Franklin for Short

Lightning/Thunder now available online

2011-11-27T16:02:00.001-08:00

The Lightning/Thunder 7" is finally available online. You can download it from our bandcamp page here.

Dunes

2011-05-04T09:39:00.000-07:00

Photos by Chelsea Brewer

for more information: www.chelseabrewer.com

2011-02-02T17:16:00.000-08:00

"Real Deal" Casal Puts it Nicely

2010-12-17T11:59:00.000-08:00

Neal Casal was recently interviewed by the VC Reporter and had some nice things to say about us and our new record. Thanks Neal, welcome to the neighborhood. Read the interview here

Stole our tele

2010-11-01T23:27:00.000-07:00

Halloween was a chance for us to have some fun in our collective cover bands. Bryan Russell's blue fender telecaster was stolen from Bombay on Halloween night, after an outstanding performance as Ray Davies. The guitar belongs to the band, and was a featured instrument on every album from Wildcat to Dark Cloud. Super Bummed.

Upright Citizens Brigade-Los Angeles

2010-10-13T12:02:00.000-07:00

A few months ago we received an e-mail from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Los Angeles, asking us if we would like to come participate in a sketch comedy show called ASSSSCAT. The deal was, we would play a few songs and then the sketch comedy team (which included: Matt Besser, Chad Carter, Ben Schwartz, and Jill Donnelly) would perform several improv skits based upon our song lyrics and "meanings".
Sounded like a good time, so we were all in. Our very own Brian Granillo has been a loyal patron of the UCB for many years, and managed to get a few of us to attend previous sketch and stand up shows, so we knew what a treat this would be.
The whole night was a hilarious whirlwind.

For more photos of that night, click here.

A bit about Dark Cloud

2010-09-28T20:52:00.000-07:00

I want to tell you a bit about Dark Cloud, the latest LP. I know a few of you out there would like to know some more details about it and there is some credit which is due to the people who were involved.

Sometime in 2009 we started on the project with Jon Debaun behind the helm. Jon had recorded our previous full-length effort, SWELL (Beehouse Records). We were definitely in new musical territory. As a band, our palates had evolved and we had added a new member, Matt Barks on the Synth, Theremin, and "stuff". A big influence in the album's sound was based on our live shows.

The title, "Dark Cloud", is a reference to an anxious feeling of impending doom. Almost a year into the making it seemed as if the album may not see the light of day. A dark cloud on the horizon typically signifies a storm coming, a powerful, natural energy headed your way. In close second for the album title choice was, "Loser Delusions".

To me, the overall sound is unique unto itself. It was very much a collaborative effort by all the players, who each added their different stamps. Later on in the recording process, any visions that we once had at the begging had vanished and Dark Cloud took on a life of its own. Brian G could probably give you a list of genre-hyphens. I'm not as eloquent, although I would definitely attach 'psychedelic' to the the mix.

The cover photo comes to us all the way from Australia and the talented John Skuja. I described to him that I envisioned a crashing wave from the perspective of the sea floor. While out on assignment photographing surfers he captured the perfect underwater image for the album cover.

All in all we are very proud of Dark Cloud and hope it turns you on.
_Seth Pettersen

CREDITS:
Players
Bryan Russell: Guitars
Trevor Beld-Jimenez: Bass, Vocals, Guitars
Seth Pettersen: Guitars, Vocals, Harmonica
Matt Barks: Synths, Theremin, Stuff
Brian Granillo: Drums, Percussion

additional players
Paul E. Pate: Horns, Woodwinds
Mike Drohman: French Horn

Produced and Engineered
by
Jon Debaun

Cover Photo
John Skuja

Artwork and Design
Simone Rubi

Waterfall

2010-08-29T21:58:00.000-07:00

Video by Angela Izzo!

2010-08-22T20:44:00.000-07:00

photo by Sasha Green

poster by T Beld

Black Francis for Short

2010-08-06T12:06:00.001-07:00

Find tickets at www.clubmercy.com +21

Michael Runion will never die

2010-07-31T12:55:00.000-07:00

The Bootleg Theater is magical. Michael Runion is the King of LA. Also playing is a band we seem to be cosmically connected to: Threes and Nines. An evening worthy of your attention. Find tickets at: www.foldsilverlake.com

Neal Casal and Sparrows Gate

2010-07-23T17:37:00.001-07:00

Origami Vinyl In-Store

2010-07-12T22:08:00.000-07:00

Origami Vinyl is an all wax record shop located next to the world famous Two Boots Pizza. We played there last Saturday and had tons of fun. Thanks to everyone who came to the show! Look:

