GROOVY NOODLES
THE ELM TREASON NEWSLETTER NO. 7
JUNE 4, 2021
In a recent interview…
We were asked: “In just one or two sentences, how would you complete this: ‘You should check out Elm Treason, they are this band that….‘ “
Andy: “… has this power pop-classic rock vibe thing happening with real catchy songs and a ton of infectious riffs … but they do everything acoustically.. and they damn well rock!”
Bobby: “… you gotta listen to! They are a two man group that has a classic riff rock vibe with guitar-hero solos and catchy choruses that will give you an earworm for days…and it’s all done on acoustic guitars!”
A “FACEBOOK LIVE” Update
We appreciate all of your input on our planned “FACEBOOK LIVE” event in July. You guys seem as stoked as we are!
After ingesting all of your comments and suggestions, we’ve decided we’re going FULL INTERACTIVE!
We’ll do some live songs, answer your questions in real time, take some requests – we’ll make it a complete give-and-take experience! It’ll be FUN!
There will be no real script (except for some rehearsed songs). We’ll just play it as it comes.
Thanks everyone!
Your Input: This Involves You!
Okay, your turn now… (insert drumroll)
Call this the “ASK US ANYTHING” forum. Full transparency time!
Interested in knowing our favorite foods? Our most hated TV shows? Scariest moments? Most contentious band situations? Greatest Elm Treason events? If we could be a flower, which one would it be?
The sky is the limit (pretty much).
Ask us anything. We’re ready!
Go!
We LOVE this vintage David Bowie ad for his “new tune” …SPACE ODDITY.
VIDEO CORNER
Another Promo
Last week, we shared one of our very first video promos for our first album, “Days of Reaction.”
Today, we share an early version of a promo we did for what would eventually be our third album.
Pretty damn funny stuff.
(Note, that when this was made, we were still calling our third album “Acoustic Sedition.” It eventually became “Rhyme and Treason.”)
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Pulling paces before a gig in Morristown, New Jersey, August 2014
REMEMBER WHEN
Cigarette ads in magazines.
Roman Around
This week, Andy goes “Roman Around the Mind” talking about how he and Bobby approach writing together.
–> READ IT HERE <–
NEXT WEEK
– What’s with the hatchets?
– Your Input: What do YOU guys think we should do about this? (What “this” are we talking about?)
ONE MORE FUNNY
CONTACT US
Want to contact us directly with a guaranteed direct response via email? —> andy@elmtreason.com
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
Missed an issue?
Want to relive a glorious memory?
Our “Groovy Noodles” newsletter archive is here
Copyright 2021 Realm Tones Music, LLC
What’s the favorite place for you to play??
Anyplace where Andy and I play live together. So far I liked The Bitter End in NYC the best, if that answers your question.
Any place that genuinely wants us that IS NOT a pay-to-play joint.
Every artist’s has that one dream to perform someplace. Where is yours
For me , the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. One of the most stunning venues I’ve ever seen. I know, ambitious. I’d settle for Radio City Hall or Beacon Theater (Like that’s any more realistic LOL). But a guy can dream can’t he?
Red Rocks is on my bucket list as well as seeing you guys … bonus!
Hey, Darcy! I (Andy) guess if I had to pick one, I’d say the Beacon on Broadway. Wouldn’t mind Carnegie for the acoustics.
Can’t wait for Fb live
me too!
We are STOKED about it, Chris. BIG TIME. And live from Texas, yet! 🙂
How long have you guys been friends? Together as a band? Plan on touring out west, like PDX?? ????
Hi Nancy! Bobby and I met in 2010. In short, he was the piano player at my wife’s church and I was accompanying her.
Amy kept remarking at how good the piano player was. Indeed, I had to agree. Eventually, as I kept escorting my wife to church each week, it would become inevitable that this keyboard impresario and I would meet and start talking. As you might expect, our first conversations were about music. (What else?)
Fast forward a few weeks….with my wife’s birthday approaching, I had come up with an idea for an awesome gift (at least I thought so). I would properly record the four songs I had written for her over the course of our marriage. Normally, I am NOT a love songs kind of guy, but these were special, and I thought it’d be a nice gift to present her with a finished CD of these tunes. However, I didn’t want it to be just me doing what I always do instrumentally. I wanted them to sound different, so I eventually asked my new piano-player friend if he’d like to work on these songs with me. He was nice enough about it, but I could tell he was a tad skeptical about working on some “love songs” with some dude he only recently met. Turns out, he wasn’t much of a “love songs” kind of guy either. But he agreed to, at least, hear the songs.
