wrapped in seaweed

Moved

2009-07-06T23:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it's been awhile since I last posted, but big things have sort of happened. Well, in terms of my location. I packed up and moved to Chicago back in early March.

I've popped my head in a few open mics here and there, ultimately looking to land gigs of course. I'm going to look into play more open mics as I discover more of Chicago.

Last month on June 15th, I played for a podcast Chicago Acoustic Underground which is a neat little music show for singer/songwriters in and around the Chicagoland area. I Debuted some new songs and the show will be posted soon.

Speaking of new songs, I've been working on some:
The Lions and The Owl
Meteor
Starved Rock Cove
Hooves
Honey Creek
Seaweed
Poor Grasshopper

At least the absence of gigs I am still writing and if the opportunity came up to record again I could. Since well, it's almost been a year since The Drowned Coast came out and well that didn't get out to people as I had hoped.

Things on the horizon and the future of Zephuros. Currently I have no intentions of letting up, this is a nice creative outlet for me so I will keep plugging away at songs and trying to get gigs and just let my music be heard.

So don't you worry Zephuros fans, the few, I will still be here.

Cheers.

New Show

2009-02-06T22:50:00.000-08:00

New gig announced @ 400 Bar.

The Drowned Coast Review

2009-01-21T17:42:00.000-08:00

An Ohio based magazine had a review printed in it.

Zephuros
The Drowned Coast
Self-Released, 2008
by Jill Mapes

It becomes clear that whether entirely purposeful or otherwise, Zephuros, AKA former OU student Kevin Meyer, draws most of his inspiration from nature. Ducks, egrets, whales, flies, squirrels, leopards, foxes, grizzly bears, meadowlarks and roebucks (a European deer, to be exact) can be found roaming throughout The Drowned Coast as freely as they would in a peaceful meadow.

While it is a gentle voice similar to Ben Gibbard (of Death Cab for Cutie) that sings Zephuros’ songs, Meyer’s musical style is comparable to those of Sufjan Stevens and Andrew Bird, a multi-instrumentalist with whom Meyer has shared the stage. It is here on The Drowned Coast that Meyer’s multi-instrumentalist background and Andrew Bird affinity seem to surface. There is a full orchestra of OU students at the helm of Zephuros’ musical departure from his first self-release effort, The Black Gull. Providing an interlude between each song and accompaniments throughout all 16 tracks, the orchestra’s high-flying flutes, meandering clarinets and plucky piano parts provide the musical variation needed to set The Drowned Coast apart from other acoustic albums.

While The Drowned Coast may leave listeners yearning for a bit more edge, closing tracks like “Mount Rainier” and “Emerald Sea,” which tells the story of an immigrant deer attempting to make his way to the U.S., prove themselves as rightfully climactic and hugely dramatic. As “Emerald Sea” progresses, it becomes clear that it is more about a family separated by distance than an antlered mammal.

By the impression left by his music, Meyer comes off as the type of person who, despite eye-rolling annoyance from certain friends, would just feel wrong setting up mouse traps or squashing a bug. Perhaps what feels wrong above all, however, is that The Drowned Coast’s seemingly simple acoustic songs about animals can, and at some point probably will, bring listeners to tears. The reason for this is simple: Zephuros’ wildlife lyrics reflect more insight into human nature than those of many young singer-songwriters today

*(Parts of this review have been published previously by SpeakeasyMag.com)

Read it here (pdf)

January Shows

2009-01-15T13:23:00.000-08:00

It seems I may have been booked for a show next week Jan 21st at the 400 Bar. However, the booking man said I could have it if I can draw some people. Unfortunately I know very very few amounts of people here.

Oh well, we shall see if he still gives me the show.

The gig at the end of the month depends if an artist is a no show or not. But it looks like (so far) I should stay true to my musical resolution of trying to play at least one show every month this year. Seeing as I don't have the luxury of Athens' music scene.

Upcoming albums to watch for this month:
Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion
Bon Iver - Blood Bank EP

I believe they all come out on Jan 20th.

Cheers.

Happy New Year

2009-01-08T10:47:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2009 (a week late)

I've been trying to get on some bills, but it seems like without any luck to this point. Oh well. I think a musical goal for me this year would be to try to play one gig every month. I think it could be possible, however, probably unlikely seeing as I have very few contacts here in Minnesota.

Another goal would be to record again. But since I have absolutely no money at this point, that really isn't feasible.

I did finally pay off my recording debts for The Drowned Coast, so hooray to being broke again. But hooray for not having that looming over my head.

Been working on some new stuff. Recently one about an Owl and a Lion family. I'm really digging the chord progression. So perhaps I can string together some lyrics and make it a song.

Other than that, no real big news to post.

Cheers.

Honey Creek EP

2008-12-26T14:35:00.000-08:00

Last night I recorded an EP on my parents computer. An incredibly basic microphone and no editing was done. Since, I have already used up all my songs on myspace and can't add anymore, I decided to post them here for you to listen to / download (for real). Click the title of the song to download or "right click + save as.."

It's really lo-fi and full of imperfections. Obviously these are the new songs I have been working on and I really like them. If I ever get the chance to professional record again, you bet these will be on there, however, I don't see that in the near future so I might as well share the tunes. Enjoy!

