Reality Based News

The Neighborhoods Return to the Hood

bryanthomas — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:36:00 +0000

The Neighborhoods return to Albany after a seventeen year absence. With special guests Charlie Watts Riots and John Powhida International Effin’ Airport.

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More info at Nippertown

Discard Avant Garb Recyled Fashion

bryanthomas — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:35:00 +0000

Celebrating the 10th anniversary, big time.

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More info: www.myspace.com/discardavantgarb

Behind the Scenes: The Making of Babylon

bryanthomas — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:30:00 +0000

The music video for “Babylon” was shot on location at Tess’ Lark Tavern in Albany over Labor Day weekend in 2004 (much to Tess’ chagrin). This behind-the-scenes video is mostly footage I shot with the camcorder when I wasn’t being filmed myself – the “Gonzo Cam.”

Behind the Scenes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJRfnznT2mQ

Original Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J99j3uI-MU

Ironweed Inspiration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cGAcqBb_tA

And now, some trivia about the music video.

TRIVIA: Carl Liss (director), Brian Jones (gaffer), Heather Roslund (set design) and moi (Bryan Thomas, professional goofball) were all in the same 2nd grade class at Rosendale Elementary School in Niskayuna, NY. We’ve been friends since kindergarten. Carl, Brian and Heather also have cameo roles in the video: Carl is the bartender, Brian is sitting at the bar, and Heather tells Gina to stop clapping at the very end of the video. (Thanks a lot, Heather!)

TRIVIA: The bar scene was filmed downstairs (obviously), but if the main room in the music video doesn’t look quite like the Lark Tavern you’ve come to know and love, that’s because it was shot entirely in the storage area on the second floor of the building. Originally Carl conceived shooting in the bar itself, but it soon became apparent that building a club on the second floor would be easier and less disruptive to the Lark’s normal business.

TRIVIA: Albany poetry diva Mary Panza was cast as the indifferent open mic host shortly after Tess backed out of the role. No audition: Mary just rolled up and started being herself. ‘Nuff said.

TRIVIA: The premise of the video is loosely based on a scene in the film of Albany icon William Kennedy’s novel “Ironweed,” where Meryl Streep’s character is singing “He’s Me Pal” in a bar. “Ironweed” was also shot on location in Albany. You can see Meryl kickin’ it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cGAcqBb_tA. (Guess who she’s a-kissin’ at 2:15?)

TRIVIA: There were no edits in the final shot. Carl, cast and crew had to really bust ass so that all of the extras in the audience could get out of the room in the few seconds where the camera swings out of their view. Got it in three takes, as I recall.

The Boredoms present Boadrum 9 @ EMPAC

bryanthomas — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:49:00 +0000

View All | Full Screen | Review

The Boredoms present Boadrum 9 at the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center, RPI, Troy, New York. With special guests Deerhunter. September 11, 2009.

To replicate the sensory experience of this event, watch this clip but be sure to run your computer’s audio through a Marshall, turn the amp up to 11 and place your head directly inside the cabinet. Thank you.

iBry

bryanthomas — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 11:30:00 +0000

There’s an app for that. Seriously. I’m not sure why.

Have an iPhone or iPod Touch? Get iBryan at iTunes. It’s FREE. For now.

PS: Musicians – get your own app at iLike.

New solo videos for ’1369 Lights’

bryanthomas — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:00:00 +0000

The new video player for 1369 Lights includes solo versions of 5 songs from the album. You can also check out the YouTube Channel. Enjoy.

The Coolest 11-Year-Old on the Planet

bryanthomas — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:21:00 +0000

A few of my favorite Mike moments, in no particular order. Sh’mon.

Who’s Lovin’ You?
Ed Sullivan Show. 1969. Coolest 11-year-old on the planet.
Got to Be There/Brand New Thing
Holy crap.
Motown audition.
James Brown split at 2:20. He was 10.
Billie Jean
Motown 25th Anniversary.
James Brown passes the torch to Mike. And Prince.
History on tape. With time code!
You Can’t Win
From The Wiz. His vocal kills me. Especially at 2:25.

"Will You Take Me As I Am?" Celebrating Joni with Michelle Mercer

bryanthomas — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:30:00 +0000

The event was fabulous, really an honor and a pleasure to take part. Thanks to Les for suggesting little ol’ moi; Linda and Michael and everyone at the Northshire for hospitality and a kick-ass store; Rosanne for being there and just for being Rosanne; and especially to the ever-fascinating Michelle, whose stories we could have listened to all night long. (So go buy the book, y’all!)

Download: BlackCrow.mp3 | ACaseOfYou.mp3 | AllIWant.mp3

Flickr: Full Screen | View All

June 13: Celebrating Joni Mitchell with Words and Music

bryanthomas — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:06:00 +0000

Our friends at the best web site in the world, jonimitchell.com, report:

Michelle Mercer book signing w/Bryan Thomas in Vermont – June 13

Michelle Mercer will be reading from and signing her book Will You Take Me As I Am: Joni Mitchell’s Blue Period at Northshire Books in Manchester Center, Vermont on June 13th at 7pm.

Special musical guest Bryan Thomas (no stranger to the Joni Internet community) will provide the soundtrack to the book signing with a short, live set of his inimitable music after the reading.

The bookstore is located at 4869 Main Street in Manchester Center. Call 802-362-2200 or 800-437-3700 for more information.

RSVP to this event at ===> Facebook

It’s Jennifer’s birthday tomorrow – but you get the gift today

bryanthomas — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:00:00 +0000

We interrupt our regularly scheduled shameless promotion of the new album 1369 Lights to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the release of the debut album Radio Plastic Jennifer – by giving it away.

That’s right: Radio Plastic Jennifer was released/unleashed April 1, 1999. Ten short years ago.

And it’s yours now.

For free.

DOWNLOAD THE ALBUM

The folk-funk-busking-with-a-beat-box sound of 1999 is available for free download here:

Radio_Plastic_Jennifer.zip | Lyrics and Liner Notes

DOWNLOAD THE SONG

Releasing the first album was so painful that I had to write a song about it on the second album. So “Jennifer” – with its Electric City ego chorus – is included here as a bonus.

Jennifer.mp3

SEE THE VIDEO

Producing the song about producing the album was so painful I had to make a music video about it. Starring Jennifer herself! With a cameo appearance by the Kamikaze Hearts, circa 2001.

You think you’re too big for Schenectady. You ain’t big enough.

No foolin’.

Cheers,

PS: Happy Birthday to Maya tomorrow, too! It’s her first! Our little April Fool.