Rocking OUT, Writing, and the Rest of Life
As like before - it takes me forever to log back on and write something that may or may not be seen as impressive or lame. You can choose.
This weekend was a great whirlwind. From running to-and-fro from daily chores to a friends wedding and ending up at the house concert of Melody and Tyler. The first thing I want to say is AMAZING! to Brian Bingham, Melody and Tyler, and Steven Swift! I've never seen (in person) such mind blowing guitar work. I never knew someone's fingers could move that fast. Seriously makes me jealous. Now, if only it made me jealous enough pick up that guitar in my room. Maybe I should work on that.
One of the craziest outcomes of the weekend came from a guitarist I have recently started working with. Now, when I say recently I mean that we've had a few conversations over the phone and through email. We have yet to set up a face-to-face meeting and practice. Greg was wonderful enough to set me up with a great guitarist to cover the gigs that I line-up in which he is unable to assist me with. And, well, he didn't disappoint in many ways. Saturday morning I got a phone call from Kyle and he asked me if I would be willing to add some vocals to the track of a song he and his band are recording. Apparently they would like some female vocals as back-up on the ending chorus. All I have to say is - YES! what a random great opportunity! I never would have expected it and I and very excited to be a part of the music they are creating.
The point of this would not be to brag, especially since I have no idea how everything is going to work out. The point for me is that you never know when something out of the blue will come up. When someone might hear what you do and love it, or even just like it enough to say they want to give you a chance. I definitely feel very young in the music scene in Utah not to mention the world. But I love meeting new people, experiencing the magic and joy they bring to music, and being a part of that with them.
So, it is definitely a good idea to always be friendly, honest, fair and well, work hard enough that you're ready for what doors may open.
Ha ha - hopefully I'm ready for tomorrow.
This weekend was a great whirlwind. From running to-and-fro from daily chores to a friends wedding and ending up at the house concert of Melody and Tyler. The first thing I want to say is AMAZING! to Brian Bingham, Melody and Tyler, and Steven Swift! I've never seen (in person) such mind blowing guitar work. I never knew someone's fingers could move that fast. Seriously makes me jealous. Now, if only it made me jealous enough pick up that guitar in my room. Maybe I should work on that.
One of the craziest outcomes of the weekend came from a guitarist I have recently started working with. Now, when I say recently I mean that we've had a few conversations over the phone and through email. We have yet to set up a face-to-face meeting and practice. Greg was wonderful enough to set me up with a great guitarist to cover the gigs that I line-up in which he is unable to assist me with. And, well, he didn't disappoint in many ways. Saturday morning I got a phone call from Kyle and he asked me if I would be willing to add some vocals to the track of a song he and his band are recording. Apparently they would like some female vocals as back-up on the ending chorus. All I have to say is - YES! what a random great opportunity! I never would have expected it and I and very excited to be a part of the music they are creating.
The point of this would not be to brag, especially since I have no idea how everything is going to work out. The point for me is that you never know when something out of the blue will come up. When someone might hear what you do and love it, or even just like it enough to say they want to give you a chance. I definitely feel very young in the music scene in Utah not to mention the world. But I love meeting new people, experiencing the magic and joy they bring to music, and being a part of that with them.
So, it is definitely a good idea to always be friendly, honest, fair and well, work hard enough that you're ready for what doors may open.
Ha ha - hopefully I'm ready for tomorrow.
Sitting at home tonight, I have been thinking of what to write. Unfortunately my dear neighbors have given me the perfect topic. Rude, inconsiderate, obnoxiously, people. All I can say is - SERIOUSLY!! Listening to you bang and run around is annoying enough when it's only for a few minutes. When you do it for hours and hours - that is my breaking point. And what do you do when I bang back - oh that's right, you just ignore me or bang harder. So what do I do, ha ha ha - jokes on you. I'm a recording artist, I have tons of recording machinery to record every little (or rather LOUD noise you make). But, realistically I don't need all that proof. My letters to the HOA will be enough to get them to fine you until you learn to be a good, respectful neighbor.
Unfortunately none of that is immediately invigorating to me. Don't get me wrong, the thought of them paying hundreds of dollars on fines because they drop and stomp and run around like over weight elephants brings joys to my oh so stressed out nerves. But, what I would really like to do right now is stomp on up those steps, pound on their door and tell them what I think. But, realistically that wouldn't get me anywhere. Hmm.....
The real thought in my mind is why do we have to be so rude and inconsiderate to each other? Why can't we be respectful and kind? Why is it my fault for getting upset that I hear every damn thing you do?
I suppose for now I will hope that within the next hour they will quiet down, and tomorrow will be better. If not - well the landlord will be hearing from me.
Great Music, Great Fun, and Great Friends
So, Friday night was the big night at "The Fifth" in Bountiful. "Melody and Tyler" (amazing if I do say so myself) were having their CD release concert and they were nice enough to invite me to be part of the show. Also joining the line up for the night was "The Wayne Hoskins Band". (Amazing as well)
For all of you who know me, when it comes to music I can be pretty harsh and honest about my opinion. To me there is nothing more annoying than music that isn't real. To hear someone who can't sing - singing, is a huge pet-peeve. It really makes things difficult for those artists out there who have a love and passion for music. Those who have a gift and create magic through the combining and manipulation of instruments and rhythms. When those with no talent are molded and controlled like little marionette puppets, when their voices are created and distorted by computers rather than having talent, those who inspire and create are pushed off to the side because their music isn't mainstream music.
