Atlas Takes Aim

Your Momma Writes Songs

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 02:05:00 GMT

Man, the songs are flowing like... like... uh... [insert interesting simile here].

We've been rocking the digital drums in the practice room to be able to play late into the night. It's got its +'s and -'s. And it's always interesting when Joel accidentally puts it on a TS-808 setting. (Think 80's rap)

We're tring to narrow down the songs that will go on the upcoming EP. But overall there's a bunch of interesting creativity being passed around in the ole Atlas Takes Aim music room. I'll try to dig up some pics.

In other news, I made a video that demo's one of my guitar pedals, check it out:

Digi Madness

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 06:40:00 GMT

Hey guys, we are trying something new this week and it involves digital drums. No! we are not going 80's... we're just going into stealth mode for a few weeks to make some serious progress in song writing. The kids went down for the night and the writing begins. I'm so excited to see what comes of this new strategy. We have one new song that is finished completely, 3 at 80% and like 10 that are about 50% completed. The new EP will be done soon and it is going to kick some heiny. Cheers,Joel

Bunkhouse + Atlas Takes Aim = Explosions of Rad

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 21:40:14 GMT

Yes it's been awhile. When I logged back into this blog I had to knock away cobwebs. So, we've been off galavanting around the world, being busy, having business foisted upon us, etc, etc. But we're back in the saddle with some new tunes and some new show dates to tickle your ears. Or at least we intend to tickle your ears. I mean, if that's not what you're into that's cool. Maybe we can just rub your ears with soothing aloe? Anyhow, all this is to say: This Saturday night (July 16th) marks our first show since we returned to Las Vegas! Here's the details: Bunkhouse Saloon, 10PM, $5, 21+ We're sharing the stage with Robot Nixons and Number Three Pencils. Bunkhouse is located at: 124 South 11th Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101 maps.google.com/maps/place see you there or else I'll... I'll... uh... I dunno, but it won't be pretty. Mason & Atlas Takes Aim

We're Back! (aka we suck at promotion)

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 04:43:16 GMT

Yes we're back playing shows. We had an epic show last week and it was quite a homecoming.

But our poor blog has been fairly quiet for far too long. And how many of you never even knew we had a show until, like, the day before?

I won’t lie, we pretty much suck at promoting ourselves.

We’re good at loving on our fans. We’re always thinking of fun things to throw out for you guys, from free CD downloads to random giveaways to BBQ nights and poker tournaments.

We really love all of you who have become part of our family. But promoting ourselves to the media? We stink. I am looking at an envelope to a local radio station that we’ve failed to mail out for… oh, I don’t know… a year?

It’s not that we don’t want to promote ourselves, and we certainly don’t think that the media movers-and-shakers ought to find out about us for themselves as if we’re too snobbish to care. It’s just that we have a hard time focusing on anything but making the music.

We spend so much time crafting and honing and dreaming up new sonic explosions that we forget to run on the publicity treadmill. Sure we facebook and twitter but that’s to people who we’ve already made connections with.

So why blog about it? Why am I griping and complaining to you?

Well, we need your help. Tell people about us. Give them a copy of our CD. Email them an mp3, go ahead. I promise the record industry police won’t bother you. That’s the advantage of being a 100% independent band. It’s our music, go ahead, share it.

And if any of you know someone in the industry who might be interested in helping us in the areas of promotions, booking or management, we’re all ears—because we know only too well how much we suck at all that stuff. We just want to keep making the music that moves us.

Your pals,

Mason Ian and Atlas Takes Aim

Score! I mean... GOAL!

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:09:48 GMT

So we’ve been reading Music Success in Nine Weeks by Ariel Hyatt and the first chapter basically says: “Look dude, you’d better have some goals with the band or you’ll pretty much end up only playing at bingo halls and dermatologist conventions.” (Now I’ll be labeled an anti-dermatologite)

I figured it was time to sit down and throw down some band goals.

I learned that while goals seem easy (“Get famous, make lots of money, hire a chef”) they kinda really aren’t so easy. Why? because you can’t just say “get famous.” You have to make goals to get you to the goals, and fame & fortune aren’t goals, they’re dreams.

Goals are stuff like: “Have more Facebook fans than that pickle who has more fans than Nickleback.” It might be crazy, but hey, it’s a goal.

Also, you can write down your goals till the cows come home, overstay their welcome and finally storm out to chew their cud, but it is way harder to actually achieve goals.
Achieving goals is where the determination, anti-procrastination and will-power come into play. It is also where the strategy and work have their nexus. (Yes, I just used the word nexus in a post. I win.)

Ariel’s Rule#2 for achieving your goals is: don’t beat yourself up.

