6.15.08

Happy Father's Day! Hope you have an opportunity to call your Pops to wish him a good one. And if you're a father yourself, be sure to take some time to stretch out on the couch and relax. I know I did.

Thank you for the overwhelming response to my last post. I've got some interesting projects in the works. I'll report on them later, as well as post some updates to the portfolio.

That's all for right now, though. The couch calls.

5.29.08

Freelance graphic design is feast or famine. Either I'm over-loaded with work struggling to keep up, or I'm trying to figure out what I've gotta do to keep from waiting tables. Unfortunately, I'm currently dealing with the latter. So, in the interest of keeping the utility companies happy, I am offering some good deals right now. Since each project is different, drop me a message with what you need, and I will promptly reply with a quote. I am a professional who has many years in this industry and can promise you a better deal than you will get with any ad agency or design house. Take some time to review my resume and portfolio. No job is too big or too small.

Thanks.

4.29.08

Here's a first. My buddy Phil is having a guitar pedal custom made and wanted me to make it look as good as it sounds. So here is what I whipped up. Not too shabby, I think.

4.16.08

I love you, Steven. RIP

My cousin Steven lost his battle with cancer last week. The whole thing is so very surreal. When we were kids, we were pretty tight. I have very fond memories of spending time with Steve and his sister, Lisa. But as time went on, we grew to be very different adults. Our views, opinions and interests were vastly different, and we grew further and further apart. I thought the bond had been completely severed. I was wrong.

As I sat in the funeral home looking at him, I couldn't help but to be taken back to those days when we were less opinionated. When we didn't care about anything but being kids. I felt the connection that I thought was gone. And I so dearly miss it.

Even as I type this, I am tearing up. I love you, Steven. I regret not spending more time with you before you passed. My only true saving grace is the knowledge that you are now at peace.

3.5.08

Hello, all. It's been a while since my last update. I've been working and have plenty of new pieces to post. I'll get to it soon, I'm sure.

Normally, this site is to promote whatever I've got going on. But there is a larger issue at hand that I would like to bring attention to; Net Neutrality. Please take a moment to watch this video. Please post the video on your MySpace, blog about it, and call your Congressman. Believe it or not, the internet for the common man, communication by and for the people, is being threatened. Don't let it go without a fight.

1.22.08

God's speed, Cush. Got nothing but love and respect for you, Home Slice. Come home safe.

1.16.08

The Anna Lies album is now available for download on the Music page.

1.14.08

We finally have them in hand! I'll be dropping by Ear X-tacy today or tomorrow to put them in there. In the meantime, go over to AnnaLiesDown.com to order one. Only $6 shipped. OR, if you come out to the show at Wick's on Dixie on Sat Jan 26, we will have them on hand for only $5!!

We put a lot of time and care into this record. Even recording and mixing the entire thing, only to scrap it and start all over again. And the proof is in the pudding... uh.. the record. Anyway, support Louisville rock and pick one up today.

Graphics News: I have been freelancing my ass off. Updates coming soon.

1.1.08

Happy New Year, everyone!

12.19.07

Anna Lies' debut album is finally about to drop. We are doing a first run, limited edition. Pre-order yours today.

Special thanks to James for the kick-ass photography, and Randy for access to the building.

Happy Holidays!

12.3.07

Hello everyone. I am way behind on my updates. I have been busting some serious ass just to keep up. Working long hours and burning the candle at both ends. This isn't everything I've had going on, but here are just a couple of projects I pushed out recently. I knocked out a nice tour poster to AutoVaughn, Luna Halo and American Bang. This is the localized version for Ville-A-Fied Entertainment with Shindig added to the bill. Also, The Effects' new home on the web just went live.

Always the working stiff, I just picked up a gig to emcee Ville-A-Fied's music showcases on Saturday nights at Wick's on Dixie. If you're out and about, come say "hi."

More to come soon.

