pretty good, pretty good

This is the first entry from my new blog about a punk rock quilting project!  Follow it!

ALL

Those of you who know me will find this project to be no surprise.  For those of you who don't, let me introduce myself.  I'm Buick Audra.  I have the All-O-Gistics on my music room wall and I wear a gold pendant that says 'Good Good Things'.  In short: I'm a Descendents fan.  I also happen to be a maker of sorts.  These two parts of who I am will come together over the following thirty-six weeks. 

I currently live in Nashville where I enjoy a fairly chill life of making rock music and the occasional vegan cupcake.  I have a rad husband and a little old cat who wears a tuxedo, full time.  In past lives, I've also been the creator of many a thing out of fabric.  Lately those projects are becoming fewer and fewer, I guess to make way for the music.  It all started with quilting, many many years ago, and I've decided to get back in touch with that part of who I am.  I was recently flipping through a book of five hundred and one quilt squares and fantasizing about making a kind of sampler.  I've set out to do just that, though I'm adding my own punk rock twist: each square will have the name of a different Descendents song on it, by way of some fairly shoddy hand embroidery.  They will all be six inch squares with satin stitch embroidery.  I'm doing my best to pay homage to the Descendents font (Franklin Gothic Extra Condensed), but, yo... That's no joke, right there.  It will in no way be perfect, but I think it will be fun as hell.  I'm going to do one square per week, for the next thirty-six weeks.
This is my first square, and I started where it made the most sense to: ALL.

Enjoy, fellow Descendents nerds... Enjoy.
- B.A.

ALL: 6 x 6 inches, shoofly pattern in  cotton (inspired by 'ALL' from the album ALL, 1987)

to do:

Here's what my next few months look like, knock wood.

1. Write one more song for the Friendship Commanders EP.
2. Record that and two other songs for that same project (three already done!).
3. Edit tracks and finish vocals for top secret side project.
4. Finish tracking Bo Bertold's vocals for the Fortune Teller album.
5. Edit and mix the Fortune Teller album.
6. Work on the garments for the Ringing Bell project.
7. Sleep sometimes.
8. Do yoga badly in the living room to a weird lady's instructions on a DVD.
9. Drink lots of coffee.
10. Learn how to properly "tweet".

What's your year looking like so far?

Rock,

buick audra

a year in review

Hey dudes and dudettes,

I'm terrible at this website thing, but I do care, and therefore continue to try to improve.  As there are roughly thirty-three hours left in this year, I find myself reflecting on what's happened since this time last year.  I'm sure I'll forget a thing or five, but here's most of the truth:

1. We released Family Album.  Oh yes we did.
2. We shot a video for 'True Story', which may never see the light of day... But, we tried.
3. I co-produced a terrific record for a project called Fortune Teller.  That should be in your hands and hearts this coming year.  If you buy any music next year, let that be it.
4. My secret side project fell apart and then regained it's footing in the eleventh hour.  High-five to working through the tough spots.  More on that in the secret future.
5. I started a rad EP with a new band called Friendship Commanders.  We hope to give you six face-melting songs to light furniture on fire to very soon.
6. I got my very first instrument endorsement, and LOVE my new Taylor 614ce.  Rules.
7. Jerry Roe and I got hitched in our back yard.  Awesomeness cubed.
8. I got an SM7 mic, and will never let you forget it as long as I live.  You'll all rue the day my pals gave it to me.  You just wait.
9. Eleven of us rallied together to knit scarves for a local homeless shelter for families at Christmas.  I'm very proud of our efforts.
10. I have love and friendship in my life today, and credit everything above to that gift alone.  

Happy new year, gang.  Drive safely and beware of psychos in general.

Word,

buick audra

recap

Thanks so much to everyone who came out to our show at the Family Wash the other night.  It was a short set, but I enjoyed the hell out of every minute.  It was such a pleasure to share the stage with Tim Marks and Steve Bowman.  Here are the songs we played:

Your Best Friend

Back to Boston

Being Friends With Boys

On The Move

Unkissed

I'm tracking more guitars for this album tomorrow, and can't wait to share some of it with you very soon!  xo

9.27.11: