I Left My Heart In Monnow Valley

Hey Soul Mates,
we've been getting a nice response to our new FORUM. Be sure to sign up and put in your two pence/cents.

Today's pictures for our website are from our first day in Wales. We drove straight from Huddersfield after our show to Monmouth. By the time we got there (around 4 a.m., the sun was on the rise). Monnow Valley Studio (MVS) is an amazing place. Special thanks to our Jo for putting us up and putting up with us. We absolutely loved MVS, lovely country and a brilliant studio. Just check out the photos. You'll get a sense of the natural beauty of the area. The house itself is an attraction, built in the 17th century or so. Narrow staircases, brick and wood.

The studio takes up half of the mill house. It is a large space with high ceilings. The main recording room is split in two by the famous door with it's mammoth millwheel. The end closest to the control room is where we did guitar and vocal tracking. The second half of the room is for drums and houses several keyboards and a grand piano.

My favorite picture in this group is the surreal shot of me at the grand taken from outside the studio. The reflection makes it appear as though the piano is made up of the small slabs of stone jutting from the hill behind.


As usual, special thanks to our official photog, Patty T for always capturing something magical. And there is lots to be said about the magic of MVS. And it's ghosts. But don't ask Bryan about his bed moving while no one was in his room. If you look closely at the pix, you'll see both Bryan and myself blogging. It had taken us a while to get somewhere to catch up with folks and our story on the internet.

It's hot as blazes in LA. We had a lot of unseasonable heat in Wales. Seems like we brought it back home. Been one of those weeks where you don't want to go outside at all. Here's to some cool relief.
Love, Power, Peace

Say It Loud!

Hey Soul Mates,
lots going on for a Monday night in North Hollywood. Here's the run-down:

1. Rush Hour Soul.com has a fresh, new look. It's brighter, funkier and altogether different. Check it on out! No more frames.

2. There's a new message board. Follow the link on our site to the FORUM. Sign up, it's free. Then tell the world about your love for Rush Hour Soul. Say it Loud, Soul Mates! The forum will be ever-evolving to keep up with the times, you know.

3. Tune into our interview with DJ Copperhead that was debuted tonight on Next Big Hit. Look for "B-Side Vol. 124." That's us on the tell-a-phone. We had a fun convo with Copperhead. Since it was edited for time, you'll just have to ask Doug personally about the awesome fish nuggets in Barnsley.

It's been a busy afternoon/evening. Time for some tea. Earl Grey. Hot.
Love, Power, Peace

Feeling Like Tom Glavine (#286)

Hey Soul Mates,
I'm rapidly closing in on my 300th blog entry.

Today, I've been completed photos for May 31st in Barnsley. Check them out. This was a fabulous night. Dave from SUPERfreak was there to meet us when we drove up to the Arches. Then we met some of the local neighborhood kids, who ran up to our magic Peugeot as we arrived. One shouted at me, "You're dead posh." Another pointed at Doug and exclaimed, "You're from Afrrrica!" Kids say the darnedest things. Then Doug and I went to get authentic fish and chips for everyone. Yum. Actually fish nuggets. Very nicely done. Back in the pub, two of the locals grilled me on why the American flag has thirteen stripes. I was pleased to explain about the colonies and name them. They were impressed. Kinda tough looking characters, they wound up really liking our music. Doug and Bryan relaxed by playing pool.

The Arches turned out to be a fantastic music hall. It was a night presented by Union. The sound from Fin was superb. SUPERfreak, who supported us, also helped with the booking. They were lots of fun and set the tone for the night. SUPERfreak even had a guest MC, Lomax, from the closers Vibrations perform with them.

Of course, RHS rocked the house in our usual style. The major change to the set this night was our inclusion of Miss You. We hadn't pulled that one out, but this was a funky crowd and they enjoyed it. We made lots of new fans that night, including a group of kids brought to the show by a parent. These preteens have their own band and were brought down to check out the Americans. How cool!? We also had a quartet of fans who were at the previous night's show in York. Thanks for bringing everyone, Bowieboy!

Set List:
Fall Out
Bad Penny Blues [Gold Digger]
Everyone's Ingenue
Done Lost My Mind
U Had The $
Miss You
Everything My Heart Desires
Sucka
A Talent For Loving
Love Someone
Hold On, I'm Coming

After us, Vibrations did a DJ set. We danced the night away with the locals and enjoyed some Newcy Braaarn. Working up a black sweat. While we were repacking the van, we sang Happy Birthday to Doug (who's birthday was June 1). Very excited about the response from Barnsley, we drove back to York.

In other news, we are doing a phone interview with Next Big Hit this evening. We'll keep you posted on airdates. It should be on their next podcast. Also, Rush Hour Soul.com is almost ready to reveal its facelift. Just a little more tinkering. Time to turn off the computer and get ready for our chat with DJ Copperhead. I got up very early to watch David Beckham lift England to the round of 8. His goal was a sight to behold! At least Friday's match will be at a more reasonable hour.
Love, Power, Peace