Looking for New Spies

Today, we officially announced on our Myspace that our guitarist, Dustin, has left the band. The leaving has been amicable and he has agreed to remain our guitarist until the proper replacement has been found and trained. If you missed his farewell address, this was it:

Hello all. This is very difficult to address, however, I (Dustin) have decided to relieve myself of guitar duties for Bothan Spies. This decision has been looming over my head for a good month now and may have been the hardest decision of my life. I have made my decision based on personal conflicts. To give a little insight, I have played in bands since my early teen years and took every aspect of music seriously. Unfortunately where I'm at right now I cannot afford to take this project as seriously as the other members deserve. I do not want to hold the band back, they have a lot of potential and they deserve more of an effort than I was willing to put in. The split ended on good terms we all plan to remain close friends, but I still can't apologize enough to my former band mates. If any guitarists think they have what it takes to play some of the most innovative music around please email the band. Cheers.

It was a good run with Dustin, but now, life is ushering us Spies into a new period, and we are accepting and grateful of that. I think that right now it is important to continue to write and create new music with each other, work diligently at finding new members to expand our collective vision, and keep playing shows with Dustin so we don't allow ourselves to lose momentum.

Today we also began to officially search for new Spies to add to the Bothan Spies family. We have very high expectations, so this process is going to be tough, but we are very open and accepting and really do believe that the right candidates are out there. They are surely going to be very beautiful, magical people and I can't wait to meet them! If you didn't catch it on our Myspace, here is a re-post of our criterion:

Looking for New Spies

Times are changing for Bothan Spies. On the one hand, our guitarist, Dustin, has left the band. However, he will continue to be our guitarist until a replacement has been found. On the other hand, we are at the beginning of a new period of creativity. We are ready to explore the next level. That means pushing the band further, writing new music, exploring our own abilities and searching for amazing new musicians to welcome into our family.

We are looking for 2 new members. So if you fit the following description or know of someone who does, please let us know. Help us spread the word. This isn’t going to be an easy task, so any help will be much appreciated.

First, we need a lead guitarist, someone who is dexterous, able to play long, fast solos, and able to fill Dustin’s shoes. They should be able and willing to learn and play music composed for them by Michael Calvet, but also up for jamming along the lines of our style (experimental alt. rock/indie/whatever you want to call it, you get the idea).

Secondly, we’re looking for someone who is a rhythm guitarist and/or all around musician type. We need someone who can jump in when the occasional keyboard/bells/xylophone/guitar part/vocal harmony/etc. is needed. Again they must be willing to play Michael Calvet’s music, but also creative and magical enough to write music and add their own unique element.

Potential new spies should have their own equipment, be ready and willing to tour, and above all, they should be prepared to make a near/just about full-time commitment to the band. They should love music to the extent that they would implode or refuse to live should it be taken away from them. They should also probably be at least 18 years old, but of course we’d make an exception if it’s for the right reasons.

It would also help if potential spies liked any or all of these artists:

Rush, Blur, The Roots, Refused, My Morning Jacket, Tempest, Matt Pond PA, The Rentals, Ozma, Mr. Bungle, Squarepusher, Fugazi, The Violent Femmes, Chopin, Dr. Dog, The Beatles, Debussy, Aphex Twin, Satie, New End Original, Shellac, Modest Mouse, Schumann, MF Doom, Menomena, The Anniversary, The Get-Up Kids, Mates of State, Eric Dolphy, The Flaming Lips, Final Fantasy, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Minus the Bear, Beethoven, Lavender Diamond, Mylo, Detachment Kit, Saul Williams, The Smashing Pumpkins, DJ Shadow, Lock & Key, Movers & Shakers, Sekou Sundiata, Chad VanGaalen, The Fiery Furnaces, The Cardigans, Do Make Say Thing, Mogwai, The Grateful Dead, Air, Sufjan Stevens, Strike Anywhere, The Replacements, Madvillain, Lifetime, The Mar Volta, Mos Def, The Wu Tang Clan, Hella, Kaki King, Tortoise, Prefuse 73, The Cure, Ani Difranco, Jane Lecroy & Transmitting, Lemon Jelly, Radiohead, The Advantage, Tristeza, Bjork, Mum, Small Brown Bike, The Slip, The Beastie Boys, The Six Parts Seven, Stars, Beck, Poison the Well, LCD Soundsytem, Tom Vek, Lupe Fiasco, Mewithoutyou, The Go Team!, Sublime, Miles Davis, Foo Fighters, CSS, The Police

