John Elliott Weblog

(Almost) Everything I Know About Producing I Learned From Stephen King

2009-04-26T09:14:00.001-07:00

I am a huge Stephen King fan. I wasn't fully aware of this until I moved back to Los Angeles and began unpacking stuff that had been in boxes for 2 years. Among the Queen cassettes and socks, I found my Stephen King collection. I have the following books:

The Stand

Different Seasons

The Shining

Christine

Cujo

The Dead Zone

Needful Things

Skeleton Crew

The Bachman Books

Wizard & Glass (Dark Tower IV)

The Drawing of the Three (Dark Tower II)

The Wolf Howlers (Dark Tower V)

The Tommyknockers

Misery

Different Seasons

Bag of Bones

Desperation

The Green Mile

Song of Susannah (VI)

The Dark Tower (The Dark Tower VII)

What I don't have is the one that has most deeply touched my life: "On Writing." If you are a writer or a creative artist of any kind it should be mandatory reading.

It also happens to be the best textbook on how to produce rock and roll music you can buy.

7 THINGS I LEARNED ABOUT PRODUCING ROCK MUSIC FROM STEPHEN KING

1. The first draft is playing Legos when you were a kid. It's all "YES! And..." A good example of this is the helicopter intro and outro to "Goodnight Saigon" by Billy Joel. Gotta throw it on there. Why not? Sounds awesome! And the song is about VIETNAM!

2. After you finish the first draft, you can't listen to it for awhile. You are not allowed. Take walks, hang out with friends, see movies, listen to a lot of music (but not that one). You'll want to -- just for a minute -- but don't. Two weeks is the minimum. I think one month is ideal, but I usually can't wait that long.

3. One magical day the universe will provide a sign: it's time to listen to that first draft. Maybe this sign will be the record label sending you an e-mail that says: "When is your album going to be done?" Maybe it will be finding a shoe you thought you lost or one sentence a stranger says to you. It's often subtle and if you want to stay on the Path of the Beam you'd better PAY ATTENTION. Read the sign when it appears; then settle in for a cozy night with your first draft and some headphones. CRANK IT. Don't worry about your hearing. Listen. Loud. Enjoy it.

4. After one time through you'll know pretty much how to finish it. Bad choices will stick out. Dishonesty will kick you in the gut. Technical stuff will become clear (the drums are too loud on that song). Creative stuff will become clear (the helicopter intro and outro should be cut). Do another pass and call it done. Take your time. Get it right. No deadlines.

5. Listen a lot -- as you're driving, walking, riding & surfing the web. SHARE. Play the almost final mixes for people. Give them CDs or songs to listen to. Don't worry, about 89% will not say anything at all. Some people have to work for a living. So: PAY ATTENTION to the 11% who do respond. Listen to every word they say. Read between the lines. Address every point that rings true. This can be a bit tricky. Someone says: "I really don't like the organ song." That could translate to: "The Organ Song" is sequenced wrong. Try it elsewhere. It could also mean that "The Organ Song" is a B-side. Somehow, you're going to have to deal with "The Organ Song." It has been my experience that every track you address from someone else's perspective will improve in one way or another.

6. Tie goes to the artist.

7. No one will like you for making music. They might like the MUSIC, but they won't like YOU for making it. Some people have to work for a living. Be grateful, be humble, be proud, always say please & thank you, LISTEN, and hope that you'll be able to continue to make music for a long time because it brings so much joy into your life.

Thanks Stephen! You are the best producer on the planet. You should produce Bruce's next album.

I love producing and I've only recently felt confident enough about it to feel comfortable producing other artists. The first album I made that was not one of mine was released February 3rd, 2009 in Austin, TX. It's Raina Rose's 3rd album, it's called "End of Endless False Starts," & she thinks it's her best. CHECK IT OUT HERE.

I'm currently producing Anthony da Costa's next album with him. Just finished #2. First draft is in the mail to him & I have done plenty of listening. So if I can walk the walk, I don't get to hear it again until May 26th. That seems too long, but we'll see.

Setlists

2009-04-03T03:33:00.000-07:00

I love setlists. When I was a kid I would pour over Springsteen setlists from the 70s to see how he changed things night after night and shaped the show. In the old days, my friends and I would make fake setlists for our fake band (which played exclusively covers). Example =

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN?

PURPLE RAIN

RAINING IN BALTIMORE

DESOLATION ROW

HEY JUDE

SHE'S GOT A WAY

GOODNIGHT SAIGON

CROCODILE ROCK

WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME

SHE'S GOT A WAY

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SHE'S GOT A WAY

It's really fun.

I'm currently jealous of the great and powerful Raina Rose because she has a guy following her around, blogging setlists. In my mind, that's when you know you've made it.

Since I haven't made it, I'm going to blog my own setlists for this tour. I used to keep a setlist journal (you can check it out HERE), but started playing so many shows it got hard to keep track.