What I had must have impressed him, because he agreed to work on them with me. To sweeten the pot, I uttered the fateful words, “Treat them as if their own songs. Do whatever you want to them.” That took away the dreaded “side man” vibe he was probably feeling, and he launched into some wonderful creativity.
We completed the four songs under a working name “Cap Tango.” (We were not a band yet). My wife loved them. In fact, one of the songs (WE GO ON) would eventually wind up on our first album.
Seeing how we worked so well together, we decided to actually form a partnership and work on a complete album of original material. This was 2011, I believe. We took our time, setting aside every Sunday as our day to create. It was an extended process of getting to know eachother, working on new ideas and revamping old ideas.
We would eventually record what was an entire record of standard “electric guitar” rock and roll. We were ready to release it sometime in 2013… but fate would intervene.
Our entire approached changed (which is a story onto itself)..and we would re-record everything in our now ELM TREASON acoustic style… That first album, “Days of Reaction,” was officially unleashed in 2015… From then on, it’s all history.
We’ve been hanging out since 2010. Did our first recording the summer of that year. And Elm Treason was born officially January 2011. Touring has been a life long dream of mine since I was a kid. I was born to perform and tour. Bring it on!
Actually….How old are you guys?
Photoshop does wonders, doesn’t it? I (Andy) suppose that to be coy and say that we FEEL like we’re 23 is an evasion not worthy of one of our biggest fans. Okay….. I am 53. Bobby, a year younger. (I don’t really count anymore. I had to cut myself in half and count the rings).
Thanks. Cool. You guys are catching up to me! Lol ???? I’m 57.
Old enough to know better, Young enough to pretend i don’t. Ok ok…. I first arrived on planet Earth on 7/9/68 and I’ve been waiting for the mothership to pick me up and take me home since. They said they were going to the store and they’d be right back…..
Thanks Bobby!
They’ll come back…but I enjoy you here, so hope they stay away longer!
you guys are the best acoustarock period
That’s about as amazing a compliment as there is, Bill. There a ton of bands and artists who do their thing acoustically (and so many that are damn excellent), so to have you say that is as goos as it gets for us. Thank you so much. You truly make our day, man.
WOW thanks so much Bill! What an outstanding compliment. We are honored.
Elm Treason casts the coolest shade of rock!!!
Well, thank you, brother. Whatever the shade, whatever the vibe, no matter the jam, wherever the ride, we try to make a positive impression. We thank you for those encouraging words. HUGE gratitude.
Thanks so much Tim! So glad you’re enjoying our music!
When are you coming to Montana? Would love to see you here
Hi Jody! You have no idea how much Bobby and I would love to come to Big Sky country. We talk about that quite a bit, actually. There are so many spots in this own country of ours that we haven’t seen. It’s a shame, frankly. We both LOVE road trips. The issue is our regular everyday ball-and-chain professions. sadly, we STILL need to work fulltime to sustain not only what we do here, but our families. LOL. That’s why we shamelessly ask for support now and again when we have new music. We want to keep doing what we’re doing. 🙂 Touring, unfortunately, is difficult for us… and ever since the world went mad with Covid, New York has been shut shut tighter than a sealed pickle jar with a bad attitude. But I promise you…. we would LOVE to play your way. Thanks, Jody!
I’ve wanted to go to Montana since i was a little child. No kidding. AS soon as it’s humanly possible we will visit.
So what do you two amazing rockers do for day jobs?, music is life but unfortumately we all have to eat and pay bills, love that your going live, just think this will be your world tour virtual up close and personal gig, what more could we ask for. Rock ro the tune of your hearts guys????
I’m a music teacher in the NYC public school system. Been doing that for a couple of decades now. Since I was a teenager, I’ve used music as a source of income mainly teaching private lessons and playing at churches. I feel fortunate to have a music related job even though my true calling and dreams is in songwriting, recording, performing and touring. I haven’t given up on the dream yet. With technology we can make it happen with live Facebook, and virtual tours. Thanks for your question and your support!
I (Andy) have two main day jobs that supply most of the lettuce to my bank accounts.
