Southpaw Jones

Yesterday, I included this sentence: “Thanks to everyone who came out to the Cactus Café last night!” Well, this site is all about honesty, and if I’m being honest, I have to include that I typed those words before the actual CD release show. I just assumed there would be people in attendance and that I’d want to thank them.

Now that I’ve had my day off to refresh and reflect, I need to amend my statement: Thanks to everyone who filled up the Cactus Café, purchased tons of CDs, and made it the best show of my life. The support was surprising, encouraging, and a bit overwhelming. Thank you, Austin, for making it ok for me to be me.

Enough of the mushy stuff, now, I’m back at work. Everybody knows employees of American Money Team aren’t supposed to cry tears of appreciation.

Would you like to see some footage of the historic evening? My friend Jennifer Gandin Le of Critical Minutiae posted my performance of “Everyman” (track 7 on CRUELTY). She even transcribed the lyrics on her site AND included “Long Hot Shower” on the keytar! Thanks to Chris and Jennifer for capturing the show and sharing.

Southpaw Jones’ “Everyman” from CRUELTY from Jennifer Gandin Le on Vimeo.

Also, Mr. Ben Bartley wrote about the show on his blog, I Ben: Thinking. Kind words from a kind man. Thanks, Ben.

Now that I’ve survived the release process, a different sort of work begins. My new task is making sure that every human being who might enjoy CRUELTY is able to find out about CRUELTY. It won’t be easy, so if you have any ideas for me, please share. I hope you’re enjoying the CD or your plans to obtain one.

as reported in The New York Times

July 31, 1908
FARMAN’S AIRSHIP LIKE A HUGE BIRD
The Planes Are Arched Like Wings, and It Even Has a Birdlike Beak.

One clue whose answer consists of two rhyming words:

That blogger passed away a year ago, but today, there is a new entry on the bulletin board with his name on it! Does anyone have an explanation for this…

Highlight here for answer: [ghost post]


Fitness One Hundred Years Ago

It is the fundamental wisdom of the capitalist system that it functions irrespective of the wisdom or the stupidity of the capitalists.
Gustav Stolper

EVERY DANG THURSDAY
8:00 PM
Flipnotics at the Triangle
4600 Guadalupe
AUSTIN, TX
(512) 380-0097
www.flipnotics.com
________________________________________________________________

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008
8:00 pm
Oma Gruene
1263 Gruene Rd.
NEW BRAUNFELS, TX
CD Release Celebration for CRUELTY!
830-237-5746
www.omagruene.com
Raina Rose opens.

Since I worked so hard on the build-up to the big CRUELTY CD release last night, I’ve decided to take the day off today. Thanks to everyone who came out to the Cactus Café last night!

For those of you who don’t have your copy of CRUELTY yet, let me tell you where you can get it:

If you’re in Austin, you can purchase the CD at Waterloo Records or End of an Ear. You can also come to my show at Flipnotics @ the Triangle Thursday night and buy one directly from me.

Far away folks can order CRUELTY right here at southpawjones.com, using the PayPal button below (or by visiting the CRUELTY page). It’s only $13.99 plus $1.50 shipping.

You can also order the CD online from CDBaby or purchase high quality MP3s for $9.99 and receive them instantly.

Those of you who already have CRUELTY in your life, I hope you’re enjoying it, and I hope you’ll help me spread the word. Feel free to send thoughts, reviews, and love letters to southpaw@southpawjones.com, and I may post them here.

I’ll be back tomorrow with a full episode of southpawjones.com. Thanks for your support!

Fitness One Hundred Years Ago

EVERY DANG THURSDAY
8:00 PM
Flipnotics at the Triangle
4600 Guadalupe
AUSTIN, TX
(512) 380-0097
www.flipnotics.com
________________________________________________________________

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008
8:00 pm
Oma Gruene
1263 Gruene Rd.
NEW BRAUNFELS, TX
CD Release Celebration for CRUELTY!
830-237-5746
www.omagruene.com
Raina Rose opens.

