Wake up, it's today.

2012-01-17T09:00:00.008-02:00

1
Asphalt Orchestra is performing on Friday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art!
The event made it in the "Perfect Weekend" section of the TimeOut, NYC magazine.
(File under: awesome.)

2
I just added a NEW page to this massive amoeba of a blog, containing a few videos featuring some of my music.
(File under: interesting + visually stimulating.)

2012-01-09T05:53:00.002-02:00

Music I Was Happily Fortunate To Enjoy Last Night At NYC Winter Jazzfest 2012

as played by:

Jason Ajemian & The Highlife

Sifter w/ Mary Halvorson, Matt Wilson, Kirk Knuffke

The Bernie Worrell Orchestra (w/ special guest: Gary Lucas)

Shahzad Ismaily, Ches Smith, Mat Maneri

Mostly Other People Do The Killing

Jesse Fischer & Soul Cycle (feat. Casey Benjamin)

[ Pardon me for not linking. I trust that your mere curiosity will be enough for further exploration/research of the artists listed above. ]

I will say that Mary Halvorson and Ches Smith are both doing great things with their music right now.

I have no profound writings or descriptions of what I saw, other than simply to say that I loved all of it

and that I love music. I am very grateful for the sounds I have heard in this lifetime, the soothing and the harsh;

the painful and glee; the mystery and the math; the near and far; the bounce and the bore of it; the now and the not-yet; etc.

---

This book is really blowing my mind right now:
Big Questions, by Anders Nilsen

---

Asphalt Orchestra is up to good things right now. Rehearsals for the Metropolitan Museum Of Art are underway. If you can, maybe you could at least seriously consider making a trip to the museum on the 20th of January. I foresee a grand time had by all.

---

"And she weeps on my arm

Walking to the bright lights in sorrow

Oh, drink a bit of wine

We both might go tomorrow

Oh, my love

And the rain is falling and I believe my time has come.

It reminds me of the pain I might leave behind

Wade in the fire

Wade in the fire"

- Jeff Buckley's "Grace" (from Grace, 1994)

This album STILL remains one of my all time favorite albums... ever.

---

Keep hope alive. Keep chasing the dream(s). Peace.

- Mr. Jenkins

2011-10-19T18:10:00.007-02:00

I feel that there is much to thank the universe for today. So much, in fact, that there is no particular order to the list of the most current and most awesome happenings in my life today.

Thank you for checking in/being a part of the "big picture".

---

1. ASPHALT ORCHESTRA is such a fun band; such a great project of the creative intellect and artistic muscle of Bang On A Can. Earlier this month, we visited a few colleges, elementary schools, Portland (Maine), and one very special museum for the

Ringling Arts Festival in Sarasota, FL.

We've also just begun to "Unpack The Elephant" (wink, wink) to what is a very wonderful, very involved stage show for indoor performances. Thanks to the fine people and students of Keene, NH for letting us test run the beast! I even wrote a piece that is a part of the show. Ah! Asphalt is now a double threat.

2. RUN DAN RUN, "Normal" is out today! November 19th is the official release show at the Village Tavern in Charleston, SC. This excites me because the album has been 2+ years in the making. Come to our release show in Charleston next month and you'll see why. We were rarely in the same room for most of the creation of the album, yet, the bulk of the album was recorded in one room. We all had lot of other things going on. Like, BABIES for example. Our dear mate and guitarist Ashley Hopkins and his wife had their first child earlier this summer and we wish them so many good things and health and happy times.

[ Photo by: Megan Elger / Album Art by: Nick Jenkins ]

3. THANKSGIVING - Speaking of healthy and happy things, I am very much looking forward to time back home with my family and friends for Thanksgiving. This is the first times in a while that I've actually looked forward to doing much of not-work. I'm so ready. It looks like I'll be on Carolinian soil from the 10th to the 28th or so. Let's do some stuff.* Maybe there's time for a silent disco somewhere in there?

4. Emotional Statistics vs. Philosophical Algebra - This is a newly released, short album of dark pop songs. One of my favorite things is the ability to hear and make sounds. Luckily, there is a website where I can upload and share these neurotic creations with the world in an unobtrusive manner. I do this in the form of my Bandcamp page: mrjenkins.bandcamp.com

(Albums are uploaded every few months... or so.) Try using headphones to enhance your listening experience.

I'm mostly glad that I don't have to ask permission from anyone for me to share my own music. This makes me happy. It is a good outlet.

5. Public Transit, NYC - This is something I appreciate and get consistently upset with all the same. In any case, it's there!

6. V ULTRA LOUNGE - We've been chiseling away at the mountain that is the lounge that is the cool hang that is the good jam that is the conglomerate of this band. Our next assembly and performance is scheduled for this Sunday, October 23rd at Bruar Falls in Williamsburg (Brooklyn, NY) and we're sharing the bill with honorable likes of BABYLIPS. Oh, they tickle me so. Also in attendance/performance is ATM + YVETTE. Come out, come out, wherever you are. Get spooky.

Keep a look out for a V Ultra Lounge cassette in the near future.

7. I'm very much a fan of the original series of Star Trek. Check out the set design! And the sound design! And the costume design! It's all so... "fresh." ::: www.startrek.com

8. Headphones, working at home, overcast days, cereal, the world-wide web, musical opportunities, new perspectives, new connections, beer, snacks, family, friends, storage space, bamboo, couches, Sharpies, MIDI and drum machines are all quite fine with me.

---

There is so much more to add to this list, but for now, for today, I will end it... here.

Take care. See you soon.

_N J

2011-09-05T19:15:00.004-02:00

High Life Tour : Highlights

---

I'm going to try and do my best with this summary of great things that happened on tour last month with Jason Ajemian and the High Life. We saw much. We made many great sounds. We rode the light into the bird's eye...

---

:::August 5 / Richmond, VA @ Balliceaux:::
We shared a bill with two great Scotts. Scott Clark (drums) + Scott Burton (guitar) = SCUO. It was a pleasant start to the tour, as the High Life played as a trio (bass, sax, drums) for the first couple of dates. It's been a while since I've seen/heard drums and guitar shred so effortlessly and quite musically. After both of our sets, we joined forces and played a few originals between the five of us. I would recommend visiting Richmond, VA for "the Scotts".

:::August 7 / Chapel Hill, NC @ All Day Records:::
We played a record shop in a cute part of town (technically Carrboro) and 'bumped' at a tiny record shop. We were fortunate to witness the grand presence of a 6 piece band called Great Architect. They totally owned it.

:::August 8 / Charleston, SC @ Tin Roof:::
FUN! We shared the evening with Lindsay Holler's Western Polaroids 2.0... and the house was full with warm community (and hot dogs). I will always call Charleston home. We met our 4th member and trumpeter, Jaimie Branch. She can very damn well play the trumpet. Later that night, I went skinny-dipping at the beach for the first time ever.

:::August 10 / Asheville, NC @ Bobo Gallery:::
We gained one Owen Stewart-Robertson on electric guitar. Strength and prowess are reinforced.

:::August 11 / Columbia, SC @ Conundrum Music Hall:::
I never knew that this place existed in Columbia. It's a neat little performance room for multi-media performances and seats about 50-70 persons. There's also a great community of supporters of free jazz/experimental music. Tom Law is the man to know.

:::August 12 / Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre:::
We can has rock band?

:::August 13 / Washington, DC @ ( ______ Jazz Loft? ):::
The name of the venue is still escaping me, yet... the vibe will forever be apart of my memories of DC. We played a free jazz spot in the downtown area. Of the handful of notable players, I was happy to meet Janel Leppin (of Janel and Anthony). She is a great cellist who I presume will be going quite far in her musical endeavors. I'm sure of it. She knows how to make the thing... SING. She also tours with Kyp Malone's Rain Machine.

Earlier in the set we were joined by a mongolian throat singer named Andrew Colewell. He is a good human with a good heart.

:::August 16 / New York, NY @ Cake Shop:::
We shared a bill with Mike Pride's 'From Bacteria To Boys'. Nate Chinen of the New York Times coined our musical genre as "deep mirk funk". This REVIEW was a hot topic of conversation for the next few days of tour.

:::August 17 / Toledo, OH @ Toledo Bellows:::
This was one of the most intimate house shows I've ever played with a free jazz/funk/rock ensemble. It was peaceful. The locals who came out did not exceed 15 persons. It was off the 'beaten path' and one of the longest drive of the tour. Worth it. There is audio available from this concert. Just ask.

:::August 18 / Chicago, IL @ Heaven Gallery:::
This was a beautiful set of music. The reception was warm because of previous seeds that had been sown. I learned that many years ago, Jason Ajemian started a music series there which continues to be an attractive scene for experimental musicians in and around Chicago. Check it out.

