I hope you all had a good Holiday this year. Mine was a little crazy. Between doing all the things one would normally do with family and friends I did my best to continue working on the "You Can't Fit On Stage Anymore" concert mixes, burning the midnight oil. As we all know this special courtesy project for the fans has been delayed many times over. It has also been exceedingly more work than I originally planned.
I've recently seen a few comments from agitated individuals trying to inspire some type of law suit over the delays of the downloads. This is humorous since the goods to be delivered are free. Patience is a virtue folks.
As I have explained recently I could have taken the easy way out and not cared so much about the sonic quality of these shows. I could have handed out FOH references like other bands that have done this type of thing. In the long run it would have been a disservice to the music and to you the fans.
The performances we captured are worthy of taking the extra time to prepare and mix properly. Even the skeptics who finally got the first Chicago download have unanimously stated that it was worth the wait. TJ and I are working diligently and as fast as humanly possible to complete all of these unique concerts.
I have recently made some very good progress. We are nearing completion on the next 2 Chicago shows simultaneously. Chicago 3 had some technical problems. Truly living up to the name of the tour, while narrowly squeezing through the pathway to exit the stage someone unwittingly bumped a knob on my guitar rack and caused a malfunction.
Half of the stereo sound disappeared for the bulk of the concert. I had been trying to figure it out all during the show. I finally stopped for a while to check out the problem. We resolved it onstage halfway through the encore.
It greatly affected the sound of the recording. I was able to fix this to a large degree by duplicating the remaining signal, replacing the missing signal and delaying it a few milliseconds. If I didn't tell you you'd probably never know. Except for the part where you will hear me talking about the problem on stage. (By the time you hear that it won't make sense anymore since the problem will have already been corrected.)
I am leaving for another tour tomorrow but I will complete those 2 Chicago shows shortly after I return.
We have also begun the muting on the Toronto shows and have gotten as far as NY for getting EQ templates in place. No concert has been ignored.
Starting early in the new year I will have considerably more help with the tedious muting tasks and I expect to get through the muting of all of the remaining concerts from the first leg of the "You Can't Fit On Stage Anymore" tour
by the end of February.
We have another handful of shows on the upcoming tours that are also part of the "You Can't Fit On Stage Anymore" series including the recent Roxy shows. They will all benefit from the extra man power on hand for muting as well.
In any case, the amount of work required to do this correctly is daunting. In the big picture it will all be worth it. Even if we deliver the free downloads to you later than originally projected you can be assured of one thing - it will sound as good as it can possibly sound.
Anyone who is curious about the quality can hear an audio stream of "Bamboozled By Love" from Chicago 10-17-08 on nugs.net right now.
Happy New Year!
DZ
POSTED BY DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT 2008-12-30 17:52:48
5 December 2008
Hello Friends,
Happy Holidays. We just started rehearsals for the ROXY shows. We're preparing a few ROXY related tunes in order to jump start the time machine we're building.
I don't know how we ended up playing on the exact 35th anniversary of Frank's performances at the ROXY but I do know this... it's pretty cool. I can feel the "bump of chicken"* already.
* = Bad Japanese to English translation of Goose Bumps.
Anyway, I look forward to seeing all of you at the shows. I also look forward to hearing what you think of the mixes. The first Chicago concert is finally all encoded and should be imminently downloadable on Nugs.net.
By the way, the rest of the shows are coming along well. Now that we have the first one done we have a suitable template that will expedite things considerably. Now if there were only an extra 32 hours in a day...
Regards, DZ
POSTED BY DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT 2008-12-05 14:39:23
23 November 2008
Mixing, Mixing, Mixing...
Hello Friends,
I am pleased to announce the completion of Chicago show number one! It is in the process of being encoded and situated on the Nugs site. Once again I apologize for the delay.
Going into this project TJ Helmerich and I had a good strategy. We knew we were going to be dealing with a compromised environment. A studio recording environment is very controlled, a live stage (replete with frequent venue/surface changes) is not.
In order to move quickly we were going to have to mix things quite "raw." The definition of raw in this case is: leaving in microphone bleed. We planned to use old school techniques to gate out truly detrimental excess phase canceling cross contamination.
In theory it was a good plan. In practice it did not yield the highest quality results. The highest quality results came from making tiny edit mutes in all of the tracks to completely eliminate unwanted microphone bleed. Once we heard the micro edit results there was no turning back - we had to continue down that path. There is so much detail now, no smearing.
Given the fact that there are 48 tracks in the sessions and 3 hours of music to deal with in each session we were suddenly buried in tedious micro editing land. It took me 20 hours to do all the mutes in "Billy The Mountain" alone! That's just for the first concert, there are 10 more shows to be mixed!!!
