Song of the Day: Kotoba Yori Taisetsu na Mono

Although it's almost midnight in California, Nino Blankenship would like to wish a happy birthday to our namesake, Kazunari "Nino" Ninomiya, who was born thirty years ago (June 17, 1983) in Tokyo on this very day. To celebrate, here is my favourite Arashi song, 言葉より大切なもの ("Things More Important than Words"), from the 2003 J-drama Stand Up!! (which is, in my never-humble opinion, one of the best J-dramas ever). The performance here, however, is a solo-of-sorts by Nino, from their 5x10 concert series celebrating their tenth anniversary; the other four members also performed solo versions of Arashi songs from a drama or film that featured them. Also, this song just screams summer because of its shimmery, carefree pop-rock arrangement, making it a fitting choice for this week. Well, for anyone in the Northern Hemisphere, anyway.

Kotoba Yori Taisetsu na Mono - Nino Version (embedding was not allowed for this video. Oh well.)

Ring the bell

So I find out this morning that one of my absolute biggest influences as a performer - the heartfelt Jason Molina - is no longer with us.

I...I don't even feel like I have the right words to convey my numbness. Others might do a better job of it than I.

I offer up a story of a show in midtown Sacramento about...hmm...six years ago at this point. (Can't believe it's been that long).

The venue had all the glamour of a garage, albeit roomier. A nondescript basement in a building next to an Old Spaghetti Factory. Turnout was lean, maybe twenty or so, maybe thirty...I forget exactly how many.

Then the opening act finished up, followed by the brief soundcheck music...and then...

This.

An hour of haunting, beautiful, eloquent sound pictures...almost as if that room was suddenly a thousand times larger. The weight of so much living and so much pain had borne itself out in every song, every journey.

That night is when and where I finally understood what spoke to me about being a musician: not fame, not adoration, but the unspoken connection between artist and audience that transcends praise...something greater than the applause.

And for him to remember who I was, two years later in Fair Oaks...I cannot convey how much I will always appreciate that.

Godspeed, Jason. Thank you for your graciousness both times I met you, and I only wish that there could have been many more times too.

Camera one

So...last night we did another performance in an intimate residential environment, this time in Marin County.
The debut of "Forest Hill" - an ode to piano lessons and an obscure neighborhood in The City
A likely winner for "brattiest Christmas song ever", another newcomer to our live set, "I Want A Train"
The repertoire perennial, "Don't You Realize How Cool I Am"
Finally, the fan favorite, "These Donuts (Are Making Me Cry)"

Watch me

So for those who couldn't make it to show six, here's five videos to enjoy!


Laugh



Blind Gerbil


The Darren Criss Halftime Extravaganza


These Donuts (Are Making Me Cry) 


Don't You Realize How Cool I Am (first 20 seconds were cut off)

Won't you smile for the camera

Hey, we have some photos up from Show #6.  Enjoy. :D

Three to get ready...

Oh, we have a show tonight?

Actually we do.  And actually, you all should go. :D

https://www.facebook.com/events/294931450612614/?fref=ts

Daly City, 6:30 PM.  Lots of planned awesomeness, and my compatriots in composition Mario Balibrera and Megan Dabkowski will be opening. :D

New song!

Well, it's not new if you've known me or Sylvia all this time, because we wrote it in December 2011.  But it's now up for public consumption and it is the first track we've posted with full band recording activity!!!

Presenting...The Darren Criss Halftime Extravaganza!!!

Listen.  Enjoy.  Share.