the long version
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November 2022
Little update - I moved to Chicago! It’s November 2022. Gas is NOT CHEAP. Things are hard, hope everyone’s holding up out there.
Currently working on a project to transcribe Elliott Smith’s guitar parts, starting with the self-titled album, probably going to do the Roman Candle songs next and might continue to Either/Or. I’ll be posting that stuff on here soon, probably as Youtube vids. These guitar parts are incredible! And they’re deceptively tricky/idiosyncratic. Most of them sound simple – he played so well – which I think is why so many of the transcriptions online miss some beautiful details. Also writing and recording some new stuff that I’m really excited about.
RIP My grandfather, a truly magical human, Howard Holland. Pop died on June 5th, 2022. I wrote an obituary (not sure how long this link will be active, I’m counting on you Ithaca Journal!). Words are never enough when the great ones go, and anyway I learned most of his many life lessons from his actions, though he was never stuck for a good story.
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December 2020
Alot has happened since. In fact, I first wrote the previous entry my senior year at Lawrence, and looking back now, I don’t agree with alot of it.
It’s currently December 2020.COVID-19 has changed everyone’s lives. I’m so excited to see live music again, to practice and perform with friends. Heck, I‘d take enemies. They’re saying vaccine distribution could begin this month, but that will only be the beginning of the end. I technically live in New York City, but aside from the occasional splurge visit to Russ & Daughters or John’s of Bleecker Street, I’m just longing for Minneapolis, biking to Cedar Lake, walking around Whittier, as Sarah and I did often March-June 2020, towards the end of our lease at 2124 Garfield Ave, during the beginning of the pandemic.
For now, Ithaca will do. It’s not too far from the city, and gas is cheap enough that the drive costs a little more than a classic bagel and lox at Russ, a little less than a pepperoni pie from John’s, not counting depreciation of the vehicle. In Ithaca, I’m able to help family, parents stretched thin by doubled responsibilities at their places of work (EACMSI & Damiani Wine Cellars) due to the pandemic, grandparents needing help on many fronts. Also, I can walk and bike in the woods, and swim, and I have a room to record and practice in, and boy have I missed playing drums.
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Spring 2017 (The original long version)
I was introduced to music by my mother who requested her favorite Gypsy Kings CD during delivery. Both my parents are avid music listeners. My first performance was a Suzuki piano recital in my hometown of Ithaca, NY. I think I was 6. I took up clarinet when I was old enough to join my school’s concert band. I added sax when I found my dad’s old Bundy alto saxophone during a move. My dad also had a couple old guitars I started playing. I kept learning instruments and started writing. The first tune I remember writing down was a blues head called Lucky 13; I think I wrote it for my 13th birthday. I started really writing in highschool in bands with friends. I also wrote arrangements of Footprints and Things Ain’t What They Used To Be for the IHS Jazz band.
Two musicians became important to me in high school. They led me to my two favorite instruments. I discovered the drummer Billy Martin; the way he played made me want to play, and I started to learn drums. I’d been playing saxophone in concert band and jazz band, and I had a kind of background in jazz, but I didn’t feel very connected to the music or the instrument. Then my teacher told me about Lester Young. His playing continues to answer all my questions.
<<< back
November 2022
Little update - I moved to Chicago! It’s November 2022. Gas is NOT CHEAP. Things are hard, hope everyone’s holding up out there.
Currently working on a project to transcribe Elliott Smith’s guitar parts, starting with the self-titled album, probably going to do the Roman Candle songs next and might continue to Either/Or. I’ll be posting that stuff on here soon, probably as Youtube vids. These guitar parts are incredible! And they’re deceptively tricky/idiosyncratic. Most of them sound simple – he played so well – which I think is why so many of the transcriptions online miss some beautiful details. Also writing and recording some new stuff that I’m really excited about.
RIP My grandfather, a truly magical human, Howard Holland. Pop died on June 5th, 2022. I wrote an obituary (not sure how long this link will be active, I’m counting on you Ithaca Journal!). Words are never enough when the great ones go, and anyway I learned most of his many life lessons from his actions, though he was never stuck for a good story.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
December 2020
Alot has happened since. In fact, I first wrote the previous entry my senior year at Lawrence, and looking back now, I don’t agree with alot of it.
It’s currently December 2020.COVID-19 has changed everyone’s lives. I’m so excited to see live music again, to practice and perform with friends. Heck, I‘d take enemies. They’re saying vaccine distribution could begin this month, but that will only be the beginning of the end. I technically live in New York City, but aside from the occasional splurge visit to Russ & Daughters or John’s of Bleecker Street, I’m just longing for Minneapolis, biking to Cedar Lake, walking around Whittier, as Sarah and I did often March-June 2020, towards the end of our lease at 2124 Garfield Ave, during the beginning of the pandemic.
For now, Ithaca will do. It’s not too far from the city, and gas is cheap enough that the drive costs a little more than a classic bagel and lox at Russ, a little less than a pepperoni pie from John’s, not counting depreciation of the vehicle. In Ithaca, I’m able to help family, parents stretched thin by doubled responsibilities at their places of work (EACMSI & Damiani Wine Cellars) due to the pandemic, grandparents needing help on many fronts. Also, I can walk and bike in the woods, and swim, and I have a room to record and practice in, and boy have I missed playing drums.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Spring 2017 (The original long version)
I was introduced to music by my mother who requested her favorite Gypsy Kings CD during delivery. Both my parents are avid music listeners. My first performance was a Suzuki piano recital in my hometown of Ithaca, NY. I think I was 6. I took up clarinet when I was old enough to join my school’s concert band. I added sax when I found my dad’s old Bundy alto saxophone during a move. My dad also had a couple old guitars I started playing. I kept learning instruments and started writing. The first tune I remember writing down was a blues head called Lucky 13; I think I wrote it for my 13th birthday. I started really writing in highschool in bands with friends. I also wrote arrangements of Footprints and Things Ain’t What They Used To Be for the IHS Jazz band.
Two musicians became important to me in high school. They led me to my two favorite instruments. I discovered the drummer Billy Martin; the way he played made me want to play, and I started to learn drums. I’d been playing saxophone in concert band and jazz band, and I had a kind of background in jazz, but I didn’t feel very connected to the music or the instrument. Then my teacher told me about Lester Young. His playing continues to answer all my questions.
<<< back
Contact: milesallenmusic@gmail.com