... could change be near??

An e-mail from the jm.com store announced its "Huge Clearance Sale" and "the last week left to save" on a wide array of items. Also, a Tweet from WearYourMusic.com rings hopeful that JM-related news is coming ...

Strings are on the way from a frequently requested artist! Will let you know when they get here!

New merch could be news of prep for the album release! (Better keep saving my money ... I'm all about a Battle Studies era guitar string bracelet.)

:: EDIT ::

A change I am positive will happen in the future will be one that I have started today and will MAKE happen. I'm going to quit this yo-yo dieting thing and practice healthier eating habits that will last me a lifetime. I really just need control so I'm not too careless OR too careful. Lord knows I've been on both sides of the issue ... I just need a little help finding and establishing a happy medium now to last me forever.

John Mayer Twitters Genius 'Ninth Year' Theory

Posted 7/27/09 11:26 am ET by Kyle Anderson in Music

Over the weekend, everyone's favorite Twitter aficionado John Mayer made an observation that lead to an interesting exchange via the social networking site. Yesterday, the guitar giant tweeted, "Listening to the hits channel on Sirius. I will reserve criticism but say that every ninth year of a decade really brings the junk." He went on to point out that the charts in 1979, '89 and '99 are all relatively low-quality, and in the meantime, the "2" years ('82, '92 and 2002) all seem to produce greatness. Mayer uses the example of Warrant to throw 1989 under the bus, which is a brilliant strategy considering that their album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich was not only gigantic but also represented the predominant trend of the era (that being hair metal). But is it a fair assessment of the decade? And how do those other years measure up?

Mayer is a little unfair to 1979, as the top singles from that year were a mix of disco tracks, one-hit wonders and the first big influences of punk and New Wave. Blondie's "Heart of Glass" bridged the gap between dance music and their brand of icy rock, while the Knack's "My Sharona" was a brief hit that ended up being far more influential than anybody could have imagined. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, so it's possible that in the present tense those songs were utterly unacceptable. But it ended up being okay. There were plenty of duds (Chic's "Good Times," Bee Gees' "Love You Inside Out"), but it was also the year that saw Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" can't be all bad.

1989 was more questionable. The aforementioned Warrant was all over radio, as was Duran Duran, New Kids on the Block and Debbie Gibson. Using Mayer's theory, 1992 was far superior, featuring hits by Nirvana, U2, R.E.M., TLC, En Vogue and Dr. Dre. But perhaps to counter the greatness, there's a tremendous amount of junk as well: Remember that 1992 was the year that brought us Color Me Badd, some of the worst Madonna singles ("This Used to be My Playground") and the strange trend that was Jon Secada. Still, the good probably outweighs that bad in that instance.

The comparison between 1999 and 2002 is especially interesting because the hindsight is only just starting to form. On the surface, 1999 is way, way behind, because the top singles were tracks like Lou Bega's "Mambo No. 5," Eiffel 65's "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" and Baz Luhrmann's "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)." Meanwhile, 2002 boasts instant classics in Nelly's "Hot in Herre," Eminem's "Lose Yourself," Ashanti's "Foolish" and Usher's "U Got It Bad" (with stuff like Snoop Dogg's "Beautiful," the White Stripes' "Fell in Love with a Girl" and Avril Lavigne's "Complicated" lurking just underneath). Plus, Mayer probably has a particular attachment to 2002 because his own "No Such Thing" and "Your Body is a Wonderland" became big hits as well.

But does that mean that 2009 is inferior? Obviously, we won't know until we have the 2012 charts as a comparison, but Mayer says, "Watch your back for the next Cobain in '12." While the big songs from this year don't seem particularly memorable (especially all that stuff from the Black Eyed Peas), it's impossible to tell what's going to have a life beyond the charts. Because pop history decides how good your song was via a combination of chart success and where it sits in the public consciousness (so it's entirely possible that people will remain attached to "Boom Boom Pow" well into the next decade). But Mayer's theory about the ninth year of decades being a little lightweight for hits seems to hold water. Well played, you wacky boat captain you.

I thought it was a pretty interesting observation myself when I was reading those Tweets in real time. Maybe that's why he's stalling on the release of Battle Studies this year!!! Hmmm ...

I wanna go!

Flint, Michigan to Host Rock Poster Exhibit This September

By

Liz Stinson

on July 27, 2009 11:18 AM

From the widely-celebrated psychedelic art that was birthed from the Fillmore in San Francisco to the hand-made posters plastered on the wall at your favorite local venue, the gig poster has always been intricately woven into the fibers of the rock and roll fabric.

