3/31/11 "Mourning Time" Officially RELEASED!

Today, March 31st, is the official release date of our second album, "Mourning Time"! It's now available EVERYWHERE (iTunes, CDbaby, Rhapsody, Last.fm, Zune, Napster, etc.). Since it's been available on our site as a pre-release, we decided to make sure this release is still special for those who have already heard it. Thank you for supporting us and making this second album possible.

*NEW Merch Store! We opened a store through Printfection with a new band logo. There are "unisex" and "women's" shirts, mugs, totes, and a few other things. They print them on demand. The designs are available on American Apparel, 100% Organic, and Gildan UltraCotton t-shirts, so you can pick whatever style works best for you (the sizes go up 5XL depending on the style you choose). You can still pick up our original t-shirt directly from us for only $9.99 (follow the link and scroll down- you'll see them).

*NEW Remix Page! Here's a collection of all the remixes folks have done of our tunes. You can download them all for free in one zip. Be sure to check out the remixers of the remixes. There are links to the remixers on each of the song pages.

*OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO for "Truth and Fact"! Oh yes... that's right. The music video we've spent months creating is now released (above). Please let us know what you think on YouTube and Facebook.

"Mourning Time" is NOW available right HERE!

We are thrilled to announce the pre-release of our second album, "Mourning Time". It's available for immediate download and shipping ONLY at our website. It will not be available anywhere else until it is officially released on March of 2011. We want to give our closest fans, friends, and family the chance to hear it first. Get your copy here and let us know what you think about it!

Extra album details:

This second album from Team Smile and Nod explores the constantly morphing state of mourning in an oddly uplifting and quirky manner. Many of the songs were written during Kara's grieving process for the loss of her mother. As depressing as that may sound, the album visits a wide range of themes and emotion, and ends with an empowered, upbeat song of healing that goes by the same name as the album. Listen to the title track here. In summary, many of the songs are upbeat, idealistic, and even danceable (this track, "Truth and Fact", will be the single). "Mourning Time" is released on our indie label Thinkroot Records. The vocals and guitars were recorded in Kara's home studio. The electronic production, mixing, and mastering took place at Rich's Ostrich Studio. The amazing art is by Jesse Smith. It took us 2 years to make this album what it is. We're proud to finally share it with you. Get your digital and/or physical copy here.

Thank you for your constant support. It helps us continue to create music. We really, really hope you enjoy this album.

Take care and cause ruckus,
Kara and Rich

p.s. Download "Truth and Fact REMIX" for free in exchange for one FB or Twitter post!

Neglect! Update from Team Smile and Nod...

Ahhhh... I just remembered that I have this blog. Eeeps. Here's what I've been doing instead:



As far as Team Smile and Nod is concerned, we are progressing on our next album- "Mourning Time". In fact, I just ordered the blank digipaks today. It felt like progress. We are in the post-production phase... working on mixing, mastering, and design. Jesse Smith already has the cover art completed (it's amazing!). So now I've gotta type up the lyrics and lay them out. In the meantime, I've been updating Mind Map That! once a week. Hopefully, the action there can get you by for now... Wheeee...

May 29th, 2010 LIVE at The Shrunken Head with Kevin Milner!

*Folk morphs into electro anti-folk... right before your very ears.*

Kevin Milner is a folksinger from Dayton. You can literally see his heart pouring out of his mouth while he sings... if you squint a little... and spin around in circles. But seriously, it's beautiful. Listen to "Man on a Couch", I love it.

Team Smile and Nod is an electro anti-folk duo from Columbus. We haven't played out for a while. Plus, we've got new songs to try out. So we're pretty much ready to explode with enthusiasm. Woo! (That was only a small piece of what you'll hear on stage... ) Download our first album for FREE.

As an extra bonus, this is an awesome chance to check out the the transformation of Vic's to The Shrunken Head!

In summary, please come. It will be fun.

*Share the event on Facebook!
*Get more details on our main website!

Mind Map That!- NEW Music Blog By Kara...

Awwww... yeah! Mind Map That! is a blog created for Kara (me) to post the odd little songs that dance around in my head that don't really make sense with Team Smile and Nod. In posting them, I'm hoping others will be inspired to add some oddness... make them a creative collaboration! That's the quick summary. Here's the full-length explanation. Here's hoping you'll play with me!

Make Instruments with Us!!! Expand the Vibe!

