Michael Chagnon

The gazelle who trampled the elephant eyes her next prey

Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween and happy daylight savings to my friends here in the U.S. We get to sleep for an extra hour tonight... except Hawaii... and probably most of Arizona. Today I went up to Winchester, Virginia to see a Picasso and Matisse exhibit. I really like Matisse, but I love Picasso. I was also reintroduced to some great work by Jean LurÃ§at, definitely check it out if you ever get a chance.

If you've heard this story before, don't stop me, because I'd like to hear it again

I've been so busy lately - I designed a new website for my guitarist Geoff (GeoffreyOsborne.com) and it will officially launch on November 1st, 2009. To promote the release of his EP and my compilation album, which are both tentatively scheduled for release on December 1st, we plan on releasing a new song on YouTube once a week throughout the month of November.The songs being released on YouTube are from a performance we did that was filmed at Lynchburg College for a television pilot. Other promotional activities and appearances are in the works, but for now we've got a show booked up in Arlington the day after Thanksgiving.

Become a product of your imagination

Wow, this past month flew by. I spent a a week in Old Lyme, Connecticut and performed this past October 3rd at The White Hart with Geoffrey Osborne (our first time performing all original material). We had a great audience and great food. We also finished recording Geoff's songs last night for his upcoming CD release. Now we just have to get the packaging and distribution together, then release his new CD along with my compilation album. Then onward to our first co-written album.

The grass is always greener in a parallel universe where you did different stuff

I can't believe it's almost autumn. Where did summer go? I just spent a week in Florida and didn't have time to post an update on the website, but our last show at Starbucks in Boonsboro was knockout! The picture of us performing was taken by my friend Bri, Kenya dig it? After the show a big group of us went out for mexican food and drinks - it was aces. I believe I'll be heading up north to Connecticut again in a few weeks, but when I return Geoff and I will be playing a show at The White Hart on October 3rd. One of my friends (and former Disney World bosses and son of Foghat's lead singer) runs a music-based blog called The Peverett Phile and posted an interview with me. Thanks Jason! Occasionally I like to include music news on this website, but I have intentionally kept quiet about Michael Jackson... until now. I just want to say, after all the hullabaloo that went on in the media - I don't care about Michael Jackson. However, he did own part of the rights to The Beatles catalogue. It seems anywhere I go now I see The Beatles because of the new Rock Band game. The commercials trip me out for some reason. In any case, it's time to stir the pot again.

She picked me up when I was down on the road with the wind and the cold

Geoff and I are doing a short acoustic set at Starbucks (4925 Boonsboro Road) this Friday, August 28th (tomorrow!) at 6:30pm. It's free so I expect everyone to show up and buy me a White Chocolate Mocha... not really, but that would be delicious.

Blues BBQ Co.

The show this past Thursday at Blues BBQ Co. in Roanoke was so much fun! Geoff and I met some great people and having been the first time we played in Roanoke we definitely plan on returning. Thanks to everyone for the wild cheers, the support, the advice as to what's happenin' in the local Roanoke music scene, and the joyous atmosphere. Special thanks to Caleb for making the trip with us and helping us out. Extra special thanks to whomever rode his horse in from Stuartsville - a surprisingly effective way to meet new people. Our next show is Friday, August 28th at Starbucks on Boonsboro. It'll be a shorter, more intimate set, but everyone who comes gets a free album!

Voulez-vous danser?

Look at this cool picture of me gambling. Know what's not cool? Losing $30 dollars in five minutes.Autumn is just around the corner and I just returned to Virginia after spending two weeks in Connecticut at the beach - two weeks which absolutely flew by. I had a great time; life slowed down to a rational pace and I enjoyed the company of friends as well as a plethora of drinks, a bevy of beverages, and a cornucopia of cocktails. What's more is we caught and ate fresh lobster from in between Groton and Long Island, saw the presidential helicopter flying up the shoreline, eventually passing directly over us (Michelle Obama and the kids on their way to Nantucket?), and hiked, biked, and kayaked nearly every day. I also went to see Cirque at the MGM Grand - good show. I am golden brown from being in the Sun almost every day for two weeks. I will miss the beach at night when the moon is full and the sky is clear.

Hands across the water

Wow, nearly a month since my last website update! My guitarist Geoffrey and I have been working diligently on recording three new tracks for the past couple of weeks; they will be debuted very soon on Geoffrey's upcoming web site. My compilation album is basically complete except for the packaging and distribution details, so that will be released some time this fall.

For musicians

This update is mostly for musicians and music lovers. The only personal news that I have to report is the near-completion of my compilation album (the new track sounds great thanks to my guitarist Geoff's rhythmic precision and skillful use of a wah pedal). We're also recording three of Geoff's original tracks which will appear on his upcoming website. We're working diligently on booking more performances. A non-sensical aside: check out this hilarious story from the BBC entitled 'Stoned wallabies make crop circles' - Australia sounds fun!