Back from the East

2010-06-17T16:28:00.000-07:00

Toronto Crowd photo by Seth

We have been putting off updating the b-log because there is way too much to report. Way too many people to thank, way too many great pictures, way too much to tell you about.
I guess I will start by stating that the Kings of Convenience are aptly named. We learned so much from them and will forever be indebted for the experience of a lifetime. Now we'll let the pictures do the talking:
Webster Hall Photo by Sasha Green

Cheersing on the Bus Photo by Tim Bramlette

Erlend, Seth, Peter Photo by BG

?uest Love after the Fallon Show Photo by ?uest's Love

T Beld Webster Hall = Just like Skating Plus Photo by Seth

Kings of Convenience at the Metro, Chicago Photo by Tracy Graham

Franklin for Short Post Metro Photo by Tracy Graham

Franklin for Short at the Metro Photo by Tracy Graham

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

2010-05-17T15:09:00.000-07:00

Hey Ventura friends, we're playing one local show before we split to the East Coast. Come down to Bombay April 27th. 10pm. Free. +21

Short to open for the Hips

2010-02-25T15:45:00.000-08:00

The Mother Hips to me, are the modern day Byrds.They got a new album out called "Pacific Dust" which is totally groovin' and to support it they are touring all over the map. They'll make a pit stop in Ventura on April 9th to to shake the halls of the Elks Lodge. Franklin for Short will be opening. Pre-sale tickets are available for $15 at www.zoeyscafe.com. Tickets at the door are $20. BUT...if you show up on the night of the show with a printed copy of this flier, you get in for a measly $12. Why? because we love you. Tuff Economic Tymes.

June Brides

2010-02-11T17:49:00.001-08:00

Its looking like the Kings of Convenience // Franklin for Short East Coast tour will be rescheduled for early June. Phhew! Now chill my babies. See you soon.

Kings of Convenience // Franklin for Short CANCELED!

2010-02-10T10:23:00.000-08:00

The Kings of Convenience // Franklin for Short East Coast Tour has just been canceled. Unfortunately, due to a rather gnarly illness the Kings have pulled out. Possible rescheduling of shows to happen in the future, be on the look out. We are super bummed and hope Eirik feels better soon!

Some Live Recordings and Podcasts

2010-01-18T12:36:00.001-08:00

Josh Redman is one of the main dudes behind SBDIY and has booked Franklin for Short to play some of our most memorable shows to date. He has documented and archived a few of these shows. Check them out here:
Franklin for Short live at Muddy Waters w/ Palms
Franklin for Short live at Muddy Waters w/ Beehouse Fest
Franklin for Short live at Biko Garage w/ BOAT

Ted Coe hosts a radio show on 91.9 KCSB in Santa Barbara called "Freak Power Ticket". Both Seth and Trevor appeared seperately last month to hang out with Ted and talk about Franklin for Short and their seperate/together "side projects" Tall Tales and the Silver Lining and Seth Pettersen & the Undertow. Check out the podcasts here:
Seth and Trevor on Freak Power Ticket

East Coast Tour with Kings of Convenience

2010-01-14T10:45:00.000-08:00

Our friend Simone Rubi introduced us to Eirik and Erlend aka Kings of Convenience, about a year ago or so. They were in town from Norway for her sister's wedding. We sang songs and played tennis. These guys are super good songwriters, fairly well known throughout the world and have invited us to go tour the East Coast of the US with them. 8 magical shows. Brooklyn on Valentines Day? Count us in! See you in the snow...

Beehouse Zoeys Residency Night 5

2009-12-13T12:26:00.001-08:00

Franklin for Short will be headlining the 5th night of the Beehouse Records Residency at Zoeys on January 29th 2010. For more information visit Zoeys and Beehouse.

Recording is fun

2009-12-08T13:57:00.000-08:00

So far so good. Laying it down at Ventura Recording Conservatory. What a great place.
8 songs in, can't wait to see/hear what happens next.

The Residency Thus far...

2009-11-23T08:55:00.001-08:00

The residency has been a blast thus far! Thanks to everyone who has come out, two more awesome shows to go! Tonight features Jack Wilson Jr and we're ending things big next week with Lovebird. Murphy Ward was there last week to take a few hundred snapshots, he's got quite an eye!

