That’s right. “Live at Lestat’s” will be/was the last physical CD I make as an independent artist.

It just makes sense for me. It’s environmentally friendly, it’s less stuff to lug around in my gig bag (and to store at home) and ultimately, it’s cheaper for me to make an album. I know it might sound like a bad idea, especially to my music friends who have been selling CD’s for as long as they’ve played music. But this is the right choice for me and for my generation (as far as I know). Maybe I lose that immediacy of having something to put into someone’s hands at the end of the show and I lose that opportunity to make a fan. But there’s always other merchandise ideas that can be created in the physical CD’s place like shirts (which I’ve been talking about forever) and posters, etc.

Luckily the next album is still a ways off and I’ll have time to think about this particular issue more. I’m sure I will find a way around that and I’m sure that technology will as well.

My last two efforts (download them here) were good records but really were an experiment with songwriting for me. I enjoy the intimacy of both of those sounds but my musical heart has always been devoted to making big sounds. If you’ve seen the band play around town, I think you understand what I mean.

I’ve been meeting and recording with my friend Keith from Light of Day Studios who I’ve had the pleasure of recording with on Brenda Xu and John Hull’s albums. He’s got really strong sensibilities about what makes a good song and I will definitely be relying on Keith and the rest of the band for their musical expertise. The album will have ten tracks on it and you will probably recognize a few of them. But make no mistake, they will sound very different than what you’re used to!

The tricky thing about recording this album is how my songs have very different styles, maintaining the essence of the feel of those songs but making the album feel like a cohesive whole. I think of it like having your iPod on shuffle when you go from the Beatles to Bill Withers to Miles Davis to Jay-Z. They’re all very different sounding and as our ears get more used to these abrupt musical transitions, I think it would be interesting to make an album like that.

We’re going to begin rehearsing for the album sessions starting the end of the month and I’ll try to record most of the journey from here to the album release! It should be a wild ride!

I also just set up a Pledge Music account where you can help me reach my goal to help me with recording and production costs. It hasn’t gone live yet but it probably will at the end of the month. It’s an expensive venture to put out albums and to even play music in general and that’s why your support is so important! We’re going to be offering some exclusive opportunities for people that donate so stay tuned!

A grand total of 25 shows in 30 days.

Wow, that almost sounds like I’m a professional musician. That also probably explains why I got so sick a few weeks ago. Interestingly enough, I still can’t shake this cough… Here’s to hoping that my body beats it in the next week or so.

Being back in San Diego and not having quite as many shows to do allows for a lot of time to think about what the next steps for me are. If you’ve made it out to any shows, you’ve undoubtedly heard some new songs, new covers, saw some new dance moves (?), etc.

For the next few months, my primary focus will be to keep playing shows and becoming a better entertainer/guitar player/singer, but perhaps not as often so I can focus on writing new and better songs. I want to start working on a new album by the end of this year. That gives me a few months to screw around before I start panicking about not having enough songs for the new album. I already have a the name of the album, so the hard work is done.

I’ve been having a lot of fun posting videos on YouTube. When Michael Jackson died, I learned two Jackson songs- one was “The Way You Make Me Feel” which I play live and the other was “Man In the Mirror” which I posted to YouTube that night. But that’s purely for fun (and primarily out of boredom). Look out for new ones anyway. I promise not to do any Plain White Ts covers but I retain the rights to cover “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus.

I’m also thinking about making major changes to the way I operate and exist on MySpace and FaceBook. My conscious is still fighting with the notion of shameless mass advertising but unlike in the past, my conscious is at least considering it. If I only had people to work on that side of the music business for me… Someday.

There’s a lot on my mind right now and though you may not see me quite as often, I promise that I’m working. I’m working hard. Either on my stuff, with other bands that I’ve been invited to join or just having a good time playing music.

I hate having to plan out career strategies because I feel like talent should be able to move me forward. And to an extent, that couldn’t be further from the truth and it is absolutely the truth. I hate that. But as I approach it from a new angle, I realize that I can’t just move myself forward on my own. Friends can also move you forward. With out your love and support, I’d be nowhere despite all of the trying I might do myself. So thanks to you, my friends. I hope we can hang out soon!

Kenny