As much as you try to be civil, you can’t escape a little CRUELTY.
CRUELTY comes at you.
CRUELTY comes out of you.
Now CRUELTY can come out of your stereo speakers or headphones or earbuds!
CD Release tonight!
Tuesday, July 29 @ Cactus Cafe.

Visit the Cactus Café tonight at 8:30 pm to see a killer show and pick up your piece of CRUELTY. The wonderful Raina Rose opens the show, and after she knocks your socks off, I’ll throw my best at you all night long, baby.

If you live outside the Austin area, you can order your copy by clicking the PayPal button below or by visiting CDBaby. CDBaby also offers high quality MP3s, so you can get the tunes instantly. Plus, you can hear big chunks of each song for free, if you want a better feel for what the CD is like.

$13.99 + $1.50 shipping

The songs:

1. Legitimate Film
2. The Cruelty of Teenage Girls

3. Amelía
4. Fatty Arbuckle
5. Domesticity
6. The Last Remaining Beatle
7. Everyman
8. El Soldado
9. Wheat Threshers
10. You Let Me Down
11. To Be So Bland
12. Main Street
13. Sometimes I Forget

I started recording this CD three years ago, in July 2005. Then I ran out of money, so I stopped. Then I fell into some money, so I recorded a little more. And so it went, until finally, in this year of our lord 2008, we finished laying down tracks at Top Hat Recording. It was time for mixing, sequencing, mastering, artwork, duplicating, shrink wrapping, promotion, and what not. That took a while. Now, on this day, July 29, it is finished. I can proudly hand you a copy of CRUELTY and say, “This is exactly what I wanted it to be.” CRUELTY is an Austin record, an acoustic record, and a one-of-a-kind record.

Thanks to John Harvey & Mary Podio at Top Hat Recording, Spike Gillespie, Miranda Mueller, Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Bruce Hughes, Ryan Lindsay, Matt the Electrician, Cole Roulain, Jon Greene, Seela, and Sick. Each of these people helped CRUELTY exist and sound special. Thanks again to everyone who pre-ordered the CD, and everyone who will purchase it starting today. You are all supporting what I do and how I be. Please share CRUELTY with everyone you love.

as reported in The New York Times

July 29, 1908
HORSE HELPS SAVE SWIMMER.
Takes Policeman in After Drowning Man and Drags Them Out.
Policemen Grabau and Carty of the Coney Island Station rescued two men from drowning yesterday in sight of the crowds in Seaside Park, at the foot of the Ocean Parkway, Coney Island.

One clue whose answer consists of two rhyming words:

The eccentric chef makes a wonderful creamy shellfish soup, but he serves it on a flat circular plate! It’s a little hard to handle his signature…

Highlight here for answer: [bisque disk]


Fitness One Hundred Years Ago

All cruelty springs from weakness.
Seneca the Younger

EVERY DANG THURSDAY
8:00 PM
Flipnotics at the Triangle
4600 Guadalupe
AUSTIN, TX
(512) 380-0097
www.flipnotics.com
________________________________________________________________

TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2008
8:30 pm
Cactus Cafe
The Texas Union, 24th & Guadalupe
AUSTIN, TX
CD Release Celebration for CRUELTY!
(512) 475-6515
www.utexas.edu/txunion/ae/cactus/index.php
Raina Rose opens.
________________________________________________________________

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008
8:00 pm
Oma Gruene
1263 Gruene Rd.
NEW BRAUNFELS, TX
CD Release Celebration for CRUELTY!
830-237-5746
www.omagruene.com
Raina Rose opens.

You have just ONE day to live your life without CRUELTY!
How shall you spend it?
CD Release Tomorrow!
Tuesday, July 29 @ Cactus Cafe.