:::August 19 / Chicago, IL:::
We had the night off so I went to an art opening. I watched a wax statue melt to the ground. I shared great conversation with a lady named Brynn. We exchanged our favorite punctuations.

[ ; ] + [ & ].

Afterwards, I caught the end of a Joan Of Arc set at Subterranean.

:::August 20 / Kenosha, WI @ ______'s Garage House Party:::
Umm... In between the vast spaces of the midwest which are mostly filled with corn fields and interstates... we found a party. It got wild. We left before it reached the point of no return. Many strange gifts were alloted to us.

:::August 21 / Chicago, IL:::
Off day. Studio time. We recorded 2 albums worth of music? It's awesome?

:::August 22 / Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle:::

It was a free show. 'Love Of Everything' (led by Joan Of Arc's bassist, Bobby) was the headliner and lots of avid fans were out for that. It was one of our strongest (energetic) shows of the tour. I met a cute girl. Oddly enough, her name was Bella.

:::August 23 / Bloomington, IN @ House Bar:::

Peter Hanson, our saxophonist (aka Daddy), is from Bloomington. His family and close friends came out to support the High Life. I felt like we were playing in a tiny tin roof bar with the B52's. There was a jump rope competition in the parking lot. Even my friend Glass Boy (Justin Lambert) made a cameo. Good times.

:::August 25 / Dayton, OH @ South Park Tavern:::

Yip. South Park Tavern. We shared a bill with Ed Ricart and Hyrrokkin. Rock and roll happened. We made some people dance. We made a few smile a lot. I met a wonderful massage therapist named Erin. The next day, for my 28th birthday, I recieved one of the best massages of my life. (I owe you one, Jason Ajemian.)

:::August 26 / Lexington, KY @ Collexion:::

Bluegrass meets Freejazz. Yummy.

:::August 27 / Louisville, KY @ Connect Festival:::

This was a bit of a family festival scene. Right before we played I witnessed one of the most serene sunsets ever. It was a great way to end the tour.

---

Phew. This doesn't even really do the storytelling aspect of going tour any justice, but I wanted to share at least a little bit in some way. Next up... Asphalt goes crazy with an indoor show. Keep your ears bent.

---

ps. THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED MAKE IT THE TOUR POSSIBLE AND SO VERY ENJOYABLE!

---

Other things I am excited about in the near future include the new St. Vincent album release on the 13th. Yum. Thursday, I will be rocking out to Broken Social Scene and TV On The Radio. Yowzah. Let's drink some coffee together.

2011-08-16T06:28:00.000-02:00

Hey! I'm on tour with Jason Ajemian & The High Life. It rules.

Hey! My new album is available for listening and purchasing.

<a href="http://mrjenkins.bandcamp.com/album/sleep-cycle-2">Sleep: Cycle 2 by Mr. Jenkins</a>

Hey! This Summer somehow became the busiest Summer ever!

Hey! This Fall is going to be even busier!

Hey! Let's do it.

Hey! Thanks.

---

2011-07-12T21:51:00.003-02:00

NYC is hot. There is no air conditioning or fans in my apartment. The heat is alive and well.

I feel like I've been here longer than 6 months, but not quite half the year. It definitely feels like I've moved to a different city, yet, it doesn't quite seem like I'm completely settled.

The coolest part has been the beginnings of so many good projects and albums... These things are worth talking about as well as the discovery of Nutella. Just try me.

Here are some things I'm very much looking forward to, though:

---

Next month, I'll be heading on the road with a musician by the name of Jason Ajemian and his band, The High Life. We'll be Southwest, Midwest and Northeast bound for the most part. If you think you can make any of these dates, we would love to meet up/see you/play for you. Tour is way more fun when people you recognize come to your "gig".

Charleston: We will be making a stop at the Tin Roof. August 8th. Lindsay Holler's Western Polaroids will also be on the bill. Sea ewe there?

Just before that, I'll be heading to Canada for the first time ever with Asphalt Orchestra. Things are obviously continuously going well for this project. We have appreciated your support and your enthusiasm over the passed 3 years. (Whoa, it's been a while!) Anyway... if you can't catch us in Ottawa on the 30th of July, maybe the Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors Festival would be a more better chance to get a little rowdy with us? We'll be there on August 3rd.

I think that's all for now. There's more, but that's all I'll dig into today.
It's all quite nice, actually.

---

Other awesomeness in the works:

Run Dan Run's new full-length album, Normal. I'm very excited about this! (Fall, 2011.)
V Ultra Lounge debut EP.
Julian & The Lopez Dispensers EP.
Asphalt Orchestra indoor show for the Fall, 2011.
Oh, and a little electronic duo that was started in a diner just last night. More to come on that soon.

---

I hope that you are at least a little bit "happy".

-N J

2011-07-05T04:13:00.001-02:00

Who knows you better than you?

2011-06-13T14:50:00.001-02:00

Pistil Films est grande. Voyez vous-même.

---

2011-06-12T06:26:00.008-02:00

"Out Of Town" (Concert Series, Pt. 1)

The following text is from an electronic message from Ted Pallas of HUNGRY SAVAGES [Live Media Group] in regards to the silent disco/headphone concert/improvisational electronic music performance with Doc Gregory and myself to be held on this Friday, the 17th of June. We hope that you can make it. This is the beginning of a very great dream machine among other things...

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Hello -

I'm mass emailing the 8 of you to invite you out to come see Dok Gregory and Nick Jenkins perform an improvised set together at 571 Projects on Friday, June 17th at 7 PM. This is the debut of my "Out of Town" concert series, which puts musicians who've never met - one from NYC, one not - on a stage together here in town and then again next fall "Out of Town." The idea is to use these shows to create firmer relationships between places - NYC has become an island in more than one sense recently, and this is the start of me trying to figure out how to break that down.

Details:

Hungry Savages and 571 Projects are proud to present

DOK GREGORY and NICK JENKINS

on FRIDAY, JUNE 17th at 7 PM

at 571 PROJECTS located at 551 WEST 21ST STREET unit 20A
(through the door, up one flight, down the hall)

There is a $10 suggested donation, but it's a light suggestion.

For this particular show we'll presenting the program over headphones - you'll be handed a [cable] to plug your pair into. So you need to bring headphones.

[The Performers]

Dok Gregory (his name links to a great radio show he did) makes music with synthesizers, some of which don't have keyboards. I think maybe the best way to describe this is to imagine watching "Ghost," right, and you the audience are Demi, and the clay pot is "sound," and you're sitting there and you're confused and you feel alone and then Dok - you can't see him but you know he's there - Dok comes up and the two of you gently push and pull at the sound together, and you're feeling better, it's a beautiful moment, you're even kind of hot and bothered, and then it's over and you still fall asleep alone? Seriously, Dok's ability to pull textures out of the aether stuns and amazes.

Nick Jenkins was sleeping on my couch for a few days when I first moved into my current apartment down in sunny Brooklyn Chinatown. He knows my roommate from back in Charleston, and he's in town playing drums and bass in various projects (including Young Jean Lee/13P's HUGELY amazing You're Gonna Die this spring at Joe's Pub). When he's not doing that he's being Mr. Jenkins, a man who makes electronic music for people who don't really spend that much time in nightclubs. He's been presenting Silent Discos for the last couple months - this show is the first time he'll be doing such a thing cold. He also likes to draw things, both for fun and profit.

[The Curators]

Hungry Savages is the name of a group of folk who make shows together. We've worked with Broadway shows, top 40 pop acts, major national publications and all sorts of other Very. Impressive. Clients. That's not special. What is special is that we still all spend about 50% of our time producing our own work - bands and plays and books and installations and all sorts of things - which helps keep us fun to work with. Want to make our website for us?

571 Projects - The gallery features an exhibitions program showcasing selected highly talented emerging and mid-career artists working across all media, and aims to promote them to international contemporary art collectors and museums.71 Projects seeks to bridge the gap between dynamic emerging & mid-career artists and engaged collectors, both those beginning to collect and those looking for fresh talent. To support the work of significant artists, we provide a forum through tightly curated, solo exhibitions that showcase a single body of work.

Ted Pallas

Live Media Designer

2011-06-03T05:01:00.004-02:00

History/Herstory Project: June 3rd, 2011

for Miranda July

---

This chain of inter-webbing "surfing" events happened because of the following (mostly logical) cognitive reasoning:

I was recently listening to some music that my friend Justin (aka Glass Boy) sent me as the latest version of an electronic music project where we send tracks back and forth to one another and edit/add to them. It's nice. I was wondering where we could potentially market this kind of music and began searching for electronic music blogs and came up with "Indie Electro Yo". I gave up shortly after visiting the site. It's a bit humorous, I must say. Better luck tomorrow.