11.11.07

Go to MySpace.com/AnnaLiesDown to download "Into The Storm" from the music player. It will cost you absolutely nothing to snag this fresh-out-tha-kitchen track. This is the official first release from our forth coming album.

Thank you. That is all. Rock on.

10.31.07

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, YA'LL!!

10.23.07

The Stomp Out Cancer benefit compilation CD is due to be released on Sunday, October 28, 2007. This is a very special date, as it is the one year anniversary of the passing of Steven Michael Mackin, the young man who this project is dedicated to. In conjunction with album release and in honor of their son, Steven's family is planning a very special celebration. On October 28th at the St. Joseph's Cemetery in Bardstown, KY, gatherers will launch balloons at Steven's grave site carrying messages to him in celebration of his memory. "We are hoping that people will be able to come with their balloons and fill the sky with color, just as Steven filled the world with his warmth for so many people all over the World."

The balloon launch will start at 2:00 pm est., and everyone is welcome to attend. "We just ask that you please BYOB (bring your own balloons) and attaching a message is optional. People may even want to remember another loved one who passed from cancer, and that is ok too. This is a celebration of our love for our son, and a day to simply remember how great he was." Sheila explained.

Stomp Out Cancer: Indie Artists Fight Ewing's Sarcoma is a compilation CD filled with beautiful tracks of hope, love, and memorial. The album will be released to raise money for less toxic treatment methods and early detection methods.

"This CD has been in the planning stages for months, and we are so proud to finally see it being released. The music is from various artists who have lost loved ones to cancer, or who related to this project in some way. All proceeds from this CD will go to help fund research that is not funded by the FDA, because they say that it is too rare." Sheila stated. Ewing's Sarcoma is found mostly in children and teenagers, and currently the FDA does not have any funding for research into this disease. One person a day is diagnosed, but according to the FDA, this is simply not enough.

Stomp Out Cancer: Indie Artists Fight Ewing's Sarcoma will be available at Ear X-tacy in Louisville, KY, online at Stomp Out Cancer.com, and more retail locations to be announced.

10.16.07

A new poster has been added to the Posters and Fliers page.

10.4.07

I have been designing fliers like mad lately. Mostly for my own band. I went through my archives and posted the ones that I actually spent time designing, as opposed to just slapping the text on a page to get-r-done.

Also, I just received approval on a Halloween show flier for The Everyday People and The Effects. That will be going to print tonight, but you can view it right now on the Posters and Fliers page.

10.3.07

Stomp Out Cancer: Volume One is off to press! The layout is posted in the Album Inlays section. Visit StompOutCancer.com to pre-order your copy today!

More projects are currently in the approval proces and will be off to print shortly. Check back soon.

10.2.07

Answer: 4:15am, then 6am.

Question: What time did I go to bed last night, and what time did I have to get up this morning?

I've gotta quit doing this to myself.

Anyway, October is upon us. And what a festive month it is! Halloween is dying in much of today's society, but it remains a strong tradition in my family and our home. In honor of this great holiday, StreetBlast.com will be updating their look with the latest of the Mack character series. I will be sure to post the complete set very soon. But in the meantime, feel free to visit StreetBlast.com and browse around for various character illustrations. Click the image on the right to see a more detailed view of Mack's Halloween costume.

More to be posted soon. Keep checking back.

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HON! I love you!

9.26.07

Thought I'd show you what kept me up until almost 4am. It made getting up at 6am so much fun. Oh the exciting life of print deadlines.

A 7' x 4' Banner for a tour that I am absolutely foaming at the mouth for!

It's crunch week, folks. More to be posted very soon.

9.20.07

Okay. So, I've got the cell phone issue straightened out. I'm good to go. Feel free to hit me up.