SO:

4.1.09

San Diego, CA

Le Stat's

THE AMERICAN WEST

LINCOLN & DOUGLAS DEBATES

DOWN IN MEXICO

EVERYONE LOOKS DIFFERENT

THE SCORE

YESTERDAY SOME ROSES

BEFORE WE FALL

SUMMER OF 69

GRANDPA

STOLEN CAR

MY MOM IS A DOG

FEET TO THE FIRE

BACK WHERE I WAS

OVER MY HEART

4.2.09

Yucca Valley, CA

The Water Canyon

LISTEN TO YOUR DADDY

BALLAD OF WALLACE GREEN & HIS DOG

TOO MANY GHOSTS

TOMBSTONE BLUES

4.3.09

Los Angeles, CA

Hotel Cafe

OVER A YEAR

BEFORE WE FALL

THERE'S NO REASON

LINCOLN & DOUGLAS DEBATES

YESTERDAY SOME ROSES

THE AMERICAN WEST

EVERYONE LOOKS DIFFERENT

FRANKLIN STREET

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TED

HANDYMAN

4.4.09

Santa Cruz, CA

The Abbey

FEET TO THE FIRE

LINCOLN & DOUGLAS DEBATES
BEFORE WE FALL
THERE'S NO REASON
RACING IN THE STREET

DOWN IN MEXICO

DISNEYLAND

EVERYONE LOOKS DIFFERENT

TOO MANY GHOSTS

4.5.09
San Francisco, CA
Plough & Stars

SAN FRANCISCO
TOMBSTONE BLUES
OVER A YEAR
THERE'S NO REASON
LINCOLN & DOUGLAS DEBATES
THE AMERICAN WEST
EVERYONE LOOKS DIFFERENT

4.6.09

San Francisco, CA

Mojito

SHE SHOOTS TO KILL

FEET TO THE FIRE

LINCOLN & DOUGLAS DEBATES

DOWN IN MEXICO

DISNEYLAND

EVERYONE LOOKS DIFFERENT

GRANDPA

OVER A YEAR

4.7.09

Ashland, OR

Siskiyou Pub

SHE SHOOTS TO KILL

FEET TO THE FIRE

TAKE IT EASY (YEAH YEAH YEAH)

DOWN IN MEXICO

SHE STILL HAS POSTERS

THE AMERICAN WEST

EVERYONE LOOKS DIFFERENT

TOO MANY GHOSTS

YESTERDAY SOME ROSES

LINCOLN & DOUGLAS DEBATES

TOMBSTONE BLUES

OVER A YEAR

4.8.09

Eugene, OR

Sam Bond's Garage

SHE SHOOTS TO KILL

FEET TO THE FIRE

DOWN IN MEXICO

GRANDPA

PISSIN' ON PLANTS IN THE SUBURBS

THE AMERICAN WEST

EVERYONE LOOKS DIFFERENT

LINCOLN & DOUGLAS DEBATES

OVER A YEAR

AN AMERICAN IN LOVE

4.9.09

Portland, OR

Alberta Street Pub

SHE SHOOTS TO KILL

FEET TO THE FIRE

DOWN IN MEXICO

LINCOLN & DOUGLAS DEBATES

GRANDPA

WALLACE GREEN

EVERYONE LOOKS DIFFERENT

MUSICAL CHAIRS

TOO MANY GHOSTS

OVER A YEAR

BEFORE WE FALL

END OF SUMMER CIGARETTES

4.10.09

Portland, OR

KBOO Radio Show (1:00 am)

EVERYONE LOOKS DIFFERENT

THE AMERICAN WEST

OVER A YEAR

MY MOM IS A DOG

4.11.09

Olympia, WA

Eastside Club Tavern

SHE SHOOTS TO KILL

FEET TO THE FIRE

DOWN IN MEXICO

LINCOLN & DOUGLAS DEBATES

GRANDPA

WALLACE GREEN

DISNEYLAND

EVERYONE LOOKS DIFFERENT

TOO MANY GHOSTS

SHE STILL HAS POSTERS

BEFORE WE FALL

TOMBSTONE BLUES

ANYBODY EVERYBODY

OVER A YEAR

EULOGY

4.12.09

Seattle, WA

The Mix

SHE SHOOTS TO KILL

FEET TO THE FIRE

DOWN IN MEXICO

GRANDPA

WALLACE GREEN

DISNEYLAND

EVERYONE LOOKS DIFFERENT

LINCOLN & DOUGLAS DEBATES

TOO MANY GHOSTS

OVER A YEAR

4.13.09

Bellingham, WA

Green Frog Acoustic Tavern

SHE SHOOTS TO KILL

FEET TO THE FIRE

DOWN IN MEXICO

GRANDPA

THE AMERICAN WEST

WALLACE GREEN

EVERYONE LOOKS DIFFERENT

TOO MANY GHOSTS

SHE STILL HAS POSTERS

THE END

EULOGY

LINCOLN & DOUGLAS DEBATES

OVER A YEAR

MY MOM IS A DOG

West Coast with the BAND -- April 1st - 13th!

