i've got softer eyes than you.

This is truly a great time to be a part of music. Sure the business is on ground as shaky as Michael J. Fox, but the horizon has no cliffs nor end in sight. It's no longer strictly about getting signed nor is it at all about radio play. What is the radio now, anyway? Bands are capable of success based solely on word of mouth and, while that has always been an option, mouths have never been so easily accessible than now. Your next favorite artist is at your fingertips. Sure, you're likely to run into more garbage than ever, but at least you won't be stuck listening to Garbage on WTVR. Hell, I could easily be talking about the internet or Chicago. Both would be true when considering phenomenal find, Blake Zweig. Chicago-based singer-songwriter and friend of Mike Kinsella (Owen, American Football, Owls, Joan of Arc, Cap'n Jazz, The One Up Downstairs) released his own solo CD (after playing with Sleeping for Sunrise) in 2001, and discovering it four years later was an absolute treat. Blake runs his fingers along the strings of his acoustic guitar beautifully, adds breathy vocals to his wonderfully written songs and cites Paul Simon, Ida and The Red House Painters as influences. At times Blake's singing is reminiscent of Robert Nanna (more The City on Film than Braid or Hey Mercedes). I'm not sure why you're not already e-mailing him (bzmusic5@yahoo.com), asking to purchase "Other People Make Me Do This." You can and should get to his MySpace account for two newer songs, "All About You" and "Oh City." Otherwise, please close your eyes and drift away with three songs from "Other People...," two of which feature Mike Kinsella himself.


Chris Strong has photographed everything I know.


Blake Zweig's "Softer Eyes"
"Say Goodbye"
&
"Better Without You"

I can't decide whether or not to post the three now infamous One Up Downstairs recorded songs. Maybe anyone that cares has heard them already or has made the conscious decision not to.