The blaKbüshe Recording Begins. We're Going in!

The band!

I know that many of you are waiting for my super long yet very detailed account of Michfest this year. I started writing it and then all hell broke loose. Well at least that’s what it felt like over here. But while dealing with the things that hell broke loose I realized that there is something else about to happen that I have to share with folks before my Fest blog is complete. I can’t do anything short and sweet when it comes to this blog, but in this case I will at least give you the good news at the top and full story at the bottom. Well, here goes nothing.

Vernon and I. Beginnings...

Tomorrow, yes this Wednesday Sept. 3rd, Shelley Nicole’s blaKbüshe are on our way to the studio to start recording the next project! As you know this album being produced by Grammy winning guitarist, producer, super cool cat, and just plain old good human being Vernon Reid of Living Colour, Masque, Yohimbe Brothers, Spectrum Road, and many more! Now that that’s out of the way, here are my thoughts on this whole thing.

My first baby

 In 2003 I released my first album, she who bleeds... . It was one of the most challenging ventures and adventures of my life. Releasing that album was like giving birth, hence the title of the album. Sure women and blood can go in a lot of directions, but for me it was both that of the monthly blood and that of the hypothetical blood that I shed to make that first baby come to life.

After the release of the first album I put everything I had into making it work. Kind of like the first kid right? You want do everything perfectly. You want to make sure they are well taken care of, so in that spirit I sent that CD everywhere. I sent it to festival submissions, radio stations, press outlets, called in favors, gave them away to folks I thought could help get my baby heard, I pressed up THOUSANDS of copies (cuz that’s how we did back in the day) because I knew it was going to be a hit and my little baby made a little noise, but then I started to get hip to the game.

I was and am an independent artist. I chose this route. No one has ever offered me a record deal in the sense that we learn about in the fairytale books. I’ve never had anyone ever tell me they were going to “make me a star.” That is not my journey; at least not so far. I know those people. I have plenty of friends who have seen the mountaintop, but couldn’t get over for one reason or another and then come to the realization that they had to get on the good foot and do it their damn selves.

As time went by I realized that my thousands of CDs were not going to be sold in a flash, but I had some good people in my corner; one of the best being Daddy-O of Stetsasonic who was a Motown exec at the time of our meeting, who got on board as my manager. To this day he is the only manager I ever had and he was deeply in my corner. But some of the other help I enlisted really wasn’t helping at all. I took in so much advice from so many different people that it all started to sound like the teacher in the Charlie Brown cartoons. I wish I had $20 for all the people that told me I didn’t fit into a particular box that black folks are supposed to be in to get ahead in this game. Well neither did the rest of my wild and wonderful friends, but here we are, and there I was. Outside, and not sold on what life would be like on the inside of the industry. So I stayed on the outs and rolled with the waves of it all. Daddy-O rolled with me and it was a ride. Thank you sir.

Daddy-O! One of my first believers.

Between 2003 and 2007 I attempted to record another album. In fact I think I attempted twice. What seems like a simple process in the eyes of those on the outside looking in is anything but. Most people on the outside watch a little too much Behind the Music or those types of shows to really understand what it takes to make an album on your own. Anyway, in 2007 I played a Brooklyn Pride event at the now sadly defunct club, Southpaw. As luck or really just fate or goodwill would have it, the club made amazing quality multi-track recordings of shows for artists for $50! Multi-track people! That was amazing. Southpaw had some of the best sound in the city. I don’t think I ever saw a bad show there. Well, we played that show and now I had this multi-track so I said, hey, I’m going to put out a live album. I felt like my studio attempts were just not happening for financial and other reasons.

