Bret Helm of Audra Releases 2nd Single: A Song For The Winner

Hello everyone.  As some of you know, in addition to writing Life On This Planet, I am also a musician - I  sing and play in a band called Audra. Last year, I began a series of solo singles with 'I've Wasted So Much Time,' and that series continues today, with the release of 'A Song For The Winner' - my second solo single. It is now available via iTunes, Amazon MP3, CD Baby, Google Play, and  emusic.

A huge thank you to my friend Jaymz Todd - for putting together the artwork; and to my brother Bart Helm for mixing it.

Thank you so very much for your support. The links below will direct you to where you can sample and buy 'A Song For The Winner.' Please share this post with your friends. - Bret

Bret Helm of Audra Releases Debut Single: I've Wasted So Much Time

Hello everyone.  A lot of you know me from my band Audra.  Well, today I have officially released my very first solo single.  It's called I've Wasted So Much Time and is available as a digital single via iTunes and Amazon MP3!

I am planning on releasing a series of digital singles in the coming months, while work continues on a new Audra release.  A huge thank you to Jaymz Todd for putting together the artwork and to my brother Bart Helm for mixing it.

Thank you so very much for your support. The links below will direct you to where you can sample and buy I've Wasted So Much Time. Please share this with your friends. - Bret

iPod Shuffle: Part 1

In an effort to listen to songs that don't get much intentional play on my iPod, I'm starting a new series on Life On This Planet called 'iPod Shuffle.'  Many of you have done this on Facebook by selecting Shuffle on your mp3 player and writing down the first 10 songs that come up.  Here's my first 10.

1.  The Rolling Stones - Rocks Off
The opening track from 'Exile On Main Street' and one of my favorite Stones songs.

2.  Sinead O'Connor - O Filii et Filae
From 2003's double album 'She Who Dwells.'  I don't own this one on CD, so I'm glad I'm doing this shuffle thing because a lot of things I own on digital format don't get much play time.  This is a traditional Catholic hymn celebrating Easter.  It's quite beautiful.

3.  Morrissey - Papa Jack
From Morrissey's 1997 album, 'Maladjusted.'  This is a decent enough track, but not among his best work.

4.  The Cure - Mr. Pink Eyes
From 2004's 4-disc box set of b-sides, 'Join The Dots.'  Mr. Pink Eyes was originally the b-side of The Lovecats from back in 1983.  A bit odd, experimental and out of control.

5.  Radiohead - Weird Fishes / Arpeggi
A great track from Radiohead's 2007 release 'In Rainbows.'

6.  Legendary Pink Dots - And Even The Vegetables Screamed
A short instrumental from LPD's 1989 album 'The Golden Age.'

7.  The Killers - Midnight Show
From their debut album 'Hot Fuss' in 2004.  I'm not very familiar with their first album, so this track is relatively unheard until now.

8.  James - I Know What I'm Here For (live)
From one of the greatest live albums of all time - 'Getting Away With It...Live.'  Some of the live versions are superior to the studio versions.  If you like James, this should be in your collection.

9.  The Darkness - Love Is Only A Feeling
Wow.  This is pretty damn good.  :)  Part Scorpions, part Queen.  From their debut 'Permission To Land,' 2003.  Okay, I'm hitting back and listening to this one again.  Rad.

10. Suede - Moving
From their 1993 self-titled debut.  Very familiar with this one.  Suede were a great band, and as I understand they've reunited and are doing some shows in Europe.

Well, that's it.  Discovered a few songs I hadn't heard before.  Please feel free to hit shuffle on your mp3 player and post your 10 in the comments below.

Cheers,
Bret

Gin Blossoms - New Album & Acoustic Show: No Chocolate Cake

I just returned home from seeing the Gin Blossoms celebrate the release of their new album with an acoustic performance and signing at the Best Buy in Tempe Marketplace.

18 years ago, my brother and I were at the release party for their first album at the old Tower Records in Mesa, and it was great to be around tonight for the release of their newest album 'No Chocolate Cake.'

I walked in as they were playing their biggest hit 'Hey Jealousy' followed by 'Til I Hear It From You.'  It was great to see so many people packed into the store, singing along.  :)  

I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but am definitely looking forward to it.  I chatted with our friend Robin Wilson, Gin Blossoms vocalist, who sang on a couple of tracks on the latest Audra album.  He seemed really excited about their new album.  

It was a great night and I am proud of my hometown brothers!

Get your copy of 'No Chocolate Cake' at Amazon

White Light/White Heat: The Velvet Underground Day-By-Day: A Review

Simply put, this is the Velvet Underground Bible.  Alongside the hundreds of photos, flyers, newspaper clippings, promotional ads and record covers, is a day-by-day account of one of the most influential bands of all time, The Velvet Underground.  From the pre-VU days, all the way to their reunion in 1993, author Richie Unterberger has meticulously compiled all of the happenings related to the members of the VU.

All gigs, recording sessions, rehearsals and reviews are assembled in chronological order - from Lou Reed's days as a house songwriter at Pickwick Records, to John Cale's avante-garde performances with John Cage, to Nico's entrance/exit and the days under the wings of Andy Warhol.  

This book is mammoth and not for the casual Velvets fan.  I found myself skipping over the monotonous sections pertaining to early drummer Angus MacLise and John Cale collaborator LaMonte Young - it was a bit extraneous and skipping did not take away from the overall effect of the book.

Lots and lots of VU trivia to be gained from these pages. Drummer Maureen Tucker first rehearsed with the band on the very same day as her first gig with them.  She was asked to join the band because the first drummer quit and Maureen had a car and an extra guitar amp.  The original drummer, MacLise, quit because he found out the band was getting a paid gig and didn't want to get paid or commit to showing up at a set time for the gig.

From the same publisher that brought us Bowie In Berlin, Jawbone Press has once again done a fantastic job.  This edition is  similar in size to a school textbook - 8 x 10 inches, with full page, high quality photos.

Buy White Light / White Heat on Amazon

Published by Jawbone Press on June 1, 2009

368 pages

Record Shopping: Part 2 - Rockzone Records

Over the last several years, record stores have been a dying breed.  Bigger chain stores like Tower and Virgin closed their doors and many independents also went under.  Even stores that carry CDs, like Best Buy, Target, Borders Books have shrunk the square footage dedicated to music.

As CD sales have continued to decline, vinyl sales have continued to increase.  In the Phoenix area, great independent shops carry a great selection of new and used vinyl.  Revolver, Stinkweeds, Zia, Hoodlums and Eastside are all great for vinyl enthusiasts.  I frequent them all.  

Today I wandered into Rockzone in Tempe on the SW corner of Price & University.  I had been to Rockzone many times over the years when it was in Mesa and called Rockaway Records.  They recently moved to a new location in Tempe and I was quite impressed on this visit.  The store was completely remodeled since the last time I stopped in and has a new store manager named Scott who is super friendly and helpful. 

Today I scored a couple of gems:  The Smiths - Strangeways Here We Come and The Church - Blurred Crusade, $10 each.... both in excellent condition.  And a $2 copy of 'Toys In The Attic' by Aerosmith.  

I spent a couple of hours talking about music with Scott and he even gave me a 10% discount on my total purchase.

So, for my friends in the Phoenix area who haven't stopped in Rockzone yet, do it.   New vinyl arrivals are put out every Friday.  

Visit Rockzone's website