Captain Robert

TIM BURTON BALL FEATURING ABNEY PARK, IN NEW YORK CITY!

robert@abneypark.com — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:50:46 GMT

TIM BURTON BALL FEATURING ABNEY PARK, IN NEW YORK CITY!

Two shows on February 26^th , both All Ages!

The first Abney Park show 7pm doors, 8pm show for just $20.00.

Second event is the Tim Burton Ball at 10:00pm for just $30.00, and includes a performance by Abney Park, swing dancing and lessons.

Tickets to both shows are available for only $40.00, and no matter what show you see, you can join us at MoMA's Tim Burton exhibit the next day for a discounted rate of $17!

(Attendants under the ages of 21 will have to pay the club an additional fee of $10 cash upon arrival. Don’t hate us for this, it was the clubs rules, and it’s the only way we could get you in! Sorry!)

Description

Exactly one week before Mr. Burton's sequel to Alice in Wonderland hits the screen, we present to you a place of more wonder than even he can concoct... a dance event filled with all of his creations. This truly will BE a wonderland.

Throughout the night, Abney Park will grace us with 2 full live shows and there will be many other special guests.

Tickets are available to Abney Park’s the early show (which is just a concert), The Tim Burton Ball, or you can attend both for a discounted rate!

No matter which you choose, consider joining us for our expedition to the MoMA's Tim Burton exhibit the next day (details after purchase) where we get a discounted rate and will be able to bypass the lines!

ALSO, dance instruction is included in the price of the ball - no partner or experience is required. We will focus on connection to a partner and how to have fun together on the dance floor. We'll also cover footwork because people think we're supposed to, but this is Swing Goth: it's not based on rules, it's based on music, your partner and you! Instruction will begin at 10:15pm and go until about 11:15pmish.

More about Swing Goth can be found on http://www.swinggoth.com and video of our past events can be found on http://www.youtube.com/swinggoth.

If you want to dress, feel free to come as any one of Burton's characters or as some creation of your own (or feel free to come as your are). We're certain they'll be plenty of Johnny Depps; but, seriously folks, if you want people to dance with you we don't recommend Edward Scissorhands. ;)

BUY TICKETS

Post for People who LOVED Avatar (FILLED WITH SPOILERS)

robert@abneypark.com — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:42:45 GMT

I loved Avatar, and I wanted to chat about it here (other then a half dozen people and their dogs telling me how they refuse to see it. Its made over a billion dollars, so obviously SOMEBODY has seen it other then me!) Since Kristina is not nearly dorky enough to discuss anything sci-fi with me, I figured I chat about it here.

So here are some discussion questions:

Glowing Forests
It seems like Pandora has A LOT of bio luminescence. Everything seemed to glow. Do you have any theories about WHY (other then it looks bad ass) everything glows?

One theory I have is this: it doesn't glow. Since the Na'vi are all "plugged in" to the jungle, maybe this is just how THEY perceive everything: they SEE the glow as part of their communication with nature.

Who called the Animals, Eywah or...
Just in the nick of time, all the animals of the forest came to the aid of the Na'vi during the final fight. Hours before this, since Sigourny Weavers charactor (Dr. Grace Augustine) had just died, and we were told she was "uploaded" into the tree network. We were told also that Eywah "doesn't take sides", which made me wonder if it was Dr. Augustine who brought them into the fight.

Avatar 2, the Wrath of Eytukan
Would it be possible to have a sequal to this that didn't blow chunks? The Empire Strikes Back was a fantastic sci-fi sequal, could it be done with avatar? James Cameron doesn't do a lot of sequals (Titanic Returns!), but that doesn't matter: he could get some one else to do it, and I'd still be happy.

Off topic, why the hell has no one made a Dragon Riders of Pern movie yet? Come on!

...and my final observation, I LOVED the FASHION in this movie. Mostly hairstyles, since Na'vi didn't wear much clothes, but check out the goggles! I am DYING to see more neo-tribal mixed into steampunk.

Ticket Price in New York

robert@abneypark.com — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:39:03 GMT

How much should we charge for Tickets to our upcoming show in New York (feb 26th?),

$20, $25 or $30?

If we set the price too low, we can't afford to do the show, but if we set them too high, no one can afford to come! So, New Yorkers, how broke are you?

Avatar

robert@abneypark.com — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:53:04 GMT

I LOVED Avatar, but in retrospect, the plot seemed a smidgen familiar:

based on:

IMDB SYNOPSIS FOR FERN GULLY: The magical inhabitants of a rainforest called FernGully fight to save their home that is threatened by logging and a polluting force of destruction called Hexxus.

Swap a couple words, and you get:

AVATAR: The magical inhabitants of a planet called Pandora fight to save their home that is threatened by mining and a polluting force of destruction called humans.

