My Bushwick Life

So I attended a party the other night for Rachel Trachtenburg. For those of you not aware of the Trachtenburg Family please check them out they are wild bunch. It was Rachels 16th birthday, I know bizarre right, but if you new the family it would seem a little more normal. This pic was of my favorite scene of the night. It included fairy dust, dancing numbers, dancing carebears and I think a giant bananna? Elvis Costello and I were observing in the back.

Das teams up with Sonia Dawkins of Prism Dance Theatre

Living in Seattle and hungry for some Das? Sonia Dawkins of Prism Dance Theatre is performing with our music at at upcoming competition at On the Boards on Dec 11. The audience chooses the winner and the winner receives a healthy grant to compose and perform a large body of work in New York at the Joyce Theatre. If you can, please support.

All info can be found below about the performance.


Photo By: Nigel Cooper, Dancer: SD/Prism Dancer, Brendan Philip

Sonia Dawkins/Prism Dance Theatre
performs the piece "Linkage" in the

The A.W.A.R.D. Show! 2009

Location: On the Boards
100 West Roy Street
Seattle, WA 98119
Date: Dec.11, 2009
Time: 8 PM
$15 General Admission
(Audience vote on their favorites act each evening and finalists compete on the 4th night as an independent panel teams with the audience to select the grand prize winner.) Please come and support us.

Featuring:
Choreography by : Sonia Dawkins
Music by: DAS VIBENBASS (Seattle/New York composer musicians)
Artists: SD/Prism Dance Theatre

We look forward to seeing you!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to wish all of our fans a very happy thanksgiving. We at Das are thankful for all your support, and look forward to seeing you soon. Have a great day with your friends and family, and have a fanciful feast!

That's all folks!

All right people. Tonight at Goodbye Blue Monday in Brooklyn we play our last show before a little holiday down time. Come out and see what we have been up to in the shed, and bring your drinkin' shoes. This venue scares me.

Blank Canvases

This is for those of you who know..... well also for those of you who don't know. Blank Canvases was a series of weekly performances Geoff and I did in the fall of 08' in Seattle at Moxie. They were ambient-experimental nights of music. Most were recorded, all were an absolute blast to play. Been going back listening to them and think releasing them might be a good idea. Here is a track, ignore the background noise and hear the sounds. You like?
mp3 here

Blue

Watch DVB live at Bowery Poetry Club Tonight @ 8pm EST!

Can't make the show? Not in NYC? Catch all the hot DVB action by tuning into our free webcast of the official New York CD Release performance for "Don't Forget Where the Sun Sets." Set begins at 8pm EST. Click the link below http://www.rfg3travel.com/bowerylive103008.html

CMJ Week

This is the best thing I saw. It made me cry.

Geoff

CD Release NYC!!!

Drums v Geoff

Scene 3: At home getting ready to take off for the show.
JC: On left with smile.
Geoff: On Right with huge scowl on his face.


JC: Hey Geoff. Why the long face?

Geoff: What!?

JC: UMMmm...?why so gloomy?

Geoff: Oh. It's been a crazy couple weeks. I just haven't had time for much of anything. For some reason the ... unicorn... hair on my bow doesn't want to grab the strings like I would normally like.

JC: Well, sometimes you just gotta put a smile on your face and charge ahead. Like me!........

Geoff: (Inside his head as he rolls his eyes "Oh brother".)

JC: .......or sometimes what you might need is a good brush down. Here, I brought mine with me...hold on....Here ya go.

Geoff: OHHHHH yeah! That's it! wait...wait....to the left....no....right a little.....stop....back..... forward.....left...back.....harder......

JC: ..........

Geoff: ....no....in circles in circles!....softer......back down again....alll right now right in the middle where I can't reach...

JC: ..........

Geoff: .....That's the spot!......It always seems to move.

JC: Quit whipping me with your tail!

Geoff: Sorry, nervous tick.

JC: That's cool. You better?

Geoff: I guess so. Should we go crush this show now?

JC: Indeed! Can I get a ride?

Geoff: Da. You are gonna have to hold my amp in your lap. We gotta go pick up JR and Josh.

JC: Is there room?

Geoff: Almost fit it last time. Josh's horn will just have to go on top....

Geoff and JC: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!

Geoff: Hold on. I gotta piss like a .............


Scene 4:...

November 1st, 2009

308 BoweryNew York, NY 10012-2802(212) 614-0505

Das Vibenbass @ 8pm

PIE!!

