I was researching the Little Mermaid over the weekend (never thought I’d say that). You know, to get a little insight into the story a bit. I found two things that were interesting.

1. Hans Christian Andersen’s version is totally different. Ariel doesn’t end up with the prince and she actually dies. I guess Disney wanted to edit that out.

2. There was controversey about Triton’s castle in the original artwork. It looked a little too much like dirty man parts. What do you think?

My mom is not going to appreciate me posting a picture of an illustrated pee pee on the internet. Shame on you Disney.

RM

Bedtime story and inspiration? I’ll take it.

I’ve never been on what most people consider a real road trip. Nothing across country, sleeping in my car, or driving through the mountains. I guess I’ve lived a sheltered life.

When we were asked to write a song influenced by summer, however, I started thinking about an experience I had one early summer during college. I knew a girl then who was going through a pretty rough patch, and one night we decided to just start driving. She and I didn’t get very far - which is really funny when I think of it now - but that wasn’t the point.

Anyway, that’s where this tune came from. One of the first nights of summer – the night you roll your windows down for the first time – and the closest thing I ever had to a real road trip.

Oh so young, so young then

Packed our dreams that we left unsaid

I brought my pride, she left her shame

She left her shame

Took to the road, to heal the pain

The pride of youth to light our way

Our time was short, the road was long

The road was long

She said

Give me the open road, give me the skies

Give me the summer breeze, oh it’s all I need

Give me the open road, give me the skies

Oh our redemption lies

Under the summer skies

She said, “Windows down, the summer’s here

Let’s ride this road ‘til she disappears

The dawn will break, it will wash us clean

It will wash us clean”

She said

Give me the open road, give me the skies

Give me the summer breeze, oh it’s all I need

Give me the open road, give me the skies

Oh our redemption lies

Under the summer skies

Oh so young, so young then

Thanks for listening.

RM

I love Paul Simon. One of my first concerts was seeing him and Bob Dylan at Summerfest. I love how he combines folk, pop and African beats into one nice little package.

On Friday night, Mark Croft’s band and mine shared the stage at Club Tavern in Middleton (Frank Busch and MSB were there Saturday – which was great). For the last song of our set, Mark joined us on Paul Simon’s Late In The Evening. Our shared bassist – Matt Rodgers – kills this tune. There’s a funky little horn line that sits in the middle of the song and Matt plays it to perfection. It’s really good stuff, and it feels very summery.

Speaking of summer, I’m looking forward to this challenge. I wrote a driving song, something you’d hopefully want to throw on at the beginning of a roadtrip. Hope you like it.

RM

Wow, there is a ton of talent in this group. Last night was really fun, albeit filled with nerves and butterflies.

I thought the judges had great feedback for all of us. I think I scared Jonathan a little with my tune – he mentioned he’d need to hear it a couple more times to digest it. I actually felt that way when I was writing it; that it was a little less accesible than I may have wanted. Still, I wanted to stay true to the idea that was playing out in my mind. I hope you all like it.

The great thing about last night is that we all had time to sit and talk about music, writing, and records that we love. Mark Croft and I were talking about the first CD we ever listened to in its entirety. His was a Steve Vai record he bought back in middle school. It was between that and Vanilla Ice. I told him his choice was a wise one.

The Counting Crows’ debut August and Everything After was the first record I listened to front to back. Jason Horowitz played Rain King as a sound check and reminded me of it. I still remember very clearly sitting down and listening to it right after it came out. It’s a great memory I have of falling in love with music. It’s a beautiful record.

I keep saying this, but thanks for supporting all of us. It’s encouraging.

Take care of each other.

RM

I find it really hard to remember lyrics. I’m OK with melody lines, but sometimes I end up mumbling random sylables to fill space. We can bring them up with us but I don’t want to look ridiculous reading off a sheet. It’d be like a bad public speaking class.

I once heard that Ronnie Van Zant, the original lead singer and writer for Lynyrd Skynyrd, never wrote lyrics down. He said that if you couldn’t remember they weren’t that good anyway. I think that’s crazy that he could create and remember so many lines. Can you imagine just stumbling onto ‘Free Bird’? I admire people like that.

I’m really excited to see what comes out of tonight from the others. Probably more excited than I expected, to be honest. Looking forward to hearing the others’ tunes.

Thanks for listening.

RM

It was an exciting and humbling experience Monday night to walk into the conference room at Triple M and meet all the other contestants. Some of them I know, some I’ve seen around town, some I’ve just been introduced to. I left feeling encouraged to be around such a diverse group. When I stepped back, I realized there’s elements of Americana, Hip Hop, Funk, Soul, Folk and Roots Rock in all of us. It’ll be really cool to see how those come out in the performances.

My little band – Ryan Mauer & the Angry Fix – is joining another Project M contestant Mark Croft next Friday (3/25) at the Club Tavern in Middleton. Mark and I have a mutual friend – Matthew Rodgers – who plays bass with both of us. If you haven’t seen Mark and his band I highly recommend it. We’re excited to join them.

Here’s a link to our Facebook page, if you’re so inclined to follow us – www.facebook.com/rmauermusic.

Thanks for reading and following all of us.

Take care of each other.

RM