  Fun in Twenty Twelve (January 24th, 2012) ..how much newz is too much knews if a new mute gnu could newt anew? (the answer lies here.........sigh) ...ferchrisake...i have been waitin' for my "Besides" CD to go live on iTunes before i sent my first email of the year...and as "luck" would have it...there was a snafu getting "Besides" up digitally....is "Besides" cursed? maaaaybe (probably)..oOoo..spooOokyyy... but never-mind-that :: the BESIDES release is imminent ...(and all the better for the wait?): "Besides" now up on iTunes worldwide - get it here in the US: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/besides/id497617164 Vinyl is shipping on the 31st! pre-order a copy here: http://www.bleutopia.com/besides/  ...sooo..while i was waiting for "Besides" a lot-o-fun small bits of news piled up and i am here to rattle them all off nOW.. .......but, i do want to say this before you read on: as we start the last year of our lives (20-freagin-12 peopleeee!!!) i just wanna say that this is the year of F-U-N (not the year of The Dragon ..it's confusing). i plan on having as much F-U-N this year as possible...i've taken up tennis (F-U-N), i've produced/written with some really F-U-N (fun) people already this month...Kate Pierson of the B-52s (belie' dat), Windsor Drive, Lindsey Ray, MY Radio, Laura Warshauer...i signed a new publishing deal with a super F-U-N <-- company pigFactory USA (thank you Keatly & Brandon)..my next solo album is coming along...F-U-N (nooo, that's not the title of the album...boo) ...and jumping straight into the new-news...i have the most amazingly F-U-N show coming up this Friday: Jan. 27th - Live at the Bootleg Theater LA with Mike Viola & Taylor Locke & The Roughs... with a special mini-set by THE MAJOR LABELS!!!!! Ducky is in town (for once) & Maclaine (who will never be in the band) is flying in from Seattle!!!! it's a real-(m.f-n)-ass TML reunion... it all starts a 8pm, i start 'round 10pm...get tickets here next up, i'll be attending SXSW in March... i've been asked to be on a panel & i will announce a few shows soon..but i'll be around most of SXSW checking out bands just like the rest of ya's so hit me up on Facebook or twitter if you'll be in Austin. if you'll have a badge, here's my panel info: Age of the Benefactor: The 21st Century Fan Club moderated by Scott Perry 03/15/2012 2:00 PM -3:00 PM, Room 17B Austin Convention Center ...i've got to share one more thing..one of my ol' Berklee professors, Pat Pattison, has released a new songwriting book - and i actually helped contribute to it (seriously - i did ...really).... if you're a budding songwriter, or even an advanced writer, pick it up..it wiLL help you...(..it helped me.....ok..), and you'll get to read some interesting "lyric/poems/exercises" and ramblings from myself and some of the greatest songwriters of our time - like Gillian Welch, Bonnie Hayes, Rob Giles, Greg Becker, Ben Romans (Wonda$how) etc. etc...and of course..Pat is just an amazing teacher and lyric writer himself, he's definitely been an inspiration to me:  "Songwriting Without Boundaries" FREAKING!!..Meat Loaf "Hell In A Handbasket" is finally coming out in the US on March 12th, again my track on the album is called "Fall From Grace" - you can pre-order a copy on Amazon here ...i have a new international songwriting & producer album cut coming out in March with a Korean girl group called Afterschool..the album is called "PlayGirlz" and the song is called "Rip Off" - i've been told the song is the first on the album, so i will keep my fingers crossed and fill ya in with more news on this!  loOk at these stylish girlz! in other F-U-N international news...Thistime Records in Japan will be releasing a SUPER-SPECIAL double package of FOUR & Besides (together as one double-disc)...the onLy disc version of "Besides" being made, featuring all 14 b-sides tracks, i can't wait to see it! Plusssss..we're hoping to announce MAY tour dates in Japan fairly shortly..stay tuned Japanese fans...i can't wait to see you again! ..last, but not least...songs i've written with & produced for other peeps have been poppin' up in a few shows as of late: "My Happy Place" by Jasmine Ash in ABC Family's Jane By Design (Pilot episode) "Love Will Break Your Heart" by LoudLion in the movie Hello I Must Be Going - showing at Sundance right now starring Melanie Lynskey... "Turn Me On" by TV/TV used in an episode of The Lying Game titled "Sex, Lies & Hard Knock High" (YES!) ..and "Small Time" by TV/TV in an upcoming episode of Criminal Minds..i'll let ya know via twitter or Facebook when this will air.. but seriously folks...it's all in F - U - N . .. have you checked out the band Fun.? I was just hipped to their very cool song We Are Young...btw...their name is Fun(period)..duh. play me on Scramble With Friends if ya want (i'm addicted...hhhhhh...)