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Sonic Highways

I love it when a project that has consumed much time and mental energy finally starts falling into place.

That’s how I would describe this latest Cold Lazarus original song, which has been in the works for probably the past four weeks altogether.

In many ways it’s been a frustrating process, at least for me. I tend to be the more impatient member of the group when it comes to making forward progress, be it in terms of writing, booking or developing our associated artwork.

Truth be told, song development in this kind of vein is probably more common among bands than our thus far fast-paced writing routine. Up until now all of our songs, taken individually, have come together over the course of about a week or two at a time, thanks in large part to the fact that Adam is usually never hard up for song ideas.

The formula for all the songs that will be included on our first album has gone, more or less, like this: band meets for practice, Adam says, “So I’ve been working on a new song,” Adam plays new song idea, the rest of us play along and throw in our suggestions for alterations and additions, we arrange the song to our liking, and thus a new song (and usually about 10 minutes of playing time) is added to our repertoire.

The difference this time around is that we’ve been constructing this new tune from the ground up, with no preconceived notion of where it should go and what it should be. It’s been quite a learning process, and has required a certain amount of patience and restraint on my part. But, in actuality, I know that it’s not only a necessary step in the evolution of our writing, but one that I should be expressing more gratitude toward.

Truthfully, I feel like this new song, when it’s finally completed, will probably be the most substantial and fulfilling product to have come from our writing sessions yet. And I don’t just mean substantial in terms of length; although it’s already eclipsing the 15-minute mark, so there’s that. But with several distinct sections, which really play to our ever-improving rhythmic cohesiveness, being woven together throughout the piece it tells a sonic tale of who we are collectively and as individuals.

Over this past month I’ve been a part of creating something that more evenly reflects and balances the abilities and personas of each member of the band. In my opinion it’s been kind of emblematic of our growth as writers and performers, and I can’t wait to share it in a live setting — hopefully as early as next weekend’s Holiday-themed shows at Westfield’s Tap Room and at Mojo’s, respectively.

And so, for that reason, I know that I’ll be both proud and pleased with the end result. But that doesn’t mean I would wish for all of our songs to take this long to complete. After all, I’d love to be able to have enough material for a second album to be released by around summertime next year. A lofty goal, perhaps, but we’re certainly motivated enough.

As for the current album, the plan is to have all of the music tracked by the end of the week. After that, the only thing left would be vocals and some samples sprinkled in here and there.

Other than that, we just need to get some album art squared away and we should be good to go. I’m more than excited to finally release these songs.

More updates when I have them. See you next week!

And now, here’s some of what you can expect to find in the area this week.

HIGHLIGHTS

Vaudeville Dinner Theater To Be Held At Spire This Weekend: The Spire Theater and Big Time Productions will present Vaudeville Dinner Theater at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, reviving the nation’s once premier entertainment platform for modern audiences. Chiefly popular across the U.S. in the early 20th century, vaudeville typically featured a mixture of specialty acts such as burlesque comedy and song and dance. Some of the early Hollywood film stars to emerge in the following decades began their careers as vaudeville performers. Tickets to the show are $28.50 each, and must be purchased at least 24 hour in advance online at in-spire.us. Tickets in groups of four can be purchased for $100. Attendees will also receive a chicken dinner and dessert to go with their tickets.

The performances will be staged at the Spire Theater’s Odyssey Hall, 317 E. Third St. For more information, visit spiretheater.org or in-spire.us, or find the event on Facebook.

Reg Lenna To Host Community Block Party, Black Violin Concert Friday: The Reg Lenna Center for The Arts will kick off its 2017-18 season Friday at 7 p.m., when Billboard-charting crossover band Black Violin performs as part of their “Classical Boom” tour. Prior to the concert the Reg is hosting a block party in front of their entrance on Third Street from 4-7 p.m. for the general public.

