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Author: Luke
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Today
The long October, a new Ponderance
This has been one of those clusters of time where big things happen and there isn’t really even a way to gauge how much it impacted. To see Barack Obama elected was something I never thought I’d witness in my youthful days, and not for the reasons the media is obsessed with. I know it meant a lot to me to see this, as halfway through the minute after MSNBC announced he had won I was calling all my family quite emotional. That happened. It was beautiful.
Now here in the whirlpool or resilient aftermath, whatever it’s called. Things have been quaking a bit. I’m listening to old music and catching up on some long overdue chores, generally putting things into categories and then evaluating each and every one. Like: for instance: music. The album of songs I’ve been playing live is getting to the point of “ok, well, let’s put it out!”… though I’d like to have a sudden revelation and record another song or two with it. The other albums are floundering, and have taken far too long to put together. But it’s all organization at this point… a lot of the material is there… just waiting to be shaped up.
And then there is Aaron Ross’ new project, The Heirs Of Mystery. That album is almost done. A trio: Aaron singing playing guitar, Cody Feiler on electric guitar and backup vocals, me on cello and backup vocals. It’s a fun mix, it’s a good mix, it’s the kind of mix that doesn’t happen often, musically or personally… I really admire and respect those guys on all levels and I think that what we end up putting out, such as this last Sunday at the Crazy Horse Saloon in downtown Nevada City, while the sweaty pre-election crowd sat waitingwise under the redlights hearing for the first time… I think it is good. It is good music.
So tomorrow evening downtown Nevada City again, playing cello for an art opening at the Mekka… will be an interesting thing… fun I hope. And lately that’s what I mean, just a constant waterfall of these types of opportunities, crossing paths with really cool people. Nevada City has opened a bit, and yet…
now winter is upon us in it’s own way
and who knows… I just feel that of course, as always, as usual, it is not enough to be sitting here waiting for the next page to turn, waiting for the blind spot to become defogged, and perhaps even waiting for some approval to crop up out of the ether, because you know, we all want that. And, as it is shown, we are all getting there, older, and wiser, and closer to our fate, whatever it may be.
So, in short, things roll forward. I’m moving this more into journal form again by the way. I don’t really mind if it offends anyone that I shall tell of my days and nights and life in a truly vain manner on these pages. It’s what it is. I don’t need no excuses…
“The darkness has got the best of us… there’s a darkness in this town that’s got us too…
they can’t touch me now… you can’t touch me now… they aint goin’ to do to me what I watched them do to you… ” – Independence Day you should know perhaps who by
So yes, thanks in the air, the full fall leaves weighting down just enough. Enough passing by in a blur to become one with each exhale, the days. The sharpness of breath, the long-ness of the night. The books to read, the family to see, the projects to complete. The holy arena of reflection. It always happens, thank goodness.
Ambition is the answer to the vanity that tears me apart. I know I want to do more, and I believe that it will come about, the restless dreams of each and every night meaning something, meaning that indeed there is meaning. Simple tasks like homework pull me into two halves, the perfectly numb and the perfectly distraught. That’s where I’m at… You?
No, I haven’t been drinking. I just get this from the crisp air, from being on the cusp of change. From being a part of this second that said: write.
Make way
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Home in Fall
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Pre-show
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Cody at saint joe’s
Cody Feiler practices a guitar part in this picture during an off moment of practice. Me, Aaron Ross, and Cody are playing together on Friday night at The Center For The Arts in Grass Valley. The show is pretty exciting because this set is really complex and unique music. The rhythms are in strange timings and the harmonies are pretty crazy. I play cello, Cody plays electric guitar, Aaron sings and plays acoustic guitar. We pitch in backup vocals… It’s really fun to be a part of such a great project.
As a band we’re the “Heirs Of Mystery”. (We might go with the “Ayers Of Mystery” for the next month however…)
I’m also playing that night, is going to be a big, rad show.
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October 24, Grass Valley
Dance Lessons
My job
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Saturday night recording session…
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Saturday night recording session…
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the Oakland air is headed into fall chilliness and the sun is setting earlier. Autumn is here, nothing to be done about it… It’s been a long good week on both coasts.
I’ve been putting off posing though I’ve known for a while that the Mondo Cello Fest has been postponed until next spring… There are many reasons for this, most I’m not privy to but it comes down to economics for now. I’m terrifically sad to not be playing the west coast, and I’m particularly sad to not get to meet all these amazing cello peers.