Why does it take so long you ask? When you look at the audio wave form on the computer you will see a noise floor on all of the tracks. This is the result of a live recording - all open mics are picking up their target as well as a bit of what's coming off the stage relative to their position on stage.
The music is very dynamic so there are times when the target audio is just barely visible above the noise floor. If you were not being extremely careful you could easily mute out necessary target audio. Therefore it makes this process a manual procedure instead of a "threshold detection software function" type of procedure. A careful combination of both is possible but the threshold must be changed frequently.
We now have some friends to help us with this labor intensive task. We are working as fast and as carefully as we can. We will still be off schedule quite a bit but there is no reason to churn these performances out with inferior quality. On the contrary, we have achieved some stunning results with these mixes and I am very much looking forward to making a compilation record from this tour in full resolution.
For those of you whose shows are still in the cue don't worry, you haven't been forgotten. If you redeem your code now Nugs will make it possible for you to hear 25 seconds of each song from Chicago show 1. You'll at least be able to hear a taste what's coming your way in the coming weeks!
In closing, Chicago shows 2 and 3 are well under way. A lot of prep work is being done on subsequent shows too. I will keep you posted on their progress. I will of course have to take a detour from the studio in the coming weeks to prep for the Roxy shows.
I thank you for your patience and I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming shows.
Regards, DZ
POSTED BY DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT 2008-11-23 13:30:28
13 November 2008
Hello Friends,
I just wanted to let you know that we have the gear back in LA and TJ and I are getting back to work tomorrow.
We will be updating all of you on which shows are nearing completion and when they will be available to download.
Some of you have been asking about FLAC files. I'm sorry to say that there is currently no plan to release the concerts in FLAC format due to contractual complications. We do however have plans to make official releases of the best moments from all of the shows - perhaps in a multi disc set - next year. Maybe even in surround sound.
There are also new DVD projects in the works. We may even get a chance to film a show or 2 from the upcoming ROXY concerts.
I'll keep you posted on everything as we move forward.
Regards, DZ
POSTED BY DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT 2008-11-13 13:57:37
2 November 2008
Musical Souvenirs...
Hello Friends,
We have reached the end of the first leg of our "You Can't Fit On Stage Anymore" tour and I just wanted to thank all of you for SELLING OUT so many of the shows.
We have really enjoyed playing these intimate shows for all of you. It was pretty obvious that you all enjoyed listening to them. The proof is on the recordings!
Speaking of listening to the shows, the downloads will start becoming available on Nugs relatively soon. We're are currently still working on the Chicago shows. We have been delayed by a few technical issues out here on the road. We are working feverishly to get your musical souvenirs to you as soon as we can. Quality is the highest priority.
As you know each show is nearly 3 hours. Please keep in mind that to listen to the whole show takes that much time, multiply that by the amount of time required to get each song in the show sounding well balanced (At least 30 to 40 passes) and then checking and double checking for perspective - as is the case when mixing.
TJ Helmerich and I have been working around the clock mixing all of this material. The average work day is 20 hours! Oh yeah, and I've been playing the concerts too... This is hard work let me tell you. I know you will enjoy the final results when you receive them. The recordings have exceptionally rich detail and have truly captured the energy of the concerts.
One final DELAY to note. After the show in Bridgeport we all travel home. The gear won't arrive in LA for another week! Once the gear arrives we will be able to make some final necessary tweaks to the Chicago shows and start getting those uploaded.
We appreciate your patience on this matter. Like you, I can't wait to hear them all finished!
I'll keep you all updated.
Regards, DZ
POSTED BY DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT 2008-11-02 20:18:17
22 October 2008
Hello Friends,
We're back out on the road again with a new tour and some new songs added to our repertoire.
Chicago has long been one of my favorite cities and I was very happy to start the tour there. However day one started off a bit strange. I was told that my wife and kids were hit by a CTA bus on their way to venue - they are all fine (a driver in training was responsible, clearly she needs more training)- Needless to say I was a bit thrown off balance by the news. After being reassured that everyone was indeed fine, I began my final preparations for the inaugural "You Can't Fit On Stage" concert.
When planning this tour I imagined that the intimate nature of the venues would provide a special opportunity to reach new heights within the performances. This instinct proved to be true almost immediately after the first downbeat. The coziness of the confined quarters transformed the atmosphere of the concerts and gave all of us a sense of "calm, cool and unferturbedness." The kind of feeling that one only gets amongst a gathering of friends.