Bushwick Open Studios is hosting events around my neighborhood in Bushwick, NY. I wanted to look up the address and share it on facebook. I'll be playing a solo acoustic/electronic set at Boulevard Cafe on Saturday (5.4.11) around 830p. This event is free.

Neg-Fi is this totally epic electric guitar duo that my ska band V Ultra Lounge played a show with last night. The venue was "Party Expo", which is also in Bushwick. I wanted to share this video with my friend Jason Brogan. Facebook was available, so I shared it there. [ It is quite a harbor for digital media and informational exchange. ]

I came across a news article that The Cure just played a concert on Tuesday evening where they performed the first 3 albums. I was pretty stoked to find that they were still around and doing this. I was more impressed to learn that there were audience members who paid $3,000 for tickets for this concert. Now, that is dedication. Even though I can't say I would ever do that, I do still own "Disintegration" on cassette tape and it still gets heavy play.

I was on SPIN magazine's website because Hooray For Earth's new album is currently streaming there. This band has my vote for one of Brooklyn's top 5 killer rock bands and the album is golden. [ Golden = Great! ] I highly recommend trying to get to one of their performances before their tickets begin to sell for $3,000. They're a great band but, don't take my word for it!

Oh. I learned that I forgot my dear friend Erin's birthday on last month. What a thing to forget! She lives a few states away and I think that's why it wasn't on my radar, but I think I could have done a better job at remembering. She has a beautiful voice and SINGS with an indie-rock band called Run Dan Run. I play drums with this band. We'll be releasing a new album in the Fall, hopefully.

I found the Facebook post for Miranda July's "History/Herstory" project. Shortly after, I learned how to take screen shots on my computer. This is super useful information for me.

It seems that Wordpress is how a lot of people create and edit their websites this present day in age. The Future seems to have been done using some sort of Wordpress template.

NPR is my web browser's current home page.

My love and admiration for The Specials led me to Wikipedia's definition of "Mod (Subculture)" of the 1950s and '60s. I think that I would've fit in really well in England in the late 1970s. The Specials are in heavy rotation in my iTunes/headphones this year. "Do you remember the good old days before the Ghost Town?" You can listen to this band as a pick-me-up for any occasion.

---

This concludes my contribution to the "History/Herstory Project"
(for Miranda July & Company).

- N J
______________________________________________________________________________

2011-06-03T01:59:00.001-02:00

Throw Your Own Silent Disco

by: Mr_Jx

Step 1: Find a 2-way or 3-way headphone splitter with 1/8" adapters. You can find these at your locale geeky electronics shop or Radio Shack for just a few bucks.

Step 2: Gather friends, headphones, snacks and a very good album. This one is recommended for the time being.

[ If you like, you can buy/share at your leisure. ]

Step 3: Find a safe place, plug in and press "play".

Step 4: Enjoy the sounds and be grateful for your ability to hear sound.

[ SOUND is amazing!! ]

---

If you liked this text tutorial of how to "Throw Your Own Silent Disco" and happen to be in the Brooklyn/Bushwick area, please mark your calendars for a real-live 30-person silent disco with Mr. Jenkins on June 17th. Exact time and location to be announced.

2011-05-28T02:28:00.004-02:00

Here's a video by the great Jade Sullivan.
This makes music video #2 for "2011: Dancing Music & Past Lives".
(See the other just below, posted May 11th.)

There will be more videos to come.

Thank you, PISTIL FILMS.

---

2011-05-27T06:35:00.002-02:00

Thank you, Ralph Tresvant, for helping define the genre of music that individuals such as myself fit best in, which is something like: music by guys who don't want to fight.

2011-05-17T05:49:00.000-02:00

Please, be my guest. Download this. Share this with your friends. Turn it up.

---

<a href="http://mrjenkins.bandcamp.com/album/clubhouse-tracks">Clubhouse Tracks by Mr. Jenkins</a>

2011-05-11T02:28:00.001-02:00

Here's the first official music video for any of my recorded music to date. I suppose that this is the first "single" from the new album. Well, now it is anyway.

Enjoy.

Video by Charles Griffin Gibson. Much respect. Check him out.

2011-05-10T05:46:00.000-02:00

So, upon moving to New York, I found much inspiration and many (after midnight) hours to compose some more MIDI pop songs in my bedroom. They make me happy. I hope they make you at least a little bit happy, too.

And here it is, folks. Thank you for your patience. Enjoy.

---

<a href="http://mrjenkins.bandcamp.com/album/2011-dancing-music-past-lives">2011: Dancing Music & Past Lives by Mr. Jenkins</a>

2011-04-05T04:54:00.001-02:00

I find this to be an extremely beautiful and inspiring musical film.
Much respect to Vincent Moon and Efterklang. Well done.

2011-04-02T05:16:00.004-02:00

13P is awesome.

The 11th of their 13 productions is "We're Gonna Die" by Young Jean Lee and it happens to be off to a great start. Joe's Pub will be hosting Young Jean Lee & Future Wife through the month of April. In this production, I am playing bass guitar (alongside my good friend Mike Hanf of Manzana Carnal), singing harmoniously and doing some other special... thing. You'll just have to come see what the other special thing is. Here's a hint.

We would like to see you there.
You might like to see you there.

-----------

Until then, groove on this tasty track by Ford & Lopatin (formerly known as "Games"). It's, um... how do you say, "C'est si bon."

I like it so much that it's making me laugh, although this could be attributed to the fact that I'm still awake at 3am. Oh, what the hay. It's Saturday!

Oh, and while you're at it check out Software Recording Company. I'm totally geekin' out over this stuff. I might like (love) to be a part of whatever energies are conspiring within this unique cast of music makers. Seriously.

2011-03-25T02:51:00.001-02:00

11:41 PM me: so, i just created the greatest snack of all time.
  ready?
Anne: oh snap
11:42 PM p-i-z-z-a?
me: hot chamomile (caffeine free herbal tea)
  +
  chips ahoy (real) chocolate chip cookies
  +
  skippy (creamy) peanut butter
11:43 PM step one:
Anne: oh
  my
me: spread the skippy on the chips ahoy.
  make a peanut butter sandwich cookie
  .
  step 2:
11:44 PM Anne: dippage?
me: using a spoon, dip the skippy chips ahoy! sammy cookie into the tea.
  step 3:
  eat it as one would the opposite of ice cream.
Anne: YES
11:45 PM me: step 4: enjoy!

2011-03-23T06:10:00.000-02:00

Like a lot of people in the world today, I have become a fan of James Blake.

Pitchfork did a pretty decent interview with him recently.

In addition to getting through the text, I recommend checking out all of the live videos.
(And put some headphones on!)

He was in town a few weeks ago to play the Music Hall of Williamsburg, and I think that tickets sold out
within the second week or something like that. He's still on the list of performances to make this year.

I believe it can happen.

2011-03-19T20:28:00.002-02:00

Here is a "remix" of a Sharon Van Etten song called "Love More".
Actually, it's more of a re-harmonization with a backbeat.

It happened because I couldn't stop listening to this a cappella version.
---
Dear Sharon,
Let's collaborate soon?

-NJ

2011-03-18T23:20:00.003-02:00

I couldn't wait. Today was the most "Spring" day I've seen in a while. I'll take that for the 1st day of Spring.

Let's aim a few good thoughts towards Japan, shall we?

2011-03-16T04:01:00.002-02:00

The new In Transit / Sleep cassette tapes are available via Mirror Universe.

I'd like to send many thanks and good vibes to Ben Ellenburg and of Mirror Universe and Dan McCurry of Run Dan Run for helping things get done for Silent Disco: Part 2.

The digital album will be available on the first "official" day of Spring (the 20th of March) via the Mr. Jenkins Bandcamp site.

Note: The album art is not printed backwards. These are just bad photos.
Thank you.

; ^ \'

-------

2011-03-08T19:10:00.004-02:00

Hello,

I hope that it is warm and safe wherever you are. It's not so warm here, but I feel very safe. It's about 45 degrees outside; about 70 inside. Mmm.

There have been many great things happening since coming to NYC.
Check back soon for a list of things I hate, but for now here are at least ten of my favorite things:

1
Last night, I was lucky to see a few good friends perform with the great Worldless Music Orchestra alongside Tyondai Braxton featuring selections from Central Market at Alice Tully Hall (Lincoln Center). It was phenomenal. Thank you, Nathan Koci. Thanks, Yuri Yamashita... Badasses. There were times when I was actually at the edge of my seat because of how captured I felt by the music. I could go on. Oh, and Bjork was there. I saw Bjork and David Longstreth? Hmm. NYC. Awesome.

