lazy hazy sessions
I hope you enjoy my lazy hazy acoustic sessions. These are songs I love. It's exciting for me as a vocalist to play with interpretation. I love sitting outside on a lazy hazy day and singing these tunes. When you take notice of the simple vocal melody and lyrics you can hear just how profoundly emotional and intimate music can be. Sound truly transcends and transforms.
Andrea Camilleri is one of my favorite writers. His Inspector Montalbano series is such a candidly fun and smart take on crime investigating without going overboard on the gruesome side. He somehow seductively incorporates food into his writing as well with the way he has Montalbano going to his favorite spots around town.
Sadly he passed away in July of this year, but what a legacy of stories he has left behind. I have quite a few more books to read and re-read of his and so looking forward to the experience of digging into his words.
Sadly he passed away in July of this year, but what a legacy of stories he has left behind. I have quite a few more books to read and re-read of his and so looking forward to the experience of digging into his words.
Mood music: Dom Sebastien roi de Portugal
I am really enjoying this recording of Gaetano Donizetti’s last opera with Mark Elder conducting the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Blissing out with the perfection of this performance.
I am really enjoying this recording of Gaetano Donizetti’s last opera with Mark Elder conducting the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Blissing out with the perfection of this performance.
Remember when listening to music made you feel good or made you feel something unique within YOU? Remember when you heard a song and the vocal tone was so crisp and pure that it felt like they were singing to you? Remember when you heard a song and it sounded like no other song you'd heard before? Remember when you heard the singer and knew that it was a particular artist? Remember when you heard a song and it made you cry or made you happy? That's all real. Music is made to make you feel. It's made to make you imagine, take you on a journey, and dis-cover your feelings without an agenda. It's made to make you feel and think what you will on your own accord. It allows you the freedom in the choices of what you "feed" yourself in your own sovereign field. People are extremely powerful. We are just not reminded of that enough. We (and that means ALL OF US) have the power to create empowering, uplifting, and positive changes to our world with-IN and consequently trickle to the world with-OUT. It starts by waking ourselves and nudging ourselves briskly from the deep sleep and mind numbing trance that we have been in for far too long.
2020 is right around the corner. Isn't that enough of a wake-up call?
2020 is right around the corner. Isn't that enough of a wake-up call?
Piano and voice in conversation. Gorgeous. Omara Portuondo "Besame Mucho"
I love to experiment with sound, melody patterns, and harmonies and textures. There will be weeks on end when I'll only listen to classical music or operas. I'd pop into the library and borrow a bunch of cds. I'll stop by a nearby vinyl record store and look for an obscure recording performed by a symphony orchestra somewhere around the world sometimes on sale for $1.
At the library I found this beauty of a recording with the magnificent Günter Wand conducting.
I'll listen and pick up a nuance in a section and wonder how I could incorporate that into my music. Words can be so limiting but SOUND and BREATH are massive. Holding a note long enough to merge with the instrumentation makes a huge difference in the intensity and feel of that moment in the track. On the other hand, letting go of breath and cutting off a note earlier than expected is just as emotional. As long as it is a genuine feeling there is no wrong way. One single note change in the instrumentation could lead me to deviate from the melody and sing something completely new. Yet somehow it all works out in the end as a whole piece. How powerful and infinite the power of sound is.
At the library I found this beauty of a recording with the magnificent Günter Wand conducting.
I'll listen and pick up a nuance in a section and wonder how I could incorporate that into my music. Words can be so limiting but SOUND and BREATH are massive. Holding a note long enough to merge with the instrumentation makes a huge difference in the intensity and feel of that moment in the track. On the other hand, letting go of breath and cutting off a note earlier than expected is just as emotional. As long as it is a genuine feeling there is no wrong way. One single note change in the instrumentation could lead me to deviate from the melody and sing something completely new. Yet somehow it all works out in the end as a whole piece. How powerful and infinite the power of sound is.
Emmaculate 2087 "The Light" Remixes: I like them all. Check 'em out.
Glorious glorious x3 arrangement of Bjork's "Come To Me"'; Brilliant to the ears.
"Love Has No Pride" was made famous by singers Bonnie Raitt and Linda Ronstadt. It's such a beautiful but sad song The lyrics are so powerful and cuts right into your emotions. . I hope you enjoy this acoustic cover of mine.
Erfüllten Sirenen (Brach Auf album)
I very much enjoyed working on this Morgen Wurde album. As soon as I heard the instrumental for "Erfüllten Sirenen" I thought I need to record this beautiful distant angelic choral background with layers of harmonies piercing through yet ever so gentle. I am really proud of this piece and how it turned out. Wolfgang Rottger, the creative mastermind behind the Morgen Wurde project, once again gave me complete space to design the vocals as I wish and the inspiration flowed through divinely.
I very much enjoyed working on this Morgen Wurde album. As soon as I heard the instrumental for "Erfüllten Sirenen" I thought I need to record this beautiful distant angelic choral background with layers of harmonies piercing through yet ever so gentle. I am really proud of this piece and how it turned out. Wolfgang Rottger, the creative mastermind behind the Morgen Wurde project, once again gave me complete space to design the vocals as I wish and the inspiration flowed through divinely.
I've always loved the artists out of Iceland my favorites being Bjork and the other Sigur Ros.
I've seen Bjork live twice back in New York. The first time was in a baseball field in Brooklyn and the other at Radio City Music Hall. Sigur Ros I saw twice as well while they were performing in New York City. Each time I was accompanied by very special people in my life. Each time I cried. Go figure. Those performances were groundbreaking for me during a highly emotional time and was the impetus for me to explore these ambient places of music and take them along on my own creative journey.
I've seen Bjork live twice back in New York. The first time was in a baseball field in Brooklyn and the other at Radio City Music Hall. Sigur Ros I saw twice as well while they were performing in New York City. Each time I was accompanied by very special people in my life. Each time I cried. Go figure. Those performances were groundbreaking for me during a highly emotional time and was the impetus for me to explore these ambient places of music and take them along on my own creative journey.
"Il cielo in una stanza" by Gino Paoli I heard the recordings of the beautifully expressive Italian singer Mina singing this song. I love it so much. My Italian is rusty to say the least, but I recorded it anyway. Forgive me for my shaky Italian pronunciation.
If you ask me what I love about Nevada I would say the top two things on my list are its mountains and its sunsets. I'm so lucky to see the beautiful mountains right in my backyard and the reddish yellow sunsets is one of the the most exquisite sights I've ever seen. I get to see this every day and it's so inspiring. I take my guitar out there and sing something to fit the mood. Here's a song I recorded written by songwriter Patty Griffin called "Long Ride Home." It's so fitting for the scene.
"Nude" Radiohead
Listening to this is beyond pleasurable. I like listening to the basement sessions better than the album recordings. The connection is intense.
Listening to this is beyond pleasurable. I like listening to the basement sessions better than the album recordings. The connection is intense.
Ry X and Brussels Philharmonic Soloists
These shows are on constant repeat for me. Sonic beauty.
These shows are on constant repeat for me. Sonic beauty.
Mood Music: "Whip It" Devo & "Mary Jane" Rick James
A few years back a childhood friend whom I hadn't seen in awhile met after a performance of mine. She had become a well-established physical therapist in the state that we lived. She was asking why I wasn't do something more "conventional" in my artistic endeavors. Then she asked, "Why are you such a non-conformist?" That question always stuck in my head. When you're labeled as a non-conformist does that necessarily mean it's a bad thing? Most importantly in my case I don't think it's something you do strategically. Sometimes it's just who you are, who you truly are. Perhaps one aspect is that it's a conscious mentality to realize that if EVERYONE is going to that coffee joint where there's a 30 minute wait, then I'll just go to the coffee joint down the street where there's no wait 'cause I'm hungry. I call it common sense. People are all built in different ways and we have the freedom to consciously live our lives in this vision that we see. If we don't have our own vision, then we wind up defaulting to the visions of others. This is okay if you need some help being steered. But to go back to my friend's comment about non-conformity, we're all individuals and I'm not gonna do whatever everyone else is doing. Think about it: Why would I do what everyone else is doing just because everyone else is doing it? Does that really make any sense besides losing your own ability to decide the path for you?
It's not about non-conformity as it is about being yourself. I love sunshine, the ocean, and the smell of sea moss. I love small houses with small closets and real wood floors. I love the feel of hardcover books. I love reading about E.T. encounters and ancient civilizations. I love the first two "Godfather" movies as well as the Korean gangster movie "New World." I could eat Indian food, Korean food, and Ethiopian food every day. Dream state astral traveling fascinates me. My cat fascinates me.
Be who you are.
A few years back a childhood friend whom I hadn't seen in awhile met after a performance of mine. She had become a well-established physical therapist in the state that we lived. She was asking why I wasn't do something more "conventional" in my artistic endeavors. Then she asked, "Why are you such a non-conformist?" That question always stuck in my head. When you're labeled as a non-conformist does that necessarily mean it's a bad thing? Most importantly in my case I don't think it's something you do strategically. Sometimes it's just who you are, who you truly are. Perhaps one aspect is that it's a conscious mentality to realize that if EVERYONE is going to that coffee joint where there's a 30 minute wait, then I'll just go to the coffee joint down the street where there's no wait 'cause I'm hungry. I call it common sense. People are all built in different ways and we have the freedom to consciously live our lives in this vision that we see. If we don't have our own vision, then we wind up defaulting to the visions of others. This is okay if you need some help being steered. But to go back to my friend's comment about non-conformity, we're all individuals and I'm not gonna do whatever everyone else is doing. Think about it: Why would I do what everyone else is doing just because everyone else is doing it? Does that really make any sense besides losing your own ability to decide the path for you?
It's not about non-conformity as it is about being yourself. I love sunshine, the ocean, and the smell of sea moss. I love small houses with small closets and real wood floors. I love the feel of hardcover books. I love reading about E.T. encounters and ancient civilizations. I love the first two "Godfather" movies as well as the Korean gangster movie "New World." I could eat Indian food, Korean food, and Ethiopian food every day. Dream state astral traveling fascinates me. My cat fascinates me.
Be who you are.
Mood Music: "Fade Away" FM Attack
It has been said that EXPRESSION is one of the things that every human needs to experience on a continuous basis. It is part of our freedom in the vast cosmos. We need to express aspects of ourselves. Otherwise, we confine ourselves in our own inner prison. Expression of creativity can come in any form. Perhaps even taking a walk in the park when we want to is simply expressing a mood that you're in.
I am so grateful that I have the outlet to express my creativity through music. Some days I think to myself it would be so cool to write and record an indie folk album. Another day it could be a full synthwave soundtrack album. One day I was listening to the Wings album "Wings at the Speed of Sound." I was in awe by the production and recording quality. You could hear the crispness of every instrument and the voices were so pure. I was thinking what a fun project to write these types of songs and this quality. It's time for music to have a renaissance. It's time to take the "good" and true elements from music's past and bring it forward to TODAY. Nap time is over, folks.
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” – Solomon
It has been said that EXPRESSION is one of the things that every human needs to experience on a continuous basis. It is part of our freedom in the vast cosmos. We need to express aspects of ourselves. Otherwise, we confine ourselves in our own inner prison. Expression of creativity can come in any form. Perhaps even taking a walk in the park when we want to is simply expressing a mood that you're in.
I am so grateful that I have the outlet to express my creativity through music. Some days I think to myself it would be so cool to write and record an indie folk album. Another day it could be a full synthwave soundtrack album. One day I was listening to the Wings album "Wings at the Speed of Sound." I was in awe by the production and recording quality. You could hear the crispness of every instrument and the voices were so pure. I was thinking what a fun project to write these types of songs and this quality. It's time for music to have a renaissance. It's time to take the "good" and true elements from music's past and bring it forward to TODAY. Nap time is over, folks.
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” – Solomon
I love hearing old recordings. They were so intimate and fuzzy. I wanted to play around with this setting on my recording software. The song I recorded was the only song I knew that I could fool around with the software. The song, however, was originally recorded by Connie Francis in 1957. Recording technology at the time was way better than the recording style I'm referring to. Still it's fun to play around with the idea.
Mood music for today: "Houses of the Holy" Led Zeppelin
When I was singing with one of my bands they suggested we do a cover. We were gonna play a show at a rock club in NYC we'd played a couple of times (it's probably gone now or converted to some luxury wine bar at this point.) The guys were coming up with some ideas and they brought up doing Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song." Well, I'd heard the song but never in a thousand years would I have imagined I would be singing it live. I practiced at home a lot. Robert Plant's range is ominous. When the time came to play the show and many shows thereafter we nailed it. Performing that track with the guys was an amazing experience and felt like out of body really. Once that bass kicked in, it was like my body and voice went on autopilot.
I know that challenge of taking on new material is exhilirating. Part of me is hesitant to tackle it and another part of me (a stronger part) is saying do something out of this world and explore where you haven't been before (straight out of Star Trek!)
For example when Wolfgang Rottger (aka Morgen Wurde) approached me about doing some tracks for his "Assassinous Act" album, I was excited and mystified. My mind had billions of concepts in my head and at the same time wondering how do I narrow down what I wanted to do. When you're doing a cover, you have a groundwork of where you start, continue, and finish. When doing your own original work, you have zero limits. What's awesome is Wolfgang allows me to take it wherever my mind allows. That's what I love most about collaborations: two minds connect to produce this one divine space together.
I just trusted that inspiration would appear when it needed to. Thankfully when I decided to set myself to record the tracks on separate occasions it all worked out. Just like performing the Zeppelin cover, I had to go "out of body" so to speak and allow creativity to take the lead. Don't overthink and allow Wolfgang's music to take me on the journey.
Listen to "Hindsight" off Morgen Wurde's 2017 Assassinous Act Album.
When I was singing with one of my bands they suggested we do a cover. We were gonna play a show at a rock club in NYC we'd played a couple of times (it's probably gone now or converted to some luxury wine bar at this point.) The guys were coming up with some ideas and they brought up doing Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song." Well, I'd heard the song but never in a thousand years would I have imagined I would be singing it live. I practiced at home a lot. Robert Plant's range is ominous. When the time came to play the show and many shows thereafter we nailed it. Performing that track with the guys was an amazing experience and felt like out of body really. Once that bass kicked in, it was like my body and voice went on autopilot.
I know that challenge of taking on new material is exhilirating. Part of me is hesitant to tackle it and another part of me (a stronger part) is saying do something out of this world and explore where you haven't been before (straight out of Star Trek!)
For example when Wolfgang Rottger (aka Morgen Wurde) approached me about doing some tracks for his "Assassinous Act" album, I was excited and mystified. My mind had billions of concepts in my head and at the same time wondering how do I narrow down what I wanted to do. When you're doing a cover, you have a groundwork of where you start, continue, and finish. When doing your own original work, you have zero limits. What's awesome is Wolfgang allows me to take it wherever my mind allows. That's what I love most about collaborations: two minds connect to produce this one divine space together.
I just trusted that inspiration would appear when it needed to. Thankfully when I decided to set myself to record the tracks on separate occasions it all worked out. Just like performing the Zeppelin cover, I had to go "out of body" so to speak and allow creativity to take the lead. Don't overthink and allow Wolfgang's music to take me on the journey.
Listen to "Hindsight" off Morgen Wurde's 2017 Assassinous Act Album.
I recorded some background vocals on one of the tracks off the new Woolfy vs Projections album Destinations . It's a great album. Make sure you check it out. "Fall Into You" is available everywhere on Permanent Vacation label.
Discovered "Vegas Vinyl" this weekend. Really well organized shop for cds, records. Good prices. Picked up a used album copy from The Motels which carried my favorite song "Only the Lonely." Martha Davis' voice sounds sultry as ever. :)
Discovered "Vegas Vinyl" this weekend. Really well organized shop for cds, records. Good prices. Picked up a used album copy from The Motels which carried my favorite song "Only the Lonely." Martha Davis' voice sounds sultry as ever. :)
Whether releasing vinyl records is a "trend" or not, I love the vinyl packaging and sound production quality. Best of all, a person cannot "steal" a copy unless you physically steal a copy off the crate so to speak. It is a one of a kind thing where you can hold it and it's yours. As much as I love the immediacy of digital, having that record in your hands and looking through the details of the album cover is fun. It grows with you and grows old with you. It's all part of the experience of new music.
When one takes from someone without that person's permission, whether it be a piece, portion, material or energetic, it is as if taking a drop of water from the grand sea without the sea's permission. And in the universal law of cause and effect, monstrous waves crash onto the shore as if speaking in their thunderous voice. They exclaim: "Learn this lesson well. You should have at least asked first for permission to take from our space before you indulged yourself."
