Talking About Commas: News

"...Gentle music with honest lyrics, this CD muses thoughtfully on the hectic modern lifestyle in tracks like "Kids, Jobs, Women & Gods" and "Get a Car," where he urges us to "Gather up your money, stick your thumb out and start running to those places you can't prove exist." I love the vocal sound on "Women & Gods" in particular; Connelly's soft-spoken words challenge the status quo, which makes an intriguing counterpart for the more traditional country stylings. The lyrics read like poetry, although it still manages to sound melodic..."
- Beeb Ashcroft

Talking About Commas is the "Pulse Check" artist of the week for southcoast247.com. Read the interview here

Bear will be doing an on on-air performance/interview next Thursday (the 7th) on their weekly "247 Pulse" radio show on 89.3 WUMD (stream at www.893wumd.org).

Here's a couple little video clips from a recent show in New Bedford, MA of "Even the Sun Shines" and "Needle in the Hay" on piano.



Talking About Commas @ New Wave 1/25/08

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Happy New Year to everyone. I hope you all enjoyed your various festivities as you celebrated the ushering in of 2008. I spent the new year playing a gig in my hometown with the White Thighs. Good times...

2008 promises to be a huge year in the world of Commas. I finished tracking the new album (tentatively titled Freeport) a couple weeks ago and it will be out in the coming months. Once the album is released look for some gigs to pop up around New England to support its release. Hopefully with a band! Stay tuned...

- the guy in the rabbit suit

We are is proud to announce the re-release of Bear's first two full-length LP's into the digital world. Commas' debut album, 2002's Variations on Descending Patterns, and a collection of home recordings, 2005's Fourtrack and Forget, can now be purchased in their entirety through the "Music Store" section of this site or through the Commas' myspace page.

These recordings, though rough around the edges, provide an indepth look into Bear's songwriting maturation process (think Conor Oberst's Water, Beck's One Foot in the Grave or Phish's The White Tape). Previously Bear had given them away to friends on burnt cd's with homemade artwork but now these collectors items can be purchased online. Grab yourself a copy today!

Bear has spent the past week in Busted Barn studios in Freeport, Maine tracking for the new album (due next spring) with engineer/producer Pete Morse. The video above is Pete laying down some pedal steel tracks on a reworking of "Needle in the Hay" and the new song "Kids Jobs Women and Gods".

Bear will also play a couple of solo acoustic sets in the coming months in his new home of Providence, RI. Check the tour page for details...

Greetings All,

As July fades into August and the summer continues, there are big changes in the world of Commas. I’m moving from Lake Tahoe back to New England to live full time for the first time in 9 years. As a result, I will leave Two Out Rally and spend all my time writing and performing with Talking About Commas (which will not be a solo project forever). I would like to thank all my friends, muses and collaborators for all the wonderful musical moments I have experienced all over Northern California in the past 3 years. I will never forget this time in my life, and I hope to someday (soon) bring Commas back to these wonderful places to play along side my west coast friends once again.

I am however, looking forward to the opportunities that await in an environment (that I find) more conducive to music making and live performance. Look for solo or full band Commas’ gigs to pop up all over New England and New York in the coming year. This fall I will be splitting time in a couple Rhode Island studios and Busted Barn studios in Freeport Maine recording the 3rd full length Commas album. Look for it in early 2008.

Thanks and be well,

The guy in the Rabbit suit

Check out my version of Nathan Moore's "James Alley Blues". Click here and then go to the "Pickin on Percy" section to listen.

4 "demo" versions of new songs are now streaming in the music section of this site under the "Bedroom Demos" tag. These songs are solo acoustic versions of Bear's newest work. These songs may or may not end up on an album, and if they do it won't be in the form you are hearing now. Check em out!

The Bear penned "Six Long Days" (performed by Two Out Rally) is featured on a compilation benefit CD called "Tahoe Locals Vol. 1". All proceeds go to the Kidzone Museum in Truckee, CA.

to buy a copy go here

Yesterday Bear suffered a fractured right thumb and a fully torn ligament in the same hand in a skiing crash. Bear will undergo surgery tomorrow to reattach the ligament.

Due to the injury, Bear is forced to cancel TAC's opening set for Two Out Rally tomorrow night at Truckee's Pastime club. Bear will still sing for the Rally, but won't be playing guitar.

Commas has made their last 2 EP's available for download.

Talking ABout Commas will be the opening band for the White Thighs acoustic St Patty's day show. Come on down, I hit at 7pm.