Pictures as promised

Just wanted to let you all know we had a rocking cool time at rehearsal on Saturday.  Mikey flew in Friday night, and Andy Reiff (percussion) joined us for this session.  It’s amazing what another set of drums will do to an arrangement.  Next rehearsal  is on the 17th of October and I can’t wait to get backgrounds (Shannon Gray), and cello (Joel Hales) into the same room.  Here are a few pics of the boys..in order Dave Rosa, Ron Suffredini, Andy Reiff, and Mickey Clark.

Who took my G-String?

 

You have a g-string?

I could use one of those!

Maybe if I look down Dave won't notice i'm wearing his G-String!

We worked on a cool arrangment today for the Song “Since Then”…really looking forward to playing that live.  If you haven’t gotten tickets to the show, you will miss hearing that song.  It’s not recorded yet, so in person will be your only opportunity.  Just log onto www.ashtonzyer.com to buy tickets.   Can’t wait to hang with the rad peeps who already bought tickets…no pressure! =)

Much love..Ash

Plane Dating

Today I boarded a flight out of Las Vegas.  I think flying is like the perfect blind date.  You sit down, then someone decides at random to join you, and then it’s on!  Sooner than you realize, you are laying it all out on the line, laughing and sharing things you would probably never say to someone you were seriously dating..or at least not on a first date…it’s awesome, real…raw.  Then if you care, you can exchange info, and if not…no worries…its just a plane date!   Now i’m not saying all plane dates are awesome.  Just like bad blind dates, you need to be prepared for the loosing seat.  I think more people have had bad experiences than good, because more and more people seem to be ready with their ipod and book, along with their don’t disturb sign.  I am friends with this fabulous older gent from Kenya.  He’s a millionaire and can afford to take a first class seat across the ocean, but this guy rides coach.  He loves the human experience…he loves the plane date! Ha…. Not saying the plane date has to be totally based on this fantasy of hooking up with someone…no, the plane dates can be totally plutonic as well.  My plane dating has sat me next to some really interesting people.  I crossed paths with a gorgeous surgeon from Cedar Sinai, a sassy and very fun District Manager for Vons, the owner and founder of this fantastic online clothing company Closet Couture www.closetcouture.com, an owner of an NBA team, a black belt in Mechanical Engineering ( I know..I know…you had no idea there was such a thing, that makes two of us), and my personal favorite, a CEO of a textiles company.  Each experience led to something random and unexpected…a make-out session, a new friend, a ride to a parked car, a growing network, and a love.  Each so interested in my music, and the process.  I started the Naked Public Series just for that reason.  I wanted to share with more people , not just the people I “plane dated” , this incredible process I go through every time I have to write a song.  If you haven’t signed up for the series, take some time to just go to the main page and join www.ashtonzyer.com

So side note…I’m still plugging away at this November show.  This picture below perfectly describes how I am feeling right now.  I need more donors, and want everyone to get how cool this organization is for children and teens who don’t have the opportunity to enjoy what God naturally gave us….things like clean air, sage, dirt, a random swim in some lake 11,000 feet up, and most important, the opportunity to get in the mix with people who actually care about you.  If you know anyone interested in donating email me at ashtonzyer@yahoo.com

Stress

I’m looking forward to rehearsing with my peeps this weekend.  Hopefully I’ll have photos this time.   Until then..much luv!  Ash

Rehearsal

Today I am totally stoked!  Today we officially started rehearsals on our November show, and Wednesday I officially launched the start of the Naked Public Series.  I plan on launching  a new song from the series in about a couple of weeks, and hopefully you will dig it. 

Today’s rehearsal started a bit early.  I picked up Mikey (our killer drummer) from the airport last night, we hung in Santa Monica and then cruised to Ventura County for a snooze, up a few hours later to rehearse in LA.  I love when you reunite with friends and you know time has passed, but then again it feels like it hasn’t.  I’m really pumped about the lineup of musicians we have for our November show.  I haven’t seen or worked with Dave Rosa for a couple of years now.  That in itself is a tragedy….he will be playing guitar, and Ron Suffredini will be playing bass.  Ron is one of those guys who is a master at his craft.  He has this really interesting way of moving his mouth to keep time and sit in the pocket.  I dig it.  He always has this really diplomatic way of showing me that I’m playing the wrong crap…how can you not like a guy like that! =)  Our next rehearsal on the 26th will add Andy Reif on percussion, and Shannon Gray will be returning with her killer background vocals.  We are just missing our Cellist “Joel”…he will join us a couple days before the show.  He’s got a brand new electric cello he will be busting out for the show.  All I got to say is…if there is distortion I say “SI!”

Oh man…I stumbled upon these old photos of rehearsals 6 years ago, the other day…hilariou…

I forgot my camera for this session, so i’ll have to grab it for the next!

Night y’all!