Abney Park in New York

robert@abneypark.com — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:03:27 GMT

Expect an announcement soon of an Abney Park show in Feb. in New York City.

Me and Kristina sing Christmas music

robert@abneypark.com — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 23:25:38 GMT

Me and Kristina sang and played some Christmas music a couple days ago, and since me new iPhone shoots video, you guys get to see them. This is nothing fancy, just home in the even goofing off.

(Most of you have seen these, but I was asked to post these altogether, in case you missed any.)

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, Silver Bells

Kristina and Myself, in Kristinas piano nook, playing and singing Christmas songs. I'll upload a few of these over the next couple days.

Jolly Old Saint Nicolas

Kristina and me by the pianos, sings Christmas tunes. ... Christmas Music ...

Let It Snow

More Christmas around the piano. ... Christmas ...

God Rest Ye Merry Gentilmen

Another Chtistmas song. ... Christmas ...

Jingle, Jingle, Jingle

Kristina and I butcher this holiday song ... Family Music Christmas Steampunk ...

Christmas Songs

robert@abneypark.com — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:33:38 GMT

Me and Kristina often just hang out around the piano(s) in Kristinas piano nook, and sing off off sheet music. This is nothing fancy, but since my iPhone shoots video, I thought I'd upload some Christmas songs for you.

Æther Shantys, NOW FOR DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

robert@abneypark.com — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:49:28 GMT

Instantly download extremely high quality mp3's of Æther Shanties. All songs compressed directly from the digital masters at 320bps!

Æther Shanties The Further Trials and Tribulations of Abney Park released December 1st, 2009

Under the Radar
Building Steam
Until the Day I Die
My Life
Wanderlust
Throw Them Overboard
The Derelict
Victoria
Æther Shanty
The Clock Yard
Too Far to Turn Back

FREE SAMPLE SONGS

NOTE: After paying for your instant download, you will be taken to a screen that looks like this:

You will notice there is a button marked "download". Click that to download your music. You will also be sent an email with a link to your "Detailed Invoice". That page will also contain download buttons. Or, log into your account at any time and view the order and download links. Your download link will expire after 7 days, so go get your music right away.

Changes Misconceptions Reguarding Aether Shanties

robert@abneypark.com — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:46:16 GMT

Last night during rehearsal I was spacing out on the lyrics to the new songs we are learning for the New Years eve show at The Edison. Since our fans are the most awesome in the world, and since I lost my notes as to the actual lyrics, I went on line to get your copies, and printed them. Some of what you THOUGHT I said is hysterical! For example, this verse in Wanderlust goes:

When I am feeling stagnant My lungs are filled with mud I dream of Bejing and Molikai

but the fan version said:

And I am feeling stagnant My lungs are filled with mud I dream a big dream where more are kind?

I sang this fan version once, and Jody said "Wow, in THIS version your a douche!" Anyway, I'm correcting these now and will have them online soon. I'll post them here.

AP NEWSLETTER

robert@abneypark.com — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:08:39 GMT

"The entire album is thrillingly infectious from start to finish"

- Ron Insaint, really cool fan

So Æther Shanties, our new album, has been arriving at all the homes of the first fans to buy it, and the reasponse has been overwhelming! I was honestly nervous if people would like this one, as we took alot of risks here, and merdged some styles that people normally don't think of as "hip" or "now". Turns out, people were DYING for somthing new! Here are a couple comments:

"Æther Shanties is absolutely amazing!"

- Angiwyn, really cool fan

"music that is new but feels like an old friend"

- Active Gnome, really cool fan

"There are no bad songs on this CD - I love every song on it. Thank you!"

- Lis Elfwench, really cool fan

"NO HUMAN COULD EVER WRITE ANYTHING SO PERFECTLY BEAUTIFUL!!!"

- Kate Crust, really cool fan

"'Alcohology' is my new favorite word."

- Deleva, really cool fan

To see more comments, or to ad some of your own, Read my blog.

Shipping this thing has been a HUGE job. We've pretty much done nothing else since the CD came out. This is what it was like (click the picture).

Here you might notice that we've started to post videos of the day-to-day of being in Abney Park.Subscribe to our Youtube so you won't miss anything, like this snippet of us working out a new arrangment for our classic old song, "Hush":

Oh, that reminds me, we've only got a few more days to order stuff, if theres a hope you'll get it by Christimas, and so check out this:

ROCK'EN NEW SHIRT:

We have an awesome new shirt out, brown stripes on black, with a gold Jolly Rodger. This is our nicest looking shirt yet, and its especially hip under a jacket or with a vest! (thats how I wear mine)

This shirt ranges in size from Small to 3 XL! No, Kato is NOT wearing a 3XL in that photo. Yes, it looks this sexy on a guy. Okay, well, maybe not THIS sexy, but it depends on the guy!