Florida follow up

Geoffrey and I have already begun booking more performances in the past two days. We've also begun recording several of Geoff's original songs which will be posted on his new website once it's complete. This week should be the last week of recording for my compilation album as well.

Florida tour a success

I had such an awesome week in Florida. The gig in Orlando was great and everyone at Meridian Hookah rocks. We spent the entire day Friday walking around Epcot and Hollywood Studios at Disney World! The following day we traveled up to Tallahassee where we performed at the Crawfish Festival at Po Boys with the Drew Tillman Band. There was a great crowd and good food. We met some extremely cool folks that are into music as much as we are (hi Linda and Kevin). Thanks to everyone involved for a great time. Geoffrey and I plan on going back to Florida again, but now we're back in Virginia getting ready to record and do more performances around the area. I'll try to get some more pictures posted soon.

A hookah smoking caterpillar

Yesterday Geoff and I ate Italian food in Orlando for lunch before heading to Downtown Disney where we walked around for awhile before it started raining. Afterwards we went to Pei Wei and ate some delicious Asian cuisine. Last night we played our best show during this tour at Meridian Hookah in Tampa. We met some great people (hey Kate, Amanda, and Kim!) and everyone working there was amazing. Tonight we play the Meridian Hookah in Orlando and if last night is any indication then tonight is going to be incredible.

St. Augustine

Yesterday we spent the better half of the morning searching for a PA rental and after much frustration we found someone who would rent us a PA and it sounds amazing! I don't know why we didn't rent one before. Afterwards we traveled for about two hours over to St. Augustine and according to the wholly unreliable Wikipedia it is the oldest continuously occupied European city and oldest port in the continental U.S.

Is this thing on?

Last night was our first foray into the cultural lives of Floridians and all things considered it wasn't bad for a Tuesday night. Our PA broke though, so we had to play the entire show without amplification, but it was an intimate crowd so it worked out. Everyone was really great last night - thanks to Sharab Lounge, Shimal, and Eric for letting us do our thing. Our mission today is to have a working PA by 9pm, or at least amplification for our vocals. Now we're off to St. Augustine and then Tampa!

Once more unto the breach

Dear friends, it is with great pleasure that I announce a tour of Florida in the coming week. It will be acoustic and I will be accompanied by my friend Geoffrey Osborne. Here are the dates and times: Tuesday, June 2nd @ Sharab Lounge (9:30pm)Gainesville, Florida Wednesday, June 3rd @ Zhanras (9pm)St. Augustine, Florida Thursday, June 4th @ Meridian Hookah (10:30pm)Tampa, Florida Friday, June 5th @ Meridian Hookah (10:30pm)Orlando, Florida Saturday, June 6th @ Po Boys (6pm)Tallahassee, Florida I'll be updating this website from the road and when we return we will continue performing indefinitely within a 200 to 300 mile radius. We'll also begin recording.

Cognitive Dissonance

Geoffrey and I are rehearsing for our upcoming tour in the South. He and I will be doing more performances regionally in the coming months. That compilation CD of mine is still in the works and I've got plenty of original material too. I finally have more time to work on music! I also updated this website in a subtle way - on the "Events" page it is now possible to view pictures that were taken. Below is a demo song I recorded recently, but don't think I'll use, although I would love to hear some feedback about it. I think I'll post a Mario Bros.-themed cover of one of my own songs next time.

The White Hart

Not much of an update other than to announce that I will be playing a show at The White Hart this Saturday, May 2nd at 7:30 pm. It's going to be fun. Other than that I'm ridiculously busy finishing a thesis. I have had a dry spell lately in finding new music that really excites me, but that dry spell is over! I have found Dr. Dog! And they've only been around since 1999. ;)

I speak in codes

One of my friends suggested I discuss what it is that I actually do as far as the business of music goes... how I write songs, how I organize concerts, how I record, etc. I ruminated on the subject for some time before I realized how difficult it would be to describe, almost as difficult as maintaining the discipline necessary to be a modern musician. I hear "no" a lot, which is why persistence is vital. Persistence does pay off - I just got an email from MTV asking me to send in my albums.

Charity gone Mad Hatter

Last weekend was a blur. We started the weekend by performing at a charity show on Friday night. It was held downtown in an old Firehouse. Several hundred people showed up and we opened the night, rockin' out with the likes of Blake Reams and Spuknof. The next day I made my way to Farmville and played to the most intimate, yet attentive audience ever at the Mad Hatter. The manager, Seth, was awesome too. Afterward Geoff and I were invited to a grand Sunchase party. If any photographs make their way to me from either event I'll post them on Flickr.