Speaking of hitting me up, I've got new graphics projects under way; the inlay for the Stomp Out Cancer compilation CD due to be released in October, another illustration in the on-going set of Mack renderings for StreetBlast.com, a logo for a band who I will reveal once the art is complete, Halloween show posters for The Everyday People. And as always, I'm trying to land more work. Phone calls, emails, and meetings oh my. Freelance seems to come in waves. Feast or famine. That just seems to be the nature of it.

Anna Lies will be playing two more shows to wrap up our September gigging calendar. Then we are huddling back into the studio to write, record and audition vocalists. So catch us while you can.

On a final note, I saw an up close and personal production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch tonight. It totally kicked ass! Take a walk on the wild side and check it out.

9.10.07

Hola everyone.

My cell screen died over the weekend. The actual phone functions just fine, but the screen is dead. That is to say, I am able make and receive calls, but I cannot view my caller ID, text messages, etc. This also means that I cannot retrieve phone numbers. Like most people these days, I don't actually know anyone's phone number. I scroll through my saved contacts until I find a name, then hit the "call" button. Which kinda sucks. Please contact me with your phone number (include the area code for those who live outside of L-ville). From now on, I will keep a written log in case of future techno-fallouts.

Thanks. Sorry for the hassle.

9.3.07

Happy Labor Day, all!

Holy cow, what a weekend! Since I knew my calendar would be completely booked all weekend and the following week, I made sure to spend time with the fam. To quote The Godfather, "A man who doesn't spend time with his family can never truly be a man." So Jennifer and I went out for a nice dinner and later picked up Jessica and her boyfriend, Matt, and we headed out to check out Rob Zombie's Halloween. I've heard mixed reviews, but we thought it was awesome! I thought Rob did and excellent job of Michael Myers' back story. Good stuff.

Marathon gigging is hard work, but oh so fun. Both Anna Lies and Thomas Medicine played two back-to-back shows on Saturday. Both bands did a set for the Autism Benefit show at Bulldog's, an event that featured 13 bands from 12 noon to 12 midnight. $1,300 was raised for a very worthy cause. Kudos to Hope for organizing the show and making sure everything ran smoothly. Afterward, we packed up our gear and headed to Phoenix Hill where we opened for Universal Republic/Serjical Strike recording artists Fair To Midland. Believe me when I tell you that Fair To Midland brought the house down! These guys are amazingly talented, and super nice guys as well. I certainly hope they roll through town many more times. Do yourself a favor and visit their MySpace page and listen to what they've got going on. Or better yet, just run out and pick up their album. You'll be glad you did.

In other band news, Anna Lies has our track ready to hand over to Jake Wheat of StreetBlast to be featured on the Stomp Out Cancer benefit compilation CD. Look for that to come out in October.

Finally, I have to take a break from band activities and freelance work as I will be spending this week in the Big Apple. New York City is a place like no other. Though I will be heading up there for Broadway Across America biz, it will still be a ton-o-fun. Business by day; pleasure by night. Plus, the nature of the industry and the people who I work with make it all seem to mesh together seamlessly. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be in the minority of those who enjoy their job and the people I am surrounded by.

That's all for now. Hope everyone's long weekend was eventful but relaxing.

P.S. Props to Jeremy, our bassist, for putting up with the frustration and insanity that is the Edlin sibling bond. Hang in there, man. It's not as bad as it may seem at times. ; )

8.15.07

I have added a current show calendar to the left of the news. I want those who come here to know what I'm doing and when, but didn't want TroyEdlin.com to become a surrogate for the Anna Lies site. It's important for me to maintain the function of this site as an overall online portfolio.

Also, don't forget that time is running out to be a part of Stomp Out Cancer. The deadline for song submission is August 31. Please help spread the word by posting this banner on your web site or MySpace page.