Yo' Columbus peeps with kids!! Rich and I (Team Smile and Nod) will be helping out at the 10am musical instrument making workshop of Expand the Vibe!! Loads of musical artsy fun to be had for all ages... If you don't have kids, come out for the evening show! (We won't be performing, but there will be a bunch of awesome local bands!) :D

Here's an explanation from the FB invite:

"On behalf of OpenheartART, Living the Arts, and the Peach District, we are happy to present to you our first of many benefit shows geared toward helping non-profit organizations, who support youth by facilitating programs designed around the arts. We believe that we all share the common vision of how crucial the arts are to our youth, our community, and our world. We as local organizations can come together to expand this vision in a big way!

On April 3rd we are putting on our first event in the Neo-V Gallery space, at 247 King Ave. The benefit will start out with workshops hosted by OpenheartART, geared towards encouraging ages 3 years on up, to create and re-imagine music through recycled materials and cooperative jam sessions. There will be 2 three hour workshops, and a fund raising concert later in the evening to collect moneys and or donated instruments for the Short Stop music programs."

Go HERE for more details. Hope to see you there!

6 Reasons Podcasts Rock the Party.

I am a new podcast fan. Yeah, I probably jumped on the podcast fan boat rather late... and yeah, I investigated them for self-fulfilling reasons (to get TSAN's music out there)... but dude, they are so flippin' cool. Here's a list of 6 reasons why they rock the party:

1. Complete Creative Control. They do what they want. Whatever they want. They say what they want... Play what they want... Release their shows when they want... You get my point, right? They have complete creative control to make their show exactly what they want.

2. No one owns them. They are not owned by Clear Channel. They are not owned by advertisers. They own themselves. They make their own decisions. If they decide to monetize, they do it with their own rules.

3. There are podcasts for EVERYONE. It blows my mind. Seriously. Look up anything with the word "podcast" following. I bet you you'll find something.

4. They play independent music! Many major labels won't let podcasters play their tunes. AWESOME! Fuck them! There is so much awesome indie music out there... We are happy to rock the podcasts!

5. Podcasts are by PASSIONATE people. Often podcasts are labors of love. Often the only dough they bring in is from donations. You've GOT to be passionate to do something without getting paid. Why else would you bother?

6. Podcasts and independent music are a natural fit... Often indie bands have a hard time getting radio play. How can we compete with major label money? Podcasters need music to enhance their shows. Podcasters and indie bands fill each others voids perfectly. Everyone benefits... especially listeners. The listeners get to pick a very specific niche and listen whenever and wherever they want... the podcaster only plays the tunes they dig... the musician gets exposure to a very specific group listeners... DUDE... it's a beautiful cycle.

Check out these podcasts... they rocked
Team Smile and Nod:




Dalecast! Episodes #693, #688, and #682
This podcast is an awesome mix of podsafe tunes from around the world... definitely worth checking out: http://www.dalecast.co.uk/

Radio Orphans Podcast- #241
This podcast airs weekly and plays independent music.
Go here to listen- http://radioorphans.blogspot.com/

Geek of all Trades Podcast- #37
This podcast is a variety show... Brian (the host) discusses a wide range of topics including (but not limited to) politics, movies, gaming, personal stuff, current news... and he plays a tune here and there. It is most enjoyable and humorous in nature. Go here: http://arklecast.blogspot.com/

In summary, I miss Flight of the Conchords.

Super SNEAKY Peak of Team Smile and Nod's Next Album- Mourning Time!

So we did it! We posted a track that you can download and/or stream and get a feel for our next album, Mourning Time. We included these songs: Build, Unknown, Come Back Here, She's Gone, and Mourning Time. For that matter, you can listen right now on the player to the right. Oh yeah, we've got it alllll planned out. Mwah-ha-ha... ha. We still have tons to do with the album... lots of editing/ mixing. Then we must master it. Plus, we must figure out what to do for cover art... (Any ideas? Are YOU an artist who has always wanted to do an album cover?? E-mail us if you are or know someone rad: questions[at]teamsmileandnod[dot]com
In summary, that's me and Katie's cat. Isn't she dapper?

Will our second album find completion?

Soooo... Rich and I plan to release a second CD this year. There is so much to do... Right now we're working on recording and mixing the songs. All the songs are written, however, whenever we work on the planned songs, we often get side-tracked by new songs. And soooo... while it's creatively necessary and fun, it lengthens the process. Today and tomorrow I'll record the vocals for "Truth and Fact" and either the ukulele and vocals for "Can You Feel It" or the guitar and vocals for "She's Gone." The problem with "She's Gone" is that it is massively depressing for me to play. I definitely need to be in the mood to deal with that. I am actually tearing up thinking about recording it. Seriously. When Rich and I were listening to a demo version of it and deciding when to work on it, he said "That is the most depressing song I've ever heard." But the thing is, it must be on this next CD. The CD will be called "Mourning Time." Many of the songs are about dealing with my mom's death. So yeah, an upper. Really though, it will be an awesome CD... the songs are coming together in such an amazing way. Okay... I should get to recording now...

