Archive for January, 2004
Elmo’s “Proletariat” Out for Listening
Now, referring to yesterday’s announcement, logic would say I ought leave the first MP3 up for awhile before announcing a new one, but I’ve reached that plateau, you know. The one that’s beyond logic and common sense. The latest Elmo recording, entitled "Proletariat" is performed by Kirk Brown (vocals/guitars) formerly of Cellophane the Midwives, myself, Justin Norman (bass) and Robby Ogden (drums) of Cardcan, as well as Jason Staniger (piano) formerly of Battle Hymns. The project was in the works all of last summer, finally recorded later November of 2003, and now it’s complete. Download away: Proletariat (192 kbps MP3, 7.5 MB)
No commentsNew Music from the Wretched Minstrel
Dear me! More news? Possibly of death this time? Well, today’s update will be far less dreary than the previous one, so turn that frown upside down you little rascal buckaroos. It seems that since the split of Cardboard Canary I’ve been able to offer you more new music, such as “This Wretched Fiasco” and “Opaque Windows.” Well, now I have more. If you want somewhat of an idea as to what may come next for me, over the past month I’ve devised an acoustic rendition of a new song I’ve written which is now in MP3 format on this very site (!/?/.) I hope you all will spare me the “ungh, another sappy acoustic bit” precursor, because I think I can safely say this is not your typical acoustic music. But, before you click the link, please realize this is a rather lengthy composition, making it a massive 12.5 MB to download. So, all you 56k users had best be upgradin’ to cable quick. And now without further ado, I give you “Vegas Anesthetic Peddler.” Leave your comments on the message board or send me an e-mail
No commentsCardboard Canary Splits
Well everyone, I have some good news for those who despise us, and some very bad news for those who were somewhat interested in what we’ve done over the past three years. Yes, indeed. After months of confusion this overdramatic soap opera is quickly coming to a conclusion. As of this weekend, Cardboard Canary is officially finished.
The main reason for our breakup is that Bradford has decided it is not his place to join Blake and I in California. Having settled that, Blake and I are the only two remaining members of the band, and Cardboard Canary in its best form has always been the three of us working together. If any one of us is missing, we feel it just wouldn’t be the same band. We won’t outrule any hopes of finding replacements and carrying on with the same name, but whatever comes out of this certainly won’t be the band of old.
Over the past two years, Blake, Bradford, Devin, Robby and I put on over 80 performances in Iowa, Nevada and Arizona and we really enjoyed doing that. We especially felt things were coming together near the end of the band’s existence with songs like “Opaque Windows,” “This Wretched Fiasco,” and “The Usual Delve.” God truly blessed us with wonderful audiences (2,400 in Phoenix, Arizona) and playing with my fellow band members has definitely been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I hope this all doesn’t sound too cheesy or anything like that, because I truly mean it. Thank you all so very, very much for taking an interest in what we’ve been doing. It really means a lot to know that we’ve been used to accomplish something, even if it was very small.
So then, the first musical chapter in our lives comes to a close now, but we surely don’t intend to stop creating music here. Blake and Erik are at work on a new band in Pasadena, California, and I may join them at some point, though that is yet to be decided. In the meantime I am at work recording demos of new material at home in hopes to begin performances again at some point. I’m also recording with Elmo ocassionally. Cardboardcanary.com will be used to bring you the latest news on our new projects, together or seperate, and provide you with MP3s when they’re prepared for open ears. Please do continue to check back if you’re interested, because Blake and I are determined to press forward musically, as it’s what we feel God is overwhelmingly leading us to do.
As for now, I’m closing this chapter down with two of our favorite songs we’ve recorded, which we never offered as downloads: Opaque Windows (192kbps MP3) | This Wretched Fiasco (192 kbps MP3)
We hope you enjoy them, and that you continue to stop by the Web site. Thank you so much for all of your support. Blake and I wish you well.
Goodbye,
Justin Norman (bass/vocals)
The trees here seem less real every day. I’m longing to leave here, yet wanting to stay. Strength still I hold now and I carry on. I’ll keep on moving until we’re all gone.
Worn (the first Cardboard Canary recording)
Photograph by Erik Brown.