Apr 12, 2009

We Float EP

It's coming soon - We Float EP will be available for FREE download on April 24th. And for those of you who still enjoy a physical copy of your music, CDs will follow in May: free at shows, or 5 bucks in the mail (to cover postage etc).

Mar 31, 2009

Double Door MP3s

Click the banner above for a .zip file with 4 songs from our 3/29 Double Door basement show.
If you have trouble unzipping the file, Right-click or Control+click and select "Save as..." to download individual tracks:

On the Rope

Not Waitin' Around

Let it Be

We Float

We Float and Let it Be will be on our upcoming 5-track EP - available here April 24th for FREE!

Mar 13, 2009

Obtuse Angle #5

To err is human, so to trust is apparently a waste of time.

The Webster Hall men's room as a physical manifestation of ethical self-consciousness (obsolete since the invention of the video camera).

Feb 8, 2009

Obtuse Angle #4

Good advice comes in unexpected places.

During a recent bout of writer's block, I was hustling to grab some coffee and get back to the piano when this caught my eye. It made me remember that I once had to wear the corporate noose every day... So I chilled the hell out, enjoyed my coffee, took a long route back, and ended up finishing the song. Thanks to whoever donated their tie to inadvertently help me finish a new tune.

Jan 28, 2009

Back at Stereophonic Studio

We just finished 3 days at Stereophonic Studios in Chicago, in which we recorded 5 new tracks. This is the same studio where we recorded Pretty Pictures EP - a huge warehouse space on the north side. Being the end of January in Chicago, a small space heater proved to be the most important piece of gear in the place...

Once again Jon Alvin engineered the session, with Bob and myself accompanied by Cory Healey on drums. With one or two more sessions in the Spring, hopefully we'll be ready to mix a new full-length album this summer.

Jan 19, 2009

Obtuse Angle #3

If you're helping someone keep their resolution to eat fewer sweets, it's best to have sufficient self-defense artillery. One-stop shopping is brilliant; America, fuck yeah.

Jan 10, 2009

Obtuse Angle #2

"Give me all you've got," whispers the rose to its icy captor. "Though it appears you have broken me, you must pass leaving me free again."

Or,

"In the depths of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." - Albert Camus

Jan 2, 2009

Obtuse Angle

If you really need something you've lost, it'll come back to you one way or another.

Unfortunately many of my lyrical ideas begin in the shower; perhaps some cosmic signals got crossed in bringing me back my notebook. Didn't really need to wash that one...

Dec. 21, 2009

2009 Review & 2010 Preview

In January I was back in my frigid Chicago apartment having just completed a short tour for the release of Open Mic Nights, Empty Bottle Mornings. The first 3 weeks of 2009 were filled with booking shows and rehearsing for more touring starting in February.

Then I got a call from my friend Jon Alvin and everything changed. Within 10 days I had auditioned for Company of Thieves, hopped a flight to L.A., played on Carson Daly, canceled or rescheduled all of my solo gigs (sorry) and set out on a 2-month coast-to-coast tour in a van with 6 people I had just met.

Since then we've lapped the country a few times, played with many terrific, and many terrible bands, and experienced just about every imaginable type of music venue (including a bowling alley basement, a church basement, Houses of Blues, strip mall bars, beautiful ballrooms, a 17,000-capacity amphitheater, a 17-capacity radio station, a Six Flags, various street festivals, a few restaurants, and a Vegas casino pool).

Somewhere in there I also recorded and released a new 4-track solo EP, featuring Bob Buckstaff on bass, Chris Faller on drums, with Jon Alvin engineering. Thanks to everyone who has picked up a copy of Pretty Pictures EP or come to a show this year. Without your support this would not be possible. At all. Thank you.

For 2010, I hope you'll see a lot more of Me & The Mutts. We have a Chicago show with Hollus at Beat Kitchen on January 8th for starters. We're going to play a lot of new material, and get back in the studio soon. Rock.