So I have this recording and I say to myself, I’ll take it to one of my good friends, have him mix it and then I’ll put it out. Boom! Well once again, the slow hand of the indie music biz struck again. I will take the blame for my hand in some of the slow process. I really love my people. I know how talented so many of them are. So when the slow down started to happen with my friend I just decided to keep giving him time to pull himself together, when what I should have really done was just pull the project from him and find someone else. Sometimes, many times really, my big heart gets in the way. My want for everyone to win can be a drag sometimes. It’s taken me a long time to realize that everyone is not going to win the way I think they will. Meaning, everyone has a life’s journey and purpose. Maybe their path is not part of yours the way you think it will or should be. It doesn’t mean they won’t win at their game of life, but it might mean they are not part of your path the way you think they should be. That can be challenging to reconcile. It took me probably more time than it should have to wrangle that project back from my friend and take it to Atlanta for another friend and producer Darren Benjamin aka Daz-I-Kue to get that thing off the ground. Daz is from the UK and I had been a fan of his before becoming a friends. I have to honestly say I think I just injected myself into his life because I admired him so much. I wouldn’t see The Quick & Dirty EP completed until 2009, but with it came two amazing remixes of “blaK Girls” produced by Daz and Lionel Sanchez, Jr. and an remix of “Dance (Flying Home)” from my first album by my #1 supporter and producer/DJ extraordinaire, Ian Friday.

My Second Baby

Daz-i-Kue

Ian Friday

So now I’ve got this live album. I wasn’t even going to do an album release for it, but I was convinced otherwise so we did it up big. It was an amazing night with a ton of spectacle. I will say this about myself. I do know how to put on event on a tight budget and make it look like there was a lot of loot involved. I know I’m not alone in this. We have to be crafty in this town to pull things off.

I have been riding The Quick & Dirty EP since 2009 and once again I never thought it would take this long to start this process again. Since The Quick & Dirty came out I released it again as The Quick & Dirty EP: More Dirt and V. Jeffery Smith and I added a new song to the project and and Lionel added a remix of my song “Give it to Me” for the new pressing. I also released a lyric video for “Punanny Politixxx” produced by another musical genius in my life, Jeff Jeudy, that I wrote during the Obama re-election campaign. Also as many of you know one of my biggest stopgaps came when I was poised to produce my album with Toshi Reagon. I did an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for the project and then my voice went all haywire. I will not recap all that again. You can go back and read the blog [In Gratitude... : June 25, 2012] if you like.

Toshi Reagon. Thank you!

When the smoke started to clear I knew that some things had to change. I knew that I had to change the kind of singer that I have been, dare I say all my life. I knew that I never wanted to lose my voice like that again. I knew I needed to work on my mind and my body so I did just that. I knew that you were waiting on an album from me, but I had to be OK with letting you wait a little longer. Thank you for your patience. Thank you so much for standing by me during this growth process. I have learned so much about myself and about how people show up, or not.

I am not just a member of my own band, I am also a member of an amazing band called Burnt Sugar. I’ve had the pleasure to travel the world with them and now they are my family. I’ve been in large choirs, but this is the biggest band I’ve ever been in. Once you are part of Burnt Sugar you are always part of Burnt Sugar. You can expect a call at any time. It’s just like that.

I have been in musical circles with Vernon Reid for a long time, but it wasn’t until 2011 that we really started to get to know each other. Mikel, one of my Burnt Sugar fam, asked him to sit in on the Burnt Sugar/David Bowie show at Lincoln Center. I think he was just supposed to play on one song, but then he fell in love with the project and with band and just like that Vernon was a part of Burnt Sugar. After that, Vernon set about to record the band doing those Bowie tunes from the show. Yes there is a recording out there, but I’ll only say this about it. We recorded this project just as I returned from headlining Michfest in 2011. It was the last thing I recorded before having to shut everything down to deal with my voice. What a ride.

In 2012 Vernon conducted Burnt Sugar doing the music of Steely Dan, which is an amazing show. We did it originally at Lincoln Center and then at various venues in NYC. Then we got the call that we were taking it to Paris! Yeah, we were going back to Paris. So in the winter of 2013 we went back and I was sick as a dog. You can read my Paris blog [Next Stop Paris! :February 18, 2013] for those details, but I will recap one thing that I didn’t put in my blog. When we got off stage that night and were walking back to the dressing rooms, Vernon rolled up next to me and said, quite matter of fact, “You’re next.” Me a bit confused asked, “Next for what?” He said, “Next to conduct this band.” Now that totally came out of the blue. I wasn’t expecting that at all. I didn’t think I had done anything to warrant that statement. I mean honestly I was just glad to make it through that show because I had been so sick. It would take me some time to realize that what he was really saying was, “I see you.”

Burnt Sugar in Paris!

As 2013 forged ahead I knew that I needed to start raising money for my project again even though I had no idea who was going to produce it. So that’s when I did the blaKbüshe Wellness Days and the silent auction. I just took that money and squirreled it away for whenever the time was right to pull it out. As I thought about producers a few people came to mind and I had a few conversations with different people, but nothing would stick until the day I decided to ask Vernon.