..hit me up on twitter with your user name... -bleusifun Tweet Best of times, Worst of times (December 9th, 2011) ..today is a very sad day...my friend and former drummer Dustin Hengst passed away last evening..may he rest in peace...i've known him since i was 18 years old (my entire "adulthood") and had some of the biggest moments of my life with him right beside me...making my first record (Headroom), winning the WBCN Rock and Roll Rumble as local upstarts in 2001, getting signed to Aware and then Columbia Records, touring the country for the first time, and so many other things....he was always unnassumingly funny, enormously creative, and of course, a legendary drummer...his playing on "I Won't Go Hollywood", "Somebody Else", "Feet Don't Fail" and countless others was original, and nothing short of explosive...when we played together, i never had to worry that eff-ing rock-and-roll music was going to be happening (like it or not)...even though he moved on to Damone after his time with me (lOve them by the way, and his contribution in that band was incredible), we got the chance to reconnect and play together again over the last few years...we even got to record together recently (on a live-studio version of "B.O.S.T.O.N.") and i'm truly thankful that i got the chance to have some crazy old times with him again....he's leaving behind a legacy of great music, humor, and friendship, and he will be sorely missed.. ...we set up a paypal account that will go to his wife to help her get through this incredibly trying time...if you'd like to donate, the paypal account is simply dustinhengst@yahoo.com ..anything you can do will be helpful of course... Here are a couple great videos featuringDustin from 2009 when the "ol' band" reunited at TT The Bear's in Boston:
---------------------------------------------------------------------- ..in other news...i'll be having an LA FOOD BANK event on Saturday Dec. 10th from 2-5pm (tomorrow). i'm hoping to get as many LA peeps as possible to come to the food bank where we'll spend time sorting incoming food donations from their Holiday Food Drives. here's a Facebook event with all the detail i am also having a benefit concert in LA, next Friday, it will be grand... WhyHunger "IMAGINE" Benefit Concert Hard Rock Hollywood, Hollywood Blvd Friday, December 16th 8pm Door $15 Donation to benefit WhyHunger Honoring Ringo Starr's Personal Photographer Rob Shanahan and the release of his new book "Volume 1" http://www.robshanahan.com/ Live Music Performances by: Crash Kings, Cary Brothers, Bleu & Jesse Thomas TICKETS: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=4126115 Set times: 8:45pm Jesse Thomas 9:25pm Cary Brothers 10:20pm Bleu 11:15pm Crash Kings this event is gonna be aMAZinG! Rob Shanahan will be there promoting the release of his new book & donating proceeds to WhyHunger....and i am so excited that these incredibly talented bands have come on board for the benefit show...it's gonna be a gooooood time.. Share this event on Facebook if you like... ..give everyone you know & love a larger-than-life hug todAy...and if you've never listened to a Damone CD, hop on Spotify or iTunes and give your ears a holiday gift... lots of love, -bleu Tweet Meat Loaf sandwich with A Demi Lovato & CMJ Showcase on the side (September 29th, 2011) ..hey-ho fine folks...i've got a few fun factoids to flap about today.... fffirst offff - the Demi Lovato record debuted at #4 this week on Billboard, and #1 on the digital album charts! - my highest debut for a song, and certainly a production (neeAtoe)...to my surprise "In Real Life" has been singled out consistently in the press (positively ..whew) ....anyway..i'm really psyched to be a part of the "Unbroken" record - it's been out for about a week now and i would love for you to check out the song i wrote and produced (if ya haven't yet -- and thANx if ya did)..  "In Real Life" on iTunes "In Real Life" AOL song premiere "Two of the best tracks, "In Real Life" and "My Love Is Like a Star," appear sequentially late in the track list and show what a remarkable knack Lovato has for pulling off soul-rock balladry." - Reuters pLus, read the "whole story" of my Demi song on my website neXt - i'm finally releasing my first piece of ViiiiINYL (it's simultaneously really hip, and really square at the same time!...just like me??..maybe??)  "Besides" - a collection of b-sides, alternate versions and rarities is available now for pre-order on my website..... supplies are limited (and already going fast)..so, order 'n if'n you want 'n... (essspecialllly the ultra-limited Blue-disc...yes, we went there) ...oh, there's a discount for Kickstarter people too..thAnx guys!.. ..i want to stress that i do consider this a "proper" record - even though it's old material, i think it's all worthy stuff, carefully curated - these are songs that i desperately wanted to release at one time, and i'm very happy that i have this chance to give them their proper "due"... Please take the time to check out the Besides ARTWORK! - i was once handed a lovely little painting in Atlanta from the amazing Mr. Steve Jones who has been consistently coming to see me play for years..it was a wonderful depiction of me as -- wait for it ----> Olivia Newton John! from the cover of Xanadu!!! (one of my favorite collections of ELO tunes) ...anyway, from the second i saw it i knew that i had to commission him to do some similar art for me, and this seemed like the perrrrfect opportunity (thAnx so much Steve!!)... Pre-Order either Blue or Black vinyl editions 150 gram, signed & numbered (personalized messages for the Blue edition) full details, track listings, preview songs are on the website... ...i've got a few new shows coming up... i am extremely happy to be playing this year's CMJ at the Official Berklee Showcase, if you're headed to CMJ, please give me a shout, would love to see ya! Berklee College of Music, Heavy Rotation Records (HRR), And Berkleemusic.com Present The 5th Annual CMJ Music Marathon Showcase Friday, October 21, 2011 Bowery Poetry Club 308 Bowery (between Houston and Bleecker) New York, NY Doors open at 6:30, show starts at 7:00 9:15 - 9:45 Bleu ...then, i'll be playing a private House Concert in Hoboken NJ on Sunday Oct. 23rd. a few tickets might open up to the general public, if you are interested in attending, please email speck606 (@) yahoo.com - while we're talking about house concerts, if ANYONE, ANYWHERE is interested in hosting a house concert, send an email to the speck606 email address (tell us where you are from!). if i find there's enough interest it's posssible i would try and plan a whole HOUSE CONCERT TOUR next year... here's a video on my BleuTube channel from a house concert this year in Fort Worth Texas:  Bleu house concert in Fort Worth, Texas ..lastly (for shows in October), i will be playing a special post-CMJ FREE show at ROCKWOOD Music Hall on Monday Oct. 24th... ...i play early at 8pm, and i'll be doing several songs with a very talented cello and viola player - so, not only is it frikin' FREE (free i tells yA!), but it should be a pretty unique night musically.... Monday, October 24, 2011 Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2 196 Allen Street New York, NY 10002 8:00pm! Free... in mOre fun and exciting songwriting news, i have a song on the new Meat Loaf CD...this uplifting little ditty is called "Fall From Grace" and appears as track #2 on his new CD "Hell In A Handbasket"!...i think Meat and I might share some of the same opinions on where we're all headed...but let's not get into THaAT...i co-wrote this one with an old friend, the very talented and successful songwriter Greg Becker (who also co-wrote the song "A Watched Pot", appearing on the Besides record!)...  ..currently the CD is only available in Australia (the cover is wAy cool, it's an image of the globe made of sKuLLs - in the Australian version the skulls make the shape of...you guessed it -Australia..) ...check it out Aussie friends, let me know what you think (believe it or not, i actually haven't heard his version yet)....US release date should be in about 4 months...you knOw i'm waitin' in line for that shi'..i listened to Bat Out Of Hell all the time when i was in high school... ....alrighty...that concludes today's self-aggrandizing agenda assault... ..hope to see ya out there sooOn.. -bleu Tweet New Song with Demi Lovato on the album "Unbroken" (August 26th, 2011) today is like a day filled with lots and lots of cotton candy and roller coasters i am excited to announce that i have a song on the new Demi Lovato record… "In Real Life" available Sept. 20, 2011 on the album UNBROKEN by Demi Lovato http://www.demilovato.com/ …i co-wrote and produced this track, and i'm unbelievably thrilled to be a part of this record (i find myself among some of the biggest writers & producers in the biz on this one..eEk).....it all came about so fast this summer...as songwriters, sometimes we have to wait months and months and months to see what will happen, but this song just kind of magically came together in the span of just a few weeks… i wrote "In Real Life" with my good friend Lindsey Ray and produced the "demo" in just a couple days in early June...i knew that Demi was looking for more adult songs and modern productions, and i thought i had some appropriate stuff, so i went in and played a few songs for her a&r guy at Hollywood Records (her a&r guy is an amazing songwriter btw)...he seemed to really like a couple of the tunes and said he would play them for Demi thAt day (which kinda blew my mind)..and then, it was literally only 5 or 6 hours later that he called and said Demi really loved a couple songs (this kinda turn-around almost never happens, so i was practically in shock)… …only a few days after thAt, Demi came to record the vocal...i think she was a little caught off guard at first - i live in a small place in LA and work out of my little dining room..probably not the recording circumstances she's used to(?)