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The End is the Beginning… (Pt. 1) July 6
“The beauty of you naming this ‘Stockholm Syndrome,’ I exclaimed to Derek, “is that all those haters out there could have stopped this train ride for themselves at anytime!”
As we sat next to Fort Sumner in Derek’s backyard we discussed the whole fiasco with the man who was one of about three folks driving the Stockholm Syndrome train. As things came out this thing got more and more beautiful. But I digress. Let’s go back to the beginning of the night.
Going into the event at The Rutledge in Nashville, even Derek didn’t know how many (if any) people were going to show up. Rest assured, folks showed up. From as far a way as Seattle, folks lined up to get into an event that they knew little to nothing about. Such was the spirit of Stockholm Syndrome.
As we were let in, the place filled up quickly. In fact, the floor and walls that lined the place were filled too. There was a screen and two microphones on stage. I was pleased that the event got started pretty quickly as Derek stepped out into the spot light and up to the microphone. “Well done,” he said. “”Well done everyone for making it out here.” He said they had many things including a few more surprises in store for us. First, though, he wanted to bring Jeff Moseley (head of INO Records) out to say a few words. Mr. Moseley said that he had read things describing the label dispute that caused this as ‘fake” or a “sham.” He assured us they were not (more on this later). He talked about how what transpired was two stubborn men butting heads, but it had all “worked out.” I have to admit that even in this little bit of interaction, it seemed that their relationship was still suffering some strain and ill-effects from all that had transpired.
As Moseley left the stage, Derek introduced an hour-long documentary of the making of Stockholm Syndrome. Edited and mostly filmed by Brannon Mcallister, the film documented the making of the record in a barn outside of Austin, TX. For the most part, Josh Moore (of Caedmon’s Call) and Derek wrote and recorded the album in the said barn. The video also documents the beginnings of the viral twitter campaign that was so central to Stockholm Syndrome as well as showing what amounts to “music videos” or song performances (the highlight of which is an acoustic performance of “American Flag Umbrella,” the album’s last track, which is worth the price of the movie by itself)
As the movie was going on, however, the @ssyndrom twitter account put up a tweet:
THE BARTENDER CAN SEE IT. MAKE THE CALL.
When I saw this, I left the table that fellow dw.net’er Geof Morris and I were sitting at and headed to the bar. Across from the bar a row of posters hung on the wall. One of the posters was actually one of those pull-tag posters advertising a bulldog named “Patty” for sale. The poster had the now very familiar barcode with a heart. I called the number and an automated message told me to “find the person wearing their heart on their sleeve and ask them for a ticket to ‘the white noise.’” It said that I could bring one person with me but that both of us had to be present. Immediately, I ran and grabbed Geof and said, “I found a clue.” We walked over to the bar area and began looking for the person wearing their heart on their sleeve. Geof spotted her. A young woman wearing a black shirt had a white ribbon tied around her sleeve. We asked her for a ticket to the white noise and she gave us each armbands telling us that we were to meet outside the venue ten minutes after the event and look for the white noise. We were also allowed to bring one person with us since we each got armbands.
As we went back to the table, it was hard to focus on the rest of the documentary as my mind was going 100 mph trying to imagine what might be in store for us.
I must say, at this point, the room was “A-Twitter.” A local Nashville artist named Matthew Smith said it well that “If Twitter were audible the roar in that room would have been deafening.” Even later, Derek mentioned that none of this would’ve been possible without Twitter.
After the movie finished, some lights came up and Derek came out and introduced Josh Moore. They then took some time to answer some questions. One man asked about a particular line in the record sounding pro-choice. Derek said that he has learned that he doesn’t like giving “short answers to long questions” but that if the guy asked him in a one-on-one discussion, he would be more than happy to discuss it with him. This led Derek to say something about this record that did a very good job of putting it in better perspective. He said that this record was one of his most personal records and on this record there were moments that he was using his art as a shield between his community and people that he loved. To me, this is what Derek meant when he talked about this being his most important record.
Some weirdo (wink) even asked him, “with the news of Sarah Palin’s resignation, will you be heading up to Alaska to run for the governership of Alaska?”
Right as Derek said that they time for one more question, a voice (the same voice I heard on the phone message) came over the PA announcing that the event was over. It gave instructions for folks to head to “the beginning” and that those who were involved the “white noise” should meet out front in ten minutes. So the majority of the audience, headed to Ugly Mugs Coffee Shop, while those of us with tickets to the “white noise” met out front. After about ten minutes, a white van pulled up outside The Rutledge with a white sign in the front passenger window that said, “THE WHITE NOISE” and had the barcode with a heart. Those of us with tickets (except for Geof Morris, who took his own car) loaded into the van, which was driven by Derek’s manager, David McCollum.. David drove us into East Nashville and we pulled up to a gate behind a house and he said, “here is your gate.” Derek let us into his backyard, but not before I impatiently tried to break in. After saying hello to each one of us, he let us into Fort Sumner, which is his home studio. He then told us that he wanted something special for the most diligent followers of the whole Stockholm Syndrome process. He told us that a lot of the record had been made in this room and that he couldn’t think of a better place for us to hear it. He informed us that not only would we be listening to the record, and would be receiving copies of it, but we each would also receive the top tier pre-order as well.
As I sat in the back of the room sipping one of Derek’s Yazoo Dos Perros and watched each of the 17 people’s heads bob up and down, I was glad that I was here at what J. R. R. Tolkien would call, “the end of all things.” I can think of no better ending to this “hostage situation” than that. After asking us about ourselves and thanking us for our involvement, he led everyone back to the van to be taken across the river, back to The Rutledge, back to their cars, and ultimately back to their daily lives. Since Geof had driven, however, he and I got to stand around and laugh and reminisce about what had transpired these past few months.
This post is already going to long, so I will come back in Part 2 and discuss the reality of the label troubles and tie up a few more loose ends. Thanks for reading.
MT
Mike Jul 6
That was an amazing journey and I’m so glad I was able to go on it with you guys. Even if you’re a bit too Mac for this PC guy. ;o)
wally Jul 6
good job michael. part 1
i’ll have to hold the rest of my review till part 2.
jimmy Jul 6
Here’s an audio transcript of what Moseley said.
[On "the song"]
Moseley: ‘You know, we had a little disagreement. I think what I want to say is, I respect Derek, I respect his art, I enjoy having him [as] a part of the INO family and on the INO roster. But we obviously hit an impasse, and in the midst of the last couple months, there’s been a lot of interesting things go on, and I’m here to tell you that they were all true. I heard somebody say that this really was all a big publicity stunt–not true at all. What it is is an example of grown men who respect each other who disagree, and as Derek has said, somehow take some lemons and a little water and sugar and come up with some lemonade. Right?’
Webb: ‘Yep.’
Moseley: ‘We seem to have done that throughout our history together. We’ve been banned from more Christian bookstores than you probably even know exist. [Laughter, cheers] And, you know what, this record will probably continue that trend. But we’ve come to a compromise–and I appreciate Derek’s part in this–and there are going to be two versions of the record. The record will be releasing, and it will be coming out September first. So we’re very, very pleased about that. Derek’s gonna kind of tell you a little bit about the differences [between] the two things. But I just wanted to say thank you so much for being interested, even though as I read the blogs, and I read some things, a good part of that probably wasn’t real flattering on my part. But I just want to say thanks for your interest and for being here and being supportive of Derek. We think Derek’s a really important artist; at times he’s an agent provocateur. Someone told me, I think it was really about journalism, but we say this about music and art, that hopefully what we do will comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. And Derek knows how to do the latter very well. [Laughter] I love the guy, thank you for coming, September the first, Stockholm Syndrome, two different versions! And I’m sure he will tell you how you can get the one that he calls the “authorized version.” [Laughter] Thank you.’
Jeremy Goss Jul 6
Thanks for posting the Moseley transcript. Really hope the album is available before work tomorrow or I may just have to be “sick.”
Heather Short Jul 7
Okay so this whole thing got bigger than I thought and I wasn’t able to follow closely. Thanks for the info about the concert. As for Jeremy Goss’s comment…was the album ready today? I got the post left on Twitter by ssyndrome that said available today but I have no idea where to go! Please help! Thanks!
Stephen Jul 7
I was looking for pre-order info as well. I know its not announced yet, but it looks like if you go to http://www.derekwebb.com/store the pre-orders are there!