I had prepared a whole speech for him about why he should produce me. I was convinced that I would have to convince him. Well I was totally wrong. I asked him, he said yes and then started to tell ME why he wanted to do it. OK, now that was totally unexpected. To say I was elated was an understatement.

Now we are at the beginning of this long story. What I mean is that on Wednesday, September 3rd 2014 we are going into the studio to start recording the album. Yes, after I don’t know how long, it is about to begin. I have been saying that I feel a bit like D’Angelo, minus the drama, because it’s been over 10 years since my first studio album. I know things take the time they take, but I’m going to do my level best not to have this take 10 years again.

I’m so excited about this. I’m also feeling very emotional. Those folks who are my good friends know you might get a random, “I love you” text or call from me at any time. Yes I’m that person. Sometimes my emotions just take over and I have to tell people how they have impacted my life or that I’m just feeling them in that moment. I can’t believe that tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 3rd, 2014, I am starting this process again. I never got off the path, but this studio thing is such a thing. LOL

I still have fantasies of taking my band upstate NY to some fabulous barn and being there for a week or two with nothing else to think about, but making music and laughing together and clinking some glasses and having a good time. I know some people still make records like that, but I haven’t had that luxury yet. So until then, we will do the best we can and make the most of the time we have together in that bubble that is the recording studio.

In this moment I am remembering the times with my first producer and friend John Meredith. I am remembering the innocence of those moments we had together making my first album. He believed in me and all he wanted to do was make an album. Recording music was/is his passion. I knew nothing about making a record. I put all my trust in him, but it was a challenge. I am a live show kind of girl. Meaning I feed off the audience to do what I do and at that time I had only been in a vocal booth maybe once in my life. The road to that first album was quite the journey. Bless John for walking with me through my insecurities at that time. I know this time will be so different. I’ve had more experience, etc. But I can’t forget where I’ve come from. I can’t forget all those living and some who have passed who believed in me. Lighters up for Kim and Zook...

Here we are people. We are walking thought the door once again. I don’t know what’s on the other side of this one, but I’m ready for whatever this next phase has in store. So, before you start asking a lot of questions about when it’s dropping, slow down and know that it’s coming. The baby arrives in its own time. We will not be inducing labor. When we have named the baby I’ll let you know. In fact, when there is anything to tell you, I’ll let you know. In the mean time know this. The fetus is growing. Ashe!

Me and Vernon at the Crossroads...

The Quick & Dirty EP Release Wrap Up

I liken putting out an album to having a child. I don’t have any actual children, but from what I see and hear it’s a bit like this. The first one is a real challenge because you don’t know anything at all. It’s beautiful and a blessing, but you are flying by the seat of your pants. When the second child arrives there is still a lot to learn because it’s a different person, but you are a bit more chill because you have the experience of the first. So everything is not as precious. That in a nutshell is how I felt about this CD. It is for all intents and purposes my second child.

Originally I wasn’t going to put this CD out with any fanfare at all. It took me so long to get it mixed that I had the mind to just put it up digitally, send out an email letting people know where they could buy it and call it a day. Then I could move on to getting the next studio project together. But how could I do that to one of my babies?

You see The Quick & Dirty EP a.k.a. the Q&D is quick because it’s only 6 songs and dirty because it’s live. I’ll give you a quick history and then we’ll get to the release show.

The Back Story
Last year I did a U People show during Brooklyn Pride with Staceyann Chin and Hanifah Walidah & the Fuckin’ Ladies at Southpaw in Brooklyn. Before the show the sound guy told us he would record the show if we liked. After which we could purchase the recording at $15 for a stereo mix and $50 for a multi-track. I was only going to go for the stereo mix, but then I thought I would go for the multi-track because if the recording sucked then it was only $50, but if it was great then it was only $50! As it happened the recording came out amazing!

So I have this recording, everything is separated so it can be properly mixed, but now here comes the challenge. Affording to have it mixed. I’ll jump ahead and say it took me almost a year to get it mixed and I had to go to Atlanta to get it done. Why Atlanta? Well let me go back a little further.