Cheers.

1. Poor Grasshopper

2. Hooves

3. Honey Creek

4. Seaweed

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T14:46:00.000-08:00

I'm a few Christmas cocktails in and thought I would say Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays.

I've been thinking about this past year (musically) and I have to say I'm pretty darn impressed. Granted I didn't get on bills as big as Andrew Bird / Denison Witmer, etc. But I got some good gigs with other bands that are really great. Not to mention I did release a second album, featuring an orchestra. A dream of mine was to have my music backed with an orchestra.

So everything has got me thinking about the future of Zephuros. For awhile I had considered discontinuing the name and music altogether as it felt more of an Athens band and college memory. But to be honest, if I were to start something new, I think it would be hard to do that. Frankly, I don't know how to write a song that's not about nature/animals. Plus I think I'm slowly getting into the scene here which is good. I guess I just miss consistently playing shows like I did in Athens and it's frustrating to have to start over. Where people sit there and condescendingly say "who is this guy?" But alas, that is the process of starting your music over in another city. All I can hope for next year is to play shows, with great bands and maybe record again. I think these newer songs I've been writing are even better than the old ones. I'm kind of leaning at making it more electric, more folk-rocky. We'll see if that develops more. Perhaps Zephuros will even turn into a band rather than a solo act.

Ok, enough Christmas Cocktail Venting.

Happy Holidays!

Cheers.

Long Days

2008-12-22T19:33:00.000-08:00

In the mean time while I've been looking for a permanent full-time job, I've been working random odd jobs. The latest is UPS, meaning I walk around in the chilly Minneapolis winter taking packages to people's doors. Today was one of the longer days that I worked. Typically it would be 4-6 hour shifts. Today was close to 9. So, I'm cold right now. I need to sit next to the heater and write a song about being cold. I need this money to pay off my debts for my latest album (The Drowned Coast), which has been looming over my head for quite some time now and has hindered my spending.

I've been working on trying to get added to a couple of bills that would be a nice step into the music scene here. First would be January 23 @ Varsity Theatre w/ City and Colour. That would definitely be a good way to get noticed here in town. Another is March 5th @ 400 Bar w/ AA Bondy. I think I may have a decent chance to get that bill since I played that bar before and the owner seemed to dig my music. Obviously, I'll keep you all updated.

I'm probably heading to Chicago next week, I'd like to play a show there but I think it's too short notice to get something set up. Bummer.

I've started to realize, I'm slowly building enough material to think about recording another album. Mind you, this would be late in 2009 and only if I have a decent enough following in the city I happen to be living in. I've sort of felt like I've been in an unofficial race to make more albums than my good friends from Athens, Russenorsk. We both released our debut album together at the same show. I however got the edge on album number two. Though, their upcoming "Comforts" album (set to drop Jan 30) I'm sure will blow people away. They deserve all the success that will soon be coming to them. But, I beat them getting a second album out and I will take that to the grave.

Well friends, stay warm.

Cheers.

Greetings

2008-12-21T17:14:00.001-08:00

So, I decided to jump on the band wagon of music blogs. (Of course the pun is intended). The purpose of this here thing, is for me to discuss my music, Minneapolis and other music in general. I'll post links about new music I've found, etc.

To update those who have listened / currently listen to my music and happen to be far from Minneapolis, but I've been subtly trying to plop myself into the scene here. I've played two shows at two bars here in town and both were really cool with great bands. I've been tentatively added to another show at the end of January. I'll be joining a band I played with this past Friday (Where the Astronauts Go To Hide) as well as this great band from Omaha that I played with last year on mini-tour. (Midwest Dilemma) Should be a pretty a nice show at a great little neighborhood bar, Stastiu's, in Northeast Minneapolis.

With the end of the year, comes my favorite albums released in 2008. I've been doing these little lists since 2004.

Past #1's:
2007: Andrew Bird - Armchair Apocrypha
2006: Joanna Newsom - Ys
2005: Sufjan Stevens - Illinoise
2004: Arcade Fire - Funeral

2008
25. DM Stith - Current Speech EP
24. Horse Feathers - House With No Name
23. Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords
22. The Dodos - Visiter
21. Dr. Dog - Fate
20. Thomas Newman - Wall-E Soundtrack
19. Midwest Dilemma - Timelines & Tradegies
18. The Walkmen - You & Me
17. Mason Proper - Olly Oxen Free
16. Blitzen Trapper - Furr
15. Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer
14. She & Him - Volume 1
13. Plants and Animals - Parc Avenue
12. Annuals - Such Fun
11. Islands - Arm's Way
10. Mother Mother - O My Heart
09. Frances - All The While
08. Sigur Ros - Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
07. The Welcome Wagon - Welcome to the Welcome Wagon
06. Tv on the Radio - Dear Science
05. Sun Kil Moon - April
04. Okkervil River - The Stand-Ins
03. Wye Oak - If Children
02. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
01. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

I'll attempt to post as frequently as possible. Hopefully you'll like reading about the workings of Zephuros as well as the other music things I'm interested in.

Cheers.