Josh Clifford

This is my dear friend Joshua Cedar Clifford.
He is an amazing saxaphone player, and one of the kindest people you will ever meet. He makes me laugh! I can't wait to play music with him tomorrow night at the jam space. He lives in Manhattan right now...and I can't wait for him to move back to Brooklyn...he makes me laugh.

It's here!!!

In case you haven't already heard the buzz, the Lower East Side Business Improvement District (LES BID) and The New York Food Museum is presenting the Ninth Annual NYC International Pickle Day, one of the tastiest and most family-friendly street festivals all year, in a bigger and better location - the Municipal Parking Lot on Broome Street. With past attendance rocketing over 15,000 in past years, Pickle Day returns with its popular exhibitions, music, children's activities, walking tours, cooking demonstrations and gardening information. As always, the main attraction is the offering of pickle samples ranging from classic kosher dills to beets to cabbage from around the world and around the corner. A perfect day for the whole family to enjoy!Pickle Day is Sunday, October 4th, from 11am to 4:30pm in the Parking Lot on Broome Street, between Essex and Ludlow, in the heart of the old Pickle District of the Lower East Side. The festival goes on rain or shine.

Horn v Geoff

Scene 4: Geoff and Josh talking right before going on stage at a Super Sweet Venue.
Geoff: In Blue Josh: In Red


Geoff: Hey there Cliff. How are you doin?

Josh: You know, I've had a pretty hard day.

Geoff: Why do you say that?

Josh: You know, I just have allot on my shoulders. So many responsibilities with work lately.

Geoff: Oh yeah.

Josh: Yeah!...And I just got this new haircut, and I think it makes me look weird.

Geoff: ........

Josh: And on top of all that, I've had a real tough time holding onto my horn lately. It just keeps slipping outta my...............grip.

Geoff: Well I'm tired of all these excuses! You have 7 limbs! Count em. 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,....all right, 8 limbs then! You should have no problems holding onto that beast. Use what you got. Maybe we should get you some pine tar.

Josh: You're right. I'll figure it out. We really need to play out of this world tonight. I'll see if I can find some demon's, and just let em rip! No more excuses.

Geoff: Brrrrrrr....Is there a draft in here?....brrrrrrrr. I'm gonna go grab my cardigan.

Scene 5: ...........

The Good Old NW

I am feeling a little lonely for the Northwest today. It's a beautiful overcast day here in Manhattan, mid 60's...Seattle weather. Just wanted to thank everyone that came out to the Triple Door last month and supported us. We can't wait to get back out there and have another throw down in a few months. You guys are the best.

It's Yom Kippur in NYC!!

Have a blessed day, and bring yourself to Bushwick. Das to celebrate the occasion starting at llpm. Enjoy!

http://www.goodbye-blue-monday.com/

I hate the Broncos!

Here is a pretty sweet pic of Jay Cutler getting sacked last year. I only wish he was still on the Broncos so we could do this to him again all afternoon. Looks like Mr. Orton will have to take the heat. This beloved rivalry is the first of two meetings, with today being on Oakland soil. Go Raiders!!!

Isn't it Magical?

Look here.

I just had my bow re-haired with the mane from a unicorn. Seriously. Everything is so magical when I play now, it feels like......I'm at a Night Club with Britney Spears' Toxic blasting over the speakers, and I just can't help but just dance my ass off. And all around me are these magical creatures, equally dancing their asses off. Centaurs, Mystics, Harpies, Leprechauns, Luck Dragons, JC, and of course Unicorns. We just float around and rock out! And there's Sashimi floating around too. We just eat sushi and dance and.........

Sorry, I got lost there. Anyway, I like my new unicorn hair.

Geoff

Ice Cream

All right, look! Tomatoes are pretty rad. I love them. I could eat them all day. This one is growing on my roof as I write. And I'm telling you, it would taste delicious! I can not condone the desecration of these lovely little guys.

Ice cream is also pretty rad! There's this salted caramel stuff I've fallen in love with lately. Damned good! But any kind of ice cream will do it for me. Frosty's are awesome too.

But I'm telling you. If that ice cream truck comes around my corner one more f'n time today, I am going to plaster the side of the truck with this juicy morsel. Why can't they come up with a better tune to play? Anything?

My vote is gonna be for...Summertime, by Will Smith.

Any other thoughts out there?

Geoff

ps. Sorry tomato.

How sweet is this pic?!!

What a cool picture from an August performance at the amazing Rockwood Music Hall in Manhattan. Be sure to cath shows at this place!

4 Alarm Fire Tonight At Rose.

Hello, this is Marjorie. She breathes fire. She will be at the show tonight killing things.