Sherwood in the Hub

2009-11-13T12:03:00.001-08:00

Last night we played on the UCSB campus, opening up for Sherwood. We didn't promote the show very much, but we didn't really need to. Sherwood is on Myspace Records, and the show was put on by the school. Everyone there treated us very well, especially our contact, Lizzy, and the boys in Sherwood. They invited us over to their green room for some pasta. We had a green room of our own, which did not include pasta, but was equipped with beer. Looking back, I'm pretty sure everyone had a good time.

Monday Night Residency at Billy O's November 2009

2009-10-29T19:28:00.001-07:00

Hey Folks,
November is almost upon us, and for us it means another Monday Night Residency at the world famous Billy O's . Quite frankly, the best little dive bar in Ventura. We've lined up some exciting acts to open each show. November 2nd will feature Le Petit Protest, our brothers from the north, Lompoc to be exact play a sort of folk-pop sure to melt your ears in the vein of MWard. November 9th we have Mr. Highway, who make some of the most interesting local music we've heard, Polvo fans drive your volvo to this showvo. November 16th features Deep Magic, a one man psychedelic extravaganza, his home made cassettes are something else. November 23rd our good pals from LA, Jack Wilson Jr., who recently earned the moniker "best bar band in LA", will bring their smooth grooves and wurlitzer. And guess what? There are 5 mondays in November which means November 30th we're going out with a bang by bringing Lovebird! Just in time for their CD release. Everyone Welcome...over 21.

New Noise Festival 10.10.09

2009-10-09T11:03:00.000-07:00

Seven Inch Is Here

2009-08-17T15:11:00.000-07:00

It is here!
Limited 200 copies. Only available at live show, for now. Soon to be available through www.beehouserecords.com and ITUNES.
Peace. Peace.

Zoeys Fest August 1st

2009-07-20T17:15:00.001-07:00

Pleased to Meet You...Again.

2009-06-04T00:02:00.000-07:00

Concert for the Coast with Tom Curren

2009-05-29T23:27:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we're heading up to Isla Vista to play at the Surfrider Concert for the coast. We're playing with some sweet bands, including Tom Curren, the legend himself. Like most surfers, he also plays music. Word.

L'Keg

2009-05-19T17:50:00.001-07:00

Being from Ventura which lies roughly 60 miles North of LA proper, my knowledge of the nightlife in the city is somewhat limited. Truth be told, I don't really get out much at all, let alone venture down to LA for some nocturnal action. Although, in the past couple years Franklin for Short has managed to play many of the more prominent night clubs in the City of Angels. We've seen the good, the bad, and the strange. One thing our good pals in Jack Wilson Jr., have shared with us is the love of playing the LA art gallery scene. Echo Curio, Pehrspace, and now L'Keg have proven over and over again to be excellent facilites for our kind of vibe. Cheap admission, all ages, laid back atmosphere, and of course BYOB. This time around we're basically bringing a bunch of great Ventura bands and throwing them all on the same bill. So stoked on this flyer.
-Seth

Honky Tonkin is Here to Stay

2009-04-16T18:45:00.000-07:00

Another Lost Weekend

2009-04-01T10:03:00.001-07:00

"Fast and Soft" Music Video

2009-03-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

Our good buddy James moved to Brooklyn a few years ago. We thought we'd never have to deal with him again until he calls us up out of the blue last month. Turns out he's been busy making music videos and all kinds of other cool stuff. He asked us if we wanted to shoot a video, for a budget of $99. We debated over the song choice, but finally settled on Fast & Soft. The video will be available exclusively through 99 Dollar Music Videos for the next three months. Please peep it here:
www.99dollarmusicvideos.com
Thanks to James and Kenny for doing what they do best.
Heres some stills:

Enjoy your Life

2009-03-20T13:38:00.001-07:00

some deli in san mateo...

2009-03-19T22:55:00.000-07:00

Twitter

2009-02-18T11:55:00.000-08:00

California Voyage January 2009

2009-01-31T12:21:00.000-08:00

The first month of 2009 is over, and I can't even count how many great things happened!
The shows we played were some of the best ones ever. From San Diego to Sacramento, each show was different and fun. So many nice folks out there, its a wonder why we'd ever come home. But alas, being back in Ventura is soo good. We would like to thank the following people and things for all their help on the road less travelled: Ashley Lloyd, Bonnie and Station 40, Buildings Breeding Crew, Claudia Sanchez, Hoshwa and SBDIY, RC at the Partisan, Santa Cruz friends, Kristin Connor, Crazy Kenny, Certain Sparks Crew, Le Petit Crew, Tom Brosseau, Hobo Earl, Biko Garage, and last but not least the trusty rusty big blue cloud. No thanks to UPS for holding BRuss hostage.
Here are some pics that I took at a gas station
Peace on Earth,
Seth

SadSteve.com Exclusive Interview

2009-01-24T10:51:00.000-08:00

Check out the interview with SADSTEVE.COM
click here:READ IT NOW.

