Blog Of A Songwriter

Battlegrounds

2011-11-11T12:11:00.001-08:00

Battlegrounds

The foot of fog stands over burnt land

Scattering images of dismantled silhouettes

And photographed shells in tents

Elbows crying to break the bloody soot

Plastered to my cheekbones and dog tags

A class of ripped metal

No breeze to transport death and disaster to far away places

So it stays

Surrounding us and engulfing our minds

Eyes still in sockets glance

Around at the dying

Moaning for more time

Or less

I have slowed in an accelerated moment leaking

The sky has turned a shade of beige.

(JP 2011)

"I am prepared to die, but there is no cause for which I am prepared to kill"

--Mahatma Gandhi

#NoFilter

2011-10-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

#NoFilter

Trails lead to stables of crop and canvas.

Hay for the horses

I step out on the porch overlooking fortune

desperately dressed in dust

Drenched in dust

Depression is great

within the bowl.

Scarecrows, candy men, and the American Mythology

live in the middle of nowhere

Seasons of planting, irrigating hearts

trying to patch up overalls

Dogs run without leashes

much like your mouth.

-JP 2011

"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music"

--Aldous Huxley
.

The Vinyl Canvas

2011-10-11T10:14:00.000-07:00

.:Click to Purchase:.

Since I was a child, I dreamed ofhearing my voice and song rising from the resin of a vinyl record. The scratch of the needle settling intoa groove, the hiss of the cushion comforting the waves, and the final pulsingof a completed side ordering my excitement to dream. Sitting cross-legged on the carpet with headphones to myears listening to Springsteen’s Nebraska, I knew that somehow I would achievemy goal.

October 04, 2011 is a day that willlive within me until my time expires. Not only was I able to achieve my goal, I was able to do it with a groupof extraordinary musicians and artists that happen to be my closest and dearestfriends. A perfect example ofreality being more beautiful than the dream.

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Buffalo Bio

Written beneath the chill of winter....

Buffalo. Harmony andbalance. Purification observing the healing of vision. The grass ofrelations drains fast into the inheritance of borrowing. Let the BlackHills be approached with one mind, one heart, and as one people. Astarting point. Stemming from mistakes and little victories. Carbonspinning with footprint control. Movement for progress. Rebuild andthrive from lessons woven delicately in our past. There is always aline. Instruct the merriment of symbolism to misplace the baggage ofclaims. For we are all connected to the Buffalo.

The Buffalo recordings take shape overthe course of an extensive touring schedule and personal events unforeseen. We press on... Negatives become our twist. Situations in shift. Stacks of concrete bookend the prairies as time marches. But where? On isabstract.

Jesse Payne stems from a soil deep inthe Southeastern region of the United States. He nests in scenic views of treesand mountains blending into valleys of skyscrapers and barns. Canvas for hisyellow shade of timeless polaroids transposing over lake and swing suggests aninheritance of owls and their nocturnal solitude. His sound and sight each bornfrom a landscape of heavy cotton hands and autumn chairs.

Upon returning to his home in early2007, after a couple of years of touring the eastern coastal region, as farnorth as Boston and as far west as Chicago, Jesse Payne delivered the EP, “Beyond theLeaves.”The EP earned him a spot in The Big Takeover’s Top 40, alongside Band ofHorses, Death Cab For Cutie, and Willie Nelson. His song, ‘Thief Among Us,’also found its way on national compilations that included artists such as RyanAdams and Sondre Lerche. Jesse Payne released his debut full-lengthalbum, Nesting (Capture Music Inc.) on November 10, 2010. Thealbum reached #3 in California on KDVS radio and stayed in the College top 30across the United States for weeks at a time.

His latest, Buffalo, releases October 04,2011. Buffalo is an audio-painting of expansion andreservation. Patents and assembly lines. Light bulbs versusalternating currents. Phonographs threading impact factors busydocumenting waves genetically modified to roam.

Jesse Payne’s team of sonic paintersinclude, Thomas Warren, Mike Creager, Noel Johnson, Mason Boyd, Dave Crenshaw,Stephen McCollough, and The Chad Fisher Group.

Buffalo has synchronizationcapabilities with the Kettle & Crow DVD (out October 04, 2011).

--See jessepayneonline.com forinstructions on how to synchronize vinyl to DVD--

(Kettle & Crow DVD directed by Jacob Falls and edited by JasonSchuck)

-JP 2011

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”

--Michelangelo

Elegant Shivers

2011-06-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

Elegant Shivers

She curses salvation

I know

send me home

Give me your devouring donations

I have aches, so I've heard

I try to crawl

I saw dying stars

on a rheostat

I’ll be holding my lungs in a deep embrace

Let down with bandaged whispers

Come take these elegant shivers

and detach their gentle key.

-JP 2011

“Conviction without experience makes for harshness.”

--Flannery O’Connor

My Mechanical Skull

2011-04-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

My Mechanical Skull

Thoughts grind teeth

climate and elevated gears

My fatal ribs

gasp through black lung

Scraped feathers are modern

pilots hatching

In my skies

convict the hollow

troops drowning

with gifted dawn

Each wearing their crooked knuckles,

warm winters and cardigans

useless grass and truthful material

breathe within

the clutches.

I hate you with every supply left ethical

The shape of my nesting wing lacerated

fleeting blood and a smoking farewell

Silent guns of a strategic home

make believe an overthrow

dust, from peaceful stomachs

Order with burning

air climbing walls

love will rot

my gut

Pollution in words

spreading through chimneys

unfiltered truth. Hell is a napsack

on genocide shoulders

Television witchhunts, wiretapping broadcasts

the genes of entitlement open...

unlike the parachute you so elegantly packed

Limbs have broken

Indiginous fingers

grasping for the feelings

in my fingertips

Abstract steps cling

to the heartless, “carve the maps”

let the shoestring cities untie

our consciousness

We will trip over arcades and decades and parking lots

balancing whispers

with diligent devotion

seems amusing at best

But with highspeed humans and industrialized conductors

with Satan and money

and our godly

eyes

Embrace

the brutal science

of chaos

and

nothingness.

-JP

2011

"A fool's brain digests philosophy into folly, science into superstition, and art into pedantry. Hence University education." -- George Bernard Shaw

A Deal is a Deal

2011-02-16T11:28:00.000-08:00

A Deal Is A Deal -

I am writing this blog on behalf of artists everywhere.

(this blog is dedicated to The Eclipse in Montevallo, AL, The Breakfast Club Cafe/Billy Morris/Arcanum in Berea, OH, and The Box Social/ The Blue Owl in Sarasota, FL)

Let me start by giving a short explanation about the position in which my perspective is derived. I am blessed to be surrounded by great people on my team. This includes the label that signed me, the visual artist that works with me, the team of publicists working around the clock for my art, my attorney, and of course, the great musicians that have the patience and understanding to continue working and traveling with me. I have a strong passion for music and for allowing my voice to be heard on certain topics. I book shows to perform my art in front of people who enjoy it. Music is not a part of the service industry. I spend my days at a day job when I’m not touring, my afternoons booking shows, my evenings writing and recording. I have very little down time. Certainly not enough down time to renegotiate deals that I’ve already spent weeks negotiating.

You don’t have to like me. You don’t even have to like what I do. I have been shunned by people whom I thought were friends, solely because the music I released wasn’t deemed “hip” enough. I’ve been left in the dark by a venue/booker in my own hometown that I had a working relationship with and still have yet to hear back from him. No explanations. Every time I played his venue, I would bring at least 200 people. Not to mention, I spent hundreds of dollars putting ads in the local publications to promote my shows at his venue. Yet, he feels no obligation to explain why he won’t return a phone call or email after booking me for three years. I had a friend, for over a decade, act as a sounding board for my ideas. All he ever said was how much I sucked at writing until I wrote something he liked. Then he attempted to take credit for MY work. I told him to never contact me again. I trusted that fat son of a bitch and that’s how he treated me.

I share this with you to say that I don’t make music for these people. I make music for myself. Don’t get me wrong, I’m pleased when someone finds a connection to my art. I also hope that my music makes a positive impact in others’ lives. Bottom line, I do what I do because it’s who I am. I do this for myself.

The past couple of weeks have been difficult to survive. So difficult that I feel the need to document the events which have taken place. Over these two weeks we played six shows. The first two shows were great. Then we headed to Lexington, Kentucky. The sound guy (Brad) was our only issue with the place. He never acknowledged our existence until I forced him to give my band a sound check. We use an acoustic pump organ in the third song of the set which is extremely easy to mike. When the sound was not amplified, I inquired of the problem. There was no comment from the sound guy. The headliner walked back to the sound booth to find the Brad passed out from his recreational drug use. He was fired on the spot and a new sound guy was there in fifteen minutes. This reminded me of fat boy Calvin who USED to run sound for a local venue. He didn’t like that I had brought a band with me (he was expecting an acoustic guitar although my entire project was booked) and so he caused a scene because he was too fat and lazy to do his job. I was booked by a national celebrity to open for a national touring act. It was a big show for everyone. He proceeded to call me an asshole and then treated me like trash. The owners fired Calvin on the spot. Both of these venues know that artists should be treated well and both venues took care of a bad situation.

