JoCo News January 2012

By JoCo January 4, 2012

Happy new year everyone! I can’t believe I’m sitting here at this dumb desk working on this dumb computer again! Around the holidays I usually step off the grid for a bit, and it’s always a nice reminder that many parts of my life can still take place in offline mode. Still, I hope I didn’t miss any pictures of cats. And now, the news.

Artificial Heart

Artificial Heart special edition packages are almost all the way out the door. Levels 2 and 3 have shipped (3 went out just before Christmas), and Level 4 packages are being assembled RIGHT NOW and the plan is for them to hit the mail this week. The planet will breathe a little easier once that happens. I thank all of you for your patience, even the people who never ordered anything from me.

In general I’m really pleased with how the album has been received. Ridiculous Billboard charting incident aside, it seems to have found its way to a lot of people who like it, which makes me happy. All those videos I mentioned last time have now been released, so if you missed any of them, you can find them here. I think my favorite has to be Je Suis Rick Springfield, which features the Baldwin Fun Machine, a nice looking suit, and some even nicer looking bare feet.

The Cruise

JoCo Cruise Crazy 2 is coming up fast: February 19th-26th. We’ve sold through most of our allotment of cabins, so the booking website looks barren and sad, but there may still be cabins on board that we can snag if anyone is still interested in booking. Just get in touch with us at booking@jococruisecrazy.com and let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll see what we can do. In case you haven’t heard on the Twitters, last minute additions to the talent line-up include John Flansburgh (who will be DJing a couple of dance parties), Molly Lewis, Joseph Scrimshaw, and Chris Collingwood from Fountains of Wayne. You should come! There is still time, but not much!

The official JoCo Cruise Crazy 2 T-shirt is now available at Topatoco for a limited time only, until January 13th. Order now and you’ll have the shirt in time for the cruise (or whatever sad, fake cruise you’re planning to have instead). While it’s possible we may have some EXTREMELY limited quantities on board, this is really the only sure way to make sure that you get one in the size you want, so order now or risk heartbreak forever.

Speaking of shirts, did you all see this fantastic new JoCo Has Some Problems shirt? Because it truly is my new favorite thing. I am fighting zombies!

The Touring

I’m out with The Might Be Giants again in February for the final leg of their Join Us tour. We start in California and head east until we get home, so it’s a big one. All these shows are with the band, and pretty short (but completely kickass) sets because I’m the opening act. Details on the Shows page as always, but here are the dates:

The Rio Theater – Santa Cruz, CA
January 27th 8pm
Tickets

Royce Hall – Los Angeles, CA
January 28th 8pm
Tickets

Marquee Theater – Tempe, AZ
January 29th 6:30pm
Tickets

Rialto Theatre – Tucson, AZ
January 30th 8pm
Tickets

Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK
February 1st 8pm
Tickets

Granada Theater – Dallas, TX
February 2nd 8pm
Tickets

La Zona Rosa – Austin, TX
February 3rd 9pm
Tickets

Tipitina’s (Uptown) – New Orleans, LA
February 4th 10pm
Tickets

The Ritz Ybor – Tampa, FL
February 7th 8pm
Tickets

Hard Rock Live – Orlando, FL
February 8th 8pm
Tickets

Ponte Vedra Concert Hall – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
February 9th 8pm
Tickets

Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA
February 10th 8:30pm
Tickets

Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA
February 11th 8:30pm
Tickets

Track 29 – Chattanooga, TN
February 12th 8pm
Tickets

McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square – Charlotte, NC
February 14th 7:30pm
Tickets

Lincoln Theater – Raleigh, NC
February 15th 8pm
Tickets

Jefferson Theater – Charlottesville, VA
February 16th 8pm
Tickets

Calvin Theater – Northampton, MA
March 8th 8pm
Tickets

Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel – Providence, RI
March 9th 8pm
Tickets

Terminal 5 – New York, NY
March 10th 7pm
Tickets

The Future

Between now and the cruise I’ll be getting ready for the cruise. Between the cruise and the future, who knows. I’ve been invited to be a part of this new NPR puzzle quiz show called Ask Me Another (fb page) that seems like it’s going to be pretty fun, and we’ll be recording a few of those in front of live audiences in NYC and DC over the next few months. I’ll let you know more about that when I have more details. I’m working on putting together a tour for late spring/early summer where I headline again, and play full size sets the way I used to. Which leaves some time in the early Spring for me to lie about and look at pretty flowers and things. Maybe I will write some songs.