Composed of classically-trained violist and violinist Wil B. and Kev Marcus, Black Violin will make their Western New York debut. The duo combine their classical training and hip-hop influences to create a distinctive multi-genre sound that is often described as “classical boom.” Black Violin has shared stages with top names including Kanye West, Aerosmith and the late Tom Petty, and has creatively collaborated with the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, Wyclef Jean and Alicia Keys. Tickets start at $5 for children aged 18 and under, and $10 for adults. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

In addition to the block party, food trucks, Reg merchandise, refreshments, a musical instrument petting zoo hosted by Chautauqua Music and Reg Lenna Plinko — with chances to win tickets and more — will be available to attendees. Though there is no admission charged to attend the block party, money is required for food, merchandise, beverages and Reg Lenna Plinko. An outdoor stage across from the theater entrance will feature string musicians from the region performing live. The music starts at 4:30 p.m. and features Suzuki at Lutheran, Regis Singing Strings, student musicians from Jamestown Public Schools under the direction of Gina Wakefield and Katherine Derrenbacher, and the duo Aaron and Boaz Mecham.

The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts is located at 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown. For tickets call 484-7070 or visit reglenna.com.

Myers Memorial Library To Host ‘Violin For Fall’ Saturday: The Myers Memorial Library will host “Violin for Fall,” a live music event featuring the duo of Cody Hiller, violin, and Ronald McEntire, piano, from 7-9 p.m. Saturday. The duo will play works by Johannes Brahms, Igor Stravinsky and Giuseppe Tartini. Light refreshments will be provided. There is no cost to attend the event but donations will be accepted.

The Myers Memorial Library is located at 6 Falconer St. in Frewsburg. For more information, call 569-5515 or find the event on Facebook.

JACO To Perform Fall Concert Sunday: The Jamestown Area Community Orchestra will perform its fall concert Sunday at 4 p.m. at First Covenant Church. Selections will include “Rosamunde Overture” by Schubert, “Procession of the Sardar” by Ippolitiv-Ivanov, “A Dance of Clowns” by Mendelssohn, “Gershwin by George” arrangement by Brubaker, and other selections. The concert will be directed by Andrew Coccagnia. The public is invited and a free-will offering will be taken. The orchestra consists of about 45 volunteer musicians, and has performed free concerts twice a year for the past 25 years.

First Covenant Church is located at 520 Spring St. in Jamestown. For more information find the Jamestown Area Community Orchestra on Facebook.

HAPPENINGS

To include an upcoming show or event in this column, email gpaterniti@post-journal.com or call 487-1111, ext. 243 by Monday.

Tonight

Amanda Barton and Bill Ward: 5:30 p.m., Craft Burgers and Brews, 60 Chautauqua Ave. in Lakewood

Jules-R-Us Karaoke: 8 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Comedy open mic: 8 p.m., The Q, 104 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Karaoke with DJ Xcite: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

DJ Karaoke: 9 p.m., Big Shots, 674 Route 394 in Kennedy

Karaoke with Felony Entertainment: 10 p.m., Forte, 114 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Friday

Charity Nuse: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Pressure Sensitive: 9 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

Splitfoot: 9 p.m., Big Shots, 674 Route 394 in Kennedy

Two For Flinching: 10 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Saturday

Jamestown Thunder community drum circle: 1-3 p.m., Northwest Arena, 319 W. Third St. in Jamestown

Brian Hanna: 6 p.m., The Wine Cellar, 309 N. Main St. in Jamestown

Ten Minutes and Counting: 7:30 p.m., The Office, 658 Main St. in Kennedy

Happy Days: 8 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Jamestown

“The Thing” screening: 8 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

Bryan Moore: 8 p.m., Frewsburg Legion, 9 Meadow Lane in Frewsburg

The Saloonatics: 8 p.m., The Vegas Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

Jules-R-Us Karaoke featuring Tami T: 9 p.m., Good Time Saloon, 590 Fairmount Ave. in Jamestown

JB Martin and Smoking Dog: 9 p.m., Big Shots, 674 Route 394 in Kennedy

Smokin’ 45: 10 p.m., Busti Tap House, Busti-Sugar Grove Road in Busti

The Elektra Kings with Magic by Uri: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Whiskey Hill: 10 p.m., Shawbucks, 212 W. Second St. in Jamestown

Sunday

Stray Kat Karaoke: 4:30 p.m., The Vegas Pad, 1064 Route 394 in Kennedy

Open Jam: 9 p.m., Bullfrog Hotel, 1414 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Tuesday

Karaoke with DJ Xcite: 10 p.m., Mojo’s Music Bar, 104 E. Second St. in Jamestown

Wednesday

“Night of the Living Dead” screening: 7 p.m., Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown

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