That’s right … it hasn’t been that long since the last one.

What a lot of people don’t know, is that “Love, Lies and Fireflies” was actually recorded over a couple years.  BTW … if you don’t own it yet … you’re totally missing out!  After completing it, we immediately started to work on new material … you know, instead of playing shows.

Interesting fact:  Did you know that Barack Obama owns a copy?  He doesn’t, I’m just hoping people Googling him will accidently click here.  I’m sorry. 

So yes, about this new album “White Rabbits” it’s going to feature an allstar cast of artists.  Dan, Brad, Angus … LEE TESSMER!  Cause you know HE brings the goods.  It will also be our first full length … very nice.

On a side note, feel free to post your thoughts, we paid the extra 3 trillion dollars so you could. 

I love you all,

Mike

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So since the last show, we’ve been taking a bit of a break … Our Hamilton show was fun, but took a lot out of us … I sound like I’m 70 years old.

Right now we’re working on a couple things … We’re sending out our music to college radio stations all across this fine country, and we’re in the midst of preparing a new set for our upcoming Kitchener show.  We may also be playing a couple shows with friend of the band, Emma Acott … we’ll keep you posted on that.

I don’t know if it’s because things have been pretty stressful cause I’ve been writting a ton of new material.  We’ve slotted September to start working on our next album “White Rabbits” … Lee and I are pretty excited about this one, because we’ve learned a lot working on “Love, Lies and Fireflies”.  With this CD you’ll hear some of the new songs we’ve been featuring at past live shows.  Songs that really capture where that band is at right now … more upbeat with a dash of emo … sigh.  ALSO we’ll be working with former bandmate Brad Weber again, and cause of that … it’s sure to win a Juno.  Brad will be recording/producing this badboy for your listening pleasure.

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So yeah, I’m going to try not and make this blog into Cheese-fest 2008 … but I want to thank everyone who has supported us through the purchase of our debut official release, “Love, Lies & Fireflies”.

It’s pretty nerve racking to make something like this and hope that some how people are going to buy enough to break even.  I feel pretty overwhelmed that so many friends of the group support us like they do.  Through buying the CD or showing up to the show .. it’s pretty cool, cause I understand how busy things can be.  Don’t forget that with every CD or digital download purchased … we’ll be donating 20% of profits to the Canadian Diabetes Association.  So even if you don’t like our music, at least buy it cause I have diabetes!

Apparently, you can even buy our songs as a ring-tone … which is totally mental.  I don’t know how, but you can … If I’m ever hanging out with one of you and your phone goes off to “Last One Standing” … I tell you, that would be frig’n amazing.  We even donating 20% of our lucrative ring tone profits … !!!  Defending Otis is even making the purchase of ring-tones into a kind act that helps humanity …

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We had our last show taped for some live footage … unfortunately we had some technical issues so I’m pretty sure that only a couple songs will be up for viewing.

We’ve also been looking out for indie film makers to help us with some creative images … it would be awesome to have some low budget videos up for viewing.  If you know of anyone interested, let us know!

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Wanted to thank everyone who made it out to the show!

It really means a lot to have people come out and support you like that … especially with all the prep the artists put into their sets.  I have to say … Emily and Angus were amazing … !!!

The Staircase Theatre was a wicked venue to hold the show.  We wanted to have a smaller space and we got out a great group of friends.  I would recommend it highly … just make sure you run a sound check well before the show (we had a bit of a problem that we had to work through … sigh).

The set was a real mixed bag of old and brand spanking new songs …

Nothing Left to Say
Never Look Back
Home
Everyone’s a Fascist
Contrived
The Graduate
Rise
Hold On
Lack of Colour (Death Cab cover)
The Man Who Is Greater Than
Last One Standing
Sad Song

It was pretty wild playing a couple tracks that were weeks old along side some that … well … have been around the block a few hundred times.  What’s wild is the song that we actually played the best was “Sad Song” … one that is only a couple weeks old.  I’m hoping to get the video posted for that one shortly.

Our sights have been set on a show to be held in Kitchener in a couple months time … I won’t give away too many details just yet!

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We’re finally at the point where we’re ready to play real shows … if you have a band or know of a band that would be interested in playing/sharing shows … drop me a line.

We wound up taking almost three years off because it kind of doesn’t make sense playing shows without a CD or website.  Now that we finally have both … I guess no excuses. 

On a side note … if you haven’t heard the new Wintersleep album … it’s magical.

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Planning for the first show is well on it’s way … we have two great opening acts, and it will be held at the Staircase Theatre.

I think you’ll really enjoy Emily McCullogh and Angus Fraser (Tenth of May) … they’ll both been planning sets for all of the fine people that show up. 

Emily will be playing keys and performing some of her original material … if you want to have a listen to her stuff … check her myspace.  I was really impressed listening to her stuff … we think you’ll enjoy it.

Our other act, Angus is probably one of my favorite artist.  Brilliant song writer that plays with such haunting emotion … we probably should be opening for him, but we’re not only cause it’s our CD release show.  I think you should have a listen right now actually … mayten.net.

So if you haven’t responded on the event page … what better time than now?  The show is limited seating to 65 people … thought it would be fitting for an acoustic show.

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So we’ve been gearing up to play shows … real shows, and we’ve included a new torso to the group.  For those of you that saw the gig in Oakville a few days back … you witnessed a young beat-boxer join us for our last song for a little improv …

Since then, Andrew James Grey has been rehearshing with us for almost two months.  His debut will be at the CD release show on May 25th in Hamilton.  Andrew plays keys/synth and is a MAD PHAT beat boxer … any song can benefit from a) a beat boxer or b) a bongo solo.

But to be honest … Andrew wasn’t our first choice … he was a close second to this guy.

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Soooo Defending Otis has a fancy gem for you to browse on the World Wide Web. Lots of pics, show info, blogs, etc. This will be the first place to hear of upcoming gigs, interviews and all that fun stuff.

Also, let us know if you have any pics of videos of past shows and we’ll post them on the page!

We hope that we can keep you posted with useful information such as this IMPORTANT INFO!!!

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Yes, Finally … the CD is done, and it has been long in the making. It will be available at shows and online at cdbaby.com …

We’ve even had a compliment on it … Lauren, die-hard Otis super fan wrote:

“Great album … I’m actually listening to it at this moment. I’m just gonna put it out there and say it’s the best purchase I’ve made all month. And that’s a compliment because I’m even including grocery purchases. So basically I’m saying i would of rather heard this album than eat.”

Who’d a thunk it … !?

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