Nov. 1, 2009

New CoT Tour Dates

Check out the Company of Thieves myspace for our year-end tour dates. 12 of the shows are co-headlining with Annuals, including my CD Release Show in Chicago at Logan Square Auditorium on Nov. 28th. Photo by Corey Ransberg taken at Blueberry Hill in St. Louis, MO.

Oct. 9, 2009

CD Release Party re-announced:

Logan Square Auditorium | 2539 N. Kedzie Blvd. Chicago

November 28th | 6:00pm | $12

After a false start, the Logan Square Company of Thieves show and Mike Maimone CD release party has been rescheduled. Get there early, The Mutts & I are kicking off an outstanding lineup: Mike Maimone & the Mutts -> Big Science -> Annuals -> Company of Thieves.

Sept. 16, 2009

Pretty Pictures EP Pre-Order

The 4 tracks from my new CD Pretty Pictures EP are up, and the CD is ready for release. Click "Add to Cart" to pre-order and have it the 1st week of October.

Aug. 17, 2009

Pretty Pictures EP

My new 4-track CD, Pretty Pictures EP, has just been sent off to press and will be released on October 9th. Thanks for your support.

July 17, 2009

New recording and another CoT Tour

I spent the week of July 13th recording new material at Stereophonic Studios. Jon Alvin is engineering this project, and the lineup features Chris Faller on drums and Bob Buckstaff on bass. We arranged the songs as we played, recording full-band live to tape in a huge warehouse tracking room.

Company of Thieves opens for Gomez in Kansas City tomorrow, then it's back for a couple more whirlwind studio sessions in Chicago (one mixing my EP and the other with CoT doing a Beatles cover for a new movie!) before leaving on another coast-to-coast tour July 28. Not much for "time off" but shit, we somehow managed to make a record.

Apr. 28, 2009

Spring 09 Tour - COT - Arizona to San Diego

I can't wait for fish tacos.

The important thing, aside from the show at Belly Up, is that I find my way back to the bar in Ocean Beach by my buddy Dave's place, with the delicious fish tacos and cheap beer.

Oh, and if I don't get back to my website before we get back, I just got a full-band show at Beat Kitchen. At this show The Mutts will be myself, Cory on drums, Bob Buckstaff on bass, and hopefully a few other guests. Not sure what other bands are on the bill yet, but we'll get that figured out soon. 5/21, 8 bucks, 8:30 doors.

Apr. 10, 2009

Post CoT Tour update

when I last posted something to my website, I was jumping in a van with 4 people I barely knew and 2 others I'd never met, about to spend 57 straight days together. It ended up being pretty cool.

As far as my solo gigs, Cory Healey and I went out to Fort Wayne and had a blast at the Brass Rail (thanks Anthony from Chain Smoking Records for inviting us). We tried out the name "The Mutts." What do you think? Better than our last name, "The Pandabear Hamburgers"?

I've got one more solo gig - back at the Barking Spider Tavern in Cleveland - before heading back out with Company of Thieves. It's just me. Just one mutt will be there. I've got a lot of new songs to get out of my head.

Feb. 5, 2009

Pandora, CoT Tour Update

Open Mic Nights, Empty Bottle Mornings has just been added to Pandora's Music Genome Project. If you aren't familiar with this site, check it out at www.pandora.com
You select a favorite song or artist, and this internet radio builds a station around your music preferences. You can approve or disapprove of its suggestions, and it tailors the station to your tastes.

The Company of Thieves shows have been a lot of fun; really cool venues and energetic crowds.

Jan. 15, 2009

Last Call with Carson Daly

I've recently been invited to play keyboards with a band out of Chicago called Company of Thieves. Check out their music - it's great and you can buy their first album for 6 bucks on iTunes right now.

My first gig with them will be on NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly, right after Conan O'Brien on Wednesday, 1/21. I feel fortunate to have been asked to play withthis band, as it's an exciting time for them - their first album, Ordinary Riches, was just released on Wind Up Records and we'll be on tour for 2 months after the taping in Los Angeles. Check their MySpace for tour dates, music and more info.

Jan. 07, 2009

Saturdays at Davenport's

Every Saturday night in January I'll be at Davenport's Piano Bar in Chicago. I've got a lot of new tunes to play and some fun covers (my own little best of 2008 medley). The first 3 weekends I'll be on solo, and the last 2 I'll have the band with me. Check the Gigs Page for guest performers, too...