Nope, I don't have an opinion on music. So - as I was trying to get to, "Melody and Tyler" - along with "The Wayne Hoskins Band" are worth checking out and seeing live.
The evening was full of great fun. Starting off the show, the crowd was great. There was amazing enthusiasm and appreciation. As an artist, the response from the crowd is something truly treasured. "Melody and Tyler" rocked the stage! Melody's voice is amazing and captures the crowd. Together Melody and Tyler are true musicians with amazing songs, lyrics and talent.
Ending the show was "The Wayne Hoskins Band". I had never heard of the band before and they didn't disappoint from the first song to the last. The room was no longer sitting, and even the group of senior citizens out on the town for the night were dancing the night away.
The greatest thing for me was meeting everyone that came out to the show. Thank you to everyone who took a change on my music. Thank you to everyone that came and talked to me. Thank you for the amazing night, for without the fans - everyone in the room that came out for night - we wouldn't have a reason to get on stage and share something with you that is a passion and love.
Thank you to The Fifth Ammendment, Rockfish Record Company, Brody Layton, Mark Slater, Michael Gafa, The Wayne Hoskins Band, and Melody and Tyler. What an honor to be part of such a great night.
Have you ever found things that you just don't like?
That can be food, activities, people - why not people. Of course there are things within the world and within our lives that we don't like. Now, how about something you love, but to do what you love, you also have to do that thing you hate.
Maybe the purpose for such a thing is balance, harmony, growth? Maybe it's just pure torture. Because for me, every time I have pick-up a phone and think of what I have to say, or write an email and think of what to write, I get anxiety I tell you. I freeze and my mind goes black. What I'm referring to is calling and emailing people to set up shows. I don't mind talking to people in person, and I love singing - I love being on the stage and hopefully those listening enjoy the music created.
So how do you get past the "hard" part? Well - no wise words here. I hate it and I don't want to do it. So maybe someone out there in the internet world can add in those wise words. Right now I'm thinking find someone who will do it for me. Ya - I like that idea - now can I afford it ;)
That can be food, activities, people - why not people. Of course there are things within the world and within our lives that we don't like. Now, how about something you love, but to do what you love, you also have to do that thing you hate.
Maybe the purpose for such a thing is balance, harmony, growth? Maybe it's just pure torture. Because for me, every time I have pick-up a phone and think of what I have to say, or write an email and think of what to write, I get anxiety I tell you. I freeze and my mind goes black. What I'm referring to is calling and emailing people to set up shows. I don't mind talking to people in person, and I love singing - I love being on the stage and hopefully those listening enjoy the music created.
So how do you get past the "hard" part? Well - no wise words here. I hate it and I don't want to do it. So maybe someone out there in the internet world can add in those wise words. Right now I'm thinking find someone who will do it for me. Ya - I like that idea - now can I afford it ;)
Oh the anxiety of waiting for a response from a venue or a booking agent. As an artist that desires to share what they've created, it can definitely be frustrating when you never get an email or a phone call returned. I will honestly admit that I never assumed that it would be this hard to play somewhere. I will also add - that every place I have been able to play at, I have been grateful and extremely excited over.
So what's the point? I guess that depends on what you would want to get out of it.
Yes - the music business is tough, and if you want to get in you better have tough skin. However, I would prefer to stick to some more positive notes. Why - well it's not because I'm always an optimistic person. I have definitely been in places that I want to quit, and wonder why I ever decided to sing. I've been beaten, slandered, taken advantage of, and almost everything you can imagine to tear down a persons spirit.
So, going back to the positive notes -
It gets better. For every flakey person - you go through maybe a dozen - and you'll find one that is really great. There are artists out there who have been down the long road of trying to book gigs and now they play constantly and they're willing to help (well, as long as they think you're good - so hopefully you are). And, as you start performing, and you do a good job or better, than you start developing relationships and are able to come back and play again. The greatest part about playing is that you start to develop fans :) Woo Hooo
While I'm not an expert - and will never claim to be. I have met some great people! and they have helped me out a lot and given me great advice, and taught me a lot. I still have a long way to go, but as with everything I'll keep on sending those emails, making those phone calls and trying to get my name out there.
So what's the point? I guess that depends on what you would want to get out of it.
Yes - the music business is tough, and if you want to get in you better have tough skin. However, I would prefer to stick to some more positive notes. Why - well it's not because I'm always an optimistic person. I have definitely been in places that I want to quit, and wonder why I ever decided to sing. I've been beaten, slandered, taken advantage of, and almost everything you can imagine to tear down a persons spirit.
So, going back to the positive notes -
It gets better. For every flakey person - you go through maybe a dozen - and you'll find one that is really great. There are artists out there who have been down the long road of trying to book gigs and now they play constantly and they're willing to help (well, as long as they think you're good - so hopefully you are). And, as you start performing, and you do a good job or better, than you start developing relationships and are able to come back and play again. The greatest part about playing is that you start to develop fans :) Woo Hooo
While I'm not an expert - and will never claim to be. I have met some great people! and they have helped me out a lot and given me great advice, and taught me a lot. I still have a long way to go, but as with everything I'll keep on sending those emails, making those phone calls and trying to get my name out there.