- Captian Robert

Rock The Goggles

robert@abneypark.com — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:43:11 GMT

http://www.steambaby.net has some of the coolest goggles out there.

but more importantly, they are the only ones I know who sell MY goggles:

These goggles are SUPER light and comfortable, and will fold flat to store in you shirt pockets!

Anyway, go buy some.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SONGS FROM ÆTHER SHANTIES?

robert@abneypark.com — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:55:59 GMT

Lets all talk about what you like best....and I'll tell you a couple little insiders tips:

Until The Day I Die started as a concept: "If Steampunk art is old parts bolted together to make new things, can that be done with very old recordings?" So just like Daniel and Nathaniel's instruments, I started bolting together vintage parts and modern parts to create something new. Prior to this we had taken old STYLES and mixed with new STYLES, but this is the first time we took very old recordings and stitched them together to make something new.

Wanderlust I wrote on the plane back from London. We all have different things we take joy in from the band. Kristina loves MAKING music, and would be happy never leaving the studio. Nathaniel loves the stage, and would never get off if he had his choice. I'm not sure what Dan likes, but it seems to invovle making spread sheets, and counting the money ;)

For me, I love to TRAVEL. If I had my way, we'd never go to the same town twice...and we'd play in southeast Asia A LOT more. I grew up on the move.

Victoria was written mostly be Kristina. I wrote the words and mellowdy, and then said, "Hey, can you do something 'Victoria Piano' with it?" and she rocked all the paino stuff. Being Kristina, it made her super nervous and she thought it wasn't good enough to be on the album. When I finally said "Babe, it HAS to go on the album" she said "Well, maybe it can just be a hidden track or somthing!?"

Throw them overboard was kinda lame at first. I mean, it had funny lyrics and a cool accordian hook, but it just wouldn't turn into a good enough song...UNTIL JODY GOT ON IT. She came and siad "I've got an idea, but its kind of silly, so maybe we should ..." and everybody yelled "GET IN THE BOOTH" at the same time. She did, and that's what you hear. Thats pretty much her first take too, an it made the song in MY opinion a sleeper hit of the album, its so much fun!

Under The Radar was the first song on the album to be written. It started as me alone in the studio dropping down electronic drums, Darbuka, and Puff Organ. Kristina heard the organ parts and stormed into the the studio, "Thats AWESOME, move over!" and we banged out the first version. Months later we brought in Nathaniel, and he dropped down the mandolin lines, which just made every bodies jaw drop. In fact, for the longest time there was a a bit of me at the end of the recording saying "Holy shit!"

Building Steam was unfinished for the longest time. I basically hadn't written the second second verse. I was imagine the Steampunk Cowboy theme of it, but I hadn't really written that in, and we got used to it, and then even start performing it unfinished! Finally, during the mastering phaze which is supposed to take place WAY after the album is done) said "Oh shit!" and wrote that and recorded that second verse. This ways literally three days before it went to press!

Æther Shanty is about the best song to SING I have ever written. I wanted to write a Sea Shanty for the skies, and express all the turmoil we went through over the last year.

The Clockyard so needs a music video. We might start on one soon, actually. This song is about following your dreams, or playing it safe. The message: follow your dreams before you too old to, you old coot!

To Far To Turn Back I tried to cut this from the album a billion times, but it really did come together for tell the last second. Nathan pushed and pushed, and finally it came together and the VERY last second. If you like it, thank Nathaniel. If you don't like it ITS NATHANS FAULT!

EAGLE HAS LANDED

robert@abneypark.com — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:31:48 GMT

So as I'm sure you've read by now, the CD's have been starting to arrive for everyone. Here are some important things to do:

1. Stop asking me "Daddy, are we there yet?" It'll come. Take a deep breathe, we are excited to!

2. Prepare a large silk cushion on which to carry the CD around with.

3. Tell a member of Abney Park thank you for bust'n their asses to get these too you, dispite all the extra work and late hours we had to spend so they'd all go out on time.

4. come back here, and tell me what your favorite songs are! (My next post will be for that!)

Shipping Aether Shanties

robert@abneypark.com — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:20:11 GMT

Conflict of Interest

robert@abneypark.com — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:46:22 GMT

A couple important notes

robert@abneypark.com — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:36:31 GMT

OMG
We've been working on the packaging and mailing of the new CD since about 12:05 am December 1st. The number of sales have been crazy, so its been a daunting task, but we've got it handled - barely.

OMG, WHEN!?!?
If the question is "when will my order get here", the answer is, "Next Wednesday".

