patcupples

[patcupples]

Where to start?

The events unfolding in our nation are overwhelming.  The outright lies, the gag orders and now a ban on immigrants?  The Statue of Liberty is referred to in her famous text as the “Mother of Exiles”.  Now, we are turning our back on those children that need her most.

We will cease to be a beacon if the world cannot see our light..

[patcupples]

The Karcher- My wife's awesome salon

I am returning from the digital abyss because there is a chance to help my wife's business take an amazing new step.  We dream of expanding in some way shape or form because our neighborhood in Greenpoint Brooklyn is going gangbusters.  What's keeping us from expanding then?  Did I mention that the neighborhood is going gangbusters.

What I mean is that any hopes of ever owning a building, getting a very long term lease or finding a huge new space are becoming increasingly difficult and crazy expensive.

There is this grant program though!!!  Help us out and vote.

https://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com/business/detail/65641

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H&H baby photo!

[patcupples]

Hotels & Highways tour the NE next week!

This photo was taken 3 years ago at the conception of what is for me, my most fulfilling musical collaboration on every single level.  We met in the early fall to see what three friends sounded like singing in a cabin and it just keeps working every time, wherever and whenever.

We are excited to provide the soundtrack in Autumn's favorite place to show off, the Sweet Northeast. We'll be stopping off to grab cider and donuts in VT, NH and ME and perhaps a little whiskey in Cambridge, Ma (our fair city) .

October 2, 2013

3 Pork Hill - The Ossipee Grange // Ossipee, NH

October 3, 2013

Bates College // Lewiston, ME

October 4, 2013

Lizard Lounge // Cambridge, MA

October 5, 2013

Pierce's Inn // Etna, NH

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Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Pat Cupples releases debut EP on birthday.

Here is the story.  Last year, just weeks after Hank was born, I spent 10 hours in the wonderfully efficient and beautiful Bunker Studio in WIlliamsburg.  I was joined by the incredible (apply to all) Matt Aronoff on bass, Lee Pardini on keys, Spencer Cohen on drums and my good friend/producer Gerald Hammill (also on guitar).  This music is pretty much the result of that one day.  Gerald added a couple guitar noises after the fact, and my fellow H&H-er Lisa Piccirillo sang some BG's (not the Australian hit-makers). More than ever before in my career, this recording is a live band playing together.  My friend Kevin Harp, (also a new father) did a great job mixing.  Lane Gibson mastered.

Special thanks to Eddy Vallante who pushed me to get this out and did the album photography.  Syd and ATW (Aaron Taylor Waldman) did design work.  I am most grateful to my wife, Nackie for pushing me to go make music in the midst of 3 week-old craziness.  Henry would get a thank you but he had no idea what was going on.  Ah, what the hell... Thanks son!

Happy birthday, Pat!

PS- Of course this isn't my debut, but this is Pat Cupples first foray into album artwork.

[patcupples]

Sunrise

This month I am going to try to get a little more day into my day.  The only way I can see to achieve this is to wake up with the sun every morning.  I'm sure people do this all the time.  I picture Gordon Gecko on his monstrous cell phone on the beach calling to wake up Bud Fox.  However, I'm not trying to get rich... just trying to write, work out, or get a moment to think before the craziness begins.

While I consider the fact that I am writing this a complete success, the second I sat down, the little man started to cry.  I guess craziness doesn't sleep in.

[patcupples]

[patcupples]

Godin Event

Sitting at the Godin event as I type. If you're stopping by because you heard Lisa and I sing today. Please email me at patrickcupples@gmail.com so I can send you a bunch of music. PS Thanks for clapping during Train Whistle. One of the most rhythmic audiences ever!

[patcupples]

DEFEET

Today was going to be take your son to work day.  Not nationally sanctioned or anything. But with our mangled schedule of daytime parent-swapping I thought I could multi-task and do my day job with Henry attached to me... If only we could get out the door.

Baby shoes are pointless.  There are some great and adorable shoe-like coverings for babies. My good friend Tim Blane got us some soft converse all-stars that were awesome!  Not really shoes, but looked like shoes.  Perfect! 

A company in Vermont called Zutano makes these wraparound booties that don't fall off.  We received them as hammy-downs and are now ordering our third pair.  Let me repeat, they don't fall off!  Unfortunately, the next size (long overdue) has not arrived yet. Honestly, in good weather, Henry is happy to be barefoot and I like to oblige him when roaming our quiet neighborhood of Greenpoint, but something about the subway and Manhattan made me pull some actual baby shoes that we had hastily purchased out for a trial.

20 minutes of trying to put them on left us both cranky. When they finally stayed put, Henry proceeded to be taking steps as if he was on the moon.  Hilarious and ridiculous.  Seconds later he had pushed them off his feet and he was standing and walking around the coffee table like a normal earthbound baby.  We both breathed a little easier.

It is now get other stuff done day.  Officially!

