Ken Block [Sister Hazel singer] Music Video Now Online

UPDATE: Now up on Youtube!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlhGKGd_1o4

The music video for Sister Hazel singer Ken Block's debut single "I Don't Mind", off his just-released first-ever solo CD "Drift", is now online as of today. You can watch the video exclusively on http://www.windowsmedia.com/mediaguide/RockGrabBag . The video will certainly pop up elsewhere on the web and TV in the next week.






[Note: if you have trouble viewing the video on a Mac, I suggest the FlipMac plug-in for Quicktime available here, which will enable your computer to play the video in Quicktime format.]

Director Tracie Laymon shot the video a few months ago in Los Angeles and I was lucky enough to appear in the video and meet Ken. Could not have been a nicer guy. Was so nice to meet a rock and roll success story (from my home state of Florida, that obscure no-man's land of huh? no less), that could have happened to a nicer human being. Check out Ken's solo site at http://www.blockville.com to see some of the stuff this guy has done with his opportunities: all the charity work and gratitude to he and his bands' fans. Sister Hazel had a bit of a monster hit in the '90s with the song "All For You", which I myself have (probably) butchered i karaoke a few dozen times. It was great to meet him and to be a part of of such a sweet song's video.

Special note: The painting visible below the window through which Ken pops through n the video is by my friend and fellow Florida Artist Jared Whitham, who himself resided & worked in Gainesville for the last few years before relocating to New York. It was nice to be able to facilitate that "collaboration": more paintings of Jared's are visible at http://jaredwhitham.com .



And be sure to check out the director's site at http://www.tracielaymon.com.

That's it! Now enjoy the music.

THE AIR I BREATHE on SHOWTIME in December

Hey, wanna see me get tortured by Andy Garcia tonight on Showtime 9pm!

If you haven't seen the film yet, in theater or on DVD, it premieres on Showtime tonight at 9pm. The film was written by Bob Derosa & Jieho Lee and directed by Jieho. I'm in a scene with Forest Whitaker and Andy Garcia in the first half-hour or so of the film.



You can click this link for the page on Showtime's website to see when it's airing this month.



Enjoy, and Happy Holidays.

;W

Video from 'America's Most Unstable Conductor'.

I made it to the next round. Thank so much for your support.

Warmly,
Marcus Shostanovich.

(direct link to video to play full-size)

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Digg this : http://digg.com/comedy/America_s_Most_Unstable_Conductor

Tonight I compete to become America's Most Unstable Conductor, 9 PM live & webcast.

Tonight, as part of Garage Comedy presents . . .

I will be competing in a new competitive reality show to become America's Most Unstable Conductor.

This has been my dream for quite awhile. I need your support.

9 pm, Free, at El Cid: 4212 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029.

It will be webcast live on www.Garagecomedy.com/live, at 9 pm Pacific Time.





I know I can win this . . .

Brought to you by Garage Comedy, www.garagecomedy.com.

New Star Trek trailer with Original Spock, plus a Few Words on working on the Movie.

This is an online-only version of the trailer, just released.



There are spots running on tv now, missing the car chase and the kid yelling his name at the beginning, which I think effectively eliminates most of the potentially cringe-inducing elements.

I think it's safe at this point to say that I worked on this movie for about 8 days last year, and 1 day earlier this year, as one of 100 or so background cadets. The shot in the trailer of the hangar deck with a bunch of shuttles is definitely one of the days I worked, since I was there I think every day they shot at that location. Other than that, I have no idea if I will be visible in the finished film. But let me say this: the 2 days that Leonard Nimoy was on set were fairly magical, to me and everyone else working background who had been a fan of the show (a fair amount of the cadets were). At one point it hit me that this might be the last time he ever plays this character, or acts in general, since he's so elderly now. It was really special to know he was there working while we were working in the same early hours of that cold morning. At one point when JJ Abrams introduced him unexpectedly, I almost cried as we all stood up and gave him a standing ovation, and he flashed us the Vulcan salute: I had been watching this guy's work intently since I was around 4 or 5 years old. But I didn't cry, because hey, I was wearing a Starfleet uniform. And you don't cry if you're wearing a Starfleet uniform, unless you're some sort of Regulan blood worm.

