Sound Advice, Mr. Graffiti Man.

Seen on my ride this morning. Good life advice, wouldn't you say? I think I'll give it a shot with my wife in a bit. Wish me luck.

My Tagline: Attempt #2

Okay, so this is another stab at my personal tagline. The first one is a tad over-the-top. A bit of an over-promise. While this one takes some liberties, I think I'm honing in.

Style Icon Of The Month: Rickenbacker

Pete Townshend
John Entwistle
Paul Weller
Bruce Foxton
John
Paul
George
Johnny Marr
Peter Buck
Mike Mills
The Edge
Roger McGuinn
Tom Petty
Thom Yorke
Noel Gallagher
Rick James
Lemmy

Me

It’s not as easy to play as other guitars. It’s sound is not versatile. Other guitars are more adaptable and more comfortable.

It’s a commitment. But like making a commitment to the woman of your dreams, it’s not hard to make. You can get a Stratocaster or Les Paul and play anything on them. With the right effects and amp, you can make them sound like whatever you want, really.

But the Rick has a voice. A style. That’s what Ricks stand for. Plug it in and it begs you to make something special. It pushes you to stand out. Whether it’s Pete Townshend windmilling his way to the top of cultural relevance or just little old me in my living room.

A distinctive look. Clean, mod lines. The sound. That British Invasion, guitar rock sound. Damn, brother. It’s cool and sexy as hell. And that’s when music is at its best.

Now THAT'S Diversity

This is a great image for reasons that should be obvious.

COOL-ASS LOCAL CULTURAL LANDMARK: SOUND CITY, PART 2

So I'm shooting a commercial down the street from this dingy, unassuming CULTURAL LANDMARK in the middle of an industrial neighborhood. I found this nice video tour of the place online - so no, the bearded gentleman in the video is not yours truly. Maybe I'll get up the courage to knock on the door and check it out for myself. Dang. I'd be starstruck just looking at an empty studio.

COOL-ASS LOCAL CULTURAL LANDMARK: SOUND CITY

I was shooting a commercial in Van Nuys and I recognized the neighborhood so I had to walk a block over and check this place out. I love locations like this. Growing up and living in this city I’m constantly learning about amazing, innocuous places like this that are all around us. Places where artistic and cultural brilliance occurred.

This is Sound City Studios. It’s tucked back on a dirty, industrial street deep in The Valley surrounded by metal shops and auto garages which only adds to the allure, in my mind. It doesn’t have the obvious, “look at me” glamorous façade of other temples of music like Abbey Road, but a mind-scrambling list of artistic geniuses practically lived here while they spawned some of the greatest masterpieces in music history. It happened right here. A lot. As dingy and unassuming as this building is, in my mind it should be a national landmark and should be preserved.

Who recorded here, you ask? A short list:

Fleetwood Mac recorded Rumours here, for God’s sake. Elton John, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers recorded “Damn The Torpedoes” and “Wildflowers”, Neil Young, Nirvana (“Nevermind” was recorded here! Holy Crap!), Johnny Cash, Metallica, Dylan, The Breeders, The Cult, Guns & Roses, George Harrison, Donovan, Garbage, Cheap Trick, Rage Against The Machine, Dio, Slipknot, Nine Inch Nails and many others came in, opened up their hearts and became immortal. All within these dirty, stucco walls.

My New Tagline

All the brands I do ads for have taglines, why not me? May be a tad over-the-top, however.

A Day In The Life Of Eliza Miller (in under a minute)

This is very incomplete. It's the bare minimum. But it's still fun.

Music & Style Icon Of The Month: Mitch Easter

An underappreciated master of sound. Proof that musical inspiration is always brewing in the most unexpected corners of the country – North Carolina, for example.

Produced REM’s early work and helped create their sound. Therefore he helped create and foster that whole early ‘80’s “jangly,” Rickenbacker-driven sound that harkened back to the British Invasion and Mod.

Let’s Active, his band, also made some great, solid, driving pop right up through “Every Dog Has It’s Day.”

There are great moments in his entire catalogue, but I must say admit that I preferred the early version of his band – the power trio of him and two girls. Cool and clean.

Thank you Mitch.

Be strong, but flex.

Stay rooted to who your really are on the inside, but embrace growth. And change.

Be in the moment. Be informed by your past but not attached to it.

When something rigid is tested and pushed, it can shatter.

Sometimes flexibility can be a great strength.

I Tried Not To Talk About My Bike, But...

This is the new bicycle.

It's called a Handsome Devil.

It can be a road bike.

It can climb up dirt fire roads.

It's sturdy enough to haul loads and handle the rough stuff.

It means I have no excuses for not cyclo-commuting more.

I can't wait to attach lights to ride home from work on the trails after dark.

