Video From Monkeywhale.com

Little P, Emily Stewart, and myself recently did a video for a song off our upcoming album with the amazing Harvey Robinson of Monkeywhale Productions. All of the footage you see is us pretending. Even the spoken word intro. Harvey says it's good practice for making a "real" video, but to me, it's pretty real. This is an acoustic version of the song that we played in his hallway, the version off the album that we recorded at On Pop of the World Studios will be much crazier. A huge thanks to Harvey, Carolyn deBerry, and Donna Smith for helping us out and being awesome.

http://www.monkeywhale.com/sightandsound/this-was-live-once-ep-1-matty-sheets-and-some-of-the-blockheads/

-matty sheets

Blockheads Octopus Album Update

We've been recording an album since May. Yes, I know it is taking forever, but this is going to be the best recording I have ever been a part of.

We're in the final mixing stages out at On Pop of the World Studios in Reidsville, NC. My dear friend Randy Seals and I have been vigorously mixing the eight tracks that will be on our first album.

I change my mind all the time, but today I think the order will be :

Octopus

Swimming Pool

Three Big Squids

Slow Driver

Al's Diner

Shitty Day

Walking on Shark (Your Dog is Dog)

When You're Gone

I spent the weekend out there, and we're really getting close to being done. We mixed Swimming Pool for four hours, Al's Diner for about eight hours, Shitty Day took most of yesterday, and Three Big Squids took almost a day.

We only have three more to get done- with very small adjustments to the other five. I'm excited.

The biggest rush I get from mixing these tracks is realizing how damn good the Blockheads really are. Everyone played amazing stuff, and the vocals are divine. I get goose bumps every time Little P hits certain notes, or Erin takes some of the lead vocals on Shitty Day, or Jerrod comes in with a stellar harmony, or Emily's back up vocals just sound so spooky and perfect. These performances are outstanding, and the work Driveway Moore did to ensure great recordings of the instruments is equally outstanding. The vocals, and the mixing work that Randy has done out at On Pop of the World is super duper. We are really working well together on the mixes, and that goes a long way with me. I'm sure I can be a pain in the ass sometimes, as I tend to get rather particular about some things. Randy's patience and cooperation and general know-how is making all of this possible.

On Pop of the World is really a great place to work. Donna Smith, studio manager, is an old friend of mine and her presence seems to add to the good feeling I get when I'm over there.

We should be done within the month, and then it looks like we'll have to play some shows to earn the money to get this sucker duplicated. I can't wait.

-matty sheets

some photographs from the road (Charleston, SC)

The Blockheads play Kudu Coffee in Charleston, SC. All photographs by Melodi Fentress.

Little P takes us to what she called the secret art spot, behind an old strip mall to see some amazing street art.

Emily in the Tin Roof parking lot.

Little P talks to one of her many Charleston friends outside the Tin Roof.

Playing the Tin Roof was a lot of fun. Thanks to the sound guy for working his butt off for us (13 microphones).

The Blockheads rhythm section on the Tin Roof's outside area.

During the set. Little P, Jon, and a blur of Matty.

All photographs by Melodi Fentress. See you soon, Charleston.

notes from the road : Charleston, SC

A month or so ago, the Blockheads made their first trip to Charleston, SC to play a couple of shows. We had an outstanding time, hung out with excellent people, and played our asses off. Here are a few photographs from our five hour GPS guided drive from Greensboro to Charleston. A big thanks to Little P's folks for loaning us the van.


Little P's friends and sister live in Charleston and were very hospitable and supportive. We were put up on Danny and Joy's boathouse right near downtown. Both Danny and Joy work at The Early Bird Diner, where we had some of the best breakfast I've ever eaten. If you're in Charleston, go eat there. You won't be disappointed. Tell 'em the Blockheads send you.


Our first show was at Kudu Coffee Shop off Market St. We played on the patio, so it was horrifyingly hot, but the staff and sound man were very nice. I guess Kudu is a new place, so go check it out if your in the neighborhood. Good coffee, good food, great beer selection.

Some people came out, we had a fun time with it, and were warmed up and ready for the big show Sunday night. Local performer Laura Jane Vincent invited us to play her farewell-I'm-moving-to-Asheville, NC-show at the Tin Roof.

LV played and sang with a LOT of other Charleston musicians. It was a good time. Despite not knowing anyone, I felt the feeling of community in the room. There was lots of food, lots of hugs, lots of I-hate-goodbyes, and some tears. And quite a few drinks.

We wholeheartedly enjoyed playing the Tin Roof. We worked the patience of the sound man a bit- what with our all acoustic line up- but he worked it out and ran all thirteen channels on the board (including his talk-back microphone). We were well received, made friends, and hung out with some folks back at Danny and Joy's ship.

We came out of it a bit tighter, and with a new song called Wicket (named after our favorite of the three cats on the boathouse) about our trip. We will be performing it for the first time at our next show this Saturday at the Flatiron (we start things off at 10pm, then The Old One-Two, then The Alcazar Hotel plays their Greensboro CD release show).

Thanks, Charleston. We'll see you soon.

Check it out- Jerrod matches the couch.



-matty sheets (words and photographs)

the search for the Pond Monster continues...(Arlo gets wet)

Blockhead extraordinaire, Emily Stewart (vocals, banjo, dulcimer, Dixie honkelulu), has a dog. This dog's name is Arlo. I think his full name is Arlo Spaghetti Freddy, but I may have that wrong.

Anywhooo, Arlo is a bit afraid of the water, and has recently started swimming. Today we took him on a quest. A quest of the pond. A quest to find the Pond Monster.

We saw some weird stuff and got a bunch of blurry photos that look way worse than that footage of Bigfoot (shout out to my boy Bigfoot- miss you, buddy. Little P says playing the melodica just isn't the same without you).

The day was not a total loss, however. Emily and Melodi both caught exactly thirteen fish a piece.
-matty sheets

more on the Pond Monster.

P is for Progress.

A big Blockhead salute to our own Little P. Last night at Open Mic, she performed her first three song all original set accompanied only by her own guitar.
She's writing great songs that convey emotion bluntly and beautifully. She's singing out- loud and proud- in front of an audience of her peers, and for all of these things (and more), we'd like to recognize her talent and progress.
A big 'P' for Progress goes out to Little P for all of her hard work this week, from all of us here at Blockhead Headquarters.
-matty sheets