My First Review

Hello moto,

I introduce my first interview by one of my first friends who was also one of my first fans. I chose him to do so because he disagrees with my music tastes in general, so he would be best in proffering objective analysis.

Kickass Pitchfork Style Review
I've been a close friend of Avery's for years, and, I'll assure you, it's not because of our musical tastes. Although we're generally divergent on that issue, there are those rare instances that we'll agree on a particular sound, and Avery's work is one of them.

I remember being indifferent when he first took a guitar to his poetry, thinking it was just some playful new hobby. But as I began to pay attention, I was hooked. My first favorite was "Punch-line Freud," with its elegantly simple riff and vividly descriptive lyrics: "As if the autumn wind and eastern gold had done some good/She burns, and freezes and breaks just like a window would."

Within a few weeks, I was humming the tunes of his songs, and within a few months I knew the lyrics to many of them by heart. I was convinced (and still am) that "Shoegazer," an irresistibly bouncy and catchy song, was destined to be a hit.

When Avery decided to record his debut EP, "Smug Disco," he asked for my input on what to include from his formidable library. After spending a day hashing it out, I gained an even greater respect for his songs. I was determined that "Science Fiction" should be the last track. The riff is rich, building up several beautifully haunting tones that become accompanied by lyrics such as "When I saw pain, he was a tattoo on a mosaic body/Guess it was a habit of his to be lost, and never found." To open the EP, I suggested "The Nihilist," a song that gently eases you through the showcase of one of Avery's finest singing performances.

The writing and composing never slowed down for "Smug Disco EP." His next work that stood out most prominently for me was "The Piano Room." This song was undoubtedly a masterpiece, with the speed and strength of the chords reflecting the emotional path of the song itself, from sadness to grief and anger to resolve, to finally crescendo in a release of feelings: "Those sad eyes take their time/Pull me out of perfection/Kill my discontent/Using love as a weapon/Bleed it all."

Avery continues to make music, and with his musical and lyrical creativity, coupled with his wit and unusual insights into the human psyche, that's a good thing. The songs I've described are a mere sampling of my favorites, and do little to convey the spectrum of music he has to offer. One of the beautiful things about his music is that different people I know have different favorites, because just as people have distinct personalities, so do his songs. My own favorites have shifted over the years as his music spoke to me.

This promising artist shows no signs of slowing down, and indeed, the world will be lucky to hear him.

-Brandon Thorson

Oct 30th 2011 Deets

Kuwaii!

It would seem as though all of my Monday antics at the youth hostel pay off. The reward of course is feeling at home on stage. Having a 40 minute set with interrogation lights and a bunch of people who could give a flying duck about what you are playing or saying....priceless. Regardless of the circumstances, I wooed whoever I could. Playing two songs first, and then introducing myself and the fact that I am well aware that little to no one is paying attention. But that is the allure. The fact that I'm doing what I love and getting better and gathering people around the hearth and doin' little numbers from my arsenal. Which ones you ask? Why here they are:

1. How I Breathe
2.Second Hand Smoke.
3. Blue Sun
4. Ink
5. Damn Romantics
6. Sweet On the Girl
7. Discipline
8. Snake Skin
9. The Piano Room
10. So Damn Far Away

To whom it may concern, you live and you learn...
Avery Dena

Humbled

Michael Genet
"My sound track to Vegas was Dio, Iron Maiden, and Avery Dena."

Hearing this and that people want another one of my Cds; not because they have a friend to give it to, but that they listened to it so much that it warped....priceless.

Its not so much of and ego booster as it is humbling. To be reminded that music is so vital to our lives, and that I can make a contribution that positively affects others, is a pleasant surprise to say the least.

Thank you,
Avery Dena

House of Blues(Sunset blvd): Sunday Oct 30, 2011`

Yes yall,

Its me again. Avery Dena. The House of Blues Voodoo Lounge on Sunday Oct 30, 2011. $10 cover. A 40min set that will include new songs and classics, from 7:45pm - 8:25pm. I am convinced that cover songs can be used, but I might say "no" and cover myself.