I can't wait to attach more racks so I can do quick bike-camping trips.

Adventure awaits. Handsome indeed.

TRY TO NOT TALK ABOUT YOUR BIKE.

Or how far you rode today. Or ran. Or whatever. Good luck, it’s hard.

The ego is powerful.

And when surrounded by other cyclists the ego can go into defense mode.

So here’s the challenge: When you hear other people talking about what kind of bikes they have or how far they ride or how often, don’t say a word. Listen. Encourage them.

For a cyclist, it can be agonizing. So many of us want to join the ego fest. Try to alpha male each other.

Try not doing that. Just once. Then try it again. Strengthen that muscle.

No More Food In Bar Form.

Make time for real food.

“But my life is too busy and I need something on the fly.”

Then make a sandwich.

A PB&J takes 30 seconds to make and is truly the Food Of The Gods in terms of deliciousness and energy replacement and portability.

“But I need something to take on a bike ride.”

(see above note about PB&J)

If you’re thinking you need Ginko Whatever or Goji Berry Of The Moment, you don’t.

Eat something real that tastes good that came from real products, not a lab.

Slow down and give yourself the time for a real meal. Even a sandwich counts.

You deserve that.

And it doesn’t take long.

Fear Is Over.

Let's give optimism and hope and possibility a shot. Whether it's something for work or a dinner with friends or hanging out with the kids or anything, let's do it all while guided by optimism and hope and goodness and let the chips fall where they may. If it all works out, great. If it doesn't, I'll bet that it still turned out really well.

I'm not talking about ignorance. I'm not talking about stumbling through life with a stoned, uninformed happiness. Quite the opposite. I'm talking about the contentment and optimism of the informed, wise old person who's realized that it's the best way to live life.

I just do not have time for people or companies or anything motivated by fear. I cannot abide it anymore. I simply do not have time for that anymore. I'm human - I get scared, I get upset, I get frustrated. But lately it's only when I put my trust in someone, only to find that they are still slaves to fear.

With each passing year I find that the only part of me that feels like it's getting older and weaker is the fear that used to be inside me. And it's on life support lately. And I couldn't be happier.

Okay, got that out of my system.

Ode To A Saddle

Just look at this saddle. Look at it, won’t you? Go ahead, stare. Soak it in. Shiny, brass rails. Deep, brown leather. Thing of beauty. You’re not seeing it? Okay, I get it. You’re not an old school, cycling geek. Well I am, brother. And you’ll have to trust me, this thing is a doozy.

It’s the Cardiff Mercia saddle.

See if you can relate: take whatever thing that you’re really into, that you love, and make it shinier and richer in color and you’ll understand what I’m feeling.

Some hipster fixed-gear guys are into these leather saddles but I always have the feeling it’s just due to the aesthetics. The style. My love starts there, but goes deeper. The comfort. The way it gets more comfortable as it ages. And the patina? Heavens. I’ve been loyal to Brooks saddles and this is the first time I’ve strayed, but I’m an optimist and I feel that this will give me the same happiness.

I’ll stop my poetic waxing for now. But just wait until I get the new Nitto Randonneur Bike Rack that I ordered. I cannot promise that I’ll contain my excitement. Until then.

Ride Just To Ride

And run just to run. Don't do it to train. Don't do it to race. Don't keep track of mileage.

Do it to feel the day. The cold air. Or the warm air. Run a few blocks. Ride five miles an hour or put your head down and go 18 miles an hour for a few hours. They're all good options.

Do it to challenge yourself if you want. To push yourself. To improve yourself. To get in touch with yourself. Not to get faster so you can beat other people.

Riding should make you happy. The riding and the riding alone. Give it a try. You'll find that you want to do it more often.

Mick.

Flat out cool. Like, I'm sitting here trying to think of someone cooler than young Mick Jagger (you know, before he started to look like Don Knotts) and I can't do it. I'm sure I will come up with some and, if so, I'll post about them too. In the mean time, here's a link to a simple and genius blog about the man right here - http://fuckyeahmickjagger.tumblr.com

(via a cup of jo)

Paris, 1962

Alright, this is what I'm talking about. A real sweet spot when it comes to style, emotion and aesthetics. If only I had the ability to take snapshots that looked this magical. Anyway, it's a lovely set of photos. Enjoy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tompalumbo/sets/72157604469886784/

The Ready Steady Go Blog Starts Here

I would like to welcome you to the Ready, Steady, Go blog. I have no idea what identity this blog will eventually take. I don't know if it will have an easily-definable soul. But soul it will have. This little intro piece is perfect not just because of the name, but also because it embodies an aesthetic that I've been drawn to since I can remember. A clean, early/mid 1960's feel and energy. Mod. Clean. Smart. Sharp. Soulful. Enthusiasm. The blog starts here.