Bellwether

"...and we will never speak of this again." V1.0

2009-05-01T12:16:00.000-07:00

As I write this we are burning CDs for tonight's release of "...and we will never speak of this again." V1.0. We've uploaded the EP to bandcamp and we're starting to print the CDs themselves. Come early tonight if you want one of the 20 hard copies we've made. Otherwise visit bandcamp. Enjoy.

EP Release

2009-04-30T11:52:00.001-07:00

Bellwether will be releasing an EP at tomorrow night's show with ROBLOCK at Mad Anthony's Lake City Taphouse. This will be verison 1.0 of the EP titled "...and we will never speak of this again." Due to time constraints we've had to pare down the song list to three songs: Na, Na, Etc., Seventy, and Come Back to Me.

We have plans to change a few things after this release and add two more songs for version 2.0 to be released sometime in the future. All of this will probably eventually end up on a full length album that will probably be released sometime late fall or winter this year.

You should also note that we're only pressing about 20 copies of v1.0 and when they're gone, they're gone. So be at the show early tomorrow.

New on Twitter

2009-04-29T11:28:00.001-07:00

We finally caved and got a Twitter account. From now on it will be our primary mode of updating news and info on the website and anywhere else we can feed Twitter. Enjoy.

New Website and a Show Tonight

2009-03-14T12:02:00.000-07:00

Last night we posted the latest version of Bellwethermusic.net. We decided to make a few important changes. Aside from the more streamlined look we've made most of our CDs available for download. Not only that, but you can name your price. This includes not only The Forgotten Keys, but also Music for Guitar and 'Cello as well as The Broken Hearts EP. We understand the need for new music in a tight economy.

We've also signed up with BandCamp.com. Soon you'll be able to download our albums either for free or we'll let you name your price for higher quality audio files.

One last thing, we're playing tonight at Mad Anthony's Lake City Tap House in Warsaw with ROBLOCK. It's a last minute show and we could use all the support we can get. We'd love to see you out there rockin with us.

Hugs and kisses,
Bellwether

Recording a New EP - Track Listing

2009-03-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

We've officially started work on a new EP. Eric and Dan have both laid down two tracks a piece. With a new computer and a new room to record in, it's already shaping up to be the best recordings we've ever made. These tracks will probably become the foundation of a new full length album which we'll start recording as soon as the EP is out. Here's the track listing.

Baby
Na, Na etc.
Even If
Come Back to Me
Seventy

There is much more exciting news in the works that we can't talk about just yet. We'll keep you posted.

Hugs and kisses,
Bellwether

New Photos from Fahrenheit128

2009-01-29T06:55:00.000-08:00

Drew Allegre was at the show this past Sunday and took some amazing photos. There are even a few videos of Ben Laatsch and Longsleeves. Check it out below.

http://fahrenheit128.squarespace.com/

The DIY crazy doesn't end with us...

2008-10-20T06:38:00.000-07:00

From the inception of the most current (and longest-running) format of Bellwether, we've focused some of our creative energies on endeavors other than the music that drives us, specifically in the vein of building our own gear.

We wish we could say that we're just inherently driven to build things just for the sheer awesomeness of being able to say, "I made that." However, our motivation usually starts with the words, "That costs HOW MUCH!?" and ends with the words, "I told you I could do it better for less money."

This facet of our band is kind of subtle--most people wouldn't realize that we've made a lot of what we use on stage, from guitars to effects to equipment cases--but it adds a lot of flavor and gives us what we need to play good rock shows for gas money.

Background aside, part of what we want to do on this blog is showcase some of what we do when we're not practicing, playing or working our day jobs, so here is some info on one of my most recent effects pedal builds:

This whole project started from a for-sale post on a forum I often frequent when I'm looking for info on building custom guitar effects. The founder of Experimentalists Anonymous was selling a pre-built echo pedal circuit that was originally intended for commercial sale. Problem was, it didn't come in an enclosure, and the box it was designed to fit in...well...let's just say it wouldn't fit without some serious modification.

He posted some instructions on modifying the circuit board and fitting it into the enclosure, but I figured, why meddle with a working circuit board when you could just change the box it fits in...so that's what I did. Check out the photos of my Space-Time Continuum echo pedal build:

Using hand tools and my power drill, I shoehorned this monstrosity into a workable box. This is probably the best aluminum-drilling job I've ever done...my dad would be proud.

