Things we learned today…

These are some things we, or at least I learned today:

1. Not some but all of the changes included in the remastered release of the original Star Wars trilogy devalue it significantly as a work of art.

2. Today or some day recent or soon is of some significance to Puerto Rican Americans.

3. Ben seldom doesn’t want pasta for dinner.

4. Track one, “Common People” from William Shatner’s 2004 album Has Been is a cover of a song by the English alt rock band Pulp.

5. I’m less concise in my blog posts than Louis.

-OR-

5. I learn in longer sentences than Louis.

6. Gabe does not like to have his face spit in. Even if it was the unintended consequence of a genuine attempt at advice!

David

Playing Outside? Not in Bushwick!

Moving In (Ben and Louis)

Countdown to Brooklyn: -3 days.

Today, we went to Central Park, and sat on a rock. Dave and I have wanted to play shows in the park for a while, but for a reason we will never understand, Louis was opposed.

Not anymore!

I’m not sure if it was the toy sailboats that caught his fancy, or the couples in rowboats that melted his heart, but today Louis was inspired. Central Park, here we come.

Tonight we’re making tacos. Rob Hokamp, one of my favorite guitar players, is coming over to eat with us, and play a little music. To be honest, the inclusion of Rob in our line-up is an insurance policy; even if you hate Baba Jaga, there is no disliking Rob Hokamp. I could honestly write an entire post on just Rob, but I think it would be more fun for everyone involved if you all just came to our next show. He’s great.

My hopes are that by the next blog post, we will all have jobs, have a rehearsal space, have booked recording sessions, and have gigs. And I think we can do it.

I feel that the increase of concrete sidewalk in my life, as well as the oncoming summer heat, is compromising my writing. I think we’re all coping with a bit of culture shock in our own ways. I could really just use a milkshake and a nap. I’m gonna go get started on that.

Enjoy the pictures!

Ben

Making ourselves right at home

 

First night in Brooklyn - making spaghetti

Baba Jaga

Things We Learned Today

These are things we learned today:

1. mayonnaise is not good in guacamole.

2. Ben can play the recorder.

3. Corn-on-the-cob is the new hot dog.

4. Our hallway smells like mango stones.

5. NYC public libraries are invisible.

6. Skunks are people too.

7. William Shatner’s prize stallion is named Sultan’s Great Day.

8.  Teatree oil hurts in your eye, cry it out.

9. Artsy with a huge butt.

10. Where’s Gabe?

011235813213455..

While Baba Jaga is beginning to come into her own, Jimmy Cooper is still struggling through his crisis of identity and so I’m going to write out a blog post in black and white pixels because my handwriting is not pretty enough to be legible to me and hand-writing does nothing for my idea process. As the post’s title will have made clear, someone’s been using their widgets – I have put that fibonacci zip code into my accuweather widget and I’m pleased to report, I am in Brooklyn and the forecast for tomorrow says that it will be 77 and stormy.

We came up to Brooklyn from about 12 pm until about 5 pm yesterday and had a long if not miserable time. And Ben’s engine just would not stop smoking as water evaporated off of the car’s warm hood.. We were very concerned, but in hindsight, dealing with evaporation isn’t so bad. After unpacking we headed out to meet Marissa and had an expensive dinner and then some coffee with a larger SUNY Purchase crowd. We all walked over to some bar after that and saw — Booker Stardrum — play with Father Figures, whose myspace you will not find at www.myspace.com/fatherfiguremusic (though you’ll be fitfully rewarded for clicking on this link.)

I should go for reasons semi-obscured by our use of Greenwich Mean Time.. Maybe I’ll post again sometime. I’m counting on positive feedback and constructive criticism – and on you to not feel targeted.

-David

Brooklyn Bound

I’m back in The Evergreen coffee shop. Everyone around me has a Macbook, and being the only one holding pen and paper, I’m feeling especially hip. I’ve always felt that my ideas are better translated when traveling through pen onto paper, and what I lack in dashboard widgets and internet connectivity, I make up for in bookish mystique and good looks. (I’m sitting on the corner couch with a beard, flannel shirt, mug of coffee, and pad of paper. Wish you were here?)

The last time I blogged, there were 11 days left until Brooklyn. Now there are 2. The apartment is paid for. We just found an affordable rehearsal space in midtown Manhattan. I got four new tires. We’re ready to roll…

…I feel like I’m forgetting something…
…oh right, music…

We don’t know when we’re going to be able to record our next record, so until then, we’ve thrown together a basement performance of a couple of new songs…

Next time you hear from us, we will be in our Brooklyn apartment. Until then, follow us on Twitter for updates on the move as we move.

Goodbye, Baltimore!

An Introduction

I’m sitting in The Evergreen Coffee Shop. There’s a saxaphone solo being played through the speakers here. The woman in front of me is reading a book, and eating her cappuccino foam with a spoon. There’s a man across from me eating green ice cream.

Last night, the members of Baba Jaga (including myself) convened in Louis’ attic to begin arranging some tunes. This was the first time we had ever worked together as a band above ground, but the addition of natural sunlight to the band dynamic didn’t seem to faze us in the least. It had been four months since we had last seen each other, and it was a satisfying relief to know that I could still make make music I love with my best friends. 

This is a very exciting time for us as musicians. It might stem from the delight we’re taking in our recent single, or from the independence that comes with going to college, or maybe it’s the mustache I’ve decided to grow. Whatever it is, it’s exciting enough to convince us that moving to Brooklyn, New York, and that living in the same one bedroom sublet, is a great idea. The possibilities seem endless right now, and for whatever reason, we all feel the need to abandon an old reliance: familiarity.

I’m planning on using this blog as a candid lens, and will do my best to keep it focused on what it is that makes Baba Jaga special to me. Expect photographs, videos, and song demos. Expect confusion, as we attempt to book shows, rehearse, record, and cook three meals a day. I am so excited.

Countdown to Brooklyn: 11 days.