Billyburg

Das is playing in Williamsburg tonight, and boy are we psyched! If you have never been...Rose Live is a great little room with magical European vibe. The sound is great, and the location to the train...one of the best. I am personally going to punish the drums this evening!

Lessons

I'll be damned if this is the craziest most difficult little instrument I've ever tried to play. I just can't figure out how it makes sense. I have seen many people try to play this thing, and I'll be damned if they sound genius on it! Well, I try to carry it with me, and soon you'll see me playing some Upright bass/harmonica duos with myself. Practice, Practice, Practice...

I'll take Josh yet in a solo. Burn Baby!

You've gotta be kidding me!

Sometimes the Seattle government is so very disappointing. They make me want to punch them all in the face! And that's not easy! There are probably thousands of them. But then again, it could just be a little squirrel making all of the decisions. I could punch that guy in the face. Unless its one of those Rescue Rangers. They are pretty bad ass!

Anyway, apparently the cops don't know how to walk anymore. They drive these things around. Waste of money? Please circle answer Y/N

And is the one on the right talking on his cell phone? That's illegal! No more wheels for you!

New Beginnings

As I fly back home to Brooklyn I realize that the next phase is commencing. Relaxing in Seattle and seeing family and friends only solidified the feeling of being in a constant state of flux and growth. The comfort of home will always be there when I’m ready. Now is a unique time and will never come again. The time that we take to really dig into something and grow is tense and uncomfortable, but the resolution to make something truly great is an absolute. There is no compromise. And, the reward is taking a step back and a deep breath and saying wholly shit look what we have made.

After being away in NYC the Seattle air was especially crisp and clean and the conversations I had with friends and family felt all the more passionate. I know that Seattle is home and always will be, but I have a job to do.

We have really grown as a band and we really really rocked some shows!

Now that the album is done and released it feels like phase two is taking the music to the next level. The visual aspect that we brought to these Northwest shows inspires me to dig even deeper. Playing to B-nasty’s video projections felt as though I was performing live, the dramatic soundtrack to my life in the city. Tension and release… tender and abrasive…very personal and very pertinent.

I’m excited to get to work.

Avast Studios

So...sitting at computer at Avast Studios here in Seattle. Recording some Moon Doom Music with our good friend Robb Davidson. I found the following text up on the computer...enjoy.

Dear Friends,
I'm sure you've received numerous bogus offers from someone in a foreign country who has been trying to contact you to give you a fortune if only you would give them an administration fee or your information. Some of it even looks legit. Most is in broken English, which I guess is supposed to lend authenticity. However, I think I've finally found one that really is!
My name is Ndugood. I am a wealthy Nigerian prince who loves the jazz of music.

I am seeking your help to move $200,000,000 from my checking account here in Nigeria to the United States. I too love the jazz of music and am planning to flee to America to open many jazz clubs at which I would like you to perform.

You will receive $42,000 a night, plus a meal.

My new "Tribal Village Vanguard" clubs will be of great success and you will become rich like the rest of American jazz musicians.

I have already applied for building exemptions to allow thatched stages and the spearing of live animals. But I desperately need your help. My tribe, the Swindlisi, a peaceful jazz-loving people, has been horribly oppressed by the ruling military junta, which despises the jazz of music.

My father, an exiled king and booking agent, was recently imprisoned under the draconian "three gigs - you're out" law, and now I must flee my beloved country with all of my improbable wealth - But I need help in moving it.

I have so much money that it will not fit in the allotted two checked bags and one carry-on. I am therefore want to transfer the money through your ATM system (The Nigerian ATM system cannot exchange international currencies; it only converts "antelope to money"). So please to just provide me with your full name and address, social security number, bank account and PIN numbers, and you will become incredibly (literally) rich from playing many jazz gigs.

(Note: normal Nigerian Musician's Union rules apply: three hour performances, two 15 minute breaks allowed, musicians to provide their own mosquito nets, one open fire per bandstand, one free meal plus anything you kill).

Act now. The first ten musicians to respond will receive a free copy of the Nigeria's Greatest Jazz Hits CD, by our beloved 'Disoriented' Gillespie Band, which contains the hits:

The Night Has A Thousand Flies
Goodbye Shrunken Head
Here's That Rainy Season
Just Tribesmen (Lovers No More)
Take the 'A' Trail
When I Fall In Quicksand
Half-Nelson Mandella
Blue Monkey
Leopard Skins and Moonbeams
Blue Mombossa
Almost Like Being In Lagos
Sunny Side of the Goatpath
I Didn't Know What Century It Was

Thank you for your many help.