2
I found an apartment where I am able to sleep and eat. I currently reside in Brooklyn, NY. There are ample amounts of fried chicken restaurants and barber shops for all. :D I'm not so far from the Silent Barn, though.

3
All but one of my latest (blank-insides) greeting cards have sold at Meme Antenna in Williamsburg. Yip, yip! More to come soon.

4
Future Wife is on the way to crafting a very interesting and powerful stage show for our residency at Joe's Pub next month. The Young Jean Lee Theater Company is full of very kind people. Stay tuned.

5
I think that I'm discovering a few more meanings to the word "freelance artist"...

6
It seems like Receiver Time-Based Media Festival will be getting off to a great start. All of the components are in play. The sounds are realized. The media only needs time to be digested. We have built it, and they will come.

Way to go Liz Vaughn and Jarod Charzewski!!

7
Also, upon the premiere of the Mr. Jenkins EP, "Sleep", Mirror Universe Tapes will be at the silent disco installation with a limited edition of shiny red cassette tapes with a new EP called "Sleep" and I am happy for this. The album will be released digitally in a few weeks.

Way to go Mirror Universe!!

8
Silent Disco: Part 3 is set to be held at Culture Fix in the Lower East Side of Manhattan on March 28th.
This will be a free event! This will be the first time that I've tried to do this in NYC!

9
Supercore is awesome. The staff is great. The food hits the spot. My opening show there a couple of weeks ago went well and will be up until the 25th of March. There will be another 'pah-tee' for that. Do come out.

10
This hasn't even happened yet, but later tonight, I'll be heading to Glasslands in Williamsburg to check out Hooray For Earth. I'm ready to be rocked. You might be, too.*

- - - -

Anyway, many thanks to my super friends who've helped me to make it this far.
And thank you ___________ for helping us have a great start to 2011.

Let's keep going.

- - - -

- NJ

2011-02-20T06:20:00.010-02:00

SO, I just finished watching "2001: A Space Odyssey" with my good mate, David Linaburg. It was a fantastical display of lights, an intensely subtle wash of philosophical silent dialogue, a subconscious squeeze in slow moving pictures... and basically an all around stunning feature. I feel very inadequate to try and write about it or to give any sort of summary, but I felt compelled to try.

I actually went on a quick info-binge to stifle a bit of curiousity of the success and impact of the film. I came across this lass's blog post from 2009 in which she quotes Mr. Kubrick:

“There are certain areas of feeling and reality,” Kubrick told the New York Times, “which are notably inaccessible to words. Non-verbal forms of expression such as music and painting can get at these areas, but words are a terrible straightjacket. It’s interesting how many prisoners of that straightjacket resent its being loosened.”

(Gene B. Phillips, “Music in 2001: A Space Odyssey,” The Stanley Kubrick Archives. (p 390))

- via Sophie Ward's "Paper Castle Press"

---

I HIGHLY recommend it.

cheers,
NJ

---
ps. Does this have anything to with thi s?

2011-02-07T04:04:00.003-02:00

So, here is some good news: I have the pleasure of playing bass in a new project lead by the playwright and singer Young Jean Lee.

Please, come out to The Stone on Friday night if you're free. If you're not free, recommend the show to a friend or two. If I had to pick a genre that the band fits best in, I would say it's a "90's pop rock theatre music" kind of a thing. You'll just have to come out sometime to make any sense of that description.

We're playing as a part of a series that Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson are curating with John Zorn. I have no earthy idea what else will be going on there during this series, but I can only image incredibly fascinating things. Future performances with this band include a residency at Joe's Pub in April. We'd love to see you out at a show sometime.

Today, we rehearsed in an old bank vault on Wall Street. It was rad. Ask me more about that later.

Things may not be completely perfect right now, but they're also not completely bad.
Thank you for staying in touch.

- N.J.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2011-02-06T00:38:00.000-02:00

Saturday Night Haiku

So many meanings
Hard to find just one sometimes
Sleep is important

- - -

(Don't give up.)

- N.J

2011-01-10T04:05:00.001-02:00

Dear Universe,

Let's make 2011 the most awesome year ever... Please!

2011-01-04T06:38:00.003-02:00

This week, Asphalt will rock the house, or a few houses, rather. We're playing in the 2011 NYC Winter Jazzfest.
- - - -
As you wait in anticipation, you can check out a couple of videos I produced soundtracks for: here.
or here: http://dreamlandimages.com/weddings/love-stories/

Dreamland Images... making it happen. Best of luck to those guys. Sound familiar? I repeat myself sometimes.

Be in touch about... things. *

Thank you.

2010-12-31T04:45:00.001-02:00

This is a new year.
May your resolutions be many.

This is a new album.

May your listenings be plenty.

- - - -

2010-12-19T15:23:00.001-02:00

//

A couple of nights ago, I played a solo gig at an art show. A colleague of mine, Tim Hussey, an established painter and illustrator, had an opening showcasing the last 10 years of his work (a retrospective, if you will) at City Gallery in Charleston, SC and asked me to provide some sounds for the evening.

I'll try to dig up some photos of my set up from the 2.5 hour set to share, but in the meantime check out this great video shot by Adam Boozer. That was indeed 2.5 hours of footage... compressed into under a minute. Fascinating.

The track is from my album 8Bits+Pieces (released August 2010). You can listen to the track/album for free and/or buy the individual track/album HERE.

There were a lot of bodies in the house. It was grand time. I played some strange + beautiful music. I got weird. It was worth it. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Thanks again to Tim for having me. Thanks to Ron Wiltrout (NMC) / Dan McCurry for the additional gear and equipment. More to come from Mr. Jenkins: Portable World in 2011. Stay tuned.

- - -

A Night of Shorts

2010-12-16T03:13:00.001-02:00

There is an independent film festival happening in Charleston, SC next month.

One of the films being shown is called "Afloat" and it features some music by

my band, Run Dan Run. Check it out.

---

A Night of Shorts

2010-12-13T16:00:00.001-02:00

TED Women Conference | Washington, DC | (Highlights) :

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Asphalt Orchestra opened the 1st session and played up and through the aisles to the stage. So many people weren't expecting to hear Frank Zappa's "Zombie Woof" at 2:30pm. Yuri Yamashita is a force to be reckoned with.

We met Halla Tomasdottir (Icelandic Financial Analyst). She liked our band.

Ted Turner was there. He's a lot funnier than I would've thought.

At dinner, Nancy Pelosi gave a few words of wisdom. Arianna Huffington spoke about the importance of beauty sleep. Immediately after, Angelique Kidjo led everyone in the dinning hall in a dance party.

The first ladies of Africa were present and spoke together. Madame Callista Mutharika (Malawi) + Sia Nyama Koroma (Sierra Leone) have my respect. They're fighting to get health care (and clean water among other things) for their people. Because of this, women, men and children call them both "mother".

One of the biggest highlights of the evening was giving Sally Field a "Wake Up, It's Today!" 2011 Calendar + Coloring Book. I told her that she was awesome and she smiled. I went back to my seat at the table across from hers, ate some fish and drank champagne with my band mates.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Heather Knight, a roboticist from NY, gave a demonstration of a robot and the idea of socializing them. One of the cuter moments of the conference, indeed. Her robot, named Data, presented a stand up routine.

Hillary Clinton was a special guest speaker in an afternoon session. This was a very wild moment for me.

Chef Paula Deen encouraged woman (and men!) that it's never to late to take charge of your life. You don't have to be a size 6... or to be a beautiful blonde to do great things. (I'm so glad. Thank you, Paula.) I learned that she and her husband are from/live in Savannah, GA. It's a small world after all.

Most of all, I like being reminded that women seem to stick together for the sake of women and for the sake of sisterhood. I was very fortunate to be a fly on the wall for most of this conference. I was even more fortunate to get the grand opportunity to play this TED Women's conference.

And the food was great.

Click HERE for some live action shots.

It was all SO GREAT. Talk to me about it. See you soon.

- - - -

Thank you, Bill Bragan/Lincoln Center, Ken Thomson, Jessica Shmitz, Bang On A Can, and TED Women for having us.

This happened.

2010-11-15T20:58:00.004-02:00

Last night, I had a release party for the 2011 "Wake Up, It's Today!" Calendar/Coloring Book. It was a huge success. My band, Thus, My Retort, opened the evening up by playing a very other-worldly set, as well as Hosannas, from Portland, OR.

You can download our performance here. Thanks, Jansen.

This also happened. Thanks, Lauren Frances Moore.

Thank you for making it out, for your interest in these ridiculous things, and for being YOU.

Until next time, here are some sounds to digest.

-NJ

Ok. Sunday. So much. Stuff. Celebrate.