It eased the pressure we normally feel on stage. Just enough for us to let loose and take some chances. There were some great highlights in all three of the Chicago shows as a result.
"You Can't Fit On Stage Anymore" is an appropriate sobriquet for this tour because we actually did find it quite difficult to fit on the stage at the Morse Theater. Aaron Arntz was completely hidden behind my guitar rig and Joe Travers was partially obscured as well. I suspect there may be a few stages even smaller than the Morse... Yikes... We'll see you out there!
DZ
POSTED BY DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT 2008-10-22 11:03:43
8 October 2008
Zappa Plays Zappa Adds Dates in NYC and The West Coast!
Hello Friends,
I'm happy to announce a few additions to the fall tour schedule. Toronto and Montreal have sold out so we decided to add an extra show in each city. During multiple night runs in all cities we are planning to play a completely different show for all of you. We know many of you will be attending consecutive shows and it is one more small way for us to thank you.
I'm excited to say that we have "Billy The Mountain" up and running. It is a whole lot of fun to play. I believe it was last played live over 30 years ago... crazy!
I can't wait to play it for an audience. In the song "Billy" and his wife "Ethel" decide to go to New York for a vacation. I thought you'd like to know that we have added 2 more NYC shows on October 29 and October 30 in case any of you are planning a vacation.
Halloween will likely inspire at least one premiere tune ... a special treat as opposed to a trick.
Los Angeles gets a fourth show at the ROXY on December 13th (My wife's Birthday). A few weeks later - on New Year's Eve - we will be playing a very special co-headlining show with Les Claypool at the San Francisco Opera House.
On the heels of that auspicious engagement we will make our way to PortlandSeattle and Vancouver.
The free downloads will continue on many of these dates. Please be sure to check our website for updated info about that and the continuation of the Hagstrom guitar giveaway.
Thanks very much for all of your support and enthusiasm for this ZPZ endeavor. We look forward to seeing you at the next concert.
Regards,
Dweezil Zappa
POSTED BY DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT 2008-10-08 14:34:53
18 August 2008
Hello Friends,
We recently completed another 6 week leg of the 2008 touring schedule. We had a nice string of sold out shows on the East coast. The NY audiences from Buffalo and Albany on down to Long Island and the folks in Peekskill were among the most effusive fans we've played to all year.
There seemed to be something special going on during that final run. The band was firing on all cylinders and the fans were certainly helping to fuel the fire. I started mentioning the fall "You Can't Fit On Stage Anymore" tour plans to those audiences and the first show in NYC at the Blender theater SOLD OUT right away. Another show was added and is already almost sold out. There will likely be a third show added there.
Other shows in other areas (Chicago and LA) SOLD OUT quickly as well. Shows are being added in various locations. They will all be posted on our site soon. If you're thinking about seeing us on this tour it would seem that purchasing tickets early would be the "prudent" thing to do.
All of us in the band are very much looking forward to the "You Can't Fit On Stage Anymore" intimate venue shows. The immediate interaction with the audience is always energizing. I suspect there will be a lot of memorable moments at those shows. The great thing is - all of you ticket holders will be able to download that experience within 8 to 10 days after the performance - for FREE.
Of course you shouldn't forget about your chances of winning the Hagstrom Super Swede guitar. We gave one away in Barcelona and the winner could actually play pretty well. He sat in with us for a few minutes. It was a lot of fun - until we found out he was not actually the winner... right seat number - wrong level. The real winner was presented with his prize immediately following the debacle and we invited him to play as well. He had never played in his life - that didn't stop him though. I helped him by moving his hands to the right positions and helping him pick the right strings and notes. It was fun for all involved. Who knows... that could happen again - minus the wrong winner part!
For the moment I am soaking up my family time at home. I certainly missed my wife and 2 little daughters. My 2 year old has been attached to my hip ever since I've been home. She told me, "Dada, I'm starving for you not to go to work, I love you". Heartbreaking. (By the way she recently got a guitar for her birthday. We've been practicing together - she asks me to play "Peaches En Regalia" a lot)
I know it'll get harder and harder to say goodbye on each tour but I feel like our little grassroots campaign is just starting to reach its intended audience. That's why I'll be trudging across the tundra, mile after mile this fall continuing to amplify the message - through the
Dynaflangers of course...
See you at the shows!
Regards, DZ
POSTED BY DWEEZIL ZAPPA AT 2008-08-18 12:58:05
10 August 2008
A Major Announcement about the Zappa Plays Zappa Fall Tour
• Hand-picked intimate venues; • Every attendee will be able to get a free MP3 concert download within a week of performance; • Hagstrom guitar giveaway at every show; • Submit your song requests for each show.