Either way, come on out.

Peace,
Avery Femur

International Youth Hostel

Hey,

I will be at this venue every Monday until I notify yall otherwise. The time is still 8:30pm-10pm. The same youth hostel listed in the prior post.

See ya soon.

Grace and Compassion,
Avery Dena

Open Mic Night Monday September 19, 2011

Hello you,

The Place: Hosteling International Santa Monica
1436 2nd Street, Santa Monica (California), CA

The Time: 8:30 - 10:30pm

I enjoy this venue more and more. I know that you'll be enamored with it at first sight.

Love and Happiness,
Avery Dena

El Cid and The Kid

Hello all,

El Cid is my new Stone Bar. The next step in a long, arduous, and auspicious road. I can feel it when I approach. It swallows my senses and has enough character to make MLK look like a good-intentioned tranny. Respect.

I've been searching for such warm and fertile soil to perform on, and that stage in Silverlake is what I need. Now that I have a place to call "home," I know that I must gather the guests so that I may enjoy their company and be merry. Hopefully that smirk of mine will be taken for the simple mirth that it is, and not a set-up to a one night stand.

Since my sally to the NYC is delayed, it gives me plenty of time to work on the bevy of songs that I've been crafting and test them out on a critical and well-versed crowd of good comedians and enthralling musicians. All found once the steps are descended, the red lights have washed over you, and the tacit tranquility that is El Cid has become you.

Thank you Micheal for placing your curiousity and faith in my talents.

Thank you El Cid for being you,

Thank you all.
Avery Dena

Like a Feather

Greetings crickets,

For the past two weeks, songs like feathers have fallen into my garden and buddy, business is booming. Taking on my more universal tones of romanticism and a intrepid and loving view of death, I say with confidence and experience that as I grow and age, so do my songs mature.

In a few years, I envision myself on stage confessing these songs only if to say "I'm no different than you, and I am just as inspired and in awe of you, perhaps more so than you,at what can be done when someone has faith in self and does things out of love, and denies fears crippling affects on the aspiring soul."

But until I get my feet on the ground, see ya around,
Avery Dena

Update

Well well well,

Fancy seeing you here. All two of you. Anyhow, I've been busy and somewhat neglectful with my "blog-responsibilities." However, I have been frequenting Kulak's Woodshed on Mondays @ 7:30pm and it has been fruitful. If you are not familiar with the place, it is run like a singer-songwriter commune, except that its been open for some time with no signs of halting its progress. For a 20-dollar bill, you are given a top spot in the queue and a DVD of your one-song performance is available the following week. Did I mention I am a horrible speller?

At any rate, The website is : www.kulakswoodshed.com Managing to get "Going Down" and "Ink" recorded here while working with Woodall on his Mac to record "Don't Look Back in Anger(Oasis Cover)" and one of my new babies "How I Breathe," which I assure you is not as corny as the title of the song; an anthem for free-spirits around the everywhere.

"How I Breathe" is available gratis @ www.reverbnation.com/averydena

Eating chocolate like its a mandate,
Avery Dena

Open Mic at the 212 Pier Cafe

Thursday March 24, 2011, I played "Going Down" without an amp at this 2 story cafe that decidedly caters to comedians. An odd yet entertaining mix of comedy/music from Peter Prince and a very good David Moriorarty on acoustic guitar, the night was short and sweet. Short and sweet just like Baby-Doll in the 12am showing of "Sycker-Punch." People are still unaccustomed to seeing a "black-dude" with an acoustic guitar. Lol.

All fun till 4am,
Avery Dena

Show this Saturday March 12, 2011 8:30-8:45

Neon Venus Art Theater
7023 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, Ca

Set list will be:

1. Shout @ the Moon
2. Ink
3. Snake Skin
4. Shh!

Uber-late post, being a baddy,
Avery Dena

House of Blues 3/4/2011 @ 9pm

Come down to the Voodoo Lounge at the house of blues. Late post, last minute, all apologies.