JOURNALJOURNALhttp://www.danrodriguezmusic.com/journal/2009-12-15T04:44:00ZSquarespaceNew show December 18th, 2009http://www.danrodriguezmusic.com/journal/2009/12/14/new-show-december-18th-2009.htmlDan Rodriguez2009-12-15T04:41:25Z2009-12-15T04:41:25Z

]]>Red Flags Music Video!http://www.danrodriguezmusic.com/journal/2009/10/5/red-flags-music-video.htmlDan Rodriguez2009-10-06T00:45:19Z2009-10-06T00:45:19Z

]]>Hope Rocks Vol II in stores 9/27http://www.danrodriguezmusic.com/journal/2009/9/25/hope-rocks-vol-ii-in-stores-927.htmlDan Rodriguez2009-09-25T05:54:46Z2009-09-25T05:54:46ZThis summer I was contacted by a guy named Drew Pearsons at 50 Entertainment and asked to be part of a compilation album called Hope Rocks that would feature artists from the Twin Cities. 

After agreeing to the invitation, Drew explained that it is a fundraiser for Faith's Lodge... an organization that helps parents with a seriously ill child or who have lost a child.  How amazing is that? 

Along with the amazing history and purpose behind the Hope Rocks Vol II Faith's Lodge Benefit album, there is a stunning list of artists that I get to share space on this disc with!  Check it out!

Here is the album line-up:

  1. Soul Asylum – Midway Souvenirs
  2. Catchpenny – Can’t Let It Get You Down
  3. Quietdrive – Deliverance
  4. Solid Gold – Get Over It
  5. Owl City – On the Wing
  6. Jeremy Messersmith – Miracles
  7. Atmosphere – Yesterday
  8. Laarks – All the Words You Can’t Say Right
  9. Ice Palace – Thoughts/Facts
  10. The Wars of 1812 – Radios Unsigned
  11. A Night in the Box – Let Me Know
  12. Halloween, Alaska – The Hollywood Sign
  13. The Cloud Hymn – Wide
  14. Haley Bonar – Arms of Harm
  15. Lynhurst – Exactly
  16. Dan Rodriguez – Games
  17. Rocket Club – One More Day
  18. Keri Noble – Simple Things

Hope Rocks! Vol. 2 can be purchased at all Twin Cities Target Stores on the Cities 97 endcap and on the Faith’s Lodge web site – www.faithslodge.org/hoperocks

Check out Perfect Porridge for updates on all your Twin Cities music needs!

]]>The Fine Line // October 4thhttp://www.danrodriguezmusic.com/journal/2009/9/10/the-fine-line-october-4th.htmlDan Rodriguez2009-09-11T04:50:53Z2009-09-11T04:50:53ZThe show on 10.4 is fast approaching.  Make sure you get there early to snag a good spot at The Fine Line. I'm writing this blog to really encourage you to come out to this show.

I've been taking a Minneapolis hiatus for the last couple of months, and it was solely to push this show.  Now that everything is falling into place (ie the line-up, the video, the gimmicks, the surprises) I'm becoming more and more excited and passionate about this night. 

This is The Museum of Knives and Fire's ep release show too!  I'm excited that they decided to share such a special night of theirs with us.  My friend Mo (Ready Goes) is the lead singer, and I hope you're as ready as I am to laugh, cry, and be amazed all at the same time. 

Debra G is rocking the night w/ some of her tightest musicians.  She was, is, and always will be fantastic.  Not only is she a great artist, songwriter, and singer, but she is also a genuine, authentic person.  I'm blessed to have her as a friend. 

I'm excited to share this night w/ you all.  See you at the show!