Back to the last two weeks: We returned home for a couple of days before heading to Berea, Ohio. During this time, I was informed that our neighborhood cat, that I had treated as my own and mentioned in my song “Wes Anderson”, had died. My heart broke. Also, my family lost a good friend during the time I was gone. This is also when The Eclipse decided that they could redesign our deal. Just to top things off, I broke a tooth on a nacho chip and came down with a fever and sinus infection.

By Monday morning, it was time to head back on the road. We left a day early so we wouldn’t have to make the entire trip at once and so we would be on time to the radio station. It started snowing on us in Clarksville, TN and didn’t let up until we got back to Birmingham four days later. We spent the night in a hotel somewhere in south Ohio ($). The next morning, we set out for the radio station in Berea. Keep in mind, my band and I were still sick but we had a deal with the station and with Billy Morris of the Breakfast Club Cafe. Thank goodness for the radio station or the $200 in gas and $ in hotel would have been all for nothing. Not to mention, the twelve + hours we spent on the road traveling and the time away from our families (see #2 The Breakfast Club Cafe below for details of what happened once we arrived at the venue). Luckily, we knew someone living in Cleveland and he offered us a free place to sleep. The next morning we headed for Chicago.

We played Chicago the next night and fortunately had a free place to stay. Thank goodness because the toll roads were driving me to bankruptcy! We woke the next morning to find out that my wife had been attacked by an animal and needed medical attention. Because I spend my time touring, I was unable to be there for her. My fever was still spiking and I had a twelve hour drive ahead of me. We made it back to Birmingham around 11pm. I was glad to be home.

These are not complaints. I choose this lifestyle because of my deep and everlasting love for the art of music. I believe art is essential for humans to sustain progress. The culture of a people is far more important, in the big picture, than the charts and graphs of Corporate America. Music/art helps us all enjoy the the good times a little more and helps us survive our times of great despair. We need music/art more than any of us truly understand.

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Here is a quick recap of what we went through in order not to break a deal:

my buddy, the neighborhood cat, died

A family friend died

I broke a tooth

I broke my phone

We were sick/running fever

I have to work multiple jobs so I can tour (a decision that I make everyday, voluntarily)

We spent 500+ dollars

traveled over 1200 miles

spent time away from family

My wife was injured while away

Continued to book a tour while on the road

We had a spot on radio/tv in Berea, OH to promote

We had press in Chicago to promote

I took my band mate away from his life and loved ones

I damaged the car/trailer

We spent 24 hours on the road

I had to buy two new tires for our safety

... and let us not forget the hours I spent booking the shows

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What has happened to humanity?

If you are mentioned below, I feel nothing for you. If you wish to contact me, Don’t. I will not remove this post under any condition. Your actions have been noted and now they will be aired out for everyone to see. If I were you, and I’m glad I’m not, I would think about how I treat bands, costumers, and acquaintances. Actions matter. Most people who have dealt with me in the past know that I am respectful of others and treat people the way I expect to be treated. I have not felt the need before now to openly discuss my business. If you have been named in this blog, it is because you deserve to be.

I try to treat people with respect and that’s all I ask in return. The venue has never made the artist. A venue is just a place to plug in and perform. If you are a venue booking bands, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Bands do tell other bands their experiences. If you mistreat a band, it will get out. Whether it be on Facebook or any other social media. You can’t hide your actions no matter how embarrassing the outcome (this comment is directed towards: The Eclipse, The Breakfast Club Cafe, The Box Social/The Blue Owl).

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1. The Eclipse - Montevallo, AL

Over the course of the last two years, I’ve played this venue a number of times. I’ve been interviewed by the local publications and have gone out of my way to bring people to the place. I have had a guarantee EVERY time I’ve played there. The first few times I was booked, I even sent FREE copies of my album to the venue to pass out to customers. I ALWAYS sent posters and visited the campus a couple of times to promote the show. The venue did nothing to promote except hang the posters (which is unfortunately more than I can say for some venues). The booker (who guaranteed my shows and was recently let go) was the ONLY one with connections to The Eclipse who helped promote (Thank you for your help Brook).

In late December, they booked me for March 25, 2011. Because of my upcoming schedule, I could not come back for the same guarantee. They decided to book me with a bigger guarantee. It was a fair price on ANY level. I budgeted the next few months with this money in mind. Because I don’t have a team of people helping me book, I must book several months in advance. Most venues want to string artists along without understanding what all is involved. This was never the case with the former booker of The Eclipse.

I received an email on February 5th from the new booker of the venue stating that they were having to renegotiate the deals the former booker had made. That is not good business. Remember City Stages? Attached was the new agreement that wouldn’t have even covered our gas money. When I shared my frustration, it was lost in translation. So, I posted the ordeal on Facebook to share with other bands. Needless to say, The Eclipse did not like that at all. The co-owner, who happens to be a “professor in philosophy,” emailed me asking that I don’t continue telling people of the situation. Well, this is something he should have thought about before breaking the deal. He even mentioned that he thought I had handled the situation with little class. Go figure! FYI: Breaking a business deal shows a lot of class, Michael. My comments on my own facebook page are accurate and remain posted in case anyone wants to read them.

I would have understood their position if the price had been unfair or even unreasonable. But for three hours of my time, the price that I agreed to was extremely kind and fair. I WAS a fan of the venue until this ordeal. In order for me to continue performing there, I just needed the paycheck to make sense. The deal they broke was the least amount I could have taken. Had I thought that they would have done their job in promoting, maybe (and that’s a BIG maybe) I would have entertained less, but not too much less, considering their past attempts of promoting.

Side note- I drove to Oklahoma City last year for ONE show because I had a deal with them. Every other show on that leg had fallen through, but because a deal is a deal, I held up my end of the bargain. And I lost money doing it. But I did what I said I would do.

I feel sorry for the town of Montevallo because this is the one venue that bands play. Montevallo is a great town with wonderful people. I hope that a new venue pops up soon. You must understand that if the one venue you have treats bands poorly, it reflects poorly on the city. I hold no grudges towards Montevallo and would come back if there were any other place to play besides The Eclipse.

2. The Breakfast Club Cafe/ Billy Morris/ Arcanum - Berea, OH

This venue confirmed on January 7 for us to perform there on February 8. This was after five weeks of negotiating a date. Everything was set and they had even put together a local act to perform with us. I had spoken to Arcanum (booker) over the phone to discuss payment in mid- January. Everything was a go. Nesting has been receiving airplay on the college radio station in Berea and has even charted in their top 30 . I saw this as a great opportunity to promote my show. The girl in charge of promotions for the station went out of her way to set up a radio/TV performance and interview in order to help promote. Thank you Markanne for your kindness and hospitality!

Because other shows had fallen through (stressful for someone who spends his days booking) we drove straight to Berea from Birmingham (12 hours and $200 in gas). A deal is a deal. We made it to Berea in time for our interview/performance at the radio station. Once we wrapped up there, we headed to the venue. It was roughly 6pm. When we showed up, the lights were off and the doors were locked. The hours of operation were 8am-9pm (as was stated on the door). We had not been contacted about them canceling the show. I emailed the owner (Billy Morris) and attempted to call the venue. The hours of operation which were stated on their answering machine were 8am-10pm. They clearly should have been opened. I panicked because we had come such a long distance to play this show. Finally, after a couple of hours, Arcanum called my cell. He said that he was under the weather and had not gone into work that day. He had no explanation for why Billy had closed the shop down nor did he seem to care. (I have 7 weeks of emails to prove all of this and will post them if necessary)

He offered to come down and open the doors so we could play. The problem was that the venue hadn’t promoted at all. Not one poster was in the window. They didn’t even put the show on their website calendar. So, I saw no point in performing my art in a place with such little respect for my time. Also, had we played, those assholes would have made more money than either act.

The next day I learned that the local artist hadn’t gotten notice of cancellation either. He ended up standing outside the venue in three feet of snow turning the audience away. The venue had not attempted to contact either one of us about closing. So my band mate wrote a note on their facebook page asking for an explanation. Many people commented on the page about trying to come to the show. Everyone was pissed. The venue deleted the comments in hopes of containing the issue. They were unsuccessful. People from all over Berea had noticed and were commenting on their facebook page. Even comments asking why they were deleting comments. Two days later the venue offered a half-ass apology but by now was far too late to matter. War had been declared. Comments continued to be posted about how unfair it was to treat, not only a local artist, but a touring artist with such disrespect. A day later, Billy Morris commented that they were closing down the venue. Good riddance!

Side note- He owns another venue around the Cleveland area as well... BOYCOTT that piece shit.