One is being a freelance audio/video production guy. The range of my projects run from mixing other people’s music into coherent noise to creating visual teaching aids for museums and schools. I have a home studio where all of this is done. It was a career forged in radio and television (both on-air and behind-the-scenes) that enabled me to move into this line of work.
That, incidentally, serves as a nice segue into job number two: voiceover artist. I not only voice anything from commercials to how-to videos, but I also do all the production on my own spots. Working in my own studio is terrific on one hand, but also a drag at times. Annoying, loudmouth, pretentious, nitpicky, customers who think they know my craft more than I do will rear their ugly heads in my eco-system every so often, and sadly, there’s no one else to pawn them off on. I am an independent contractor, and thus, my own boss.
Increasingly, I devote a good amount of time trying to build the business of ELM TREASON as well.
THAT is the next mountain to climb.
Bobby – I believe you are playing a PRS. If so, where did you find it? I honestly don’t recall ever seen a PRS acoustic. You play it seemingly effortlessly and seems to take to bending strings well.
Thank you. Yes. I play a PRS Angelus-SE. I bought it at Sam Ash in Edison, NJ. It’s funny, I tried out the Martins, Gibsons and the Taylors and they were alright. I enjoyed playing them. But when i picked up the PRS it was love at first strum.. I loved the feel and the sound. I chose mahogany over rosewood because mahogany delivered a nice warm tone, which I thought was unique. Plus, the price was nicer. Believe it or not, most of what you pay for in acoustic guitars is the materials of which they are constructed. It does have a fluidity to it, which suits me as a lead guitarist. It does provide for pretty decent bending. If the neck was just a teensy weency bit narrower it would be perfect. But this guitar is as close to perfection as it gets.
Ha…I bought my first piece of music equipment ever at Sam Ash in Edison (A Paiste 16 inch crash – my grandparents lived right down the street). I currently play a Taylor 200 series (though I also have a Martin D-28, no electronics) and while it has its pros, it also has some cons I’ve grown tired of. In the market for something new. Hope I can come across a PRS somewhere. Would love to try it out. You’d be a kick ass endorser for them!
Wow a Martin D-28 ; that is THE guitar for bluegrass. That’s a big dreadnought. A guy like me would disappear behind one of those things, but i recommended that guitar to Andy. I’ve played Taylor 200s; real nice guitars. I’d LOVE to endorse PRS. If they could send me some free ones that’d be great. I might also be a nice way to meet my hero Alex Lifeson. Hey ,a guy can dream can’t he? I’m sure you can find a PRS at Sam Ash or Guitar Center somewhere. Happy hunting.
Do you think Elm Treason will be playing any live gigs in 2021?
Hi Joe! I (Andy) would love to say “YES,” but it will be very difficult the way things stand now. Our day jobs keep us close to home, and ever since the world went Covid-mad, there have been no live shows in our area (Even Broadway is completely shut down until September). By the time venues do start opening locally, Bobby will return to teaching and time will become limited once again. The summertime used to be our time to do shows, but not so much lately. We miss it, of course. And only last month we actually recorded us performing a complete live set that we will make into a full length “concert film” kind of thing (maybe even a new album). We will be in Texas in early July, but not to gig or anything. (Personal business)…BUT we will be doing a live Facebook feed from San Antonio (our first live stream ever) and will perform a few songs then. That’s one reason why we post a live performance every Thursday on our FB page – to show people that we DO know how to do it LIVE. 🙂 TRULY appreciate you asking, Joe.
Live gigs in the traditional sense, I’d say pretty unlikely. However, in the Facebook livestream sense that’s definitely more possible. I think we do have plans to do that soon.
Spring 2020- Spring 2021 was just not a good year for concerts of any kind. Everything came to a grinding halt. We miss performing live. We want to get back into it as soon as it’s feasible. But in the meantime, we’ve got cool stuff coming up you’ll love….stay tuned.
