"The Bedroom Sessions"

In the midst of a bedroom session, imagination takes over. With the music quietly fusing like a Synaesthesia effect into the low hue of halogen lighting draped in a stagnant cover of pungent smoke, we three members of T.H.C. are no longer just three individuals, limited by what we can do with our own two hands.

The possibilities are endless and the creative mind is free, allowed to work unconditionally. Time is no longer passing in rapid succession, instead it’s frozen and we control it.

Outside, there is nothing but the sound of crickets and pervasive darkness, but during these sessions, there is no concern with the outside world.

This album represents a great creative achievement for our young band. Crafted entirely in either Josh or Pat's bedroom, completely formed of our own devices between 2008 and 2009 we hope you can share in journey through life, love, society and philosophy - transcended through music. I encourage you to take your own session break while listening to this record, sit back and allow time to slip away, for when you return, it will be waiting, as daunting as ever. 

-Tom Clancey, Aug. 24, 2009 

(The bedroom sessions is the upcoming recording from T.H.C. the now adopted acronym for the Tom Hartland Collective. The release is expected early 2010. To hear T.H.C. go to http://myspace.com/tomhartlandcollective or http://NJReggae.tumblr.com)

Just did a little work on a column for Steppin' Out magazine. Chillin out in SO-CAL. Life is good. Read the full magazine everywhere in New Jersey this Wednesday online at SO-MAG.com Mary Jo Butafuco on the cover this week I believe. Be well. -TC

It is with great pleasure I interrupt my sunny southern California beach vacation to bring you this sports roundup. Why so cheery to be working on one of my 10 annual vacation days, you may ask? It’s no other reason than the chance to reminisce about the resounding four-game-sweep of the Boston Red Sox and the 6.5 game lead the Yankees created last weekend.

As Journal News Yankee beat writer Peter Abraham pointed out on his excellent blog (Yankees.lhblogs.com), in all their illustrious history the Yankees have never lost a lead this big at any point of the season. So fans are rightfully sniffing playoffs.

It seems as if the team has finally struck the right balance between youth and big-money free agents. With a pitching rotation anchored by four top-notch starters (C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Joba Chamberlain and Andy Petite), a stacked-offensive lineup and the greatest closer-of-all-time in Mariano Rivera, 2009 could be remembered for a lot more than just “the inaugural season” at the new big-ballpark in the Bronx.

Even here in San Diego you couldn’t escape the influence of the Boston vs. New York matchup. It’s on in local bars and everyone got excited about Alex Rodriguez’s game-winning-homer in the 15-inning classic last Friday night. Even I, walking on a local pier, couldn’t help myself from cynically snarling “Sweep! Sweep” under the guise of a fake cough when passing a Boston fan in full Red Sox gear. It’s a big deal to post four wins after the Yankees dropped the first eight games against Boston earlier this year. The momentum is certainly strong heading into the final 40 games of the season.

Where the momentum is not strong, however, is with the boys from Flushing. The Mutts, 10-games-out of the playoffs, dropped two-out-of-three to the last place Padres last weekend, but I got the chance to see their one-win.

Dropping in on Petco Park last Sunday I bore witness to another gem by ace Johan Santana. Pitching eight strong innings, he even hit going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. It was a “what-could-have-been” moment as the star shimmered briefly in this disappointing 2009 season.

Barring a miraculous comeback, the Mets will be faced with some serious offseason issues. Pegged by many analysts to win-it-all this year, it’s been more like a fright-fest of injuries. When one-of-your best everyday players, Louis Castillo, trips and sprains his ankle walking down the dugout stairs, you know it’s just one of the those “Murphy’s Law” seasons where everything that could go wrong has.

Should the Mets break up their core of players (Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and David Wright) that had seemed so promising just a short time ago? Will they fire their general manager Omar Minaya after three-years with no postseasons plus a series of botched public relations incidences? Questions loom, but none higher, or should I say lower, than their 11-game deficit in the standings. It’s clear, something’s got to give.

Send feedback on Twitter @TomClancey

Greetings from terminal 4, JFK

I've always wanted to say that! Reading my favorite blogger, Pete Abraham, as he follows the yankees he always writes a post from different airports when traveling with the team. Now I, about to embark on my first journey to San Diego get to write one, too.

It's been a damn good year since I broke my neck and I'm about recovered from an absurd surgery, (See XRay)



So early this morning I went to the local bagel shop and there, for the first time since last Aug. 4 I saw the first responding officer who arrived when I needed help most. It was great, I got to express my gratitude. IT is a weird symbolism. One year later and I'm walking about to take a family vacation. Life is great and I hope I can continue to give back to the world that is our host.

Last night we recorded a live demo with my band THC. Check out our new blog, http://njreggae.tumblr.com if you have a chance. Also Rones Fest '09 is coming up at Willie McBrides in Hoboken on Aug. 22. It'll be like 10 bands headlined by THC and Same Old Jets! So excited.

So, I'll be posting on Twitter during my vacation, talk to me there.

"Now boarding..." Gotta run, talk to you soon.

Hope for Ryan and music calender

Greetings. I have a very serious show coming up to raise money for my cousin, Ryan, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. He is 15-years-old. It's a fundraiser for his medical bills with extra cash going to cancer research. Email me @ thomas.clancey@gmail.com if you're interested in helping or want to attend.