Billy Morris/Arcanum - don’t feel like you should apologize for shutting your doors... or for not communicating to the bands you booked... no one cares about your pathetic attempt to run a business. I wish you the worst and if I ever meet you face to face, I am going to break your fucking skull.

3. The Box Social (now called The Blue Owl) - Sarasota, FL

This is a small venue owned by a young and not so business savvy girl that attempted to fuck me out of our deal. This event happened in May 2010. I was to receive a split of the door. The posters that were hanging stated that the door charge was set at $7. Four bands were on the bill. We were set to play third.

When the show began, the door guy had yet to show up. There was already a nice size crowd in attendance. I asked the bartender where the door guy was and why he hadn’t set up the entry table. He had no answer but shared with me his attitude that he wore with sheepish pride. Twenty minutes later, I had him call the owner after pleading with him to do so. She swore that she would take care of it. By the time the second act began, there was still no door guy. Most of the crowd was there by this point. I had the bartender contact the owner again. She swore she would take care of it. Five minutes before we were to go on, the door guy showed up. There were 150+ people that had not been charged (estimated profit lossed= $1,050). I announced over the microphone what was happening. The crowd applauded my decision to walk and then yelled at the employs of the venue for their blatant disrespect of a touring artist. I packed up my stuff and left.

The venue later tried to blame me for them not having a reliable door man. The nerve. The bartender even called my cell to pick a fight. Why would I waste my time fighting. Are we twelve? I had done a radio spot and promoted the show for weeks prior. We had airplay in Sarasota and south Florida. The crowd had come out to listen to my art. The venue had backed me into a corner and left me with no choice. I was not going to let them exploit me or my talents. I strongly urge bands to boycott these people as well. They are not worthy of your art nor of your business.

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Over the course of three years, I have played over 200 venues. I have only mentioned three venues by name in this blog. That should tell you something about how I do business. Most of the time, touring is a pleasure. Most of the venues I deal with are extremely hospitable, professional, and understand that artists should be paid to perform. I mention these three because, not only was I disrespected as an artist, I was disrespected as a human being.

Three points to be made:

1. If I had made a deal and broke it, I would have paid the consequences

2. If you can’t treat bands with respect, maybe you shouldn’t be booking bands

3. Just because other bands are fine with you redesigning their deals, that doesn’t make what you’re doing right or legal (contracts, verbal or written, are binding)

Peace.

JP 2011

“To open a shop is easy, to keep it open is an art”

--Chinese Proverb

Seasonal Attic Lights

2010-12-25T14:37:00.000-08:00

Seasonal Attic Lights

I swear you understand

the height of water

nothing more than a needle

the voice is a vessel

To hear the faces in the glass

curious terms to the purchase

I urge you to push through

I will go to the ripple of echos

as sound expands to nothing

Absorb the mention of the moment

with the largest of wealth

Resting on each laugh

Descending from our mouths

Attach us to the track

knowing if we get loose

we will be coming for you

Yield the hands on deck

as to destroy the sorrowful

Think through your continued contradiction

and act.

Walt Whitman is ahead in the fourth quarter.

I hold random acres with cinematic apparatus

while windows reflect a steady breeze

of aprons catching overflow

Resting on each laugh
Descending from our mouths

towards seasonal attic lights

-JP

2010

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. Wishing you happiness.-- Helen Keller

Radio to Canada

2010-11-10T12:48:00.000-08:00

Exclaim Magazine Review of Nesting:By Nereida FernandesWith his fourth release, Birmingham, AL's Jesse Payne is ascending that much closer to the top of the ranks of contemporary bearded folksters. With subtle shifts of rhythm and instrumentation coexisting alongside tufts of modern sounding whirrs, Nesting is the breathtaking result of organic and manufactured nuances melding into a consistent whole. It reveals the work of a dedicated musician who has poured his soul into every detail. Opening track "Manhattan Project" exemplifies the emotional pull of the record. Framed by gentle finger picked notes, softly palpitating drum beats and quiet cymbal taps, haunting "oohs" come in then recede like murky waves breaking over Payne's affecting vocals. The fireside intimacy of "Wes Anderson," the Joseph Arthur-styling of "Ramble We Hang" and Payne's nod to Laurel Canyon on the sprightly "Conversations" are all highlights, while songs like "Scripting Carolina" and "Yards of Paint" will have you humming their choruses for days. Nesting isn't an album you casually visit; it is home to an artist that compels you to stay awhile.
(Capture)

Check out your local radio stations to see if they are spinning Nesting!

"Work is life, you know, and without it, there's nothing but fear and insecurity."
John Lennon

Day 15 of Nesting

2010-11-08T23:56:00.000-08:00

Day 15: CLICK TO VISIT THE NEST

***ReTweet my Tweet on Twitter to enter the free mp3 giveaway... one lucky contestant each day will receive a free mp3 from the LP "Nesting"***

If you do not have an account with twitter, you may email info@jessepayneonline.com. Please put “daily giveaway” in the subject matter. Winners will be announced on the following day.

LINK TO PURCHASE NESTING

LINK TO iTunes NESTING

WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE SHOW!

--JP

"The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters is simplicity: nothing is better than simplicity."

--Walt Whitman

Day 14 of Nesting

2010-11-08T08:45:00.000-08:00

Day 14: CLICK TO VISIT THE NEST

***ReTweet my Tweet on Twitter to enter the free mp3 giveaway... one lucky contestant each day will receive a free mp3 from the LP "Nesting"***

If you do not have an account with twitter, you may email info@jessepayneonline.com. Please put “daily giveaway” in the subject matter. Winners will be announced on the following day.

Heavy Cotton Hands

(by Jesse Payne)

Cautious wheels

strongbox stove

shallow creek

drown my bones

Yeah we’ll try to keep the lids closed

A crippled roof

leaks the swell

on humble eyes

empty shelf

A glass embrace behind your couch falls

we tell ourselves

Heavy cotton hands hold us

Yeah we’ll try to keep the lids closed

Heavy cotton hands hold us

"Peace is not only better than war, but infinitely more arduous."

--George Bernard Shaw

Day 13 of Nesting

2010-11-08T08:37:00.000-08:00

Day 13 CLICK TO VISIT THE NEST

***ReTweet my Tweet on Twitter to enter the free mp3 giveaway... one lucky contestant each day will receive a free mp3 from the LP "Nesting"***

If you do not have an account with twitter, you may email info@jessepayneonline.com. Please put “daily giveaway” in the subject matter. Winners will be announced on the following day.

VOTE FOR NESTING / MAGNET MAGAZINE

"A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life."

--Charles Darwin

Day 12 of Nesting

2010-11-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

Day 12: CLICK TO VISIT THE NEST

***ReTweet my Tweet on Twitter to enter the free mp3 giveaway... one lucky contestant each day will receive a free mp3 from the LP "Nesting"***

If you do not have an account with twitter, you may email info@jessepayneonline.com. Please put “daily giveaway” in the subject matter. Winners will be announced on the following day.

My Autumn Chair

(by Jesse Payne)

I know I sold you out

pushed by a watch

all rivers swing

until the harvest drought

under the crest of canvas heights

You were my autumn chair

calm and creakin’

If our hands could heal

would you golden the fall

to shoulder the air

or turn on your brightest wheel

hollowed by truth

your dust needs room

You were my autumn chair

calm and creakin’

You were my autumn chair

calm and creakin’

"He who has a why to live can bear almost any how."

--Friedrich Nietzsche

Day 11 of Nesting

2010-11-05T12:50:00.000-07:00

Day 11: CLICK TO VISIT THE NEST

***ReTweet my Tweet on Twitter to enter the free mp3 giveaway... one lucky contestant each day will receive a free mp3 from the LP "Nesting"***

If you do not have an account with twitter, you may email info@jessepayneonline.com. Please put “daily giveaway” in the subject matter. Winners will be announced on the following day.

The Preacher and the Horsehead

The Preacher’s eyes roll back into his head. He raises his hands to the sky. “Heavy cotton hands hold us,” he repeats to the woman in front of him. Maniacal and hungry, he pleads to his devoted audience, “Before the world ends, heavy cotton hands hold us.” The crowd cheers. He then closes his book with his final “Amen” and turns to walk back inside the church.

It’s been a long day in the summer sun and he has been looking forward to some air conditioning. Through the doors and down a long hollow hallway, he rushes to his office. He knows that it will only be a matter of time before the call. After tonight, science and religion will finally find their way towards each other.

At exactly 7:15pm the phone rings. The Preacher allows his anxiety to answer. “Hello,” he demands. “Uh huh... uh huh ... I will meet you there at midnight. Has anything changed with the information?... Yes, I understand, see you then.” He can feel his body start to cool down as he sits at his desk. Nothing can stop the plan now.

His eyes open to the sound of papers rustling. A bit dazed from his nap, he let’s his eyes wonder around the room. “Where is that noise coming from?,” he asks himself. There it is again. He shouts with a trembling voice, “Who’s there?” No one answers. The Preacher rushes to his office door. It is now 11:27pm. The door is jarred.