[patcupples]

Funny and sad

A pedestrian was being beraded by a homeless man and as I caught eyes with the walker-by we had to smile to each other. The randomness of this event was surprising to the point o humor, and then you start to think about the life that is damned by choices or in-balance. I'm thinking its ok to share the humor of the moment so long as we share the pain for a moment as well.

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My Hero!

We have a wonderful 24 hour bodega on the corner of Green and Manhattan called A&J.  They are very sweet, stock really quality items/produce and let me take my dog into the store.

They are not cheap, but what I saw yesterday will trump that fact for all time.

I walked in to find one of their workers on the sidewalk with a length of twine leaning over the subway grate.  A panicked jogger girl looked on.  Pulling up on the twine he called for chop sticks.  He proceeded to chopstick grab a set of keys from depths of hell that is the area below the grate and hand them to the young lady who's day was saved.

The twine had a rock tied to the end with the sticky side of masking tape facing out.  The weight of the rock helped the tape afix itself to the keys.  Awesome feat of engineering and good-heartedness.

What I loved more than the look of gratitude on the key-losing-jogger-girl's face was the look of pride and satisfaction from the good-deed-doer.  It made me feel good.

Now I am going to attach a rock and twine to this broken hard drive and twirl it against a wall!  Save my hard drive A&J

[patcupples]

Time Machine, Swallow the Sun, Choir

Tonight, I'm heading into the studio with the Matts (Aronoff and Bogdanow), Lee Pardini (of Mia Dyson keys/bass recording genius) and my esteemed producer Gerald Hammill.

It took a lot of kitten juggling to make this happen and these guys have proven their patience with me.  Sometimes, it seems like the world conspires for or against us, but its important to remember we can make something happen anyway.

Excited to rock into the wee hours.

[patcupples]

Last night was awesome

Thanks to all the supportive fans, friends and newcomers that came out last night.  There is a new sound brewing and its been an exciting evolution over the course of the April shows.

Last night featured two brand new songs that I hope fit in somewhere with my early 90's tinted vision which is somehow blending STP with Boys to Men and Mariah Carey.  I'm kidding about those reference points, but something about that time seems to be coming through.

Excited!

[patcupples]

The long version of my text message- Rockwood Wednesdays at 10!

If you received a message from me today or in the past or will receive one in the future that says I have a show the next two Wednesdays at Rockwood at 10pm, this is what I really wish I could say to you.

There are few things in life that feel better than being on stage while a full room of people are digging your music.  In a perfect world the people that came out wouldn't need a reminder or invitation, but would seek it out themselves.  They would be music fans that really just want to be there rocking out.  However, the road to making the world perfect starts with friends and supporters filling a room, lending a hand, bringing a friend, making a new connection.  This goes for musicians, restauranteurs, entrepreneurs, charities and all things that start from the ground up.  This is my justification/rationalization for what could appear to be nagging.

What I really wish I was writing/texting/messaging you about was setting up a time for coffee/tea/wine/beer/yoga/taking-a-walk/ or holding my son on your lap while I take a picture of him meeting the people that are important in my life.  What is equally fulfilling (but perhaps less sweaty) is finding out all the exciting things you are doing.  So many of my friends are starting new businesses, making important political and social advances, saving peoples lives, raising incredible children and taking on adventures that make me a little bit envious.  

Even if you can't make it out the next two weeks, feel free to reply with your availability for any of the above adventures!

Reluctantly marketing!

Pat

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Rockwood residency on Wednesday!

Here is the baseball bat or its intellectual equivalent of a blog hitting you over the head. Yes im playing on Wednesday night at 10. Tomorrow, what makes me happy, vs what I truly want.

[patcupples]

Me, Me Me Day 2

The campaign is heating up.  Do you have your tickets to this Wednesday's show? What about the next Wednesday's show?  Well there are no tickets, but there are also no limits to what you can tip the band and its tax deductible too!  That's also a lie.

Marketing like this is obnoxious.  There are some alternatives, but as I think about them, I wonder about my capacity for altruism.  Here's a technique that was recommended during a publicity campaign we did.  In the process of tweeting every day (already failed that) rather than call attention to yourself... herald another's work.  Hand out Kudos like there is an expiration date on the wrapper.  Talk about friends. Be generous. Then every so often drop a me bomb. Like this.

Congrats to my friends Brian and Laura on their new baby boy, Carl!

A big super thank you to Tony and Barbara Piccirillo (Lisa's awesome parents) for the singing turtle.  Henry almost likes it as much as Ozzy (our dog.)

@miadyson is coming back to the east coast next month.  You are missing out if you don't know her music.  Her album drops on the white house lawn into a picnic of apple pie and (unfortunately) a pile of firearms on April 23.

Congrats to the Haslegrave Brothers, who are the guys that have perfected the old school look that Brooklyn is loving on opening their first restaurant in the old Greenpoint Coffee House space on my corner.  Looking forward to Alameda.

Come see me play the last two Wednesday of April at Rockwood Music Hall.  10 pm sharp.

Everything felt so good and then I had to ruin it by talking about myself.  I love everything about touting others, but I hate bringing it back to me.  But then again this is the Me Me Me campaign, so I'll do what I have to do.