On the Soap Box

Still at work....

2011-02-12T22:32:00.003-05:00

So tonight we are back with mix-master Wes. As I speak, Ben is recording bass to the guitar part for "You". A little backwards yes, but it is turning out good. Recording is a tricky thing. For a band like us the hard part is getting our sound in the studio to be true what everyone loves about our live show.

Anyhow, recording is about 2/3 done on the new ten song album that for now will called "Figure it Out". Look for it...well.....fairly soon.

Keep posted for info about a live show next month.

Tom

2010-05-05T09:50:00.005-04:00

OTSB is doing a show with the The Phlauds and Pas Secret on May 16th in Winter Park. Check out the attached flyer for details or check out the event on facebook

This is a special show for us because we will be releasing a bootleg single from our upcoming full length album scheduled for release later this year. You will only be able to get a copy of these tracks at the show so....

See you there!

Recording Marathon - Day 2

2010-01-04T09:44:00.013-05:00

Well our recording marathon is through. And did we successfully complete the entire album in two full days? Absolutely not. But fear not, we are a good 53% done. And things are beginning to sound really good.

We started Day 2 at around 12:30pm. I laid down bass tracks to the songs we had already recorded guitar and drums to. Next came the hashing out of a song that we have played hundreds of times but somehow couldn't keep straight on tape.

Things are "not like in the movies" as my father-in-law said, commenting on his experience watching us record. At times you have to take multiple takes to get things just right. Other times you have to keep trying til your head explodes. That's how our good friend/engineer from Jingle Berry Studios, Wesley Brach earned the name, "Wait-around-Wesley"

Late in the evening Ben added some guitar layers which were sounding nice. And finally, we padded Caleb's blanketed drum box even more and recorded some acoustic guitar tracks with the condenser mic. The sound was crystal clear!

We finished at 1am. Actually, we felt like we could have gone on all night. Then, of course, the real world called and the responsibilities of Sunday morning brought our session to a close.

All in all: Yes, we got a lot done. I wouldn't necessarily tell you to hold your breath, but stay posted because we're moving fast.

Recording Marathon - Day 1

2010-01-02T09:56:00.006-05:00

Well, as it turned out (thanks to a mis-communication) our 2 day marathon was only going to be one day. But we have also this afternoon to get more work done. Did we get a lot done? Yes. But, we also got a lot not done. But that's okay. I think it turned out just about as expected.

I got some great footage of the experience. Like when we covered Caleb's drums with blankets so that the drum sounds wouldn't bounce all around the room.

Or this time when Ben and I were arguing about how the song is supposed to be played.

I'll post the rest of the photos on flickr for your viewing pleasure.

We'll see how it goes today. We are going to lay down bass parts and guitar layers....maybe break out the acoustic a bit. There's is definitely some great music coming your way.

Recording Marathon!

2009-12-31T19:27:00.001-05:00

So here's the deal. As you know, our last album took several decades to complete, or so it seemed. Rather than repeat our mistakes, we ave decided to do a marathon recording session at Jingleberry studios (A.K.A. Wesley's house).

I will try to keep you posted as we continue. First, was mandatory fried breakfast. Then we had some computer troubles and now we are doing guitars. Next drums and bass. 3 songs down, 6 to go. I think it's going well

I've been getting some good video footage too. You know, us making flubs, etc. Stay posted

Album Reviews

2009-11-26T07:56:00.000-05:00

Have you seen my album reviews yet?

www.indiemusicforlisteners.blogspot.com

TOm

On the Soap Box - New Album

2009-10-24T01:32:00.002-04:00

It's in the brainstorming stages but keeps your ears to the ground. New material is so exciting!

Classic OTSB Footage

2009-08-25T23:46:00.001-04:00

Thank you Caleb for these laughs!!

The Dodos

2009-08-03T00:09:00.001-04:00

Here's a band that we at OTSB.com like. And here's a new album from them. Production is such a big part of how music is received. Phil Ek produced this one. He's known for his work with The Shins and Fleet Foxes.

Fleet Foxes

2009-07-05T22:04:00.002-04:00

I'm impressed. The ending of the song Mykonos almost sounds like Crosby, Stills, and Nash. But give it a listen. I think all our retro fans out there will enjoy it.

Mr. Gowrie

2009-06-29T10:40:00.001-04:00

This song is amazing. Unlike anything that I've heard before. Charles Spearin uses the tones of an interview conversation to create an ambient melody loaded with reverb and delay.

TOm

Thanks for Coming!

2009-06-28T09:23:00.003-04:00

Hey all,

Thanks so much fro coming out an supporting last night. We had a great time and loved all the audience appreciation we got.

What an awesome night: Katie did great! Joel's acoustic set was awesome. The Phlauds rocked! And we hope you liked our new stuff

And how about those artist: Jereme, Jemma, Kevin, Austin, Ryan, and Sarah. Their art will be up at the art center for the whole month of July. That will be some great exposure for them!