2010-11-10T19:00:00.006-02:00

The 3rd annual "Wake Up, It's Today!" 2011 Calendar + Coloring Book Release Party will be held this Sunday, November 14th, 2010 at the Tin Roof in Charleston, SC.
(Did I mention that this year's calendar is a coloring book ?)

We are pleased to announce that among musical acts to be performing on the said evening will be Hosannas. They are in the middle of a very big tour. We are lucky to be sharing the space on the same night. They are from Portland, OR.

Opening for them will be a special group of musical brains as Thus, My Retort*. This band has no myspace or website or recordings b/c this is only the second performance! I can tell you that this set will be a dreamscape of pleasant sounds, moods, and colors. If only John Diliberto could be here now. We are from Charleston, SC.

Before that, I'll sing some songs with a weepy guitar.

Before that, you and your friends will arrive to pick up your calendars!

Oh, and the space will be transformed by Lauren Frances Moore. She makes things out of things. If you come out, you'll at least have your mind blown by the temporary (yet fantastical) environment that is sure to spark your imagination in at least 12 new ways.

- - - -

Just to recap:

"Wake Up, It's Today!" 2011 Calendar + Coloring Book Release Party Kick-Off at 730pm.
Mr. Jenkins at 830pm.
Thus, My Retort at 9pm.
Hosannas at 10pm.

- - - -
This will be a FUN event.
- - - -

*Thus, My Retort will be featuring many musical brains including, but not limited to:

Brett Nash, drums/percussion/vocals
Jenna Lyles, vocals
Zach Bodtorf, guitar/vocals
Conor Donohue, guitar/vocals
Dan McCurry, guitar/keyboard/vocals
Marco Frey, percussion/vocals
Jasen Cumbi, synth/vocals
Sam Sfirri, keyboard/electronics/vocals
Sarah Bandy, vocals
Nick Jenkins, drums/vocals/compositions

Or, something like this.

2010-10-28T14:38:00.000-02:00

The new "Wake Up, It's Today!" (Calendar + Coloring Book)

RELEASE PARTY will be at the Tin Roof in Charleston, SC on November 14th.
It is a Sunday evening. It all kicks off at 730pm.

There will be music. There will be calendars.
There will be fun. There will be memories.

More details to come soon. Thank you for believing in miracles.

2010-10-15T11:18:00.004-02:00

Ok. Let's do it.

Click here for image samples and pre-order information.
Thank you.

2010-10-08T13:14:00.002-02:00

Hello to all,

I am taking this opportunity to reach out/share some information about my 3rd annual (sorry about the absence of last year's) personal calendar. I am trying to make the proper arrangements so that this thing gets a proper "birth" and into the hands and homes of those who want/need them. I was a little distracted last year. Thank you for your concern.

And so, back by popular demand, I am glad to announce that October 15th will be the official day of "pre-order" madness for the new "Wake Up, It's Today!" 2011 Calendar. Themes of this future collection of original drawings will include, yet are not limited to, vivariums, daydreams, dystopias, and... robots. Your pre-orders will help me to gauge how many people are interested, how many I can/should make, how many loonies are actually in my immediate social network, etc.

The official release date of the new calendar babies upon the world will be November 14th. It is a Saturday. The exact time of day and location are still to be determined.

This has been a very special introspective process for me to work through, as these illustrations are made from just black India Ink on paper. I had been wrestling for the longest time with the decision to add color to these drawings or to leave them black/white, but I have finally surrendered and learned to "let it be". I would almost go so far as to say the new calendar is a coloring book! Maybe I won't, but... I'll let you be the judge.

Samples of the new calendar will be up for viewing here on the said date. Feel free to poke around the site and see last year's images.

This year's calendars will be sold for $20.

Please check back soon for more info and send any inquiries to:
paperjenkins at gmail dot com.

I sincerely appreciate your interest and support of my many crazy ideas. Thanks to everyone and anyone who have helped make projects like this in the past a huge success. You are awesome.

yours,
Nick Jenkins
aka Paper Jenkins aka Mr. Jenkins aka That Guy

2010-09-22T14:37:00.007-02:00

"Mini Tour" w/ Michael Pisaro, Greg Stuart and the New Music Collective

Fantastic Group Art Show of Tomorrow

Thanks to Samuel Sfirri and Jason Brogan for including me on this excursion to Columbia and Pickens from Charleston.

Thanks to Michael Pisaro for composing such understatedly "big" music. Simple in form, but so intense in design and delivery. I don't get to play a lot of new/experimental music that often, but I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you, John Cage.

Highlights of this trip include (but are not limited to) a Jason Brogan creation of a fictional character named "Sniffles" who was a shorter, younger and invisible sidekick to James Bond at some point in time. Cricket choirs and salty coffee in Pickens, SC. while being backlit by a couple of huge solar panels and vintage lamps. The 701 Center in Columbia was a lot bigger than I imagined. The concert (more specifically the performance of "fields have ears (7)") took on a brain of its own.

Most of all, the greatest part was hearing Pisaro speak about his work and composition process. It reminded me to listen better, to be more present, and to take what I believe in and run with it; make it good.

I encourage you to do the same!

---

In other news:

There is an art opening that will attempt (and probably succeed) in inspiring the whimsical nature of YOU. It is a collaborative effort and you are invited to attend this FREE event. It will be showing through October.

"Conjuring Whimsy"

featuring:

Melinda Mead (photography)

Beth Lovett (puppets)

and

Yours Truly (weird little drawings)

at Alchemy Coffee

11 Magnolia Road

West Ashley, SC

PLEASE, COME OUT.

BRING A FRIEND AND A SENSE OF HUMOR.

CELEBRATE... HOLIDAY...

---

Ok. See you.

2010-09-13T16:59:00.004-02:00

This weekend, I'll have the pleasure of traveling/performing with the New Music Collective and Michael Pisaro.

Performance schedule: here.

Impetus for the conspectus: here.

CalArts Composition from CalArts Music on Vimeo.

2010-09-09T14:18:00.004-02:00

Hooray,

There is a review of 8Bits+Pieces in this week's issue of the Charleston City Paper.

---

Thanks Ballard.

2010-09-07T13:05:00.003-02:00

Word Of The Day: DYSTOPIA

-----

dystopia |disˈtōpēə|nounan imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one. The opposite of Utopia .DERIVATIVESdystopian |dəˈstoʊpiən| adjective & nounORIGIN late 18th cent.: from dys- [bad] + Utopia .-----http://www.wimp.com/ethicalimplications/----Reading Examples: "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley Fun Listening Homework: "Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots" by The Flaming Lips :)

2010-09-02T23:54:00.003-02:00

Thanks to everyone for making it to the "release party" last week. It was a great turn out and it went so much better than I ever imagined it would.

Merci, y'all.

Thank you Jack McCray, Marcus Amaker and the Charleston Scene.

He wrote THIS.

Thank you, Dreamland.

They saw THIS.

---

Thank you, Hope And Union.

See you soon.

2010-08-20T04:51:00.005-02:00

"8 Bits + Pieces" will be released a week from yesterday.

Yesterday, it seemed that the party was at least a couple of months away.

Last month, it seemed like it was at least a good year away.

Next week, it'll probably feel like it was all a dream, or that it's all happening too quickly, as it all happens in real time.

If you're in the area, we'd be happy to see you at Hope And Union Coffee Co.

If not, we'd love to know you still got a copy of the album for yourself.

Bandcamp will take care of that.

See ya soon.

-----

OH!! Check out this sweet article on the event in the Charleston Post and Courier (Charleston Scene). Thanks to Jack and John for the kind words.

2010-08-12T12:56:00.004-02:00

Here's a nice article about copyright and taking responsibility (and getting paid) for the fruits of your labor and imagination.

Be in charge.

(Cheers.)

2010-07-19T17:14:00.004-02:00

Counting down...

to August 26th. I hope you can make this. If not, just stay tuned in to the Bandcamp site. The new album will be available for streaming and purchasing there.

Thanks to my pals at Fuzzco for this super duper flyer.

2010-06-14T15:15:00.005-02:00

I'm working on finishing up a new album. Surprise! It will be sort of a headphone album, as it sounds best in headphones, in my opinion. I have a special album release program in the works that will equate to a bit of a very, very mini-tour. I recommend buying, borrowing or stealing (no!) a pair of those nifty Panasonic's there. I am a fan.

Stay tuned...

The album is called "8 Bits + Pieces" and has been some of the most fun to create.

Release date: TBA, but most likely mid-late August.

Thanks.

2010-06-05T16:42:00.003-02:00

have

some

new

drawings

with

you.

2010-05-12T15:24:00.005-02:00

Hello,

I wanted to direct your attention to some new recordings that have just been finished.