Remember to spread the word that Bothan Spies are looking for two new very special people to join our special people club.

While, being short a permanent guitarist is scary, the prospect of working with new musicians is very exciting. I know that they are sure to be both a blessing and a breath of fresh air.

Now, I'm off to make some hand-drawn flyers advertising our search. We're going to hang them everywhere. Remember, if you know someone who'd like to be in our band or if you'd like to help us distribute flyers, let us know.

Thank you all for everything!
Dana

Two Shows in One Day!

We had initially signed up to play a showcase for Perpetual Toxins at Mr. Beery's this Friday, August 3rd, and only that. The lineup includes Yes Sensei, and some out of state band from Michigan.

Then we got an interesting offer from the band, Anxious Arms to play the same day at Nawtons in Westbury that normally we'd say no to due to the prior engagement, but in this case couldn't bear to because the lineup includes some of the best bands from around here (in my humble opinion). Plus, we realized that it would be physically possible to play both shows and that we were all up for it.

So we're doing it! In discussing this (which we did as strategically as if we were playing a chess meet) some considered this to potentially be a "dick move". However, I am of the opinion that if you are a fan of ours, we're offering two opportunities to see us, plus we get to take in the optimal amount of awesome bands for one night. And isn't that what it's all about? Personally, I'd like to think that it's not about the money or the draw or who you impress, but in the art and its expression at any cost.

But, I digress.

So we've got two shows. Nawtons is all ages. Beery's is 21+.

Come and help us prove it's about the art and its expression...that intangible end that we call music. Here are the stats:

8/3/07 - Nawtons
850 Carmon Avenue
Westbury, NY 11590
9 PM, $5, All Ages
w/ The Agent
Daggermouth
Anxious Arms
& Halfway to Hell Club

8/3/07 - Mr. Beery's
4019 Hempstead Turnpike
Bethpage, NY 11517
9 PM, $5, 21+
WE GO ON AT 11:45
w/ Yes Sensei
Playing Dead
& The Matadors of Shame (from Michigan)

Love,
Dana

Garage Sale

The garage sale that was reported to take place last Saturday, July 14th, in fact took place on Sunday, July 15th. The reason for this was that I was required to paint my cement pool (which had been leaking) and Dustin was required to attend a Prince concert in the Hamptons as a security guard. It doesn't take much to figure out who had the better Saturday there.

So anyway, the sale was moved to Sunday and aside from Mike's grievous sunburns and my stolen cellphone, we had fun and made a good bit of cash. This was not necessarily as much as we'd have liked, but we learned many lessons in siphoning off our trash to the neighbors that day. We hope to have another garage sale soon and this time we will be sure to hang our signs to telephone poles using nails, bring plenty of umbrellas for shade, and really package our merchandise to entice (goth boots and necklace, two for the price of one).

For the next garage sale, I am also going to try, painful as it is, to let go of objects of sentimental value. Hopefully this will prevent me from snatching a musical note scarf from an old lady and haughtily wrapping it around my neck for the rest of the day.



Yours,
Dana

Two Fantastic Shows

The Galapagos show was a success. It began with some smooth jazz improvizations with the soulful singing voice of TJ Usiyan. It continued with the upbeat indie-pop of Camera-Head Shark. Lastly, it finished with us.

Afterwards, we went to Foodswings, and I tell ya, nothing tops off a good show like some vegan cheese fries and a soda float.