Claire, if you're reading this, I owe you a long phone call explaining how this all went down. I also owe you a debt of gratitude & my eternal thanks go out to you for originally getting me involved in this project.

I'm going to shut up about all this now for a while, but I hope that when May 2009 hits all of us will be treated to a great, mythologically satisfying origin story. Looks and feels epic. I hope it's great.

And now I return you to the many possibilities.

W;



Digg this original.

Refridgerator: directed by Peter Nydrle, for Best Buy.

A short film by Czech director Peter Nydrle, made for a new indie start-up called Best Buy. Please enjoy my legs from far away.





Actors: Will Maier, Deepa Seneviratne, Scott G. Anderson.

More at Nydrle.com.

Director John Webb on IFC News discussing our award-winning Film at AFI Fest

John Webb discussed our the short 'TMI, Inc' that won the IFC / Absolut Vodka Filmmaking Challenge on an IFC News segment. This clip is now running on the Independent Film Channel; keep an eye out for it . . .(includes clips from the party the party they threw us at AFI Fest last week in Hollywood):



(Watch the clip full size here)

Congrats to John & all our crew.

You can see the film we won for here.

-W.

Metallica Inside You [live perfomance]

Metallica Inside You, by William Maier & Stirling Krusing (For Serious Reals)

Stirling was in town from New York with the band Flaming Fire, so I stole him for a night and we performed a few songs that we'd written back in January of '07 during my brief time spent in Gainesville. This was the last song of the 5 song set:

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

MP3 of this song & others at the For Serious Reals myspace.

Last-minute write in candidate for President: My Dad, Bill Maier, Jr.

Can't decide who to vote for? Vote for my Dad!



A special announcement was made last night in Los Angeles: my father, Bill Maier Jr, is a last-minute write in candidate for President. If you cannot decide who to vote for, and want a different choice, please watch this video before you vote.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

For America & our Future. Vote!

;W

(Digg this)

IFC/Absolut Screening For Our Winning Short Film- Sat, 11/1

"TMI, Inc", directed by John Webb, has won the IFC/Absolut Vodka Filmmaking challenge and will be screened this Saturday, November 1st at the Roosevelt Hotel. The party is from 4-6pm and is open to the public, no RSVP necessary. They'll be screening the short. Then I guess we'll drink some vodka(?).

If you are out of town, the short can be viewed on the IFC contest's website:
http://www.ifc.com/absolut_indies/contest



Also, there's no Roberto Alomar show at iO West on Halloween, but we're returning to that slot on Nov 7th and have a show at Meltdown Comics on Nov 5th. Happy Halloween, everyone!

More info in the Roberto Alomar Myspace blog here.

;Will

"Singing Hootie in a Ski Mask", on Funnyordie.

Not too long ago I was feeling low, and the only thing that seemed to help was being, you know, pretty honest & heartfelt about it. However recent events had left me scarred: I'd been rebuked by the one I loved who had turned out to be something other than what they'd first let on. So I felt the need to conceal myself behind some barrier (see the chapter 'Masks' in that book by the one guy), to protect myself from those who would see honesty and openness as a sign of weakness. The result was the performance below.

I put it up on Funnyordie, where it will be in good company with all the other Hootie and the Blowfish tribute videos:

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/67ebec1c1b




Be sure to vote 'wtf'. . .

And thanks for asking.

;W.

ps: click here to
Digg this.

Performing Live Music Tonite 10/22, Big Show at iO West This Friday 10/24

Tonight at Shenk-Flo, Stirling Krusing and I perform the songs we wrote last year as For Serious Reals; we're excited to be doing it while Stirling is out here on tour with his band Flaming Fire. For details visit the Shenk-Flo Myspace and check out For Serious Reals:

FOR SERIOUS REALS:


I haven't performed live music I wrote in a while: I'm excited. The last time I performed music, here's what it was like:



Actually, that may not have been the most recent time, but it went something like that.

