tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56913522011-08-27T09:02:59.649-04:00The sights, sounds and secrets of Dis-taste-r. Alternative pop from Athens, Georgia.Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comBlogger511100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-82156118411517802682010-11-30T01:34:00.000-05:002010-11-30T02:03:17.904-05:00

Jon Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05574383811996306051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-48863167604574235552010-04-20T20:40:00.002-04:002010-04-20T20:43:30.531-04:00

I have accepted an opportunity to play the first annual Bobfest at the gazebo at Lake Olmstead in Augusta, Georgia, Saturday 29 May. I'll be doing a version of "Brownsville Girl" and then I'll take a short walk over to the stadium and watch the Green Jackets play the Asheville Tourists.

Jon Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05574383811996306051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-11288127261205183552009-12-16T04:59:00.001-05:002009-12-16T04:59:58.343-05:00

Jon Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05574383811996306051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-86560402111318792572009-10-05T01:20:00.001-04:002009-10-05T01:22:04.220-04:00

Now there is an official dis-taste-r page on Facebook. I invite you to become a fan and I thank you for your support.

Jon Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05574383811996306051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-73328621299064286172008-11-16T16:58:00.000-05:002008-11-16T16:59:32.976-05:00

I have reissued the 2006 "Terry & Holly" EP for sale through Amazon's mp3 store. I used the CreateSpace service which allows authors to upload and submit music, video or text for sale and with no up-front costs. I have also submitted another EP with "The Bowman Draws" as its lead single, and I expect that to be available on Amazon as well within the next couple of days.

Jon Lesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05574383811996306051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-36603593172560287542008-10-23T13:26:00.002-04:002008-10-23T13:30:44.869-04:00

I recently posted these two videos, both of which were used at the recent show. I'm thinking of orchestrating a contest around the "Honestly" karaoke video, which I'll detail later. "The Bowman Draws" has what I call a provisional video because I borrowed the clips from freestockfootage.com and I expect to make an official video for the song in the coming months. Unlike the performance version I

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-39505621001388340202008-10-09T04:23:00.002-04:002008-10-09T04:24:29.840-04:00

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-11496814981524642902007-10-26T20:38:00.000-04:002007-10-26T20:40:07.337-04:00

I have begun streaming audio through a Shoutcast server, audible with Winamp. These will be sporadic at first but more frequent and continuous in the coming days.In the first test streams and in tonight's (Friday), I am looping the entire album, "X-mas," the first by my old band, Radio:Tahiti (which will get its own MySpace page soon), originally released 23 December 1992 and remastered with

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-59966511815797083642007-05-01T15:39:00.000-04:002007-05-01T15:41:58.884-04:00

You'll notice I removed the post announcing the Chapel show for Saturday 19 May and that's because I was told the other acts are canceling. I haven't spoken to the people at Chapel but I think the whole show may be canceled. I don't really know them but I need to go by and see the place sometime soon, anyway, and if they let me keep the show, I'll repost.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-46139412694966779562007-04-24T03:44:00.001-04:002007-04-24T03:44:52.868-04:00

There will be no more of my Monday karaoke nights at Tasty World. I thank and apologize to those who came in past editions but my decision is final.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-88921750904954801762007-04-16T22:31:00.000-04:002007-04-16T22:35:03.256-04:00

As an added convenience for those who bring Internet-equipped mobile devices to my regular karaoke night every Monday, I have placed my current song list online at http://www.jonlester.com/karaoke.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-9731096257280552692007-03-30T23:40:00.000-04:002007-03-30T23:51:16.386-04:00

I have a couple of minor things to constitute an update, at least enough to keep the page active.I'll be taking a break from Monday karaoke in the coming week but the weekly event will resume the following Monday 9 April. This Monday Tasty World will have a benefit for Nuci's Space, which is always a good cause. I was told I could put on a short karaoke set after the bands play but I decided that

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1170371442476526902007-02-01T18:07:00.000-05:002007-02-01T18:10:42.486-05:00

This week I did two small things that might help more than a little. I remade the front page at my main site and I joined the Vampire Freaks site, after learning of it through Android Lust.VF sort of makes up for the disappearance of the Electromancer site and it seems to stay active by its users, so hopefully this will last a long time.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1165563800140512662006-12-08T02:42:00.000-05:002006-12-08T02:43:20.150-05:00

Thanks to all the other acts involved, particularly Trish from Still Small Voice & the Joyful Noise, I have been added to the super Christmas show at Little Kings, Friday 22 December. The complete lineup is Distaster with The Baldness, Mikey Dwyer, Nice Machine, Mother Jackson and Still Small Voice & the Joyful Noise. I'm first and I'm also thinking about making eggnog, so there you have two

