If you didn’t catch my other two posts about what happened this week, I was called in at the last minute to make good use of my UStream capabilities for the Dresden Dolls shows in Boston. I had planned on doing a lot of writing and live performance prep this week, but this two-day request would pretty much axe all that. They were only planning on covering food and parking, not two full days worth of my usual session player rate. So why the heck should I volunteer my time and talent for someone who’s already got a manager, an agent, and an army of people helping her?

What makes me drop everything for someone else’s project?

On one level it’s a matter of karma. Whether or not Amanda and her team ever plan to drop everything and help me out, I try not to pass up opportunities to do for others what I want done for me. It’s one part personal belief, one part gamble. I believe the chance of return from good karma is a hell of a lot higher than winning the lottery or getting “discovered” at an open mic.

Most importantly though: I don’t believe it’s coincidence when someone you know has a pressing need that you’re the perfect guy to fill. I’ve been in the right place at the right time with the right people far too often to believe it’s all chance. Granted, I still wish my career would move a lot faster than it is, but I think I’m moving at a pace that’s being intentionally directed. Maybe it’s to retain my humility for a longer, happier career. If I turned into a superstar overnight I probably wouldn’t respect my fans and supporters as much, I don’t know.

All I do know is that if you’re doing something I believe in, you need help, and I’m the right guy for the job, I will drop everything for you.

So here are the questions for you folks reading this: What do you drop everything for? What are you doing for those people who drop everything for you?

Okay, so I have your attention? Good. That’s exactly why I used such a click-bait headline in the first place (sorry about that). I’m not giving up all UStream shows forever, but I am going to stop the weekly schedule.

I’ve been doing the UStream thing since 2007, long before anyone knew you could actually do live streaming from your home computer. Back then it was a shiny new toy- a lot like podcasting in 2005. The fact that I was doing a show at all was newsworthy enough, regardless of how much fun we’ve had over the past three years. Now, with increasingly annoying popup ads and a lot more “shows” vying for attention (even if it’s just someone putting a webcam on their parakeet cage, I kid you not this thing gets 1,000 viewers), my shows need to be more than a weekly live rehearsal session.

Honestly, I feel like I’m not bringing anything new to the table on a weekly basis. Every show is… a lot like the last show. That’s not good enough, at least not by my standards. I want to make every show an event, not part of the weekly grind. You deserve better.

So from now on if you want to know when new shows are coming, join my mailing list or follow me on Twitter. I’ll announce the next show date during tomorrow’s broadcast, so tune in at 6pm Eastern at www.matthewebel.com/ustream

Because I’m so far behind on my goals for The High Orbit Holiday Special, I’m not doing a UStream show tonight. I know, I know, I hate canceling these things too, but I absolutely must finish this project today and this is the only way I’ll have time.

In the mean time, check out the album artwork and let me know what you think!

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I’ve been doing my weekly UStream concerts every Tuesday night at 6pm Eastern, but a lot of people have mentioned that Wednesday might be better. What are your thoughts?

Or Buy It Right Now!

Details for how to get the free CD will be announced during the show, but the CD (or CD’s) will be given away at the end!

Just show up tonight at 6pm Eastern US Time at http://matthewebel.com/ustream

ENN September 28, 2009 (MP3 download)

• What budget should I set for Sellaband’s new format? I can pick anything from $10,000 to $100k, but right now I’m only at $5,000. What should I shoot for?
• The robot band is cute, but is it worth it? Tell me what you think about my performances with backing tracks vs. without. I really want to know!
• Of course, you can see the difference for yourself tomorrow at 6pm Eastern Time at http://matthewebel.com/ustream

Sorry folks, I’ve got the plague. It’d be better to rest up and get back to work on the Matthew Ebel dot net tunes than to try and push through a show tonight. I’ll see you all next week though!

Welcome WBUR listeners! For those of you who aren’t familiar with who I am, Andrea Shea’s article for WBUR covered a whole lot of it, but there’s plenty more here on the site. Honestly, the best way to get to know me is to catch one of my weekly online concerts. If you’re curious about the subscription thing, that’s over at Matthew Ebel dot net.

Listen to the WBUR segment right here:
Download MP3

For those of you who are regulars here, the segment has finally aired on WBUR. Andrea came to both a UStream show and my first annual VIP Beer Bash and talked with me about how struggling musicians are making it in this economy.

There are some great quotes from Chris Penn and Adam Curry in there, and even one poor soul who’s kinda scared about all this newfangled technology stuff. I don’t know who this Dave Wildman guy is [apparently he writes for the Boston Globe... does this mean I can quote him now?], Googling his name didn’t turn up so much as a website or MySpace page, but he seems to think that I’m only into the online concerts. He even likens me to “a talented street performer on the information superhighway”.

Hopefully the hundreds of you that saw me live at FWA and Megaplex know better!

Anyhoo, check out this video interview that didn’t air on the radio. And be sure to drop by WBUR.org and leave a comment for Andrea and the radio station!

Listen to the Episode

Update: If you like the podcast, btw, PLEASE go to iTunes and leave a comment!

You can subscribe to the show or get more info at www.cdbabypodcast.com or listen to the episode here:
Download MP3