Your inordinately wealthy Nigerian brother...

Prince Ndugoo

Secret Show tonight in Seattle

Super secret Das 3 show tonight in Seattle. The clue is: Belltown, Small Theatre, 2322 2nd Ave. Show starts at 830 and is sure to transport you to the moon!!!!

Done

OK...I know we aren't done yet. But jeeeeeesus! This album kicks ass, and we finally got it to ya. The show last night was so much fun! Thanks to you all who participated there in the audience. And I just gotta give the props where the props are deserved for helping with the show. It just has to be said once again.

Das Vibenbass: You guys really ripped into your shit, good work (self-serving I know, but had to be said).
B-Nasty: Video most certainly help my mood in the show. First time I've let my shadow dance on screen with manta rays and robot dancers in the same night.
Lis Anna Christensen: She played the love of Elliot's life at the show. She was hiding back stage.
Michael Wallenfels: The comic rules!!! I hope you all buy a record and read the comic before they are gone.
Jenn Meyers: All the promo we needed. Thank you so much! I didn't even get to thank you in person.
C Newell: Sound/recording extraordinaire. He always makes us sound just that much better. For some reason he knows what we want.
Jessica Schroeder: My lovely was selling our gear all night long. Very beautifully I might add.
Michelle Miulli: Thank you thank you thank you for helping with the albums. And so straight.
Martin and Sam: Thanks for my rehearsal space back for a day. That made the show happen.
My Bass: Thanks for not falling apart onstage. Just a few more, and we can bandage up that bridge.
The Triple Door: Will, Ross, Nathan, Ira. I know you all didn't work it, but you help so damned much.
You: Thank you.

OK...now I can move on. Let's go get Portland Das!

Community

Living in New York forces a person to live in extremely close proximity to your neighbor. This concept is very foreign to most west coast lifers. There are many different perspectives one can take when approaching these new found realities. I have chosen to embrace it and enjoy being surrounded by busy energies. Take for example riding the subway. I board the L train at the Morgan stop in Brooklyn and am immediately bombarded with people screaming, hipsters rockin their ipod, babies crying, sketchy folks staring and three kids huddled around some video game player. Its times like these that one could flee but no I ride. I ride towards the city and stop by stop my new found friends and I slowly begin to accept each other and become more and more comfortable. Eventually we hit the Bedford stop, last chance to get off before dropping down the rabbit hole to Manhattan. Doors open and shut and we are off. All inhabitants of the train are secretly off to a plethora of different activities but for a short period of time a sense of community / family exists. New York binds people together in this most unexpected and beautiful way.

Who is Cady Wire?

Perhaps you are asking yourself who is Cady Wire, and why are they opening for Das in Seattle? Well, they are a band we met in New York right immediately after moving here. As it turns out they were hitting the road and moving to Seattle to experience all that the west coast has to offer. The group is led by Sam Riley whose lyrics and delivery are flat out amazing! This is a band that all in Seattle needs to take in and enjoy while they are there. When the opportunity arose for us to have an opener I jumped at getting them on board. Musical styles are different then that of Das but the message is the same, true and heartfelt. Please check them out and don't show up late to the show!!:)
Cady Wire Myspace page

Holy Crap!!!

I finally did it. I broke my own freakin bass. I've been through a few I've borrowed or rented, but this is not what I need right now!

Luckily, being the bass mechanic/arson that I am, there will be some magic all over that bridge. Lets all just hope that it holds together.....seriously...start hoping.

It could bring a whole new aspect to the show though. There have only been a lucky few to watch a bass disintegrate in my hands. You know what I'm talkin about Teen Wolf, old buddy.

Grizzly Bear "Two Weeks" Unofficial video

This is worth checking out. Beautifully constructed and such a rad song!

Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear from Gabe Askew on Vimeo.

Chinatown

On Wednesday night, the Das Crew rolled into Fontana's rock club in New York's classy Chinatown...and did just that, RAwk!! Things are really cooking with the new tunes after several months of familiarizing ourselves, and digging into the little particulars of each instruments role. Wow! It sounds sick! My personal favorite has to be Keeper Of The Knives. The only way to truly describe this song is to compare it to a roller coaster through a really large car wash. It is dripping wet, and will jerk your soul!!! I'm so excited to play this tune right now that I can't get it out of my head! Looking very forward to next weeks shows in the NW, and seeing friends. Bring it!

Northwest Time

I'm very excited about these shows coming up there in my homeland! We have planned for some pretty amazing stuff.