Frantically, the Preacher attempts to open the door but fails. A strange gas begins to billow in from beneath it. The Preacher feels faint. “You have stolen our money for science,” a strange voice declares from the hallway. “You will not live to steal our hearts.” Footsteps quickly become silence.

The Preacher’s sight begins to blur as he falls to the ground. Still holding on to consciousness, the Preacher grasps for air. The window breaks as a silhouette enters. The Preacher panics but cannot move. The hands of the silhouette grab the Preacher and force a gas mask around his face. Through the goggles the Preacher notices a startling image. A horsehead? A human body? The creature makes eye contact with the Preacher. Then disappears.

--JP

2010

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”

--Henry Ford

Day 10 of Nesting

2010-11-04T09:43:00.001-07:00

Day 10: CLICK TO VISIT THE NEST

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Capture Music and Jesse Payne present Nesting's National Release

BOTTLETREE SHOW: DEC. 10, 2010

w/ El Cantador, Johnny Apple Eyes, and special guest Chad Fisher

Ramble We Hang

(by Jesse Payne)

Doorbells faint through the wall

our neighbors...

Undercut the time that we know

Everywhere we go, Ramble we hang

Voices jump from the fence

Can’t you hear the dog scream the sad, sick truth?

Everywhere we go, Ramble we hang

Everywhere we go, everywhere we go

Engines burn down the road

Bookshelves become our dust, we know

Everywhere we go, Ramble we hang

"Time has been transformed, and we have changed; it has advanced and set us in motion; it has unveiled its face, inspiring us with bewilderment and exhilaration."

--Kahlil Gibran

Day 9 of Nesting

2010-11-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

Day 09: CLICK TO VISIT THE NEST

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Wes Anderson

(by Jesse Payne)

You, I know

Seven letter draw for your double word score

And me here

Sittin’ on a porch with a cat and a smoke

You know it’s easy being low

In someone else’s home

Tennis elbow painting sofas

With our remote in hand we sever the air

CNN, cooking in our bare feet

Listenin’ to talkin’ heads sayin’ that we don’t care

You touch the keys I’ll keep the beat

Like sweeping up cigarettes from the night before

New clothes burning in the backyard

Dryin’ out all our jokes, crouched behind open doors

You, I know

Seven letter draw for your double word score

And me here

Sittin’ on a porch with a cat and a smoke

You know it’s easy being low

In someone else’s home

We love songs in the key on “C”

Hummin’ all the words we know, we sing the ones we don’t

Boxes folded with our laundry

Flippin’ through these satellites, wonderin’ why there’s nothin’ on the wall

Hangin’ faces tied to levels

Our nails hammer, swing, holes in the wall

Fillin’ up closests with our cameras

We’ll recharge batteries we’ll sharpen up our claws

You, I know

Seven letter draw for your double word score

And me here

Sittin’ on a porch with a cat and a smoke

You know it’s easy being low

In someone else’s home

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."

--Robert Frost

Day 8 of Nesting

2010-11-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

Day 08: CLICK TO VISIT THE NEST

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Conversations

(by Jesse Payne)

The darkside, conversation

every time we talk

Leaves room, celebration

we’re always on call

I’m just sitting here thinking ‘bout what we can do

It seems we might be a bit confused

Armchairs, situated

it feels good to be wrong

Wrecking ball, foundation

the ceiling, the ceiling will fall

I’m just sitting here thinking ‘bout what we can do

It seems we might be a bit confused

The darkside, conversation

every time we talk

Leaves room, celebration

we’re always on call

I’m just sitting here thinking ‘bout what we can do

It seems we might be a bit confused

“Conversation should touch everything, but should concentrate itself on nothing.”

--Oscar Wilde

Day 7 of Nesting

2010-11-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

Day 07: CLICK TO VISIT THE NEST

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“Nesting is nature returning to its natural state.”

2010

A nest is a place of refuge to hold an animal's eggs and/or provide a place to live or raise offspring. They are usually made of some organic material such as twigs, grass, and leaves; or may simply be a depression in the ground, or a hole in a tree, rock or building. Human-made materials, such as string, plastic, cloth, hair or paper, may be used.

Generally each species has a distinctive style of nest. Nests can be found in many different habitats. They are built primarily by birds, but also by mammals (e.g. squirrels), fish, insects (e.g. wasps and termites) and reptiles (e.g. snakes and turtles).

The urge to prepare an area for the building of a nest is referred to as the nesting instinct and may occur in both mammals and birds.

--wikipedia

Nesting is the delimitation of voting districts for one elected body in order to define the voting districts for another body. For example, in California, the State Assembly (the lower house) is composed of 80 members, each one representing 1/80th of California's population, and the State Senate (the upper house) is composed of 40 members, each one representing 1/40th of California's population. In this case, the process of nesting could either be first defining the 80 Assembly districts, and then defining the Senate districts as a merge of two Assembly districts, or first defining the 40 Senate districts, and then creating the Assembly districts by splitting each Senate district into two. If the Assembly districts and the Senate districts are created independently of each other, then the process of nesting is not used.

--wikipedia

"How much of human life is lost waiting"

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day 6 of Nesting

2010-10-31T14:39:00.000-07:00

Day 06: CLICK TO VISIT THE NEST

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Yards Of Paint

(by Jesse Payne)

Driveways tear unconscious walls

the fence will sharply sway

unstable yards of paint

my clockwise spring

Was narrowed by the muzzle’s fit

the fractions of a breeze

branches holding leaves

with unswept breath

The doctor said don’t reset the screen

it becomes general you know

Campaigns bear on skinned up knees

these military halls

ration out our thoughts

with retro-film

Like mountains under snow

the pines will come and go

Where the ocean meets the old

The doctor said don’t reset the screen

it becomes general you know

I want you to grow as if your still

the doctor says it becomes general

The doctor said, “ I want you to grow”

“it becomes general, you know”

"I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them."

--Pablo Picasso

Day 5 of Nesting

2010-10-31T14:28:00.000-07:00

Day 05: CLICK TO VISIT THE NEST

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The Scientist and the Horsehead

5.... 4... 3... 2... 1.... nothing. The Scientist leans in to study the reaction. Thoughts stirring in the back of his mind race to whether the gas mask will work this time. The air conditioned room hums with silence. To the naked eye it appears that nothing has happened. To the scientist, it will be his greatest discovery.

At 1:30 am he had planned to call it a night. Now at 3:44 am, as he struts into the pressurized chamber, he is planning on what to do next. He wipes the sweat from his palms before stretching the gloves over his hands. He thinks, “Just keep it steady. At least I’m here alone... if anything goes awry.”

Dark matter will be yesterday’s news once Hawking learns of this extraordinary revelation. The Scientist basks in self-gratification. “Could it be?... proof that pentaquarks exist.” The specimen seems to possess much more than he had earlier anticipated.

He stares through the glass of the pressurized chamber at the gauges in the far corner of the lab. He wonders why they are not picking up traces of radiation. Something is wrong. Terribly wrong. Abort... Abort.

It’s too late. The color confinement seems to have failed. The Scientist is frozen in a temporary state of panic. Within seconds the specimen explodes. The Scientist is thrown across the chamber. He is barely conscious. He feels his body going numb as he crawls towards the exit. His eyes are heavy. He feels himself losing consciousness. Mayhem.

The smoke clears as his mind struggles to return. He wonders how he made it out of the chamber alive. Footsteps. Someone is here. His vision is blurry. A startling image appears as he rips the gas mask from his face. A horsehead? A human body? The creature makes eye contact with the Scientist. Then disappears.

2010

Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create.

--Albert Einstein

Day 4 of Nesting

2010-10-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

Day 04: CLICK TO VISIT THE NEST

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Scripting Carolina

(by Jesse Payne)

Overcoats and transit

Lashes and tactics

The steady shake

The gaps of transaction

Echo reaction

I’m fearful of love

I’ll lean until I rise

Scripting Carolina

Our future is an antique

We will radiate

The steady shake

Garlands tangle your groove so calm

My coral vine

I hold you shy

I’ll lean until I rise

Scripting Carolina

In these times you have to be an optimist to open your eyes when you awake in the morning.

--Carl Sandburg

2010-10-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

Day 03: CLICK TO VISIT THE NEST

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Below is a review from

thefrontloader.com

MP3: Jesse Payne – “Manhattan Project”

BY SWAPMEET LOUIE – OCTOBER 20, 2010

POSTED IN: NEWS SHORTS

I’m always amazed when I come across a song that suits my mood to a “T.”

Jesse Payne‘s “Manhattan Project” is one of those songs for me tonight. It’s mellow, pensive, and Payne’s vocals seem to ache with every word.

The song was released sometime last month, but since Payne’s new album, Nesting, is set to drop on November 9th, I thought it would be a good time to revisit it.