2009-03-30T04:28:00.000-07:00

Hello! This weblog is coming to the world wide web from the hallway of a hotel in Corpus Christi, TX. We just settled in for the "night" and The Blue Hit is sleeping and I have to leave for the airport in an hour so I decided to BLOG. Also, maybe, twitter. Or "tweet?" If John Mayer does it, why can't EVERYONE?

Constant touring and traveling again since March 16th. At the midway point on this trip, some thoughts:

1. The Blue Hit

(from Austin, TX) is the band I'm touring with and they are so good and it is so inspiring to hear them every night. They have copies of their debut album (FINALLY) on this tour and it is really really beautiful. It's called "Move In" and you should get it when you can. Grace sings lines like "flowers grow everywhere" and "why don't you stop building fences?" and "summer days bake clay things for winter to break" and so many more. David plays his cello like it's an instrument he invented (heard a hilarious argument at the bar last night between two guys trying to figure out what instrument it was). And my guitar is so happy when John plays it -- like when a guy who really knows computers really uses a computer vs. a guy who only uses it for e-mail and porn.

2. Texas

My Yankee, heartland soul can't figure out when it fell in love with Texas or how, really, but it sure did. San Marcos to Austin to Houston (where I was asked three separate times outside the venue if I just got out of jail) to Denton to Corpus Christi. Good, kind, hospitable people (some with Sarah Palin calendars) who look you in the eye and treat you right everywhere you go. Secret handshakes too. The Blue Hit and the elusive, worldwide Kerrville family are incredible hosts and have made me feel at home since I first came down here two years ago. I am so grateful. Still don't understand the Dr. Pepper thing, though.

3. California

Maybe I write about it too much, but I love it even more. I can't wait to come back and play these coming shows (April 1st to the 13th). PLEASE come out and support and make my Texas friends feel at home. Show them how good the promised land can be -- dreams come true in seconds, freeways paved in gold, raining oranges, etc.

4. THE BAND

Don't get me wrong, I like playing by myself, but I cannot WAIT to play with Bryan and Mike for the next two weeks as we make our way up the coast. Please look at the shows part of the website and come out if you live in or near: San Diego, Joshua Tree, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Ashland, Eugene, Portland, Olympia, Seattle or Bellingham. We haven't had the opportunity to play night after night on a tour like this before and I'm very very very excited.

5. New York City

I never felt at home when I lived in Bed Stuy for five months at the end of the Clinton administration, but I feel at home there now. This is only because there is no place that has been more supportive and receptive to my music and I am so grateful. There are so many people I love in the greatest city in the world -- my sister, my cousin, friends from decades past... on and on. I never stay long enough. I will the next time I get out there.

6. Cha-Cha

Are you familiar with this? They love it down here and I think it's pretty great. It just told me, for example, that sunrise is at 7:12 a.m. in Corpus Christi, TX today. I've got 20 minutes to get off the computer and go watch it.

"American in Love" Tour + New website!

2009-03-18T08:05:00.000-07:00

WELCOME TO THE WEBLOG! (long for blog)

This is part of moving the website and myself boldly into the 21st century. All credit and praise is due to Ricky de Laveaga. He is patient and talented and smart and great...and he's for hire!

I can't say exactly how this weblogging is going to work for me, but mainly this will take the place of the "news" section on the old site. As stuff comes up I'll talk about it here.

At the moment, a lot of stuff is up (or coming up) so here it is:

1. This is the new website! I can't thank Ricky enough -- I love it. Take a look around, there is lots to see and hear and do.

2. "American in Love" is available now at iTunes, Amoeba in Hollywood, CD Baby & shows. Please get a copy and enjoy it!

3. The album is getting played on the radio and more stations are being added each day! It's pretty cool to think that these songs are being heard on the radio in places like Mississauga, Ontario (it's right by Toronto, I looked it up).

4. The tour starts this Sunday, March 22nd at The Living Room in New York! All the dates are up now on the shows page (which is done through Google calendar so you can add it to your calendar if you so choose...very Obama Era).

Starting 3/24 in Texas, all shows are with The Blue Hit -- a wonderful band from Austin that makes beautiful music. They are releasing their debut album, "Move In," on this tour and it is wonderful and beautiful.

Bryan and Mike will be joining me in San Diego on April 1st and we'll be doing all these shows together. I am so excited to play with them every night as we make our way up the coast. They are the best. If you've only seen me play by myself, please come out and support the band -- it's a whole different deal.

And so concludes Weblog #1. Thank you for your support and thank you for sticking with me this far.