But, it means I will rebook and be able to finish my albums. Life moves on…
In 50 years
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Back in the studio
I’m so eager to begin work again on all the recording projects that are there waiting to be completed… After recording with Aaron Ross on his new album, which turned our so epic and great in a singleweekend, I’m inspired. Right now using the mandolin!
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Please register to vote
It’s always a good idea to make sure you are registered and good to go. Go to VoteForChange.com to find out where to go, and how to vote early!
leaving new york
well I’ve always wanted to play a show in new York, and that was fun… Good sound, people at Pete’s were cool… What I should have realized though is that what thisnwas really about was being here, wandering the MET in awe of Warhol and Okeefe… Gotta get on the plane now…
Why am I being so weird and not writing more?
Well the truth is I’ve reached this certain critical mass of things happening, they may very well spontaneously combust. I’m trying to figure out NYC still, but I’m determined that it will be a great show. I guess what I’m saying is that, everything is there, happening, with strange mutations. But they do move ever-forward of course…
Surprise: Everybody Is Dreaming
Here is a little preview of a track off the new album… there may be a little mastering here, some remixing there, but overall, I like the feel of this early draft…
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So Much To Say
September is here, and the air has cooled almost imperceptibly. I’m still looking for a long summer. Yes I have been very busy lately, hence the lack of a voice here in website land.
This weekend I had so much fun it’s hard to put into words recording Aaron Ross‘ new album with him and Cody Feiler in the old church at St. Joseph’s in Grass Valley. Last night was the last of three nights recording there, and we were all banging on drums at midnight. It was some of the finishing touches on the most productive recording weekend I’ve ever been a part of. His album is so amazing, I’m listening to the roughs of it right now and it is so amazingly complex, varied, smart and moving I can’t wait for it to get out in the world.
I’m already also excited about the Mondo Cello Fest, which is coming around sooner than I’ll know I’m sure. The bottom line is that this touring show is so packed full of incredible cellists and is like, going to be the best show ever when it comes through your town… I’m going to post all the info here for your reading pleasure, and in the meantime be sure to go to the
Click here to visit the MySpace Page for the Mondo Cello Fest for info on tickets and the performers
October 15th—Broadway Performance Hall Seattle, WA
October 16th—Aladdin Theater Portland, OR
October 17th—Slim’s San Francisco, CA
October 18th—The Unknown Theater Los Angeles, CA
New York City – Pete’s – September 21
I love New York City, having had Oh So Much Experience there (I’ve spent a total of like, two weeks there). But it is super amazing. And I’ve been wanting to play this place Pete’s Candy Store for a long time. Much respect to it, a lot of my musical heroes have passed through there at one time or another.
And so, I’ll be there September 21, a Sunday evening, playing at 10:30. NYC People, come out and be there. Spread the word if you have friends there (it seems like we all do!).
leaving portland
It’s been fast and cool and full of nostalgia and crazy weather and we are headed south again, leaving portland, and the bridges behind… again.
It’s the best city, and the rain settled in on us, and the lightning was everywhere, and so were our friends, and places to eat, and to get coffee. Now we camp our way back to Northern California… “home”…
Port land
Here I am in Powell’s books in my former city Portland. It’s not rainy, or cold, it is really really hot. People are flocked to the indoor spots, and here, books are being flipped through with indifferent non-commitment.
Such a great city, and so much happening here. Easy to deal with, comparatively, and vibrant. The energy of youth is off the charts, and the ambience registers thickly.
I miss writing music here, but it’s good to see that it is a time that has indeed passed. In other words, I’m also glad that I have moved along, done cool things… writ new stuff.
Speaking of which, keep an eye out for new material on its way, it basically is all going to arrive at once in a flood, most likely by mid-October.
Just checking in, have been out of touch. Thanks for stopping by!
Amnesia – Best Show Ever
Pre-PS… if you have any pictures that you’d like to share via flickr, go to http://www.flickr.com/groups/lukejanelalive and join in…
It was, indeed, the best show ever, and, though I can’t really sum up why, here are some of the elements:
1. My family was there. My cousin, two of my brothers, my sister in law, and my girlfriend were there, and it made me happy that they made it. I felt more at ease and comfortable pre-show (I am usually freaking out feeling ill with nerves) then I have in a long long time. I’m so glad that after all these years they’re not sick of my music (or me) yet!
2. My friends were there. A lot of my brothers’ friends showed up and it really meant a lot to me to see them there. They’ve been coming to my shows in SF for several years now, and I really can’t begin to say how much it rules that were there. I really respect them in general, and so it meant a lot to me.
