Why I'm Not Playing Shows Right Now

a few incidents recently have prompted me to divulge the various reasons i am not currently playing shows.

first and foremost, my main band (Dyed Emotions) is spread out geographically. this isn't much of a problem, but it really isn't worth it for the three of us to travel to meet and perform at some little bar for $300 or whatever. Not meaning to complain about the many great venues that supported us in the past, but realistically, we've 'paid our dues', and it just isn't that thrilling to play for peanuts anymore. Time ... ten years, to be exact ... has taught us to be more selective. Plan more, sweat less.
want dE to perform at your venue? contact us with a reasonable bid, and we'll talk. if it's worth the trip, we'll do it.
meanwhile, we (i should say 'i', as i'm not sure my bandmates are backing this weirdness) are exploring alternate promotional methods, and so far, results have been better than expected. Not playing shows used to seem like 'musical suicide', and for most bands, it probably is. For what we do, however, not playing every show that comes along is a sound financial decision.

we're also working on new material, and would like to focus more on writing than playing old songs. (you have to remember, the newest of our released songs was written at the turn of the century!)

I will not perform yet as a solo artist because i refuse to dance around onstage alone with a keyboard on remote and a guitar around my neck. I'm putting together my solo CD, and once i've decided on the songs, i'll put together a small group and play a handful of shows (because i do miss being onstage!) My solo music will differ greatly from what you've heard me do with dE, and will probably not be as 'commercial', but it's something i need to do.

I have been writing a LOT of music the past week ... a project i'm involved in just picked up the pace, and we're beginning to have more musicians ready to play than music for them to play, so i've been tearing my hair out trying to keep up. I can't give out too much detail, but this is more a 'writing gig' for me than a 'performing gig', the musical style (and writing process) is vastly different than anything i've done before (and would probably shock friends, family and fans), and i need to have a killer song done by may 9th for a performance or two ...

my wife supports this particular project, so i've been able to spend some of my working hours over the past week writing, and i was able to make a few purchases to enhance my writing/recording capability.

anyway ...

if you're one of the people who have offered to 'manage' us, give us a show, let us open for your band, etc ... i'm truly sorry. it's awkward saying "i'm in a band, but no, we're not performing, i don't want a manager, and (dE, at least) is not looking to get 'signed"
i know what i'm doing, we like the creative freedom (everything from music to artwork to promotion) that having our own label allows, and it's just too difficult to explain this all to someone "who knows all about the biz" (to quote a recent offer).

i'll certainly mention it when the status changes, but for right now i'm not combing my hair, putting on the eyeliner or loading the gear into the van ... and it feels kind of nice.