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1165189846632341172006-12-03T18:50:00.000-05:002006-12-03T18:53:30.846-05:00

As always, I thank my old friend and fellow traveler Gordon Lamb for another set of nice words about last Monday's show, printed in last week's Flagpole magazine. I thank him every time because I feel no sense of entitlement from friends with journalism responsibilities, as I like to feel I've earned the mentions on the merits of my work. Below is the set questions and answers Gordon submitted

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1164601637439773182006-11-26T23:12:00.000-05:002006-11-26T23:27:17.533-05:00

I had this show booked for two months yet I forgot to post it here. Tonight I am appearing with 8-Track Gorilla, Sleepy Horses and Fancie, at Tasty World in Athens. I don't know where I am in the order and it shouldn't matter, because all the acts are worth hearing.I'm up against a benefit for incumbent Athens mayor Heidi Davison, who faces a runoff with challenger Charlie Maddox. Again, my show

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1159652085437222162006-09-30T17:34:00.000-04:002006-09-30T17:34:45.446-04:00

Last night I was booked to play Thursday 5 October at Caledonia with Courtesan. This was an opening that happened late and Coley was nice enough to let me fill the void, as my format allows me to easily book on short notice.I remembered after having agreed to it that MusickFest is happening that night at the 40 Watt. This is a benefit for Wendy Musick of Southern Bitch. I plan to catch as much of

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1158948288080164832006-09-22T13:58:00.000-04:002006-09-22T14:13:55.623-04:00

I now have the new Xmas single available for online purchase and download. "Hamburger Xmas Eve" (featuring Clay Leverett of Lona and Now It's Overhead) is actually included as a B-side to "Terry & Holly," and these are packed with "Essie, the Aussie Swimdancer" (featuring Dave Marr of Star Room Boys) into a zip file. The audio files are 256kbps mp3's so the quality is considerably higher than

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1158453676673483702006-09-16T20:38:00.000-04:002006-09-16T20:41:16.683-04:00

This year I'm trying to get the holiday product out more in advance of Christmas than I usually manage. I have uploaded "Hamburger Xmas Eve" to the MySpace page. This is the one featuring Clay Leverett of Lona, the Chasers and Now It's Overhead. It was recorded last December but it will be included with "A Very Lester Xmas 2006."

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1156306488608062342006-08-23T00:11:00.000-04:002006-08-23T00:39:10.726-04:00

This is a test to see how well embedded video links work here and to show my first real YouTube upload, a karaoke file for "The Bowman Draws." The full vocal version can be found at the MySpace page.The text doesn't match the audio on playback, which I now know happened in the conversion because it still looks right in KaraFun. At any rate, the real news here is I've begun video work for the act

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1156286817788722402006-08-22T18:45:00.000-04:002006-08-22T18:46:57.800-04:00

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1155818629954645032006-08-17T08:41:00.000-04:002006-08-17T08:44:55.750-04:00

Thanks to the Shut Ups and Still Small Voice & the Joyful Noise, I have been added to the Caledonia Lounge bill for Thursday 24 August. I'm not sure but I might attempt to integrate some video in the performance. Whatever I end up doing, come out.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1149569241616711932006-06-06T00:42:00.000-04:002006-06-06T01:02:38.096-04:00

A short video clip from Thursday's show was kindly uploaded to the 40 Watt pages at MySpace and YouTube. I've believed those two outlets are the way to go for premiering any new video from any artist on any level; I got started a little earlier than I expected. Hopefully soon I'll have a complete song's video up. I have the means and the ideas to do it now.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1148250852237686552006-05-21T18:26:00.001-04:002006-05-21T18:34:12.236-04:00

I've been added to the 1 June bill at the 40 Watt with Garbage Island and Slackdaddy. I don't think I've played a set on that stage since about 1997 so I'm very pleased to do it. Come out.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1141778858512471872006-03-07T19:38:00.000-05:002006-03-07T19:58:12.446-05:00

I am not on it this year. I've taken my time reporting this because it's both unsurprising and kind of lame. R.E.M. was chosen, and my best guess for why would be to sell the entire run of AthFest CD's to the completists who want a hard copy of the previously download-only "Wanderlust (Clayton St. Studio Version)." There are some good things on the disc but once again, you'll have to take the

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1140360268634156502006-02-19T09:25:00.000-05:002008-01-26T18:32:57.775-05:00