Tomorrow night is the big CD release, and I’m starting to feel the odd sensation of preparedness. On Sunday, I finally put down my self-promotion hat and put on my artist/performer hat to rehearse for the show. Southpaw rehearsal features me in a closed room with an unplugged microphone on a stand. I start working through songs, and it is a constant battle to keep from exploring tangents or starting new tunes. Trust me, it is much more fun to come up with new musics than polish old musics. But sometimes you just have to polish, especially if you’re Polish. I may be part Polish, as I am a mystery mutt.

Thanks to everyone who pre-ordered CRUELTY. I personally sent those out on Saturday, so they should be getting to you today or Tuesday. If it ends up being Wednesday, well, I miscalculated the USPS’s abilities, and I apologize.

I’ll put the PayPal button back up tomorrow, so you can order a copy or twelve of CRUELTY, and I’ll also post some other ways you can score those sweet, sweet tunes.

If you’re coming to the CD release show tomorrow, feel free to e-mail song requests, or drop them in a comment. I can’t promise I’ll play them all, but I’ll give them hearty southwestern consideration.

And now, some Class Acts:

• James Taylor
• Meryl Streep
• Joni Mitchell
• Studs Terkel
• Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

as reported in The New York Times

July 28, 1908
KILLED BY ELECTRIFIED TUB.
Lieut. Oswalt Tries to Arrange Electric Bath with Fatal Results.

One clue whose answer consists of two rhyming words:

I know you’ve got a lot to do, but there’s no reason to get so excited and agitated. If you’re not careful, you’re going to work yourself into a…

Highlight here for answer: [busy tizzy]


Fitness One Hundred Years Ago

The first step towards madness is to think oneself wise.
Fernando de Rojas

EVERY DANG THURSDAY
8:00 PM
Flipnotics at the Triangle
4600 Guadalupe
AUSTIN, TX
(512) 380-0097
www.flipnotics.com
________________________________________________________________

TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2008
8:30 pm
Cactus Cafe
The Texas Union, 24th & Guadalupe
AUSTIN, TX
CD Release Celebration for CRUELTY!
(512) 475-6515
www.utexas.edu/txunion/ae/cactus/index.php
Raina Rose opens.
________________________________________________________________

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2008
8:00 pm
Oma Gruene
1263 Gruene Rd.
NEW BRAUNFELS, TX
CD Release Celebration for CRUELTY!
830-237-5746
www.omagruene.com
Raina Rose opens.

You have just 4 days to live your life without CRUELTY!
How shall you spend them?
CD Release Tuesday, July 29 @ Cactus Cafe.

It’s a Friday for friends, my friends. Ms. Spike Gillespie has written up me and my CRUELTY at ausinist.com. She writes, “Any people who have ears and hearts will most enjoy CRUELTY.” I sure hope so! It’s a fun read, and if you check it out, please click the RECOMMEND THIS! link at the bottom of the post. That will help more people find the article. Thanks!

And now, my friend and hero Owen Egerton in Uncle Pappy’s Magic Camp:

[YouTube link]

as reported in The New York Times

July 25, 1908
ROCKEFELLER MAKES A HIT.
Paints Free of Charge Roof of a Home That Offended His Eye.
John D. Rockefeller has made a hit with the Irish in this wise: He is building a new home on the top of Kyhit, and from it he wants a view that is pleasing to his eye in every respect.

One clue whose answer consists of two rhyming words:

This hot dog frank has too much fat in it, and you know I’m on a diet! Now go find me a…

Highlight here for answer: [leaner wiener]


World’s Worst Comic Book Museum

The truth may be puzzling. It may take some work to grapple with. It may be counterintuitive. It may contradict deeply held prejudices. It may not be consonant with what we desperately want to be true. But our preferences do not determine what’s true.
Carl Sagan

EVERY DANG THURSDAY
8:00 PM
Flipnotics at the Triangle
4600 Guadalupe
AUSTIN, TX
(512) 380-0097
www.flipnotics.com
________________________________________________________________

TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2008
Cactus Cafe
The Texas Union, 24th & Guadalupe
AUSTIN, TX
CD Release Celebration for CRUELTY!
(512) 475-6515
www.utexas.edu/txunion/ae/cactus/index.php