Here's the code:

<a href="http://www.StompOutCancer.com"><img src="http://streetblast.troyedlin.com/StompOutCancer_468x60_ani.gif"></a>

8.8.07

More Anna Lies back-2-back bookings:

Thursday, August 16 @ Wick's on Baxter • 10pm

w/ Lotus Blake. Admission is FREE so you can spend your hard earned money on hot pizza and cold beer. 21+

and

Friday, August 17 @ Headliners Music Hall • 7pm

ALL AGES! w/ I Will Defy, Edge Hill Ave., Cricket, The Lazyees, Wodka, and Mercury Falling

How many bands do you know willing to go halvsies on your ticket just to get your ass out there?! Well, you know at least one. Contact us via MySpace.com/AnnaLiesDown or Music@TroyEdlin.com, and we w ill pay for half your ticket. That's right. You get a $10 ticket for only $5!

7.31.07

Three dates booked w/ another being worked out:

Wanna party your ass off in a hip night club on a Saturday night? Get tore down and rock out all night long?! Come by Club Rio (2 blocks from Phoenix Hill behind Coconuts) on Sat, Aug 4 @ 8pm and check out Anna Lies with A.D.D., Hearsay Theory, Bashhamer, Of Echoes and one more TBA. Admission is $10 at the door for a phat-ass line up and good times in a hot joint!

Night club scene not your thing? Would you rather spend your Sunday afternoon doing good for your fellow man? We've got that covered, too. On Sun, Aug 5 @ 5pm, we will take the stage in the Saloon of Phoenix Hill for the Welch's Jam benefit show. The money raised will go to help pay for Mike Welch's surgeries and therapy from being attacked outside of the Pour Haus. Over 20 artists have band together to provide the help that is needed. Please help us out by coming by and checking out the show. A minimum $5 donation will get you in the club... and possibly Heaven.

Like beer, pizza and rock-n-roll?! Of course you do. Who doesn't? On Thurs, Aug 16 @ 12 midnight we will be rocking Wick's Pizza in the Highlands with Lotus Blake. It's a FREE show, so you can spend you hard earned cash on hot pizza and cold beer.

We are also negotiating an ALL AGES show with Terry Harper at Headliners on Fri, Aug 17. I will post details and a flier once it has been confirmed.

In further news

We have started recording! We will be bringing high-end quality ROCK to you very soon; ready to blast in your car, on the net and on the radio. Most importantly, we will be contributing one of the tracks to the Stomp Out Cancer benefit compilation CD. All proceeds to this project will go to the research and fight of Ewing's Sarcoma, a form of Cancer that targets children and young adults. If you are in a band or are a songwriter, you too can contribute to this worthy cause. Check out StompOutCancer.com for complete details.

Thank you for reading. Be sure to keep an eye on MySpace.com/AnnaLiesDown for all the juicy details.

7.12.07

Two new tour posters have been added to the Posters and Fliers page; one for Hot Action Cop and the other for the Bang Bang Bang/AutoVaughn tour. Also, I have been working on a series of illustrations for StreetBlast's "Mack" mascot. I will post them soon.

As you can see to the left, Stomp Out Cancer is in full effect. Wanna contribute to a most worth while cause by putting your music on this nationally distributed compilation album? Now is your chance! Plus, not only will you be helping out your fellow human being, but The Indie Music Resource Group has shaken hands and with a few industry peeps to put together incentive packages to say "thank you" for your participation. You can get all the details and throw your hat in the ring right here.

That's all for now. But there are still plenty of gears turning. Check back soon to monitor the progress and learn how you can get involved.

Thank you.

7.9.07

I have become heavily involved in a few fund raising efforts for some very, very good causes. Randy Lasitter, the father of Kaitlyn Lasitter, is a good friend of mine. Kaitlyn was recently involved in an tragic accident a Six Flags here in Louisville where here legs were amputated just above the ankle. She is the sweetest little girl you would ever meet and this event is very traumatic for her family. But they are strong, good people and they will pull through it. With such a life changing event, help is needed. We will be raising money to help fund their immediate needs.

The Indie Music Resource Group, which I am a part of, is producing the Stomp Out Cancer compilation. 100% of the proceeds go to the fight and research of Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that attacks children and young adults. You can read more about this worth while cause here.