I decided to make the new single and its artwork available for download, which I don't think is a bad approach. Considering that this includes a cover I don't think I'll be making a retail version of this single, anyway. The new album will definitely be called "Kountry Kaliphate" and you can now download "Honestly," this version of which was completed just last Monday. Also included are "Someone

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1139749075569222392006-02-12T07:51:00.000-05:002006-02-12T07:57:55.580-05:00

It might be a little early to announce artwork for the next album but since making it last night, I think this design might be a hit and it's hard to make myself hold it back. Since there's already a trademarked Redneck Jihad, I might be using a name like "Country Caliphate." This will at least make it to some flyers for upcoming shows.Originally I wanted to do a scheme like this for an AthFest

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1139163320764249812006-02-05T13:12:00.000-05:002006-02-05T13:15:20.776-05:00

In case anyone becomes a Distaster completist, for who knows what reason, I have for a limited time a free cover song available for download, The The's "Uncertain Smile," recorded at the next to last show I did. It's not great quality but it's a free curio for all of you.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1136229197389771612006-01-02T14:09:00.000-05:002006-01-02T14:13:17.400-05:00

They're soliciting AthFest CD submissions early this year, due by the end of the month. Today I'm turning in "The Bowman Draws." Judging by people's feedback to this song, I think it's a strong entry so we'll see if that's what makes the difference between acceptance and rejection. They typically ask for "previously unreleased" songs but considering that "A Very Lester Xmas" wasn't put in stores,

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1134714589833468442005-12-16T01:23:00.000-05:002005-12-16T01:29:49.846-05:00

"A Very Lester Xmas" is completed and ready for local release. I will be performing at the Tasty World Christmas party Thursday 22 December and I will also be running the karaoke. Come out.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1133291943322899172005-11-29T14:16:00.000-05:002005-11-29T14:41:29.306-05:00

I expect to have "A Very Lester Xmas 2005" together very soon, however many songs it ends up being. For the first new holiday single I've chosen "Parade," because the Athens Christmas Parade is Thursday. This was actually recorded in 2003 and it wasn't really finished but the form I left it in seems reasonably complete on its own. This one is also encoded in mp3PRO format.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1129922537020892262005-10-21T15:20:00.000-04:002005-10-21T15:22:17.026-04:00

This was actually recorded 28 June with Asa Leffer but I'm only just now putting it out. I was expecting to do more with this particular recording but I didn't want to wait any longer releasing a version of it at least. This is "Someone New," encoded as an mp3PRO file.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1127696548269443962005-09-25T20:58:00.001-04:002005-09-25T21:02:28.270-04:00

I have been added on short notice to the Wednesday 28 September bill at Tasty World in Athens. I'm playing first, around 10:15, opening for Dirty Sanchez & the Pancho Villas, Cave Wizard and the Dumps. Come out.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1127696474514114542005-09-25T20:58:00.000-04:002005-09-25T21:01:14.520-04:00

I have been added on short notice to the Wednesday 28 September bill at Tasty World in Athens. I'm playing first, around 10:15, opening for Dirty Sanchez & the Pancho Villas, Cave Wizard and the Dumps. Come out.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1113972686528184792005-04-20T00:31:00.000-04:002005-04-20T00:51:26.530-04:00

Last week I put out a floppy disk single, something I haven't done in a long time, of the new song, "The Bowman Draws." Using mp3PRO encoding, which allows CD-quality sound at 64kbps, we can fit any hi-fi song under 3 minutes in length on a floppy disk. I used to do this with lo-fi mp3's, figuring people would recognize it was a free novelty anyway. I have now released the song to the

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1111578322601860312005-03-23T06:34:00.000-05:002005-03-23T06:45:22.603-05:00

It will surprise no one that the new Athfest compilation CD includes a preponderance of Ghostmeat Records artists and therefore a narrow opportunity at best for the rest of us to be included. I actually submitted "Spartanburg" and "Forgotten" well in advance of the deadline and because they asked us to submit previously unreleased songs, I had to wait until they announced the lineup before doing

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1103066691432004272004-12-14T18:21:00.000-05:002004-12-14T18:24:51.433-05:00

It's time once again for a performance of "A Very Lester Xmas" and this year it'll be Tuesday 21 December at Tasty World in Athens. The only other act on the bill is local karaoke man R.C. Cowboy. This night will also be the Tasty World Xmas party as well as bartender A.J. Bowen's going-away party, as he's moving to Los Angeles this month. Come out.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1101347271702568262004-11-24T20:46:00.000-05:002004-11-24T20:47:51.703-05:00