On top of that, amazingly, some friends whom I had not seen in literally 7 years showed up. (One of them brilliantly sang for the headlining band SEAQUENCER). When I saw them in the audience (I didn’t know they were coming) I had to do a double take to believe that it was actually them. It was so good to reconnect. It kind of blew me away. It made me appreciate what real friendship is (you know… it stands the test of time, no words necessary to catch up, et cetera).
3. The venue/sound was perfect. Amnesia is a really cool bar, the ambience is dark and bohemian, the drinks are strong, the velvet plush, and the sound guy (thanks mike!) did a fantastic job with my absurdly over the top setup (two drum machines via midi, two cello pickups, vocals, and effects!). I felt really at home there, and the room glowed a cool red.
4. The crowd was really cool, and totally into it. Looking out over the crowd, the room was packed, some people were dancing (which I love), and everyone was just… into it. It was great… really great!
5. Things went right. I was playing all new material, and any number of things could have gone wrong… forgetting parts, pressing the wrong button, falling out of tune… it certainly wasn’t perfectly in tune (it is still a cello after all) but really, it was fun to play new stuff.
6. The SF Weekly review, and a blurb in the SF Ist… Honestly, I can’t say enough about the insightful, kind, and, I felt, poignant review in the SF Weekly. It did a lot to bring people out, and it did a lot to kind of affirm the sound I’m going for now…
7. On and on. I just really can’t sum up how much I enjoyed this show. Here is to many more. As a friend toasted at the end of the night:
“May the best of your past be the worst of your future.”
Amnesia – July 31, 2008 – SF
SEAQUENCER, Luke Janela, Round Mountain
Date/Time:Thu., July 31, 9:00pm
Price: $7-$10
Dreamy Cello + Dark Beats + Smart Emotional Vocals
“Elliott Smith with a cello†would be a lazy and reductionist way to introduce the music of Luke Janela, despite the parallels between the two songwriters — namely, their intimate, minimalist, melancholy acoustic elegies originally born in the bedrooms of gray and rainy Portland, Oregon. Janela’s inclusion of a drum machine and effects pedals, combined with the rich, deep, sonorous tone of his cello, gives his performances the time-collapsing atmosphere of ancient eras meeting the future. This is no mere gimmick at work, though: Janela’s welding of words to melodies is as accomplished as any erudite troubadour. That Janela left Portland for Nevada City, CA, hasn’t altered his desolate atmospheres, either — it merely means that maybe he’ll wheel his way into the city more often. Good news for us indeed. — J. Graham
Read the original review here.
This is a really nice, and amazingly insightful review of my music in the SF Weekly. I wish that I could write these words, the way that it so respectfully and accurately conveys what I am attempting to do musically really blows my mind!
New Video! Make Me Stay
So at long last, a second video off the album “Midnight Door”!
Created and produced by Katy Unger
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The Early Drafts pt. 2
Another sample of a new song coming your way soon…
Cello, beats, vocals, effects pedals, et cetera!
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The Early Drafts
Work on the new album, the beats cello vox album has started. I just want to share some early drafts for you for a few days, more to come soon!
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Remember the earlier versions of this song?
Amnesia, July 31 – San Francisco
This Thursday! – San Francisco. This is going to be a great night with a good mix of music. $8, starts at 9pm.
See you there!
Everybody’s Dreaming Everybody’s Dream
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What you hear/see in this practice session is two beatboxes, one cello, effects on the cello, and the vocals. This song was writ about two months ago… part of the new batch. This is all live, just the mic on the camcorder (not the most perfect performance but you know… honest 😉
I’ve been trying to keep a fresh supply of new material up here on the site but wow it has been a busy time!
Also I’m in a period of transition, where I’m really figuring out my new sound right now: By putting this restriction that everything that goes onto the new album must be able to be done live, it has raised the bar. I now have multiple beatboxes as part of the cello/beat sound on top of that, so it’s tricky.
And it is fun to work this stuff out, I’m really excited!
Thanks for watching/listening!
Mondo Cello Fest – The Deal
I am extremely honored to get to share the stage this October with this unbelievable lineup of the best cello based indie music in the United States! Having this incredible group of musicians all taking the stage the same night is sure to be phenomenal.
Here are the dates and locations:
October 15th–Broadway Performance Hall Seattle, WA
October 16th–The Aladdin Theater Portland, OR
October 17th–Slim’s San Francisco, CA
October 18th–The Unknown Theater Los Angeles, CA
The Lineup:
Luke Janela
If you are in these cities and you like the cello, you HAVE to go to these shows. You will love it because it will rule.