Then on Friday, Roberto Alomar plays as part of Heather Campbell's 15-year celebration of performing on the iO stages; check out the description of the event on the iOWest website or the Facebook invite:



10 pm Mini Armando featuring Heather Campbell
http://west.ioimprov.com/io/shows/331

11pm Heather Campbell & Scott Beehner Sketch Show
http://west.ioimprov.com/io/shows/321

11:30 pm Roberto Alomar
http://west.ioimprov.com/io/shows/27

All proceeds go to curing the blues!

Thank you for reading,

Yours Truly William Maier

Video from 'The Summoning of Freddie Mercury's Ghost', from Metal Knights 2

The scribe behind Metal Knights, Paul Feldman, alerted me there is video online of the appearance of Mercury's ghost from Serial Killer's fall debut at Sacred Fools Theater two weeks ago. Chris Chauncey was perfectly cast as the Ghost, and as I've written elsewhere the experience of performing again at Sacred Fools was a great time. One of the first shows I did in LA when I arrived in '02 was a similar late night show at the theater, called MAXIMUM GOLDIE, penned by Bob Derosa. I played a drunk who was in fact an assassin from the future. Perfect. One night, Bob brought Jieho Lee to the show, with whom he was collaborating on a feature script. I think Jieho seeing that night's performance was one of the reasons I was cast in The Air I Breathe, the script they were working on at the time, which came out in theaters earlier this year (I may have mentioned it once or twice). The lesson I take from that is: no matter what the venue, no matter what the show, in Los Angeles you have no idea who is watching and taking note.

So without further ado, here is the Return of Freddie Mercury's Ghost (you can see me on the right reacting with metal nerd ecstasy):



I hope you enjoyed that as much as the audience did.

And now I return you to whatever.

;Will Maier

Small Comedy Tour Continues Tonight in Hollywood & Ends Tomorrow in Eagle Rock (9/24/08)

The Small Comedy Tour (renamed 'Funny Tour') continues tonight with "The Gaze" (Will Maier, Brendan McGovern, Kevin Manwarren), as part of Harrison Brown & Jonathan Smith's UCB-LA offshootTuesday Night Thunder. Then tomorrow the tour concludes at Adam Shenkman's Shenk-Flo show in Eagle Rock at the All-Star Lanes (very special appearance be special). Then we will be taking 2 weeks off (kinda).


(click for larger version)

The tour has been great so far; it's taken us to some rather unique venues (an AmVet Lodge Outpost) and some types of shows that haven't happened in a while. We recorded a mid-tour update Sunday night but it hasn't been uploaded yet. My favorite moment of the tour so far has to be the Sacred Fools appearance Saturday night w/ Freddie Mercury's Ghost. Some pics below (thanks to someone):


(Chris Chauncey, Corey Klemow & I in Paul Feldman's Metal Knights Serial Killer at Sacred Fools)

;W

Words on Photo for the Small Comedy Tour of Los Angeles, Sept 19-24, 2008

I'd missed putting words on photo and it is so fun that i decided i had to put some words on a photo. The Small Comedy Tour kicks off tonight at iO West in Hollywood with Roberto Alomar together w/ KickDrumDecade at 11 and then . . . well I'll just let you see the words on photo speak for itself.


To see full word on photo, click here.

Also, new video: What 'The Happening' Would Have Been Like Had I Edited It.

Brought to you by Words on Photo software. All dates on the tour are within the greater Los Angeles area.

~William

Dr. Zoltan & Will Maier Release Song About 9/11

What better way to celebrate seven years of confusion than with a campfire sing-a-long? Dr. Zoltan & Will have released a song called Freefall (Catchy Folk Tune To Celebrate The End of the Republic):



Download / Listen to the song (quicktime)
ADDITION: "Listen" to the song on Youtube

Lyrics are below. To read Dr. Zoltan's thoughts on this day, please check out his original post on the DrZoltan.com blog.

- - - - -

CREDITS
Will Maier - Vocals
Dr. Zoltan - Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Keyboard, Bass, Drumkit From Hell

Cover art by CarlKingCreative

LYRICS
You’re better off hiding with some weapons in a hole
When a corporate fascist state has taken control
But instead you’re dancing, drinking, and you’re having lots of fun
While the end of the United States has already begun

Chorus
Brother, Look no further, there’s no other proof you need
Buildings can’t collapse at freefall speed

You can expect to see another pseudo-terrorist attack
When the best you’ve got are posing fakes like Tom and Zach
Hiding from the truth behind their blurry poetry
While the crime scene is buried at the bottom of the sea

It’s gonna come to civil war sooner or later
Protesting won’t stop an evil dictator
Don’t try to vote him out, there’s nothing you can say
The tyrant that’s in office isn’t going away

Endure your Freedom, everyone.

