It’s that time of year again… time to kick back with a cold beer, some fresh food, and your favorite piano rocker in my home studio. We’ll be touring another local brewery, grilling outside (weather permitting), and retiring to the studio afterwards for a private concert. As always, I’ll be providing some of my own home-brewed ale for those that are old enough to enjoy it. This year, there are even some special guests you’ll get to meet:

• Genesis Whitmore, comic artist for my current project The Lives of Dexter Peterson (Tentative)
• My parents. Yes, really. You get to meet the people that home-brewed me.
• Runtt, my amazing drummer and friend.

Also, we’ll be doing the annual Town Hall Meeting for all subscribers, laying out the plan for the next year. That part of the event will, of course, be streamed live, but I can’t send beer via UStream.

Album Release Preview Party

This year, the party’s not just about beer and the annual VIP goodie bags. This time I’m planning to release preview some tracks from the big project I’ve been working on all year! The Lives of Dexter Peterson will be quite far along at this year’s Beer Bash and I can’t wait to show you how things are progressing.

Where and How To RSVP

Here’s the part where only the VIP’s and up get to read on. If you’re not a VIP member, it’s not too late to become one! Just sign up for a VIP pass or upgrade your current pass now.

Notes:

About The Past 22 Months

• The entire concept of Matthew Ebel dot net was an experiment to begin with
• Started with an estimate, not real-world testing.
• After 11 months I reworked the model a little and it was a bit more realistic.
• After 22 months it‚Äôs time to adjust things again

My Goals

1. Create and deliver the best music possible.
2. Give my subscribers the best value for their money.
3. Give my subscribers way more than just albums, tracks, and concerts.
4. Not have a nervous breakdown before I turn 32.

Problem #1: Songwriting

• I am not happy with the quality I‚Äôve been delivering for the past year.
• I know I can make better music.
• I‚Äôm becoming more efficient in the studio, but not a better artist.
• I used to write a song, then re-write it for a few months.
• Because of the 2-week cycle, most of what you‚Äôre hearing is Draft One material.

Problem #2: Live Performance

• The one thing that will move my career forward are more live shows.
• Because of the 2-week release cycle, I have to rely on volunteers to book shows.
• I want to play bigger and better shows (not just to bigger and better crowds).
• I’ve already played twice as many shows this year as I did last year.
• As I‚Äôm focusing on more live performances, I will have even less time for songwriting and recording.

Problem #3: Not Living Up To My own Promises

• Matthew Ebel dot net was supposed to give subscribers more access than the average fan.
• What you want is behind-the-scenes stuff

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Right now I’m considering all that was discussed, so watch for some announced changes right here on the blog later today!

VIP Members: You’re officially invited to the second annual Beer Bash! If you can make it up to the Boston Area on July 31, 2010, you can join the party at Matthew’s new studio! Details below…

(If you’re not a VIP, it’s not too late to become one! Just grab a VIP Pass here…)

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Where and When:

• Saturday, July 31, 2010
  Noon-Whenever
• Matthew’s Studio
  (Address is on RSVP page.)

Right now we’re planning on touring Martha’s Exchange in Nashua. It’s a lot smaller than last year’s Harpoon Brewery tour, which means we’ll get a much more personal look at the process and the facilities for making local beer. Matthew can drive up to 6 people from his studio in Nashua, though the brewery is within reasonable walking distance if it’s not too hot.

After the brewery tour is over, it’s back to the studio for some backyard grilling and a taste of Matthew’s own homebrew (for the VIP’s that are old enough). You can bring your own grillables, munchables, and drinkables if you want, but Matthew will be providing food and snacks for the party.

RSVP

If you think you can make it, be sure to RSVP in advance! If you sign up less than a week before the event, we can’t guarantee there will be any food for you!

Also, each VIP can bring one non-VIP guest with them.

RSVP’s are handled by EventBrite at:
http://beerbash2010.eventbrite.com/
EVENT PASSWORD: bubbles

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Any questions? Just Contact Matthew or leave a comment here!

Photo by C.C. Chapman

This month’s live recording is a little shorter than most- just over half an hour. It’s also taken from a portable recorder, not straight from the sound system Matthew usually uses. The vibe in the room, however, was so good that we had to share this recording with the rest of the subscribers.

Download audio file (Ebel-Live-BeerBash09.mp3)
Matthew Ebel Live at the VIP Beer Bash 2009 – 51.7 MB MP3
Download Now »

(Also available as individual tracks.) – 51.6 MB ZIP
Download Now »

Just a video update from Matthew Ebel.

• The “I Blame The Spy” video contest is now over, results will be announced soon!
• The annual VIP Goodie Bags have now been ordered and will be shipping out soon. If you’re a VIP, you’ll get yours either in the mail or at the Beer Bash.
• It’s not too late to sign up for VIP Beer Bash 2009. If you’re a VIP member, be sure to grab a ticket here. If you’re not, you can still become a VIP at matthewebel.net/subscribe… but tickets are closing soon!
• Last, the new Matthew Ebel dot net Store will be opening soon with Songs from the Vault, vol. 1. Now you can grab the songs that you missed from the first six months! You’ll need to be an All-Access or VIP subscriber to get that, tho!

VIP Members: You’re officially invited to the first annual Beer Bash! If you can make it up to Boston on August 16, 2009, you can join the party at Matthew’s studio! Details below…

(If you’re not a VIP, it’s not too late to become one! Just grab a VIP Pass here…)

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Where and When:

• Sunday, August 16, 2009
  Noon-Whenever
• Harpoon Brewery, Boston
  Matthew’s Studio, Wellesley

Right now we’re planning on touring the Harpoon Brewery in downtown Boston. Tours start at noon, so we’ll want to get there about 11:30am. Matthew can drive up to 6 people from his studio in Wellesley to the the Alewife Red Line Stop (fare is $2 each way), or you can meet him there at 10:45am.

After the brewery tour is over, it’s back to the studio for some backyard grilling and a taste of Matthew’s own homebrew (for the VIP’s that are old enough). You can bring your own grillables, munchables, and drinkables if you want, but Matthew will be providing food and snacks for the party.

RSVP

If you think you can make it, be sure to RSVP in advance! If you sign up less than a week before the event, we can’t guarantee there will be any food for you!

Also, each VIP can bring one non-VIP guest with them.

RSVP’s are handled by EventBrite at:
http://beerbash2009.eventbrite.com/
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Any questions? Just Contact Us or leave a comment here!

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Download audio file (vip-update-20090405.mp3)
Just a few quick notes from Matthew:

• If you haven’t already added your shirt size to your profile, you might want to do that before the VIP Goodie Bags are sent out. Your profile can be edited at https://matthewebel.net/backstage/profile.php
• It’s time to plan the annual beer bash! If you think you can make it to Boston sometime this summer, please vote for the party details HERE
• It’s almost time to pick the first of 2 annual custom song winners! Stay subscribed and keep your ears on the VIP feed for the announcement…

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