Cheers to the folks who organized the Grapes and Hops Festival this past Saturday night at the Springs Preserves. It was such a well-organized, festive, and beautifully set event. It was well worth the ticket price (fundraiser). Since I don't drink (I do "drink" just no alcohol), I indulged as much as I could on the unlimited food service offerings from the selection of fine Las Vegas eateries. Definitely a repeat event for the future!
If you haven't seen the movie "Serpico" with Al Pacino, make it a must see at some point. It's a fantastically written and filmed story about real life NYC cop Frank Serpico. Afterwards I suggest watching the documentary "Never Run When You're Right" which is a documentary of Frank Serpico from himself. It really shows how honor and self-respect never die when you're heart feels like it's doing the right thing.
"Candy-O" Elliot Easton's lead guitar work is off the charts. What a great album! What am I talking about? Every album was beyond good. Every album was beyond its time.
It's time for a Friday night drive. Roll down the windows and blast "Everybody Wants you" Billy Squier
"Emotion in Motion" Ric Ocasek's simple but brilliant song
I'd love to get myself a copy of Joe Milliken's book about Benjamin Orr. As I listen to Benjamin's solo album "The Lace" now I can hear such a fine rock voice. The song styles are different from The Cars. Nevertheless, it's his sound. From all the articles I've read about him, he was actually a regular guy even with all the stardom he achieved. My favorite track on the album is "When You're Gone." Straight up talented musician and all-around good guy.
Wow. Just Wow!!: Eliott Easton's "Wearing You Down Like a Wheel"
Absolutely spine tingling music~~~I like this a lot.
Fun track: Da Lukas remix of "Vision of You" by Daft Noodles
Hot music! Hot riffs! Talent is smokin' here : )
Thank you Rick Ocasek for writing some of the most beautiful and fun songs in my lifetime. "Drive" is a masterpiece.
Harvest Moon tonight in Las Vegas! Here is my cover of "Harvest Moon" for tonight's beauty fest. 9.13.19
Oh yeah! I dug up some old track demos that I wrote on projects that never came to be as they were. I hope to revive, reconfigure, and polish. Make them brand spanking new in 2020.
Full moon coming 9.13.2019.
Layers and layers of stuff coming up: our own wounds and hurts. Our ancestors' wounds and hurts. Those moments are painful to feel, but moments, as they re-lay and replay, soften the blow so to speak. It's all coming up to the surface. Gonna do my best to swim in the moonlight.
The desert terrain has given me such creative inspiration both lyrical and musical. Here is one of them: "In the Sand." Much respect and love to Oliver Schmitz, Micah Sherman, and Medsound for their masterfully created music and production.
Layers and layers of stuff coming up: our own wounds and hurts. Our ancestors' wounds and hurts. Those moments are painful to feel, but moments, as they re-lay and replay, soften the blow so to speak. It's all coming up to the surface. Gonna do my best to swim in the moonlight.
The desert terrain has given me such creative inspiration both lyrical and musical. Here is one of them: "In the Sand." Much respect and love to Oliver Schmitz, Micah Sherman, and Medsound for their masterfully created music and production.
Just a little obsessed with this song (you think? :))
Another wonderful rendition of Boys of Summer. Prince and Don Henley are my favorite songwriters. Mike Campbell came up with exquisite music for the Boys of Summer track. How, just how, can anyone top this song? No auto-tune.
Another wonderful rendition of Boys of Summer. Prince and Don Henley are my favorite songwriters. Mike Campbell came up with exquisite music for the Boys of Summer track. How, just how, can anyone top this song? No auto-tune.
My Intention for future creative projects: Blend futuristic with mystical and retrospective
Check out this live rendition of "Boys of Summer" by the great great Don Henley. Absolutely divine!
Check out this live rendition of "Boys of Summer" by the great great Don Henley. Absolutely divine!
Such a beautifully shot and informative channel. Love it! French Cooking Academy
Lovely track here by Pavel Khvaleev "Aura Chillout Mix"
Spent another fun-filled night of vivid dreaming of animated petroglyphs (especially the horse) as well as spiraling geometry.
My cooking groove is on~~ Trying out cookbook "Paris Picnic Club"
I love finding these gem videos. "Waiting for a Star" in my opinion is one of those classic pop tunes that will forever stand the test of time. Broken down in parts it's so beautiful to hear the nuances in chord changes and melody.
Taking away the production layers, the original songwriter George Merrill (half of the songwriting team Boy Meets Girl) performs this raw version with such style and simplicity. This is pure pop songwriting at its finest. The chords at :21 and :42, 1:28, 2:05 are so out of this world gorgeous. This is the power of the simple melody and good songwriting. When it's stripped down to its bare bones, it will forever remain a well-crafted song.
Taking away the production layers, the original songwriter George Merrill (half of the songwriting team Boy Meets Girl) performs this raw version with such style and simplicity. This is pure pop songwriting at its finest. The chords at :21 and :42, 1:28, 2:05 are so out of this world gorgeous. This is the power of the simple melody and good songwriting. When it's stripped down to its bare bones, it will forever remain a well-crafted song.
So glad to get a break from the 100+ degree temps in Vegas. Thank you SAN DIEGO for the waves, salt water, breeze, and sunshine. Beautiful place! Loved it so much. I dedicate this classic tune to beautiful San Diego! "More than a Feeling" : )
Very cool moment : )
106 F temps outside~AC in the car~Traffic light turns green on Durango~ "Caught Up in You" starts playing on the radio. Alll is good.
106 F temps outside~AC in the car~Traffic light turns green on Durango~ "Caught Up in You" starts playing on the radio. Alll is good.
I don't know about you, but these days I've needed some uplifting vibes. We need NOW for music and media of all sorts to uplift us, raise our spirits, and bring us to another level: a place where people aren't hurting each other, where people are loving their environment instead of trashing it, where people's words are filled with love and respect, where fear is no longer plastered as normal in every corner of our world, and where word, thought, and deed are bond.
It's time already to move forward to a more beautiful world, a more beautiful life, and more vibrant existence.
"Bright Eyes" lyrics. Listen here.
It's time already to move forward to a more beautiful world, a more beautiful life, and more vibrant existence.
"Bright Eyes" lyrics. Listen here.
Creative Flow. 8.28.19
"RESET"
when you've had enough of this and that
when you think your way is better than theirs
when you think their way is better than yours
when the pain disappears and then sneaks back on you
when you're asking has turned into begging with still no result
drop it for a minute
go outside
look up at the sky and see the clearest blue
look at the tree that's connected to the soil, the same tree on which you lean
and how unbelievable its growth has been
and even if the entire sky is not "pure" blue, look at the parts that are the bluest of blue
look at your cat or dog or creature
and smile at the wacked out things they do
It all makes you RESET.
After all you are seeing all aspects of you
"RESET"
when you've had enough of this and that
when you think your way is better than theirs
when you think their way is better than yours
when the pain disappears and then sneaks back on you
when you're asking has turned into begging with still no result
drop it for a minute
go outside
look up at the sky and see the clearest blue
look at the tree that's connected to the soil, the same tree on which you lean
and how unbelievable its growth has been
and even if the entire sky is not "pure" blue, look at the parts that are the bluest of blue
look at your cat or dog or creature
and smile at the wacked out things they do
It all makes you RESET.
After all you are seeing all aspects of you
Creative Flow for 8.26.2019
"Salt"
let go
let it all go
the light of the cave will soon appear
only a few more steps ahead.
With every tear
you have made an ocean
but the salt will cleanse.
Every sea moss you have swallowed
is taking you afloat
bringing you to surface.
it's alright. Breathe.
it was all illusion
the illusion of a minute felt
as if an eternity
"Salt"
let go
let it all go
the light of the cave will soon appear
only a few more steps ahead.
With every tear
you have made an ocean
but the salt will cleanse.
Every sea moss you have swallowed
is taking you afloat
bringing you to surface.
it's alright. Breathe.
it was all illusion
the illusion of a minute felt
as if an eternity
I had gone scuba diving one day while vacationing in the Philippines (Boracay). It was my very first time. I was escorted and assisted by a native on the island. I experienced swimming deep in the vastness bliss of the South Pacific waters and all its beautiful inhabitants. It was a defining moment in my life.
I will not go too in detail as I will save that for another day. All I can say is that that particular day could have been one of my "exit points" as I have read it called. Being that deep in the water is not about swimming or the water. It truly is about finding wholeness and peace within your mind. It is that same peace that you have or don't have on soil or wherever you are. It is about meeting fear, surrendering, and conquering it, and then LETTING LIFE UNFOLD AS IT WILL. This short film reminds me of that experience.
I will not go too in detail as I will save that for another day. All I can say is that that particular day could have been one of my "exit points" as I have read it called. Being that deep in the water is not about swimming or the water. It truly is about finding wholeness and peace within your mind. It is that same peace that you have or don't have on soil or wherever you are. It is about meeting fear, surrendering, and conquering it, and then LETTING LIFE UNFOLD AS IT WILL. This short film reminds me of that experience.
MOST BEAUTIFUL MUSIC I HAVE EVER HEARD
When I am creating music it is actually mild artistic frustration that I use to be the impetus of the next materialization. As I've mentioned before, as artists we must encourage one another to improve and evolve. What do I want to create now? What can I do in this that not only I but most especially my audience can also appreciate along with me? What can I share with the listener from deep within me? With all those ideas you also include integrity of content. Am I writing this and singing this truly from my heart? Answers come sometimes naturally and sometimes through so-called coincidence. Many of my lyrical inspirations and melodies had derived upon waking in the morning writing lyrics on my notepad immediately so as to not to forget. One morning I heard a melody in my dream (actually a few times this has happened.) I rush to record it. Where I will use these melodies I don't know. Maybe it was inspiration for others in the future.
In my dreams I have absolutely heard what you might call "symphonies. " Symphony of voices and orchestra and it was the MOST BEAUTIFUL MUSIC I HAVE EVER HEARD. I can't describe it nor could I replicate it. It was purely ethereal and most likely only for me to hear in the dream state. Maybe remnants of the music will drip into my wake state. I could use this as inspiration in my wake state in my next artistic materialization.
When I am creating music it is actually mild artistic frustration that I use to be the impetus of the next materialization. As I've mentioned before, as artists we must encourage one another to improve and evolve. What do I want to create now? What can I do in this that not only I but most especially my audience can also appreciate along with me? What can I share with the listener from deep within me? With all those ideas you also include integrity of content. Am I writing this and singing this truly from my heart? Answers come sometimes naturally and sometimes through so-called coincidence. Many of my lyrical inspirations and melodies had derived upon waking in the morning writing lyrics on my notepad immediately so as to not to forget. One morning I heard a melody in my dream (actually a few times this has happened.) I rush to record it. Where I will use these melodies I don't know. Maybe it was inspiration for others in the future.
In my dreams I have absolutely heard what you might call "symphonies. " Symphony of voices and orchestra and it was the MOST BEAUTIFUL MUSIC I HAVE EVER HEARD. I can't describe it nor could I replicate it. It was purely ethereal and most likely only for me to hear in the dream state. Maybe remnants of the music will drip into my wake state. I could use this as inspiration in my wake state in my next artistic materialization.
ooohhh Exciting stuff. So much love for this: La Guitarra Azul Juan Laya, Jorge Montiel, Ramon Ruiz
~~ Waking up to a black & white animated spiral ~~ 8-19-19
“I am ONE. I am LOVE. I am FREE."
Listen to "Endless Skies" from Medsound's album A Journey to House
Listen to "Endless Skies" from Medsound's album A Journey to House
Beautiful women doing hard honest work. True artistry.
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My my my~~Chef Gennaro Contaldo makes me want to cook, but more importantly makes me want to eat. His creation of simple Caprese Salad is a work-of-art. |
This past weekend the song "Face in the Crowd" by Tom Petty was playing on the car radio. At the time I was waiting at a traffic signal. I was watching people crossing the street, waiting at the bus stop, watching cars go by. It was almost like I was a watching the intro of a movie. Where's everybody going? What's everybody doing at this exact moment as I'm watching this. Meanwhile in the background is Tom Petty singing. I had to come home and record the song it as it was so powerful for me. A one minute soundtrack for that one minute of life gone by.
“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” ― Aristotle
Listen to Morgen Wurde feat. Maria Estrella "Beendete es" (Cie Remix)
Listen to Morgen Wurde feat. Maria Estrella "Beendete es" (Cie Remix)
Happy Monday! Need me some Human League Dare Album right about now~~!
Message on the Wall
These lyrics were inspired by a dream I had.
A condensed version became part of Medsound's track on his 2017 album "Beach Life."
These lyrics were inspired by a dream I had.
A condensed version became part of Medsound's track on his 2017 album "Beach Life."
Message on the Wall
I see the message on the wall
A trail of broken love will fall
I know no one can take your place
No one else loves me like you do
Discover Me. Discover You.
Is this a dream or is this real?
Message on the wall
I see the message on the wall
A trail of broken love will fall
I know no one can take your place
No one else loves me like you do
Discover Me. Discover You.
Is this a dream or is this real?
Message on the wall
I don't speak French, but I'm definitely feeling this.~~~"Le Monde" Thievery Corporation
The power of words
The power of words is strong. The intention of the word is even more powerful. It reveals a lot about the one you're communicating with. It reveals a lot about yourself. When someone was down, did you say words that uplifted them or brought them further down? Were you sensitive to what you said so you didn't add on to their state of mind? Positive encouragement and support has a different vibe than negativity and critique. People just talk and talk unconsciously - a robot programmed machine. We don't realize that our words are powerful catalysts to emerging scenarios and consequences. It's a moment to moment build-up of life events unfolding. We breathe yet we don't think about it. But breath is natural and automatic. Words, however, have been accumulated in our mind from years and years of looping from outside sources - teachers, family, friends, media, bosses, organizational leaders, books, signs. The list goes on. We speak as if our words are on autopilot.
Be mindful of your words. They are powerful as you are powerful. Be mindful of intent for that is the engine of which your words will be revealed.
I wrote these lyrics for a song I wrote back in 2017. I hope these words uplift you today.
You were just waiting for a second chance.
just when you thought love passed you by
Just for a moment you felt all alone
living a life of circumstance.
It would be so nice if I got to know you, got to know you, really got to know you.
'cause I believe in love. I believe in dreams.
Wouldn't it be nice if I got to know you, really got to know you.
cause I believe in love. I believe in dreams.
I believe in you.
The power of words is strong. The intention of the word is even more powerful. It reveals a lot about the one you're communicating with. It reveals a lot about yourself. When someone was down, did you say words that uplifted them or brought them further down? Were you sensitive to what you said so you didn't add on to their state of mind? Positive encouragement and support has a different vibe than negativity and critique. People just talk and talk unconsciously - a robot programmed machine. We don't realize that our words are powerful catalysts to emerging scenarios and consequences. It's a moment to moment build-up of life events unfolding. We breathe yet we don't think about it. But breath is natural and automatic. Words, however, have been accumulated in our mind from years and years of looping from outside sources - teachers, family, friends, media, bosses, organizational leaders, books, signs. The list goes on. We speak as if our words are on autopilot.
Be mindful of your words. They are powerful as you are powerful. Be mindful of intent for that is the engine of which your words will be revealed.
I wrote these lyrics for a song I wrote back in 2017. I hope these words uplift you today.
You were just waiting for a second chance.
just when you thought love passed you by
Just for a moment you felt all alone
living a life of circumstance.
It would be so nice if I got to know you, got to know you, really got to know you.
'cause I believe in love. I believe in dreams.
Wouldn't it be nice if I got to know you, really got to know you.
cause I believe in love. I believe in dreams.
I believe in you.
Love this stuff. Takes me on a journey...
Boulder City, Nevada is my favorite go-to place for a quick getaway from Las Vegas. Coming into town to see the view of Lake Mead is breathtaking. I recommend stopping by Herbs by Diane for a refreshing look at her herb garden. Purchased some fresh arugula and ginger mint as well as some microherbs. Just in case that wasn't enough...if you're a fan of Big Horn Sheep, stop by Hemenway Park. These exquisite creatures are hanging out. What a sight to see right there in Boulder City. These are the real deal, folks!
"One Step Closer to You"
Gavin Christopher was a prolific songwriter, producer, musical artist with his absolutely brilliant pop song "One Step Closer to You" among so many others. I cannot stop listening to this song. I am listening to his other tracks now and his full albums. He's produced and written tracks for Rufus, Herbie Hancock, and Grandmaster Flash. He should have been way way more well-known. What a wonderfully talented artist. I've only just found out about him this week. It's like opening up Christmas presents in summer when I hear his music.