I hope your new year is already better than your old one, especially if your old one was pretty great.

Comments

Stephen says

Nice to hear the level four packages will be coming soon :) I'll be at the Dallas concert! It'll be my first time to see you live and first time to see TMBG live, I'm super excited!!! :D

SSteve says

I'm very excited about the level four package showing up. I appreciate the offer of you coming over so I can throw it in your stupid face, but I'd rather you come over so I could give you a cookie. But I live in California so I don't really think you would come over. Even though I live in the beautiful Sierra Foothills where you would love to come for a visit.

Artificial Heart is definitely my favorite album of 2011. Which is saying a lot considering some of the other albums that came out last year that I love dearly (Join Us, The People's Key, The Whole Love, Smart Flesh, Rome, Collapse Into Now). But when I put on Artificial Heart I can't help but get excited and sing along. Which can be embarrassing when I listen at work.

Craig Brooks (@gilby722) says

I do hope you and P&S play PAX East again this year. Seen you the last two and had a total blast at both shows. As I was an Omeganaut last year, I sadly missed getting to your table until late Sunday and it was just as you were leaving, so I didn't want to hold you up. I'll make sure to get there earlier this time around for sure. You're quite awesome and hope to pick up the new album soon.

Christine Nordhaus says

Cat picture you missed: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2660314419364&l=1845c95b9e

And yeah, PAX?

Craig J. Clark says

I'm compelled to go check out your "Ask Me Another" gig at the Bell House because according to @NPRAskMeAnother on Twitter it is:
A.) free
B.) being taped in a venue in Brooklyn I don't have to have to take a train from Brooklyn to Manhattan and then back into Brookyn to get to.

Prototype says

Dammit, no shows close enough to Albuquerque to justify travelling to and missing school for.

Sean L. says

I bought Level 4 as a birthday present to myself back in August, and have been waiting patiently......graciously....with wolves even. (See: Trying my best to forget that it was a thing until the moment it shows up on my door step).

The album is fantastic. I'll be at the show in Providence. Crossing my fingers that you'll be the Saturday night main attraction at PAX East. Because I'll be there too.

You're awesome. Thanks for everything.

Jimmer says

Cool! I was wondering when you would make it to Orlando. Looks like the event will be sold out.

Michael Weiss says

I am intrigued by Ask Me Another, and am looking forward to hearing it when it is finally released as a podcast. Am I correct in thinking you're playing the Carl Kasell role?

Johnny says

Aw, the two closest shows to me are VA and MA... Four and five hours away. I love the album, and I listen to the CD in my car all the time. Come back to Philly (or just make it real easy for me and come to Delaware) sometime! We're waiting excitedly for our next chance to see you live.

Carol says

Do a concert in Baltimore--please

Brooks Froio says

This may not be the best place to ask this, but, I'm searching for Fresno flowershop and I can't figure out how to find them do you have any info on this a good Fresno flowershop? Its based out of Fresno, close to my house I can't find reviews on them -- Fresno Flowers, 3101 East Washington Ave., Fresno, CA 93701 - (559) 940-6227

Mike says

Just got my Level 4 package, just in time for my birthday in a couple days. It was defiantly worth the wait.

Jonathan Scott says

Please come to Philadelphia! Amazing work.

Ryan/Nile says

THANK YOU SO MUCH JOCO :D

Got my level 3 package today in the mail, it came last week but had to be redirected. Wearing the shirt tonight :D

Ryan/Nile says

THANK YOU SO MUCH JOCO :D

Got my level 3 package today in the mail, it came last week but had to be redirected. Wearing the shirt tonight :D Worth the wait, even if every second was a needle in my chest. Good as I was running out of space for needles.