The Agenda – Upcoming Shows
Much is falling into place, but slowly, more like leaves than rocks. I am very excited to have confirmed the following live performances.
July 13 – Portland, OR – Outdoor Concert – More details to follow
July 31 – San Francisco, CA – Amnesia
and for now last but not least
October 15 – 18 – Portland, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles – The Mondo Cello Tour
Stay tuned for more details!
If I Let It Go, It Would Dent The Sky
So I’ve begun work on one of my next albums, which is to be all cello, all the time. No vocals, no beats. And I shall try to resist the temptation to add piano and guitar or… whatever. Point is, a sparse album.
I usually have a motive in mind with my albums to some degree, and with this one I think that the appropriate listening experience would be something like: quietly in the summer evening. Warmly by the woodstove in the winter.
Oh yeah, I was going to post a song. So here is one approaching completion, Would Dent Sky. I cannot call this finished, but it is an encouraging beginning.
I don’t think I will be posting all the songs here as I go in this case, but keep your eye on the site, or subscribe to the podcast, I will certainly not be able to resist sharing them as they come along.
Be sure to stick around for a minute or two, as the development begins to get more layered then… Thanks for listening!>

Beyond The Gate
“Be On Your Way” off Midnight Door was one of the songs that I worked on over and over again in the mixdown. I recorded it while on the road, and there was a lot that I wanted to “fix”, but there was a lot that I wanted to leave exactly as I recorded it that very first magical time.
The song was recorded in Washington DC, while we were staying in an apartment there. It was a moody place and time, and a good one, there were thunderstorms every afternoon.
Also, my guitar had just been stolen out of a campsite in Virginia Beach, which was tragic. I had that guitar for 10 years and really really loved it. So I had made the odd decision to buy a new guitar (using up my reserves for sure) because I couldn’t handle the loss, and because I couldn’t handle traveling without one.
So this song was the very first song I recorded with that guitar. In this version you hear only cello however, it was a quick mix I did, trying to ascertain whether the cello sans beats was “good” enough for the record. I like this mix, but you can hear the beats through the headphones, so it never did make it to the record.
Enjoy, and thanks for listening!
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Listen to the album version here.
PS – The picture there is the boys choir in Washington DC that I recorded and is featured in the ‘bridge’ section of the song “Fireflies” off Midnight Door.
Musicians! Artists! Read this:
When I lived in Portland, OR for a number of years a good friend of mine said “Hey have you heard of CD Baby? You should sell your CDs there!” and I said “OK!”
Since then they have been my favorite ally as a musician, and I’ve always recommended them… to any musician.
So, if you don’t use CD Baby, you should definitely consider it! Click here to see what a rad music page looks like over there 😉
I have been reading the founder Derek Siver’s thoughts on Music Marketing for many many years. He is a cool, genuine, nice guy and he often will drop emails to folks just to say “Hey you! You can do it!” It’s great.
I realized yesterday that this really could apply to ANY field, and so, if you need to get yourself inspired, download his pdf on getting your music out into the world. It will be applicable if you are a musician of course, but I think it can help if you are anyone who has ambition and needs to focus it!
Visit his site daily for good solid thoughts that really will help you stay on track. Do it now!
Tonight: Rocklin = Leveled
Last minute correction: It’s the Rocklin It’s A Grind… don’t go to Roseville!
Tonight I am playing a gig with Aaron Ross at It’s A Grind in Rocklin, which clearly means that transcendent insanity will arise, and perhaps there will be golden rays of fire leaping from the clouds above that fine city. So if you want to come down to the epicenter, do so, otherwise, if you happen to notice a glow on the horizon, that would be our show.
Piñon – Full Version
I originally recorded the song ‘Pinon’ off Midnight Door as a long, meandering piece. The idea was simply to open on the I chord, in C Major, and linger on the V, G7 for a good long time.
It worked better for the album for me to split it into three parts, because I really felt that this song in particular felt like the road.
Here is Piñon in its entirety… enjoy!
PS – Thanks to a listener for requesting this.

The Basement = The Best
The Basement in Nevada City is one of the best places I’ve ever played, and I’ve played a LOT of random places, from small clubs to big outdoors thingys.
Here’s why:
It is an integral part of a music scene that only happens once in a generation.
It is cozy yet big enough to pack people in.
It is comfortable to go alone or with friends.
The sound is amazing.
The audience feels really warm and friendly, but it is not as disarming as playing for your friends.
It is an organic response to an evolving culture, in other words, it is a place that was created out of pure necessity, without pretense, and that, like a healthy plant, is thriving without the need of marketing, alcohol, food, or ‘coolness’.