My music schedule is:

Saturday, July 11
THC @ Stonybrook Swim Club. (private)
3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Hillsdale, NJ


Friday, July 17 - "Ronestock!"
THC, Same Old Jets and Agillion Rones share the triple bill!
Blue Ribbon Tavern
118 Chestnut Ridge Road,
Chestnut Ridge NY

Monday, July 20
(still pending)
Opening for Diane Birch at Mexacalli Live, Teaneck NJ

FInally, July 24th
Farmingdale, NY

Greetings All. I've been quiet lately on the blogging front but only because I've been very busy creating music, playing shows and writing full time! I have however become more active on Twitter. Follow me @TomClancey


This Friday, June 19 the Same Old Jets will be playing their major show of the summer as Dave Heinz is going to Thailand and traveling for his very important public relations job.. Ooooowoww ;0

So catch us while you can!

June 19th @ the Bullpen NYC
http://bullpennyc.com

10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
88th and 1st AVE
http;//myspace.com/daveheinz

After that look for THC to rock all July..
http://myspace.com/tomhartlandcollective


Also, join me on facebook.. http://facebook.com/tomclancey

RONEMUSIC's first event

My business strategy is simple...

Throw great parties.

With that in mind we founded RONEMUSIC RECORDS late in 2008.


Now we are hosting a soft release party near our "corporate headquarters," aka the Rones' estate.

I hope you'll join the party?

KING JAMES

Just finished my weekly Steppin' Out Column and can go to bed. It's on King James, NBA MVP and I predict NBA Champion in 2009.


With break-away speed, his 274 lbs 6-foot-8 inch frame charges across the basketball court. Springing into his 46-inch vertical leap, a single outreached hand is firmly palming the ball and ready to unleash a powerful slam duck. His eyes are equal to the 10-foot high rim.

LeBron James drives to the basketball hoop with force that could challenge the strength of the strongest and biggest defenders in the National Basketball Association (NBA). But his game doesn’t stop there. With the agility of a point guard, his tremendous jumping ability aids his lethal jump shot. His court vision, or the ability to pass the ball to open teammates, is among the best. More so than any player in the game, he single handedly gives his team the best chance to win on any given night.

Dubbed “King” James, LeBron didn’t need to win the NBA’s most valuable player award Monday for the Nation to recognize his talent. But the accolade is just the latest in his run to what will be his greatest: the NBA Championship.

James has lead the Cavaliers like a man on a mission all season long last after falling short last year to the Boston Celtics in game seven of the eastern conference finals. At only 23-years-old, James went right back to winning, leading Team USA to Olympic Gold in the Summer Beijing Games.

He returned this year, not only to win his first MVP, but to lead his team to the best record in the NBA. The Cavaliers won 66 games while losing only 16 on their way to wrapping up the number one seed in the East. Better yet, they posted an unparalleled 39-2 record on their home court.

At press time LeBron was accepting his MVP trophy and gearing up for the start of his team’s second round series versus the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. He had enjoyed nearly a week off after dismantling the Detroit Pistons in a first round four game sweep. All LeBron did, was average an outstanding 32-points, 11.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game.

Clearly dominating his competition, LeBron has appeared a man amongst boys in a league where only the strongest survive. At this rate, his league MVP might be quickly followed by with another MVP: the NBA Finals’ most valuable player. Is it really possible this superstar could come to New York or New Jersey as a free-agent in the summer of 2010? It may be wishful thinking after he wins the NBA finals in 2009.

Follow up on the "March for Quality Health care"

As about 50 people ascended on Westwood borough hall at 1 p.m. on May 2, the buzz was the march originally intended to go into Ridgewood would instead stop at the Village’s border.

Village of Ridgewood officials delivered a formal letter to Westwood officials stating legal action would be taken if the march made it to its planned destination: The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood.

Westwood Mayor John Birkner said the threat was a violation of the citizen’s constitutional rights. This quote from a speech he gave on the steps of borough hall:

“Yesterday at about 4:40 [p.m.] I got a letter from legal counsel in the Village of Ridgewood. They hired special legal counsel. And what they told me is that if I lead a walk into the Village of Ridgewood today, then they will take any and all legal action against me and you. They’re obstructing our first amendment freedom of speech. How do you like that folks?”

“Boo’s” from the crowd ensued.

Additionally the Mayor was outraged by the response from the Public Relations Team at Valley Hospital.

“Valley Hospital likes to make fun of what we are doing today,” said the Mayor. “They’re poking fun at us. They’re laughing at us .They’re sticking their tongue out at us and they’re laughing. Because they said, ‘Well that just proves that Valley Hospital is within walking distance.’ Well that’s a bunch of bologna because you’ve got to be in pretty darn good shape to walk from here to Valley Hospital. That just is something else."

The walk is 4.8 miles and marchers stopped about two thirds of the way there.

At Valley, a team of hospital leadership were awaiting the marchers with literature and water bottles and did not know that the march had stopped at the border. A Valley hospital representative said this to me:

“We believe that [the march] demonstrated that quality and accessible health care service that we’ve been proud to deliver to the residents of the Pascack Valley community for the past 18-months since the PVH went bankrupt are very close to home and in fact that these services could be accessed today by walking here.”

More to follow.