It's called "Leaves Of Absence"
Tamar's Myspace page

I wrote this probably about a year ago and just remixed it. It makes me sad to listen to. Enjoy and let me know what you think.

This is a photo of my cichlid that i've had for 6 years. I just had to give it away because we're moving. that was a heartbreaking day.

steve got a job at Wieden + Kennedy in Portland Oregon. We're really moving.
I'm not kidding.

We're selling our house, which is making me sad. It's in Logan Square at Kimball & Dickens.
If you're interested, shoot me an email at
tberk@tamarberk.com
starball1@yahoo.com

Yes. i shit you not. all the rumors are true. there's lots to this story but suffice it to say, we survived a lot of stooopid record label stuff and we are releasing one last album on Invisible Records.
To keep you all excited, here is a picture of The Countdown in the bitter cold of a chicago winter. This was shot for a story in Pistil Magazine in which we were to be featured. Unfortunately, the magazine folded before this ever got published. Seems like quite the true metaphor for what has happened to The Countdown.


Nevertheless, an album is being released. We hear it's being "worked on" and "tweaked out" and what have you. Steve and I don't really care as long as it's in your hot little hands. More to come soon.....

This weekend, I finally bought the painting shown above that I've been coveting for 2 years. This incredible Chicago artist Jeff Zimmerman did a series called VEHICLES and this is one of the paintings from that series. All of the VEHICLE paintings are amazing but the ice cream trucks in particular, blew me away.

These images are so iconic to Chicago and to living in the city, that I knew I would always be reminded of those summer nights when the ice cream truck putters onto your street blasting some inane song that gets stuck in your head until you want to pull your hair out.
Good times.


You can read more about his Vehicles here:
Vehicle
For more about Jeff go here:
Jeff Zimmerman

I'm also waiting for my birthday present to be framed. Check out what Steve got me for my birthday:

Limited edition Serigraph signed by R Crumb
"DALE STEINBERGER: THE JEWISH COWGIRL"



Could not be more relevant.

until later-

On June 8th the faculty at The Paul Green School of Rock is playing a benefit for the kids who are going to Philadelphia for the big School of Rock festival. We're trying to raise money to rent the bus etc. The set list is strange, as all of us come from different backgrounds and had our own ideas about song choices. But nonetheless, it should be an entertaining show.
The one song I'm excited about is Prince's "Let's Go Crazy". I'm playing keys on that and I've been having a blast learning it. I went to YouTube and spent some time watching Prince videos for inspiration. This one is great since it includes scenes of "Purple Rain".
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YLHLLIu4uo0

I'm singing David Bowie's "Rock N Roll Suicide" (which was my choice). I definitely wanted to do a Bowie song and this one felt right. This is an unbelievable live version of it that really conveys Bowie at his height in 1973. I can't even express how much I love David Bowie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaN2khHjtdw

I'm also excited because we're doing one of my original songs, "On The Run". That song has never been played out live before!

I think we're playing "Stranglehold" by Ted Nugent. I actually like that song!! The Nuge rocks!



okay..no more hints at this point.

Come to the show.
http://www.subt.net/
SUN 6/8/2008
DOORS @ 4:00 PM | SHOW @ 5:00 PM | ALL AGES
TICKETS: $20.00
PAUL GREEN'S SCHOOL OF ROCK PRESENTS:
ROCK THE BUS
A FUNDRAISER FOR THE PAUL GREEN SCHOOL OF ROCK!!

A new show on CBS called Moonlight used my song "Say About Me". It aired on Friday May 2nd. I wasn't home to watch it, but checked it out online. It's about a private investigator who's a vampire.

Other song placements lately are:
A composition I scored for a Windex Commercial. Haven't seen the spot yet but waiting to get it so I can post it here.

An instrumental of mine is being used in the new Cubs radio campaign. I'll try to get it so I can post it here too.

Tuesday finally got to hang with all of her cousins at one time this past weekend. my sisters house was filled with 5 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 6 adults. needless to say, as crazy as it was, it was really awesome to be with everyone. spring had finally sprung, and we spent most of the time at the park where Tuesday was obsessively riding on the tricycle because she finally figured out how fast she could go down hills. she was very proud.


Cousins with matching shirts my mother bought them in Florida. we all looked like some strange cult when we went to the park. from left to right, Aviela, Eytan, Tuesday, Leor and Elijah


Tuesday on the tricycle with her best friend Leor


Tuesday in her passover dress which incidently was sent directly from Mexico by her babysitters mother. very very girly. I was surprised she liked it! look at those puffy shoulders! hilarious.

I have no idea why, but I've been thinking about Bob Ross lately. Thought i would throw a photo of the guy up on my blog because it makes me happy. I find it amazing what the guy was able to accomplish in 1/2 hour show. I need to make a goal and try to accomplish more in 1/2 hour. Not sure what i want to accomplish but just thinking about it is a start.


Incidentally, almost all of Bob Ross's paintings were given away for free. he didn't want to make any money off of them! insane. I bet the few paintings that are available somewhere on the auction block, go for a pretty penny simply because there are so few available for sale.

Okay. Wanted to spread my "happy little trees" to you all as well.
later...

So I spent a couple weeks writing a new song for the American Idol Songwriting Competition. I finally finished it last weekend and recorded it at home. I wrote the song on piano which was a new challenge for me as I actually prefer to write on guitar. The song falls into the big power ballad category and I think it turned out really good! I might even have a fighting chance! I played all the instruments (just bought a 1978 Fender MusicMaster bass that sounds amazing-see the photo below) and even worked out some harmony that I like it a lot. Last year the contest received 25,000 entries! I didn't make the top 20 and thought some of the top 20 choices were good but some were disappointing. But this year I really thought about how to make my entry better and I definitely think it's better. It's really like winning the lottery but it's an absolutely incredible opportunity for a songwriter to at least try. You never know!

check out my new bass I bought on EBAY!

My husband, who is a senior designer/art director at BBDO CHICAGO, came up with this awesome concept, and art directed and designed this incredible poster for the Chicago Art Institutes Edward Hopper exhibit.

This was photographed in Chicago Logan Square neighborhood, by one of my favorite local photographers Saverio Truglia Saverio Truglia. Johnny's Grill is located right in the heart of Logan Square next to Lula's and the Logan Square Auditorium.
yay.

To check out more stuff my husband does go to
steve denekas
or
flickr page