URL change: it's nice to meet you, my name is common knowledge

hello world,

a new year and another new change of scenery. this time, I'm in London, integrating myself in culture and trying not to get mowed down by double decker buses. the whole driving on the left side of the road is a trip--even after two weeks here.in short, London is spectacular. outside of the weather, it's been all I could ask for in a city, and the people here are a new breed (or I guess an old breed, if we were being technical, but new to me all the same).

I'm in the midst of making contact with local bands and figuring out good venues to book gigs, and am very optimistic as sales via iTunes in the UK have outshone all other countries--including the US. while on the topic of boring financial figures, the CD has recouped on initial costs, meaning that it is a profitable (financially, of course) venture. while a personal milestone--given that 95% of CDs cannot recoup--it's even more important because now that much more money (pounds or dollars :) ) has gone and goes to UNICEF with each purchase.

with the new year and scenery comes a name modification as well. as you may know, I go by ck--it's the name I've released music under, whether in groups (the trilogy) or solo. so as to avoid any confusion with swedish electronic musicians, the name is now common knowledge, which I find to ring nicely and also be vaguely ironic--or ironically vague...interesting. other ideas were considered, including candid karma, colonel kernel, and chaos kindergarten. please let me know immediately if I've made a huge mistake. (/arrested development allusion)

think of common knowledge it as more the official definition, with the moniker for those in the know still being ck. that is, if you do happen to think about it. if not, please move along. logical enough, no?

additionally, this means that the URL has changed to purevolume.com/ck.

thanks again to everyone who has bought the album, messaged me, given feedback either positive or negative--it's well appreciated, I promise. I reply to everything I get, from bands and fans and friends and enemies, so share. I've been busy working on some new samples and loops to put into beats, and writing new songs for a record that I'm really excited about. while still in its initial stages, this album is going to be a beast, personally, as well as a personal best. some initial song titles (obviously subject to change) are "Not All That Glitters is Goldman" and "Chewbacalypse Now." actually, the second one is a joke--unless I can write a song that fits it, in which case I'd obviously jump at the chance to use such a fine title (if I do say so).

that's all for now--look for a monthly mixtape tracklist up here next time. until then,-charlie.

movie recommendation: the prestige

youtube video recommendation: paula abdul's 'incident.' admittedly, I still watch the Dick in a Box video and find it hilarious, but in the interest of showcasing one that maybe not everyone has seen, this one has some quotables.

album recommendation: atmosphere - lucy ford. a classic that's provided an excellent London soundtrack.

song recommendation: mc lars - hipster girl. awesome song, awesome dude. see him when he comes to your town--you'd be a fool not to.

website recommendation: digg if you don't go here already, you've been missing out.

Leave a Comment

Kind of a Big Deal Available on iTunes in March, on Pandora now!

For fans living in the United States and Europe, you will soon be able to purchase Kind of a Big Deal on iTunes! As always, 100% of the profits will go to UNICEF, so tell your friends too. You can purchase individual tracks or purchase the complete album for $9.99 (US store).

Also, if you're familiar with Pandora (www.pandora.com) then you know it's a revolution in music recommendation software. It's free and requires no download and you tell it music you like, and it plays songs that they think you'll like. Every song has 300-500 variables that musicologists have valued, and according to what you tell them, they'll find songs you like. Try it out, and put CK as the artist, and maybe you'll hear one of my tracks, followed by some other tracks you might like.

Thank you for listening, and please tell your friends if you like it. Feel free to e-mail me too: ckiskindofabigdeal@gmail.com . Thanks!

Leave a Comment

ck Special on Sirius Satellite Radio, Left of Center, Channel 26 - February 7

greetings, hmmmm

thank you to everyone who has listened to the songs and helped get this site over 15,000 plays. response to the new album has been awesome! thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has downloaded and bought the CD, and to everyone who has contacted me about it. I've been producing a new album for my friend Kane (www.purevolume.com/kaneboston) and working on my live show. for people in the New York area, look for me playing open mics around the city.

I had the opportunity to do an awesome radio special with my friend, MC Lars, on his primetime radio show. He was kind enough to showcase some of my tracks, and we talked about the ideas behind some of them, including, but not limited to, our thoughts on music downloading, college life, punk music, and existentialism.

The show airs Tuesday, February 7 at 10 PM EST on Sirius 26, Left of Center. Check it out, and hear some of my songs, some of my favorite songs, and my picks for best old school punk song, best old school hip hop song, and best Weird Al song. This isn't one you'll want to miss ;) If you don't have Sirius, you can get a free trial over at www.sirius.com . Thanks a lot to Lars for having me, and thanks to everyone who continues to support the music.

Leave a Comment

Kind of A Big Deal RELEASED!!

november8 update
"hello friend, it's been too long
and every town sings the same sad song"

I've spent the last 4 weeks alternating between writing songs, making beats, arranging artwork, recording songs, drawing cartoons, and every other little odd and end that you don't think about has to go into a CD. But, at last, I will have a finished product available for you tomorrow. Here's the deal:

-the CD is available as a free download (or stream if you prefer)
-the physical CD costs $12, and includes full artwork, a six panel full color booklet with lyrics and notes on each song, and a full color CD.
-The CD package includes a free, exclusive "Kind of a Big Deal" t-shirt with original artwork.

-100% of all profits made on the CD + T-Shirt will be donated to UNICEF

this last point is, to me, the most significant. over the course of making this CD, I was researching for a song and found that 25,000 people starve to death each day. 25,000 deaths, under any other circumstance, would be plastered on the front page of every paper in America, but because it happens each day, it gets swept under the rug. 25,000 people a day means a population the size of San Francisco starves to death each month, and every 10 months, a population equalling the number of deaths in the Holocaust. Of the 25,000 people a day, over half are children. Also, nutrition is responsible in over half of child-deaths worldwide. This dilemna is not being resolved any time soon, but by increasing awareness and raising money for the cause, you can help make sure it does not continue to be swept under the rug.

I'm very excited about the CD and having a product that I can call my own, and hope that you are able to take something away from it as well.

Leave a Comment