Gavin Christopher was a prolific songwriter, producer, musical artist with his absolutely brilliant pop song "One Step Closer to You" among so many others. I cannot stop listening to this song. I am listening to his other tracks now and his full albums. He's produced and written tracks for Rufus, Herbie Hancock, and Grandmaster Flash. He should have been way way more well-known. What a wonderfully talented artist. I've only just found out about him this week. It's like opening up Christmas presents in summer when I hear his music.
Inspiring Living
Permaculture
We only truly "need" so little to live a quality life (depending on your version of quality of course.) Downsize. Downsize. Downsize. Don't spend your money on frivolity. Re-evaluate "The More I have, the better I am" mentality. Be efficient and resourceful. Be creative and innovative. Our human creative potential is barely tapped unless we explore it.
Permaculture
We only truly "need" so little to live a quality life (depending on your version of quality of course.) Downsize. Downsize. Downsize. Don't spend your money on frivolity. Re-evaluate "The More I have, the better I am" mentality. Be efficient and resourceful. Be creative and innovative. Our human creative potential is barely tapped unless we explore it.
Good feeling documentary
Treating our surroundings with enormous humility and respect
Treating our surroundings with enormous humility and respect
Being Transcendental in Music
I used to be in an indie band called "Atoms to Suns." The guys in the band were so fantastic to play with and create with. We would put all these unique ideas out there with all the different influences we had. Our drummer also played percussion for a salsa band and the guitarist and founder of the band (although he was truly a bass player) was into Jah Wobble. Our influences blended so well. It was probably one of the best musical experiences I had. We all just love playing music and we were serious about cultivating something new creatively. Great thing too was that we were really open to each other's creative input, we enjoyed playing together and, oddly enough, as band members we all liked each other and got along. : )
These two songs are probably my favorites of ours I loved playing live. It put me into a completely transcendental state of mind.
I used to be in an indie band called "Atoms to Suns." The guys in the band were so fantastic to play with and create with. We would put all these unique ideas out there with all the different influences we had. Our drummer also played percussion for a salsa band and the guitarist and founder of the band (although he was truly a bass player) was into Jah Wobble. Our influences blended so well. It was probably one of the best musical experiences I had. We all just love playing music and we were serious about cultivating something new creatively. Great thing too was that we were really open to each other's creative input, we enjoyed playing together and, oddly enough, as band members we all liked each other and got along. : )
These two songs are probably my favorites of ours I loved playing live. It put me into a completely transcendental state of mind.
The Vault
I remember hearing how Prince had a vault of endless songs tucked away in his Paisley Park home. I completely get it. In my head I feel like there are shelves of songs I've tucked away in a little binder hoping one day it will be given life on recording. It's amazing how some songs "become." For example, "Need You Here" my track with producer Roman Depthsound came about because I wanted to have a conversation with the "other person" in the music. I wanted the dialogue to be created in a scene about a relationship that's reaching its end. The character is saying anything to make things better even though they both know nothing will change. It's the last ditch effort to make it work and in the song there are no words that can change what's inevitable. All things change and progresses into something new. No point in fighting it. I had those ideas tucked away in my vault and glad it was brought to life in song.
Don Henley's Masterpiece "Boys of Summer"
I read that the music masterpiece song "Boys of Summer" recorded by Don Henley was originally going to Tom Petty's band as it was written by the band's guitarist Mike Campbell. Tom didn't find it fitting for the album that The Heartbreakers were working on so passed on it. Then it was offered to Don Henley and the rest is history.
I have heard that song on the radio countless times and each time it's like a reset for me. It just never tires. It's beyond thrilling to hear that song.
I remember hearing how Prince had a vault of endless songs tucked away in his Paisley Park home. I completely get it. In my head I feel like there are shelves of songs I've tucked away in a little binder hoping one day it will be given life on recording. It's amazing how some songs "become." For example, "Need You Here" my track with producer Roman Depthsound came about because I wanted to have a conversation with the "other person" in the music. I wanted the dialogue to be created in a scene about a relationship that's reaching its end. The character is saying anything to make things better even though they both know nothing will change. It's the last ditch effort to make it work and in the song there are no words that can change what's inevitable. All things change and progresses into something new. No point in fighting it. I had those ideas tucked away in my vault and glad it was brought to life in song.
Don Henley's Masterpiece "Boys of Summer"
I read that the music masterpiece song "Boys of Summer" recorded by Don Henley was originally going to Tom Petty's band as it was written by the band's guitarist Mike Campbell. Tom didn't find it fitting for the album that The Heartbreakers were working on so passed on it. Then it was offered to Don Henley and the rest is history.
I have heard that song on the radio countless times and each time it's like a reset for me. It just never tires. It's beyond thrilling to hear that song.
Moq "The Lion"
My #1 fan listening to my next track...
My #1 fan listening to my next track...
SHREDDED PAPER
Whenever I can, I like to find ways to re-use materials instead of constantly buying stuff. Too much stuff means too much stimulation in my mind. I found a couple more great cookbooks from the library and needed bookmarkers for the recipes.
Made some bookmarkers from the paper in the shredder.
Whenever I can, I like to find ways to re-use materials instead of constantly buying stuff. Too much stuff means too much stimulation in my mind. I found a couple more great cookbooks from the library and needed bookmarkers for the recipes.
Made some bookmarkers from the paper in the shredder.
Tunes to get through the summer heat
Mojo Claire Laffut
Pass the Dutchie Musical Youth
You Can Do Magic America
Mojo Claire Laffut
Pass the Dutchie Musical Youth
You Can Do Magic America
Made in India Cookbook by Meera Sodha
Saw this beautiful hardcover cookbook in the library. The photographs of the dishes are exquisite to look at. Will give the recipes a try this week. I adore Indian cuisine, so I am quite excited to give these recipes a go.
Vegetable Picking in Las Vegas
Found these two gems in the Las Vegas desert:
Gilcrease Orchard: Got to pick some fresh vegetables and fruits right off the vine. Got some eggplant, Armenian cucumber, tomato, onions. Come early for it's quite hot hot out there even early in the morning.
The Farm: Got some apple butter, organic eggs. Will have to head back there to get their fresh honey.
"Hold Me" song with Grisha Gerrus
People underestimate the value of being in the moment. Sometimes we want to hear words, plenty of words. In actuality, the attentiveness of what you say and how you say it versus the quantity of the words you say are quite different. I took that into consideration with the song I did with Grisha Gerrus. He created this exciting music that had seamless pockets of space and rhythm. I didn't want to overpower it. I wanted to enhance in just the right way. So as I considered writing vocals to the song I decided to say less and focus on the texture of the voice and the delivery of the words. Creating subtlety and nuance can be much more difficult than being big and loud.
In the end, I was really happy with the final result. The remixes by Collioure and Magic Surfer turned out wonderfully as well.
"Hold Me" available everywhere on Deeper Motion Recordings.
Reffen Copenhagen Street Food
I forgot to mention one of the places that I really enjoyed during the brief stay in Copenhagen, Denmark: strolling around Reffen. At the time I was there it was not as crowded as usual as it was in the middle of the day. I'm sure on a weekend or evening it's packed. I'm glad to be able to have had a stress-free experience there. Had a chicken sandwich with fries from one of the trucks. A nice chill out meal after walking around all morning. Make sure you check it out.
https://reffen.dk/en/
Hugh Jackman's Show in Las Vegas Tonight
Saw the one and only Hugh Jackman "Wolverine" himself in his one man show one night only at the MGM Grand. He sings. He dances. He tap dances. Very charming man. Bravo Bravo to him! He is a one-of-a-kind showman.
Zero Point Field
Period.
Summer Reading Material
As I am a book nerd, here are two that I'm reading these summer days:
Geeez It's Hot Out!~
Doing my best to stay cool in this Vegas heat. There are two other places I visited where I felt heat like this: Batman, Turkey and Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Dallas, TX too but somehow that heat felt different.)
Best to do all outside activity in the morning before the triple digits temps appear. Despite the heat I still love cooking my Indian dishes. Made a Palak Paneer dish the other night. Wowza! Really good. : )
Saw this beautiful hardcover cookbook in the library. The photographs of the dishes are exquisite to look at. Will give the recipes a try this week. I adore Indian cuisine, so I am quite excited to give these recipes a go.
Vegetable Picking in Las Vegas
Found these two gems in the Las Vegas desert:
Gilcrease Orchard: Got to pick some fresh vegetables and fruits right off the vine. Got some eggplant, Armenian cucumber, tomato, onions. Come early for it's quite hot hot out there even early in the morning.
The Farm: Got some apple butter, organic eggs. Will have to head back there to get their fresh honey.
"Hold Me" song with Grisha Gerrus
People underestimate the value of being in the moment. Sometimes we want to hear words, plenty of words. In actuality, the attentiveness of what you say and how you say it versus the quantity of the words you say are quite different. I took that into consideration with the song I did with Grisha Gerrus. He created this exciting music that had seamless pockets of space and rhythm. I didn't want to overpower it. I wanted to enhance in just the right way. So as I considered writing vocals to the song I decided to say less and focus on the texture of the voice and the delivery of the words. Creating subtlety and nuance can be much more difficult than being big and loud.
In the end, I was really happy with the final result. The remixes by Collioure and Magic Surfer turned out wonderfully as well.
"Hold Me" available everywhere on Deeper Motion Recordings.
Reffen Copenhagen Street Food
I forgot to mention one of the places that I really enjoyed during the brief stay in Copenhagen, Denmark: strolling around Reffen. At the time I was there it was not as crowded as usual as it was in the middle of the day. I'm sure on a weekend or evening it's packed. I'm glad to be able to have had a stress-free experience there. Had a chicken sandwich with fries from one of the trucks. A nice chill out meal after walking around all morning. Make sure you check it out.
https://reffen.dk/en/
Hugh Jackman's Show in Las Vegas Tonight
Saw the one and only Hugh Jackman "Wolverine" himself in his one man show one night only at the MGM Grand. He sings. He dances. He tap dances. Very charming man. Bravo Bravo to him! He is a one-of-a-kind showman.
Zero Point Field
Period.
Summer Reading Material
As I am a book nerd, here are two that I'm reading these summer days:
- Essentialism by Greg McKeown
- Goodbye, Things by Sumio Sasaki
Geeez It's Hot Out!~
Doing my best to stay cool in this Vegas heat. There are two other places I visited where I felt heat like this: Batman, Turkey and Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Dallas, TX too but somehow that heat felt different.)
Best to do all outside activity in the morning before the triple digits temps appear. Despite the heat I still love cooking my Indian dishes. Made a Palak Paneer dish the other night. Wowza! Really good. : )
Awareness.
Take your own action.
Take your own action.
Second Wave - Tremor #2 (July 6, 2019)
We got hit with another earthquake last night in Vegas. I was on the couch and felt the ground shaking. The ground felt like an ocean wave. Hope everyone is fine who felt this second tremor. Mother Earth is changing. We all need to give her some love.
Minimalism - Awareness of Yourself
Through the years I have become more of a minimalist. My travels around the world have shown me how we don't need as much as we think we do. Everyone has their definition of what that is. To me it is appreciating the finer things in life and not losing yourself to materialism or external sources as your source of satisfaction. I remember when I was still in college I had an argument with someone and to feel better I thought let me go buy something at the mall. Yeah, really? I and many shopaholics have that thought. I remember there was a moment when I actually caught myself and stopped myself. I asked if that was truly what was going to make me feel better. It was then that that "habit" just stopped. I consciously stopped myself and voila. Done. Sometimes this process is easy and sometimes not so. So I have learned more and more to practice this awareness in my own life in every aspect of it. It applies to actions, thoughts, words, content, activities, and, yes, even people I allow in my life. So minimalism isn't just not having a bunch of stuff. It starts with decluttering your mind first of all. The rest will follow. I attribute much of new found creativity to this concept. As a result, I have numerous ideas for future projects that I would like to kick start . It's all in perfect timing.
We got hit with another earthquake last night in Vegas. I was on the couch and felt the ground shaking. The ground felt like an ocean wave. Hope everyone is fine who felt this second tremor. Mother Earth is changing. We all need to give her some love.
Minimalism - Awareness of Yourself
Through the years I have become more of a minimalist. My travels around the world have shown me how we don't need as much as we think we do. Everyone has their definition of what that is. To me it is appreciating the finer things in life and not losing yourself to materialism or external sources as your source of satisfaction. I remember when I was still in college I had an argument with someone and to feel better I thought let me go buy something at the mall. Yeah, really? I and many shopaholics have that thought. I remember there was a moment when I actually caught myself and stopped myself. I asked if that was truly what was going to make me feel better. It was then that that "habit" just stopped. I consciously stopped myself and voila. Done. Sometimes this process is easy and sometimes not so. So I have learned more and more to practice this awareness in my own life in every aspect of it. It applies to actions, thoughts, words, content, activities, and, yes, even people I allow in my life. So minimalism isn't just not having a bunch of stuff. It starts with decluttering your mind first of all. The rest will follow. I attribute much of new found creativity to this concept. As a result, I have numerous ideas for future projects that I would like to kick start . It's all in perfect timing.
Fireworks and Earthquake (July 4, 2019)
In one day we here in Las Vegas experienced some tremors up in the sky from fireworks and from below from our earthquake. I wonder if Mother Earth was saying "I've got some excitement for you" (with a wink of course). Everything's all good and minimal damage from what I hear. Thank you to Mother Earth for being gentle with us.
In one day we here in Las Vegas experienced some tremors up in the sky from fireworks and from below from our earthquake. I wonder if Mother Earth was saying "I've got some excitement for you" (with a wink of course). Everything's all good and minimal damage from what I hear. Thank you to Mother Earth for being gentle with us.
I forgot how great this song was.
I absolutely love watching Gennaro Contaldo cook. Such passion! If only I could actually taste it in real life. If you're reading this Gennaro, I'M a big fan! I'll volunteer to do any sampling ; )
One of my favorite summer retreats was a place called Bozcaada Island. Being there was like being straight in a movie. Everything was picturesque and perfect. It was a dream come true. I plan to return there again maybe stay for a month or two so I can really experience it all.
Who knows? Maybe I was a seaman in another lifetime that's why I love it so much. : )
Heard this track while in the car. I like the atmosphere. "Aurora" by Zero 7/Jose Gonzalez
I busted out my "1999" Prince vinyl album the other night. Played it I guess it was on repeat quite a lot (a little obsessed with Prince, ah yeah okay ; )) Strangely enough, I had a dream the other night: there was a guy who looked like Prince but he was not in the main scene of my dream. He was just kinda hanging out in the corner. He looked like the Prince from his earlier years. He was wearing sweatpants and had like a bit of an afro. I remember thinking in my dream "that guy looks like Prince. Is it?" I haven't heard all of Prince's albums. I guess I am still absorbing all his earlier work from the 70s and 80s which I actually like a lot. There is no doubt that almost every song I write vocals for there is an element of Prince's influence on me more than any other artist. He was always himself and didn't want to sound like anyone else. He didn't care about that. He wanted to make good music that he was proud of. That's how I approach it too. I don't want to sound like that "singer" from this song. I don't write melodies to sound like that other song and because everybody is doing it that way. Why imitate and copy when you are a unique artist all your own? It's a ridiculous thought to me to sound purposely and write songs purposely like the next guy. What's the point? It's already been done.
I love love love essential oils. Whenever I travel I always check out shops that specialize in products made locally and if it has formulations with essential oils (pure in form) even better. Just discovered a place in Las Vegas that has a real chill vibe selling good formulations using CBD oil. People, go do your research on Cannabidiol. It will change your life for the better. Plants are the greatest thing on this living planet.
My favorite place for essential oils and such in Baltimore was a later discovery. If you're in the Baltimore area make sure to check it out.
One of my favorite summer retreats was a place called Bozcaada Island. Being there was like being straight in a movie. Everything was picturesque and perfect. It was a dream come true. I plan to return there again maybe stay for a month or two so I can really experience it all.
