Ether profile picture

Ether

Rest your trigger on my finger.

About Me


ETHER - LIVE IN CONCERT
Ether performs solo at Club Underground 5-22-08 (Minneapolis, MN)
Ether: 1- A volatile, highly flammable liquid derived from the distillation of ethyl alcohol with sulfuric acid and used as a reagent and solvent. It was formerly used as an anesthetic. 2- The regions of space beyond the earth's atmosphere; the heavens. 3- The element believed in ancient and medieval civilizations to fill all space above the sphere of the moon and to compose the stars and planets. 4- Physics An all-pervading, infinitely elastic, massless medium formerly postulated as the medium of propagation of electromagnetic waves. 5- Stage persona of William Lorentz - Singer, songwriter, and bassist for the Minneapolis-based rock trio AUTONOMY.
I'm really into music... no seriously... it's probably unhealthy how much it consumes me. I study music most commonly by listening to it very intently with my trusty wireless headphones or iPod. I read lyrics- I know that probably sounds odd to most of you. I study my own band with unmatched ferver. Autonomy is the best band I've ever been in, and I've very proud of what we continue to accomplish. My obsession with writing and performing has been both rewarding and damaging to my life. I've failed at many relationships due to an unwavering commitment to my craft, and the other person's inability to let me pursue it to the extreme level that I require in order to live with myself. I also really enjoy sculpting and digital design, but I don't have as much time for those pursuits as I'd like.
I don't like talking too much about my personal life, but I will say a little... My wife & soulmate, Poppy, is very supportive, open-minded, and beautiful on many different levels. We've been together for ages and I can't imagine life without her. Poppy is a fantastic photographer, a great cook, and shares my love of animals. She also holds the distinction of being the first person I've been in a relationship with who understands what my music means to me- that's huge.
I have a pet bird named Sky, named so because he was a rescue bird that just kinda appeared out of the sky one day (and Senegals aren't native to Minnesota). I consider him to be a kindred spirit. I also live with (and under the jurisdiction of) a crotchity old rescue bird named Rudy (Quaker Parrot), a playful spoiled brat named Peeky (hand-raised Senegal Parrot), and a chihuahua named Eddie who sleeps constantly. Rescue animals rule- consider one for your next pet!
I consider myself open-minded, level-headed, calm, supportive, and kind to those I consider friends. I have a bit of a dark side, but those who find themselves in my good graces have nothing to worry about. Friends know that I am loyal, and my enemies know that I am relentless. I can hold a grudge forever, and I believe that revenge is a dish best served cold. This flipside to that is I never forget a favor or kindness someone bestows upon me. I have a lot of liberal leanings but I don't consider myself liberal or conservative politically. The truth lies somewhere in the middle and balance is the key to understanding in all things. That being said I love to play devil's advocate in a debate, conversation, or argument. I strongly dislike people who are judgemental, controlling, rude, or intolerant. Life is too short to limit one's experiences.
Alas, I've said too much.

Myspace Layouts at Pimp-My-Profile.com / Connected

My Interests

I'm big on manners. I wish more people had them, and we've failed as a nation to teach the basics to anyone. I don't mean being a slave to formality or anything, I'm just sayin' there's nothing wrong with being polite. It may seem old-fashioned but a person's grace speaks volumes about them. Here is an important lesson about manners:

..

I love exploring the great Minneapolis/St. Paul music scene, and increasing the visability of talented musicians from Minnesota in general. I live in a city that has an astounding pool of talented people doing their stuff in a relatively thankless environment just because they love their craft so much. I have to respect that, and it is an honor to be a part of this music community.

I'm all about monster movies - specifically Godzilla and Gamera. Don't ever ask me to choose between them.
I love animation as well: both American and anime. Lots of anime fans blast US animation, but I think there is amazing stuff from both. Some favorites include Voltron, Transformers, Bambi, Ren & Stimpy, anything by Bakshi, Ghost in the Shell, Titan AE, Iron Giant, and of course Vampire Hunter D- possibly the finest animated movie ever.
Last but not least, kung fu/ninja/asian martial art films. I love Crouching Tiger, House of Flying Daggers, Hero, Drunken Master, Enter the Dragon, etc. Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Lee, others... if it's artistic and involves asian people beating each other up, I like it.

Godzillia - 50 years of destruction

I adore Master Pai Mei

Iron Giant

I love people-watching and I'm quite good at figuring people out - although I'm not judgemental in any serious way.
Anyone that knows me is aware that I am a huge fan of music and commercial art.
I love the psychology behind advertising, marketing, government, and religion. I am very aware of ways in which these institutions manipulate the masses, and I'm entertained by those who think they aren't.
I love coffee shops and conversation.

I'd like to meet:

Musicians, minions, & muses... Artists and architects... People devoid of religious dogma... free spirits... I enjoy chatting with people who create, think for themselves, or have something of substance to offer to a conversation.

..Trent Reznor

Bjork

Music:

Ok, here is a quick list of some greats:

Tool
Nine Inch Nails
King Crimson
Pink Floyd
Dr. Dre
Johnny Cash
Soundgarden
God Lives Underwater
Tori Amos
Ugly Mus-Tard
Marilyn Manson
Helmet
Zillatron - and all things Bootsie Collins
Digital Underground
Faith No More
Orgy
Tortoise
Gustav Mahler
Radiohead
Mr. Bungle
Dystopia
PJ Harvey
Blind Melon
All the Pretty Horses
Cream
Sepultura
Lauren Hill
Wolf Mother
Stevie Wonder
Iced Ink
Alanis Morissette
Jimi Hendrix
Ludwig Van Beethoven
Blind Faith
Godheadsilo
Bjork
Slint
A Perfect Circle
Kyuss
and of course the mighty AUTONOMY !



