LINUS!

I’ve been getting a lot of emails lately asking me to discuss how I write songs. I never really knew how to answer this question until now. The melody is the springboard. After that I make additions as long as the melody calls for it. I try to fill in all the gaps. If there’s a gap in my song that means it’s not finished. Here’s the structure I stick to in most of my songs:

• Set the Scene
• Present the Case
• State your Opinion
• Detail the Case
• State your Opinion Again
• Go Off on your Opinion
• State your Opinion Again
• Wash your Hands

We’re getting a lot of reviews on the new album. Nik’s heading into the studio this weekend with a concrete drill. We need to hang one last soundproofing panel in the studio. After that, we’ll move in and start really using the space. This weekend after our show at Next Door I went into the studio and started decorating the space with a few postcards and a few old clippings for inspiration. Here are the links to read the reviews that came out this week:

The Easy Mode Podcast:
Record Review: Linus – White Marks on a White Wall

Hawaii Star Bulletin:
New Linus Undiminished

Tonight I was really impressed with the local band Girlfriends. They seemed to have everything really well orchestrated and balanced. Played a really good show tonight at Next Door. Super enjoyed the roots reggae between bands. Always fun to play shows at Next Door. Dipped into some nice house music at SOHO with DJ Kentaro. Might go into the studio tomorrow to do some light construction. Installing security bars. Happy bday Moani.

Setlist:

1. Shoots
2. Indian Summer
3. Red Thread
4. Sun Goes
5. Unbreakable
6. Hold On Hold On
7. Arrivals & Departures
8. Kentucky Woman
9. Heart Takes

Today was really hot. I picked up Jack just before noon and we headed downtown. Nik and Jun met us at the studio and we cut the last 8 fiberglass panels. I climbed up on the ladder and peeled the blue tape from the walls. We worked for 4 hours. There’s no free parking downtown before 6pm. I’m excited about the show at Next Door this Saturday. We’ll play at 8:30pm.

Today I grabbed 20 copies of the Kaleo newspaper at UH manoa. Reece Farinas did an article on us. Here it is:

Be sure to grab your aviators and some sunscreen, because the Hawai‘i-based band LINUS! is taking you on ride. Well, a road trip, to be exact, all the way to the North Shore with the ragtop down and the wind in your hair. Its latest album, “White Marks on a White Wall,” was released earlier this month and is a hell of a lot of fun to listen to. The album takes listeners on a journey up beside the sunny shoreline of Kamehameha Highway, through the lush forest around the Pali, and down past the beautiful bikinis of Waikīkī.

LINUS! is a light indie-rock band that has an island vibe without being Hawaiian. It’s the kind of music that makes you want to find a big tree to have a picnic under. Stronger tracks on “White Marks on a White Wall” include “Hobby Hunter” and “Honey and Buttercup.” “Hobby Hunter” starts off on the slower end but transitions into a catchy first verse, and the lyrics draw out a smile. “Honey and Buttercup” has a tasty guitar solo with a splash of chill and a lot of soul – this should go on the top of your must-listen-to list in iTunes.

“I feel with our songs, it’s kind of a labor of love,” said David Neely, lead guitarist and vocalist for LINUS! “I want to do something that people will appreciate and enjoy, and will be able to listen to for a long time.” The band will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary in April. “Our latest album has really shown that we’ve progressed, not only in terms of sound but more so in terms of our thought process,” Neely said. “Before, our songs were about relationships, but now it’s about life. I really like to tell stories; I like to tell life stories with lessons in them.”

And although the group isn’t yet a household name in Hawai‘i like Jack Johnson and Obama (that would be a great band name, by the way), LINUS! is getting there. The band has performed at numerous venues, including thirtyninehotel, Next Door and Pipeline Café, and plans to tour in Japan soon. LINUS! has also opened for bands such as <STYX>, My Chemical Romance and Vampire Weekend. If you like any of those bands, this is definitely something you want to check out.

“White Marks on a White Wall” and the songs recommended can <be> downloaded from iTunes.

**emphasis added

First a quick explanation behind these photos. We played a show the night before. Everyone went out afterward and woke up at 6am to get to Hawaii Kai to take these shots at AD’s. I’m surprised we all caught the sunrise. Super stoked on these preliminary shots Justin from Human Hand sent us. If this is what the B roll came out like, I can’t wait to see the photos Art took. Thanks again Justin and Art for taking the time to hang out with us and snap these shots. Luckily the L popped after we took all the shots! Can’t wait to practice this weekend before the show at Next Door on Saturday.

We’re currently rehearsing 7 songs endlessly. We need to iron out all the kinks in the orchestration before we head into the studio to get these songs on disc. In the meantime I’ve got a backlog of songs brewing. Can’t wait to practice this weekend. Still in the old studio but planning to hang out at the new studio after the show on Saturday. Here’s the current list of upcoming songs:

• Pocket GHz
• Sweet Beans
• The Deconstruction
• Domain Specific
• Perspectus
• Demon Eyes
• Deep in the Valley

Get yo mix on! The studio is coming along nicely. A critical piece of gear has shipped, and the band is eagerly anticipating its arrival. More good stuff to come! Also, don’t forget about the following crucial LINUS! updates:

1. Show tomorrow night at Indigo. Linus plays early at 9:30 pm. 21+ No Cover Charge!
2. Show next week Saturday at NextDoor. Linus plays last at 9:00 pm. All ages, a mere 5 bucks for 5 bands! 
3. Buy LINUS! on iTunes! Do a search for the album name, “White Marks”, and you’ll be set.

After a few weeks of waiting, we finally got confirmation today that our newest album “White Marks on a White Wall” is available on iTunes. Did a bit of searching the store and found that the best way to tell your friends about the new album is to search for “white marks.” There are a ton of bands called Linus out there so that might help your friends find us on iTunes more quickly. Check it out on iTunes.

Today Jack, Jun and I applied the final coats of paint at the studio. Mini pow wow yielded some good ideas. Still looking for a couch, mini fridge, and some folding chairs. Got extra furniture, email me. Working on the HARA promotional material tonight. CD sales are phenomenal. Seems like our fans have been eagerly waiting for this new CD to drop. Ran into Justin at HH as we were leaving today. Energy running high. Can’t wait till the PA system arrives.