Behind the Scenes with Paul and Storm: GIPFA
So what do bands do when they're not gigging? Some of you probably think it's just playtime, and that we just sit around eating Cheetos while watching the interwebs.
No, no! It's a time of Great Industry and Planning for Future Achievement. That's right. We call it "GIPFA" (pronounced like it looks.) In fact, we've decided to rename the month of August "GIPFA".
But what does GIPFA really mean, in practical terms? Is it just some b.s. that I pulled out my ass two minutes after I sat down to write this blog because I didn't really have anything substanative to talk about?
No, no! It's a mantra, ethic, moral code, several mores, Constitution, bylaw, colorful pocket map, and serving suggestion all wrapped up in one acronymistic bundle.
Take today, for example. We could have spent the day as irresponsible gadabouts, spending our time on cheap talk and wine. But that would be wrong.
Instead, we rehearsed.
Yes, that noble act that we've named "Rehearsal". Let's break it down:
Re - From the Latin "re", meaning "again". Or maybe "about". I think it depends on the context.
-hear From the word that you know. Duh! Roughly means: Of the act of taking in sound waves.
-sal Origin unknown. Believed to be a corruption of the word "all", or the name "Al".
So when you look at it that way, it becomes quite clear...
Re-hear-sal: Again taking in all the sound waves OR Taking in about all the sound waves. Possibly with Al.
So now that you have a basic understanding of the concept, let's see how it played out today...
4PM - Paul arrives at Storm's house. Brings guitar that Storm forgot after Falcon Ridge.
4PM - 4:30 P&S discuss important matters, such as what each of them plan to TiVo in the coming week and the health of their respective pets.
4:30-5:30 Storm noodles on the guitar. Paul presents new song he's been working on. Paul had a Chipotle burrito on the way up, and P&S get little done, as they break into hysterical laugheter every time Paul emits. Storm's cat is gassed out of the room.
5:30-6:30 The magic happens. Neither one remembers anything afterwards, but when they come to, the song is nearly complete.
6:30-7 Storm picks his girlfriend up from the Metro station. Paul rectifies his present discontent.
7-8:30 Pizza party! Dough made fresh from scratch. Recipe to appear here eventually.
8:30-10:30 P&S dismantle the song they finished earlier, making sure the steering wheel isn't where the radiator is supposed to be, etc. When the dust clears, song is almost exactly as it was before, except the word "the" in the second chorus was changed to "a".
10:30-11:00 P&S congratulate each other on another successful Re-hear-sal.
So there it is -- the very heart of GIPFA. Wisdom in motion, baby...
Storm.
So what do bands do when they're not gigging? Some of you probably think it's just playtime, and that we just sit around eating Cheetos while watching the interwebs.
No, no! It's a time of Great Industry and Planning for Future Achievement. That's right. We call it "GIPFA" (pronounced like it looks.) In fact, we've decided to rename the month of August "GIPFA".
But what does GIPFA really mean, in practical terms? Is it just some b.s. that I pulled out my ass two minutes after I sat down to write this blog because I didn't really have anything substanative to talk about?
No, no! It's a mantra, ethic, moral code, several mores, Constitution, bylaw, colorful pocket map, and serving suggestion all wrapped up in one acronymistic bundle.
Take today, for example. We could have spent the day as irresponsible gadabouts, spending our time on cheap talk and wine. But that would be wrong.
Instead, we rehearsed.
Yes, that noble act that we've named "Rehearsal". Let's break it down:
Re - From the Latin "re", meaning "again". Or maybe "about". I think it depends on the context.
-hear From the word that you know. Duh! Roughly means: Of the act of taking in sound waves.
-sal Origin unknown. Believed to be a corruption of the word "all", or the name "Al".
So when you look at it that way, it becomes quite clear...
Re-hear-sal: Again taking in all the sound waves OR Taking in about all the sound waves. Possibly with Al.
So now that you have a basic understanding of the concept, let's see how it played out today...
4PM - Paul arrives at Storm's house. Brings guitar that Storm forgot after Falcon Ridge.
4PM - 4:30 P&S discuss important matters, such as what each of them plan to TiVo in the coming week and the health of their respective pets.
4:30-5:30 Storm noodles on the guitar. Paul presents new song he's been working on. Paul had a Chipotle burrito on the way up, and P&S get little done, as they break into hysterical laugheter every time Paul emits. Storm's cat is gassed out of the room.
5:30-6:30 The magic happens. Neither one remembers anything afterwards, but when they come to, the song is nearly complete.
6:30-7 Storm picks his girlfriend up from the Metro station. Paul rectifies his present discontent.
7-8:30 Pizza party! Dough made fresh from scratch. Recipe to appear here eventually.
8:30-10:30 P&S dismantle the song they finished earlier, making sure the steering wheel isn't where the radiator is supposed to be, etc. When the dust clears, song is almost exactly as it was before, except the word "the" in the second chorus was changed to "a".
10:30-11:00 P&S congratulate each other on another successful Re-hear-sal.
So there it is -- the very heart of GIPFA. Wisdom in motion, baby...
Storm.
