Angeles (Elliott Smith) – Live Performance

on May 23, 2014November 14, 2014 by Luke

So, if you read the post I wrote pre-show that was a major spoiler as I quite clearly blew the secret that I would perform an Elliott Smith song.

And believe me I had every intention of recording the actual live performance but among all the moving parts of playing my show I forgot to press record. Alas. You had to be there.

So last night I figured I’d record the songs I played live since my camera crew (myself) blew it so bad. This way you can imagine I’m playing a huge arena… although a cozy brick walled room with loads of friends and listeners in the heart of Silver Lake was, I think, much better.

I’ll post more songs from the set in the coming little while, even trying to get them on the podcast first to give you subscribers your due priority!

Let me know what you think of the cover. It’s such a fine line with songs you love… you want to show your love, but you really don’t want to disrespect them by ruining them either.

Seeing a film with my music in it for the first time

on March 1, 2014March 1, 2014 by Luke

Last night joined Shar and Nisha and the whole workings of You Follow to watch the first public screening of their documentary.

The story, of an adopted woman looking for her birth mother in India, is moving, and making a few pieces for it was a really amazing experience. Especially seeing it, and hearing it, all together last night.

One of my favorite moments was running into one of the women interviewed for the film… I created some music to go with her very emotional story about finding her mom, and so I had spent hours watching her face and cue-ing musical moments to her words… It was surreal to see her in person.

Great times, great group of people, makes me realize how much I love the endless energy of Los Angeles.

And makes me realize how very much I want to continue to make music for moving pictures…

Here’s some of the music writ for it…

Overwhelmed

on June 5, 2010June 7, 2010 by Luke

This post, you’ll notice is not generally in line with my typical posts here, which is good, in my opinion, I’m trying to open up the content, be more… honest, I suppose.

Tonight I’m overwhelmed. I’ve spent all afternoon working on three electro-cello tracks, and that is fine, only to realize that I have a huge pile of work I’ve already recorded just waiting for me to sort it out. I’ve probably got 25 pieces at least partly recorded for that album. And that’s the problem… partly is the key word. Sorting through them is like going into an old storage unit full of stuff. Some of it is really cool, but doesn’t quite fit into your life now. Some of it you can’t let go of, but never get around to dealing with.

And on top of that, I have probably 15 songs partly recorded for my other albums. Three are done. Three. That’s it!

It’s daunting to be working on new albums again. I’m sure most artists go through this, but after you finish your last one you forget that that isn’t… it. You always push out more.

New albums breathe new life into my purpose, both musically and professionally. I get that drive to get this music out there the more it gets actually finished. So I suppose I’m pushing for a finished record that I can get behind and give what it deserves now that I am in such a crazy city, where crazy things happen.

So… overwhelmed in a good way. Too much material… there are worse things to complain about certainly!

Accompanying the epically awesome Chuck Ragan, March 30th

on March 29, 2010March 29, 2010 by Luke

Tomorrow night, March 30th, I’ll have the pleasure of playing cello on a few songs for the ever awesome Chuck Ragan at The Troubador in Los Angeles.

I’m real excited. I’ll let you know how it goes. If you are in LA, be sure to come out, as it is a benefit for Haiti concert, and Chuck is amazing.

Become Chuck’s fan on Facebook here.

When in LA, play indie art venues

on January 13, 2010January 13, 2010 by Luke

I’m happy to report my first gig since landing in Los Angeles, this Friday, January 15th at Pehrspace. 8pm (ish). It will be a lot of fun, and gives a chance to air some stuff out. I’ve been wrapped up in cords, connecting drum machines and effects, working on the set. And that’s about all I’ve been up to, so, life is good.

The Event On Facebook

Overdue letters, to be sent

on December 9, 2009December 9, 2009 by Luke

First off, I’m thrilled to let you know that I’m opening for AFI on January 28th in Santa Cruz… why thrilled you asked? as opposed to excited? Well, I’ve passed through the excited threshold and into the realm of thrilled because AFI is a band I’ve admired for a long long time, and who, in their music and their unrelenting devotion to creating their own sound, their own way, have become one of my favorite bands ever. So basically I’m opening for some musical idols. Pretty cool.

Next off, life has been changing in big and little ways, mostly big… I now live in Los Angeles… still settling in but indeed, it is done. We’re perched on a little hill and I’m really excited to see how the music fares down here.

Last off, for now, I have a lot to say for and about Nevada City. Though I feel very happy to move forward etc., I feel I owe a great debt to all the amazing musicians and friends I made there, and have a good long rant to write about all that. Will miss the good things there… very much!

Onward!

Hurry up and wait!

on November 16, 2009November 16, 2009 by Luke

Oh I apologize for the disconnect… I’m out and about, making a move to a different spot on earth and, not surprisingly, being in transition makes everything else go “pause”.

It’s exciting… so much going on. I’m looking forward to playing great shows, meeting amazing people, and generally making music more often.

I also have a lot to say about the greatness of Nevada City. So I’ll be posting soon. Wish me luck!

Nightfall, Waterfall

on December 15, 2008February 28, 2014 by Luke

I’ve been working like mad lately and in my late night hours I’ve been burning through my music list. One of the tracks from my old band “The Key” came up and I decided I’m really proud of this whole album, especially in retrospect. Especially in retrospect because I wrote this song about the approach of the US warplanes at the beginning of the Iraq war from the point of view of an innocent kid. Maybe my age, maybe in Baghdad… I still think it fits. The sounds at the end are from a giant (80,000 plus people) anti-war rally on the eve of the war. Before that scumbag W. pulled the trigger. Listen and enjoy…

In other news, I’m super busy in life and otherwise.

This Thursday I’m playing a show in Sacramento with Aaron Ross & The Heirs Of Mystery at a new club. Go to his myspace page for more details…

After that I’m driving down to Los Angeles to do some cello recording with Huff This! They’re putting together their album and I’m super glad to be able to contribute perhaps.

In the meantime, good progress is made on the solo cello album, the new cello/beats/vocals album. Those two will probably be released at the same time, in early spring.

Yes. That is what is. Hope you’re doing well…

REVERIES

Nightfall, Waterfall

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Mondo Cello Fest – The Deal

on June 20, 2008June 21, 2008 by Luke

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:

Zoe Keating

Portland Cello Project

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.