What made you decide to rock out on acoustics? I have always said…if it sounds like shit on an acoustic it’s gonna sound like shit with reverb and distortion lol
We love the idea that when you make music acoustically, no matter the style (folk, rock n roll, metal, whatever), it is always intimate. There is a texture and feel to acoustic music that seemingly brings it closer to you. We play our acoustics, in effect, like electric guitars, and in doing so, a unique kind of timbre is created when listened to in context of a full band (bass, drums, keys, etc). That sound possesses its own beautiful – and revealing -characteristics. And because there is nowhere to hide when going acoustic, it makes us focus on not only playing cleanly, but on the actual phrasings of what we’re playing. The deliciousness of the undertones and overtones comes through more. Certain notes that might have otherwise been drowned out with distortion and overdrive are actually highlighted. we adore overdriven guitar, of course. We LOVE ball-crunching rock and roll. We each own several electric guitars, so we’re not knocking being plugged in at all. We do, however, love the richness that compsoing for acoustic guitars can bring out. “Filling out” the sound means more than just doubling a guitar or kicking up the overdrive. It’s about choosing the right notes and chord phrasing… and we love that. 🙂
In the very early formative years of Elm Treason Andy and I recorded an album with electric instruments. It was a really nice sounding album. Then we got invited to perform on this cable TV show called “horses sing none of it” in Morristown NJ. There was a catch. The host of the show said, no full bands, no amps or electric guitars, we don’t have the room nor the capability. Andy and I said (in stereo) “Great. Now what the @#$% are we gonna do?” We certainly didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity. So we decided we would undertake the challenge of taking ALL those songs and arranging what we did on multi-track recording for two acoustic guitars. And a challenge it was. In that process, we discovered how beautiful, intimate and sonorous our songs became. The overtones and textures and colors were just bubbling with this effervescence that just CAPTURED us and we were absolutely smitten. We knew we were onto something special and we decided to completely change our approach to writing and performing and never look back.
Everything Andy said is spot on. We approached acoustic guitars with an electric guitar sensibility. And no you can’t hide behind an acoustic guitar. There’s no stack of Marshalls, no effects rack, no reverb, nothing to cover any type of sloppiness, mistakes or timing issues (drummers usually cover that nicely). No drummer to lay down the beat. However all those restrictions paradoxically liberated us. The palate was blank leaving us the complete freedom to fill it in anyway we liked. It was an epiphany for us.
Ironically, when I first started collaborating with Andy back in 2010, we used electric guitars and we sat, toe to toe, face to face, eye to eye and jammed, and wrote. See? it was written in the stars, it was meant to be. But we didn’t notice it. That still makes me chuckle when i think of it. Elm Treason was always an ACOUSTIC duo. We just needed to get slapped with the Zen stick to realize it. And that Zen stick came from Morristown, NJ
Thanks for the great question, Lisa.
Sorry, i meant to say when Andy and I first collaborated in 2010 we used ACOUSTIC guitars and played toe to toe, face to face, eye to eye. Little typo there. Now it will make sense to you.
You both have a deep love for all types of music. Were either of your parents instrumental (pun intended) in your love of music?
Hi Paul! Bobby can comment on his own upbringing and influences (which are extensive and fascinating), but as for me (Andy), music was everywhere. No question. My mother was only 20 when she had me, so she was still deep into her ongoing musical journey when I came along. I was lucky. I not only heard what was new and fresh, I was also hearing all of the music she grew up with.. so I had the entirety of the rock and roll era in my home growing up. There were no boundaries or labels or genre restrictions. The Platters and Led Zeppelin existed in perfect harmony. I also had major influences from my grandmother (classical and opera), my grandpa (standards and big band) and whatever I was able to discover myself from my ever-present transistor radio (which I might as well have had epoxied to me).
I have quite a lot of musicians and visual artists -even sculptors-in my family. My father’s biological father (whom I never met) was a composer and concert pianist. My dad sang in Doo Wop groups in the 50s and actually recorded an album. He was also an award winning visual artist. My mom’s dad played guitar and sang. I have cousins who are musicians and artists. Some have made careers out of it, others have done it as extracurricular activities for enjoyment.
My mom also sang. My brother is an outstanding jazz guitarist and clarinetist who has a music degree from Berkley College of Music.
So as you can probably guess, I heard ALL kinds of music in my house, my grandparents house and my cousin’s houses. I was also a curious, precocious little kid. I remember taking all kinds of strange records home from the library. World music,even records with bird calls on them (which tormented my cat). One particular memory I have was when i took a Sun Ra record out because I thought it was children’s music (the cover was very colorful and kid friendly) OMG was I in for a SHOCK. I remember just being blown away by the sounds. To this day I still love Sun Ra’s music.
My grandfather had a close friend who toured with some well known jazz and big bands as a pianist. He started me on lessons when I was 7 years old.
So yes, lots of musical, artistic, creative influence from my family.
Thanks so much for the great question, Paul.