Thanks to Marcos for 'MC'ing the whole night. He did a great Job.

So, thanks. We couldn't do it with out your support. And you sounding great singing along by the way. We'd love to see any of your photos or videos of the event so please share.

Keep in touch to hear about upcoming On the Soap Box (OTSB) shows.

OTSB

Independent Canvas

2009-06-08T12:55:00.004-04:00

Hey guys, we'd love to have you there.

We are really excited about this show. OTSB is playing with a couple other bands and we're arranging for all our cronies to have the art up in the gallery.

Be there!

Independent Canvass is an art/music event hosted by On the Soap Box and Marcos Tamez. It will feature the art of Kevin Murphy, Jereme Brower, Jemma Moore, Austin Romansky and Ryan Romansky. Musical performances by: On the Soap Box, Missing Fingers, The Phlauds (Dan Weichman), and Katie Bird

Show starts at 7:30p

Email List

2009-05-26T11:58:00.003-04:00

Check out our new OTSB mailing list on the side of the blog here ----->

Somewhere over there. Pretty cool. We are going to be letting the fans on our email list know about upcoming gigs, events, downloads, etc.

So if you want to be an official OTSB fan. You are gonna want to put your email addy in the little box. Then you are legit. It's how we separate the real fans from the not so real fans.

Keep posted......we're planning an awesome show/art event at the end of June

Photos

2009-05-08T16:28:00.003-04:00

Thanks for all you guys that came out to see us the other night. I saw you clapping your hands. I saw them turn red. Your enthusiasm did not go unnoticed.

Also, if anyone has any photos of us playing at any of our shows, we would love to get our hands on them. We can always use them for website/promotional stuff.

Thanks

TOm

TESTPLUG

2009-05-03T08:49:00.003-04:00

Hey, good news....

Our good friend TESTPLUG (a.k.a the art director for Songs for Your Mothers to Gossip About) is back in the t-shirt business.

According to T-Plug, "all designs will be up for a month, then Ill put up the next months design, and that old screen will be gone, after that they will go to the vault possably never to return so in theory the first runs will be collecters items ans you should buy extras in case you wear thew them, or get fat"

Well put, my friend. It's about time we had some good ole Jereme Brower (sp?)s.

Here's the link

Maybe he'll even print this one for you. That would really be an OTSB collectors item! Considering the fact that I don't even have one.

TOm

OTSB Live @ Underground Blues

2009-04-29T12:39:00.003-04:00

Wednesday May 6th at 10:00 pm we will be performing at Underground Blues by UCF!

Hope to see you there. We'll be playing with a couple of other bands like Undercover Alien. Should be good.

Here's the Underground Bluez site....should you need directions

$3 cover/ 18 and up

Need I say more?

2009-04-21T10:17:00.002-04:00

OTSB @ Austin's Coffee

2009-04-05T22:12:00.005-04:00

What a great show, hey?

I'm looking forward to getting some videos of the performance up on youtube

Thanks to everyone who came. And how about Missing Fingers and Dan? Nice work.

You can see some great pics from the show here

#1 Fan

2009-03-27T18:29:00.005-04:00

Check out this voice-mail I received from my brother-in-law-in-law, one half of the modestly successful and largely experimental duo who call themselves WGWIW (White Guys with Indian Wives)

Tom Moore, I know sometimes when a serious music artist doesn't hear his songs playing on the radio, or the little teenagers screaming his name he feels like his music is not making a difference. But, I want you to know: I never change your song on my run and today you powered me through my fourth mile. Your voice did it buddy! You inspired me with your lyrics, your melody putting together those powerful guitar riffs. Your song got me through my fastest four miles ever. Thank you, Thomas Moore and thank you brilliant musical engineering skills.

This is Antonio Bassolino, your #1 fan.

In Response..

2009-03-27T18:27:00.001-04:00

In response to my question, "Who are we like?" I received quite a detailed explanation of the entire OTSB debut album. Thanks a lot anonymous!

Anonymous said...

Untitled – Interpol "Untitled"

Hate to Say I Don't Love You – doesn't remind me of anything

Big Eyed Mammals – 311 "Speak Easy" effect

Punk Rush – Blink 182

Small – Our Lady Peace (Clumsy era)

The List of Things I've Done – Smashing Pumpkins "Lily" 'ish

The Rag Between My Teeth – Incubus "Sick Sad Little World" solo

Convent – The Wonders

Wake Up Worried – Aerosmith – (Get Your Wings era)

Are You Alright? – 3 Doors Down (The Better Life era)

Too Good for You – Incubus "Just a Phase" transition – not similar in sound

The Song for Your Mothers to Gossip About – Incubus (Fungus Amongus era)
- hidden track – 311'ish riffs

Tom Moore - Live @ The Ark (Ann Arbor, MI)

2009-02-27T01:11:00.010-05:00

So remember that hip little acoustic music venue that I said I was going to try to play at in Michigan? Well, even though it wasn't quite as "hip" as I expected, I did end up playing two songs at the February edition of their monthly open mic night.