Through the month of May (and maybe even some of June), the album "Backtracking" will be up for listening, downloading, and pay-what-you-will purchasing.

This is the album:

http://mrjenkins.bandcamp.com/album/backtracking

This was the impetus:

Last month, some friends of mine lost their home and most of their belongings in a house fire. Although they got out of it unharmed and well, they lost lots of personal belongings, including valuable photography equipment. We all know it's just stuff, but regardless, things like that are hard to deal with all around and some things are even harder to replace. They're a young couple and have been staying with family members and regrouping/reassessing life focuses + goals.

This project was put together in hopes to raise at least a little bit of money for the cause of rebuilding and giving them a little bit of encouragement to keep moving.

This compilation features some of Charleston's finest vocalists/songsmiths and people I greatly admire.

The songs are remixed/rearranged versions of material found on "A is for Acoustics" and "E is for Electronics", released in the Winter of 2010. The albums were mostly instrumental and allowed lots of room for further collaboration. So, I wrote some lyrics, asked my very fine and capable

musical friends in town (and some abroad) to help out with the project, and they agreed.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that there's a new album that you can basically download for FREE if you like, but I would love it if you contributed whatever you could to the project. I decided to call it "Backtracking" for many different reasons, but the biggest one was I feel like that's what life is like in times of crisis/tragedy... sort of like rewinding, cutting and pasting.

Many thanks to:

Bill Carson, Daniel McCurry, Jenna Lyles, Lindsay Holler, AnnaMarie, John-Flor Sisante, Ashley Hopkins, Michael Hanf, Noodle, Eden, David Linaburg, and you for taking the time to read this.

Ok. That's it. Have a great Spring.

thanks,

Mr. Jenkins

Spring! Morimoto! Asphalt! Cookies!

2010-04-05T16:19:00.005-02:00

I saw a killer rap group from Baltimore this weekend. They were called Height. They played a show with Short Shorts. I was impressed with the turnout. Go Charleston.

This week, Run Dan Run rocks Outer Space. We don't get to play very often these days, so if you're at all interested, come hang out. We would never has not bite you. Also, the venue that we're playing may/may not be around for much longer, so come experience a great Charleston community space only a few months in the making.

There's also no telling what the future holds, but right now, Dan and I have a pretty full sound for only being a 2 piece band. We will play love songs. 8:00 pm for a good (parking) "spot". Anywaaaaaay...

Lots of travel plans are in the works for the Summer. My dear lady friend and I are hitting up an art show in Philadelphia beneath I-95 (see: Zoe Strauss). Morimoto is making an appearance in Charleston at this shindig. Asphalt Orchestra is set to perform in London at the Barbican. Mr. Jenkins is on the bill for the NMC Fundraiser on the 30th. Whaa!

I guess I should start packing soon. I'll be seeing you around.

Until then, keep your ears to the wind and your fingers out of the cookie dough!

2010-03-24T16:05:00.003-02:00

I saw David Bazan (Seattle) and a band called Headlights (Chicago) in Columbia last week. It was a treat.

I'm finishing up A Man Without A Country by Kurt Vonnegut. I recommed it for any KV fans who haven't checked it out yet. The man had a really great way of explaining the world as it was and is.

Thanks for checkin' up. There are a lot of busy things on the horizon in Charleston and abroad. Keep making things. Keep sharing them.

I made this. I wish to share with you.

2010-03-15T19:43:00.003-02:00

My mom called to tell me that I was in the paper recently. That was a nice surprise. She doesn't even live in the same city!

Nooze.

(photo by Dreamland Images)

7 Albums?

2010-02-10T18:12:00.005-02:00

I think that I've finally uploaded (almost) every collection of songs that I have from 2005 to... now. I invite you to check them all out here: MrJenkins.BandCamp.com

It's totally free to just listen to the songs as much as you please. There are a couple of albums that are for free that you can have all to yourself (or share if you like). Most of them, you can pay and download in any digital format you wish, or you can order them straight from me at PaperJenkins at Gmail dot com.

Thanks,

Nick

3 ways you can purchase "Cupboards":

2010-02-02T18:44:00.007-02:00

1. Email me at Paper Jenkins @ Gmail dot com.

2. Click on the "Download" button beneath this message.

3. Wish on a shooting star. (This may take a little longer to process.)

Thank you,

------------------------------------------------

2010-01-20T14:00:00.004-02:00

I'm geekin' out over this:

Ladies and Gentleman, the Audio Playground Museum.

Whoa?

And on top of that, I found some footage of a performance of a Darwin Opera that The Knife score in Denmark called 'Tomorrow, In A Year'. Yikes.

Once again, I'm impressed with the possibility and fruits of the human imagination.

Enjoy.

Jan, you airy.

2010-01-08T20:18:00.004-02:00

Asphalt rocked the house last night.

Well, actually we rocked the Lincoln Center, thoroughly. And it was a full house. It's been a great 1st year for the band and we're probably not playing many gigs until the summer, but keep an eye/ear open for more news! There are great, great things in the works.

Some sweet shows happening this week:

There's a Mr. Jenkins (with special guests) on Thursday, the 14th of January at a new space in Charleston called Outer Space. It's very much a great venue and collective art space in the making. Come out and support if you're in the area. Other musical acts in the evening include a band called The Little Fish from Nashville, TN and Will Pittman of Charleston, SC.

Run Dan Run is back at it again, slowly but surely, and ready to rock the masses. We're planning to do some recording this summer, but in the meantime a special couple of dates here and there never hurt nobody.

Like this one! >>> February 18th at the Village Tavern (Charleston, SC).

See? Don't you want to come out and play?

2009-12-06T04:53:00.002-02:00

I am glad to be alive today, tonight, this week, this month.

Things will be alright.

There are new drawings for sale here.

There are new songs for hearing here.

There are infinite possibilities inside of you.

Whoopie!

2009-11-30T18:36:00.002-02:00

Cupboards is available, as well as a few select drawings from a series called "Alphabet-ing."

They can be found here:

WWW.PAPERJENKINS.COM

Feel free to purchase on the site (via Paypal) or email me at paperjenkins@gmail.com if you're interested in any of these. I'll be uploading them frequently in the next couple of weeks.

I'm also taking commissions/requests for any Christmas present ideas. Bring it!

__________________

This weekend, an awesome thing is happening. I am having a new musical piece of mine performed by the New Music Collective, here in Charleston. For more info, check out the NMC site. This is a special thing to me.

New Album, New Drawings

2009-11-24T19:56:00.006-02:00

Dear all,

A new Mr. Jenkins album,"Cupboards", will be available for purchase via Paypal to PaperJenkins@gmail.com on Saturday, November 28th. Five love songs. Five bucks. I like them. I think you might like them too.

(photo by Melinda Scharstein)

A new collection of smaller (ink + watercolor) drawings will also be available this weekend.

More information about these featured items will be updated at www.paperjenkins.com. Cool? Cool.

Also, feel free to contact me about any special holiday items you might have in mind or might like me create for you.

cheers,
Nick

It is 3:24 am.

2009-11-19T06:24:00.002-02:00

Tonight, I sat in with Himalayas at a bar in Williamsburg called Spike Hill on Bedford Avenue.

Kenny Wollesen composes for and directs this band. He's cool. So cool.

Tonight, there were at least 15 people on stage (and off) all together. I played floor tom and cymbal. There were 3 other drummers in attendance. It was a lot like being in a church where people only communicated with their instruments. There was a very communal vibe and I remember smiling and dancing for most of the 2 sets.

Tomorrow, Asphalt Orchestra will rock the new "Atrium" space at the Lincoln Center. High noon. Free to the public. Check out our new myspace.

Friday, back home. This has been a fulfilling week.

Chin, chin. Post. Skol. Cheers, y'all.

2009-11-11T13:39:00.002-02:00

This was taken by my friend Marcus Amaker, poet, musician, gentleman and scholar. The band is called Short Shorts and we played a festival last weekend called Kulture Klash 5. It's the fifth one (apparently) and it was quite the pah-tee.

This song is a cover of an Iggy Pop tune called, "Search & Destroy".

Work it out.

2009-11-03T03:41:00.003-02:00

Thursday night at the Tin Roof in W. Ashley will hold great things for us because Kaler, Punks & Snakes, and Mr. Jenkins are performing at 10 pm.

Friday night at Fresh Brewed Coffee in Myrtle Beach will hold great things for us because Run Dan Run is playing at 8 pm.

Saturday night at the Naval Base N. Charleston will hold great things us because Short Shorts will be at Kulture Klash 5. 9 pm. Get there early.

The rest of this month is going to be a wild one, as I'll be touring Charleston, New York and Europe.

Take care. See you somewhere soon.