...but, once we broke the ice and ate some lunch, we jumped right into recording the song…and…lemme confirm what everyone else has been saying…Demi can sANg! she was great (truLy), an all-around pro, knew the parts, had incredible ad-libs etc….she made my job easy that day..i can honestly say she's one of the best singers i've worked with... ..sO..i thought i'd fill you in on this little story because..well..i'm proud of this song....i had the lyrical idea rolling around in my head for a bit and i wanted to mix some elements of old school r&b with modern beats and "pOp"...i think the final result turned out quite nice...this song also marks a mile-stone in my career, being credited as full producer, included on a major-label pop release…a goal i've been pursuing for a while now… thanks for reading. most of you know i write/produce all types of songs, and i hope you will all join me with this one on Sept. 20th! (buy the whole record…i've heard a bunch of the songs and i think it's gonna be greAt) ..thanx as always for listening!! -bleu see my full songwriter & producer discography here: http://www.bleutopia.com/bleusongwriterdiscography.html Tweet Is the world really going to end on Saturday? (May 19th, 2011) ..hEy!.. ....i'm in frickin' ST. LOUiS (pronounced Sane Louie) this weekend!..."Meet Me In St. Louis" is one of my favorite movies (watch it every xMas) so, i'm pretty much expecting it to be exactly like that..trolley cars, Judy Garland and a Worlds Fair (that's still going right?).. ..well..i rarely get a chance to visit that neck o' the woods, so pLease do join me!.. ...and actually, aanyone aaanywhere can join me! ("what-whAt?" you say) - 'cause i'll also be doing my first StageIt performance (which means you can watch my show online, chat with other people, make requests, etc. just like a real live show.)...should be neAto (we're living in the fuUutuUure).. In-Store at Euclid Records 601 East Lockwood St., Saint Louis Sat. 5/21, 3pm, FREE, All ages welcome House Concert at the Four Seasons Country Club 615 Broadmoor Dr., Chesterfield, MO Sat. 5/21, 7:30pm (i play at 9), FREE (thanx to our host!)  StageIt - LIVE ONLINE performance! watch on your laptop, desktop or even TV if you have it hooked up to the web... Sat. 5/21 at 7pm PST/9pm CST - 50 minute show (StageIt uses "notes" to pay or tip performers, read my Facebook event for helpful info about notes, most importantly, you must enter a full name when purchasing!) ...and theeeEn (and thEN!), i have a free show on Monday at the SilverLake Lounge in LA supporting Taylor Locke and The Roughs residency there...they ruuLe of course..we'll probably do something together (alwAys a bLast) aaaNd our good buddy Scott Simons is playing with his stupendously awesome ex-girlfriend drummer (i think this is the first time they've done this in LA?)..i only saw 'em do the duo business once in NYC, but it melted my face...do i need to date Joe and then breakup in order to get this kinda mojo going?...(it might be worth it).. ..last but ceRtainLy not least - as you may know, i've recently started working with a wonderful charity WhyHunger...we're going to do a li'l VIP auction for my show at Indie West Fest coming up on June 4th in Ventura, CA (Cracker, Red Kross, The 88 and The Roughs are playing, amongst others)...show WhyHunger some love if you can and i'll try to put on a great show..  Music & Charity: bid on VIP entry for Indie West Fest, benefiting WhyHunger (info on Facebook Event) help me raise money for WhyHunger, aNd get to attend the INDIE WEST FEST - VIP style there are two auction packages available: #1 Bid here: http://www.charityfolks.com/cfauctions/AuctionBid.html?AuctionItemID=20927&q=Bleu #2 Bid here: http://www.charityfolks.com/cfauctions/AuctionBid.html?auctionItemID=20926&q=Bleu (tax dEdUcTiBle!) ....meeet mee in Saint Louie - Lou-eEee, meeet me aaAt the faaaAir!! (oh just be glad i didn't quote "Clang Clang Clang Went The Trolley"........yet) -Bleu ------------------------------------------------------------ buy "Sakura (Cherry Blossom Bloom)" from the "Together We Are Not Alone" compilation benefiting the Japanese Red Cross Society...the compilation also includes The Posies and The Click 5, amongst others..  http://thistimerecords.bandcamp.com/ "How Blue" starring Justin Kirk from Weeds (Angels In America, Modern Family & more...)