theacademyis

EL PASO, TEXAS.  10/19/09

Adam catches me while I catch up.

Outside of a mexican restaurant on the border with Mexico just beyond the highway, kissing the horizon.  Migraine headaches and guacamole don’t mix.  Whiskey and secondhand smoke choke sunrise conversation.  Strained souls from six straight bask in self recovery on such days.

Such daze.

I normally don’t re-blog, but this is too good to ignore.  Thanks Nick!

nicholasscimeca:

A letter from Mick Jagger to Andy Warhol. It is pretty interesting to see how they communicated to each other.

SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB #45

The Thrills - Teenager

The title track from this Ireland based band’s 3rd album, this song is perfect for a transitioning season.  Its a great one after a long night out with friends, back home in a dimly lit room.  Winding down and reflecting.  Letting the room spin. Its also perfect for a lonely thinker’s night in.  After the sustain fades to silence, DISCUSS.  I hope you’re treating your Saturday night well, wherever you are, with whoever you are.

Also, I’d like to thank you all that have commented on here over the past few days.  I take a lot of pride in this site and honest quality content to share with you and I fully respect your insight.  You inspire me to WANT to write.  Let’s keep that going, for both our sakes.

Here’s a bit of a Saturday Night Music Club warmup.  I haven’t listened to the new Killers album in a couple months but I woke up with about 5 of the songs stuck in my head.  Day and Age is very solid album, if you haven’t heard any of it I suggest you do pick it up.  Pretty cool video as well.

The Killers - A Dustland Fairytale

FRIDAY FILM TALK

I was fortunate enough to catch the midnight showing of Spike Jonze’s film adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are last night.  It is the best film I’ve seen thus far this year. I’ve seen some mixed reviews, and I’m certain some of those who are particularly attached to Maurice Sendak’s book won’t be completely thrilled.  But for a fan of quality cinema and thematic depth, this is a must see movie.

Without throwing out any SPOILERS [which (SPOILER ALERT!) I’ve been reamed for already concerning Bill Murray’s cameo in ZombieLand], this film was visually stunning, riddled with dreamscape set design and incredible cinematography.  It makes giant budget flicks like “Spiderman 3” and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” look like heartless, soulless, visual adolescents.  In an age seemingly reliant on multi-million dollar superstar actors recreated in post production with green-screened CGI to top the box offices, I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to see Wild Things in a jam packed opening night theater.

The film is also supported by an enchanting and emotive score by Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeah’s); a soundtrack I’m planning on picking up today in the local San Diego shopping mall down the street.  If they have a record store there anymore, that is.  If not I guess I can iTunes it.

However, I was a little surprised how melancholy and downright sad the film made me at some points.  The emotional depth is something I wasn’t really prepared for.  I also think this film is NOT for children 10 and under.  A small child around 5 was sitting in my row and was seriously upset numerous times by either frightening imagery or dialogue, at one point towards the end of the film crying hysterically yelling out “You’re mean!” at the screen.  And understandably so.  I wouldn’t go as far as to say Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers’ screenplay portrays the death of childhood innocence, but it certainly touches on subjects concerning both the end of innocence and the eternal nature of it at the same time.  It really is quite beautiful.  It is sure to reignite some childishness in some of us jaded adults, whom I think will benefit most from seeing the movie.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE is all that is beautiful and tragic about growing up.

I’d highly recommend seeing it this weekend, and I’d love to hear your thoughts about the film afterwards in the comments.

Flying used to do considerably different things to my perception.  The cutting contrast sharp, yet not alarming.  For instance, in the past, flying domestically on the same day as a show was met with spoiled-brat belly aching, pervading prima donna parallels.  I’d huff and I’d puff and I’d blow my manager’s email inbox down.  As sand-blasting, throat-parching, and voice-crackling airplane cabin air can be, I find myself complaining less these days.  Whether it be a product of maturity, exhaustion, apathy, or a cocktail of all three, I can proudly say that I no longer bitch and moan about day-of-show travel.  Nope.  These days I’ll use that time to write, reflect, or fall asleep mid-chapter in another futile attempt at reading while in motion.  Fuck Ambien.  Give me Atlas Shrugged and I’m out like a fat kid in T-Ball before the first “Who is John Galt?” inquiry.

The same usually goes for me with driving.  Day or night, rain or shine, behind the wheel I’m liable to go narcoleptic at the blink of a turn signal.  As terribly catastrophic as that is, if you’ve ever dozed off while driving, despite every desperate effort to stay awake: (leg pinching, face slapping, windows down in winter, ear piercing stereo levels, hair pulling, talking to yourself, talking to your cell phone, etcetera etcetera).  Despite every aforementioned desperate effort, if you for only a split second succumb to the weight of your eye lids and let them drop to your cheeks, then and only then will you know the most satisfying and unrivaled kind of sleep known to man.  Perhaps comparable in the animal kingdom to say, hibernation, [or in the real (mortal) world, DEATH.]  This split second of sedated sanctuary is the closest to peace you’re likely to get.