More Back Story
When I went to London with the band in 2007 I met some incredible artists. One of which is an emcee named LyricL. There were also a few UK folks who helped me get shows over there. One of them is Adam Rock of Uprock Recordings/Jazz Re:freshed and the other is Daz-I-Kue of Bugz in the Attic. Over the last year I asked people if they wanted to do remixes of my song “blaK Girls.” Brooklyn based producer and friend Lionel Sanchez Jr. is one of the people who remixed the song and he did a killer Afrobeat version that we are blessed to have LyricL rhyming on. Lionel sent the tracks to LyricL and she recorded it at Daz’s studio in London (he lives in Atlanta now), then the tracks came back to New York and ATL. Through this process, Daz and I developed a friendship and he agreed to mix the project. So in May I made a week of it in Georgia. I went down to mix the CD and I also went to Vinx’s Songwriter’s Soul Kitchen in McRae, GA.

Lionel finished the Afrobeat version and then Ian Friday surprised me by agreeing to put a remix of “Dance (Flying Home)” (from my first album) on the project. What?!! Now I’m psyched! Two remixes. Daz agreed to master the project and then he told me to look out for a surprise from him. Well, his surprise was a Dub of the “blaK Girls” remix! Now we’re cooking with gas!

They say you should never plan an album release until the product in hand, but I have never followed that rule. My master came in at the wire so I had to rush CD production. Everything was on track until it wasn’t. I got a call from the manufacturer saying that something happened at the printer and they had to split the CD shipment. Okay. I’m breathing. Fine, as long as I have something for the show.

The Show Brainstorm
I had some ideas for the Q&D, but I needed some help to bring them to life. So I called Achuziam and Monstah Black to help me brainstorm on the Quick & Dirty theme. We all come up with some great ideas that I was honestly unsure how we were going to pull them off.

You know the real meaning of the Quick & Dirty, but you also know what it sounds like. I like the play on words so I wanted to go with it. When Chuz, Monstah and I got together to brainstorm we came up with some pretty interesting ideas. Some of which I’ll save for the book, but I will say this. It had the makings to be much more dirty than quick. After a productive conversation this is what we decided.

I wanted the night to be an event and Kim Knox (who booked us at Littlefield) told me that no one had really ever dressed Littlefield. It’s a great room that has gallery space in the front, and in the back where the bands play is like a black box theater. So there was room to do a lot. We wanted people to know they were somewhere as soon as they walked up. So we decided to set up a bedroom scene in the courtyard that would be backlit behind a scrim. So all people would see as they entered were shadows of bodies. You might think you are seeing a man and a woman, two men, two women, three people, who knows. It was for the voyeur in everyone. Of course when we thought about that it was warm outside. We didn’t really think about the fact that it would be the end of November when this all took place and possibly very cold outside. Later I decided to move the bedroom inside for the comfort of all involved.

The second idea was the “showers.” The idea was that in life you usually go from the bedroom to the shower under various circumstances. *wink* Monstah said that he would put together two showers made of hula-hoops with clear plastic. We would need two platforms for the dancers to go on either side of the stage. I know you are thinking, what?? Just go with me. The idea was to drape rope over one of the pipes on the ceiling of the club so that the showers had a place to hang from.

Finally, I needed lights and platforms. Those were the two big items. Chuz had the air mattresses and the polls for the scrim. Monstah had the hula-hoops, plastic and the ropes. Kim said she knew someone who might be able to help us get the platforms and she also suggested reaching out to our friend Tillary about the lights.

It seemed like everything was moving along smoothly. Kim was looking into platforms and I called Tillary about the lights. Till put in me touch with his friend Jay for lights and it was supposed to be a hook-up. So I went to meet with Jay, he said he would look into the lights for me and I felt good about it. So that was that, for a bit.

The show date was getting closer and my hook ups for platforms and lights were not panning out. A couple of weeks went by and Jay informed me that I might be better off buying lights and it would cost me about $150 or $175 for what I needed. Well that couldn’t happen because that was not in the budget. So I needed a plan B. Next, the platforms.