Hello Friends,
I have exciting news about the upcoming fall tour, called You Can't Fit On Stage Anymore! Please read this carefully, there's a lot going on! It has not gone without notice that many of you have seen us multiple times in various different cities. While we always strive to reach out to new fans I felt like doing something special for the hardcore fans in the fall. When the leaves start falling off all of the trees we'll have multiple bonus accouterments to add to your Zappa Plays Zappa experience. In our continuing effort to provide you with the "World's Finest Optional Entertainment" we have booked ourselves into some hand selected intimate venues.
Why would we do that you ask?
"The Way I see it..." Often times the intimate nature of these types of venues provides a unique environment for thrilling live performances and an opportunity for a more immediate connection between the fans and the musicians on stage. We will be playing different material on a nightly basis - more on that later.
That sounds good but if I may be so bold, what else are you doing?
Thanks for asking, check this out... We are including a special free download license of the entire concert as part of your ticket price. This will not be a commercial release. Only the attendees of these special concert events will have access to these recordings. Your code will be printed on your ticket and may be redeemed at www.nugs.net. You will be able to listen to the concert you've recently attended in fully mixed studio quality sound with an easy mp3 download.
In order to take it a step further than the industry standard for this type of item, a small amount of extra time is required to prepare these files. You will be able to download your fully mixed stereo, studio quality audio within 8 days of the show you attended. (Keep in mind that shows are generally 2 and half hours - me and my audio engineer friend TJ Helmerich will be working around the clock to get these things mixed and uploaded while being out on the road!) It will not be a glorified front of house reference mix as is usually the case with this kind of an item.
(As you know computers are imperfect devices and there is a possibility that they will fail during the recording process. In the event of computer failure an alternate concert download will be granted to those ticket holders affected.)
You've got my attention... my hair is "getting good in the back". Correct me if I'm wrong but you said multiple bonus accouterments.
I did indeed. What else can you expect to be included in the price of your ticket? How about incredible odds on winning a world class Super Swede electric guitar made by Hagstrom - at every show! (Check them out at www.hagstromguitars.com) These shows are small 300 to 400 people capacity. 1 in 400 odds are pretty damn good!
A random name will be selected out of a hat - don't forget to sign up at the show - and the winner will be invited on stage to claim their prize! Who knows, maybe they'll get a chance to plug it in and play with the band?
Okay now my hair is awesome, is there anything else?
We've decided to give you all a chance to make requests from a master list of songs the band is prepared to play. Each night before the show we'll look over the results. The top five most requested songs will be in the show that night. (Perhaps more depending on what we played the night before). Click here to read more about concert downloads, setlist voting and winning a Hagstrom guitar!
My hair is on fire! I've got it under control but now it looks like a merkin. How many songs do you guys know?
Since 2006 we've learned over 80. Can we play them all at the drop of hat? No our heads would explode like Scanners. We will go over as much as we can handle. I expect the list to hover around 40 to 45 songs from multiple eras. Could be a few more if we're feeling inspired.
In any case, I hope you'll participate in these fun bonus features and take advantage of this one time small venue tour. We're all really looking forward to seeing you out there. Who knows, maybe we'll play "Billy The Mountain".
By the way, when we get to LA - We'll be playing at the Roxy - 35 years to the day...
I've just got to share a few things that make me laugh. :-D
Though there are PLENTY of occasions off stage when the guys make me laugh to the point of tears, lately I've had quite a case of the giggles on stage. This can prove to be a job hazard of sorts as it is next to impossible to sing or play a wind instrument while laughing. Here are a few chuckle-worthy moments as of late...
First of all, for those of you who may not know, ZPZ has been training for the past two and a half years for a new athletic event. Now dubbed "the trifecta" by a fan who posted a Re:view, it is the feat of performing Peaches En Regalia followed by Echidna's Arf followed by G Spot Tornado; three extraordinarily difficult instrumental works. The sheer amount of notes we play during those ten and a half minutes is seriously humorous. Tonight it cracked me up.
Other hilarity has come from such occurrences and utterances as:
"CORRECTAMUNDO!"
"The billy goat laughs."
The singing blow up doll.
"Wanna buy a rattlesnake, Cartman?"
The use of the adverb "betind".
"Si, si!"
and
"Aren't you lovely...?"
Every once in a while I'm set up juuuuust far enough forward on stage so I can look down the front line at "my boys" as they vocalize.
My entertainment last night consisted of watching them sing "ram it, ram it, ram it, ram it up your poop chute....CORN HOLE!"....etc.