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUEezFriM1s Tweet Oh, the Ways to Keep Busy! (April 26th, 2011) ...greEtings from lovely Brookline, MA...i usually stay in Medford, but this trip i'm on the -green line-, i feel very B.O.S.T.O.N. right now hearing the -T- go by all night... ..i've got some cool events this week, so i'm just going to rattle 'em off ---> TODAY at 11:30am: Berklee Rethink Music Conference i'll be speaking on a panel called "Financing creativity - Microfunding and VCs" ..i'll be sitting alongside the founder of Kickstarter, the co-founder of Topspin media, a successful entrepreneur and a Harvard Business School professor...umm...jeeeze...i've got my big words already picked out (conflagration?...anyone?)...if you're at the conference, make sure to say hellOo (and throw me some softball questions from the audience)...on a serious note, i'm quite honored that Berklee invited me to their "summit" aimed at re-thinking the future of music.. - Room 302, Hynes Convention Center - TOMORROW: you must head to iTunes or Bandcamp to buy a brand new song of mine PLUS, do a very good deed indeed....my song "Sakura (Cherry Blossom Bloom)" is the first track on the "Together We Are Not Alone" compilation to benefit the Japanese Red Cross Society...the compilation also includes The Posies and The Click 5, amongst others..so you'll probably wanna buy the whole dern thing right? (RiGHt!??!)...  ..when This Time Records asked me to contribute a song, i was more than happy to help...as many of you know, i have good friends and fans in Japan, and the situation over there is still pretty terrible...i truly hope my song can help raise money for relief efforts, as well as provide some small joy and entertainment for those who buy and listen to it...i'd also like to dedicate the song to my long-time friend Kiku Fukuzumi, who gave me the idea for the song...and biG thAnx to Scott Simons for writing it with me!....please go buy it!..buy the whole compilation!!! (buy it for your friends)...it's for a gooooood cause! here's a Facebook event with the full track listing THURSDAY 4/28 at Noon: if you are in Boston, you G.O.T.T.A. come volunteer with me at the Boston Catholic Charities - Somerville Food Bank. ..i've teamed up with Artists Against Hunger & Poverty (WhyHunger), who are supported by some legendary artists like Springsteen, Santana, Chicago, and a whole bunch more, to help raise awareness and funds to end hunger affecting 50 million Americans and 1 billion people worldwide... ...this is my first event with them and i want it to be a good one, we'll be packing and distributing food at the pantry, and i would really love your support if you are freeee...i have some freebies for ya in exchange for your support, read all the event info on the Facebook event here. THIS SATURDAY & SUNDAY: DC area shows at George Mason University & a cozy house concert in Silver Spring, MD both of these shows are open to the public!, and here are the detes --> Sat. April 30th, 7pm - GMU - Free 4400 University Dr., Fairfax VA Student Union 2, bottom floor in "the Hub" open to the public! Sun. May 1st, 3pm - House Concert Silver Spring, MD suggested $20 donation email robbinewhite (at) gmail.com for info for more of my upcoming events (St. Louis house concert and record store in-store, Hollywood Rock Academy (John Lennon - Imagine) benefit show at the Key Club Los Angeles...head to my tour page: www.bleutopia.com/tour) c-ya's out there sooOn... -bleuster (works for either Punky Bleuster or Bleuster's Millions, your choice) Tweet Video starring Justin Kirk + 4 special east coast shows next week (February 23rd, 2011) just some fUn news all around... ..NEXT WEEK...i've got 4 great shows lined-up on the east coast in NYC, BOSTON, DC and PHILLY with Tracy Bonham and Jim Boggia...i say the shows are "family style" because we're each going to guest on each other's sets (i'll be playing bass with Tracy!)...it's gonna be r-awesome: March 1st - Joe's Pub NYC, show starts at 7pm - this show is SUPER-spesh as we'll play the whole show in-the-round..(if you haven't been to an in-the-round show before, that means we're all on stage the whole time, trading songs back and forth for the whole show...playing on each other's tunes, etc.)...i can't wait... Joe's Pub tickets March 2nd - World Cafe Live in Philly, i'm on FIRST here, show starts at 8pm sharp... World Cafe Live tickets March 3rd - Jammin' Java in Vienna/DC, i'm on 2nd here (Jim, me, Tracy)...show starts at 8pm...we all look like we mean business on this page right??? March 4th - Brighton Music Hall in Boston, oo-oo-oo-oo-ooo B.O.S.T.O.N...show starts at 9pm, i'm on 2nd (Jim, meeee, Tracy)...i'm really psyched to check out this new joint (used to be Harper's Ferry)..it's supposed to be great!..... buy tix for the finale show here ..and NoW get yer widescreens out and enjoy my new music video-o-o...some of you have seen it already, i'm pretty excited 'bout it... "How Blue" starring Justin Kirk from Weeds (Angels In America, Modern Family & more...)  