In summary, the Kinks rock.

2009 to 2010: Top Things that Tickled Kara of TSAN

There is such a communal sense of wrapping a year up when a new year arrives. All of the "best of 2009" and "top 10 (or whateva') of 2009" drive me a little crazy. I mean, really, must we summarize EVERYTHING? And why does this typically only happen at the end of a year? Of course, really, I get it. It just mildly annoys me. Kinda like all the labels we all have to label ourselves with all the time... everything must have its place... everything must be categorized and organized and regulated and identified...

So I know for a fact that I certainly can't beat "em"... so I guess I'll join this collective summarizing to a small degree. Here's a list of a few things that happened this year with Team Smile and Nod that really tickled me. Yeah, that's right, tickled.

Things that Tickled Kara of TSAN in 2009 (all lists MUST have titles):
*We played 11 shows (including Columbus Pride Festival!). My goal was 10. Bonus.
*Some people said nice things to us about our music at the shows.
*Positive words were written about us... Curve Magazine, Feministing, Columbus Underground, Columbus Alive, etc...!
*Anneli Rufus (author), Nicole J. Georges (author), and Jon Peterson (Shakin' It Radio) gave us some super-kind quotes.
*Jeffrey Brown drew a comic about our CD!
*We did a sweet give-away for Pride with Queerics.
*We put together a bunch of YouTube videos.
*Our tunes were played on some cool radio programs (KAOS, Queer Sounds, Shakin' It...)

So that's my list of summary. Pretty awesome, eh? This year will also rock. A new CD is in the works. Awwwww yeaaaaahs...

In summary, damn, it's snowing hard.

Experiment- an ode of hypocrisy and LGBT marriage

Here's a solo version of "Experiment".

A couple slick samples of TSAN live at Vic's on 11.21.09

A clip of us playing "Still Stuck" at Vic's. Thanks to Bob!

And "Pig Roast"!

Not so Scary Clips of TSAN live at Oldfield's on High on Halloween!

Here's a clip of us playing "Scrooge". Thanks a bunch to Brenda for the footage!

Super-colorful Poster for November 21st Show at Vic's

Be there or be square (or be not in Columbus, Ohio- in which case you may or may not be square, but coming to the show is not a determining factor).

What are those brown chunks floating in the gravy sauce?

I wrote this song about 8 years ago when I was not a vegetarian. It humors me. It usually humors others, too. I hope it humors you.

Is something still cheesy if it’s done with full awareness of the cheese-factor?

Oldfield's on High is a bar with that regularly hosts live music in the OSU campus area. We were invited by Pinebox and Jester Jack Band to do a show with them on Halloween night. We went on first around 10:30pm and played a 45 minute set. The sound system was pretty darn good and the guy running it was quite nice. There was a super-nice woman named Brenda who was taking video of all the acts. I had the chance to talk with her later... definitely an awesome person. I'll post her footage when she gets a chance to upload it.

Backstage while Pinebox set up, I got a chance to talk with Greg from Jester Jack Band. Greg just joined their band a month ago as the bassist. A few years back, we was part of Willie Phoenix’s band. We bonded over the stickers on my guitar case. Yeah, cheesy as it is, I do put stickers all over my guitar case. Where the heck else should I put these cool stickers? I mean, I’ll only put a select few on my car. Is something still cheesy if it’s done with full awareness of the cheese-factor?

<-----Kyle from Pinebox.

Pinebox did a great set. They create an awesome, chill environment. We all swapped CDs. Adam digs our song, “They Grow It.” (Thanks, Adam!) Kyle took photos while we played, so I tried to take some good ones of them to return the favor. (Thanks, Kyle!) We’re looking forward to our show with Pinebox on Nov. 21st at Vic’s.

Adam ---> from Pinebox. Adam and I have matching shirts.

Rich and I stayed for a good chunk of Jester Jack Band’s set. They are a jam band. They did a really good cover of a Pink Floyd song (yeah, I know them well enough to know it was Pink Floyd, but not well enough to name the ultra-popular song that was covered). Jack’s voice is good and his guitar playing is excellent. The drummer was solid. Really, the bassist, Greg, was amazing especially as he’s only been with them for one month.

<-----Logan from Pinebox.