Here is how his official website describes the record:

Nesting is nature returning to its natural state. A homecoming. Through particles of equation, Jesse Payne and the talented group of musicians and engineers working with him have sculpted an image of what nesting may sound like. The sound of strategic calmness through its progression towards the unconditional post-war is an audio-painting of the notion, “through chaos, peace is inevitable.” The theory that the limbs of cycle spin continuously towards rehabilitation of dirt and bone provide the album with its contagious tendency for repeated listening.

“Strategic calmness” is definitely a fitting description to “Manhattan Project” for me. The song is so smooth in its tranquility that it accentuates the mood I’m in. All I feel like doing while spinning this song is kick back with my headphones, close my eyes, and just embrace the feeling.

Check out his MySpace site for more Nesting samples. Payne seems to find his center with relative ease… I’m looking forward to hearing more.

Again, Nesting drops on November 9th. Here are his remaining showdates:

10.28.10 – Stillwater- Birmingham, AL – 9pm

11.19.10 – Preservation Pub – Knoxville, TN – 9pm

12.10.10 – BottleTree – Birmingham, AL – 9pm

Your Dig-It Download:

Download: Manhattan Project

“I used to play sports. Then I realized you can buy trophies. Now I’m good at everything.”

--Demetri Martin

Day 2 of Nesting

2010-10-27T08:37:00.000-07:00

Day 02: CLICK TO VISIT THE NEST

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Nesting Liner Notes:

All songs written by Jesse Payne

Audiopaintings by Jesse Payne, Mason Boyd, Nick Timkovich, Mike Creager, and Noel Johnson

voices: Jesse Payne, Mason Boyd, Nick Timkovich, Mike Creager, Noel Johnson

guitar: Jesse Payne

drums/percussion: Mason Boyd

bass: Nick Timkovich

pianos/rhodes: Jesse Payne, Noel Johnson, Nick Timkovich

metalaphone: Nick Timkovich

Produced by Jackson Trimm and Mike “JJ” Creager

*All songs recorded @ Capture Music Inc.

Engineered/mixed at CMI by Mike Creager and Noel Johnson

Mastered by Steve Thomas @ Steve Thomas Mastering Nashville, TN

*except banjo and piano on “Wes Anderson” recorded in the living room of the Timkovich Estate.

Cover/Album art: Doward Williams

Art Design: Doward Williams

Manhattan Project

(by Jesse Payne)

Camera lens, medicine

I hope I float

I’m a skipping stone

When the time comes

our stomach’s choke

Momentum stops or slows

Cover and Code

your secrets out don’t you know

Diplomatic control

Unconditional post-war

Dixie cups and magazines

bloodshot eyes on dramamine

We’ll congregate like uniform

marching home

Cover and Code

your secrets out don’t you know

Diplomatic control

Unconditional post-war

Shake it off your shoulder

take it like a soldier

you better take it like a soldier

"I rejoice that there are owls. Let them do the idiotic and maniacal hooting for men. It is a sound admirably suited to swamps and twilight woods which no day illustrates, suggesting a vast and underdeveloped nature which men have not recognized. They represent the stark twilight and unsatisfied thoughts which all [men] have."

--Henry David Thoreau

Day 1 of Nesting

2010-10-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

Day 01: CLICK TO VISIT THE NEST

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The Nesting Bio

Nesting is nature returning to its natural state. A homecoming. Through particles of equation, Jesse Payne and the talented group of musicians and engineers working with him have sculpted an image of what nesting may sound like. The sound of strategic calmness through its progression towards the unconditional post-war is an audiopainting of the notion, “through chaos, peace is inevitable.” The theory that the limbs of cycle spin continuously towards rehabilitation of dirt and bone provide the album with its contagious tendency for repeated listening.

Jesse Payne stems from a soil deep in the Southeastern region of the United States. He nests within scenic views of trees and mountains blending into valleys of skyscrapers and barns. Canvas for his yellow shade of timeless polaroids transposing over lake and swing suggests an inheritance of owls and their nocturnal solitude. His sound and sight each born from a landscape of heavy cotton hands and autumn chairs.

Habitation of the past four years has given three previous releases from Jesse Payne. The first being a collection of songs entitled, “Humming the Tunes of Luxury” released on November 2, 2004. Shortly after, Payne released his follow-up EP, “Ghosts in Mirrors” in 2005. During the next two years he found himself touring the eastern coastal region as far north as Boston and as far west as Chicago. Upon returning to his home in early 2007, Jesse Payne delivered the EP, “Songs from Beyond the Leaves,” which earned him a spot in The Big Takeover’s Top 40, alongside Band of Horses, Death Cab For Cutie, and Willie Nelson. His song, ‘Thief Among Us,’ also found its way on national compilations that included artists such as Ryan Adams and Sondre Lerche.

His latest LP (Nesting) being released on November 09, 2010 has brought with it, not only his past story but a familiar feeling embedded into unfamiliar sound. Jesse Payne’s haunting melodies breathe across untraditional instrumentation and military rhythm of a mathematical mind.

Jesse Payne’s team of sonic painters include optical biologist Mason Boyd, mental dendrologist Nick Timkovich, audio botanist and wave manipulator Mike Creager, and geopolitical environmentalist Noel Johnson of the renowned musical group, The White Oaks.

“Nesting” is an album that asks to be enjoyed with headphones and limited illumination.

-Jackson Trimm

Silent Crow Records

"The future is no more uncertain than the present"

--Walt Whitman

15 Days of Nesting

2010-10-25T11:42:00.000-07:00

The 15 Days of Nesting - Nesting releases Nov. 9, 2010

During the 15 Days of Nesting (Oct.26-Nov.9) there will be daily giveaways on twitter.com/jessepayne and daily posts here on the blog in honor of the “Nesting” release. Each day, a blog will be posted with news and details for the daily giveaways.

To enter for the daily giveaway, simply ReTweet my message on twitter. If you do not have an account with twitter, you may email info@jessepayneonline.com. Please put “daily giveaway” in the subject matter. Winners will be announced on the following day.

I hope you all enjoy the 15 Days of Nesting. We’ll see you at the shows!

2010

“We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth.”

--John F. Kennedy

Watching Windows

2010-02-27T11:20:00.000-08:00

Watching Windows

Leafless branches scratch the glass before my eyes. Neighborhood dogs scream like infants. Minutes pass without much change. The occasional winter wind whispers with wiry conviction through seasonal debris strewn across yards. I watch as the ground slowly absorbs its decomposing carbon.

Corvid similarities strike me with evolving theories of preemptive boredom. Just watching. Caching my ideas in places that provide temporary security. Only to return hours after to transport my gems to yet another undisclosed locality. Constantly protecting investments while patiently imagining futuristic scenarios of my adversaries. Yet, I remember. I remember you well.

Feathers of an open mind vibrate through the handless face of time. The arrow of uselessness and opinion. Assuming knowledge without research or lengthened observation. The selfish satisfaction of believing that 600 seconds can sum up a day. The capability of crystal is no more than optics of an afternoon... watching windows.

2010

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”

George Bernard Shaw

Business Local Support Don't We

2010-01-17T13:03:00.000-08:00

“Business Local Support Don’t We”

I was five years old at the time I remember nearly burning down my favorite pizza joint. Armed with curiosity, a straw wrapper, and a romantic dinner candle, I attempted to see how close I could get the wrapper to the flame. I achieved my goal extremely well. The heat ran quickly up the paper reaching my fingers in seconds flat. Reaction is the harsh truth in a situation like that. I dropped the flame onto (what I now know) was a flammable table cloth. You know, the red and white checkered kind. My grandmother and sister surprisingly moved with swift command. Both, throwing the water from there freshly filled glasses and hoping that the entire moment would be extinguished. Luckily, they too achieved their goal!

Davenport’s Pizza is a local restaurant I have loved and supported since the conception of my memory. Even after moving to Atlanta, I would return regularly for a large Davenports Pizza. Check out the shirt I'm wearing in the photo beside the story (It's a Davenport's Pizza t-shirt). The previous owners were like family to me. I thought the old man was the coolest cat in town. Major League scout and a world war vet, he moved with ease. His wife, who dabbled in just about everything, once gifted me with one of the best home cooked meals I have ever had. That being said, please understand how it pains me to feel the need to write this....

A few years ago the ownership changed hands. This information is extremely important to understand. The ownership changed. The mood of the entire establishment seemed to bend a little. Sitting through horrible service and rude management, I would still return for my weekly fix. Their pizza remains to be (in my humble opinion) the best pizza I have ever sunk my teeth into... Man, it’s good!

Last week, I stopped in to drop off a handbill for my next show at the Bottletree (local business) on January 22nd with Electroliner and El Cantador. The doors I believe open at 7pm. The man who inquired about the purpose of my presence shall remain nameless. Partly because I didn’t catch his name. I asked if he minded that I leave a handbill or small stack by the cash register. For those who don’t know, a handbill is a 4x6 inch card. One for the bulletin board, or even one back in the kitchen would have been fine.

“NO! Well, you can leave one or even some but once the owner gets in, she’s just going to throw them away... we don’t support local business.”