Justin Kirk in "How Blue" direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUEezFriM1s ...this whole video came about from my friend David J Dowling (some of you might remember that he was the mastermind behind the No Such Thing As Love video)..well, DD is friends with Mr. Kirk, has worked with him many times with photography and this was a new challenge...makin' a whole music video to "How Blue." ...it was an extreme pleasure to work with Justin...he's a total pro and a great hang...nice guy all around..i've been watching Weeds since i met him and he's pretty fricken' hilarious in that show.. ..i've gotta thank DD for doin' such a great job on the video, he rules, and thanks to Jeff Mclane (photo/camera assistant) and Tara Shakespeare (make-up) who stayed up with us 'til 4am while shooting and even got their cars locked in the garage...OOOPS!!! ..Justin (in true comic fashion) had this to say about bein' in my video: "As a devoted acolyte of the brilliant pop-smith known as Bleu, I started to grow my own version of the trademark muttonchops. Luckily this opportunity presented itself so it wasn't all for naught." ...bwAaaAahaAaa...(please share the vid if you like it..) couple other bit's o' news: ..i'll be a speaker at Berklee & Midem's Rethink Music Conference in April (April 26th to be exact). Berklee invited me to speak about funding creativity...and i'm pretty psyched to be involved in that conversation...here's the website for the conference...hope to see some of ya's there! ...last, but not least...last month i was honored with Kickstarter's "Best Music Project" for 2010...yet ANOTHER reason i need to thank everyone who supported my Kickstarter..sO many good things have come my way since last summer and it's been a pretty great ride... thAnx spAnx! -bleu Tweet Ménage A Tour starts off my 2011 (January 7th, 2011) Happy new year! it seems like everybody is eXcited to hit the ground running in 2011 and i'm gonna try to tag along... starting next week! --> Ménage A Tour ménage-a-wha? you heard me, a 3-some tour with my very talented friends Taylor Locke and The Roughs and Lindsey Ray. shows start on Friday Jan 14th at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach, CA and end on Wednesday Jan 26th at Mississippi Studios in Portland, OR.. in between is: Muddy Waters 1/16 (Santa Barbara, CA), Soda Bar 1/17 (San Diego, CA), The Satellite/Spaceland 1/18 (Los Angeles, CA), The Rhythm Room 1/19 (Pheonix, AZ), Beauty Bar 1/20 (Las Vegas, NV), Hotel Utah Saloon 1/23 (San Francisco, CA), and High Dive 1/25 (Seattle, WA) view a larger version of our tour poster (by Kiku) here:  Ménage A Tour Poster by Kiku if you are interested in setting up a house concert along our routing on 1/21, 1/22, 1/24, or 1/27 email speck606 [at] yahoo.com spread the word about our tour, we'd love to have an amazing round of shows so we can come back and see ya again soOn! in other news (aside from birds falling from the freaking sky): ...some great reviews came in recently (i think they've mistaken me for nicki minaj somehow, but i'll take it).. 4 Stars in the UK Sunday Times!!! a nice review in Classic Rock magazine (UK, 7 out of 10 stars...), a feature on Berklee News about Kickstarter, BlogCritics called FOUR "popishly addictive," and City's Best LA said "Four is populated with rousing rockers, heartfelt ballads and twisted pop." "Twisted Pop" - is that a new genre? or a new kind of soda (please, please be soda)? Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, can i aspire to be the king of Twisted Pop? read a bunch of new press here: http://www.bleutopia.com/press/ ..i've gotta new video coming out soon, i'm hoping this is a crowd pleaser for...the ladies. coming from director David J Dowling (he created the beautiful No Such Thing As Love Video) ..is a video for "How Blue" featuring Justin Kirk from the Showtime hit series Weeds (he plays Andy Botwin). it was a reaL fun experience working with him, but i'll save the whole music video story for it's debut. for now, here's a couple stills...we'll hopefully debut this gem at the end of January   Justin Kirk in "How Blue" ...i did receive my BMA award in the mail, thank you B.O.S.T.O.N.!!! i totally thought Hooray For Earth had it in the bag, but i am honored to still be a small part of the Boston scene...you still know where i say i'm from...i say "i did receive my BMA in the mail" because of this funny story i must tell: the day after the BMA's i got a call from Seager, the guy who woke up in his hotel room where my trophy had mysteriously landed!..he had my number (we met briefly yeeArs ago) and called to get my address..long-story-short, he had nO idea how the BMA got there...i would like to imagine it took a nice stroll through all the after-pahties, enjoyed a couple of celebratory shots, saw some wicked awesome party brawl and then passed out in Seager's room...riiiiight?  