Ash

Benefit for Outward Bound Los Angeles

Ashton Zyer Benefit

So we are planning a benefit show for Outward Bound Los Angeles in Santa Monica on November 7th.  This little black box is super rad, very intimate and ready for some serious rocking!  The line up for musicians is pretty sweet….Mikey Clark (drums), Dave (guitars), Ron (bass), Shannon (background vocals), Joel (cello), Andreas Reiff (percussion).  Bart Doefler is directing the show www.bartdoerfler.com …tickets should be available by the end of the week fo sho!  I’m really looking forward to this show…it has been a long time since we have all been together to play…it will be a really cool time.  I’ve attached the info for all y’all.  Stay tuned for more details…

AZ

The Naked Public welcomes Kelsey, and our new song “Memory of us”

Hey everyone….a couple of months ago I was chillin out with Kelsey and we had this random sit down session.  She knew she wanted something that was simple, more along the lines of a piano &  vocal.  When I get that type of request I’m like…”YES”! We cut the demo in the studio just a bit ago, and here are some cool shots of our demo session. 

Knockin' this one outYou talkin' to me?

More reverrrrrb

There were so many cool things about working with Kelsey.  Not only was she no drama, which is super cool…she came to the table with her heart all over it.  I usually have to really poke around to get some good info on a client, but she was totally cool to let her guard down and just be herself.  I think it made for a better song.  So listen below, and let me know what you think. Feel free to forward this link to a friend and see what they think…  The more the merry! =)  So here you have it…The Memory of Us”….  www.myspace.com/ashtonzyer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ashton Zyer @ Hard Rock, Las Vegas

Ashton Zyer @ Hard Rock, Las Vegas

A special “Thanks” to everyone who supported our Fundraising Event for the Arthritis Foundation at the Hard Rock, Las Vegas.  It was a blast having you! 

Our weekly show with Resodence (www.resodence.com) will be moving to the Beauty Bar July 16th, 2009, and will run every Thursday night starting at 8:30 pm.  For more info log onto www.resodence.com

Special “Thanks” as well to Andy, Dave, Shannon, and Zandra for playing such a cool set after only 3 rehearsals, where none of us were ever in the room at the same time.  In addition to that, battling the sound and no monitors at the Hard Rock.  You guys rule!  -AZ

Ashton Zyer @ Hard Rock Cafe, Las Vegas

The Naked Public Welcomes Carlos Media

As we enter the final stages of the  the Naked Public Series release, we want to introduce two very important members of the Naked Public, Carlos Amezcua and Amie Martin.  Carlos is CEO and founder of Carlos Media and many may recognize him from 15 years on the KTLA morning show in Los Angeles, as well as his recent promotion to FOX 11 nightly news.   Amie Martin has been producing television from E! News Live to Al Gore’s station CURRENT TV for the last 10 years and is the acting Vice President of Program Development.  

 

Amie Martin

What we love about Carlos Media is their vision for unique programming, and most importantly, they see our vision for this very cool series.  Many of our video promos will be the work of Carlos Media.  Carlos and Amie will also be teaming up to run a special on Fender Guitars this summer…..we think that is pretty rad!  Thanks Carlos Media for being so cool, and loving what we do!

Paper Love

Anybody got a pen?

Okay, this is classic Zyer mode!  Its like having writers A.D.D. 

There are two “no fail” gifts in my world 1) New socks (ankle socks, extra soft cushion…bomb!), and 2) Notepads and pens.  Just when I think I have enough paper lying around I am constantly looking for a new pad, or I can’t seem to find a pen.  I love the pens that are  super inked out!  Makes you feel like you’re using a writing instrument from the 1800’s when the ink gets all over your hands.  You know you’re not messin’ around when you’ve got ink all over your hands and face! 

If you can’t tell, I’m working on a new piece right now.  Actually I’ve got about three in the cooker.  One piece is for a graduating senior, a bit of sappy love ballad.   Another has been in the vault for 4 years, and the third for a country artist.  I am finding minutes here and there to dive into the projects.  I’ve got pads of paper everywhere.  Funny when you start mixing projects and pads of paper.  I’ll pick up a pad of paper I think goes to one project and I start trying to blow it out, and then I’m like ..”what the….”  that doesn’t sound right!  It’s a beautiful mess….

Ashton Z.

The Naked Public welcomes Alex Mackey

Final Edits for "The Sleepless Part"

As we get closer to the start of this new series, I’m excited to introduce some very cool people working hard to make this happen.  My first spotlight is Alex Mackey with Ohrio Productions.  Alex and I met over 7 years ago…both just starting our careers with the hopes we would get a chance to work together again.   Alex directed our most recent music video with co-director Brad Johnson. 

One of my favorite things about Alex is that he’s super passionate about what he does.  I love to see his eyes get big when he’s so excited about a shot.  We had a really cool time shooting the video…sneaking onto sites, working every angle to make a low budget shoot look amazing, and most importantly just laughing ridiculously while trying the lamest stuff. 

Alex is also super generous!   He has been working hard to put together our little promos you will soon be getting.  It will be our special way of  launching the Naked Public Series. Alex in a nutshell…rules.  You can check out his reel at www.ohrio.com