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!! “WE DON’T SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS”... did he just say that?!?!?!?! I replied with emotion and little thought. “Oh, well you are a local business? How can you ask for support if you don’t support other local businesses? His response was, “Well, she doesn’t like to.” OK... she doesn’t like to. Well, my support for Davenport’s has now expired as well.... peace.

I realize the weight of words can be a burden. Saying good-bye to memories isn’t easy either. Yet, through life, things change. I will change with it. A wise man once said, “You gotta roll with the punches, kid.” So, I will roll with the punches... but not until I throw one of my own! I know how great their pizza is, I know how many of us sit through bad service just to get a taste. I know you are out there! I hereby state, that for the time being, I am placing a ban on Davenport’s Pizza.

Local businesses I support include The BottleTree, Workplay, Rojo, Lucy’s, Alfredo’s, Java and Jams, Cool Beans, Homewood Music, Highland Music, Charlemagne Records, Renaissance Records, Hunter’s Cleaners... and many, many more ( I realize I left out a tremendous amount of local businesses, but I support you as well). These guys are the heart of this city.

“Davenports... goodbye my friend... for now.”

“As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.”

--Carl Jung

That Spirit Of Christmas

2009-12-25T14:25:00.000-08:00

In December of 2006, my band and I were just getting back from a long tour that took up most of 2005 and 2006. We had been home for a couple of weeks gearing up to begin work on what would become "Beyond The Leaves" ep, when we had the idea to record a couple of Christmas songs for our families. We spent the next couple of nights in the bass player's basement recording different versions of a few songs. This song is one of the one's that went on our holiday recordings. I hope you enjoy and have yourself some happy holidays!

--JP 2009

Artists featured on the recording:

Jesse Payne (voice/gtr/piano/harp), Alan Rogers (drums/percussion), Chris Lantrip (bass), Shane Jewell (guitar)

"Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas."

--Dale Evans Rogers

Corporate Concrete Chaos

2009-12-09T09:01:00.000-08:00

Corporate Concrete Chaos

Condos aligned with ranges

Mountains of supermarkets

Crystalized trees

inherent green.

Neighborhood air with cookouts

Jeff Tweedy is listening

Red roof for sale by owner

Buried amongst the bones

of gas tanks

Automobile: wanted for mass murder

At least we have our diamonds

and computer technical services

It seems as if

the child

missed a stitch

in my

Nike

--JP 2009

"Ambivalence about family responsibilities has a long history in the corporate world."

-Rosabeth Moss Kanter

Courthouse Humidity

2009-09-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

Seven in the a.m. Linn Park at sunrise. Department of revenue at sunset. God is watching. The judges stay behind closed metal detectors. Who is the culprit? Goddamn local politicians. Who is the mayor? Who is the commissioner? Who are the voters? I am? Holy shit, I am!

Guarded hallways for cerebral motion.

Killing is mental with guards. If the guards are checking, who is guarding? God? Are You there?.... if so, please take my aching feet and place them in a cloud. Shins need milk but decided to go without. Seven hours. I get to wait to wait in line.

Ropes hung rail. Sixflags has dangled envy in front of Birmingham yet again. What happened to Visionland? What happened to the courthouses? Lines are too long once hope escapes. Not enough "how much longer" signs. From this point: 3 hours. From this point: a little over... 3 hours. From this point: almost there. From this point: 3 hours.

Deliberate and fat. Gossiping ghouls. I hate their chairs. Their attitude smells of curry and elitism. Nepotism can't save you. Only a minimum wage job. How are cellphones out for window view? Weren't you the one complaining about lack of focus.

JP 2009

“The most successful politician is he who says what the people are thinking most often in the loudest voice.”

--Theodore Roosevelt

Electrical Framing

2009-06-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

Our love is bundled like stretched filters.

A space heater with temporary merit.

Stitching currents, the wires connect. My amplifier is unsightly suitable and buzzing. Alternating with each slide. The numbers liquify until all are positive. Ear canals that lead to plenty will someday go deaf. How fragile is sound?

What smell would you see if you could hear it?

I love your hand when it fits in mine.

My swinging face knows only contact.

Watch as we all measure, equal stability with mechanical craft. Drunk with devils. Have we become craven and callous? These healthy devices, well they've marked the masses.

2009

"The only gift is a portion of thyself. "

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Live @ City Stages Sound Check

2009-06-19T10:19:00.000-07:00

Jesse Payne - 'Conversation' - City Stages '09

Jesse Payne - 'Ramble We Hang' - City Stages '09

This Machine Kills Fascists

2009-05-06T17:12:00.000-07:00

This Machine Kills Fascists

The reason my hair is long, my beard is unkempt, and Im out all hours of the night is not because of what I am but what I am not.

Defining ones self can be a tedious, unrelenting task. I always get a kick out of someone who takes one look at another and knows exactly who and what they are without a single word spoken. Dont get me wrong, I am so very thankful for all of these characteristic know-it-alls. These are the people who provide us the freedom it takes to do whatever it is we do. Without these pompous animals summing us up in a word, we could never really know the people who love us for all our many layers.

I was sitting in an office the other day while this man, that appeared to be in his sixties, kept eyeballing me. I found the situation odd, but not quite as odd as the bushel of nose hair extending from his beak. I could tell he did not agree with my wardrobe nor did he appreciate my full head of hair. His sneers were sharp but brittle. Not for one instance did he stop to think that maybe I didnt agree with his appearance. He just sat there knowing that his way was the correct and only way of civilized society.

A few minutes later a mutual acquaintance of both mine and his, entered the room. Surprisingly enough, I was introduced to this man. As he shook my hand, he looked me straight in the eyes and asked if I had been hiding out. I guess he meant in a cave or underground bunker. I smiled, completed the handshake, and told him how much I admired him for growing his nose hairs long.

I overheard the man ask who I was as the two walked away. The reply was,Oh, hes a songwriter!?

There are times where we should all remind ourselves why the Hitler regimes all seem to fail. Maybe they fail for the mere fact that beauty is color and diversity is the heart of the human soul. Whatever the reason, history has proven time again that conformity only leads to the destruction of the source.

Let us keep our minds open to the fact that we all have just this one life. May we all allow one another the freedom to enjoy it......just this once.

peace.
JP

“Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals.”

--Oscar Wilde

Teleport my Telepathy

2009-04-08T14:35:00.000-07:00

There are many events in this world that are easily classified as “impossibilities.” Precognition, invisibility, and time travel are just a few examples of present day “impossibilities.” The problem with “impossibilities” is that they often become “possibilities” through the course of time. Even though that has been the case throughout history (telephone, airplanes, x-ray, email), people still believe in, even hang onto, “impossibilities.”

I have made a point to surround myself with people who seek to overcome the impossible. My circle of friends include musicians, poets, artists, gamblers, lawyers, computer technicians, parents, and teachers. All of whom contribute to humanity by showcasing the “impossibilities” by making them possible. Don’t tell me that I can’t do something if you are not willing to watch me do it.

I believe that what we classify as “impossibilities” are things that we have yet to achieve. If we all buy into the myth of “impossibilities” who among us will try to prove that unforeseen events are “possible.” We don’t have to be scientists to contribute. We just need to be willing to go against the grain.

JP
2009

“In order to attain the impossible, one must attempt the absurd.”
--Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Global Consciousness Project

2009-04-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

I sit shaking into the ether. Every inch of my being trembles. From electricity? Anticipation? Magnetic fields? Love? It’s hard to know which of these direct the shake. The steady shake of life. What if it were the drugs? Would I feel the need to write about it? How pretentious would that be? Only as pretentious as I am.

I wish I was a machine. Lacking heart with a sustained consciousness. Maybe then each minute that passed would just be one more instead of one less. My hands shake when I stop writing. Have I made a wise decision? This record that I hear, will it be the one I make? To be trustworthy is to be worthy of trust. That is not to mean capable of trust. It’s hard for me to trust anyone and have yet to realize if myself has somehow been included. I'm fearful of love.

Are my words mine? If my life was without music, would I be relevant today? What if you were me? What if I was somewhere? If I could know, would the shakes continue or calm? A world of untruths is just a world but a world of truths is art. Watch me shake.

2009

"There is no coming to consciousness without pain."

--Carl Jung

Cartel Aperture

2009-03-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

Typify with time

its angle waves

gently we guard.

Gallery god

the actress wag

accurate tumble

elegant yarn

brief hiss

carbon

corrupt

Neutral with whispers

the bandage slide

stable we rest.

2009

"There is no odor so bad as that which arises from goodness tainted."

--Henry David Thoreau

Reel to Real

2009-03-16T14:14:00.000-07:00

Over the course of the last three months, my stress level has been its highest in years and its lowest in years. I now stand here cradling a stress level that I’m more comfortable with. Steady. Headphones have cemented themselves onto my ears, listening non-stop to an album that has yet to be released. I have studied the movement to each of these songs and have made decisions on the direction they will take. I now feel as if the songs are able to walk on their own. I continue the “listening sessions” for hours at a time (everyday) to make sure I’m not overlooking any problems. This is my child. I nurtured it for over a year and a half before inviting anyone in to help raise it. Now, my job is to mold it into a human experience that fuses the many into the one.