Also, thanks to Richard Milne for spinning She's Avoiding Mirrors on Local Anesthetic last Sunday.
Request my tunes on 93.1 WXRT:
e-mail::: comments@wxrt.com
Call ::: 312.329.WXRT or 773.777.8881

Nov. 26, 2008

Thanks XRT

I'm back in the midwest, and was greated by my first radio play - on 93XRT's Local Anesthetic show. I was excited to hear Prizefighter on the air, hopefully it'll get some more requests. You can call or email to hear it if you'd like:

e-mail::: comments@wxrt.com
Call ::: 312.329.WXRT or 773.777.8881

Oct. 4, 2008

Fall Tour Entry - Monterey, CA

Last night I had the chance to pound out my tunes on a beautiful grand piano at Monterey Live. The night wrapped up with a killer set by the Big American Family. Definitely check out this band, they'll be recording their first studio album soon.

Oct. 3, 2008

Fall Tour Entry - San Francisco, CA

Live music, liquor, and laundry. Friday night I was at Brain Wash.

While in town I caught up with Justin Brandon, who was nice enough to give me a couch to crash on. Check out the documentary he worked on, called The Road to Fondwa. This important film sheds light on a group of dedicated educators working in Haiti "to train a new generation of citizens who will participate in the sustainable and integrated development of their country and to develop in them a sense of citizenship, whereby graduates will value the needs of the community at least as much as their own." After watching it, it's clear that any country can learn from these principles. If you can show them some support, please do so through the website. JB also included one of my songs, "Walked Awhile" on the soundtrack.

Sept. 3, 2008

CD Release Party Announced

Friday, September 19th at Tonic Room - 2447 N. Halsted, 60614. Cory, Jay and I play from 8 - 10, followed by DJ Therm One.

Also check out my newest tour dates posted on the Gigs Page.

Aug. 16, 2008

Open Mic Nights, Empty Bottle Mornings

The album is recorded, mixed, and has a name... Open Mic Nights, Empty Bottle Mornings. It's currently being mastered and pressed.

Aug. 8, 2008

The Spot, Mixing

Just posted some pictures and video from last night's inaugural full-band show at the Spot.
And, today was day 1 of mixing the album; we're getting very close now...

July 7, 2008

Upcoming Shows

Check out the Gigs Page for just-added Chicago shows and tour dates, including my first full-band show - August 7th at The Spot. We've got Jay Marino on bass and Cory Healey on drums.

Apr. 17, 2008

Studio Day 5 | Piano

Manny and I headed over to Electrical Audio to record piano. The room was very tall and a steer's skull stared at me while I played.

Apr. 14, 2008

Studio Day 2 | Drums/Bass

Finished tracking drums and bass today.
Check out a couple pictures of Darren, Brian and Manny doing their thing.

Apr. 13, 2008

Studio Day 1 | Drums/Bass

I'm back at the IV Lab with Manny Sanchez, recording my own first studio album. I'm excited to be working with Darren Garvey on drums and Brian Aiken on bass (one-half of an awesome Chicago rock band called Buddy Nuisance).

Mar. 28, 2008

Upcoming Show: Davenport's Piano Bar
Saturday, April 12th 10PM

Back at Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret on Saturday, April 12th.

Davenport's is at 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, 60622. Cover is $5, show starts at 10PM.

Also, don't forget about Stolie's CD Release party tomorrow night at the Viaduct Theater.

Mar. 1, 2008

Upcoming Show: Davenport's Piano Bar
Wednesday, March 12th 8PM

Come out to Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret on March 12th. It's Whiskey Wednesday...

Davenport's is at 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, 60622. Cover is $5, show starts at 8PM.

Feb. 29, 2008

Stolie's CD Release, March 29th

I'll be sitting in on keyboards with an awesome singer/songwriter from Chicago named Stolie. It's her CD release party at the Viaduct Theater, on March 29th at 9PM. Make sure to check out her music!