This whole achieving goals stuff will take time, you’ll have set-backs, things sometimes go awry—don’t get all despondent or defeated. Don’t beat yourself up. What did Thomas Wayne say to the future Batman? “And why do we fall, Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves up.” I’d say Batman achieves his goals. And Batman only beats up bad guys.

Anyone who’s performed in front of anyone else knows how self-flagellating musicians can be: “Man that was a crappy show. I messed up so much. We were off tonight.”
Yeah, maybe it was a little rough, but unless you pulled this epic #fail like Van Halen (see video) no one but you noticed.

That’s what I got for now. When you next see us we’ll be operating on some serious goal fuel. Hopefully you’ll notice.

Ciao for now,

Mason & Atlas Takes Aim
p.s. you might recall that someone found our website looking for “sad computer”. This is my take on a sad computer.

Christmas Came Early - O Holy Night

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 02:35:00 GMT

Well, we can't wait for Christmas to open presents.

Enjoy!

Atlas Takes Aim doing their space rock version of O Holy Night at the Las Vegas Hard Rock Cafe

9 Weeks to Success!

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 05:50:00 GMT

So amidst the new baby and everything else going on in my life, I signed Atlas Takes Aim up for a nine week blogging contest.

The deal is, we read "Music Success in 9 Weeks" by Ariel Hyatt and blog about it. The blog they like the best gets some website love, a publicity package from Ariel's company, a pro account from Airplay Direct and the aforementioned "music success".

Am I crazy? Yes.

But you know how the old saying goes; if you shoot for the moon and miss, at least you'll end up among the stars. :)

Our book hasn't come yet, but I am very excited and curious to mine its secrets and see what kind of success we can drum up in nine short weeks. Stay tuned, I'll let you know how it goes.

Cheers,

~ billie the girl :)

Technical Difficulties = Techniculties.

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 02:30:00 GMT

man... I did not notice that the videos in those posts got all wonkified.

well, if you were wondering what all that code gibberish meant:

The Eastern Veil

She Is Me live at the Hard Rock Cafe

From the Vault

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:00:00 GMT

From the Vault

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:00:00 GMT

From the Vault

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 09:00:00 GMT

So I hate video editing. (Mason)
Not only is it time consuming, but I think video programs hate me back.

But I've heard that you're supposed to push past the pain. Perhaps the guy who said that just couldn't get it in reverse.

However, I pushed past the pain and revisited the Atlas Takes Aim video vault.
We have some interesting things we've recorded yet never gotten out into the light of day.

And since we're ramping up for playing concerts again and working on new material, I figure it'd be good to throw out some shiny bits of confection in video form.

I give you, She Is Me, performed live for the first time.
If you think this was filmed inside the Millenium Falcon, you'd be close. It's the Hard Rock Cafe on the Las Vegas strip.

The Eastern Veil

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Ok, so we've been slackers in the blogging department. Been a little busy with babies and songwriting.

Here's a sample of what we've been working on to show you we're not totally wasting our time surfing the internet or something.

Winners of the itunes gift cards and The Way Out is Through CDs

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 07:27:46 GMT

Our lucky winners were Renee form Georgia and Nancy from North Carolina! They will both enjoy a $15 itunes gift card and my band Atlas Takes Aim's new CD The Way Out Is Through.

Congratulations to you both!

Win Atlas Takes Aim's album and a $15 itunes Gift Card!

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 01:40:00 GMT

Welcome to the first ever Atlas Takes Aim giveaway (giveaway, giveaway)! Well, I guess it’s the second ever giveaway if you count the free download we gave to everyone last week (if you missed it don’t worry, we’ll be doing it again).

So, let’s try once more.

Welcome to the second ever Atlas Takes Aim Giveaway (giveaway, giveaway)! If this is your first time visiting we are Mason, Joel & billie the girl and we make family friendly space rock that our fans have compared to U2 and Jimmy Eat World.

We’re giving away our album along with an $15 itunes gift card for two of you lucky music lovers. All you have to do is listen to some of the tracks in our media player at the bottom of the page and tell us what band or artist you think we sound like. Easy cheesy lemon squeezy right?

After you leave your comment with who you think we sound like, get some bonus entries by liking us on facebook, signing up for our monthly email (if you’re already signed up that counts!) and/or tweeting about this giveaway (limit two per day please). You can copy this one or write your own:

Atlas Takes Aim is giving away copies of their CD & $15 itunes gift cards! Enter to win http://tinyurl.com/24rvu8s ENDS 7/29 @AtlasTakesAim

Leave one comment per entry and we’ll pick two people at random to win. DON'T FORGET to leave your email with your first comment/entry so we can contact you if you win! Want even more chances? You can also enter at billiethegirl.com!