So that's that. I was jazzed b/c my phone said 1:30am when Rich and I left the

bar.

Unfortunately, time changed that night, so it was 2:30am. So it goes.

Spooky Eye-ball Clown OR Cute Bumble Bee???

Why hello! We'll be at Oldfield's on High on Halloween night!! I'm trying to decide if I should be a spooky eye-ball clown or a cute bumble bee. I guess it will depend on my mood that night. Halloween is definitely my favorite holiday. Good times to be had. Oh yes.

WHAT: Show featuring Pinebox, Jester Jack, and TSAN!
DATE: Saturday, October 31st
WHEN: 10PM
WHERE: Oldfield's On High
2590 N High St
Columbus, OH 43202
COST: TBA
WHO: Anyone and everyone over 21

CHECK OUT THE BANDS HERE: http://pinebox.org/ AND http://jesterjackband.com/
CHECKOUT THE VENUE: http://www.oldfieldsonhigh.com/

RECAP: 2 Shows- GOBS of ROCK.

On Saturday, September 12th, we did a show at the Treehouse. It was Electric Grandmother's 100th show AND Hotel Eden's last resident show in Columbus. It was also a home OSU game... an evening game! It was decided that OSU football home games kill the music scene. Luckily, there were some non-football folks ready to rock. Pinebox started the show around 10PM. Very cool electro groove going on with neat visuals... We went on after them. We had a bit of a hang-up with a lack of steady electricity. So Rich's laptop was acting up. And sooo... we had to cut a couple songs from our set to be courteous to the other performers.







<------Proof Electric Grandmother then took the stage. They do sitcom-core: rocking songs mocking and celebrating sitcoms from the 80's and 90's. Pete writes/ sings the songs... Mary Alice puts together and operates the slide show to go with them. The combo is super-fun, silly, and high-energy. Happy 100th show!!

Hotel Eden finished the night with his last set in Columbus as a resident. He's heading to San Fran. I was jazzed to get to see him live. Great electro-pop music with a DJ twist. Super-cool.

On Friday, September 18th, we did a show at Victorian's Midnight Cafe (Vic's) with my friend Kevin Milner. Kevin traveled from Dayton to join us. Due to 315's awesomely confusing construction and detours, he made a rock-and-roll entrance just in time to hop on stage. Kevin started a bit after 9PM and did an hour+ set. He does heart-felt folk music. It was wonderful to hear him play again. He even did a Kimya Dawson cover. :) As an added bonus, we got to meet his fiance and brother. Very cool people.








That's Kevin Milner---->




Rich and I did an hour and half set. We played our usually set-list plus "Mourning Time" (a new song). I think it was well-received. It was great to play for some folks that hadn't heard us live before. Great, attentive audience. Good vibe. We'll be at Vic's again on November 21st. It's a great place to play... very cozy... great sound... full bar... good coffee... tables and bar stools... nice set-up for sure.

Thanks to Katie and Bob for taking pictures... you can check them out on our flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/teamsmileandnod/sets/72157622375979973/

POLITICAL DYNAMITE!

A couple weeks ago, Rich and I met with Alexandra Kelley from Columbus Underground. We had a great chat. She was very interested in why we market our band, Team Smile and Nod, as "lesbian-fronted". I was jazzed to be asked that question.

Here's a snippet from the article about our CD, Look Both Ways Before You Die:
"With 20 tracks, it blasts through themes of homophobia, vegetarianism, and consumerism like a smoking chunk of political dynamite. Some of her lyrics make hardcore statements and others teem with dark humor, but all are designed to provoke discussion."

POLITICAL DYNAMITE. Love it. :)

Go here to read more:
http://www.columbusunderground.com/lesbian-musician-takes-a-stance

KELLIE MANIER PHOTO

September 12th: Team Smile and Nod, Pinebox, Electric Grandmother, and Hotel Eden at the Treehouse!

If you are in Columbus, do come by the Treehouse this Saturday. It's a pretty sweet line-up of electro bands. It also happens to be Electric Grandmother's 100th show AND Hotel Eden's last show in Columbus before he moves to San Francisco. Pinebox puts on a sweet show with a video background (so does EG). Point being... this should be very fun.

In summary, I've been reading a wonderful book called cunt- a declaration of independence by Inga Muscio. I recommend it to everyone. In the world. It is mind-blowing. Often it gives words to thoughts I've had and didn't know how to verbalize. I should have read it years ago when Katie recommended it to me. Don't make the same mistake as I did. Read it now! Cue: Reading Rainbow theme music...