It is a beautiful journey to create. I often lay awake at night and try to remember life without these songs. Without the titles constantly in the forefront of my mind. I think about where I was in life moments before I sat with my pen and paper to create what will be our next release. So much has gone on since then that it usually keeps me up at night. Staring into the dark with my thoughts circling me like predators on prey. Maybe it’s excitement, but currently, it feels more like trepidation vowing to devour.

Songs are extremely fragile even after they have been recorded. A mix that doesn't quite fit can destroy the very thing we have struggled to create. I have to be overly attentive. I make sure to watch in all directions and attempt to protect these songs. I also must stay open to ideas that might help strengthen them. This process for a songwriter is an extremely lonely state of being. At least it is for me. You can have your trusted band mates and friends share opinions and give support but at the end of the day you are left all alone.

For the most part, my life has been made up of these moments. I have found my truest solace deep in the caverns of solitude. I have invested my physical and mental self into the manipulation of waves and language. I have become a social hermit behind the walls of sound and creativity until the moment that creation morphs itself into reality. Yes, we must all face uncertainty within life. The future is unknown until it is the present. Therefore, I shall approach it as if it were the past.

JP
2009

“Vision over visibility”
--Bono

To The Plains

2009-01-23T13:52:00.000-08:00

Wednesday afternoon was spent working on a mix for the next release. I had lunch, went over a few tunes, and hit the road. I was headed south to Auburn University. I had the opportunity to play an intimate acoustic set for an audience at the Big Blue Bagel.

The Big Blue Bagel is exactly what it sounds like. A bagel a shop. Yet, this bagel shop is no ordinary restaurant. As I entered the place for sound check, my feet walked across hardwood floors. Pictures of Dylan and Garcia hung freely around the venue. I immediately felt comfort there.

From the moment I entered, I understood why it is such a popular place. The people working were fantastic, the acoustics could not have been better, and the food was delicious. One of the things I found so intriguing were the reasons they served beer from tap and not from bottle. They revolved around recycling and being conscious of the environment. More power to you Big Blue!

After the show, I got some time to hang with my brother. It was such a treat for us to have time to chill. Both of us are extremely busy, so when this time comes available we live it up.

On the drive back to Birmingham I listened to Jim James and M. Ward performing at SXSW. My brother had given me the disk for the drive. It was the perfect way to end a trip. Thanks to my brother, the Big Blue Bagel, and thank you to my new friends. I hope to see you all again very soon.

JP
2009

"When brothers agree, no fortress is so strong as their common life."
--Antisthenes

Winter's Warmth

2009-01-20T11:40:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful day! I witnessed history, with my wife, as the 44th President of the United States of America was sworn into office. His hand on Lincoln's Bible and a pin on the lapel, Barack Obama took oath. Out of every emotion that traveled through the confines of my mind, thankfulness was the one left to linger. Thankful that the transition period has ended, the Bush term is over, and the day of new has now begun.

JP
2009

"America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."

--Barack Obama
01.20.09

On The Eve Of A New Day

2009-01-19T10:39:00.000-08:00

As I drift into the new year, I have found myself fighting to keep my head above the ripple of life. Within nineteen days I’ve lost a family member, a friend, and a mentor. I have spent the majority of my year in funeral homes or at a grave. It would be far too easy for me to hold my breath beneath the water. Instead, I’ve asked myself what I would want from people on my day of passing. So I lift my head, kick my feet, and swim for dry land. For today I have hope.

I awoke this morning to Martin Luther King’s vocal cords spilling from the television speakers. A dream of dreams where equality reigns. A voice as powerful as a thunderous roar, yet as peaceful as a gentle breeze. “Free at last,” he cries, as the crowd cheers with unified amazement. It was the dawn of a new day. He was an orator of hope.

Tomorrow I’ll watch as the forty-fourth president, Barack Obama, is sworn into office. He is the vessel for so many of our dreams. After campaigning and watching his grassroots movement grow into a global change, this is possibly the proudest moment in our country’s history. Will he bring us together? How high will he take us? He is the man who came from a dream. He is an orator of hope.

Being surrounded by death has rejuvenated my lungs. It is a reminder that the old must pass for there to be new. We are a species of mindful evolution. We all continue to swim for dry land no matter how high the waves. On the eve of a new day, I have hope.

2009

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

--Martin Luther King Jr.

Pardon My Ornaments

2008-12-25T13:14:00.000-08:00

Pardon My Ornaments

Mistletoe debt

our peaceful sleigh

gifted

left atrium

A cactus bloom

of sounding bells

a twist

manufactured clay

Greetings hang

our novel fire

absorb

useful warmth

If only for the moment

our wintery clock

freeze the hands

to watch.

2008

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

"I want to know God's thoughts.... the rest are details."

--Albert Einstein

Sly As A FOX

2008-12-22T11:47:00.001-08:00

FOX NEWS: Sly as a Fox_Murdoch and Friends
FOX NEWS BUSTED
I have tried to keep my music and politics separate, and for the most part, I have been successful. I do not consider myself a Democrat nor Republican. I hold moderate views and will not align myself with any party. I keep up with the news by way of hearing all sides.

SLY AS A FOX
(by Jesse Payne)
Foxes are characterized by short legs, an elongated narrow muzzle, erect triangular ears, thick fur, and a long bushy tail. Foxes are found throughout the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa, inhabiting mostly forest, chaparral, and desert regions. Most of the ten species of the genus to which the red fox belongs can adapt to diverse climates and habitats........

.......their lifespan is about 12 years.

---MSN Encarta

Unlike the animal, the news channel is not territorial. It reaches millions of viewers via satellite and Internet around the globe every day. The FOX NEWS channel was started in 1996 by News Corporation CEO Rupert Murdoch. It was built with aspirations of giving Murdoch’s long time rival and CNN creator, Ted Turner, a run for his money. FOX main purpose was to be the answer for right-wingers around the world. Unveiling the truth in a fair and balanced way. A difficult task for anyone who tries. The trick is trying.

I was catching up with the world the other night by routinely flipping through the television news channels. I stopped on FOX because they were interviewing Bernard Goldberg on his latest book, ‘A Slobbering Love Affair.’ These bound pages are about the “leftist media” and its love affair with President-elect Barack Obama, due out January 26, 2009. Watching this on FOX is what got my wheels spinning. I decided to do a little research on Mr. Bernard Goldberg.

Bernie Goldberg is a commentator for FOX NEWS and a correspondent for HBO’s Real Sports w/ Bryant Gumbel. It turns out that he has been writing this book since 1996 when he wrote a column in The Wall Street Journal accusing network news for its assumed liberal bias. His argument has not changed, just his victim.

Bernie spent the interview attempting to connect (without any factual information) Mr. Obama to Illinois governor Blagojevich and selling the FOX viewer on the conspiracy theory that Mr. Obama wasn’t vetted as well as Sarah Palin. Bernie states that, “Illinois is a cesspool for politics” and “how can he (Obama) not be corrupt.” He follows that with the thought that Sarah Palin was abducted by the media’s mother ship and tortured for her lack of experience while Mr. Obama was handed a free ticket through closed minds.

I took a moment to recall how many people jumped on the Rev. Wright band wagon, the laughing joke that Mr. Obama is a muslim, or the sad accusation that he was not born in the United States. Anyone still believing these claims has obviously not researched the facts and therefore probably should not be watching FOX News (as if any of us should) but we must remember the scrutiny we, as a nation, put Mr. Obama through. Sean Hannity (the interviewer) interjected Bernie’s thoughts by saying, “We need to send a mini-army to Chicago.” In regards to the “leftist media,” Sean felt it important to also state, “It’s cheapening the culture.” Yes, Sean Hannity of Fox news.

Bernard Goldberg has authored other books and appeared in other publications and has survived a career as a “right-winger” in journalism. He publicly denounces the left and it’s media. Therefore, making him as unbalanced a reporter as the people that view stories solely from the left. This should be a lesson for us all. We should always make sure the claims we state are factual because hypocrisy shows no bias.
_________________________________________________________
The Purpose Driven Life of FOX News:

As I researched this channel’s history, I realized that the truth is something foreign to these people. I wanted to write a blog on the lies FOX News tells but did not think I could cover so many topics while trying to record an album. So, I decided to share some FOX News headlines with you instead:

Here are a few FOX News headlines:

--Do gun owners FEAR Obama presidency?

--Do CEO’s FEAR Obama presidency?

--Rob Monaco (O’Reilly Factor producer) highlights Obama eating his way across the campaign trail

--Caroline Kennedy eats with Sharpton in Harlem

All of this in the midst of a financial meltdown, war, and genocide. These are the headlines FOX thinks are important.