Stephen Jul 7
Also looks like these are some tour dates coming up for “The Black Eye Tour”
09/17/09 Louisville, KY
09/18/09 Tuscaloosa, AL
09/20/09 Birmingham, AL
09/22/09 Atlanta, GA
09/23/09 Greenville, SC
09/24/09 Charlotte, NC
09/25/09 Raleigh, NC
09/26/09 Vienna, VA
09/27/09 Vienna, VA
09/30/09 Winston Salem, NC
10/01/09 Asheville, NC
10/03/09 Nashville, TN
10/04/09 Lexington, KY
10/15/09 St Petersburg, FL
10/16/09 Orlando, FL
10/17/09 Jacksonville, FL
10/22/09 Houston, TX
10/25/09 Dallas, TX
Michael Jul 7
Please do not order yet. They are still testing and will be “live” very shortly!
bobw Jul 7
just got the preorder download. all that hubbub for an s-word, with a d-word on the side? sigh.
I really liked “the ringing bell”, but this aint doing it for me (as much as your adventures outlined above sound like fun). not yet at least. call me old school, but I prefer guitars to synths.
C-Dub Jul 7
I just downloaded the album, along with extras. It appears there is a secret message on page 3 of the digital booklet. I nice little love note to Mrs. Webb (so to speak), eh?
Erin Jul 8
I love the sound!…also curious for the stories behind the songs…. and the reason behind why the need for using cuss words in that one song too….
can’t wait to see again live!
Brad Jul 8
So I bought Tier 2 and got the movie downloaded and the digital side items. Where is the album? Am I totally missing it? Should it be a separate download? Would love to hear this but don’t know where to go. Help!
Michael Jul 10
Black Eye is the jam.
Neil Ellis Orts Jul 14
Is there any more information on the October 22 Houston show? It’s listed at the website, but not on the ticketweb site.
Also, anyone from Derek Webb’s management here? I’m a freelance writer here in Houston and would be interested in pursuing an interview with him. I’m finding precious little contact info on the official sites.
Sorry to divert the conversation here. Feel free to delete the comment if it’s inappropriate . . . after someone contacts me about an interview, of course.
-Neil
Mike Jul 14
Is there a part 2 to this post coming? I’d love to hear more details about the ‘label troubles’!
Thanks for the posts!!
Jake Jul 16
What was the lyric people thought was pro-choice? I have yet to come across it yet…
Maestrolicious Jul 17
Like Mike, waiting with baited breath for Part 2…
Nampa Kakutouka Jul 18
I listened to “The Ringing Bell” and enjoyed it, but after reading about the viral shit, which I have no patience for at all, I was ready to fucking savage Webb’s new album when I heard it.
Just DL’d it, and damn, this actually rocks! I’m liking this more than that last album. Good work Derek Webb. And Josh Moore too, I guess, if you produced it. Quality is much much better than “The Ringing Bell.”
Just drop the bullshit viral scheme next time. Glad I avoided it, and, God, I can’t stand even reading about it. You’ve got a fucking awesome record, just release it. Jeez.
Oh, and that “controversy” is fucking hysterical. Victorian England much? Hahaha, wow. Must be hard as balls navigating those waters.
Neil Ellis Orts Jul 23
No, really, anyone have any information on the October 22 Houston show? A venue? Anything?
Trey Jul 27
Can we please get some dates in the Northeast! I was on edge waiting for an artifact within 150 miles of me… but no dice. Please, at least bring the tour this way. I know, its probably not where Derek’s biggest fan base is, but, come on!
Michaelman Jul 28
Part 2, part 2, part 2!
But alas, I shall be patient.
Former Crackhead Sep 23
The entire “Stockholm Syndrome” situation is simply one, long promotional game. Caedmon’s Call used to do a lot of the same type of stuff; the ol’ “Ooh, aren’t we sooo mysterious?” routine. And “Look at us, we’re sooo angst-ridden”, when in actuality they’re just a bunch of narcissistic wannabe alternative rocker-types. Using the words damn and shit is controversial?? You’re kidding, right? Again, publicity stunt, and nothing more. Now I’M going to be “controversial”…ready?….I can’t believe people are really falling for this DAMN SHIT. See? Now I’M controversial, too. Easy, ‘eh?