Who knows? Maybe I was a seaman in another lifetime that's why I love it so much. : )
Heard this track while in the car. I like the atmosphere. "Aurora" by Zero 7/Jose Gonzalez
I busted out my "1999" Prince vinyl album the other night. Played it I guess it was on repeat quite a lot (a little obsessed with Prince, ah yeah okay ; )) Strangely enough, I had a dream the other night: there was a guy who looked like Prince but he was not in the main scene of my dream. He was just kinda hanging out in the corner. He looked like the Prince from his earlier years. He was wearing sweatpants and had like a bit of an afro. I remember thinking in my dream "that guy looks like Prince. Is it?" I haven't heard all of Prince's albums. I guess I am still absorbing all his earlier work from the 70s and 80s which I actually like a lot. There is no doubt that almost every song I write vocals for there is an element of Prince's influence on me more than any other artist. He was always himself and didn't want to sound like anyone else. He didn't care about that. He wanted to make good music that he was proud of. That's how I approach it too. I don't want to sound like that "singer" from this song. I don't write melodies to sound like that other song and because everybody is doing it that way. Why imitate and copy when you are a unique artist all your own? It's a ridiculous thought to me to sound purposely and write songs purposely like the next guy. What's the point? It's already been done.
I love love love essential oils. Whenever I travel I always check out shops that specialize in products made locally and if it has formulations with essential oils (pure in form) even better. Just discovered a place in Las Vegas that has a real chill vibe selling good formulations using CBD oil. People, go do your research on Cannabidiol. It will change your life for the better. Plants are the greatest thing on this living planet.
My favorite place for essential oils and such in Baltimore was a later discovery. If you're in the Baltimore area make sure to check it out.
Back from a quick trip to Copenhagen. It's amazing how just a little change of environment and especially seeing water and breathing fresh air can put you in a different state of mind. Great fun and great company! I heard a lot of soulful R&B music out and about the city and the whole experience has inspired me so much. Gonna bust out my Marvin Gaye album later.
I found this song/video by Swedish musician Sir Was. I really like this version actually better than the album version. I like that I can hear their voices so clearly. It's a gem of a track. It reminds me of a 70s jam. I love discovering new music (at least for my ears). Listening to his album now.
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I am very excited that my new song "Hold Me" with awesome producer Grisha Gerrus is out. Fantastic remixes by Collioure and Magic Surfer complete this release from Deeper Motion Recordings. Make sure you get your copy!!
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"Only the Lonely" is my absolute favorite 80s tune. It's the full package: beautiful vocals, instrumentation, melody, emotion all the way through till the fading keyboard part in the end. I can listen to this song a million times and never tire of it.
"Big Poppa" Feeling my East Coast memories...
Here are just some of my picks for deep house and other genres to cool down while chillin' poolside on my "Desert Sun" tracklist:
As a songwriter there are always songs that you like to take in your arms and look at like a delicate baby. This track 'By My Side" is my interpretation of writing a love letter. You start writing something to someone who you may not have expected to feel something for. Suddenly you find yourself thinking about them more and more. It wasn't a forced feeling and you wonder where and when did you start to have these feelings. It's a gradual thing and sentiments are very sweet. So when writing and recording this track I felt I had to nurture every section of the song without overpowering vocals and stylings. Writing songs definitely put you in a place of vulnerability. My words here are very pure elements of me. I guess I can call it a lullaby of love songs.
I am very grateful to wonderful producer Collioure for creating the music that inspired this beautiful track for the world to hear forever.
I am very grateful to wonderful producer Collioure for creating the music that inspired this beautiful track for the world to hear forever.
Yummy and fun track: "Unalloyed Pleasure" Hugo Mari
Prince played on this "Father's Song." His father wrote the piano melody. The track is from the Purple Rain film and can now be heard in its entirety.
How can you not dance to this? Your neurons are dancing. D-Train "Keep On"
Melodic singing full of emotion and connection. Beautiful singing and song.
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Nice bass groove on this one: "Friends Chop" by 9th Wonder
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Another fantastically produced and written song:
Hot. Hotter. Hottest. The best, man, the best! One day I am going to bring back songs like this with a modern flair. This track is so cool 'cause it has a fusion of dance-pop, freestyle , and hip hop. The 80s drums are amazing.
I am writing more poetry and random thoughts nowadays. I have notebooks, journals, loose paper everywhere and I write pages and pages. Where my words will wind up, I don't know. It's all here being gathered to be read and heard for a special place at the perfect time in its entirety. I cannot hide words. I cannot hide parts of the whole for it is too precious to my heart. So I write them down in the hopes of making them into one flowing piece.
At the same time, my passion for discovering new literature continues. I love discovering random books on the library bookshelf especially those in hardcover. Found a hardcover of a book "A Treasury of Cosmic Wisdom" by Vernon Howard which I'm loving so far. Bought a vinyl of Nils Frahm's All Melody from Zia Records today.
At the same time, my passion for discovering new literature continues. I love discovering random books on the library bookshelf especially those in hardcover. Found a hardcover of a book "A Treasury of Cosmic Wisdom" by Vernon Howard which I'm loving so far. Bought a vinyl of Nils Frahm's All Melody from Zia Records today.
80s instrumentation and beat at its finest. This is my favorite song of Shannon.
Lovely Brian Eno cover breathtakingly done by Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Delightful to listen to. Sound design in subtle gradual elements.
Wanna tickle a Moog?
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I dance Argentine Tango. I used to dance A LOT. I went to milongas like it was my job. (I even brought my mom to a milonga 'cause she was so curious as to what my obsession was about.) I breathed it. I dreamed about it. I read about it. Yes, it was an addiction. The music was alluring and it sang to the romantic in me. I took it very seriously and when I danced with a partner that clicked with me, it was undeniable ecstasy. There is no better dance than with someone who gets the beat with you and the flow of the music. My artistic expression for sure was fulfilled in the dance of Argentine Tango.
The most fascinating part of the dance is how, if you are in the zone, you dance with your partner like a mirror image. One thing I did to help myself get in synch with my partner was just as we embraced I listened to his breath. If it was fast, I breathed exactly as he did. If it was steady, I did the same. I stopped and listened intently and when I did that I could start the process of letting go and allowing the leader to lead. One ear was listening to the music and other other ear was listening to the beat of my partner. It's a full body and mind experience. One might say a full contact sport. I felt extraordinary highs and sublime experiences from the dance. They do say what goes up must come down. And as much as I loved Argentine Tango, I wanted to explore other forms of movement. You gotta keep your body (and mind) in movement. My substitute nowadays at least for now: |
my dance at a weekly milonga
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Mid-week Listening Party. Diggin' this set by Toshiya Kawasaki.
The most breathtaking performer I've ever seen live is without a doubt PRINCE. I only saw him live once back in New Jersey (it used to be called Meadowlands Arena; can't keep up with what it's called now.) I was so glad for my friend Becky for telling me he was in town. In addition to his playing electric guitar, he did an acoustic version of his songs and that was fresh sounding. Didn't think too much of his newer material 'cause I was honestly not up to date with his new music. That's all on me. Next thing we know it sounded like he was singing his last song and there was no Purple Rain. I was thinking maybe he was just done with playing that song forever and ever. Then as if the lights shone like the sun, you hear the guitar chords for Purple Rain right on cue. I couldn't believe I was hearing Prince play Purple Rain live in concert right there and then. It sounded better than the recording. Yep I cried and I turned to my right and there Becky cried too with our hands raised up in the air singing along as Prince did what he did best. That will forever stay in my mind as the ultimate concert performance so far in my lifetime. When I think about it with all the albums he'd done, my favorite track of his is "Wanna Be Your Lover." To me it's one of his masterpieces.
I love studying the power of sound. Ancient mantras as sound vibrations fascinate me. I put them into my own daily practice and quickly I can feel just a few minutes of sound meditation raises my spirit. I am prepared for the next moment and keep myself always in the moment. Sound meditation has always helped me focus in my songwriting. I write from the perspective of who I am writing about and my own perspective so as to not make the story generic, never auto-tuned if you will. And the recording is my interpretation of "that moment" of that story.
Exciting to see the live and electronic elements come together.
This song "Lady in the Glass" was written during an improv session with a very talented musician friend I met in Baltimore, John Knipp. He told me he had been playing around with these piano chords and to see if I could write something to them. I always carry around my lyric book whenever we had jam sessions.
This particular one was something I wrote about reflections of my visits to Seoul. It was a poem format and I just fit the words to the piano chords. We wrote the song in one jam session and recorded the track at our next rehearsal at this warehouse garage he converted to his recording studio. When I heard the playback I was so happy. It was that moment that I knew that I could write songs again after not having done so in awhile. Not everyone gets the song 'cause it's a bit melancholy. But it doesn't matter to me really. It's more that it is so pure and fresh in form and the recording is truly raw and so much truly me in every way-- the breath, the space, John's playing, my pronunciation, even the mix. It's vulnerable. That's why I love it and have such connection to it.
This particular one was something I wrote about reflections of my visits to Seoul. It was a poem format and I just fit the words to the piano chords. We wrote the song in one jam session and recorded the track at our next rehearsal at this warehouse garage he converted to his recording studio. When I heard the playback I was so happy. It was that moment that I knew that I could write songs again after not having done so in awhile. Not everyone gets the song 'cause it's a bit melancholy. But it doesn't matter to me really. It's more that it is so pure and fresh in form and the recording is truly raw and so much truly me in every way-- the breath, the space, John's playing, my pronunciation, even the mix. It's vulnerable. That's why I love it and have such connection to it.
I heart Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam more than ice cream : ) This song is freakin' off the tracks!
Another beauty by Ry X and a perfect video to go along with it.
Are we the programmed or the programmer? Only we can decide.
A beautiful work of electro pop. Check it out. Niki & The Dove.
As an artist you have a pure vision in your mind of what you wish to create. In your mind it is formless but the sentiment is there. You, as the artist, wish to give it form/give it birth. In the mind it is pure, genuine, untouched, perfect in essence. Then you give it birth. It now has form. Sometimes in the outer world the form changes because of other's perceptions and influences. In this case, the form can now become even better with nuance OR it can become an entirely different form so far away from the original vision. The artist then questions the process. The artist gives and gives with the purest of intent loving its vision so much. But in the wrong hands the form's essence slowly mutates. In the wrong hands the form's creator is made to be distant and anonymous. In the right hands it is thriving, alive, pure, exquisite art, a masterpiece. When the form is still in its purest existence, the artist is joyful. It is now from experiencing this process, that the artist must take a step back and decide very gracefully, consciously and sensitively how he/she would like to share their vision with the world.
Mercy me. I love this groove so much it hurts : ) "Space Time" Atjazz Galaxy Aart Remix
Listening To...
Kaytranada 99.9% especially "Track Uno" Beats man Beats!
El Rego Et Ses Commandos
It has been awhile since I had a root beer float. I was in my glory when I had it at Crowbar Cafe & Saloon in Shoshone, California. It's a perfect treat when you're in that neck of the woods. Desert heat and root beer float: an imperfect combination but oh so good.
The Women In the Sand A Story of Death Valley's Original People Film
Saw a flyer of this film on a recent trip to this area. Please check it out and watch the film. Fascinating and also sad story of the origins of the people in this amazing region.
Saw a flyer of this film on a recent trip to this area. Please check it out and watch the film. Fascinating and also sad story of the origins of the people in this amazing region.
Being a songwriter
When I was doing theater, I was unfortunately bound to the musical works of the composer/lyricist of show. It wasn't fun. It wasn't me. It wasn't true to the artist in me.
Now I can say how liberating it is to be able to write my own lyrics and sing my own melodies and record my own nuances. It's like discovering a part of yourself that was always there but hiding in a cave. Then you see the sunlight and BOOM. There's no turning back. Each song is special in its own way with a special touch to each one.
Here's a fun and sweet collaboration "By My Side" with the enormously talented producer Collioure.
When I was doing theater, I was unfortunately bound to the musical works of the composer/lyricist of show. It wasn't fun. It wasn't me. It wasn't true to the artist in me.
Now I can say how liberating it is to be able to write my own lyrics and sing my own melodies and record my own nuances. It's like discovering a part of yourself that was always there but hiding in a cave. Then you see the sunlight and BOOM. There's no turning back. Each song is special in its own way with a special touch to each one.
Here's a fun and sweet collaboration "By My Side" with the enormously talented producer Collioure.
Copenhagen
I am very excited to be spending a few days in Copenhagen this summer. Wish I could bring my bike but there's plenty of them there, so why bother.
I am very excited to be spending a few days in Copenhagen this summer. Wish I could bring my bike but there's plenty of them there, so why bother.
Water. Purity.
We all know H20 is supposed to be pure. We are made of water. This is how our body and mind keeps refreshed and flowing. Be conscious of the water you intake.
Just sayin'.
We all know H20 is supposed to be pure. We are made of water. This is how our body and mind keeps refreshed and flowing. Be conscious of the water you intake.
Just sayin'.
Thanks Everyone : )
Just wanted to take this moment to say thanks to all the people who have supported my music. Thanks to all the producers and record labels who I've worked with. These producers have taken the music to another level creating really great material of our own signature sound. We are pushing the boundaries and making music our own and unique. I always intend to give the listeners something to be excited about hearing over and over, not just now, but years to come.
Spring is here and summer is coming. More music is on the way.! Making music new and fresh all the time.
Just wanted to take this moment to say thanks to all the people who have supported my music. Thanks to all the producers and record labels who I've worked with. These producers have taken the music to another level creating really great material of our own signature sound. We are pushing the boundaries and making music our own and unique. I always intend to give the listeners something to be excited about hearing over and over, not just now, but years to come.
Spring is here and summer is coming. More music is on the way.! Making music new and fresh all the time.
Dedicated to the full moon coming tomorrow in LV. This is one of my all time favorite house tracks. So freakin' good all the time...."Follow Me. Why don't me follow me to a place where we can be free?"
Big thanks to TRAXSOURCE for including "Yesterdays" from Medsound's A Journey to House album on their Lounge Essentials for week of April 15th, 2019.
The Sea
A lot of the lyrical ideas that I write for songs come from my own poetry. I wrote a poem called "The Sea" which was about the peace I felt when I would sit by the rocks looking out onto the Bosphorus or when taking the ferry back and forth from the Asian to European side of Istanbul. Every time I took the ferry I felt like I was living a brand new life over and over again at every crossover.
Eventually the words became part of the track "Skies Forever" on Medsound's A Journey to House album.
Now when you hear it you too can close your eyes and feel the waters surrounding you in tranquility. Here is my poem:
THE SEA
Endless waves
keep me in place
Free to be myself
Drawn to you
drawn to the essence of you
endless waves of you
Endless skies forever
remind me of love itself
I'll walk by your side forever
Like a mist in the night
throw a kiss in the night
Free to be myself
no alibis
I’ll walk by your side
Endless skies forever (a soft goodnight forever.)
long way home for me
I'll walk by your side forever
feel the mist in the night (blow a kiss in the night)
O' the sea
I am bold
I am love
I am one
I am free
A lot of the lyrical ideas that I write for songs come from my own poetry. I wrote a poem called "The Sea" which was about the peace I felt when I would sit by the rocks looking out onto the Bosphorus or when taking the ferry back and forth from the Asian to European side of Istanbul. Every time I took the ferry I felt like I was living a brand new life over and over again at every crossover.
Eventually the words became part of the track "Skies Forever" on Medsound's A Journey to House album.
Now when you hear it you too can close your eyes and feel the waters surrounding you in tranquility. Here is my poem:
THE SEA
Endless waves
keep me in place
Free to be myself
Drawn to you
drawn to the essence of you
endless waves of you
Endless skies forever
remind me of love itself
I'll walk by your side forever
Like a mist in the night
throw a kiss in the night
Free to be myself
no alibis
I’ll walk by your side
Endless skies forever (a soft goodnight forever.)
long way home for me
I'll walk by your side forever
feel the mist in the night (blow a kiss in the night)
O' the sea
I am bold
I am love
I am one
I am free
Good stuff. Refreshing to see this goodness on the airwaves. ROOSEVELT.
Wow wow this just made me laugh and smile so much today. : ) Awesome
Barcelona has a special place in my heart. In what seems a lifetime away far far away, I went there to live out one of many dreams of mine. For one month I studied Spanish, drank lots of coffee, ate tapas, and felt the beat of the city. I rented a beautiful apartment in the neighborhood of El Raval. I guess the other part of the story was as I was living out a dream, back home my life was changing and rearranging. Life unfolds. Your interpretation of it, the unfoldment whether beautiful or not, is up to you.
As I started doing music again, I wrote these lyrics to a track that unfortunately never got to be finished. However, it gave me the opportunity to express that feeling that I had those days so long ago in Barcelona.
BARCELONA
writing words in a book
top of the hill
feel the chill
masterpiece thrills
you're a thousand, not a hundred miles away
cautious to call you
meant not to bore you
Feel the chill
Masterpiece thrills
I can walk, I can barely talk
sipping and drinking all morning long
Things don't fit, don't fight
long walks, I can barely walk
Sweet love high
Lover don't cry
Stay with me on this fantasy ride
As I started doing music again, I wrote these lyrics to a track that unfortunately never got to be finished. However, it gave me the opportunity to express that feeling that I had those days so long ago in Barcelona.