Bleu and his BMA lastly, there's a new MUSIC page on bleutopia.com, 70 of my songs all in one spot to listen to (including LoudLion, TML, L.E.O. etc): http://www.bleutopia.com/music/ and...don't forget to check out all the Tour page! Ménage A Tour, and 4 dates in March with Tracy Bonham and Jim Boggia in NYC, Philly, DC and Allston/Boston... p.s....on new year's day i was treated to home-cooked waffle sundaes with Joe Seiders & co...here's hoping everyone has as great a year as those sundaes were!  New year's day Waffle Sundaes -bleu Tweet Boston Music Awards 2010, Bleu wins "Best Boston Artist that doesn't Live in Boston" (December 7th, 2010) ..i just wanted to write a quick note to say thank you to the Boston Music Awards and to everyone who voted for me as Best Boston Artist That Doesn't Live In Boston... ...even though i live in LA now my heart is still firmly planted in the hub of the universe...i still spend almost a 1/3 of the year there playing, working on my records, and producing other folks, and i'm just so happy to still be a small part of the scene.... ..if you ask me where i'm from....B.O.S.T.O.N.! congratulations to all the other winnahs: http://www.boston.com/ae/music/packages/bma/2010winnerslist/ -bleu Tweet Happy Holidays, Hotel Cafe next week & Stalker Chronicles! (December 2nd, 2010) ...the biNg bAng hoLidAngs are upon us...how does this happen so quickly every year? ..i hope everyone had a LoveLy Thanksgiving...i know i have a lot to be thankful for this year, like: Jimmy Fallon's performance of "Pants on the Ground" as Neil Young (genius), my continued bromance with Joe Seiders, London!, Betty White hosting SNL, The Bieb, South Park defeating all of New Jersey, i haven't yet been stuck in a dream within a dream within a dream (unless this is that dream?), the new coconut water craze...aaaahh... and of course, yOU aLL...for being in my life, openin' up my emails, helping support my musical endeavors, and your general awesomeness (here's an early wish for everyone to have another happy, safe, healthy year in 2011...) ..my november tour with Joe Seiders was super fun, thank you to everyone who came out to the shows, housed us, fed us, brought friends etc...here are a couple of pics from the road:  Soundcheck at Mayne Stage Chicago  Bromance with Joe Seiders, photo: Kiku  Kickstarter house concert cake!!! (Maryland) and now...onto new nEws: ...for you LA-ers, next week is my record release show at Hotel Cafe...i know all your calendars are filling up with holiday parties and this night should fit right in there...it's a Thursday...i'll bring my jingle bells & christmas spirit...PLUS you'll get to see the amazing Taylor Locke & the Roughs play right after me (completely in lOve with these guys right now)... Hotel Cafe Thurs Dec. 9th 10pm - bleudolph 11pm - Taylor Locke & The Roughs tix here: Hotel Cafe Bleu Tickets ..starting today you can support cancer research with the purchase of my song "I'll Know It When I See It" featured on The Right Track: Tunes To Target Cancer: Right Track Tunes a bunch of super-talented bands are involved and you can donate $.99 cents or a larger amount for the cause. 100% of the money raised is used directly to fund cancer research, read more about TargetCancer here: About TargetCancer ...i have a contest running on American Songwriter and a Q&A feature...read it here and enter to win a tune written by me for you...contest ends Dec. 15th, so enter soOn! American Songwriter Bleu Contest! ..then, get out yer bucket of popcorn and watch "Gutter Dolls."..it's episode 7 of the Stalker Chronicles highly praised web series, and it features a new song and "score" by me with "I Have To Have You"..i played it live on this last tour and people seem to get a kick out of it...this episode is filmed in the dramatic style of Sam Shepard (deep) and features Eden Sher from the ABC show The Middle...  Stalker Chronicles - Gutter Dolls ..and in more exciting touring news: i'll be hittin' the west coast highways in January with...Taylor Locke & The Roughs & Lindsey Ray (what-whaaa?!)