 

]]>New show and new videohttp://www.danrodriguezmusic.com/journal/2009/8/30/new-show-and-new-video.htmlDan Rodriguez2009-08-30T05:59:12Z2009-08-30T05:59:12ZThe best cappuccino in the Twin Cities can be found at Kopplin’s Coffee, St. Paul.  The best hummus can be found on Nicolett Ave on a Thursday at the Farmer’s Market.  The best in-city walleye spot is on Lake Nokomis (I will not disclose my secret fishing hole... just trust me on this one).  The best place to sit and listen to some of the best cats in town play funk and r&b is Bunkers on a Monday night.  For jazz I suggest the Dakota. The best networking is done by simply going to shows in small bars and coffee shops with only a few people and listening to artists share their music.  The best friendships are made at those venues.  The best sunset is at the Lookout, while the best sunrise is only a memory of what seen from the windows of a past love’s apartment that was warmed by the morning sun and echos of young love.  All of this to say that the best time for me to write is always going to be at 1AM, clock ticking quietly in the stillness of the night, the light filling only this room in the house, and my head still singing the melody that’s been stuck in it all day long. 

We have a big show coming up.  Either September 27th or October 4th.  Either way, I’m excited about the line-up.  The Museum of Knives and Fire led by Chris “Mo” Mochinski, the lovely and inspiring Debra G, myself as Dan Rodriguez Unplugged feat. Don Shelby (the one and only), the release of the music video for Red Flags, and then myself again as Dan Rodriguez (full band). 

Not only is the talented and incredible Don Shelby going to be a part of this night (and the music video), but other very talented, very incredible people will be making some cameos throughout the night as well, including my friend Joe Berglove.  He will be rocking a harmonica during my song Chocolate.  The lovely Francine Magee will be singing with me again (so blessed to have her be a part of my music over the last several months... along w/ her brother, my friend James Magee).  Erica Mayer, my good friend, shameless promoter, director, and wrist slapper (in a very good way) will be prancing about the venue... spreading smiles and “positive energy” around the place.  Beyond blessed to have her be a major part in this project.  Of course, the band will be there:  Andre Rodriguez (my bro), Aaron Johnson, Rob Morgan... the best of the best.  And we have a special surprise that I can’t disclose yet... but trust me, history will be made in the form of a 13 year old prodigy.  That’s all you’re gonna get out of me! 

I’ll get you more details as they come my way.  Should have that info for you very soon.  Until then, check out the video that YOU voted for!  Erica Mayer and I made this together.  I hope you enjoy!

]]>New Cover Songhttp://www.danrodriguezmusic.com/journal/2009/8/5/new-cover-song.htmlDan Rodriguez2009-08-05T22:10:29Z2009-08-05T22:10:29ZOk, so the Beyonce cover has gotten some serious attention.  Check it out HERE after you vote for the next song you want to hear.  There are some seriously catchy songs on this poll, so make sure you choose wisely.  Happy voting!

]]>Rosen's Sport Sundayhttp://www.danrodriguezmusic.com/journal/2009/7/28/rosens-sport-sunday.htmlDan Rodriguez2009-07-28T23:23:12Z2009-07-28T23:23:12ZSo, a couple weeks ago Rosen featured my music on Rosen's Sport Sunday on WCCO-TV (CBS).  The experience was awesome:

There we were... standing in a REAL television studio.  Not just some leased out space with a guy w/ an "hd" camera and a floosy character of a person in the frame complaining about some lame new Loring neighborhood (Minneapolis) policy and his/her scewed political views... no.  We were on "real" TV.  And not just walking in the background of a breaking news story waving to my mom at home TV...  I got to share my music.  And the band, made up of close friends and family, was right there with me.  It was quite an awesome experience. 

I've been blessed with some pretty cool opportunities lately, but having Mark Rosen (WCCO-TV) say, "...and now more from Dan Rodriguez," right before we click off the tempo to Red Flags is nothing short of awesome. 

The set was rocking too.  The studio floor is a slick, reflective, black.  Lighting everywhere.  ROBOT cameras that move on their own made us laugh and joke around about robots taking over the world.  Erica Mayer was there too motioning for me to smile during the songs and "flirt" with the camera.  She's SUCH an asset to my career.  Not to mention she's the one that asked Rosen to have us on the show.