First off, the music is going to consist of tons of music from the record, as well as a bunch of new material written here in good 'ol Brooklyn. We have been busy. These tunes kick ass! no doubt.

Second, we have special guests galore. B-Nasty will be mixing live video throughout the shows. If you haven't seen this yet, be very excited! It gives the show quite the magical dimension. Lis Anna Christensen will also be making an appearance, playing the love of Elliot Prototype's life.

Third, do you know who Elliot is? Well,... he is the character our album Don't Forget Where the Sun Set's, is based upon. The score for this album follows Elliot's last day. This once great writer; launched into fame and fortune by his best selling novel Don’t Forget Where the Sun Sets, Has fallen into desolation and despair. Haunted by the loss of his one true love and the Monster that is the city, you follow this man’s descent into madness. Elliot’s dreams bring him to some of the most beautiful places ever imagined. But reality thrashes back, forcing him into darkness. Aided by his typewriter and his many vices, Elliot takes a journey that would be a whirlwind of emotions for any person.

Now you know...

But you can always learn more on our website. You can read the back story of Elliot's life (Meet Elliot), which is still being updated to this day. As well as read the original short story itself This Last Day, written by Geoff Larson and Neal Barbour. There's also pictures from the recording session, and tons of other stuff.

Fourth, We have a Comic to go with the album! Every copy bought over the first month will come with the first addition comic, Don't Forget Where the Sun Sets. We only have 500 of these, so be quick. Michael Wallenfels has been working with the group for the last year to conceptualize this beast. It has been quite exciting! And his artwork is amazing. We will have some larger prints available at The Triple Door on Sept 2nd. But please buy this great album!

Fifth, I can't wait to see Seattle again! All Right! Boo Yah! And all that.

Geoff

Last day at the print shop

Yesterday, Geoff and I cruised over to Long Island City to pick up the finished printing of Don't Forget Where The Sun Sets. The comic looks fantastic, and it appears that all the hard work has finally payed off. Here is a shot with two of the gentlemen that helped everything go smoothly. As we left, one yelled off to us..."Don't forget where the sun rises!"

New Tunes!!

As the finishing touches are made on Don"t Forget Where The Sun Sets...the Das machine keeps chugin' along with new material in the works. Some of these tunes will make an emergence on the NW run of shows. Look for Red Giant, Keeper Of The Knives, and a re-vamped Leonard Steps to rock your dome. This is serious stuff people...just ask Josh!

Red Giant

One of my ultimate pleasures living where I do now is going to the roof and just taking in everything I can see. The vastness of this place is just mind blowing and ridiculous to me all at the same time. There are so many great things I will never get the chance to see out there in NYC. But so much I get to see and experience.

Beyond all that, I get to take my upright bass to my roof and play any time I want. This very view is my inspiration for our newest song, Red Giant.

Don't Forget Where the Sun Sets.

Geoff

Street Signs Can also be amazing!

For the love of God! There are some great things to see here in NYC! And these signs are the least of it. But they most certainly make me bust a gut! We all need to be reminded of something. Be it .... hell! Whatever you can imagine....

Don't Forget Where the Sun Sets

It's Here!!! We are days away from the sendoff to the printi shop where these story boards will be magically transformed into a comic

YES!

7 (bars of) *(4/4) = 56 (1/8th notes) = 8 (bars of) * (7/8)

New Website!

DVB has a new website up! Please check it out. www.dasvibenbass.com

Summer in the City

This was the scene at the great lawn in Central Park last night. Sadly we only made it through half of Mahler's first symphony when the rain clouds dumped on us.

Central Park

Geoff and I hit Central Park yesterday for a magical day of space music. The crowds were attentive and the music was sublime. We found a perfect spot near the fountain on the lake, set up shop and went to the moon.

Download Elliot Prototype EP for $FREE until Aug 31!

We have decided at the Das headquarters to release our most recent EP (Elliot Prototype) for download for FREE! Until now it has only been available in physical form and at live performances. This special deal will be leading right up to the full length release, "Dont Forget Where the Sun Sets" due out in early September. So PLEASE take advantage of this offer and spread the word to your friends and family as the deal is only available until Aug 31.

New EP to drop Feb 2!

Our new three song EP entitled, Elliot Prototype, will be released on Feb 2 at our Triple Door show in Seattle, Wa. As of now it is only available at live performances so if you are in the area we hope you can make it out for the concert.

Monday Feb 2
Triple Door Mainstage
7pm
$15 gen / $13 Earshot Jazz members / $7 working musicians