It's Called The Music Business

Check out the March 2009 (#248) issue of Alternative Press magazine in which I reveal some "insider" advice in the DIY column. This issue features Thursday or Bring Me The Horizon on the cover.

I started reading AP about six years ago - it's one of the best ways to find out about new music and it goes out to more than 200,000 eager music fans. It's on shelves now at most major stores - you can pick it up at Newbury Comics, Best Buy, FYE, Hollister, Hot Topic, or where ever you fancy.

Twenty First Birthday

Yesterday was my 21st birthday. I started off my day in Boston at the State House. I was invited to a major gathering of government officials and business leaders where the discussion was focused on the state's technology sector. Heads from Google, IBM, Microsoft, Cisco, iRobot and many more filled the room. Governor Patrick posed questions about how the state can position itself to be the leader in tech sector, help the sector flourish, and retain it's brightest companies, entrepreneurs, and students. So far, I've been very impressed with his administration's attention and enthusiasm about the topic.

After the meeting came to an end, I met many new faces and got plenty of "happy birthdays!" On my way out, Governor Patrick asked me, "you don't plan on leaving us?" (referring to the state) and to which I replied, "certainly not, I was born and raised in MA and plan on staying..." The truth is, I do plan on staying in state and I'm really starting to dig Boston, especially because of the many new friends and connections I've made there in the last few months.

After the tech-filled morning, we made our way down to Providence. We checked out some local art at a few galleries, notably the Providence Art Club, a few antique shops looking for decor for my new (but 1870's) place, and explored a few neighborhoods. We also, for the first time, checked out the Rhode Island State Capitol building, designed by McKim, Mead and White. Two state houses in one day, not bad. We visit this city often (one of my favorite small capitals) and try to capture something new each time.

After the adventures, for my birthday celebration/dinner, Elizabeth took me to one of my favorite restaurants, Capriccio. It's the basement of an old marvelous, mansard-roof-having, bank building on the edge of the financial district near the river. Check this place out if you're ever in Providence.

Back in town

I couldn't find the time to write about the Budapest adventures, but to wrap it all up... it was an amazing experience and probably one of my favorite cities (it tops the list along with Gdansk). Back to reality, the New Year has started off nicely for my company Ten Minute Media with many new projects in the works. I'm excited to see how this year will move forward for my company, community and country with the new leadership.

Last Saturday, was Gasoline Alley's holiday party in Springfield, MA. The event brought people from all over the region, Boston, New York and even as far south as Virginia. I met a lot of great socially and environmentally conscious business hustlers, such as the people behind Generation Sustain up in Shelburne Falls (town that is home to Bill Cosby), Kopali Organics and Earth Advertising from New York City. Although there was a nasty snow storm in play, a hundred or so people filled the transformed, post-industrial entrepreneurial oasis with energy and stimulating conversation.