___________________________

//DISCLAIMER//

Of course this kind of accidental bliss is absolutely destructive to not only yourself but others, AND if you ever feel SLEEP take the upper hand, leaving life, limb, and luxury automobile hanging from the highway, take my advice and pull over.  Find a Wendy’s parking lot, unbuckle, recline that driver’s side seat further back than its ever been (since that one crazy night with Suzy-Q), and sleep safely.  PASS THE F@#K OUT.  Please and Thank You.

_____________________________

Another activity I’ll dive into from time to time whilst 30,000 feet in the air is, yes, conversation.  I still have my days, don’t get me wrong, but in the past I’d pull my shades on, clamp my headphones over my disinterested ears and don my best smug-face punim; so as no one, not even the most pleasant, outgoing, kind-hearted soul with Mr. Rogers charm would dare interrupt my devoted isolationism.  Lately, if the air is right and the temperature is comforting I’m liable to talk from take-off to landing.  Particularly after a few drinks or even more so after a mortality reminder courtesy of heavy turbulence, I’m a regular Star Jones.

Perhaps I’ve dropped some pomp or ego, but I feel more connected and able to relate to people on a level I haven’t been able to before.  I’m more interested in other’s concerns and opinions.

Pain and jubilation.
Experiences and perspectives.  
Stories of loss and gain.  
Of admiration and loathing.
Bias and understanding.

Although I feel a stronger connection with people on an individual level, I find myself falling further from popular concern and cultural shifts.  Perhaps brought on by a population’s diminishing attention span or expanding waist band, I don’t know where I fit in the puzzle.  As the importance of family and individual relationships grow, I feel as displaced as a peninsula freshly broken from its mainland.

Perhaps yet another product of of our time; turning people into islands one at a time.

How should I respond to that?  Build a boat and learn to swim.

In the meantime, I’ll enjoy my flight.

A classic scene featuring Jon Favreau, from the insanely underrated movie SWINGERS.

From a more deliberate, primitive time when the now nearly obsolete “home answering machine” was most prevalent… The mid 90’s.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the number one reason to never call someone on the same night that they give you their number.

Just TRY watching this without cringing.  And tell me, have you ever left messages like this?

Oct. 13th. Flight 101.
Ominous numbers to some.
A slicing Chicago cold to California connections.
Stinging eyes, parting tithes.
I miss you both already.

Final destination Bakersfield, CA.
If my memory doesn’t do me dirty, I’m pretty sure we have 8 California shows. Los Angeles tomorrow!
I’m sorry I left you so quickly, San Francisco. Until next time.

SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB #44

Taking Back Sunday - Miami

Saturday Night is upon us!  I hope you’re all having a wonderful evening/morning/afternoon (time zone consideration, anyone?). I’m sitting on our bus in lovely Omaha, Nebraska hanging with the Mayday Parade fellas, listening to a multitude of musical magic.  I was seriously considering posting a Cursive song being that we’re Saddle Creek soaked in Omaha, I thought I’d pull a wildcard out of the ‘ol coat sleeve.

Taking Back Sunday.  An incredibly influential and transcending rock band that has consistently made great albums…  This is a newer song of theirs that I’ve been in love with since the first time I heard it on “Louder Now”.  Mi-am-i.  Enjoy.  Play it loud. Discuss.

Weekly recommendations?  GO.

SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB #43

Spoon - Everything Hits At Once

One of my favorite songs from another stellar yet underrated band.  Subtlety in its truest form, this band excels in the the “less is more” school of thought.  Where most modern bands float slowly down the river in cluttered over-compensation, Spoon confidently swims upstream.  They’re also from Austin, TX., one of my favorite cities in this fine country known as the YOU-ESS-AYEE.

If you enjoy this, I’d also recommend their albums “Gimme Fiction” and “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga”.  Truly choice.  DISCUSS!

—————————————————————————————-

Since we’re over 40 weeks into this little Saturday Night Music Club of ours, curiousity strikes…

Give me your top 5 SNMC songs of All-Time. Yes, I said “All-Time”.

@1111AM

If you have a twitter account, check this out.

If you are thinking about creating a twitter account, here’s a fantastic one to follow.