"This Is It"

2009-10-18T21:07:00.003-02:00

Hey,

Recently, I had the pleasure to perform with 4 of Charleston's finest improvisers alongside trumpeter, Jacob Wick, from New York. Jacob is on a solo tour of the US right now doing a project called Road Trip: Drawing A Parameter of the United States. Parts of his program include John Cage's 4'33" and a improvisational piece of his own called This Is It.

Here is some audio. Don't be frightened. Check it out.

Jacob Wick - trumpet, voice

Bill Carson - banjo, voice

Ron Wiltrout - percussion, voice

Sam Sfirri - clavinet, voice

Lee Barbour - guitar, voice

Nick Jenkins - laptop, voice

cheers,

Nick

----

Upcoming Shows:

October 23rd

Midnight Rooster | Hartsville, SC | Run Dan Run | 8pm

October 25th

The Pour House | Charleston, SC | Lindsay Holler's Western Polaroids | CD Release | 7pm

November 5th

The Tin Roof, W. Ashley, SC | Kaler, Mr. Jenkins, Punks & Snakes | Kaler CD Release | 9pm

November 6th

Fresh Brewed Coffee, Myrtle Beach, SC | Run Dan Run | 8pm

November 7th

at Kulture Klash 5 | N. Charleston, SC | Short Shorts | 7pm - midnight

2009-10-06T05:54:00.005-02:00

I'm happy to know things like this have happened in my lifetime:

And If you can't from all the head-banging, that's Flea on bass. Yes, Flea is playing bass in Thom Yorke's new band.

Awesome.

Happy Fall.

2009-09-22T03:37:00.003-02:00

I came across this video upon browsing this blog. It's run by a guy named Chaz who has a solo (dance music) project called Toro Y Moi. My new band, Short Shorts, just played a show in Charleston with him and EARPWR recently. It's some of the freshest sounding music that I've heard in a while. I find it mostly appropriate for (but not limited to) end of Summer grilling and Fall bike riding with headphones on. And this music is coming out of Columbia, believe it or not. That's encouraging to me.

Oh yeah, I'm into a lot of electronic/dance music right now, as you can probably tell.

Harald Björk - Sunsets (Live session) from Harald Björk on Vimeo.

Dude, check out this sweet font.

2009-09-17T21:10:00.006-02:00

Redux is beginning their next weekly lecture series. You should check it out if you have some time on this coming Monday night. They involve 2 lectures on 2 seemingly different topics and have an open discussion at the end of it, bridging the two areas of thought, art, business, food, music, etc. It's great and it starts 6pm. It was sort of a brainchild of this fabulous person.

And after that, you should come check out Leah Suarez's SOUL COFFIN (featuring Lee Barbour) live at Mercato (6pm - 10pm) every Monday night throughout the Fall. We may be there longer, depending on how many people come out and get crazy on "Meatball Monday". That's the gig. Good tunes. Good wine. Good balls. Meatballs.

Oh yeah! Speaking of Mondays, my friend Dan (Run Dan Run) is doing this video blog series called "Cover Me Mondays" which can be viewed here: www.covermemondays.com. He'll be doing a cover every week for a whole year. He said that he'd buy you a cookie cake for everyone who tunes in if he doesn't complete the project. That's honorable, right?

Dan and I have been working on some new Run Dan Run material, as well. We have a couple of shows coming up pretty soon. The 19th at the Awendaw Green with Golden Pyramids and Weigh Station, among others. Then there's the 24th at thePour House with Co. and Firework Show. That's what this silliness is about:

Ok. I think that's it for the "update". Thanks for the check up. I'm listening to Pavement, what about you? I'm thinking about making a new calendar. Are you interested? Do you think you can find at least 5 other people to be interested so that I can think about how many a brother should/can make? I'd love to put another out. I'd just like know that I can get rid of them, too. That sounds worse than I mean it to. You know what I'm saying.

Just remember: Monday, Monday, Monday. It's not that bad after all.

see you soon,

Nick

ps. I just downloaded an awesome font. It's called Digitek. :) I know, i'm a geek.

2009-09-07T17:30:00.002-02:00

"Bring me rocks

Bring me stones

So I can study them."

-(the Legendary) Marvin Pontiac

2009-08-19T15:48:00.000-02:00

World Science Festival 2009: Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale from World Science Festival on Vimeo.

A is for Awesome... and Asphalt.

2009-08-14T17:13:00.005-02:00

Thanks to all who came out to the Asphalt Orchestra shows at the Lincoln Center last week. We just finished up our week of debut performances in the Out of Doors Festival and I'm happy to say that I am a part this fantastic group of musicians. I'm grateful for the opportunity to play music, in general, but this has been a gold star in my personal book of strange and beautiful accomplishments/experiences. It's funny little book. Ask me about it some time.

It was also pretty freakin' exciting to be back stage when Dave Brubeck was playing, as well as M'shell Ndegeocello, (Rhys Chatam's) 200 Electric Guitars and lots of other really rad stuff. I mean, really. Wow.

It turns out that we were a pretty big hit and received a lot of press from multiple magazines and blogs. I mean, Kenny Wollesen likes us, and he's f-ing super. He's also one of my favorite drummers of all time. He also bought me a beer. He's cool.

Check it out:

The NY Times
NY Magazine
Night After Night
The Decider
Time Out NY
WNYC.org

Philly.com

And here's a video of "Champagne!" (Goran Bregovic) taken by my dear friend, the great Isabelle Selby-Linaburg:

______________

So, we're definitely going to be back soon with some random Lincoln Center Outreach shows throughout the year, and as far as we know, another appearance in next year's Out of Doors Festival. Maybe a tour? Maybe an album? Maybe action figures? Who knows? Things are only going to get more... awesome. Stay in touch. Keep an ear open.

This city is having its way with me... in a very good way. I'll be back in Charleston this weekend. I'm ready to sweat. Ready. So ready...

cheers,

Nick

2009-07-22T21:06:00.004-02:00

Time Out (NY) did a nice little feature on the marching band a few weeks ago. Our debut performances are next month at the Lincoln Center's Out of Doors Festival.

The Post & Courier (Charleston, SC) also did a nice little feature on me and my bands this week. I appreciate them calling me a "renaissance man". O-la-la. For those of you who don't know, it means I'm a jack of all trades but master of none. Thanks to Lisa Ryan for story.

This summer has been a crazy one and I will be 26 years old next month. Let me know if you're in town on the 26th of August. Something big is going to happen.

2009-07-08T16:59:00.003-02:00

Video camera and editing courtesy of Dan McCurry. Actual filming by Sam Sfirri.

Morimoto is back, at least for a little bit. We're playing at Eye Level Art next Friday. The event goes from 6 pm to about 11 pm. The first set will be an acoustic set on the grass in the back of the space. The second set will most likely make you remember the first time you saw Transformers or McGyver, as we'll be playing a tank full of new material.

If you're in Charleston, or around Charleston, you might like to make this show. It's going to be spectacular and very uplifting. Even if I weren't in this band, I think I'd pay to see this show. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.eyelevelart.com and check out the 'events' page. You may also go to etix.com as well as finding this guy: Mike@EyeLevelArt.com

Eye Level Art, for those who don't know, is an up-and-coming art gallery/collective group that tries to keep fresh music and art alive. Any support you give now or in the future is most appreciated and for the advancement of a healthy and thriving Art Culture in Charleston, South Carolina. I'm happy to be involved with this group.

Anyway... We would really love to see you there! We want to play beautiful music for you. You. You. You...

Cheers!

2009-07-05T20:07:00.000-02:00

2009-07-02T22:43:00.003-02:00

We met Tyondai Braxton today. He wrote some music for the marching band that I'm playing with. It's pretty rockin', actually. More on that later. I'll be back in Charleston next week. See you soon and have a Happy 4th.

Morimoto News

2009-06-26T03:15:00.001-02:00

So, Morimoto is playing a show next month. According to the Post & Courier, it will be awesome.

I saw

2009-06-16T22:19:00.003-02:00

Dirty Projectors open for TV on the Radio in Charlotte, NC. They both blew my mind.

Yay! New Stuff! Sort of...

2009-06-10T21:51:00.000-02:00

www.paperjenkins.com

NYC with RDR, again...

2009-06-01T15:13:00.002-02:00

So, we're going back. And this time we're going to crank up the volume just a little bit. Our last tour was in support of an acoustic album called "27 Coming St." and was very well received. We're just ready to be a little louder this time. Dan will even playing electronic things with plugs and cables and...

If you're in the city, we'd like to see you.

