the big lull

here I am, sitting in front of my big ass cinema display, my window on the world, feeling dead inside. maybe I should smile and take a picture.

I’m staring a new year in the face (it only took me 5 weeks), a new computer recording system, a new music licensing business, and a new black lab album.

that is, a new black lab album that hasn’t begun to be born yet. not even impregnated. not even erect. just a conversation with Andy and we’re off to the races — except we’re not off yet. we’re just sitting around, fucking with our computers, waiting for inspiration to strike.

but it will strike. I’ve been here before. it always strikes. just going back thru some old demos got me a bit of a chubby. this month’s free mp3 of the month is sweet. I’d like to do something like this. but slower, darker, harder.

anyway, just wanted to say hi. hope you like ‘high up high.’ hope you’re well.

p

free mp3 of the month: ‘dust in the wind’

you gotta admit, this is one of those 70′s cheeseball ballads that holds up. in the midst of writer’s block and too many business-related chores, I banged out this sweet little trip-hop version, just because trip-hop is really fun, really easy and generates something that, at the end of the evening, I really like listening to (I guess I’m still a child of the 90′s).

anyway, hope you like.

we’re in LA cranking it out so hopefully will have some pics for you soon.

hope you’re all well!

p

free mp3 of the month for august: ‘listening’

as you can see, we’re trying to get back on the horse in terms of offering a free mp3 every month. this month’s track is a demo, a song that never made it too far in the running for Two Strangers, but has got some things going for it. it’s a typical one-nighter demo of mine, exhibiting all the standard traits of its ilk:  sketch drums, lazy strings instead of bass & electric guitar, crap piano & acoustic playing, a very tired voice due to hours of singing to get the lyrics in the ballpark, and a few lyrics that are well out of the ballpark (and not in a good way).

but there are some things I like about it; lyrics (“all we have is attention,” “you swear like a sailor,” and the one I’m most ambivalent about: “we’re like paper airplanes, we get thrown through the air.” is it excellence to use the word “air” twice in two lines or horrible hackage? dunno but I like the concept. I tried “thrown through the room” but it didn’t sound right. I also like the harmonies in the bridge and the cracked sound of my voice in the breakdown chorus. oh, and those pizzacato violins in the 2nd half of the verses are sweet.

I think with a proper drummer, bass player, string arrangement, piano player, vocal take and a bit of lyric refinement it could be something. but it’s also kinda nice in this form, too, don’t you think?

p

quick link to black lab on house, m.d.

hey everyone,

not sure if you had a chance to check out ‘this night’ on last week’s episode of House MD, but if not, here is a Hulu link to the first 90 seconds of the show (which includes all of the song).

it’s a pretty awesome scene, one of the best things we’ve had our music appear in, so if you haven’t seen it you really should:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/223423/house-out-of-the-chute

in a way, the fine producers at House made a very expensive little commercial for us, and we appreciate it a lot. please feel free to pass this link along to your friends, who also might enjoy it (and then become ravenous BL addicts like the rest of you .

meanwhile, the next 24 hours are your last chance to get 2 free new Stray Palace mp3′s by 1. Liking us at facebook and 2. Friending us at myspace.

if you already friended & liked and are still waiting for yours, well, join the club. we’re still waiting for the dang mastering engineer…  but check your facebook message box and/or myspace bulletin board later this week.

ok, thanks much!

p

miscellaneous:

preview the song from House MD (‘this night’) or check out the album it comes from on this page at blacklabworld.com, or at iTunes and AmazonMp3. also, fancy video!

Blacklabworld.com

iTunes

Amazon.mp3

Forum

Facebook

three new stray palace trax – for free!

I’m super-excited to announce that I will soon proudly announce the release of The Diamond EP, the new set of songs by my wicked side-project, Stray Palace.

now, before you say to yourself, “oh, I don’t really like that Stray Palace thing,” or “uhh, I don’t really do Paul’s side projects,” or “huh, huh, huh, what’s a Stray Palace?” I want you to do something for me. click above on the button and get a free mp3 of the new song ‘Go,’ which is utterly fantastic, if I do say so myself.

if ‘Go’ doesn’t crush your skull into a million pieces, then you’re free to revert to your previous psychopathological position about Stray Palace. however, if it DOES crush your skull into a million pieces, pick them back up, reassemble with super glue (careful!), then proceed to get yourself two MORE free tracks from the new EP. how you ask???

all you have to do to get free song #2 is go to facebook and Like Stray Palace.

all you have to do to get free song #3 is go to myspace and Friend us.

***and please leave us some comments, too, while you’re there!

it’s that easy: you help us by spreading the word. we help you by – crushing your skull!

can’t wait for you to hear the new stuff.