Taking Pre-orders Now!

2009-01-12T22:07:00.000-08:00

Hey Dudes and Dudettes,
Blackbird Music Records is now officially taking pre-orders for LOVESICK MISTRESS and THE GIFT CURSE on VINYL!
They will ship out in mid-march, this cosmic comic should help explain the benefits and process involved:

click here to order now!

Bart Davenport for Short

2008-12-14T11:25:00.000-08:00

Franklin for Short has had many ties to the Bay Area during our existence. Recording at Tiny Telephone, crashing on our friends floors, spilling Pabst at the MakeOut Room, and now Bart Davenport. He's trekking down from the city to play at the hippest joint in Goleta, the Mercury Lounge. Its a free show so you have no excuse if you're over 21.

Lovesick Mistress & The Gift Curse to be pressed on vinyl!!

2008-12-02T21:43:00.000-08:00

The awesome dude who is Travis over at Blackbird Music put out 2004's "Lovesick Mistress" and 2005's "The Gift Curse". To mark the 5 year anniversary, he's decided to put those albums on wax. As you may have guessed we have always wanted to have Franklin for Short on vinyl, and it looks like these are going to be quite awesome; limited pressings of 200 copies each that will included colored swirls. As an incentive to pre order the albums, Blackbird has offered free MP3 downloads of our entire catalog to those who purchase the albums ahead of time. Such a rad deal! We're looking forward to re-hatching the past and playing some of these songs live again!

More news on this to come!

Blitzen Trapper

2008-11-11T23:22:00.001-08:00

Back to Muddy Waters (where we've never had a bad time). According to Trevor, Blitzen Trapper is pretty great. I usually trust his judgment when it comes to these things. And of course The Parson Red Heads are sure to get you swingin with their signature four part harmonies! Club Mercy presents. December 1st 8pm.

Obama

2008-11-08T11:28:00.000-08:00

Music Video and Live Review

2008-10-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

Until The Twilight-

Our good friend Mattias Ingimarsson who just so happens to be a wonderful photographer and also works with the infamous ICE CREAM MAN wrote a lovely review of our last show at Tangier. you can check it out here. We're going to miss you Matti!

Saturday October 18th...

2008-10-04T16:57:00.000-07:00

is another one of those diamond days. The fine folks at Zoeys Cafe have asked us to come and play at the Zoeys stage for ArtWalk which is located in the park on Main St in between Palm St and Oak St. We play at 4:00. Later that night, we will be heading down MR TS BOWL in Highland Park. Directions:
Take CA-110 to PASADENA.
Take the AVE 52 exit.
Turn LEFT onto S AVENUE 52
Turn RIGHT onto N FIGUEROA ST
Turn Left onto AVENUE 57
Turn Left into in back parking Area.
So far the line up is:
WALK
ANGELA CORREA
THE SPIRES
FRANKLIN FOR SHORT
the RUBY SUNS
show starts at 8.

In the Studio...

2008-10-01T21:47:00.000-07:00

\\\\Yes thats right we are back in the studio. We have ventured up to the Garage Majhal studios located in Goleta California, with the delightful Craig Costigan behind the controls. We've been recording what we would like to call demo's of two new songs: "My World of Wonder" and "Sinking Stone", which have no immediate plans for release. We'll see what happens...\\\\\

Danielle + Adrian = Love Forever

2008-09-21T23:22:00.000-07:00

There are two songs on the album SWELL (Coyote III + "Quiet Room (Waiting)") which feature the very lovely voice of our friend, Simone Rubi. Simone writes and sings for the group Rubies. She is from Santa Barbara but the first time she and Seth hung out was in Stockholm. Her sister, Danielle Rubi is a very talented photographer and recently married her man, Adrian Meier-Dentzel. Simone invited us up to Ojai to come play a party foreverybody who was in town for the wedding. We met some awesome people all the wedding guests know how to party. Two of these wedding guests were the Kings of Convenience who hail from Bergen, Norway. Erland and Eirik are righteous dudes. We finally got the chance to sing live with Simone, which was quite fun. Gooood Times.

