written and performed by Adam Rabin

Mailbox returns with the ominously titled "Last Call" for your listening pleasure. Is this the end? Is it that late already?

Meh. Just having fun with some new software and some old samples. Partially done in preparation for a particular track for Prince Trevor Amongst the Elephants.

To update from my last entry, Hot Neon Magic is going very well. Bringing my chops back up and having a ton of fun. I'm writing my own music, playing to enthusiastic crowds and making a living. Obviously, I am talking about three different things but it's fun to tell myself this.

The next Mailbox album (or two) continues to brew in my head. I'm just not quite ready to jump onto that yet.

My current original project is the music for Cross-Eyed Bear Theater's production of Duncan Pflaster's "Prince Trevor Amongst the Elephants" which will premier in NYC in July. My task is to write some scene change music, some background music and write a short uke ballad. It'll be about twenty tracks but most will be very short (20 seconds or so).

I need to have this done by the end of June and everything is on schedule so far. I have a few themes written and some arrangement ideas.

The new home studio is all set up, sounding good and ready to go. Stand by.

Quite a crazy couple of months I've had. The next few months are looking to be equally busy. So here's an update on things Mailbox and me.

I have a bunch of songs I'd like to record. Many are very old Back To The Zoo tracks. I only have 2 or 3 new songs written that are actually itchin' to be recorded. I'd love to sit down and write a whole new album of material but the time just isn't available at the moment. Also, I don't know what I'd write about or what kind of songs I want to write. I know I need some fresh inspiration and I've taken steps to find that new perspective.

To my surpsise, I'm playing in a 1980s cover band that Jeff Margolis started up a while ago. I'm getting a big kick out of Hot Neon Magic and we played a huge gig the other week. We have some great (and some not-so-great) clips up on the site. Check out me belting out some Human League. Priceless. Aside from having fun reliving my childhood I'm working with new musicians and getting to know intimately the song structures and styles of other artists' work. It is proving very rewarding and educational. Who knew "The Safety Dance" had so much to teach us?

I also have a pending gig with another band. A friend of mine has put together a four-piece act with me on keys. We haven't actually played together yet but he has a gig lined up for June. We're looking to do mostly originals and a few choice covers. We'd have three songwriters in the band which would be first for me (if you exclude HCR). As with Hot Neon Magic, I look forward to getting into the heads of some other songwriters. I don't know what to expect from this outfit but it could be a great excuse for me to get writing and find my present voice.

I don't think I'll be working on any new recordings for a while. When we returned to Vermont in December, we moved into a short-lease rental. We're planning on moving into a permanent home in a couple months which means I have to break down all my gear here in a few weeks. So it goes.

If you want to keep up with my various projects, you can subscribe to this blog for Mailbox info or become a Mailbox fan on Facebook. Also check out the Hot Neon Magic Facebook page. If anything takes hold with the "other band" I will provide a link to it from imadeitup.com and the Mailbox Facebook page.