John Shipman understands the appeal of vintage rock posters—the bright colors, the familiarity and, of course, the timeless music that served as their inspiration. But Shipman, who is the associate director of the University of Maryland's art gallery, readily admits that his real passion for posters lies in the new.

"Everyone knows the older posters from the '60s and '70s, but I don’t think people are aware that there has been a whole resurgence of gig posters," he says. "There are more of them now than ever before, and they’re actually better, if you want my opinion."

Shipman, who curated a contemporary rock poster exhibit last winter for the University of Maryland, is currently working on a similar exhibit for the Flint Institute of Arts in Flint, Mich. So far he's gathered an impressive roster for the show— the exhibit of contemporary posters will feature more than 30 artists and collectives, many of whom crank out some of the best rock and roll graphic designing of our time (Seripop, The Small Stakes, Zeloot, to only name a few).

The exhibit, appropriately titled, Graphic Beauty: Contemporary Rock and Roll Posters, will be shown in conjunction with an exhibition of vintage rock and roll posters pulled together by the Flint Institute of Arts. The 80-plus posters, taken from the Bill Graham collection, will include psychedelic art luminaries like Rick Griffin and Stanley Mouse, but also lesser-known works from New York and Boston that departed from the famous psychedelic look.

Check out a few images from the contemporary exhibit, which runs Sep. 26 to Nov. 8.

"Blitzen Trapper" by Zach Hobbs

"Raveonettes" by El Jefe Design

"Moe" by Hero Design

Scratch that--I'm going. It'd be a weekend getaway totally worth 12 hours of driving alone.
Plus, it'll be good practice for next summer. :)

Dear Fate,

I don't know if you're taking advantage of the fact that I believe things happen for a reason and, in turn, serendipitous signs that might appear to give me a nudge in the right direction. But you would be such a tease if I couldn't have Austin. I've seen too much Longhorn apparel and burnt orange way too far away from home for it to be coincidence. If it's not fair game at this point to call such instances reminders of what I hope to achieve, or even hints of what the future (hopefully) has in store for me, then it's just plain mean.

I trust you, but please don't get my hopes up just to let me crash and burn.

Love,
me.

Hanna the Hobo.

I said earlier that I'll soon be 'homeless' ... and somehow in the past few hours, I became homeless-er.

My roommate apparently has to be out of her house (where I was planning on living after moving out of here and until our move-in date) earlier now than what we discussed with our landlord, so I'm truly in purgatory right now. As if I needed my nose rubbed in the fact any more.

Don't know where I'll be staying and don't know where I'll put my stuff. That 'knapsack' aforementioned was a metaphorical one ... 'stuff' actually refers to my bed (and includes the frame, mattress and box spring), my furniture (a storage bench, desk with swivel-y chair, dresser, two night stands, a TV and its stand), and 20 or so boxes containing everything else I own. Even if my parents did put me up in a hotel--an idea they threw out there when I told them the house I'd be staying in between moves may or may not have cable and electric--there's still the issue of where to put the 'stuff.'

I really need some good news. Sooner rather than later is preferable. I need something to make me feel like all this logistical crap is worth suffering through.

Hey, you ... light at the end of the tunnel. Shine brighter, please.

'True art.'

John never ceases to amuse. Here's proof, posted himself on YouTube:

I was nice enough to teach Bob's kids a classic children's song that my father taught me.
He told me how thankful he was in private, so there's no reason to go into it here, but he knows he's welcome because I told him. Enjoy, and teach your children this song.

Might not make it to Battle Studies, but entertaining nonetheless.

He also quite possibly never ceases to drink. Margarita Pic #2 in two days is proof:

Wish my weekend were this fun! Still just packing and cleaning and stalling moving stuff out by just moving it around. Just four days till I'm homeless for two weeks THEN move in. Oy.

Forget 3x5's. I've got 16x20's!!!

Completed my project! And completely on my own no less, since I found out that you need permission straight from the photographer if you want a professional pic blown up at Kinko's! Makes sense, but what a hassle.

For a homemade job (and my first time using Photoshop), I'm pretty impressed with myself! They'll look even better over my bed once I'm in my new house. And they match the desired color scheme previously discussed perfectly ... especially since I also bought some new pillows and a lampshade, too, to tie everything together.

At least if I don't know where home is, I can surround myself with things that make me feel a little more comfortable until I figure it out.

I could use one of these right about now.

Well shyah, a half naked John would be nice. Hell, I'd even settle for a fully clothed one!

... But a margarita would be handy, too. I wonder if he even knows it's National Tequila Day, as I just learned from Conan on The Tonight Show! Just when I thought John couldn't be any more perfect, I read on Bob Maron's Twitter--Bob is John's manager and friend--that he's a beastly bartender.

