ALL 2024 POSTS
In The Daytime
Our First Music Video - And Memories Of Bigfellas 1.0
Everybody should have access to home movies of themselves. We do with this music video and a short almost film called "Idiots." What's even better about your home movies is that they contain great absent friends AND are legitimately funny.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-12-03 Read post
For Others
Review - Michael Tiernan New Album
A super cool concept record from San Diego's Michael Tiernan: A recorded collection of personalized song assignments for individuals. For Others finds Michael Tiernan leaning into clarity, restraint, and quietly confident songwriting.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-11-26 Read post
Dr. Strangelove
Oddly Familiar Satire of Power and Paranoia
Dr. Strangelove was made 60 years ago about how political extremism and human folly can create catastrophic consequences. This post examines the film's sadly enduring relevance to discussions of power, war, and global security.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-11-12 Read post
Music About The Music Industry
Spotify List Of Artists Biting The Awful Hand That Feeds Them
This curated Spotify playlist highlights songs where musicians fight back - calling out record deals, streaming money, toxic fame, touring and the grind of staying in the industry. Some of these artists' best work.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-09-24 Read post
Shay Bell on Video
Old Shindy.TV Video With Vintage Shay
Here's a video to see some of dearly departed Shay Bell, the crazy lovable Irish drummer from Wexford who made The Bigfellas' shows unforgettable. From pounding out beats to the band's on-stage antics - you can see some of what made Shay Shay here.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-08-27 Read post
Gig Story: Bobby's Idle Hour Tavern
California Fish Out Of Water In Nashville
Story about how a middlingly-successful singer/songwriter from California (me) booked and played original songs in Nashville.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-07-02 Read post
Is Spotify Worse Than The Old Days?
And A Case Study Of A Very Low-Level Band: Us
Everybody likes to point out how little artists make from Spotify, but where else are musicians making money from recorded music these days besides streaming services. We look at the macro and the micro, and we are very well positioned to be the micro example.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-06-25 Read post
Three Bands I Knew Who Should Have Made It
Proof That Music Is Not Really A Meritocracy
There are so many phenomenal bands and singers out there that none of us have ever heard of. Here are 3 whom I've met and loved; and who's lack of success pisses me off.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-06-18 Read post
Stuff On The Moon
Easier To Write A Song Than A 20,000-Word Article For Wired
This post looks at how the track came together, why it ended up closing Chubbed Up, and how humor, curiosity, and being too lazy to be a real writer all aligned to make a spacey groove. A behind-the-scenes look at a Bigfellas song that doesn't shout for attention, but sticks around long after the record ends.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-06-04 Read post
Making A Music Artist Website (Part 2)
Part 2 - Things You Should Do
We're uniquely positioned as software developers and musicians ourselves to define what's a successful music website and how to get there. Part 2 is a solid starting checklist.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-05-21 Read post
Making A Music Artist Website (Part 1)
Part 1 - Goals, Reasons and Some Things To Avoid
We're uniquely positioned as software developers and musicians ourselves to define what's a successful music website and how to get there. Part 1 also goes into some mistakes to avoid.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-05-14 Read post
Rufus Wainwright Playlist
If You Love Him, Or If You Don't Yet You Will
We're trying to be your one-stop shop for the best Rufus Wainwright songs with a sprinkling of thoughts on each of these 40 fantastic Rufus songs.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-04-30 Read post
The Hiya Photo That Never Was
Solo Album Cover Outtake
Brief look at a family photo that I almost used for a solo album, but didn't; why I still love this picture of my dad even though it was unusable from the get-go.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-03-19 Read post
Best & Worst Dressing Room Awards
The Dressies
The Bigfellas have always been a pretty local band to San Diego with limited little tours. But we've played enough places to have no dressing room, great dressing rooms and awful dressing rooms. [drum roll] With no further ado, The Dressies Awards!
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-03-05 Read post
"Time To Pretend" (MGMT)
Big Wednesday - Online Mini Concert
Recorded February 2024 in San Diego at Bigfellas HQ. A different take on MGMT's great song. Perhaps in this format you'll get a chance to really take in the words a little better. They're terrific.
* Posted by Charlie Recksieck on 2024-02-28 Read post