What I am trying to say is that it is the quintessential underground music scene place. And I thank Ryan for making that be.
We had a great show on Saturday, the night was warm and friendly. Cody was splendid. The Actionists really blew me away, they had a great sound going on, they reminded me a bit of Karate, but they took it beyond that mellow ness. It was like, very intelligent, very … good. It was good music. I was impressed. Aaron Ross came up and you know, that guy can sort of have a quiet presence but halfway through his first song he really really commands a room. His lyrics wind, unwind like a river, and though they are very sort of big, epic, profound lyrics, he never makes it feel as though he is preaching… it is just amazing to watch him.
A lot of my friends came out to the show and man they have to know that they are the best. And a few people came not knowing what the scene would be like and I have to thank them especially. It was a fun night.
More propaganda!
May 10 – The Basement
I know I haven’t posted in a little bit… I have tons of awesome excuses! But really I’ve been practicing. I’ve been playing some music with Aaron Ross and Cody Coyote (we might do a bit for the show on Saturday, we might now!). But I’m thinking: hey! I will record one of my last practice sessions here and post it to the site here in the next couple of days. Stay tuned!
Super Rad Showsers
The Actionists
from Sacramento
Luke Janela
All new songs from me. From Aaron too. Actionists rule.
Will be a good show.
At The Basement, Nevada City. Contact me for details.
Oh to begin the drive again
Was listening to this instrumental electronic album I had made a few years back while driving through the redwoods in Northern California this weekend. I still like it. It is good to be moving along to. I can’t wait to start another album of the same “genre”.
Here is the first track, check it dude:
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Stars are shining, brighter than before
New song, writ in March, to be listened to. Cello, vocals… simple.

Bruuuuuuuuuce
Last night saw Bruce Springsteen live in Sacramento. Arco Arena. I had seen him 10 years ago in Oakland, where I was absolutely blown away by his 3:30 hour straight performance of all his great songs and newer songs as well. Last night was even better. The man is one of the few true heroes I have had in my life, an amazing songwriter, talented performer and musician, terrific human being, and capable of cathartic miracles upon thousands and thousands of people.
I think he is quite misunderstood by most of my peers, but he will have his due if anyone would stop saying “oh der, Born In The USA is so funny ha ha”. People don’t realize oddly that this song is an anti-war song! And that that album is an absolute masterpiece all the way through. Anyways, it’s not like he is underappreciated. His rabid fans were singing along to every song with abandon last night, and I have never ever heard such a ruckus for an encore. And he and the E-Street Band band played an hour long encore. They are classy man. So good.
So Bruce, thank You. You are such a positive influence on my life.
“Now young faces grow sad and old and hearts of fire grow cold
We swore blood brothers against the wind
Im ready to grow young again
And hear your sisters voice calling us home across the open yards
Believin we could cut someplace of our own
With these drums and these guitars”
– No Surrender – Bruce Springsteen – Played gloriously last night.
Oh and by the way
I have been meaning to post a few tracks of solo guitar action that I quickly recorded for a day job project I’ve been working on called IFreshman Farmer. The music is background for the videos I’ve been putting together. It’s a great program, check it!
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Two Of Them
I found out, naively, that I can record with, hold the phones, TWO microphones at once. I didn’t have to buy a mixer or anything. Well, I already had what I needed.
And so, the blueprint for the cello & voice only album is laid out: two mics, live recordings.
This song was recorded as a test of my setup, the room, the mics, positions, et cetera, and I am quite happy with how it turned out. The mic on my cello is big and right, and the vocals (hint of sick still in my voice, I hate recording when I’m sick but I can’t stop myself) are the ever faithful SM57 at work.
So, preface this song with: a test. Lyrics… not quite worked out, but I will keep some of them and rework the whole thing. I wanted to give you a little something, as I have been far from the external world lately in the land of illness. But I’m back again!

Gone, ye winter beard
Totally sick dude
Being sick is fun. I take it as a sign to slow down, stop what I am doing. Rest.
My brain has been on overload too fast too much, not enough getting done, never enough getting done. So here I am, in my bed, writing on a laptop.
Music has been coming along though. It’s funny how it always takes a bit of chopping and reworking, no matter how long you do it. As I get more experience with recording music I realize that it is a good thing to be hyper critical of the end product.
We can work it out
Working out some songs here… I like this one, it’s a keeper. Maybe not in this form. But again, the vocals + cello thing is beginning to mesh pretty well. It is more of a challenge for me personally to not add any other instrumentation, which is part of why I am doing it!
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