Saturday, June 27th @ Rockwood Music Hall (196 Allen St, NYC)
Sunday, June 28th @ Arlene's Grocery (95 Stanton St, NYC)
Monday, June 29th @ Shrine Bar (2271 Adam Clayton Blvd, NYC)
Tuesday, June 30 @ Lit Lounge (93 2nd Ave, NYC)
Wednesday, July 1st @ Crash Mansion (199 Bowery, NYC)

2009-05-26T14:49:00.001-02:00

Asphalt Orchestra

2009-05-07T15:44:00.006-02:00

So, some of you may know about this marching band project that I've been talking about for the passed few months. It's called the Asphalt Orchestra and we're going to be playing at the Lincoln Center's Out of Doors Festival in mid-August. These shows are totally FREE too, so if think you can make it, you should.

The group is compiled of members of Bang On A Can (a contemporary music group based in New York) and some great players, performers and composers from all over the country. We're a 12-piece band with 3 drummers, 1 tuba, 2 trombones, 2 trumpets, 2 saxophones, 1 clarinet and 1 piccolo. I'm looking forward to playing great music with this group.

This is some recent buzz about us:

New York Times

Brooklyn Vegan

I'll be keeping you up to do date with that project for sure.

----------------------

In other news:

Run Dan Run is currently booking our Summer Tour for New York. Starting June 27th to July 1st. We'll be taking the train again and playing some of your favorite spots, of course.

So far...
June 27th @ Rockwood Music Hall
June 28th @ Arlene's Grocery
and Crash Mansion

----------------------

Ok. That's all for now. Listen to good music this weekend. Oh, and don't forget to call ya motha.

2009-05-04T16:55:00.000-02:00

This belonged to Beethoven.

I am a fan

2009-04-22T19:15:00.006-02:00

of Adrian Tomine's work. He's been a busy illustrator for the New Yorker as well as some really great albums and show posters for really good bands in the last decade. Check him out. You might like him too. I've been finding a lot of new, innovative and young artists and musicians lately that are encouraging me to want to make better art and music. Like this guy. I encourage you to find something that does this for you.

I'm looking forward to the summer. I'll be moving around a little bit and saving some money. I'll also bee working on lots of new drawings. I hope to see you soon.

Cheers.

2009-04-13T21:48:00.001-02:00

Thanks to AnnaMarieVu.

2009-03-25T20:35:00.005-02:00

___

If you haven't had the chance to see Morimoto ever, I would suggest you at least think about coming to this multi-faceted event at Eye Level Art (Charleston, SC) to raise funds for the New Music Collective. Morimoto hasn't played a show since about last year (June). It will probably be our first and last show for... a little while, as we are all in different areas of life and such. David (our guitarist) is also getting married 2 days after that and living in New York.

So, it'll probably be a mind, body and soul-altering sort of experience. That's all that I can say for now. Otherwise, the evening will be full of great food, drinks, art and music from other wonderful guests like Quentin Baxter, Slow Runner, The Opposite Of A Train, and the NMC Ensemble (which I will also be a part of). More info here.

2009-03-23T21:13:00.002-02:00

There's a man to the left of me (at the library) and he is at least 40 years of age. He is playing Super Mario Bros. on a pc. Maybe he's only 35... but, isn't that still a little too old to be playing Super Mario Bros.?

2009-03-17T18:22:00.002-02:00

I love this drummer. His name is Josh Freese. He's been around. This song is pretty stinking awesome, too. Keep your head up. Its Tuesday.

2009-03-09T16:55:00.003-02:00

I hope you're having a great week. RDR Winter Tour was successful and constantly busy. We saw some great and glorious displays at the MET and the Museum of Natural History, as well as old friends and new faces. Thanks to everyone who made it out, supported our trip and gave us many places to sleep.

Obrigado.

Run Dan Run Winter Tour (Revised)

2009-01-09T15:48:00.008-02:00

In support of our new acoustic collection of songs, Run Dan Run will be playing a week of shows (mostly) in New York in March. You can preview the new album here.

I hope you're having beautiful weather, wherever you may be.

Our March Tour Dates:

February 27 Midnight Rootster Hartsville, SC

February 28 Pinhook Durham, NC

March 2 Kenny's Castaways NYC, NY

March 3 Arlene's Grocery NYC, NY

March 4 Shrine Bar NYC, NY

March 6 Goodbye Blue Monday Brooklyn, NY

March 7 Rockwood Music Hall NYC, NY

And if you're not in the Big Apple then, you can still catch us in Charleston before we leave. We'll be having a cd release party on the 24th of January at City Lights Coffee Downtown (8pm), followed by Monday night performances through the month of February. Check us out. Let's make it through the season together... in song. Let's be beams of light... Let's...

2009-01-08T17:17:00.002-02:00

I really like the new Animal Collective record.

Dark Energy? Gravity?

2008-12-16T20:18:00.004-02:00

I hate to be a messenger of bad news in this blessed holiday season, but I just read this article on NPR today about a new "Dark Energy" that's forming in our universes outer limits. Sounds crazy, right? Well it is. Check it out.

It seems that this dark energy works "counter to gravity". Maybe its been there all along. Maybe we're living with it right now. Maybe our universe is expanding at an alarming rate?

Maybe Apple will figure out a way to battle this dark force.

And what IS gravity, really?

I think this is really cool, actually.

2008-12-06T06:20:00.002-02:00

I read about this in the New York Times a couple of days ago. Its the first ever YouTube Symphony Orhchestra. Its such a crazy idea... but a great and grand one. Yay, human kind. Now if we can just find a way to make those bike lanes happen in Downtown Charleston...

2008-12-05T18:59:00.002-02:00

Happy Prohibition Day, y'all.

Its funny to think that once upon a time our young country was in an economic funk way worse than what we're in right now (so far). But back then there were laws against drinking alcohol. I'm very glad we've evolved.

2008-11-27T07:49:00.004-02:00

Episode 9: This Is Not The End

2008-11-24T07:15:00.003-02:00

As some of you may know, I have a weekly mp3 project called "Commercials" and they're basically song ideas that I haven't had any other way to share other than email/internet. Some are rough, short ideas. Some are longer. This week's is the longest so far. Let me know if you're interested in getting these everyweek.

Oh, and check out www.PaperJenkins.com. I'm still working on it to make it more... nice looking.

This Is Not The End.mp3

2008-11-23T03:41:00.001-02:00

This I believe.

Saturday, The 15th

2008-11-10T17:35:00.006-02:00

Articles: one + two.

Thanks to Erica + Simone.

----------------------------------------

Maybe you could come to one of these, or both.

2-5 pm

Wake Up, Its Today!

2009 Calendar Release Party

Hosted by: Hearts & Plugs

at Fifty-Two Five Records

561 King Street

_________

8pm-until

Holy City Cold Heart Revival

Hosted by: Lindsay Holler

at the Pour House

Maybank Hwy

_______________________________________

And, Kulture Klash III. Go Charleston!

I am inspired by this.

2008-11-06T02:53:00.000-02:00

Last Night

2008-11-03T20:17:00.005-02:00

I went to a Silent Music Concert at the Circular Congregational Church on Meeting Street. It was curated by Jason Brogan and performed by the New Music Collective. It was a very inspiring evening of sparse music and living noises that I don't usually pay attention to, b/c of what I consider "important" through out the day. I'm glad they did it. It made me want to draw pictures in my journal. I hope you are being inspired to be creative this week.

Don't forget to vote tomorrow... you.

Sing it.

2008-10-31T03:50:00.003-02:00

I saw Deerhoof last night in Asheville, NC at the Grey Eagle. It was stupendous.

In other news: The calendar release party is building up more and more hype.

2008-10-15T06:51:00.001-02:00

You can now PRE-ORDER the new calendar here.

"Well, look-ie what we have... here."

2008-10-09T06:02:00.005-02:00

Hey there. Its coming. Its very much on its way to being completed. I have just to scan in the grids for the months themselves and we're golden. Wake Up, Its Today! 2009 Calendar is going to be available for pre-orders at Hearts and Plugs on the 15th of October, which is next week. As will a full preview of the drawings for each month. I think you'll be pleased to know that I tried a little bit of painting for this one. So far, water colors seem to be the friendliest form of painting medium for me. Most of the drawings are done with ink and colored pencil. I'm happy with those the most. I'm done bragging, just know that the calendar is almost done.

Meanwhile, I'll be on tour with Lindsay Holler's Western Polaroids this weekend.

Saturday, 10pm
Winston-Salem, NC
The Garage
+
Sunday, 9pm
New York, NY
Arlene's Grocery

See you there?

Cheers,
Nicholas

ps. If anyone is still interested in hearing some new music I've been working on, this will be the 2nd week of my mp3 project called "Commercials". Let me know if this makes you curious in the least bit... I would love to share some fresh new tracks with you.