A month ago 11:11 A.M. donated $1,000 to Light the Night, which benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  They thought they would do a little more and make a contest to get people involved.  They set up the contest in a way that if they get 1,111 followers they would donate $250, 2,222 followers: $500 and 3,333 followers: $1,000. Once they get to 3,333 followers they will donate $1,000 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/)

GET INVOLVED!

—————————————————————————-

11:11AM is a non profit organization who’s purpose is to raise money and awareness for Pediatric Cancer Research.

I came across these propaganda posters on the set of ‘Red Dawn’ while scouring for food with Adam and Zach in Pontiac earlier.  Pretty surreal, yet eerily familiar… Don’t ask.

I’m sitting on the bus in the Clutch Cargo’s parking lot sipping some tea with Sports Center on, my good pal Zach Borgman, who’s enthusiastically celebrating beer:thirty.  My tour ‘getup’ arrived just in time this morning, via over night air, and I’m honestly ITCHING to play tonight.  We’ve been rehearsing all week and we’ve got a handful of surprises in store for this tour, including a few songs we’ve NEVER played live before.  Enticing, no?  Well, I WILL say that if there is a tour to see TAI on it is definitely this one.  If you haven’t caught the bus, here’s a chance to BEND TIME and sit with the cool kids.  Also, don’t forget to wear your sunday best, this IS a formal event, after all.

Down the street from the venue today an apparent big budget film is, well, filming.  Rumor screams that its a remake of the 1984 classic Red Dawn, starring the late great Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, C. Thomas Howell, and Lea Thompson (Marty McFly’s momma in the Back To the Future movies).  I may mosey on over to the filming location and try to scope some ‘splosions, maybe take a picture of a communist flag covered army tank or two.

After a well balanced lunch, of course.

This show looks great.  The premier was hilarious.

Of course a show like this comes along the week before I leave for a 2 month tour on which I won’t be able to watch it.  Oh. if it weren’t for the wonder of television on the internet.

Hi!

It's your oldtime pal Adam T Siska, though some may know me as Sisky Business, others refer to me as Daddy Primetime.

I write to let you know that today we have released a brand new, five song EP which we are calling "Lost in Pacific Time."

The EP is being sold digitally here as well as some limited physical copies at the FBR Store our Merch Table on the Alternative Press Fall Ball tour which begins this Friday in Pontiac, Michigan.

The songs are a snapshot of 2009 for the Academy Is...

They were recorded on our Tour Bus during this past July while we were on a two week tour playing Amusement Parks. You can even hear the "Screamin Eagle" roller coaster from Six Flags St. Louis pass by at the beginning of track 2...

We cannot wait to start this fall tour. We are also looking forward to hanging out with you at the merch table, signing the EPs and having Rubix cube competitions.

See you soon!

Love,
Daddy Primetime + The Academy Is...

For the admirable few who are still holding out on getting a Twitter account.

In case you missed the links being passed around all day, here’s a stream from banana’s music club of our aforementioned song collaboration with Andrew McMahon.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did writing it.

“Sputter” will be featured on our 5 song EP Lost In Pacific Time available TOMORROW on iTunes / Amazon and for you CD collectors, you can order the limited edition pressing HERE.

bananasmusicclub:

The Academy Is… - “Sputter” (feat. Andrew McMahon of Jack’s Mannequin). Find out more here.

SATURDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB #42

Something Corporate - I Woke Up In A Car

Our first big tour in the history of the band was like a dream come true.  We were young, hungry and naive, wide-eyed and ready to tour and tour and tour.  When Andrew McMahon welcomed us onto their headlining tour in 2005 we were not only huge fans of his entire catalog, but we also learned a great deal about the importance of a genuine, passionate and flawless live performance.  Ever since, he’s been a dear friend who has shown incredible strength and will through unthinkable hardship, and has continued to make amazing music with Jack’s Mannequin.

A couple months ago I went out to Los Angeles and paid Andrew a visit and we ended up writing a song called Sputter.  It will be released on our Lost in Pacific Time EP coming out on Tuesday!  I’ll talk more about the process once you’re all able to hear the song.  In the meantime, enjoy one of my favorite chunes from Something Corporate and have a smiley Sunday!

____________________________________________________________________________

I’m aware that the Alternative Press story in which I briefly discuss my family has leaked early.  Thank you to those who’ve given their support and kind words and understanding.  I’ve done nothing but try and protect those closest to me, and I’ve come to a point in my life where I’ve shared basically every emotion and inner detail of my life with the fans but this one, until now.  Thank you for respecting my personal life, for in sharing this, the respect extends both ways.

CHECK THIS OUT.

Realistically bleak conceptually, wonderful animation, and an amazing version of the song.  Thom Yorke kills it.

(courtesy of the always resourceful twitter user @gottai. Cool username too… ha)