Ricardo Rodriguez

2008-09-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

These were taken at the Biko House (aka the sweat lodge), and Muddy Waters (aka the mud). We played the Biko show with BOAT from Seattle, Alright Class from Oakland, and Watercolor Paintings from Goleta. The Mud pics are from Beehouse Fest which was a long, awesome event in which we had the esteemed honor of playing last. The Fest included tasty sets from The Spires, Le Petit Protest, The Parson Redheads, Catwalk, Landy, Deepakalypse, Watercolor Paintings. Thanks Rick!

Jam Spot

2008-08-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

where we practice the sound so you can get down...

Back to Tangier

2008-08-14T10:57:00.001-07:00

Franklin for Short has been itching to go back to Tangier now that SWELL is pressed.
This time around the show is put on by The Fold. Also playing is Eugene Francis Jr all the way from London UK, and a wonderful band from Costa Mesa called "The New Limb". We checked these acts out on their myspaces and think it should be a great night. Come hang in the big cozy red room that is Tangier. Dont forget to pick up your tab at the end of the night, seriously it seems like every time we play there someone leaves their debit card!

trail of beers tour '08

2008-07-30T09:59:00.000-07:00

superstition mtn.

2008-07-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

yes its a real place.

SWELL LYRICS

2008-07-22T21:46:00.001-07:00

SWELL now available on ITUNES and other digital outlets

2008-07-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

Treat yourself to total control...

Beehouse Fest 2008

2008-06-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

come one come all, to muddy waters in Santa Barbara!
508 E. Haley St. 7PM

2008-06-03T16:10:00.000-07:00

Saturday June7th

2008-05-28T14:23:00.001-07:00

its gonna be lots of fun

CD's landed yesterday...

2008-05-15T16:20:00.000-07:00

they're here and the feeling is one of joy and relief.

SWELL showed up right on time and is everything we had hoped it would be.

more info coming soon...

Ethan James Russell

2008-04-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

We'd like to take this opportunity to welcome the newest addition to the Franklin for Short family...Ethan James Russell will soon follow in his fathers footsteps as shredder, lady killer, and all around nice guy. Stoked!!!!

Soon Baby Swoon

2008-04-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

SWELL, the album is going off to the manufacturer tomorrow. After we hear back from them we should have a better idea for a release date. In all honesty I thought it would be cool to release it on Cinco De Mayo, although I don't even know what day of the week CDM falls on and I don't know if we could get the album back in time. At least we are on the final step of getting it out. The artwork looks really cool, and best of all we are going with an all recycled cd case. Our buddy Adam Romney has been very cool and supportive of our endevor and is helping us get SWELL into your hands. He is also helping us get some shirts made. They are the same logo as on top of this blog. The boy who is holding the cape and makes the K is from an actual photo I took of our pal Brady on a pretty epic day up in SLO.
I must say that this album has taken quite some time to get completed, but I believe it has been worth the wait...which will soon be over.

Trevor and the Devil

2008-04-07T15:18:00.000-07:00

A few years ago while touring through the midwest we made a movie that has stood the test of time. Our buddy James at bitterboxcar.com has posted it on his website, you should check it out.
click the link below.
Trevor and the Devil

4/20

2008-04-03T23:39:00.000-07:00

come be real at the biko house on 4/20 with us and ELF POWER~~~~
Thanks to 5...4...3...2...FUN! for having us play...

In the year of '08...

2008-04-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

So, here we are on blogger.com. The thought never crossed my mind to have a blog account, until Sethy started this up today, and to tell you the truth I was kind of excited. I remember my Mom telling me awhile ago that her friend posted blogs of her short stories or something of that nature, and I thought it to be somewhat funny. Isn't it strange how the wind blows? It's really not that big of a deal, except now Franklin for Short has a new medium of getting our news to those who care to know. This blog accounts purpose, to me, is to let y'all know what's going down with the group, and maybe review some of my favorite records among other things.

So far this year it has been interesting, to say the least, for Franklin. We've played some great shows and we've played some not so great shows. Most importantly our soon to be released album "Swell" is coming to its final moments of preparation. The artwork is the situation at hand and we are doing our best to finish that up. Artwork is so tricky! Some of my favorite albums have not so great artwork, but I'm one to say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. That being said, I am ready to let it go.

We'll keep you posted on as much as we can handle. Hope all is well in your world! Peace to all!

The Blog is Up!

2008-04-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

check back for more tasty morsels...