BARCELONA
writing words in a book
top of the hill
feel the chill
masterpiece thrills
you're a thousand, not a hundred miles away
cautious to call you
meant not to bore you
Feel the chill
Masterpiece thrills
I can walk, I can barely talk
sipping and drinking all morning long
Things don't fit, don't fight
long walks, I can barely walk
Sweet love high
Lover don't cry
Stay with me on this fantasy ride
One of my favorite things I got in a small shop in Venice, Italy: my beautiful antique paper covered-writing journal. The design is so beautiful and the paper so luminous I don't even want to write in it.
I've been on overdrive when it comes to my reading (speed reading on hyper speed : ) At this moment am reading "An Intelligent Life" by Koitsu Yokoyama. Love this: "...we should cultivate good and pure seeds, provide them with constant nourishment, and eradicate those bad, defiled seeds that have been planted deep in the store consciousness."
I feel a deep connection to what Shaolin disciple Shifu Yan Lei is saying. It doesn't matter whether you are a martial artist or any kind of artist. Fulfillment and peace are within. It is a journey and at times it may seem like a lonely one because you are completely involved in your own world. But in actuality, you are absolutely in alignment with your true self completely at peace with who you are regardless of what is happening in the outside world.
What happened to Cinema? What happened to television?
I've tuned out pretty much anything new these days in the film making world. It's a sad commentary of where mainstream imagination has gone. Commercials? Forget about it. Brainwashing.
People, lead with positive messages. Be a critical thinker and don't just do because that is what is splattered everywhere you go. Think consciously. Where do your thoughts, motives, and deeds stem from? What are you glorifying? Does it feel right to you? I mean, just stop for a moment, and ask yourself "Does this really feel right to ME?" If not, change it. There are different roads. We have the freedom to take different roads. We can make u-turns and go different directions than we've been led to believe is the "only" way. Toxicity, poison, etc. can be found everywhere we look. If someone or something is making you "feel" bad, perhaps you need to evaluate that source; that poison. Be your own leader. Be an inspiring leader. Don't we all want the same things? Fulfillment, Peace, harmony, exceptional health, love, prosperity. That is a choice you make and your responsibility to act on and follow that road.
When it comes to television, I turn it off or do something else productive. I've stopped going to the cinema anywhere because it doesn't offer me what fulfills me. There are unlimited sources of positive vibes and fulfillment out there in the world. We've got to make it our responsibility to find them.
I've tuned out pretty much anything new these days in the film making world. It's a sad commentary of where mainstream imagination has gone. Commercials? Forget about it. Brainwashing.
People, lead with positive messages. Be a critical thinker and don't just do because that is what is splattered everywhere you go. Think consciously. Where do your thoughts, motives, and deeds stem from? What are you glorifying? Does it feel right to you? I mean, just stop for a moment, and ask yourself "Does this really feel right to ME?" If not, change it. There are different roads. We have the freedom to take different roads. We can make u-turns and go different directions than we've been led to believe is the "only" way. Toxicity, poison, etc. can be found everywhere we look. If someone or something is making you "feel" bad, perhaps you need to evaluate that source; that poison. Be your own leader. Be an inspiring leader. Don't we all want the same things? Fulfillment, Peace, harmony, exceptional health, love, prosperity. That is a choice you make and your responsibility to act on and follow that road.
When it comes to television, I turn it off or do something else productive. I've stopped going to the cinema anywhere because it doesn't offer me what fulfills me. There are unlimited sources of positive vibes and fulfillment out there in the world. We've got to make it our responsibility to find them.
Guilty Pleasure...
Watching old episodes of "What's Happening!" (Duane is my favorite character)
watching Ip Man movies with Donnie Yen (IP Man was one handsome fella) (first movie the best)
watching Inspector Montalbano (w/Luca Zingaretti)
Watching old episodes of "What's Happening!" (Duane is my favorite character)
watching Ip Man movies with Donnie Yen (IP Man was one handsome fella) (first movie the best)
watching Inspector Montalbano (w/Luca Zingaretti)
Tibetan Singing Bowl
I have been wanting to collect beautiful Tibetan singing bowls. I got my first one today. I look forward to adding to my collection slowly as well as getting a nice set of healing tuning forks.
I have been wanting to collect beautiful Tibetan singing bowls. I got my first one today. I look forward to adding to my collection slowly as well as getting a nice set of healing tuning forks.
Feel It: This is a track I co-wrote with DJ Aristocrat from Moscow. One day I happened to see an old commercial for Apple Computers. It was in black and white and very much looked vintage and futuristic at the same time. I wanted to express that in our track later titled "Feel It." It is a journey of what was past and the unknowns of the future. Make sure you check it out. Be sure to get your copy of our latest collab "We Got Love" distributed on his label ProartsoundMusic.
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Music I like and infused in my blood.
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Just when you think you'll never see the finish line or the prize, finally, THERE IT IS. Never say "Never" ooh ooh!! Life is sooooo good.
Fave tracks:
"For Real" Amel Larrieux
"Love Like This" Faith Evans
"Overcome" Tricky
"I Want You" Erykah Badu
"Why Don't You" Cleo Sol
"Alone & Unafraid" Eliza
It's been a heck of a long time since I was involved in musical theater. One just evolves. But I like the song "I'm Still Hurting." I enjoyed recording this one. : )
I love when new material comes out from Little Dragon. I saw them live once last summer. They are a great band. The sound at the venue was errr unfortunately not great. There was a huge speaker on stage that was too gigantic for this outdoor space. Nevertheless, they sounded as good as they could be considering the circumstances. I've been in band situations where I couldn't do a dang thing as the show went on due to sound issues. It's part of the occupation hazard. Anyway, this is a good video with great mix. I like their songs 'cause they always keep you guessing. I've read they like to change up the music during live shows. Love that about them. They are electro pop who still play as much of their music as LIVE as possible. Check it out!
Toni Toni Braxton "Long as I Live"
I found this song by accident. I have no idea how I got there.
Toni Braxton did a fantastic job on this song. Beautiful writing and composition. Chord progressions send chills up my spine. I love it so much. R&B songwriting at its finest. Yes! More of this music in today's world. We need our mainstream radio to change big time. Gonna check out the album that came out last year. Go Toni Braxton. You got it girl!
I found this song by accident. I have no idea how I got there.
Toni Braxton did a fantastic job on this song. Beautiful writing and composition. Chord progressions send chills up my spine. I love it so much. R&B songwriting at its finest. Yes! More of this music in today's world. We need our mainstream radio to change big time. Gonna check out the album that came out last year. Go Toni Braxton. You got it girl!
Can you imagine?
I am still someone who when meeting friends or whomever for a coffee chat or meal that I actually look and have conversation with that person instead of looking at my phone. That person is the most important person at that moment so why would I allow myself to get distracted by my phone. As I look around that is a very very rare scene nowadays.
I am still someone who when meeting friends or whomever for a coffee chat or meal that I actually look and have conversation with that person instead of looking at my phone. That person is the most important person at that moment so why would I allow myself to get distracted by my phone. As I look around that is a very very rare scene nowadays.
Newest reading material
material from Thich Nhat Hanh
material from Thich Nhat Hanh
It is a crucial time in our world to share and give love to each person we encounter. If it is a smile that smile may mean worlds to someone. If it is a kind word that could mean a thousand kind words to someone. It is time to rethink what we were taught to be "important" and to know the real truth of our value as humanity. It is time to rethink about what true "value" means. When your outside world looks in chaos, go within and discover what is going on in your own heart and your own mind. That is where you start. Start deciding that the world within you is where you will start the love. That love will triple, quadruple, etc. out into your external world. From Bright Eyes
No time to fear
we know life's a gamble
Bright eyes I"m here
you know we can handle a life surprise
the time is now
TIME IS NOW
and we're living, loving like we SHOULD
baby, don't it feel so good?
Let's make most of our situation
No time to fear
we know life's a gamble
Bright eyes I"m here
you know we can handle a life surprise
the time is now
TIME IS NOW
and we're living, loving like we SHOULD
baby, don't it feel so good?
Let's make most of our situation
Wow! I just heard the first mix of a track I worked on for Morgen Wurde's newest ambient project. Out of this world and so cool. There will be new and familiar musicians also contributing on other tracks. Very exciting. Looking forward to that.
I also recorded some tracks on Medsound's new project also with with some fresh and fantastic new grooves. More info to come in the near future!
Keep your mind focused on the positive in 2019!
Why didn't we learn just as much in school about Nikola Tesla as we did Thomas Edison? GIve the man credit where credit is due. If I could time travel, I would love to have a lunch date with Nikola Tesla just to hear him talk about his inventions and get a glimpse of how his mind works.
Wake Up! You Are Unconscious
If people took a moment to take a look around them they would realize that life as we know it isn't what we thought it was.
People get distracted from what is inherently important and matters. If people could lift their heads up from their smartphones while they're walking maybe they would see the bright sunshine that made us so happy as children. If people took a second to ask themselves "Why am I doing this?" before doing something, maybe they wouldn't hurt themselves and others unconsciously. If people realized that doing things to make other people believe they are a certain way is all "fakery" maybe they would truly question their motives in everything they do. Fake lashes, fake brands, fake numbers, fake popularity, fake plays, fake names, fake words, fake actions. How can one live a fake existence for the rest of one's life? Wouldn't they just get tired of pretending? Wouldn't they just get tired of trying to remember what they are trying to pretend to be? At some point, you get tired of pretending. At some point you come to the realization that you're not even sure why you're pretending. Maybe then you will start to discover who you truly are. Maybe then you will look in the mirror and see your true face.
Little Dragon is a good band with good songs. "Constant Surprises" is a fun song. Check out this live version.
I also recorded some tracks on Medsound's new project also with with some fresh and fantastic new grooves. More info to come in the near future!
Keep your mind focused on the positive in 2019!
Why didn't we learn just as much in school about Nikola Tesla as we did Thomas Edison? GIve the man credit where credit is due. If I could time travel, I would love to have a lunch date with Nikola Tesla just to hear him talk about his inventions and get a glimpse of how his mind works.
Wake Up! You Are Unconscious
If people took a moment to take a look around them they would realize that life as we know it isn't what we thought it was.
People get distracted from what is inherently important and matters. If people could lift their heads up from their smartphones while they're walking maybe they would see the bright sunshine that made us so happy as children. If people took a second to ask themselves "Why am I doing this?" before doing something, maybe they wouldn't hurt themselves and others unconsciously. If people realized that doing things to make other people believe they are a certain way is all "fakery" maybe they would truly question their motives in everything they do. Fake lashes, fake brands, fake numbers, fake popularity, fake plays, fake names, fake words, fake actions. How can one live a fake existence for the rest of one's life? Wouldn't they just get tired of pretending? Wouldn't they just get tired of trying to remember what they are trying to pretend to be? At some point, you get tired of pretending. At some point you come to the realization that you're not even sure why you're pretending. Maybe then you will start to discover who you truly are. Maybe then you will look in the mirror and see your true face.
Little Dragon is a good band with good songs. "Constant Surprises" is a fun song. Check out this live version.
I listen to music with a sense of exploration. I was at the gym today and I heard a song on the speakers. There was a beginning piano part and automatically thought "oh that's the song by Adele." But it turned it wasn't. It was a different song entirely. But I thought why would they play that same exact piano part in the beginning just like the Adele song? Couldn't the songwriters have played a slightly different part? It was a good song, but clearly a copy cat of that piano part. I heard another song, a dance song. I had never heard this song before but as I was listening I knew in the next few bars I would hear a drum build. It was a drum fill, but with a straight beat. I've heard it done in quite a few more mainstream dance tracks heard on the radio off the type of my head like from David Guetta. That fill has been done waaayy too many times and predictable to put in as a transitional filler with an 8 count crescendo. It's like hearing your favorite rock band and in each and everyone of their songs the drummer plays that same 8 count crescendo drum beat as his solo. You know you'd say "c'mon think of another fill!" Mainstream radio has become a cloning factory playing song after song of the same as before, same as the last track heard, same voice as the last song, same beat and mumble as the last. As independent music makers, we have all got the ability to evolve and create new new new. If you've used the same 8 beat crescendo build up in more than one of your songs or used the same template songwriting formula, it might just be time to think of FRESH new parts.
Elon Musk Interview
Very eye opening interview with Elon Musk. Thought provoking. Must see.
Lucky Man
lucky man
they kept on missing the lucky man
now he's swimming
desert vs. sand
rolling around
smile on his face
laughing free
feeling the breeze
such a lucky man
is he
he's running as fast as he can
lucky man's trippin'
lucky man's dreaming
lucky man is he
he's running as fast as he can
they'l find him
they'll find him
surely they'll find him
as fast as they can
lucky man
they kept on missing the lucky man
now he's swimming
desert vs. sand
rolling around
smile on his face
laughing free
feeling the breeze
such a lucky man
is he
he's running as fast as he can
lucky man's trippin'
lucky man's dreaming
lucky man is he
he's running as fast as he can
they'l find him
they'll find him
surely they'll find him
as fast as they can
The best television writing. Hilarious! I love Moss the best!
Creative Work
When I started songwriting again after a very long break I was excited (and still am) about making music with other collaborators, sharing our music with the world, and getting my work out there again. For that I am very thankful.
I would say 99% of my collaborative work has been an amazingly wonderful experience with absolutely fabulous people I am honored to create music with.
Unfortunately, I have also encountered some instances when some parties (producers and labels alike) were not completely honest and fair with their dealings and interactions. I won't go into detail. It's disheartening in many ways because as an artist I truly put my heart into all my creative pieces and to see these things going on as I have is not cool. Not cool at all. I have understood it and experienced it and made my decision to be extremely selective now with whom I work with in the future. It's all about trust and honesty and keeping good relationships. It's about seeing everyone involved in the creative process as a fair contributor in all aspects. It's about acknowledging each and every person's SHARE in the collaboration. It's about being a professional and transparent to your artist roster and to your fellow artist collaborators. It's about keeping your WORD.
Anyway, the truth always comes out in the end. AND IT WILL.
As I've written in a previous post, you reap what you sow.
And for the other 99% of the music that I have released, I'm so grateful to have collaborators and labels who are on the up and up. I give my utmost RESPECT to their musicianship and professionalism. We're all playing a game in this crazy business. We just gotta play the game fair.
When I started songwriting again after a very long break I was excited (and still am) about making music with other collaborators, sharing our music with the world, and getting my work out there again. For that I am very thankful.
I would say 99% of my collaborative work has been an amazingly wonderful experience with absolutely fabulous people I am honored to create music with.
Unfortunately, I have also encountered some instances when some parties (producers and labels alike) were not completely honest and fair with their dealings and interactions. I won't go into detail. It's disheartening in many ways because as an artist I truly put my heart into all my creative pieces and to see these things going on as I have is not cool. Not cool at all. I have understood it and experienced it and made my decision to be extremely selective now with whom I work with in the future. It's all about trust and honesty and keeping good relationships. It's about seeing everyone involved in the creative process as a fair contributor in all aspects. It's about acknowledging each and every person's SHARE in the collaboration. It's about being a professional and transparent to your artist roster and to your fellow artist collaborators. It's about keeping your WORD.
Anyway, the truth always comes out in the end. AND IT WILL.
As I've written in a previous post, you reap what you sow.
And for the other 99% of the music that I have released, I'm so grateful to have collaborators and labels who are on the up and up. I give my utmost RESPECT to their musicianship and professionalism. We're all playing a game in this crazy business. We just gotta play the game fair.
New books I'm diggin'
Since pretty much everything on television and movies has pretty much gone downhill, I have been fully absorbed catching up on topics with authors and researchers such as Jim Marrs, David Yallop, Jonathan Gray, and G. Edward Griffin. Harlequin Romance novels they are not, but man talk about going down a rabbit hole. Right now I am reading David Yallop's In God's Name An Investigation into the Murder of Pope John Paul I.
Since pretty much everything on television and movies has pretty much gone downhill, I have been fully absorbed catching up on topics with authors and researchers such as Jim Marrs, David Yallop, Jonathan Gray, and G. Edward Griffin. Harlequin Romance novels they are not, but man talk about going down a rabbit hole. Right now I am reading David Yallop's In God's Name An Investigation into the Murder of Pope John Paul I.
When one door closes...
