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Today we recorded the drums, bass and some keyboard for the new album at Engine Room Audio in New York City - a small recording studio on Canal Street above a Buddhist monastery.

The session went incredibly well and I'm so pleased with what we tracked today.  Rob Jost (bass) and David Berger (drums) did some amazing work and I can't wait until we add in guitar and some other instruments and get these tracks mixed and master and ready for you to hear.

Just want to say a big "Thank You" to everyone who came to the show last night.  It was great to see a lot of familiar smiling faces and I really appreciate your support particularly those who travelled from out of town.

The band was brilliant and I felt very proud to share the new songs for the first time with you all.

The set line-up was:

Divided By Zero
Surf For A Remedy
Crumbs
I Never Loved You
Pretending I Don't Care
A Little Too Comfortable
Mister Nice Guy

Yesterday I had a fantastic rehearsal with the band for the show this coming Thursday. We rocked out in a rehearsal studio in midtown Manhattan and I came away feeling really proud of the new songs for the upcoming EP.

I really owe a special thanks to co-producer Soren Anders who has really helped guide the songs into a new direction. I'm really excited to be working with some truly talented musicians on the record. They all have amazing music projects of their own so check out the links below:

Last night I was at the Bowery Ballroom (after I mistakenly headed to the Hamerstein Ballroom) to see Teitur - the singular named musician from the Faroe Islands who won rave reviews for his 2003 debut album Poetry & Aeroplanes. He has the most interestingly awkward stage presence and I love this quote from John Mayer I found on wikiquotes:

Last night was the third kaBALL in NYC. A workshop for musicians to try out new material in front of an invited audience. The idea is to perform song that haven't been performed in front of an audience to test them out. I performed three new songs; Surf For A Remedy, Crumbs and Divided By Zero, which (if all goes to plan) should all make it onto the first EP due out in July.

Here are the other band and artists that performed with links to their websites:

My friend Hannah McKeand is off on yet another adventure. She is about to attempt to be the first woman to ski solo to the North Pole!! Yes... I know... absolutely crazy if it wasn't for the fact that she raises a tremendous amount of money from her adventures for the charity "Breakthrough Breast Cancer."

OK so it's been nearly three months since I last wrote on here and I know I promised that I would write more often but... well I don't really have an excuse other than I have been completely absorbing myself in as much music as possible as inspiration for my new album.

I think I have been to more music events in the first fifty days of 2008 than I did in the whole of 2007.

Here are a few highlights:

So after much deliberation I have decided to change my artist name from just DARREN back to my birth name of Darren Ockert before the release of my next album.
As much as I hate those "Five Reasons To..... [fill in the blank]" - that is how I'll explain the decision :)

Five Reasons To Use Your Real Name:

Just got back from seeing Soren Anders' (from Shimmerplanet) solo performance at Goodbye Blue Monday in Brooklyn.

A fantastic set by Soren trying out some new material. This place is crazy. A mess of antiques and memorabilia - a stark contrast of disorganization against Anders very organized and methodical compositions. The perfect end to the week!

It was great to catch up with Carolyn Eufrasio (also from Shimmerplanet). Carolyn I expect you to comment!!! :) Please tell about the act before Soren and the Pussy Cat.

Children no longer allowed to hug
This is news, this is weird
Will the outrage be swept under the rug?
Is there anything more to be feared?

Yesterday a student takes out a gun
In Finland randomly killing eight
Bullied and broken the story is spun
Perhaps just a hug might have dampened the hate

The media preaches fear
Always sensationalized
Always exaggerated
Always believed

More toys recalled
This time tainted with drugs
Corporations cutting corners
Or is someone, something intent to do harm?

[UPDATE] So someone asked what I was talking about. Here's a link to the stupid hugging ban story.