Many warm thanks to my old friend and fellow traveler Gordon Lamb for his kind words in this week's Flagpole. All I did was tell him I had some songs posted. It feels good to have new press again.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1099969922522371112004-11-08T22:01:00.000-05:002004-11-09T01:45:34.806-05:00

I have set up a temporary Distaster web site and uploaded two complete songs as Internet-only singles. "Almost Like Another Day" is a holiday song from "A Very Lester Xmas," a collection of all-original holiday-oriented songs. This is the second demo vocal mix and was actually made last year. "Spartanburg" is one of two songs I recorded with Asa Leffer on 14 July this year. I would have

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1087354205255434572004-06-15T22:37:00.000-04:002004-06-15T22:50:05.256-04:00

Upstairs Show I should have posted this earlier. I was asked to join the bill next Monday 21 June with 1358 and Hooves ov the Beast (actual intentional spelling). It should be easy and laid back. I really don't know where I am in the order.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1084214316941494502004-05-10T14:36:00.000-04:002004-05-10T14:38:36.940-04:00

Tonight See the flyers for tonight's show here and here.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1081205973059411832004-04-05T18:59:00.000-04:002004-04-05T19:02:14.826-04:00

Premiere A date has been set for the first performance under the name Distaster. The show will be Monday 10 May. We're definitely sharing the bill with 1358 and a "comedian" named Little Dave, I think (not my idea at all). Hopefully Synchro Nine Factor will confirm also. More details will follow soon.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1078740831375199152004-03-08T05:13:00.000-05:002004-03-08T05:16:05.233-05:00

Advantage: Me It looks like the name Distaster is a winner. I got the number one search result on Yahoo, with all the other results somebody's bad spelling. In other news, I decided not to rush myself to make the AthFest CD submission deadline. Not only would the odds be against Russ Hallauer selecting my music (because I'm not a Ghostmeat artist), I also stand to make more money working

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1075879312325807962004-02-04T02:21:00.000-05:002004-02-04T02:23:32.840-05:00

For Clarity Yes, Distaster is the name of both an act and a record label, both mine.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1075873802019197702004-02-04T00:50:00.000-05:002004-02-04T00:52:40.810-05:00

New Directions So now that "A Very Lester Xmas" has come and gone, it's time to get out the non-holiday music and to present the new act Distaster. The format will remain open-ended as I care much more about the performance of songs than I do about being part of some homogeneous, monolithic band. In other words, I never again want to be only as good as the weakest member of whatever band I'm in,

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1068635319841275762003-11-12T06:08:00.000-05:002003-11-12T06:08:37.373-05:00

Download And here it is, the new song available in lo-fi mp3 and RealAudio formats.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1068623575761664172003-11-12T02:52:00.000-05:002003-11-12T02:52:52.713-05:00

Back on Stage It's official. "A Very Lester Xmas" will be performed Wednesday 17 December at Tasty World. Opening for me is none other than the legendary Hasil Adkins. A lo-fi mp3 of "Almost Like Another Day," my first promo single for the Xmas project, has been e-mailed to everyone whose address I could remember and will soon be posted on the web for everyone to access whenever they want.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1066794659896440292003-10-21T23:50:00.000-04:002003-10-21T23:51:00.100-04:00

Continuing Progress It looks like my holiday show at Tasty World will go through after all. We're not sure what day it will be exactly but it'll fall somewhere from Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 December. The event will be named "A Very Lester Xmas" and I'll have free egg nog available at the show. I found a good little drum program for free on the net called Hammerhead, which will run on the

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1065039524676616652003-10-01T16:18:00.000-04:002003-10-01T16:18:44.583-04:00

Motivation I'm productive again. Two songs are coming together, one a reworked original Christmas song called "Almost Like Another Day" and the other a completely new song that doesn't really have a title yet, just a working title, "Burg." I still don't have true multitrack capability at the moment so I'm working around it. For these two and some other songs I basically recorded some drum loops

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1061800689995618552003-08-25T04:38:00.000-04:002003-08-25T04:38:10.063-04:00

Dog Days and Summer Lethargy It's that time of August when the summer heat catches up with everybody and makes us all lethargic. Perhaps this is why, from a marketing standpoint, you don't announce new products in August...

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5691352.post-1061114774522083442003-08-17T06:06:00.000-04:002003-08-17T06:55:37.366-04:00

Announcing the Distaster news service, releasing the sights, sounds and secrets of Distaster artists, including Radio:Tahiti and the individual projects of Jon Lester. New recording is happening now. Short on machines, I am using a demo copy of PC Drummer for some of the backbeats, and since the demo has no "save" function I simply run a cable out to a tape deck and figure I can work from there.

Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10473918640402182026noreply@blogger.com