Nothing seemed to be coming through on that front. Chuz told me to ask Aleijuan because he had some platforms made for a show he did at his school. Asked, but that was a no go. Then she suggested that I got to IKEA and see if I could find some cheap coffee tables that would be big enough or something in the AS IS section. I checked IKEA, found tables that might work that weren’t too pricy, but what was I going to do with two coffee tables after the show was over? Chuz said I could take them back which sounded good, but if people were going to dance on them who knew if that could really happen. I thought that was my final option, but then I remembered my theater and movie friends. So I put out a few emails, one in particular to Steven Sapp of Universes, and the next day I got a text from him telling me to reach out to a woman named Marisa Marshall at the Henry Street Settlement: Abrons Arts Center. I was hyped!!!

I called her, but didn’t hear back right away so I got a little nervous. I thought I was going to have to go to IKEA after all, but Marisa came thought in the clutch with platforms! Amazing. Much love to her and Steven. So the platforms were good to go, but what about the lights? I had given up on getting real theater lights at that point so now what? Chuz reminded me that she suggested I just get some clip lights from Home Depot. Well, I should have gone there in the first place because those lights were $7 a piece and they worked great lighting the scrim! I thought we were good to go, but then I was concerned about how we were going to get the polls to stand up since we didn’t have any earth to stake them in. I ran the situation by Chuz and after a bit of brainstorming and talking to her mother they came up with the idea of Christmas tree sands. Brilliant! Now that that was figured out I had to get clear on what needed to be done the day of the show and getting those stands was just one thing.

The day before the show I felt sick. Not usual for me. But the day of the show I was strangely calm. I had a lot to do, but I knew it would get done. My mother was coming in the morning so she could help as well.

Day of the Show
I got up in the morning and headed to LaGuardia to get a rental car. Why there? Frankly, it’s cheaper. When I got there I got a call from my mother saying that she had just entered the New York city limits. She was early. I got the car, headed back to my house and we arrived at the same time, which was great! We were supposed to pick up the platforms at 12:30pm and head to the club to drop them off at 1:30pm. Well you know what they say about plans and God. Marisa was late getting to the theater and then Kim called to tell me that the folks couldn’t get to the club until 3:30 or 4pm. Okay. So what to do now? My mother and I decided to go eat and hit Loew’s for the Christmas tree stands. After that we headed to the theater to get the platforms. At first we weren’t sure if they would fit in the cars we had, but with a little rope everything was good to go. We headed back over the bridge to the club to drop off the platforms and then I headed home to get my things, just to head back to the club.

Of course by this time everything is running a little late. Sound check was supposed to be at 6 and it really didn’t jump off completely until 7. Then I got news from two of my horn players that they thought I was going on at 9pm so they booked another gig at 11pm. Great! (very sarcastic voice). Well the show must go on.

We sound checked, California King checked, we got the bed up, we got the showers up, but we had to change their location and number of platforms. The dancers were in the house, Gaetano was in the house with my outfit, which I’ll get to. Videographers? Check. Photographer? Check. Folks to work the merch table? Check. The gangs all here. Let’s get the show on the road.

About 8pm we got the bedroom scene going. I only got to check it out for a little bit, but it was very cool if I do say so myself. Kim said she had to go back there and tell folks the who were behind the scrim to ease up on the “sexy noises.” LOL! I can only imagine. Of course it was a hit!



Ian began to spin until it was time for California King who went on at about 9:30pm. While they were on we were getting ready in the back. So what did I wear this time? You can check out the photos to see the full details, but it was a hot pink body suit, with black sequence butterfly appliqués, fishnets, knee high black boots, feathers in my hair and some killer makeup! It was sort of like burlesque meets A Clockwork Orange, plus a little costume surprise. Here’s a little backstage story.

When we were backstage getting my outfit together I was trying to figure out weather to put my underwear over or under my fishnets and my mother says, “Why do you need underwear at all?” What??!!! Now none of us were expecting to hear that from my mother. Well we quickly realized that would really be a “black bush” show if I didn’t wear any drawers! LOL! I think that statement was the highlight of my evening.


[My Beautiful Mom]

After California King killed it, I was ready for us to hit the stage. I had a pretty big band that night. Jerome (guitar), Ganessa (bass), Jeff (guitar), V. Jeff (sax), Matsu (drums), Ki Ki (b.vox), Achuziam (b.vox), Lionel (percussion/keys), Shawn (percussion), Taku (trumpet) and eZra (sax).