Contest closes on July 29th at midnight PST. Two winners will be emailed and receive Atlas Takes Aim’s album The Way Out Is Through via mail and a $15 itunes Gift Card also by mail. Apple is not a sponsor of this giveaway (but wouldn’t that be cool if they were?). If winner(s) don’t respond in 72 hours new winner(s) will be drawn.

Thanks for entering and good luck!

~ billie the girl, Joel & Mason

Win a Free CD!

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 01:15:00 GMT

Congrats again to Joel and Elisha on the birth of little Van! And to all of you who picked up The Way Out Is Through for free on the day he was born.

If you missed it don’t worry, you’ll have another chance when Mason and billie deliver their little bundle of joy in August. Keep your eyes peeled for a special email newsletter announcing the birth of their gremlin with another offer to download our 18 track CD FREE!

Not signed up to get the newsletter? You can remedy that right now, friend. You can also watch follow us on twitter and facebook to get the magical updates.

Atlas Takes Aim is on the Radio

Wed, 12 May 2010 04:02:36 GMT

This post was originally sent out as the May Newsletter!

Exciting news everyone,

The 'official' release of our first CD The Way Out Is Through is coming up next month and to celebrate we've got some free loot for you. In June you can visit our blog for a chance to win a copy of our CD, a $15 itunes gift card or a $20 Amazon gift card PLUS we'll have a really special something for everyone who enters. Subscribe to our blog so you don't miss out on the fun.

We've been getting lots of airplay on Las Vegas' KOMP 92.3 Homegrown show! We'll be on the radio playing some songs and talking about the new CD on Sunday May 30th @ 10 pm PST (7 pm in Hawaii). You can tune in via radio or listen on their site.

On to the shows!

May 13th (This Thursday)
FeelGoods
6750 West Sahara Ave,
Las Vegas, NV 89146
9:00 pm

Join us at Feelgoods for one of our last shows before we go on hiatus for the band babies to be born! Good music, good friends and good food-- come hang out with us!

*Please note that the day after... won't be playing at this show BUT it's on like Donkey Kong on June 3rd with our CD release party at Green Valley Ranch!

Sunday May 30th
Live interview on KOMP 92.3
10:00 pm

Tune into 92.3 fm or listen on their site!

Thanks for tuning in!

~ billie the girl and mason and joel

P.S. You can listen to our new album or buy it on our website. Or just stop by for tea and rock n roll crumpets (like regular crumpets but with mango jelly) at our blog, twitter, facebook, myspace, and/or youtube. ^_^

Cancelled show tonight = billie is a sad panda

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 05:05:00 GMT

Yup. Our show tonight at Diablo's got cancelled due to inclement weather.

Are the judges brontophobic? Were we going to be playing outside? Is Mason secretly Zeus and he will be busy tonight?
I don't know.

Course, it was a battle of the bands show, maybe one of the other bands is playing dirty and it's really not cancelled at all. Hmm...

We'll let you know when it get rescheduled!

~ billie the girl & ATA

What cover song would YOU like to hear us play?

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 07:52:44 GMT

::This was originally sent out as our April Newsletter, cheers! ~ billie the girl::
Heyyah Everyone,

If you've been to an Atlas Takes Aim show lately you've heard our take on The Postal Service's "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" (which is sooo fun to play by the way). Any cover suggestions you'd like to hear us bust? Don't be shy, leave a note in the comments letting us know.

We've been working on some spanking new material which I (Billie the girl) am super excited about. The new songs cover a wide range of styles; aggressive arena rock, experimental, and trip-hop-ish rock with a smattering of diamonds. It's the Atlas Takes Aim style you dig, but in new flavors that are going to move you and melt your brain (in a good way).

If you haven't already, invite your chums to listen to our new album and let us know what you think. You can also buy it or download it on our website. You can also drop a note to us at our blog, twitter, facebook, myspace, and/or youtube. ^_^

On to the shows!

April 22nd (This Thursday)
Diablo's in the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino
3770 Las Vegas Boulevard South,
Las Vegas, NV 89109
9:00 pm

If you're a fan, a friend, or just obnoxiously loud, we need you. This Thursday Atlas Takes Aim is battling for $500 cash (and a shot at $10,000) in the Rock the Roof Battle of the Bands.

One of the things we'll be judged on is crowd turnout & noise level after our last song so come on down and lend your voice to our cause.

Show starts at 9 pm, we're on second (around 9:40 pm). 21+ with Ocean City Defined, Black Market Music, and Black Beans & Hippie Liver.

That's it for now, what's cooking with you?

~ billie the girl and mason and joel

What cover song do YOU think we should play?

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 10:00:00 GMT

Heyyah Everyone, If you've been to an Atlas Takes Aim show lately you've heard our take on The Postal Service's "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight" (which is sooo fun to play by the way). Any cover...

What cover song do YOU think we should play?

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 10:00:00 GMT