~W. Maier

Appearing at UCB LA this Thursday, 6:30 pm

I will be appearing this Thursday August 14th as Adam Shenkman's dad in the UCB show Ed & Bub’s "Faked It Till We Make’d It". Click the link to make reservations...

"Ed and Bubs: Faked It Till We Maked It
Two country musicians from Montrose, California, Ed DeJesus and Bub Goldstein struggle to fit into the urban tundra of LA. After their loved ones die they are forced to make a crucial decision, keep their dead end lives or follow their dreams to the Nashville Stage.

Written by and Starring Adam Shenkman and Ronnie Prouty"


Also, a full-length compilation album from the last couple of years is in the works. Click HERE for a preview.

More soon,

;W.

The Air I Breathe is out on DVD today! + Shows Announced

The film in which I appear with awesome people is now out on DVD and Blu-ray Disc as of today: you can buy it at Best Buy or Amazon.com and also rent it from Netflix, Blockbuster, etc.

Also I am doing a bunch of shows in the next month to promote it and also to just do some shows. Here is a flyer with the info, I post more specific info as the shows get closer:



Tonight's show is at D+D Joke Center at the Big Fish Bar & Grille (there's not actually a grille). Big Fish is located at 5230 San Fernando Rd in Glendale, CA 91203. The show starts at 9pm and is free. At tonight's show, select audience members will receive a CD-R or unreleased songs and othersuch, including the recent collaboration with Millard Mulch / Dr. Zoltan entitled "Buildings Don't Collapse At Freefall Speed (Catchy Folk Song to Celebrate The End of the Republic)". With a title that long, it will surely be the new summer jam!

"I'm lovin' it." - McDonald's
"I'm not lovin' it quite so much." - My bank account

Please support the film and help spread the word.

Great Mystery of Life this Saturday

Just announced:




Show this Saturday at Westside Eclectic. Click image for larger flyer. More info shortly.

;W.

The Air I Breathe opens in Orlando Friday, Feb 29th

So this is nice: though the film's distributor has pulled it from wider release after time in NY & LA, THE AIR I BREATHE is set to open for one week at the Enzian theater in Orlando starting February 29th. The movie's screenwriter, Bob Derosa, will be there as well to do some Q & A's.

If you attend, you may enjoy seeing me tortured by Andy Garcia in front of Forest Whitaker.

:)

LINK: The Air I Breathe theatrical trailer.



;W

WillMaier.net / Global Attack Dad Video

There is also some stuff up on WillMaier.net. It's mainly links to other things, but in a stylish way thanks to Dr. Zoltan and his minions over at Flashpresskits.com.

Also, Dr. Zoltan created this promotional video for Willmaierica: it features my father starring in his own video game. Please enjoy it, I hope the rest of this site eventually lives up to this video.

(Youtube, low rez:)



or see it in high resolution here.

Willmaierica.com

Hello and welcome to Willmaierica.com. Here though the magic of writing and video, you will be able to follow me along on my journey in 2008 with the release of the independent film The Air I Breathe, in which I appear in the role of Mr. Parks alongside Forest Whitaker and Andy Garcia, to be distributed theatrically in January and on DVD in May, as well as my travels in America thoughout 2006 & 2007, and various other esoteric videos et al, as well as my continued development in the world of live performance with the long-form improvisational group ROBERTO ALOMAR and solo engagements. 2008 will be my 14th year as a creative performer and my 6th year pursuing it in Los Angeles. Following this site will bring you very close to the action and insights that come from choosing 'the road less taken and often very strongly advised against'. There have been and will be many more experiences of time dilation and run-on sentences to share with you. A complete site will be functional by late February, but for now please enjoy this video of my experience having Christmas with my family in Florida in December of 2007:






I am excited to be taking this journey with you.

Let's do it.

Yours truly,
William Maier