Only Revolutions

I'm a fan of media but don't get to spend as much time with books as I'd like. I buy a lot of them but don't get to read all of them. Someday I will. Anyway, a couple years ago I picked up House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski after I heard that Anthony Green (Circa Survive) wrote a song based on the book. I checked out a copy at Barnes & Noble and the text was not written left to right but rather in columns, footnotes and in some cases just a word or two on a page. I had to buy it and I loved it. It required lots of attention to get through and follow the text/characters but it was well worth it.

I just picked up MZD's latest novel Only Revolutions and started that this weekend. It's another interactive book since the book takes the perspective of two different characters where one page is written normally and the other side upside down. To read the book, you read 8 pages starting from the "front" cover, flip the book over to start reading 8 pages from the at the "back." I use quotes because there is no true front or back. You go through the book alternating characters, flipping the book every 8 pages. It's an interesting way to read. I'd like more books like this.

Uniting CNY behind one band

Playing at SXSW is a big opportunity for any band and Merit is in the running for a shot at playing the festival & conference this year. I'll be making my first trip to Austin and I'd love to be there to support Merit playing a show. I think all of Central New York would love to see one of their hometown bands play on a stage like this. I know a lot of people from outside CNY would like to see this happen as well.

Over the next 5 weeks (until February 20) Merit will be in the running for a showcase spot at the ReverbNation event held Friday, March 16 on 6th Street at the Dirty Dog Bar. You can make this happen and for your efforts Aux Records will even give you a download of their CD for free. All you need to do is sign up to be a friend of the band at www.reverbnation.com/merit - it's that simple. You need an email address and a picture to upload for your profile, that's it.

Sign up.

Add your pic.

Download the album, plus Man On A String, Merit's single from their debut disk.

Then tell your friends to do the same.

Merit was featured on ReverbNation during December 2006. Now it's time to prove that they should be featured live at SXSW. They'll be making a 1,700 mile, 26 hour drive if they win this...all for a shot at playing music for 45 minutes. Let's make this happen.

This banner takes you to ReverbNation so you can sign up. Thanks!