Gonna be seeing a new view of Las Vegas
Gonna see the mountains right outside my doorstep
Peaceful and quiet
enjoy a cup of coffee
dreaming every night
Graduations, changes
When one door closes, always another door opens
Gonna be seeing a new view of Las Vegas
Gonna see the mountains right outside my doorstep
Peaceful and quiet
enjoy a cup of coffee
dreaming every night
Graduations, changes
When one door closes, always another door opens
Community
Here's a thought: Instead of going out to a generic chain restaurant, how about supporting a small local restaurant in your area? Instead of ordering something from a billion dollar company, why not purchase your product through a site from a small growing business? Instead of seeing a blockbuster action movie, why not check out a local independent film or how about reading a book? When there's a song playing on your radio that you just can't understand how it gets airplay, turn the station quickly. Make your own playlist of music that you like. Buy music that you like. Tell people about music that you like instead of having the music being DICTATED to you on larger broadbands. How about you being the DECISION MAKER?
Those actions count towards bringing back your own sovereignty.
Here's a thought: Instead of going out to a generic chain restaurant, how about supporting a small local restaurant in your area? Instead of ordering something from a billion dollar company, why not purchase your product through a site from a small growing business? Instead of seeing a blockbuster action movie, why not check out a local independent film or how about reading a book? When there's a song playing on your radio that you just can't understand how it gets airplay, turn the station quickly. Make your own playlist of music that you like. Buy music that you like. Tell people about music that you like instead of having the music being DICTATED to you on larger broadbands. How about you being the DECISION MAKER?
Those actions count towards bringing back your own sovereignty.
It is never to be expected in a revolution that every man is to change his opinion at the same moment. There never yet was any truth or any principle so irresistibly obvious that all men believed it at once. Time and reason must cooperate with each other to the final establishment of any principle; and therefore those who may happen to be first convinced have not a right to persecute others, on whom conviction operates more slowly. The moral principle of revolutions is to instruct, not to destroy. Thomas Paine
Message on the Wall
Dig deep. Discover the truth. See the truth. Open your eyes to the message on the wall. What is real? What is truth? What is a dream? All the things you've been told in the past, is THAT the truth? It is up to you to discover.
"I see the message on the wall. A trail of broken love will fall."
Dig deep. Discover the truth. See the truth. Open your eyes to the message on the wall. What is real? What is truth? What is a dream? All the things you've been told in the past, is THAT the truth? It is up to you to discover.
"I see the message on the wall. A trail of broken love will fall."
"Never Say" on Spotify playlists
I wanted to give a huge thanks to all the curators who have added my collaboration with Medsound "Never Say" along with my other collaborations on their playlists. You are all very important to spreading the music that can shift the narrative to a world where we are ALL living in good times and where music makes us feel good overall. It's about time, don't you think?
Spread the good vibes! Make sure you check out Beach Lounge Records to find more tracks for your playlists.
I wanted to give a huge thanks to all the curators who have added my collaboration with Medsound "Never Say" along with my other collaborations on their playlists. You are all very important to spreading the music that can shift the narrative to a world where we are ALL living in good times and where music makes us feel good overall. It's about time, don't you think?
Spread the good vibes! Make sure you check out Beach Lounge Records to find more tracks for your playlists.
Elusive
I absolutely love this song by British singer songwriter Scott Matthews. Singer Lianne La Havas also covered the song wonderfully. The key of the song is a good to sing to especially when your voice is just warming up and needs a little stretching as well as when it's freezing cold out.
I absolutely love this song by British singer songwriter Scott Matthews. Singer Lianne La Havas also covered the song wonderfully. The key of the song is a good to sing to especially when your voice is just warming up and needs a little stretching as well as when it's freezing cold out.
INSIDE
Sometimes I get a track where I automatically know it was meant for me. I was still living in Baltimore at the time. Around that time, I was in transition to move to the West Coast. Boxes were packed and I left my recording gear out and leave it to pack till moving day.
The time I wrote the chorus melody and lyrics for "Inside" for sure it was night time. I like to record with very minimal light depending on the mood of the track (computer screen light is enough). I remember sitting with microphone in hand to record some ideas and then again like a flow of inspiration came the chorus: "Ohh used to be someday who used to love you..." It fit perfectly. I built on that idea and full chorus was done. I was really happy with it. I had a verse part also recorded at that time, but I wasn't completely sure if I wanted to use that. I wanted to tell a story about this relationship and how what you think might be so "perfect" may not necessarily be so "right" or may not even work out in the long run. The next day I was still pondering the beginning verses. I kinda was forcing myself to make a decision on whether I was finished or not. Soon I would have to pack up all my gear and have to put it on hold until I was completely settled after the move. It wouldn completely kill the momentum. To refresh my mind I took a quick shower. Funny enough as I'm in the shower I started singing these lines: "you were my fantasy, my angel in disguise..." The rest of the song was done. I quickly jumped out of the shower and recorded what I just sang which would become the finished product.
It's all about flow. letting go and allowing that creativity to happen naturally. Writing "Inside" was a beautiful experience. Somewhat autobiographical in nature and also so many people can relate to the lyrics and sentiment. The song has a sweet spot in my heart.
Sometimes I get a track where I automatically know it was meant for me. I was still living in Baltimore at the time. Around that time, I was in transition to move to the West Coast. Boxes were packed and I left my recording gear out and leave it to pack till moving day.
The time I wrote the chorus melody and lyrics for "Inside" for sure it was night time. I like to record with very minimal light depending on the mood of the track (computer screen light is enough). I remember sitting with microphone in hand to record some ideas and then again like a flow of inspiration came the chorus: "Ohh used to be someday who used to love you..." It fit perfectly. I built on that idea and full chorus was done. I was really happy with it. I had a verse part also recorded at that time, but I wasn't completely sure if I wanted to use that. I wanted to tell a story about this relationship and how what you think might be so "perfect" may not necessarily be so "right" or may not even work out in the long run. The next day I was still pondering the beginning verses. I kinda was forcing myself to make a decision on whether I was finished or not. Soon I would have to pack up all my gear and have to put it on hold until I was completely settled after the move. It wouldn completely kill the momentum. To refresh my mind I took a quick shower. Funny enough as I'm in the shower I started singing these lines: "you were my fantasy, my angel in disguise..." The rest of the song was done. I quickly jumped out of the shower and recorded what I just sang which would become the finished product.
It's all about flow. letting go and allowing that creativity to happen naturally. Writing "Inside" was a beautiful experience. Somewhat autobiographical in nature and also so many people can relate to the lyrics and sentiment. The song has a sweet spot in my heart.
Sedona, Arizona
Took a quick couple of days out in Sedona, Arizona. Unimaginable beauty everywhere.
New music 2019
In the upcoming months I hope to release a few tracks that are quite different from each other. Most of them I wrote last year with producers known for their own unique style. It's almost like getting a cake box and opening it up with a whole unique design each time. I've said in previous posts that I don't want to repeat myself. Gotta keep moving forward challenging my creative skills, vocal skills, and hopefully keeping the audience guessing and pleased with each and every new track. Just like with music, experiment with sounds, beats, do something you've never done before. Change it up. Challenge your mind and see what you can discover. For example, if you usually do this with the drums, then the next track, change your time signature, syncopate, whatever. For me writing melody is part keeping it conventional but adding nuances so I don't get bored singing the same way all the time. People have got their own opinion about Radiohead, but when I heard National Anthem for the first time, I was completely blown away. I thought, "What the F...is this?" The bass, drums, vocals. Holy shite! My mind completely did a 360. And they perform this LIVE. Are you kidding me!!! Then the horn section busts out and I lost it. Wow!
It's about evolution and bringing in elements of surprise. That's what I intend to bring to you this year with the newest collaborations. Nothing like "National Anthem" of course, but I try.
Cheers!
Took a quick couple of days out in Sedona, Arizona. Unimaginable beauty everywhere.
New music 2019
In the upcoming months I hope to release a few tracks that are quite different from each other. Most of them I wrote last year with producers known for their own unique style. It's almost like getting a cake box and opening it up with a whole unique design each time. I've said in previous posts that I don't want to repeat myself. Gotta keep moving forward challenging my creative skills, vocal skills, and hopefully keeping the audience guessing and pleased with each and every new track. Just like with music, experiment with sounds, beats, do something you've never done before. Change it up. Challenge your mind and see what you can discover. For example, if you usually do this with the drums, then the next track, change your time signature, syncopate, whatever. For me writing melody is part keeping it conventional but adding nuances so I don't get bored singing the same way all the time. People have got their own opinion about Radiohead, but when I heard National Anthem for the first time, I was completely blown away. I thought, "What the F...is this?" The bass, drums, vocals. Holy shite! My mind completely did a 360. And they perform this LIVE. Are you kidding me!!! Then the horn section busts out and I lost it. Wow!
It's about evolution and bringing in elements of surprise. That's what I intend to bring to you this year with the newest collaborations. Nothing like "National Anthem" of course, but I try.
Cheers!
Loving my headphones
Late last year I replaced by old crackly headphones. The left side was literally dropping off my ear while I was recording. Yep, definitely time to get a replacement. Thanks to the advice of the headphone specialist at Guitar Center in Las Vegas I wound up with the Beyerdynamic DT 990PRO. Soft padding around the ears is an added bonus. Levels sound really good and balanced. Not what you want to use if you want to listen to heavy bass in your tracks. Just an overall clean sound to make the vocals stand out enough amongst the rest of the instruments. In fact, I used these headphones along with the AKG D5 microphone to record my vocals for "Never Say." I was quite happy with the results. Looking forward to experimenting with new equipment this year and seeing how other microphones compare for future recordings.
Late last year I replaced by old crackly headphones. The left side was literally dropping off my ear while I was recording. Yep, definitely time to get a replacement. Thanks to the advice of the headphone specialist at Guitar Center in Las Vegas I wound up with the Beyerdynamic DT 990PRO. Soft padding around the ears is an added bonus. Levels sound really good and balanced. Not what you want to use if you want to listen to heavy bass in your tracks. Just an overall clean sound to make the vocals stand out enough amongst the rest of the instruments. In fact, I used these headphones along with the AKG D5 microphone to record my vocals for "Never Say." I was quite happy with the results. Looking forward to experimenting with new equipment this year and seeing how other microphones compare for future recordings.
Besame Mucho
Growing up, my house was filled from corner to corner with music. It was like a radio dial turned on to all genres. While my brothers listened to classic rock, right in the next room my dad was listening to instrumentals with Spanish guitar. I would be in my room probably listening to some dance songs. "Besame mucho" was another classic tune in the house and my mama's fave. Enjoy!
(more original music coming soon. Stay tuned! : )
Growing up, my house was filled from corner to corner with music. It was like a radio dial turned on to all genres. While my brothers listened to classic rock, right in the next room my dad was listening to instrumentals with Spanish guitar. I would be in my room probably listening to some dance songs. "Besame mucho" was another classic tune in the house and my mama's fave. Enjoy!
(more original music coming soon. Stay tuned! : )
Solar Eclipse
Last night I stepped out to view the eclipse (January 21, 2019). Fascinating to see. It is a time for new perspectives, new visions, new insights, and a better life for EVERYBODY on our beautiful planet Earth. We should be living the way we were "meant to be." I wrote the lyrics to my latest track "Bright Eyes" as a format for me to find perspective and use it as a way to uplift someone who might be feeling down. Sometimes it just takes a few simple words to get someone to feel better for just a second or for them to get a smile on their face. Sometimes it's all about a simple connection to let someone know it's going to be alright and good days are coming. BRIGHT EYES, GOOD DAYS ARE COMING! ; )
Last night I stepped out to view the eclipse (January 21, 2019). Fascinating to see. It is a time for new perspectives, new visions, new insights, and a better life for EVERYBODY on our beautiful planet Earth. We should be living the way we were "meant to be." I wrote the lyrics to my latest track "Bright Eyes" as a format for me to find perspective and use it as a way to uplift someone who might be feeling down. Sometimes it just takes a few simple words to get someone to feel better for just a second or for them to get a smile on their face. Sometimes it's all about a simple connection to let someone know it's going to be alright and good days are coming. BRIGHT EYES, GOOD DAYS ARE COMING! ; )
BRIGHT EYES
A few months ago I heard a song on a 70s & 80s station in a cafe. The song I heard was "Spinning" which was a duet with Valerie Carter and performed and written by Christopher Cross. Valerie sang backup for a lot of well known artists in her time and had her own solo recording career as well. I was so impressed with how clean her voice style was. It wasn't gritty or over the top. Her vocal delivery was unpretentious and made you feel she was singing to you very sweetly. It was all about the sincerity of the words and vocal delivery, no tricks or flashiness. I really wanted to play around with that concept on a project. Fortunately, the perfect opportunity came when the producer Collioure with whom I've worked with several times on very sleek productions approached me with a fantastic track he produced. This was it! We would make an original song and the final product became the song "Bright Eyes." The mission was to keep the vocals clean and let the melody stand out without singing too much.
The EP has the Collioure-style original as well as three eclectic and amazing mixes by Medsound, Eventual Groove, and Kanedo displaying their own eclectic interpretations. I'm so pleased with the way the EP came out: top level professional quality and creativity all around. It's a little funkiness, a little jazz fusion, nu disco, and chill out grooves. It's a beautiful release all around.
"Bright Eyes" will be available on Beach Lounge Records January 21st, 2019.
A few months ago I heard a song on a 70s & 80s station in a cafe. The song I heard was "Spinning" which was a duet with Valerie Carter and performed and written by Christopher Cross. Valerie sang backup for a lot of well known artists in her time and had her own solo recording career as well. I was so impressed with how clean her voice style was. It wasn't gritty or over the top. Her vocal delivery was unpretentious and made you feel she was singing to you very sweetly. It was all about the sincerity of the words and vocal delivery, no tricks or flashiness. I really wanted to play around with that concept on a project. Fortunately, the perfect opportunity came when the producer Collioure with whom I've worked with several times on very sleek productions approached me with a fantastic track he produced. This was it! We would make an original song and the final product became the song "Bright Eyes." The mission was to keep the vocals clean and let the melody stand out without singing too much.
The EP has the Collioure-style original as well as three eclectic and amazing mixes by Medsound, Eventual Groove, and Kanedo displaying their own eclectic interpretations. I'm so pleased with the way the EP came out: top level professional quality and creativity all around. It's a little funkiness, a little jazz fusion, nu disco, and chill out grooves. It's a beautiful release all around.
"Bright Eyes" will be available on Beach Lounge Records January 21st, 2019.
You know when you said "I would never go there" and then you do.
You know when you said "I would never 'fill in the blank' " and then you do.
You know when something leaves and comes back...and you realize you were better off without...
You know when someone tells "You'll never be this or that" or "You'll never go here or there" or "You'll never become whatever it is you intend to BECOME"...
That's what this song is about.
Be careful. Never say never 'cause you might be called out. (Wink wink)
You know when you said "I would never 'fill in the blank' " and then you do.
You know when something leaves and comes back...and you realize you were better off without...
You know when someone tells "You'll never be this or that" or "You'll never go here or there" or "You'll never become whatever it is you intend to BECOME"...
That's what this song is about.
Be careful. Never say never 'cause you might be called out. (Wink wink)
Experimenting on Vocals
I'm working on a track right now that again allows me not use lyrical language but instead more rhythmic tones and guttural sounds. Really fun to find out how one can use their human vocal instrument to shape tones cohesively. It is quite a creative challenge. Not sure when the track will be out. More details to come. Here is a nice video explaining throat singing.
I'm working on a track right now that again allows me not use lyrical language but instead more rhythmic tones and guttural sounds. Really fun to find out how one can use their human vocal instrument to shape tones cohesively. It is quite a creative challenge. Not sure when the track will be out. More details to come. Here is a nice video explaining throat singing.
"Heaven" written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance
This has got to be one of my favorite songs of modern music. It's a classic that will transcend space and time for centuries to come. What beautiful lyrics and chords. Whenever I try to sing it I always get choked up at that bridge section and want to start balling. It's crazy what music can do to you. I found out it was inspired by Journey's "Faithfully" when Bryan Adams was on tour with them. Regardless, what an incredibly powerful song. I didn't cry this time and recorded it but barely making it through to the end. Sorry, I messed up the lyrics. Oh well.
Happy New Year!~ Welcome 2019
Whatever that means. Feels like yesterday to me. : )
Here is to a new year of new musical relationships, collaborations, and creative ideas to uplift and inspire. I intend to present our listeners fresh cool music.