The music started I walked out. Not in my hot pink bodysuit, but in my green mechanics jumpsuit! Gaetano rigged the suite with Velcro so that it could be peeled or ripped off of me. Micah followed me out on stage and then when I gave him the cue he undressed me! He took my suit off to reveal my body suit underneath! It was very hot if I do say so myself. He not only undressed me, but he then also danced with me so it was lots of fun and the people really loved it! I had on lots of tulle. Tulle collar, tulle puff on the back of my suit and as I said that night, “Every girl should have a little tulle in their life.”


[Fluffing the tulle]


[The big reveal]





As the show progressed we had more and more fun. My makeup was running so there was a black mascara tear coming down my face. It was amazing! At the end of the show for the encore we did the “blaK Girls” Afrobeat remix. We were sans the whole horn section, but V. Jeff held it down. The surprise for the encore besides doing the remix was that I rhymed for the first time in my life! I know you are saying, what? Well you have to do what you have to do. On the recording of the remix LyricL rhymes. I couldn’t get her here from London, so I had to figure something out. So I channeled my love for hip-hop and wrote a rhyme. I’m no Lauryn Hill, but I do think I held my own. From the look on David Pilgrim’s face I think I did pretty good. I had so much fun! I think my rhyming days have just begun. You see! I’m rhyming! LOL! I also wanted to get the party started so I jumped in the audience and danced with the people. While I was on the ground Jerome, Micah and Aleijuan were holding down the dancing on stage. Ian spun us out of the song and kept the party going. It was an amazing night!


[Rawk 'n Roll!]




[Micah wiping my black tear]


[Ki Ki, Chuz and Baby Sanchez at their first show]


[Aleijuan & Micah taking us home]

When all was said and done we sold lots of CDs, blaKbüshe undies and bags so we were able to give to the Lower East Side Girls Club! I’m so happy about that. Giving back was one of the best parts of the night.

The dancing, mingling and breaking down wrapped up around 2am, but you know how it is after a show. There’s always that post-show energy that if you’re not careful can get you into trouble. So instead of trouble, Jeff, my friend Adrienne and I went out to eat. We didn’t get home until 4am, no sleep till 5am, and I was up at 10am because my mom was up. Needless to say I was beat on Saturday, but my work was not done.

My mom and I had to head back to the club to get the platforms so we could take them back to the theater. With some time to kill we took the Christmas tree stands back to Lowe’s (yes we took them back), went window shopping for furniture and then headed to the club. We packed the platforms in the cars and headed back over the bridge to the theater. We dropped of the platforms and then my mother got back on the road to MA and I went back to BK and to sleep. Now the show was officially over and I was beat!

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Quick & Dirty EP release happen. I’m so glad that I didn’t just put the album out and send out an email. It’s really about celebrating everything that you do. No matter how big or small. It’s very important to take note of all our accomplishments and all of our successes. Don’t take anything for granted. On some days just getting up and out of bed is a success. Sometimes making a few phone calls for the day is a success. Be kind to yourself and proud of all the things that you do on a daily basis.

Thank you everyone for your love and support of me and my music over the years. I am so proud to bring you The Quick & Dirty EP. I know you will enjoy it.

Have a great holiday season! May it be Merry, Quick & Dirty!

XXOO

Thank You!


[Thank you and Goodnight!]

Band:
Shelley Nicole-lead vox/bass (yes I’m thanking myself)
Jerome Jordan-guitar
Ganessa James-bass
Jeff Jeudy-guitar
Shawn Banks-percussion
Matsu-drums
Achuziam Maha-backing vox
Ki Ki Hawkins-backing vox
Lionel Sanchez-keys
V. Jeffery Smith-Sax
eZra Brown-sax
Taku Kuroda-trumpet
Ian Friday-DJ

Dancers:
Monstah Black-Host
Ashley Brockington-Host
Micah Lee
Kiebpoli Calnek
Aleijuan King
Ebony Kuumba
Sunder Ashni


Wardrobe/Makeup:
Gaetano Cannella


Video:
Olive Demetrius
M. Asli Dukan

Photography:
Sara Zuiderveen

Merch:
Hanifah Walidah
Chelsea Johnson
Mom (Thanks Mom!)

Last, but Not Least:
Kim Knox
Marisa Marshall
Steven Sapp

You can purchase The Quick & Dirty EP at cdbaby.com
Check for more photos of Shelley Nicole's blaKbüshe on Facebook and Myspace!