eve w/ Tim Lee 3.

Back from China. It's early AM. Jet lag.

Stories and photos to follow.

Next two shows: WDVX and HOTTFEST

Hey- we are taking the summer off until late August to travel, read, write, record, not record, not write, write some more, travel some more, work here and there, and there and here.

That's it's for now.

Smokin Dave and the Premo dopes will play their first club date in two years: The Corner Lounge on June 2 with our good pal and super songstress Kat Brock. Non-Smoking show- but smokers are welcome as it will be a nice night to smoke outside during our ballads.


The Dopes may add another set at B'roo.

In other news- the Suns of Phere are hard at work on their new record. Well, not that hard at work. But at work.

Just back from a week out west- Monument Valley is my hero. I will post some photos.

Good news- Smokin' Dave and the Premo Dopes are to play Bonnaroo- Thursday, June 15 at 8:15 in the Troo Music Tent.

I think we are on first!

We are knee-deep working on the new record. It's very schizo. I mean that in a good way.

http://www.bonnaroo.com/smokin-dave-and-the-premo-dopes

I have been living in the studio the last several days- lotso different things going, including working with Kat Brock on her new record. It's absolutely loverly.

We have started tracking for new Suns of Phere record. March madness, indeed. So far, so good. Same for them vowels.

Also, cheers to Dave Nichols and Brenda on the birth of their loverly daughter.

I don't have anything new to say.

Except that.

For your viewing pleasure-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyB1gZ1n7Q8

This is a take of Prezervation Roof recorded in a French chalet before the war.

They had it right. Everybody's working for the weekend.