You know I found out the other day that an "artist" or perhaps a better word I should use is a "performer" that I had been listening to throughout the years had pretty much not written the majority of songs on their albums. This performer had ghostwriters and plenty of them. I think on average for every album this performer released there were 4-6 ghostwriters on each track and most of them did not include the performer. To add to that, the performer didn't even sing the majority of the song (backup singers were used to sing choruses and/or demo recordings of a different vocalist was used in the official recording. Don't forget their use of good ol' autotune to save the day. ) It really changed my perception of course and although this is a known thing in the so called music industry one would hope for a little authenticity. This is why it's so important to support your local and independent artists, the ones that you don't necessarily hear on mainstream radio. You kind of have to dig for these artists and discover them on your own. I am really grateful for all the listeners out there who support my projects and spread the word. It means so much to me and the producers I work with that we have a good solid foundation of listeners who respect our craft. There are days when I'm working on a new track and I've got some vocal ideas to play with and my voice is just not at its best. Maybe it's because of not enough sleep or something crappy I ate. Who knows? But I re-record it so that it's the best take that I can give for the moment. I was trained to use my body and mind to interpret songs and not rely on technology to make me sound perfect. My voice isn't perfect. It's real. Some days , sure, it's on perfectly. Some days it's off and needs major rest. That's being human. In the end, it's my true original voice and my true original words and inflections on that track you're listening to, flaws and all. 6 other songwriters didn't help me write my words and melodies. It's the magic between my producer's music and me to bring out a real product just for you.
True artistry and creativity will prevail in the long run.
2019 will bring about some new releases that I'm really excited about! As an artist I have never ending flowing ideas in my mind and the producers that I've worked with for the next set of creative evolution I have entrusted with those ideas to make them shine. I hope that our audiences enjoy this musical journey as well!
This has got to be one of my favorite songs of modern music. It's a classic that will transcend space and time for centuries to come. What beautiful lyrics and chords. Whenever I try to sing it I always get choked up at that bridge section and want to start balling. It's crazy what music can do to you. I found out it was inspired by Journey's "Faithfully" when Bryan Adams was on tour with them. Regardless, what an incredibly powerful song. I didn't cry this time and recorded it but barely making it through to the end. Sorry, I messed up the lyrics. Oh well.
Happy New Year!~ Welcome 2019
Whatever that means. Feels like yesterday to me. : )
Here is to a new year of new musical relationships, collaborations, and creative ideas to uplift and inspire. I intend to present our listeners fresh cool music.
You know I found out the other day that an "artist" or perhaps a better word I should use is a "performer" that I had been listening to throughout the years had pretty much not written the majority of songs on their albums. This performer had ghostwriters and plenty of them. I think on average for every album this performer released there were 4-6 ghostwriters on each track and most of them did not include the performer. To add to that, the performer didn't even sing the majority of the song (backup singers were used to sing choruses and/or demo recordings of a different vocalist was used in the official recording. Don't forget their use of good ol' autotune to save the day. ) It really changed my perception of course and although this is a known thing in the so called music industry one would hope for a little authenticity. This is why it's so important to support your local and independent artists, the ones that you don't necessarily hear on mainstream radio. You kind of have to dig for these artists and discover them on your own. I am really grateful for all the listeners out there who support my projects and spread the word. It means so much to me and the producers I work with that we have a good solid foundation of listeners who respect our craft. There are days when I'm working on a new track and I've got some vocal ideas to play with and my voice is just not at its best. Maybe it's because of not enough sleep or something crappy I ate. Who knows? But I re-record it so that it's the best take that I can give for the moment. I was trained to use my body and mind to interpret songs and not rely on technology to make me sound perfect. My voice isn't perfect. It's real. Some days , sure, it's on perfectly. Some days it's off and needs major rest. That's being human. In the end, it's my true original voice and my true original words and inflections on that track you're listening to, flaws and all. 6 other songwriters didn't help me write my words and melodies. It's the magic between my producer's music and me to bring out a real product just for you.
True artistry and creativity will prevail in the long run.
2019 will bring about some new releases that I'm really excited about! As an artist I have never ending flowing ideas in my mind and the producers that I've worked with for the next set of creative evolution I have entrusted with those ideas to make them shine. I hope that our audiences enjoy this musical journey as well!
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I very much fancy Indian and Ethiopian cuisine. Just prepped my masala dabba for some upcoming dishes. Spices are beautiful to look at especially when in the mood for cooking.
I very much fancy Indian and Ethiopian cuisine. Just prepped my masala dabba for some upcoming dishes. Spices are beautiful to look at especially when in the mood for cooking.
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Weekend reading subject with a cup of Chaga Tea: Nikola Tesla & Cymatics
Weekend reading subject with a cup of Chaga Tea: Nikola Tesla & Cymatics
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Love this song! English Beat "Save it for later"
Love this song! English Beat "Save it for later"
12/12/18
Highly recommend watching the new documentary about Bob Lazar. This is a 30+ year storyline. It's way beyond due time this physicist gets vindication.
Highly recommend watching the new documentary about Bob Lazar. This is a 30+ year storyline. It's way beyond due time this physicist gets vindication.
December 2018
Inspirations & Aspirations: The Beauty of a Film Soundtrack
There are a few things I'd aspired to accomplish when I was a little girl. One thing was I wanted to be Wonder Woman with the whole boots and nerdy glasses thing going on. Wonder Woman was the coolest of the cool. Anyway, that's a different topic.
I also aspired to be a playwright (although I must say I do not really care for punctuation rules). I wrote a script in the 4th grade and my school officially asked me to put it on stage for the other grades. I also directed the whole thing and had my friends to come my house for rehearsals. We also practiced in the school yard. Not too shabby for a 4th grader.
Then once I got to see more cinema I was captivated by film soundtracks. My all-time favorite is the soundtrack for Cinema Paradiso by the great Ennio Morricone. It brought me to tears even without seeing what was on screen. And with that I had the aspiration to one day be involved in beautiful productions with other musicians to create soundtrack-like music that would be perfect for film. That is why I love working on ambient type music as it allows me a lot of flexibility and challenge. How do I use my voice to create visions? How would I use my voice to create feelings without words? It is challenging but very fulfilling to know that the listener was able to connect on another level beyond language of words. Check out the piece I attached above that I worked on with Morgen Wurde on his Assassinous Act album entitled "Forgiveness." I recorded these vocals in a short time span after watching two movies: Room & The Passion of the Christ. It was the escape scene from "Room" that inspired and brought me to tears. I watched the scenes leading to the crucifixion in "Passion." Those scenes took me to a place that allowed me fully share my human emotion and record it wholeheartedly vulnerabilities and all.
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I just remembered an incident when I was in the 5th grade. I went to a small private school in New Jersey. My Social Studies teacher was always writing notes and more notes on the board. It seemed like all the class pretty much was about note writing and the notes outline even branched out even further. It looked like some geometric pattern.
A.
1.
a.
1a etc...
One day we had more note writing about caste systems. We just wrote notes of the how the caste systems were broken down. No one ever asked questions. No one in the class ever considered asking a question when all we needed to do was write notes. That day I decided to be "the one" to ask a QUESTION. The teacher's back was turned to us and I was sitting right up in front. She saw me and asked what I wanted. I asked, "Why do we always learn the same thing (meaning caste system)? Why is all of this important?" I guess why I asked this question is we kept learning about caste systems but we never discussed the reasons of importance or the details of how the people from each division of the caste system felt about this division. We never talked about how if we lived that way how we, as a people, would feel. I wanted my teacher to explain to me the importance as to how it would relate to my life as a child, how it would relate for my parents, how by learning this it would somehow allow us to use the past mistakes or inequities to make our futures as adults better to become more highly evolved. I wanted her to help me understand and how I could be a better person by learning this.
What eventually I got similar to my question I got through LIFE EXPERIENCE. What one learns of most importance is learned as you live life fully and not in this little plastic bubble of shelter. In the deepness of the eyes you will see wisdom for it is in those eyes one lived for many without being officially labeled with honors or letters following their name. What they earned was a life truly lived with vulnerabilities and strengths to live with fear and to live fully as much as possible anyway. That is the true lesson.
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The world is changing. Some places more slowly and some quicker than ever anticipated. When there is an unjust balance, it is law that things must return to Equilibrium. These are transformative times.
From "Electric," my collaboration with Katodik (released 2017)
Everybody's talking
Everybody's changing
When we're alone we are electric.
Everybody's changing.
Everybody's talking.
There's no doubt in my mind
We are electric.
Not a doubt in my mind
We are electric.
We are electric.
We are electric.
Inspirations & Aspirations: The Beauty of a Film Soundtrack
There are a few things I'd aspired to accomplish when I was a little girl. One thing was I wanted to be Wonder Woman with the whole boots and nerdy glasses thing going on. Wonder Woman was the coolest of the cool. Anyway, that's a different topic.
I also aspired to be a playwright (although I must say I do not really care for punctuation rules). I wrote a script in the 4th grade and my school officially asked me to put it on stage for the other grades. I also directed the whole thing and had my friends to come my house for rehearsals. We also practiced in the school yard. Not too shabby for a 4th grader.
Then once I got to see more cinema I was captivated by film soundtracks. My all-time favorite is the soundtrack for Cinema Paradiso by the great Ennio Morricone. It brought me to tears even without seeing what was on screen. And with that I had the aspiration to one day be involved in beautiful productions with other musicians to create soundtrack-like music that would be perfect for film. That is why I love working on ambient type music as it allows me a lot of flexibility and challenge. How do I use my voice to create visions? How would I use my voice to create feelings without words? It is challenging but very fulfilling to know that the listener was able to connect on another level beyond language of words. Check out the piece I attached above that I worked on with Morgen Wurde on his Assassinous Act album entitled "Forgiveness." I recorded these vocals in a short time span after watching two movies: Room & The Passion of the Christ. It was the escape scene from "Room" that inspired and brought me to tears. I watched the scenes leading to the crucifixion in "Passion." Those scenes took me to a place that allowed me fully share my human emotion and record it wholeheartedly vulnerabilities and all.
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I just remembered an incident when I was in the 5th grade. I went to a small private school in New Jersey. My Social Studies teacher was always writing notes and more notes on the board. It seemed like all the class pretty much was about note writing and the notes outline even branched out even further. It looked like some geometric pattern.
A.
1.
a.
1a etc...
One day we had more note writing about caste systems. We just wrote notes of the how the caste systems were broken down. No one ever asked questions. No one in the class ever considered asking a question when all we needed to do was write notes. That day I decided to be "the one" to ask a QUESTION. The teacher's back was turned to us and I was sitting right up in front. She saw me and asked what I wanted. I asked, "Why do we always learn the same thing (meaning caste system)? Why is all of this important?" I guess why I asked this question is we kept learning about caste systems but we never discussed the reasons of importance or the details of how the people from each division of the caste system felt about this division. We never talked about how if we lived that way how we, as a people, would feel. I wanted my teacher to explain to me the importance as to how it would relate to my life as a child, how it would relate for my parents, how by learning this it would somehow allow us to use the past mistakes or inequities to make our futures as adults better to become more highly evolved. I wanted her to help me understand and how I could be a better person by learning this.
What eventually I got similar to my question I got through LIFE EXPERIENCE. What one learns of most importance is learned as you live life fully and not in this little plastic bubble of shelter. In the deepness of the eyes you will see wisdom for it is in those eyes one lived for many without being officially labeled with honors or letters following their name. What they earned was a life truly lived with vulnerabilities and strengths to live with fear and to live fully as much as possible anyway. That is the true lesson.
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The world is changing. Some places more slowly and some quicker than ever anticipated. When there is an unjust balance, it is law that things must return to Equilibrium. These are transformative times.
From "Electric," my collaboration with Katodik (released 2017)
Everybody's talking
Everybody's changing
When we're alone we are electric.
Everybody's changing.
Everybody's talking.
There's no doubt in my mind
We are electric.
Not a doubt in my mind
We are electric.
We are electric.
We are electric.
Neon Lights of Las Vegas
When I arrived in Las Vegas early this year it was a return to the city as an adult.
My first time in Las Vegas was as a child. I was unaware of the allure of the bright lights. Treasure Island and the arcade room was my version of Las Vegas. There is more to Las Vegas than just the Las Vegas strip. I appreciate the space and desert even more so because I have lived in many congested cities. However, it is the allure of the lights of the LV Strip at night from afar that thrills me. It is the majestic beauty of the mountains that I see all around me that stops me in my tracks. It is the quiet of the desert heat and the buzz of the wind storms and and power of the dust storms that inspire me. How powerful of an experience all these are to my senses.
When I do take a drive to the Las Vegas Strip (though quite infrequently) I appreciate more those times when it has a low intensity thrill. It is the beauty when there are just a "few" (relative term) people around. I look at the ominous buildings and hypnotizing lights and just enjoy the slow drive down the boulevard when it's calm. There is beauty in that stillness and low grade intensity. So when you hear the "Neon Lights" track, picture that stillness in your mind and breath in all the magic of the neon lights. This is my expression of where I call home now. Grab your copy today.
When I arrived in Las Vegas early this year it was a return to the city as an adult.
My first time in Las Vegas was as a child. I was unaware of the allure of the bright lights. Treasure Island and the arcade room was my version of Las Vegas. There is more to Las Vegas than just the Las Vegas strip. I appreciate the space and desert even more so because I have lived in many congested cities. However, it is the allure of the lights of the LV Strip at night from afar that thrills me. It is the majestic beauty of the mountains that I see all around me that stops me in my tracks. It is the quiet of the desert heat and the buzz of the wind storms and and power of the dust storms that inspire me. How powerful of an experience all these are to my senses.
When I do take a drive to the Las Vegas Strip (though quite infrequently) I appreciate more those times when it has a low intensity thrill. It is the beauty when there are just a "few" (relative term) people around. I look at the ominous buildings and hypnotizing lights and just enjoy the slow drive down the boulevard when it's calm. There is beauty in that stillness and low grade intensity. So when you hear the "Neon Lights" track, picture that stillness in your mind and breath in all the magic of the neon lights. This is my expression of where I call home now. Grab your copy today.
November 2018
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Question everything.
Know your own truth, not what is fed to you.
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HEY DJ: "With great power comes great responsibility"
I'm sure you've heard this saying before. It comes to mind when I was writing lyrics to Thomas Tonfeld's song "Some Love." He asked me to write something that was inspiring and feel good. As I listened to his instrumental track, I just thought of a time when people listened to music to soothe their minds and escape from their humdrum everyday hardships (similar to today's time but on a much deeper level without all the other distractions on social media, etc). It was just us and the music. Of course, pivotal to this was the person who introduced the music whether it was a DJ or whomever helped pick the track. DJs have such a great role in how to put you in the right mood. He/she can feel the audience and knows which tracks fits the moment. When the evening needs some revving, they play a track to get people up and about. When the atmosphere is chill, they know to play the same style of music to keep you feeling chill. They see the instant result of their decisions right in front of them in the people's mood. Are they smiling? Are they moving their bodies? Or do they look bored as heck? The DJ has great power to change the vibe literally with that song choice. Choice is a power.
With that said, I wrote these lyrics to say "thanks DJ" for your work. Not everyone has the intuition to know how to lift up the people and you've been put in that role . As big or as small as that role you think is, it is a role indeed. Use your power wisely.
"Some Love" from Thomas Tonfeld's Disclosure album
I wanna feel the summer breeze
I wanna see the sun set in the sky
We can make sweet memories
Make our dreams come true
Hey, DJ, C'mon and play our song again
Give some love to this heart of mine
Lift me up, hey dj, lift me up
Let's make this world alright
Some Love
Give and get some love
Hey, DJ, C'mon and play our song again
make this love last forever
can you feel the love?
can you feel the love?
make this last forever
we all need some love
It's gonna be alright
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INTEGRITY.
TRUTH.
HONESTY.
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This weekend I watched the original "Planet of the Apes" for the first time. For some reason, these last few weeks, I had this yearning to watch this film. I didn't realize that Rod Serling was partial collaborator of the script. Rod Serling's contributions never stop to amaze me.
I appreciated the desert scenery now that I am surrounded by desert land myself. I did a little bit of research and found that the writers and director did change storyline quite a bit from the story presented originally in Pierre Boulle's novel mainly due to budget constraints. Luckily my local library has a paperback so I can do a more in depth read into the original social commentary presented in the original. Dialogue was real and direction was brilliant and tasteful. Make-up work was exceptional and acting was top notch. Details about the film can easily be researched online. (A peculiar coincidence occurred as I watched this film. I'll let you in on it hopefully in a few weeks.)
The original 1968 "Planet of the Apes" is a one of a kind film and truly deserves the recognition.