I threw some mismatched knobs on the controls as well, just for ease of use--matching ones are on order. It took some delicate work with a file, but it eventually dropped in with no problems. I didn't get a chance to work on it for a few weeks, but I eventually picked it back up and started on getting a plate made to cover the missing side of the box.

Finally, I asked my lovely wife to create some graphics for it while I picked out a color and painted the background. Several clear-coats later, it was finished, and it holds a permanent space on my live pedalboard. You'll hear it in force if you listen to us play "When Charles Comes" live. Speaking of playing live, feel free to check our website to see when we're playing.

Thanks!
-Josh

New Download Only Album

2008-10-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

We just uncovered a bunch of old demos that we made available through Snocap. It includes several unreleased songs that have only been played a few times. Ten new songs for just $7. We've included our Snocap store for your convenience.

The Forgotten Keys Price Reduction

2008-09-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

From now until the end of the month you can download The Forgotten Keys from Snocap for the reduced price of $7. It will probably never be this cheap again, so tell everyone you've ever met.

Hugs and kisses,

Bellwether

p.s. There are only 3 days left to vote for your favorite Bellwether song. If your favorite isn't listed leave a comment with your favorite song.

(Sorta) New CD

2008-09-05T10:47:00.000-07:00

A while back we were asked to have our song "Come Back to Me" included in a compilation CD by Quickstar Productions. They put it on Chill Out: Midwest Edition No. 1. We finally put it on our website so you can purchase it. This is a great compilation of many (more or less) unknown artists from all over the Midwest. Check it out in our store.

New Website

2008-08-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

We just posted (as in a few minutes ago) the newly redesigned website. It's got the artwork from the new album, The Forgotten Keys, scattered all over it. Plus there are hundreds more pictures, some that haven't seen the light of day before. We're already working on more improvements for the site. Stop by and let us know what you think.

bellwethermusic.net

hugs and kisses,
Eric
Bellwether

2008-08-28T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, this is Josh. I figured I'd commandeer our lovely new blog for today since work is a little slow, and because I think you deserve some more information on The Rock Star's Encyclopedic Guide to Being A Rock Star, or the RSEGBRS, as I affectionally call it.

Whatever you decide to call it, we know it as a constant work in progress that began about two years ago. It was conceived by the members of Bellwether (as well as various other contributors whose names we've completely forgotten), and the idea stemmed from the thought that there just HAS to be a guide out there for bands who are just getting on their feet--or already-famous rock stars who want to look back and see how they should be doing it.

The concept originally was intended to be realized in book form, but it soon occurred to us that planning for one volume would be a gross miscalculation. Learning from this, we decided the project would be built into a series of ever-growing volumes to contain our vast knowledge of rock stardom.

Examples include:
-The Rock Star's Encyclopedic Guide to Being A Rock Star, Volume 1: Attitude and Appearance
-The Rock Star's Encyclopedic Guide to Being A Rock Star, Volume 27: Groupies and Girlfriends
-The Rock Star's Encyclopedic Guide to Being A Rock Star, Volume 33: Activism: How to Save the World with Rock and Roll

Bonus materials include items such as:
-The Rock Star's Encyclopedic Guide to Being A Rock Star, Appendix F: Serious Rock Face Example Guide

We have encountered some setbacks in our efforts to purvey our wisdom to the world of rock. Several prominent publishers have rejected our propositions for guitar-shaped bindings and a pyrotechnic Table of Contents (which will probably be a separate volume itself--'Table of Contents' is a working title, of course).

Until our demands for the proper execution of this endeavor are met, you, the reader, will just have to be satisfied with bite-size chunks of white-hot rock star knowledge.

While you're waiting for the true, epic work to be complete, you could also listen to our music.

On a lighter note, feel free to check out our friend and fellow artist (of a different sort), Matt McClure at his blog: This Black Ink

New Blog

2008-08-25T14:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the new Bellwether blog. We'll have all sorts of things going on here, everything from band news and updates to DIY how-tos to installments from the Rock Star's Encyclopedic Guide to Being a Rock Star. We'll post updates here and on the website, so you can check either to keep up with Bellwether. You'll be hearing from us soon.