Finally, Anna Lies will be performing at a benefit show on August 5th at Phoenix Hill to help out Mike Welch. Mike was seriously injured in an accident outside of the Pour Hause here in Louisville. Though I don't personally know Mr. Welch, he has touched the lives of many... and now it's time to give back. Mike has no medical insurance to pay for required major surgeries and years of physical therapy. We need to bond together as a community and help him out.

More detailed information on all of these worth while and much needed causes will follow shortly. Check back here soon to see how you can help.

Thank you. Please help your fellow man in need. Hug the ones that you love. It all comes around in the end.

6.21.07

Due to circumstances beyond our control, Anna Lies @ The Dugout this Saturday has been canceled. Check our page for show dates.

The call-in/interview show StreetBlast.com is still a "go." Read the 6/15 post below for details. Thanks.

6.15.07

On Saturday June 23 at 1pm est, StreetBlast.com will conduct a live call-in/interview show featuring yours truly. The focus of the 30 minute podcast will be to shed some light on the subject of graphic design. If you are recording an album but aren't sure how to get your inlay together, this show is for you. If your t-shirt printer is throwing some lingo that you don't quite understand, this show is for you. If you are trying to figure out what bells and whistles your website should contain, this show is for you. Logos... fliers... 2-color... 4-color... lions, tigers and bears, oh my! IF YOU ARE A MUSICIAN WHO HAS ANY QUESTION AT ALL ABOUT GRAPHICS, THIS SHOW IS FOR YOU.

Though we strongly encourage you to interact with the live show, the podcast will be archived and available to listen at your leisure at StreetBlast.com. If response is good and the show proves to be helpful to listeners, we just may do it again. So prepare your questions and get ready to pick my brain. And while you're at it, feel free to touch base on the StreetBlast Forums to let us know your thoughts.

Thank you for your support.

6.13.07

I am proud to be working closely with Jake Wheat at StreetBlast.com. There are plenty of projects in the works; we've really got the gears turning. Check out the June Newsletter.

In band news, Anna Lies is booking more shows at our leisure. We've got The Dugout on June 23, and a benefit show at Phoenix Hill on August 5. Keep an eye on MySpace.com/AnnaLiesDown for details.

5.30.07

I hammered out a computer desktop design for StreetBlast.com. You can view and download it from the Miscellaneous page. This was an interesting project for me because it started as a flat vector illustration, much like the Logo. But once I really got into the lighting and detail of a "live" feel, it turned into a neat airbrush project that added ambience and dimension. Check it out.

Oh, and don't forget. For those who actually visit this site and read this page, my band Anna Lies will be performing this Saturday with Mungus at The Highlands Taproom. 21 & over. NO COVER CHARGE!!! FREE SHOW!!

5.23.07

ANNA LIES has booked a couple of dates in June for the "Bring Your Earplugs" tour. Visit MySpace.com/AnnaLiesDown for more details.

5.17.07

The Everyday People have a new show poster on the Posters and Fliers page.

5.10.07

Head over to StreetBlast.com! Go ahead, I'll wait.

Cool, huh? Their brand spankin' new logo and illustrated mascot have been posted here on both the Logos and Illustrations pages. Just in case you didn't click over to StreetBlast, you're missing a nice write-up about myself and the birth of "Mack." The same in depth article will also be archived on the Mack FAQ page. So, here's your second chance. Okay, go!

The Flash and Web page has phattened up significantly. SeeTheMusic.net ver 1 has been posted. I also pulled Blue Meanie Records' and Covington's websites out of archive and threw them up there. Finally, I have created a series of ad banners to promote my freelance services. They can be found on the Flash and Web page, as well.

5.1.07

Check out the homepage of StreetBlast.com for a small article about me and the logo/mascot I am working on. Be sure to check back there frequently as I will be working closely with them on a number of projects. Thanks Jake!