Anyway... Here's a pic of us playing.  There's the robot cameras.  We had a blast.  Watch the music clips at the WCCO Video Library!  Enjoy.

]]>Selfless acts by astounding peoplehttp://www.danrodriguezmusic.com/journal/2009/7/21/selfless-acts-by-astounding-people.htmlDan Rodriguez2009-07-21T15:19:55Z2009-07-21T15:19:55Z 

The video shoot last week was amazing.  There we stood, filming the band shoot, and rocking out on a rooftop, blasting Red Flags down the streets of Minneapolis, and having the time of our lives. 

There were people in the hotel across the street standing at their windows watching.  We were "really doing it."  And then there was the crew... photogs Joe Berglove (WCCO) and Lorri Burchett (WCCO), make-up artist Paula Claussen (EVERYWHERE), and of course, award winning director and good friend Erica Mayer (WCCO).  Guys that helped with set up included kats like Sean Skinner (WCCO) and Cole Premo (WCCO/Six Shot Love)... everyone lending a hand and expecting nothing in return.  I'm amazed at how blessed I am to have these people in my life.  Guys like Will LaClair who would hold back an army to let us through.  People like my little brother Jordan, and sister Julie who helped in any area that they could for this shoot.  I'm absolutely floored at how undeserving I am to have such amazing people in full support of this project.  Not just with their words, either... but with their time, efforts, and encouraging hearts. 

How do I say "thank you?"  How do I show them that their time and efforts are appreciated?  Money is usually the way that this is compensated... but anything I could offer would be beyond an insult.  The shoot we did should have run up

wards from $12,000 and they all donated their time!!

I've learned so much about selflessness from this group.  People like Erica staying up late hours editing because she works an actual job during the day.  Just about every one that was there has a child, spouse, or something far more important that ME to go home to, yet they chose to spend their time on that rooftop. 

I hope someday that I will have the opportunity to show my gratitude with even a fraction of the selflessness they displayed. 

THANK YOU!

]]>Pictures from Summerfesthttp://www.danrodriguezmusic.com/journal/2009/7/8/pictures-from-summerfest.htmlDan Rodriguez2009-07-08T20:43:14Z2009-07-08T20:43:14Zhere's a few pics from Summerfest.  Enjoy

SOLD OUT of CDs!!

]]>2 days, 6 shows left... & upcoming stuffhttp://www.danrodriguezmusic.com/journal/2009/7/4/2-days-6-shows-left-upcoming-stuff.htmlDan Rodriguez2009-07-04T16:03:30Z2009-07-04T16:03:30ZI'm feeling a new sense of energy today.  I'll be hitting the Summerfest grounds in just a couple of hours and I'm stoked.  I've been exhausted the last couple of days.  Today marks 1 week from my arrival in Milwaukee... and since then I've played 17 shows... 6 more to go.  I'm almost out of CDs, and almost out of fliers for my Milwaukee show with Ari Herstand on July 16th.  This has been a fun journey.  I'm loving life on the road... meeting people, making friends, sharing my music... what a life!

... and this crazy schedule doesn't settle down much.  I get back on Monday the 6th, and we have a show with Ari, Greycoats, and Breanne Duren at the Varsity on the 10th.  I'm playing a private event on the 11th.  Music video shoot on the 12th.  Then back to Milwaukee for the show on the 16th.  I finally get a small break before I'm singing the National Anthem again at the Saint Game on the 25th.  

I wouldn't trade this life for another.  I dig the nonsense, the people, the strange sleeping arrangements (although this time the Daums in Oconomowoc have been MORE than hospitable), the interesting foods, the hecklers at the shows, the feeling of not knowing what tomorrow brings... all of it meshes together to create my current state of living... and I love every moment of it.  

Well, I'm off to make more music.  Make sure you check out the YouTube video from the show with Augustana the other day!  What a great show!

]]>