John Mayer. If you weren't already, you are now officially my hero.

"So much sacred in the month of June" ... on the 22nd of '07, to be exact.

My last post reminded me of pictures I have on my phone from that same concert at the Superpages.com center way back when. It was my stepdad's phone at the time, and he had much better seats than I did ... I was on the lawn. They're not high quality, but they're better than nothing!

One (hyphenated) word: life-changing.

I'm hyped for the next go-around just thinking about that show!

If the journalism thing fails, I think I'll try interior design.

Thought I'd take some official pics from my first and only JM show so far and find a way to turn them into decor for my new room. Right now it's transforming them with relevant colors, and later it'll be a trip to Kinko's to blow them up to poster size! I bought a super cute pink and turquoise (such as in the far left and right images) paisley comforter the other day that I'm going to base the rest of my decorating on. That and--silly as it sounds--a cute headband to fill in the rest of the color palette ...

... and the cute comforter!

... is any of this working? I don't think it's a bad start!

"I wish I was Homeward Bound."

johncmayer In honor of my utter homesickness, I'm going to declare this 'East Coast, What's Good?' Weekend... What's good, Secaucus?

Good to know I'm not the only one, though my sentiments reach a little less east and a bit further south right now.

Ultimately I want to take my knapsack and my adult life to L.A., but not because it's where I was born (... though I can't help but think it's some sixth sense that draws me back.) It's an entertainment capital and music hub where there's obviously plenty to write about. But I know I'm not ready yet--emotionally or professionally.

In the meantime, my heart's set on Texas ... where I can find comfort in being near my family and a greater opportunity for professional growth through greater accessibility.

In the meantime, I'm just crossing my fingers.

You could win ......... !!!!!!!!!

Nooo, not John. Sadly. But the next best thing could only be the guitar he's signing in this very picture, don't you think? The news came from his official website late yesterday, and directs anyone interested in further bidding information HERE!

I'm happy to share because I'm determined to exercise the necessary self control to keep saving my money for the purpose I initially intended--ROAD TRIIIIIP. So I hope someone worthy (who can also, preferably, play the guitar) gets their hands on this gem!

John Mayer Joins Guy Sebastian In The Studio

by Paul Cashmere - November 1 2008
photo by Ros O'Gorman

The next album from Guy Sebastian will feature John Mayer on guitar.

Guy has announced the news to his fans in his forum at his official website, guysebastian.com.au.

“So I think this may be the best day of my life,” he posted. “I’m in LA at the moment recording and the band I have playing sounds crazy. I have John Mayer on guitar/background vocals and the rest of his band playing. The groove is amazing to sing to”.

It is still early days for the album but it may surface in the first half of 2009.

Guy returns to Australia this week for more shows with the Australia Army band. He also has his own shows scheduled for next year.

Dates are:

November 7, Melbourne, Hamer Hall
November 13, Castle Hill, Hills Centre
November 15, Hobart, Wrestpoint
November 22, Darwin, Entertainment Centre
November 29, Townsville, Civic Centre

March 27, Melbourne, The Palms
March 28, Melbourne, The Palms
April 3 Sydney, Theatre Royal

I know nothing about Guy Sebastian other than his name and that he was apparently the first winner of Australian Idol. I'm skeptical now, but I'll have to take a listen before I pass any more judgment. (After all, my second guiltiest pleasure is Kelly Clarkson, pre-her most recent album.)

P.S. - I am severely missing John's long hair lately.

Random thoughts before bedtime.

I'm subscribed to a Google alert for John Mayer and am appalled daily by www.examiner.com ... which seems like an at least semi-legitimate news source at first glance, until you read and realize that the reporters can't spell or use correct grammar for their lives. At the same time, it's a daily self-esteem booster that gives me hope for a future career in journalism.

And I was happy to hear that someone defended any contact John had with Jessica while she was with Tony as being completely harmless. I didn't believe the gossip when I heard it--plus, as much as I love love LOVE the Cowboys and Tony Romo, he is a bit of a crybaby--but I don't think John deserves the 'Mayer the Player' reputation that seems to unfairly precede AND follow him.

I was going to go on a Jessica and Jen and John tangent, but I changed my mind because it's pointless because I know nothing about it. And I think the press should stop acting like they know anything about anyone's personal relationships, too. All the media should take credit for is the damage they have done and are doing to people and their relationships by spying, prying, lying.

THE END.

In the black/dark.

Tomorrow's paycheck might put me at my guesstimated budget for the trip I have planned next year! To California and back to Texas for a handful of JM shows with the best tickets I can get my hands on to all of the above ... assuming there's an album sometime in our future.