4.28.07

Anna Lies rocked our debut show on the KY Derby Fest-A-Ville stage yesterday. It was a ton of fun. I really appreciate each and every person who came out to be there for us. Thank you.

I have started working on a new logo and illustrated mascot for Streetblast.com. More to come on that soon.

4.16.07

My new band ANNA LIES will be performing for the first time ever at the KY Derby Fest-A-Ville on the Great Lawn on the WaterFront! We will be sharing the stage with our good friends GREA. Admission is FREE with a Pegasus Pin. Click here for a map.

Grae @ 11:30 am • Anna Lies @ 1 pm

Also, please go to MySpace.com/AnnaLiesDown and add us to your friends list.

Thanks! Hope to see everyone there. This is going to be a blast!

3.29.07

The Day Job page has been updated with some cool Flash e-Cards.

3.28.07

Alrighty then! Wow. I cannot express how insane things have been since my last update. First off, let's get to the goods. I have posted new material. The DreamScapers logo has been posted, as well as the RedGorilla venue poster and the hot and sexy Boardwalk Management party flier.

RedGorilla Music Fest was a smashing success! The closer it got, the stronger the whirlwind of last minute supporting projects became. Now that it has come and gone for the season, we can take a small breather before anticipating next year's events. Kudos to Brian Waymire! Excellent job, my friend. Thank you for bringing me aboard such a cool project.

More graphic updates coming soon. There are lots of exciting projects going on at Broadway Across America that I am eager to share. SeeTheMusic.net ver 2 is next on my plate to officially complete and post it in the portfolio, with the archived ver 1 available for viewing.

In music news; soon after I joined Counterfeit Opus (the previously mentioned cover band), personal events unfolded that demanded my immediate and undivided attention. Said events are still very much a priority that require my time and focus. So, I had to respectfully bow out. These extremely talented group of guys are on the hunt for a drummer. If you have skills or know someone who does, hit them up at CounterfeitOpus@yahoo.com.

Though the band gods pulled me from the cover project, ANNA LIES is building steam! Anna Lies is the original project consisting of myself, my sister Criss on guitar, and our good friend Jeremy on bass. We are currently seeking a vocalist while phattening up the set list. Each one of us is just chomping at the bit to bring this new music to you live! In the meantime, you can check out our tunes at AnnaLiesDown.com.

That's it for now. Check back soon for more updates.

2.14.07

Happy Valentine's Day, all! Be sure to spend money you don't have on the ones you love. And if you have no one, well, there's always the internet to keep you warm.

Sorry I haven't posted anything new lately. That's not to say I haven't been working. DreamScapers has a new logo and website. The logo turned out beautifully, however I feel like the site needs a bit more tweaking before it's ready to throw in the portfolio. I've also hammered out a very sexy poster for a resident appreciation party hosted by Boardwalk Management in Austin, TX. And RedGorilla is certainly keeping me on my toes. All these things will be posted shortly. Again, I apologize for the delay.

In music news: One of the things that has been keeping me too busy to update my site is the fact that I have messed around and joined a second band!... a cover band, to boot! This is practically unheard of for me. While auditioning vocalists for my original project, I stumbled onto a project who happened to be looking for a drummer. This was not an easy decision to make, but the musicians are truly a talented group of individuals and just plain fun to hang with. Plus, though we are a cover band, a vow was made to not play the same watered-down radio nonsense that every other band in town regurgitates night after night. Only good quality respectable stuff makes the cut here.

As I mentioned, my original band is still auditioning vocals. If you are interested, please click here for samples and contact info.

1.3.07

Wow. 2007. And most of us are still alive. Awesome! I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays. Now, back to the grind.

The Black On Tan showcase demo just went to print! Check it out on the Inlays page. You can check out their Memphis/Nashville root Blues at MySpace.com/BlackOnTan. Knock 'em dead, fellas!