The Ark. It was actually pretty sweet. Beautiful acoustics. The sound was great. I shared the stage with some pretty interesting folks. Like this guy who sang "Laredo" about the time when his significant other attacked him with a knife and he had to take her life. Or a rather obscene grandpa who told the story of his old drinking buddy with vulgarities that I haven't heard since....middle school!

In any case, it ended up being fun. And I've posted the two videos of my performance on youtube for your viewing pleasure.

Please let me know what you think.

While I was in Ann Arbor, I also saw a live show by a guy called Laith Al-Saadi
Blues player. He covered "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" by the Beatles. Very fresh. Although, I think some other people have covered that song and I've never heard those versions. So I'm not sure if it actually was as fresh as I thought.

itunes

2009-02-25T00:10:00.002-05:00

Props to itunes for being so easy to use. I think I'm still a little anti-apple but I might just be coming around..thanks to time spent with my gadgety brother-in-law-in-law Antonio.

And thanks for giving me free music itunes. Good for you...thanks for helping people discover more than is just on pop radio. But I'm coming round to that too thanks to my pop-cultured lady-friend/wife.

I can dig it.

To Ann Arbour Again

2009-02-13T00:12:00.002-05:00

So, I'll be going to Ann Arbor...next week. There lives the other half (the half that isn't me) of the largely experimental duo "Guys with Indian Wives" who is best known for there break-out single "Motor City, We Can Hear You".

Apparently there is a hip little acoustic music venue called The Ark that hosts an open mic night on Wednesdays. Maybe I should try to extend the OTSB fan base up north by playing some of our tunes with the old "box-guitar" as my British ancestors would say.

That would be fun.

I Like This Band

2009-02-13T00:10:00.003-05:00

I like this band. What do you think? My wife says they sound a lot like The Postmarks...who, I hate to say, are playing locally on a night that I will be unable to attend.

Ben Gibbard Solo

2009-02-09T14:48:00.002-05:00

Ben Gibbard is a really great lyricist. You know...the guy from The Postal Service. He has definitely got it. I found some recordings from a live acoustic performance he did by himself in 2007.

It's pretty raw but pretty neat to listen to. He chooses a pretty interesting selection of cover tunes, too.

Check it out

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Ben Gibbard

The Rag Between My Teeth

2009-01-03T01:03:00.001-05:00

Having walked my life two years away

Saw her name on the back of a truck.

The letters are fading now,

the paint's graying now,

and covered in mud.

Rubbed off when you open the door.

And I swear I've seen your face before.

And your dark hair, your dark skin,

your dark eyes never let me in.

And I'd know that taste a mile away

a far too familiar sting

Catch your tears in your lap

because it's never going to happen

in eternity

Strangle love with a guitar string

Looking back two years away

Saw her name on the back of a truck

This is the first time,

But it's not the last time

I give up.

On the stage is where it's free.

And I'll scream for what it's worth.

Like a rag between my teeth

Because this is really, really going to hurt.

The Rag Between My Teeth - On the Soap Box

Who are we like?

2008-12-29T15:18:00.002-05:00

I was asked by someone recently who we (On the Soap Box) sound like. I repeated the question to some loyal fans and got a variety of responses.

I can't really answer the question. I suppose it's because I'm biased to the bands I would like to sound like. I wish my band was as ground-breaking as the Beatles. I would love to say that my lyrics are as profound as those in a Death Cab for Cutie song. I would love to compare Ben, our guitarist to Jimmy Page...but I might sound a little presumptuous.

Although, I am thoroughly impressed when Ben shreds away on the old SG! (You should check out the solo on The Rag Between My Teeth)

A friend of mine replied with a rather comprehensive list of bands that we sound like, customized for every different song on the album. But I lost the email....

Oh well, comment and let me know.

The Rag Between My Teeth - On the Soap Box

On the Soap Box

2008-12-22T00:38:00.003-05:00

Man, it's been a while since I've used blogspot. Gone of the days of "The Philosophies and Empty Deceptions of Thomas W. Moore".

Ahh, those were the days. But now, these are the days....and chances are that my posts will both be less frequent and less passionate. I, of late prefer other medium.

In any case, the debut On the Soap Box (OTSB) album has finally been released! It is titled: "Songs for Your Mothers to Gossip About". Yeah, I think it's funny too.

You can purchase the album online here:

Or you can download the individual tracks here: itunes.com

Or just click around on the stuff below. We would love you to be On the Soap Box fans

In the meantime, I am trying to figure out how to buy groceries without spending any money.

TOm