Being the most impatient person I know is definitely taking its toll in almost all the facets of my life right now. I'm bored but anxious because I can't do anything but wait ... for Battle Studies, for an admissions decision, for the rest of my life.

Isn't it sad? I feel like I'm running out of time and opportunities, and I'm only 20. It's been a while since I've found myself in such a bout of pessimism, and Indiana's a terrible place to be when you need to be distracted ... which I do.

Guess moving will keep me busy at least until I start my new job, where I will earn the remaining (already promised) chunk of funding necessary for 2010 tour festivities! (Nice segue, no? John said himself, "It always comes around, back to me.") Just not looking forward to schlepping my life around and not knowing how long I'll be feeling nebulous.

Vague enough? Good.

Demi Lovato Couldn't Get 'Inspiration' John Mayer To Shut Up

Posted 17 hrs ago by MTV News in Music

Demi Lovato's new album Here We Go Again hits stores today, and it's a more rocking effort than her debut disc. Lovato talked a lot about the album with MTV News' Jocelyn Vena, but one of the things that she cited was her professional relationship with John Mayer. She had been a big fan for a long time, so it was something of a wish fulfilled when they collaborated on the new record's "World of Chances." She enjoyed the process but joked about how many tangents his hits in the studio.

MTV Shows

Mayer wasn't the only special guest to provide an assist on Lovato's latest. She also worked with singer-songwriter Jon McLaughlin ("Falling Over Me"), the Academy Is... frontman William Beckett ("For the Love of a Daughter," which didn't make the album) and some dude named Nick Jonas ("Stop the World").

One question: Did Mayer really send Lovato "a letter" when he heard about her fandom? Wouldn't he be more likely to Tweet?

You know Miley has to be wishing she were Demi right now. While Miley's spending half of her time in real life still playing a Disney character, simultaneously proclaiming wisdom beyond her years to justify trying to trap men about 15 years her senior, Demi looks to be growing up as normal as a girl her age could in the spotlight. Of all the teen stars right now (Taylor Swift, Miley, the Jonas Brothers), she (and her music) seems the most bearable by far.

She seems real, genuine, and determined to be accepted as an artist--not just a cute kid made famous by the magic of television. And so her collaboration with John definitely makes sense, since he was in that same boat 10 years ago.

AND I just read that she's from Dallas! Represent!

"Hannah Montana ruined my life."

It's what I say to people (semi-)jokingly about Miley Cyrus, since I can't for the life of me avoid that nickname ... even though I've never been to Montana, have no plans (or desire) to go to Montana, and 'Hanna Banana' is much cuter.

But today I get the last laugh, because she thinks she can bag (an almost twice her age) J-May.

Believe me, I could go on about the Disney star for far too long, but I feel like I needn't say more. I'll just keep chuckling to myself ... while hoping she eventually finds a lovely gentleman her own age to make her happy, of course. (I'm not totally heartless!)

Preface

Post #1 might be the beginning of this blog, but it's definitely not the beginning of my personal Mayer mania.

The sequence in brief of my coming around to John and his music would read something like,

1) Mom made me listen to "Your Body Is a Wonderland" when it showed up on a Grammys compilation way back when. I was maybe 12, and I thought the lyrics were gross.

2) Mom made me watch John play said song at the Grammys on TV. I thought, "Ooh, he is cute."

3) Mom bought Heavier Things, and constantly blasted it throughout the house and in the car. I loved it.

4) Mom bought Continuum, and I felt 'eh' about it.

5) I went to the Dallas show in 2007 and was completely inspired--even though I was really going initially because Ben Folds was the opener. Continuum became the soundtrack to my life that summer as I was leaving home for college and wrestling with relationships and my own emotions.

6) I unintentionally put John's music on the backburner as I faced the stresses of higher education, and stumbled upon it again this past Spring Break when I could finally remove myself from the daily grind. I discovered Where the Light Is, whose release had unfortunately slipped under my radar, took one listen to his cover of "Free Fallin'"--which created a magical, sentimental connection between the voices my childhood and adult life (Petty and Mayer, respectively)--and the rest is history.

Now, I'm currently on the Battle Studies bandwagon and have been since the beginning. I can't wait until the new album's released, because I feel like John has given his most dedicated fans enough access to the building process to call it partly their own--a kind of group project, so to speak. Then the 2010 tour dates will be announced and summer shenanigans will commence!

I'm just happy to support an artist whose voice is not only that of our generation, but one that sings so many of my own thoughts and feelings more eloquently than I could ever express myself. It's the least I can do for a musician and human whose music and lyrics have supported me through both the most gratifying and trying times.