What does Drew listen to most?

Check it out. It’s not 100% accurate. I definitely excluded the music I have to learn to play for churches. Also, while most of my listening is reported to last.fm to track, some of it inevitably slips through the cracks. Also, it’s slightly biased to music I listen to while at work. But the gist is pretty solid. Enjoy. Continue reading →

The 2010 Earle Awards

Presented by Drew Allen.

Better late than never.

Album of the Year

Kanye West: My Dark and Twisted Fantasy

Runner Up: The Roots: How I Got Over

This was a super tough call. I think that the emotio-moral dichotomy these two albums thematically represent is very reflective of the same dichotomy that existed in my life in 2010.

Film of the Year

Inception

Runner Up: Black Swan

SO many good movies came out this year, but in the end these were such all-encompassing experiences to Behold. The King’s Speech is definitely just behind these two for me.

New Artist of the Year

Mumford & Sons

Runner Up: The Black Keys

I think this is indicative of the rise of both meaning and groove in my musical tastes this year. Mumford is such a perfect sacred in secular example. Awesome.

TV Show of the Year

Mad Men

Runner Up: Community

Mad Men is a beautiful, dark, character-driven study of a broken man and his struggle to regain a sense of morality, purpose, and identity. Community is a uniquely written, simply hilarious look at a group of misfits learn to like and love each other. Both are amazing.

Author of the Year

Jeff Wilser

Runner Up: George Orwell

Maxims of Manhood was a great example of hilarity colliding with plain, good things that men should hear. And thanks to George, I’m afraid of my iPad.

Store of the Year

Target

Runner Up: Publix

I’ve made the switch from a generally corrupt and uncaring big box store to a clean and more socially aware one. Plus, there’s nothing like having your own place to enjoy shopping at Publix all the more.

Man of the Year

Ricky Kendall

I don’t really feel the need to say too much here, as his songs speak so much better of him than I can. Authentic, honest, wise passion roaring from his heart, mind, voice and guitar.

Lifetime Achievement Earle:

George Clooney

No explanation necessary.

Encouragement.

I didn’t know how to best share this, and show it well, so I am here.

My band (www.moodhosa.com) was recently mentioned in the Gainesville SCENE magazine, the second time this has occurred. This time, we really got a pretty glowing review…

The Link:
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100225/COLUMNISTS/2251002/1027/entertainment?p=2&tc=pg&tc=ar

I can’t tell you how much it built me up to read the following words from the article:

They get my vote for best rhythm section in Gainesville, with Drew Allen and Ashley Wilkinson holding down the driving, primal rhythms. They play their instruments like they’re extensions of their bodies, like they were born to keep a beat. – Dante Lima, Gainesville Sun

It just feels good to have your passion recognized, especially by someone who is A) in the press and B) a musician himself.

It means a lot and it inspires me to not to give up on my dream.

To Dante, many humble thanks.

And to Dumptruck,
“We’re gonna pull through.” – Over The Rhine


thoughts on hots and nots

I really wish Google would release Chrome for the Mac already… seriously.

The Office tonight was SO good. Proof that it’s a freakin awesome show, is if we needed more proof.

I am listening to radium88 right now. They randomly friend requested me on myspace… and i clicked to see where they were from or if I knew them. By the time I discovered that I did not know them at all and that they are from the U.K., their sweet downtempo tune had sucked me in. Check ‘em out: http://www.myspace.com/theradium88

But, much more awesome than those guys is another band from the U.K.: The Foreign Exchange. Seriously. Hot Music. Especially dig Take Off The Blues. Check it out here: www.theforeignexchangemusic.com/

Actually, just watch this:

Sweet, eh?

I am trying to get back on the wagon with exercising. Did something light tonight. It slips away so fast.

I’m looking forward to hanging out with matt green tomorrow night.

Anyway, it’s late, and I still have  some stuff to work on.

Did I mention I could use a good night’s rest? I really could.

random thoughts on a lazy sunday.

I’m down to 254 lbs. It feels good.

It’s kinda weird playing shows out of town. I can easily see why performers/entertainers/musicians would drink in that situation. You’re kinda lonely in an immediate sense, but you also feel weird, especially as part of the entertainment, initiating awkward conversations with strangers so you’ll have someone to talk to. So, a couple drinks take the nervous edge off of doing that. Any more than a few though and you risk looking very foolish.

I met Curtis from Summerbirds in the Cellar. He just happened to stop by the Peacock Room after we’d finished playing. Good times though. Look forward to seeing what he does next musically.

Fun Friendship is still better than Romantic Loneliness. This is my current theory, or as I’m famous for saying, “modus” or “paradigm.”

Anyway, I really miss my “M” friends. I have been mattless since monday and I don’t even remember the last time I hung out with mary. It’s killing me.

Adventureland was more serious than I was expecting, and uncannily appropo for me to watch.