Even better than that show I think we'd all agree was last Sunday at Mr. Beery's. We played with The Ghost of Lester Bangs and two touring bands from Boston who were phenomenal. Movers and Shakers impressed us so much that Chrisarena bought their seven inch. Then, Lock and Key blew our minds and got us all hyped up to play. Unfortunately, they're breaking up soon, but we're all just really grateful that we got to see them play before the end.

To finish the show, I think we played one of our best performances to date. The best part of course was making some new friends. They tossed us a demo of one of their new projects and we're all in love with it already. Check out Where the Land Meets the Sea.

Here are some pics that Alice took:





In other news, we are having a Bothan Spies garage sale on Saturday July 14th on Wright Avenue in Deer Park, between Leo and Liberty. Some items of interest for sale will be housewares, my old clothes, cushions, and Dustin's old dog collars that he used to wear in his goth days. There will also be vegan baked goods on the premises for purchase.

Thanks!
Dana

Info for the Galapagos Show

Here is a clipping of a little nod towards the band for our upcoming show at Galapagos Art Space. It appeared in Inprint, the school newspaper for Eugene Lang College.

Some of the info on this blurb has changed.

The show is not a PETA Benefit. Doors are at 7 PM. It will only cost $5. It is with the awesome spoken word performer, TJ Usiyan. But yes, we are still a "kickass" band.

Peace!
Dana\

Rainy Day Ramblings

So the forecast here in the Northeast for the next few days is nothing but rain....rain,rain,rain,rain.

It's sort of nice in an odd sort of way. Cleansing, freeing, envigorating.

Spring is in its rebirth period and soon we'll begin to see flushes of green, purples, and pinks everywhere.

Anyway, with that being said, Bothan Spies have a great show coming up next week. We're playing at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, so if you're in the Mid-Hudson Valley region you should definitely come on out.

We had a series of pretty successful practices the past two days in preparation and from the looks of it we're going to be debuting a new song that we've been working on over the past few weeks. It's pretty exciting.

For more info check out our Myspace and we hope to see you soon.

Take Care,

Chrisarena
Bothan Spies

Pics from The Wave

Here are some pictures from the show at The Wave in Patchogue. They were taken by our new friend Valerie who was listening.



















Thanks Valerie!

The Wave

Friends,

Thank you to anyone who came out to our last show at The Wave in Patchogue. Except for the people who didn't listen to us and only cared about Patent Pending and MC Lars.

Which was most of you.

But I forgive you all anyway, because I'm sure you had many, many good reasons for not caring about our music and standing with your backs to us. The median age at the show was 13 and at that age, I was listening to boy bands, so who am I to point fingers?

Besides the small crowd for our set, I think that we played well and got an excellent videotape out of the show. Thanks Mr. Schneider!

I was only displeased by two other elements of the evening. One, the man at the door who was incredulous to believe that we were in a band and wouldn't let us in the door at first. Then he looked at Chrisarena, when I was standing right in front of him and said with disdain, "And the girl? The girl is in the band too?" I wanted to yell at him that yes I am, and I also am an English speaking citizen that doesn't need a man to be my voice. Luckily for him, I observed the decorum of the church setting and spared him my wrath.

The other letdown, for me personally, was that no one ate the vegan maple walnut brownies I made! I ended up giving them away to my friends.

So anyway, we have two shows coming up:

4/21/07 - SMOG @ Bard College
Annondale-on-Hudson, NY
w/ Tartufi & more TBA

6/14/07 - Galapagos Art Space
70 N. 6th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
PETA Benefit w/ Mars 96 & more TBA

Also, thanks to Sean Arena for being our patient, helpful merch-fellow at the show. We really appreciate it. If anyone out there is willing to volunteer as merch-fellow or lady at any of our shows, just drop us a line and we'd get you in free, feed you cupcakes, but most importantly, love you for it.

Love,
Dana Collins
Bothan Spy