Last Dance of the Mata Hari.

Rehearsals have kicked into high gear.  This past Sunday and Monday saw rapid development on a new song that is fast, quick and to the point.  Tonight we'll have more rehearsals, but we may focus more on the current set than this new song.  Maybe a bit of both.  We will wait and see.

We are looking forward to the upcoming Icehouse show on August 29th with great anticipation.  It is lining up to be quite an important performance.

Instant Gratification.

Yes, it's true: The Bleachers can provide you with instant gratification.  Just look us up on iTunes and you can buy songs from The Bleachers EP, Suspicion and our brand-new album, Conjure.

Next Bleachers Performance Confirmed.

It is now official: The Bleachers will perform live at The Icehouse in Las Vegas on Friday, August 29, 2008.  

Our performance will occur on the same evening The Icehouse holds their event entitled Ink.  It is important to note we will be performing upstairs in their very cozy space which comes complete with a great view and a full bar.

Any further details (i.e. other bands, exact performance time) are not finalized yet.  As more confirmations arrive, we will post updates here and on our myspace page.

The Life of Rehearsal.

The heat in Las Vegas continues to push 100-plus degrees day after day, but life and music must go on.

Early this evening, we got very locked in on a short, but energetic rehearsal.  There's something inescapably wonderful when weeks can go by without rehearsing, yet once everyone gets together again, it just picks right up where you last left off.

We began our rehearsals with a beloved song which has been kicking around since the Suspicion days, but has yet to see the light of day on an album.  From there, we launched into a number of songs from Conjure, Suspicion and a new song we've been performing at our most recent shows.

While there are no confirmed performances at this moment, there are several in serious discussion and it's simply a matter of time before those are announced.  Possibly one show in late August, several for September.  We'll keep everyone posted here and on our myspace page as the facts present themselves.

In the meantime, don't keep Conjure all to yourself; let friends know they can purchase a CD directly from us over at our website.  Surely, they will appreciate the recommendation.

Back to Work.

It's been a busy two months for us: getting Conjure replicated on CD for distribution, a series of shows in Las Vegas at a number of venues ranging from traditional to eclectic and this week's double shot of local press in Las Vegas Weekly and Citylife.

All of that aside, we knew we'd be heading into a raging summer of heat as June melted into July.  Once we played our House of Blues show on July 3rd, we had already decided to take a few weeks off.

That time has now passed.

With our fair city logging another in a long series of consecutive days with a high temperature of 100 degrees or higher, we've got to get back to work.

Rehearsals are lined up beginning next week, with possible shows in August and September for the time being.  Anything beyond that timeframe is most likely to be allotted for recording.  Our ultimate goal is to present a new album in 2009, but we'll have to see how everything lines up.  Why wait to make new recordings when you've got the songs written, right?  If there is one thing chief among all others we are passionate about, it is writing music.  Every time we finish an album, it just clears a path for the new music to follow.

Las Vegas Citylife Cover Story.

Well, if the glowing review in Las Vegas Weekly wasn't enough already, we discovered today that we made the cover of Las Vegas Citylife for its 10th annual music issue!

We were interviewed more or less for the approach we take with our music, from buying the right gear to engineering a record and on down the line to a finished physical album.

Not to be lost in the shuffle of the cover story, the issue also contains an album review for Conjure, which writer Mike Prevatt states, "I could write about every song...this album is that good."

If you are local, please pick up a copy!  This is a major source of Las Vegas pride we take in getting the cover.  Without people coming to our shows, sharing our music with friends and local music journalists taking notice, we simply could not exist making music.  Thank you, everyone.

Local album of the year thus far, by far.

This just in from The Las Vegas Weekly, a four-and-a-half star review for Conjure!  Of course we wish for you to read the whole review on your own, but some snippets must be shared immediately: "(Conjure) is the local album of the year thus far, by far," and towards the end of the review, 'Duende' is referred to as "apocalyptic."

Overall, a very strong review for the album!  It's extremely rewarding to see such positive acknowledgment for all the hard work we've done.

Kicking music blog ass nationwide with Build An Army.

Over at  The Psychic Pilot music blog, Every Issue Presents Itself, the latest entry mentions 'Build An Army' as one of a handful of songs that have been, as he states, "kicking my ass lately."

Little by little, our music seems to find its way to people and kick their ass.  Respectfully, of course.

Best New Band in Nevada via Boston?

Sure, it may sound confusing, but allow me to clarify the headline of this post: The Bleachers were named "Best New Band in Nevada" by The Boston Phoenix, an alternative weekly paper out of Boston, MA.

It's part of a larger piece called "50 Bands/50 States" where the paper names an "All-time Best Band," All-time Best Solo Artist" and "Best New Band" for each of the 50 states.  So, with only three possible bands/artists to be named for each state, it's certainly an honor to be recognized and appear on that very short, exclusive list.

Edge of Our Seat.

Last night we performed at the House of Blues Courtyard.  It was interesting to be met with such courtesy by everyone from the host of the event to the sound men.  Certainly, I do not wish to infer we are typically met with anything but courtesy, but clearly it felt quite genuine, to say the very least.

It has been quite some time since we've sat down for a performance, but it went quite well, as evidenced by the enclosed photo: You see, I had completely forgotten Joe (and I) would end up literally at the absolute edge of our seats by the end of each song.  When this would happen during acoustic night at Cafe Roma, we knew we were all in for every song.

As far as what's in store in the near future, otherwise known as the Hottest, Most Absurd Summer On Record, we may have a show lined up for August (late in the month) and possibly September.  Beyond that, well, we'd love to begin recording our next album.

Performance tonight at House of Blues.

Tonight's the night: The House of Blues Courtyard in Las Vegas.  At roughly 10p.m. we will take the stage and perform a collection of songs we hope everyone will like.

We desire to perform more shows along these partially-acoustic lines in the near future, but we will just have to see where each day decides to take us.

You should take the time and come out for the performance tonight.  Get a head start on your weekend with our show.  Drink (responsibly) and have a good time, right?  The show is free, after all.