Mike Patton w/ Tomahawk - "God Hates a Coward"

Slint in concert

Ray Charles

Tool

Stevie Wonder

Bjork

Movies:


I'm a sucker for Godzilla... don't ask... I love everything from Metropolis to Indiana Jones movies... I love lots of small indie films as well as big-budget blockbusters so it's hard to generalize.
Pink Floyd: Live in Pompeii changed my life... Not only is it a musical and visual masterpiece, but it has the longest/slowest zoom I've ever seen. (nerd alert!).
Hmm... what else? Tim Burton movies, Star Wars movies, Lord of the Rings movies, and a million others. How am I supposed to answer this?
If it's got kung fu in it, animation, space ships, music, or graphic scenes not suitable for children - I probably like it. Hell, I probably OWN it.
I'm a BIG fan of evil villains. Heros aren't really my thing, but villains I can totally get into. To me, the more wicked and sinister the better. I especially love bad guys that are so consumed with nastiness that they often do things just for the sake of being evil. I have a very serious goal of one day becoming an evil villain myself and crushing this world under my heel, so I'm learning from the best.
Great villains take many forms.... I love Hans Gruber from the original Die Hard movie. Ming the Merciless from Flash Gordon. The Emperor from Star Wars is a classic. Buffalo Bill from The Silence of the Lambs... Destro from the GI Joe cartoon... there are so many, I can't think of them all.
Don't even get me started on the awesomeness of Transformers!

Television:

I treat television as disposable media, subject to my passing whims. I go in phases with it. I love animation, but am picky about it. I'm a huge Ren & Stimpy fan, and have been since it first came out. Spongebob Squarepants, the old Transformers cartoon, Felix the Cat, old Looney Tunes... all great. The Aeon Flux cartoon was fabulous (not the stupid movie), as well as the New Adventures of Mighty Mouse - which isn't really new anymore since they stopped making them over a decade ago. Non-animation stuff would include sketch comedy like Mr. Show, Kids in the Hall, SNL, Mad TV, SCTV, etc.

Sifl & Ollie are the real puppet deal

Books:

I'm pretty boring in this category as I don't read much in the way of books anymore. I used to, but now I am into quick information. I like magazines, articles, manuals, encyclopedias, historical stuff, science journals and reference books the most- definitely not fiction. I read for information, not for entertainment. Perhaps someday when I slow down I'll start reading for enjoyment again, but at the moment I have too much to do to spend my time reading stories. I am constantly writing in my journal, writing poems, lyrics, things like this so I don't feel too bad about neglecting book reading as I have. Creation always trumps consumption.

I keep up on current events well, mostly through the internet. Following musicians is a priority, along with info on scientific advances and Britney's terrible parenting.

Heroes:

MJK of Tool writes the most beautiful lyrics I've ever read, and has wonderful mind for melody. Also, Mike Patton from Faith No More represents a huge influence on me as a vocalist even though most of his lyrics suck ass. Bjork is a great example of raw artistry for me, although I can't imagine what it's like to be in that mind of hers. She is totally the real deal and is unashamed of being a creative person. I admire musicians with discipline and taste. I also admire musicians who understand what they want out of their music, are able to get it, and then balance it with the rest of their lives.

Other than musicians... I admire my mother for her humble nature and gentle soul, my father for his charm, and my little sister for her discipline and strength.

My Blog

Notes on a day...

What an interesting day...  here are a few notes just because I feel like it:   1.  Disney animator Ollie Johnston died today.  Many of you know I am a big animation fan, and that ...
Posted by Ether on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:49:00 PST

An Ether Update

Hello friends and fiends, I posted a bunch of new pictures and will continue doing so.  Lots of them will bore the heck out of you, and others you might find amusing.  A few are Autonomy pho...
Posted by Ether on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:32:00 PST

Total AUTONOMY in 2008

My band, Autonomy, has pretty much taken the months of December and (most of) January off.   This is due partly to the fact that playing gigs in Minnesota during those months generally sucks...
Posted by Ether on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 05:20:00 PST

Notes on my solo, um, thing

I just wanted to write a note of thanks to everyone who came out to my solo show this weekend. I had a great time and it was a fanastic end of the year. I'm all partied out now, of course, so I'll be ...
Posted by Ether on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 04:19:00 PST

Bless this mess

After the last two shows that my band participated in, I have to say I am really happy to be a musician in this wonderful town.  People talk sh*t all the time and put it down, but there is no pla...
Posted by Ether on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:54:00 PST

Halloween Party Aftershock

Poppy and I held our annual Halloween party at our home and it was a blast. We had a great turnout of friends- so many that I had a hard time making my rounds and giving my guests the attention they d...
Posted by Ether on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 03:30:00 PST

flotsam and jetsam pt. 2

Swimmers, levey-breakers, and those who have merely mastered the exquisite art of the flow: Arcangel Autonomy Cassanatra Club Underground Cwyn Annwyn (or however you spell it!) Farewell Pluto Gabriel ...
Posted by Ether on Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:22:00 PST

flotsam and jetsam

The levy is breaking, and the flood waters are about to overtake us.  All of the annoying obstacles that lie in our path are about to become debris that will wash away.  No longer will they ...
Posted by Ether on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:30:00 PST

Transformers

Ok, Statch accused me of being a geek because of my Godzilla diatribe- so now I must charge boldly down the path and fill the gaping void in my blog that is THE NEW TRANSFORMERS MOVIE. Let me say this...
Posted by Ether on Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:33:00 PST

Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla

I just have to say, Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla embodies all that is great about these movies.  Sure, it's a 90s-era film (I want to say 1994 or 1995) and lacks some of the camp associated with t...
Posted by Ether on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 02:00:00 PST