...San Diego, Vegas, San Fran, Phoenix, Seattle & more dates coming soon...all dates listed below.. (& here http://www.bleutopia.com/tour/) plus, i'll be headed down to Anaheim for NAMM in January to play a short set at the Clayton USA booth, (and then promptly go run around to drool on other people's booths...), check out my artist feature on the Clayton website (performance detes coming soon): Steve Clayton Featured Artist  Clayton USA custom metal logo pick video out --> watch this alternate version of the "In Love With My Lover" video that Todd Stanton created: Alternate "In Love With My Lover" on Facebook plus, a new VIDEOS page on my site: www.bleutopia.com/videos hiPPy-hAppy-diNg-dAng hoLidern! - bleudolph Tweet Four update! Tour dates, videos, Newbury Comics in-store & more (October 27th, 2010) ...geeZ LouiZe... FOUR is coming out next week in the US on Nov. 2nd (it's already out in the UK...) and i have several newses... first off...my friends at Newbury Comics are hosting a CD pre-order on their site, you can order FOUR from them for just $8.99 and it will come with an autographed CD booklet, check it out here pLuSs, i'll be doin' a special in-store performance at Newbury Comics on Newbury Street - Sunday Nov. 7th at 3pm ...come on down & say "hEeay"...Joe Seiders will be accompanying me at this... ..THEN, starting Nov. 9th at TT's in Boston, i start my neato-mosquito CD release tour...again, Joe "good at everything" Seiders is coming out with me...we're hittin' all our regular cities, and we very much hope to see you & yer mother & yer sisters (but not your no-goodnick brother) --> Boston, NYC, Philly, Nashville, Atlanta & Chicago-o! (all tour dates are now listed on my website again...www.bleutopia.com/tour...) i must diverge here for a sec & give a shout-out to Kiku...who has reaLLy pulled out all the stops & helped me build a whole new website at www.bleutopia.com - check it outz...new Bio, Press, Store etc...more coming soon too...(thAnx Kiku!) ...i've also got some brand new VIDEOS for you to watch. the first being a new video for "I'm In Love With My Lover." ...it was literally shot spur of the moment after a Kickstarter reward house concert i played in Maumee Ohio for the Stantons. Todd Stanton runs his own video production company (www.todprod.com) and we hit the streets in his amAzing 1968 Olds 442 Convertible....that thing has some frickin' get-up-and-gO...i want one...  Watch the In Love With My Lover video ...then...if you head on over to www.youtube.com/bleuteub you'll see i've uploaded 5 new "videos" for songs from FOUR...a bunch of 'em feature Joe Seiders wupin' my ass at somethin' (he's good at everything..bastard)...like tennis, in the "I'll Know It When I See It" video...these are all just for sh*ts and gr*ns...somethin' silly to look at while you're checking out the new tunezz...more will be added soon (let us know if you have any suggestions).. UK tour roundup!--> bLimey (ppl actually say that here)...is this country killer or what? ..enormo BiGuPs to Lojinx (the UK/EU record label)...Andrew & Michelle...yOwza...i have not been treated so well by a record label in ages...these guys are first class folks and i could not be happier workin' with them over here..(p.s. the CD is out in the UK...pick up a copy or order it from Lojinx) ...i played 7 shows...not the least of which was a packed house at The Borderline in London sharing a stage with Tracy Bonham & Jim Boggia...here's a fan photo off of Facebook from Paul P-e:  ..then...i had the pleasure of meeting James & Russ at Gwent Coleg (college) & Draper's Academy to speak to their music students who are either aspiring musicians or songwriters & producers...here are some photos with the students:  at Gwent Coleg chattin' with students after a seminar  makin' new fans at Draper's Academy all in all...it's been such a good trip to London and beyond...so good in fact that i'm plannin' on coming back in 2011...sooner than you thought eh??...i'm so grateful to have incredible opportunities like this....thanks to everyone who made the UK possible...mostly the fans, who were so kind to make me feel welcome on my first trip!... Lastly...Kickstarter rewards are going to start to go out soon. most of the pre-release downloads have been delivered, if you haven't received yours (per yer reward category), leave us a comment on Kickstarter and we will do our best to get you what you need ASAP.... here's a mini-delivery schedule: - pre-release downloads emailed last week, check your spam boxes just in case - bonus tracks will be emailed out this week on Thurs & Friday - CDs, T-Shirts, guitar picks will be shipped by Nov. 1st ...thanks for all your patience while we make sure everybody gets their full pledge reward...i'll be scheduling songwriting & producer sessions very soon, a bunch of house concerts & dinners are in the works...and i hope to make sure that everyone is taken care of as fast as "we" can....THANK YOU... (probably be plenty more news updates re Kickstarter....) gonna put a wrap on this 'un...i jUst landed in Los Angeles...back to the grind tomorrow... ta4now, -bleu Tweet |
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