I want to make perfectly clear that I am writing this through the eyes of a moderate who is sick of listening to the fear mongering that goes on at FOX News. My interests are not to change anyone’s political views. Just to give options on where you get your news.

For example, liberals tend to hover around CNN and various other places. I’m not quite sure FOX is their first stop. Republicans and conservatives are the ones’ that usually fall prey to FOX News and their false interpretations. There are many other places to get a conservative view. FOX IS NOT THE ONLY CONSERVATIVE news. One main example is a website by the name THE DRUDGE REPORT. You can find the Drudge at www.drudgereport.com. It is a site that brings viewers conservative headlines from a number of its conservative sources. FOX IS NOT INCLUDED.

In a perfect world, we should be able to find unbiased news. Unfortunately, the world isn’t perfect and our news isn’t unbiased. However, biased news and lies are two totally different things. A story can lean more towards the left and it still be accurate. The same is true on the other side. The problem I have with FOX News is that there is very little truth to what they say. Fear mongering and brainwashing tend to be their first and second priority.
________________________________________________________
Murdoch and Friends: Quotes from the NO SPIN ZONE:

Andrea Tantaros, writer for FOX NEWS, wrote an article under the name,”If Caroline’s last name was Palin.” In it she is quoted to say:

“Apparently, qualifications don’t matter to the left as long as you don’t hunt moose”

“We always knew the democrats had a different standard”

Why do we act as if politics is like our favorite sports teams. It seems arrogant to take a liberal or conservative side just because you call yourself a Republican or Democrat. We should omit the sports mentality when dealing with subjects other than sports.

James P. Pinkerton is quoted in regards to a black senate seat:

“Should once you go black, you never go back, be governmental policy? We should still make sure that Blagojevich-style gangsterism is not replaced by a crippling new kind of racism.”

If you ask me, the only crippling racism in this quote is by James P. Pinkerton himself. What is wrong with these people from FOX News? (Rhetorical question)

Now, here are the really interesting quotes that I thought I would share with you. They’re from our good buddy Bill O’Reilly:

“Viewers say, ‘subject isn’t really important to me,’ well you’re wrong”
--The O’Reilly Factor

“We are up against some very bad people, thanks to you, we destroy them every night”
--The O’Reilly Factor

"We’d love to see America become more unified but I don’t think it’s going to happen any time soon”
--The O’Reilly Factor

“Reality check-where we keep an eye on those who may not be doing the right thing”
--The O’Reilly Factor

“If there are no standards of honesty in reporting and analysis, the United States is going to be gravely damaged”
--The O’Reilly Factor

~For more quotes from these fair and balanced people, visit FOXNEWS.com, but please do not stay long, for it has been known to cause brain damage in some humans.
_______________________________________________________
We Report. You Decide!
(Please take some time and view as many of these as possible)

VIDEO!!!!Must See!!!!!
~Bernard Goldberg on the Daily Show~
FOX Attacks
Brit Hume Censors
Brit Hume is bitter?
Bernard Goldberg
Karl Rove
Caught Red Handed
Denied by Palin

ARTICLES~Brainwashing~
Sounds Of Reason
Does FOX NEWS brainwash?
Most Biased
An Industry Joke
Conservative Bias
FOX Blames
A Fox’s Brain
Bill O’Reilly is Santa
_____________________________________________________
Rupert Murdoch: Businessman not Journalist

Rupert Murdoch, Australian-born, is the managing director and CEO of News Corp. He is the 109th richest person in the world and was voted #2 in Fortune Magazine’s 25 Most Powerful People in Business. A few possessions of his company, News Corp., include FOX NEWS channel, The New York Post, and MySpace.

In a 2008 interview with Walt Mossburg:

Rupert Murdoch was asked whether he had “anything to do with the New York Post’s endorsement of Barack Obama.” Without hesitating, Murdoch replied, “Yeah. He is a rock star. It’s fantastic. I love what he is saying about education. I don’t think he will win Florida.... but he will win in Ohio and the election. I am anxious to meet him. I want to see if he will walk the walk.”

I include this excerpt to show that Rupert Murdoch is a businessman and the business of propaganda is extremely lucrative.
____________________________________________________

As a nation, we should expect more from our journalists and news channels. We deserve the truth whether it shines on this country’s accomplishments or uncovers its scars. If we don’t know the truth, we can’t be expected to fix the problems. I ask all of you to take a step back from personal belief and to view issues with open minds. Everything should be subject to conversation. Everything.

The old minds of this beautiful nation want you to believe that religion and politics are not to be discussed. I disagree strongly. Humans need answers to these epic questions. Discussing other opinions is a good way to start. It is our duty as people and as citizens to view topics from all angles. We are all human.

Nobody knows. Everything is a theory. The old generations were raised to believe that the generations before held the key to life. They couldn't have been more wrong. Humans find information through time. People adapt to the facts that are presented. My grandparents viewed the world one way. My parents view the world their way. I view the world.

JP
2008

“I will eat you alive, I will eat you alive”
--Thom Yorke

Rule Of Thumb

2008-11-27T09:45:00.000-08:00

Rule Of Thumb

Grab and be thankful
for we can.

Mason jar faucet
cat question
twist

Deadbolt remote
sipping ice
cup

Hold and be concious
write it down

Numerical War
I declare.

~JP

2008

“I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I don't believe I deserved my friends”
Walt Whitman

HAPPY BIRDS!!!

M- Theory

2008-11-26T09:53:00.000-08:00

Transpose with lamps

my skinned knees
I’ll bear the garments
that shadow

Weight the hood
my
vertical
hang
Sloping the bend

Immaculate cords
reflection sink
parallel to sunglass
shade

it’s my transparent web

~JP 2008

"If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music.

I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music."
--Einstein

The_humbleness_of_Nature

2008-11-25T13:32:00.000-08:00

While the branches break atop the canopy, leaves fall. Unless gold implies wealth, which we all seek, the hue of change summons the winter freeze. Acorns of sound ignoring the humbleness of nature make the current state its own. Accept the truth. Embrace it as it comes but question its very core. Explain your purpose for all its glory as you comprehend the expansion of the multiverse and what that means to society’s grasp on the youthful mind.

In the schoolyards we are taught to follow “our” path. Sporting the artist’s rage, we assume that each path is and will be similar to all. Conformity is the unfortunate corollary to the open minded fascist. Why would we teach uniqueness to achieve uniformity?

Uniformity is a gateway drug.

In church pews we are taught to follow “His” path. Confusion follows rampantly while we all interpret the read. Nonetheless, we each realize that our own mind knows what everyone else is still trying to figure out. For odd reasoning and unwelcome logic, we are all awarded nothing but time to ponder our mistakes. To point fingers. Why preach forgiveness if only to achieve toleration?

Toleration is the mirror of vanity.

In the marketplace we are taught to follow “their” path. Probability of chaos is the underbelly of ignorance and greed. We watch human minds succeed and assume there is just one path to success. We are still playing ‘follow the leader’ this far from the playground. We are following in single file to a glorified governmental handout. Why offer multifariousness if we are only to produce totalitarianism?

Totalitarianism is a cultural trepanation.

We are the gears of a machine destined for the lucrativeness of depression.

We are all equal when falling. We have been taught to look through eyelids and to preach from ideals. We produce success through the failures of our peers. We’ve spent generations mocking individuality while dreaming of the courage to be one’s self. We have struck the bottom of the well with a better understanding of uniqueness. To achieve equality on the rise shall be our greatest fete.

I connect letters to form words. I manipulate sound to form music. I am a songwriter in the 2008 Crisis. My stock portfolio is rising.

Chinese Laundry

2008-11-25T13:21:00.000-08:00

Chinese laundry
with all
   its
wasted recognition
Sweet
narrow bags
leaving yesterday

   Shining
the fenders
jumping through wooden skies
the hollow
laundry
disappears.

Crippled
   drama
clinging
to converyer belts
like love
seeking
reaction.

--JP

2008

Werewolves Of London

2008-11-25T13:08:00.000-08:00

Golden The Fall

2008-11-12T14:27:00.000-08:00

This Friday I've decided to go out and play an acoustic show at Java & Jams. I haven't played a solo acoustic show in quite some time. I thought it would be a nice change and a good way to enjoy a Friday night in Birmingham, AL. The set list is one that includes some of my favorites plus some new songs that will appear on the ep we are currently recording.

These days, I'm spending a lot of time inside with headphones clamping my head. Sounds of fall attacking the roof with each acorn. It feels like a weekend for the acoustic....

The Initial Sounds

2008-10-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

Starting November 1, I will be starting pre-production with my band for the next recording. It will consist of new material that I've written within the past year. I'm excited about the songs and sounds that will be recorded. We are starting the process at the band's loft in Vestavia and will move to the studio as soon as the pre-production is finished. I'm will try and stay current with our progress, so keep checking back for updates

2008-10-29T09:49:00.000-07:00