OUT OF RADIO RECEPTION
Every time a sale is made, I get an email. That means over the last three days I've received about a ga-zillion emails, and they have buried any regular email you might get. If its important, please resend, as things are starting to get back to normal. Unless its a sales question...if is is, then:

WHO YOU GUNNA CALL?
I don't handle questions about orders. I write the songs, sing 'em, record em, make the website, make or mod the instruments, book the shows, book the dancers, promote the shows, make the postal label tools, make the shopping cart, and sweep the studio...but I do know the answers to shipping questions, since I (most of the time) don't have anything to do with shipping. If you have a question about an order, Do not email me, and for god sakes don't call me! I'm just not going to know the answer to your question. direct questions to : info@abneypark.com.

to avoid confusion:

robert@abneypark.com — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:48:42 GMT

New Shirt Design (UNISEX)

robert@abneypark.com — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:43:23 GMT

I know this is small potatoes, compared to the album going on sale tonight at midnight (west coast time), but we have a new t-shirt design:

(this is a photoshop mockup, since I haven't taken pictures of the shirt yet.)

I'm telling you this because of two reasons.

It'll probably sell out before you wake up tomorrow morning.
We are closing out the old stripy one (it too expensive to make) so if you wanted one of those, buy it now.

New songs off Abney Parks new album, Æther Shanties - FREE DOWNLOAD

robert@abneypark.com — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:31:19 GMT

New songs off Abney Parks new album, Æther Shanties, are available for free download on our MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/abneypark

Just two.

Also: Album Goes On Sale Midnight Tomorrow Night!!

(!)

FREE SAMPLE SONGS

I got a present for ya!

robert@abneypark.com — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:30:53 GMT

I made this for myself, but thought you might want to have it to. Its a Æther Shanties desktop wallpaper!

For Windows, right click the image and select "set as desktop wallpaper".

For Mac, control click and "Set as desktop Wallpaper".

I'm really happy with how that artwork turned out: Dark and Distressed, and rusty and weathered...but very strong feeling. I see no reason why Steampunk can't be rough and tough as nails. Silly and fluffy is fine, but not all the time - as you will see when you hear this album.

Æther Shanties Listening Parties?

robert@abneypark.com — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:26:41 GMT

The SwingGoth people in San Fransisco are having an Æther Shanties listening party, and that got me thinking...

Do you run a Nightclub, or organise a club night that wants to have an Æther Shanties Listening party? Let me know.

Also, what about a virtual "live listening" party? I picture a chat room, and a lot of people all listening at exactly the same time, talking about what they hear. Is there a way to do this? Maybe more importantly, is there a way to do this that people could just record the whole damn thing and then not buy the album? :(

San Francisco Show, Febuary 5th --> Abney Park headlines "Wonderland: A Tim Burton Ball"

robert@abneypark.com — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:07:06 GMT

"I told you there was going to be a very special announcement regarding Dance in Aether! In fact, it keeps getting bigger. Right now, it's so big I just can't wait until next Tuesday to tell you. It involves:

Tim Burton (although not personally)
Abney Park (personally)
and Dickens Fair AND Clockwork (for your person)

On February 5th 2010, Abney Park will be headlining Swing Goth's "Wonderland: A Tim Burton Ball." The opening act and special performances are still being added, but really, what more do you need to know?

The first 100 pre-sale tickets to the concert will be available for $15 (and they'll be a keepsake all their own). You can buy them individually, or for Dec 1st only you can get them in a bundle with admission to Clockwork and The Dickens Fair for $35 (that's a $47 value!)

Here at Crazy Eddies Junk Emporium, we deal in volume, volume, volume! We know how to negotiate with other ventures, and pass the bargains on to you!

Best,
Brian

PS- There's so much more to come, but I'll hold off on the rest until next Tuesday. "

The Asylum

robert@abneypark.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:42:59 GMT

There is a movie company called the Asylum, who seems to make there money by making movies JUST LIKE upcoming major blockbusters...but they make them much cheaper and faster and get the to the DVD rental stores just before the real film gets there. In this way they get there films rented TONS...by mistake.

Dad, "Son, Guess what, we don't need to go to the theater! I Got the new Transmorpher movie at the DVD store!"

Son, "Um, dad, that's not even in theaters yet."

Let me give you examples:

I can't help but laugh at the thought of this movie producer sitting around a thanksgiving table with his mom dutifly explaining why she thought his "The Da Vinci Treasure" was much better the "Then DaVinici Code".

"Honey, I think its just dreadful how Hollywood keeps stealing your movies! You had yours first!"

*Sigh*

"Thanks mom".

WHAT ABNEY PARK SONG DO YOU INSIST ON SEEING LIVE

robert@abneypark.com — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:17:38 GMT

Name three Abney Park songs that you'd be sad if we DIDN'T play at a show you attend.
(We are making set lists for upcoming shows, and I want to make sure we play what YOU want to hear, not just what we like to play.)

The picture is here only because you don't read posts without pictures, you lazy sods!

Æther Shanties goes onsale December 1st

robert@abneypark.com — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:30:38 GMT

Æther Shanties goes onsale December 1st

see, it says so on the internet, so it must be true: