August 2011 Numbers: It’s Not the Heat, it’s the Hurricane
We’re getting on toward 1AM as I start this numbers post, and I’m at my office doing it because my internet at home is still out following its lost battle with Hurricane Irene. I’m so tired my eyes are starting to blur, and the office’s air conditioning runs on a timer, which lets it get just hot enough for me to think my head is going to explode before it kicks in. It’s like some obscure kind of torture.
Nonetheless (not sure what it is with me and that word lately), as you can see above, The Obelisk pulled a remarkable 220,135 page views for the month of August. That might have been a little higher had Irene not come through the Eastern Seaboard this past weekend, but honestly, that’s an impressive enough number that I’m not gonna sweat the math. Thank you as always.
Visits came from the US and 116 other countries around the world, including Honduras, Botswana, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and just about the whole European continent. Badass. America, the UK, Canada, Germany and Australia were once again the top five hitters, and in terms of American states checking in, all 50 did once again.
California was first, followed by New York, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Texas in the top five. My home state, New Jersey, moved back down two spots to number seven, with Pennsylvania in sixth place. Wyoming had a grand total of 3 visits. Always like to check on Wyoming.
On the forum, as of this second, there are 784 registered members, a total of 42,282 posts in 3,025 topics. That tends to change quickly, for which I’m thankful. I’m so glad people are using that and hopefully having some fun with it.
I feel like the proverbial broken record saying it every month, but thank you all for reading, checking in here or on the forum, commenting, signing up, finding me on Thee Facebooks, or none of it, and just clicking a link that brought you here. Whatever it is that led you to read this sentence, I appreciate it.
Here’s how September looks:
The Maple Forum: Well, if you didn’t see it, I just announced today that I’m putting out the debut 7″ from T. Dallas Reed‘s latest project, HeavyPink, and I’m way stoked on that. Two songs, but a cool vibe. Different from anything he’s done before, but still kin enough to it that fans will dig. I’ll have more on it as we get closer to the release (hopefully first week in October), but I’m excited.
In the meantime, the Blackwolfgoat disc sold out and an extra special thanks to everyone who picked that up. I know progressive drone isn’t exactly the most accessible sound in the world, but I thought Dronolith was a genuine achievement in terms of what it did with just guitar and I hope everyone who got a copy agrees.
As for Clamfight, they’ve had some delays (it’s called life, and it happens), but I’m expecting the album will be done before November, so I might press it and put it out come January as a kickass start to 2012. Depends on the timing with HeavyPink and all that. I’m still awfully raw at this stuff, so we’ll see how it comes together.
audiObelisk: Last month’s podcast has been downloaded 196 times so far. I’ll have another installment up this weekend, and I’m hoping in the next month to introduce a few newer-type bands with track premieres. Don’t want to give away anything yet because it’s not nailed down, but there’s good stuff to come besides the regular podcast, which will kick ass as usual.
Features: I’ve got interviews with Totimoshi and Michael Gira of Swans in the can as of now, I’m waiting on a few emailers back (Wizard’s Beard, Sleestak, etc.), and the more I listen to this Rwake record, the more I want to get CT on the phone and talk about it. Also want to chase down Grifter, Mars Red Sky and Dixie Witch, but those might not come together before the end of the month. Kyuss Lives! will also happen. Hopefully next week.
Reviews: I don’t know how many I’m behind and I’m not going to look. Whatever. I’m gonna do my thing and take the time I need. I’ll say this though: what’s most pathetic about me being at my office typing this so late is that I’m annoyed at myself because I’m too tired to review Skraeckoedlan before I head home. That’ll be tomorrow, then Rwake Monday if all goes to plan. This month I hope to visit records from Black Skies Dawn, Lord, Ivy Garden of the Desert, Iron Claw, Whitehorse, Sandrider and the aforementioned Dixie Witch, among others. I’m sure one or two emergency gotta-review-this-right-now things will pop up too. They usually do, and I haven’t gotten the new Sungrazer or Elder records yet, so there you go.
Wino Wednesday: Is a thing now. The first one was this week. Good times.
Where to Start: Any requests?
And you New Yorkers — whatever you do, don’t forget the Suplecs, Lo-Pan and The Brought Low show this site and BrooklynVegan are teaming up to present at Union Pool in Brooklyn. That’s on Sept. 20, and it’s going to be ridiculous amounts of fun. It’s NYC‘s unofficial pre-party for the Small Stone Records showcase that weekend in Philadelphia.
I know there’s more, but shucks, it’s even later now than it was when I started, so I think that’s plenty. Thank you all again. I’m too tired to think of synonyms for “grateful,” and that’s what I am. Let’s roll with it.
You rule.
Much appreciated,
JJ Koczan
Habilable Polliwog Taskmaster
