Jake Rathburn

Welcome to the joy of indecision.

Due to incredibly  quick marketing research I’ve decided on going with GODS OF COLORADO as our main project name, as previously posted (and questioned). Just a heads up: EAT DINNER TO THIS was a total fail; not even the co-creator of the name, Vishnu Thyagarajan, turkey-hat-wearing-on-his-fb-profile-pic and my long-lost-ex-guitarist, likes it. In my defense, I was thinking of going with it and then getting a steady restaurant gig. Kind of like “build the marketing right in there”. It’s so shitty, I soon learned. It’s neither funny, intriguing, nor does it roll of your tongue.

DEBT MAGNET, however, has potential. I originally thought of it while driving with my knee, thinking “Jake, what’s something that would look cool on a T-shirt?” After all, half of  what’s going to keep the tour bus rolling is merchandise. And, that in mind, DEBT MAGNET could fit pretty much any musician – we (musicians) spend a lot of money on equipment and years working on our craft, time that could have been spent working for the IRS, incurring plenty of negative income instead. Also, since my lyrics are generally cynical, I think it could work. I would wear that shirt and I think a lot of folks would. Kinda douchie, but if the graphics were just right, it could be pulled off. Regardless, I think it will be the name for a side project.

DEBT MAGNET, an unlikeably-named side project.

Photoshop is smarter than we are.

It’s pretty good. What do you think? [Please leave a comment below. Someone other than family please. I’m trying to be a star over hear.]

FYI 1 Gods of Colorado are going to be opening for the Jeff Shephard Band this coming Friday, Aug. 26th at the Red Light Cafe in Atlanta. Be there! We’ll be going on at 7:30 and crushing it. If you come out and buy a CD from me, I will buy you a drink.

FYI  2  I now have a trio. Ok, really it’s going to be different drummers and a bass players in rotation backing me up, but we go together like plaid on a lumberjack.

Yes! I’m excited to announce a new project name for my music, the shooting of a my first professional music video this Thursday, and a show you’ll kick yourself for missing…

Following a brainstorming session with my closest kin from the Atlanta Music & Video Collaborative, I’ve decided on a name for my project. After spending an hour racking brains and debating between Rosedale Hotel and a few others, the words on a coffee mug in the room won: Garden of the Gods Colorado, or simply Gods of Colorado. Kind of cool. What do you think? I bought the domain already just in case you like it and want to steal it. Checkmate, sucker!

Also, on the table this week is shooting my first professional music video. It’s a heartfelt solo acoustic song called “A Better Way Home” which I wrote this past Spring. It’s going to be simple and real – a live performance shot with 3 cameras. I will not be lip-syncing because I’m not down with that. A special thanks to Gabe Hinson, Rob Agocs, Meghan Couture, and Nsil for shooting and helping put this together.

FYI for anyone in Atlanta on August 8th, catch Gods of Colorado at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, GA for the open mic competition. It’s gonna be a great show with national acts coming through, trying to steal my rightful prize.

Jake

Continuing development of my 1st music video, I’d like to thank you guys for submitting your concepts this past week. They were anonymous so I have no idea who suggested what, but there were some good ones in there! Thanks! But to tell you the truth, I had a breakthrough this past week when I realized that my music debut would be much easier and harder hitting (no pun intended) if I actually stood for something as an artist. I’ve decided to do everything I can to end domestic violence.

Half of the proceeds from my first album will either go to NewBeginnings.org or another non-profit company that helps women and their children get away from unhealthy situations.

My first video will center around domestic violence awareness. The Atlanta Music & Video Collaborative  and I have chosen the song “Crisis Island” for our first music video. It’s a very real song to me and was inspired by a relationship that should have ended much soon (or not began at all) . For the video, we’ve chosen to make it about a couple that – for the most part – have a great relationship. The guy is charismatic and his girlfriend’s family loves him. Unfortunately, echoing real life, the female character stuffs the fact that her boyfriend can be, at times, physically abusive. Often, women tend to stuff or deny there is a problem, blame themselves for an abuser’s behavior, and do whatever it takes to “protect” their man. Other women just can’t get away by themselves, even though they’ve chosen to.

I’d like to make this video as impacting as possible. If you have any feedback or a personal story you would like to share to aid to the realism of the video, feel free to contact me.  I will hold any specific information in confidence.

Thanks,
Jake

Today is the first day of the rest of my musical career. There are no more excuses and I want to be transparent to you, my fans. Currently, my path involves the following 2 main items:

CRYSTAL AS STAND-IN MANAGER Haven’t blogged in a few weeks. I hope you’ve missed me. I’ve missed you! This week has been a turning point. I’ve decided to ask my girl and trusted friend, Crystal, to be my stand-in manager for the next 2 months. I can’t do everything on my own and want to make sure I continue asking for help on the things I’m not good at. And assembling a team is something I suck at. So she’s agreed to help corral my workflow as well as kick my butt to make me “manageable”, so in 2 months I am ready as a musician to actually seek a real manager: practicing and making sure my expressions and mood match whichever song I’m doing. There’s a lot to the performance and I really appreciate the help. I’ll be video-ing individual songs, reviewing them with her and taking notes in terms of the performance as well as production refinement.

FIND A PRODUCER TO DEVELOP MY SOUND I’ve started looking for a studio at which to record. It’s been tough – getting the run-around from a reputed studio in Atlanta. Then just going with a google search I found one near me. I found one that’s 15 or so minutes from the house and I trust I’ll get a good product. However, I’ve realized what I really need is a producer who can “produce” me. There’s a big difference between someone recording you and getting the “sounds” correct versus someone who is pushing you – or creatively matching you in the studio. I think the best way to do this is just to try one song out. So I’m going to work on recomposing and developing “Crisis Island”.

“Why that song?” you may ask. “It’s not really my favorite…”

Well, I’ve got a trick up my sleeve, and if you’re FB friends with JAKE RATHBURN and “Become a Fan” of JAKE RATHBURN MUSICIAN, you’ll hear about it soon and it will all make sense.

Thanks so much and wish me luck!

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