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Sometimes lyrics are more powerful when you see them in their most honest form.
Here are some original lyrics I wrote for a track:
You were just waiting for a second chance
just when you thought love passed you by.
Just for a moment you felt all alone living a life of circumstance.
It would be so nice if I got to know you 'cause I believe in love.
I believe in dreams.
Wouldn't it be nice if I got to know you, really got to know you.
'Cause I believe in love
I believe in dreams.
I believe in you.
You were just waiting for a second chance at love just when you thought love passed you by.
Wouldn't it be nice if I got to know you, really got to know you. It would be so nice.
'Cause I believe in love
I believe in dreams.
I believe in you.
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Here's great video out for the song "Like Sugar" by the amazing Chaka Khan. Fantastic dancers and it goes with the beat, music, and vibe. Unique. Unique. Unique. Original and well thought out video and not having to go over the top with *miscellaneous content. Wow!
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I just finished up my newest project with a producer from Spain. It's our first time working together. The track is futuristic and intense and fusion of musical tastes. Really got my creative juices flowing.
Will share more details with you soon and any other release information hopefully.
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Next set of reading: Books by G. Edward Griffin.
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I was watching the free 80s Video Channel last night and saw this blurry video of Loverboy's "Working for the Weekend." Such an awesome song. Musicianship, driving guitar riff, vocal, melodies, lyrics, harmonies. Keyboard work outstanding. Fun song.
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I absolutely love watching content of videos like this about bicycling. I'm not a cyclist for sport, but for everyday commuting here and there if the lanes allow where I live (unfortunately bike friendly lanes are not ubiquitous around me) so I do my best to be aware of my surroundings. I have a hyrid/cruiser bike in addition to my quad roller skates : )
Would love the opportunity to see how these cities operate in person one day. See you soon, Oslo!
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Wanna again say thank you thank you to all the listeners out there playing, mixing, djing the music I create with my fellow collaborators. It means the world to me. Spread the music made with pure intent to share beautiful art.
Just finished up a new track with a bit of soul and feel good vibes. It's coming along well and hope to share with you in the near future. Got another track coming out in December. More details to come.
Hope to present to you more fresh and classy, electrifying, unique, magical tracks!
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I have been reading "The Second Book of the Tao" by Stephen Mitchell as part of my Philosophy Studies and Ancient Texts. During my research came up the quote "You Reap What You Sow." I did a search for it and came upon this on Urban Dictionary of all places.
TOP DEFINITION
You Reap What You Sow
THE DEFINITIONS:
1. Everything that you do has repercussions. It comes back to you one way or another.
2. You cannot escape the consequences of your actions. What you do comes back to you.
3. You will see the long-term effects of your actions.
4. KARMA - The total effect of a person's actions and conduct during the successive phases of the person's existence, regarded as determining the person's destiny, especially, in his next incarnation.
5. What goes around comes around.
6. Your actions all have consequences. Don't ever be fooled into thinking that your actions don't have consequences. Don't think you can get away with bad choices even if you don't seem to get caught.
Indeed, profound words to live by.
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BEAUTIFUL CONCEPT MUSIC VIDEO - Mondo Grosso
I absolutely love this music video. It is such a well thought out beautiful piece of film. The lighting at night is vibrant and the colors stand out even more so. It's a work of art putting music to images. Everything compliments each other: dancer, dancing, costumes, lighting, background setting, music. It all works well together creating a UNIQUE work of art. Kudos to such outstanding video music filming . Work of art indeed.
Wanna again say thank you thank you to all the listeners out there playing, mixing, djing the music I create with my fellow collaborators. It means the world to me. Spread the music made with pure intent to share beautiful art.
Just finished up a new track with a bit of soul and feel good vibes. It's coming along well and hope to share with you in the near future. Got another track coming out in December. More details to come.
Hope to present to you more fresh and classy, electrifying, unique, magical tracks!
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I have been reading "The Second Book of the Tao" by Stephen Mitchell as part of my Philosophy Studies and Ancient Texts. During my research came up the quote "You Reap What You Sow." I did a search for it and came upon this on Urban Dictionary of all places.
TOP DEFINITION
You Reap What You Sow
THE DEFINITIONS:
1. Everything that you do has repercussions. It comes back to you one way or another.
2. You cannot escape the consequences of your actions. What you do comes back to you.
3. You will see the long-term effects of your actions.
4. KARMA - The total effect of a person's actions and conduct during the successive phases of the person's existence, regarded as determining the person's destiny, especially, in his next incarnation.
5. What goes around comes around.
6. Your actions all have consequences. Don't ever be fooled into thinking that your actions don't have consequences. Don't think you can get away with bad choices even if you don't seem to get caught.
Indeed, profound words to live by.
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BEAUTIFUL CONCEPT MUSIC VIDEO - Mondo Grosso
I absolutely love this music video. It is such a well thought out beautiful piece of film. The lighting at night is vibrant and the colors stand out even more so. It's a work of art putting music to images. Everything compliments each other: dancer, dancing, costumes, lighting, background setting, music. It all works well together creating a UNIQUE work of art. Kudos to such outstanding video music filming . Work of art indeed.
October 2018
Music is an "art form." Words are chosen carefully to reflect the emotion of intent. Images and images of motion are thought forms of reflection. I choose carefully every lyric and melody and to match the intention overall in its purest form. The more I see how it is translated by other's eyes, the more I understand that my creative form should also evolve and my decisions should evolve into new realms of creativity, new versions of art closer to my vision. Choose a path, a different path that is more in line with my VISION. As an artist, choose your path carefully, slowly. Are the words and music placed on a "billboard" of sorts true reflections of your original idea or was it delivered into something completely out of of focus of intent? Has the listener listened to the music and words or were they distracted by images of motion? Have the images of motion complimented or distracted from the message? Are one's eyes so distracted that they fail to interpret the message transmitted through their ears? Has one lost sight of thoughtful reflection that music is supposed to bring about? Has it been transmuted to touch upon one dimensional aspects of the mind (head out of the gutter)? Music and sound are more than one dimensional. It can positively invigorate and purify or numb on multi-levels. That is how powerful music is.
Artist, decide your path.
Artists, decide with whom you walk this path.
Artist, decide and be clear of your message through your art form.
Artist, validate the power in your art.
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Batman in Turkey
It was the first day of July when I arrived in an old city in the southeastern region of Turkey. Everyone had warned me back in Istanbul: Don’t go in the summer especially in July and August.
The city was Batman. That morning I set foot in the city, the weather was extreme. Worse than any heat wave I had experienced. It hit 108 degrees fahrenheit.
I arrived at the hotel at 6 a.m. from Istanbul, a 2-hour flight. After showering and sleeping for a few hours, I descended for HASANKEYF, the town with a mysterious name. Beauty and splendor, I was told, was waiting for me in that ancient town 30 minutes from Batman. Soon the Turkish government would construct a dam in this area and transfer the ruins to another. I had to see the magnificence of this place in its original setting before I left Turkey.
At 9 a.m. I headed out from my hotel. As my feet touched the steps outside my hotel’s front door, I felt the enormous sun opening its arms in wide embrace and generously giving away its loving rays. I wanted to be free from it, but it would capture me as I tried to hide.
Batman was busy. It was an ambitious city which, at first glance, disguised itself as small town. It danced around to its favorite song like a bustling boomtown. I looked at the locals strutting around as if it were any ordinary day. Of course, to them it was another ordinary day. To me, the solo traveler in their neck of the woods, it was more than extraordinary. I was star struck looking at ordinary people.My eyes followed them while I waited to cross the street. Tea cafes were packed as if crowds of men were on holiday. They sat comfortably outside the cafés under old, dusty terrace covers. They were enjoying their cigarettes; they drank tea; and engaged in lively conversations. I heard layers of conversations cohesively orchestrated. The clinking sound of tea glasses as the men stirred sugar mixed well with their deep voices. The temperamental sun and its powerful rays were accessories in the same way that tea and sugar were to the culture. Batman had a buzz.
Slowly I followed the shaded path the tall buildings provided. In this heat, a minute seemed like an hour. Across the street next to the Turkish style mini-mart, I spotted a dolmus, a little van that transported people to select destinations throughout the day. It was cheap too: 6 lira (about $3.00) to travel 30 minutes in an air conditioned vehicle. On the back of the van in big letters were the words BATMAN HASANKEYF. I hurriedly crossed the street thinking I would hop on and go. I peeked inside and saw a boy about 10 years old sitting near the window. He was alone. I asked him if this was the van going to Hasankeyf. He confirmed in Turkish like a salesman in training. The boy jumped out of the van and stood outside soliciting potential passengers walking on the sidewalk. The dolmus was like a carpool service running almost constantly. The problem was that you had to wait until all seats were filled.
I went inside the air-conditioned mini-mart and bought myself a survival pack: a bottle of water and an even bigger bottle of Ayran, a yogurt, water, and salt combo. It’s a national Turkish drink said to help tolerate the heat. I killed a lot of time looking through the Turkish-brand candy and snack section.
I glanced outside and noticed the dolmus started to fill up: grandmothers in their long dresses with their grandchildren; couples; old men; different generations of families; newborn babies; and then, me. Loads of bags with goods, vegetables, and fruits piled up in the back. I grabbed a seat in the rear. Sitting next to me was a well-dressed man in a pink shirt, white shorts, and sunglasses. He looked at his iphone incessantly. There was a middle-aged couple sitting to the far left. The woman’s hair was beautifully wrapped in a headscarf and her eyes dark with black eyeliner. She was chatting with her husband I assumed. He barely looked at her, but was nodding his head constantly.
We sat side by side packed corner to corner. The driver, dapper in his newly bleached-looking white shirt and salt and pepper hair, stood outside smoking one of his many Marlboro Classic cigarettes. Apparently, one passenger was urging him to wait. His friend, his Arkaday, would arrive shortly. Drivers followed their own time table and, unless under major scrutiny, would be the one to decide to stay or go.
I began to hear comments being thrown around by irritated passengers. Some had been waiting for more than 30 minutes. Most people spoke Kurdish which was the prevalent language in this part of the country. I spewed out some of my own but only in my head and in English, just as potent nevertheless.
A minute or so went by when a man carrying a large checkered tote bag was seen running wildly towards the van. He climbed in and wiped off his forehead with a handkerchief.
Our driver turned on the gas and pumped up the air conditioner. The air barely touched me. I worried that I would have to breathe in hot air throughout the trip. The window to my right was opened a crack. I couldn’t open it much more. Off we went.
The iphone man talked softly on his phone. Some quickly fell asleep. I hoped I wouldn’t get claustrophobic. 20 people were packed in the dolmus. Some sat on stool-like chairs, some on people’s laps. Some remained standing. A few sat on wooden boxes covered with a thin pillow and sat directly facing the other passengers. There was one young boy on a box directly in my view. He was traveling with his mother and baby brother. I could see his innocent face with the most serious expression like a dutiful son enduring the road bumps as his mother tenderly carried his brother. At times he wrinkled his forehead and squinted when dust blew through the window into his eyes.
The wind blew though that tiny window space and caressed my face. On numerous instances, I felt traces of cool air from the air conditioner, along with dry air as we sped by cars, heat from the tires below my seat, mixed with my body heat. I watched the colors-- mostly brown and green-- flash by. It was an incredible space of land and mountains. They were endless. At some point, I couldn’t tell the difference when one rugged mountain started and when one ended. It was as if a painter was using sand to build the mountains and the sand smoothly blended together.
I asked the man next to me to let me know when Hasankeyf was nearing. Would I see a sign that read: “HOS GELDINIZ! WELCOME TO HASANKEYF!" What I did notice was that I started to feel the landscape changing. The land became more alive and vibrant as we drove on the long, dusty road. Images would magically appear. I closed my eyes to squeeze in a one-minute nap and opened them to see a long stream of water.
This was the Tigris River. I followed its path never taking my eyes off it. Its sharp, shapely, discolored beauty never aged one moment. Land and mountains seemed to whisper to follow the water. I would find what I was looking for. The bus drove over a small bridge and to its right and left appeared ancient dwellings, caves, towers, and historic monuments. I lost my place. This was not Istanbul and certainly not my hometown.
I looked in wonder at these ancient works of art that blew away any skyscraper that marveled in any modern city and stunned any city dweller. How small we were, I thought, and how spectacular a gift the ancient people and Mother Earth left behind. The van stopped and unloaded passengers. The iphone man stopped talking on his phone, smiled at me and pointed. This was Hasankeyf. I stood there. My eyes saw a jewel.
For that moment I did not feel that it was likely 110 degrees. Not 30 minutes ago I was walking, sitting, waiting, enduring so-called unbearable conditions and minor irritations. We deal with those moments on a daily basis most of our lives. Those minute and what some consider insignificant moments in the beginning of the journey are there to get you where you’re supposed to go. To live through them and arrive in the middle is all part of the journey. And even on that extremely scorching July day, as soon as I arrived in that glorious place, I knew it was time to play and explore the even more extreme splendor.
THE END
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The tiniest of dogs bark
Loud and incessant
it is the sound of judgement.
the loudest bark has enormous guilt
muted or heard, sometimes seen.
projection
an extension of themselves
afraid of attention
this aspect of who they are
so they point in the other direction
anywhere and as far far away from themselves as possible
bark bark away
sound waves bounce right back to the conduit
electromagnetic waves designed to reflect current state of mind
for one's own introspection
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2019 will be a new time. It will be the beginning of beginnings. As I've always said I don't want to do the same thing twice this applies most importantly creatively and artistically. My mind looks for new equations to fill and that means new music to aspire to create. It is boring to do the same work every day, dancing the same beat, playing the same rhythm, and even just as boring to do the same play. Expand the canvas and bring new stories to light. It is a fresh new day beyond yesterday. Say thank you and good-bye to the ways of the past. They will last in my mind if I want to. But I choose to move forward breathing new air and fresher greener grass. As an artist I give and show respect to my fellow musicians, collaborators and everyone else involved in the sharing in the power of sound and music. I am thankful for their strong and positive work ethic. I am very very adamant about work ethic, honesty and genuine fairness and justice of sharing of work and reward. When that has not been exemplified, it is a strong indicator of CHARACTER. There is no room for that in my world. So I choose to move forward breathing new air and fresher greener grass.
What a great interview with Rod Serling, the prolific writer of one of the greatest tv programs of all time. Such an articulate, intelligent creative man who held the highest of value for the quality and integrity of his art. Brilliant man.
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When I was a little girl, my family and I would often go to garage sales. I must have been 7 or 8 years old and one day we went to a garage sale on a sunny Saturday. There was a small box on the corner with old paperbacks for sale. I rummaged through and found two books that interested me. One that I was so happy to see was a book about UFOs. It actually had pictures and I was so excited. The writing of the book was too complicated for me to read and understand so I just cared about the pictures. At that young age,I would think that why would I care really but somehow I knew that UFOs existed even though I barely knew what a UFO was. I just knew that was something out there beyond us. I'm so glad I found that book and lucky my brother bought them for me.
Mind you, at that age I didn't care for Sci-FI movies or books. Nothing of the sort. I had no interest in the mainstream version of ETs. I just knew in my core that UFOs were real and finding that book at the garage sale with pictures was proof. Funny how today FINALLY it is being disclosed slowly through mainstream (without being looked at as being coo-coo for cocoa puffs that we are beyond what we think we are.)
We get a lot of lights in the skies here in Nevada. Some are planes and helicopters and some are definitely NOT. They appear like Christmas lights and disappear in a blink of an eye. I like to film them sometimes if I can capture it. I don't watch movies about ETs or alien invasions. It's so Hollywood and so inaccurate in my opinion. Can't there be more friendly ETs portrayed on the big screen? Like humans some are one way and some are the other.
But back to my point that it's pretty cool that we are finding out more about our galaxy and our place in it. It's just the beginning of our discovery.
a)
DON'T ENTERTAIN THE ENEMY
THE ENEMY WILL in all ways LOSE
THEY LOSE BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY CHOOSE
RUN AWAY, ONE WITHOUT SPINE
You take what's yours
You take what's mine
HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN
SORROW WILL FOLLOW YOU
Have you forgotten
One day it will corner you
And ask in a quiet little voice
"WHAT have you done, MY SON"
"WHY are you so afraid?"
Still you will wonder why
You've been led to this place
CAUGHT UP IN A CHARADE
LOSING SIGHT OF WHAT’S GOOD AND TRUE
DON’T FORGET COMMON SENSE
FORGE ON, PAINT THE PICTURE
DON’T BE DECEIVED BY THE ENEMY
HUSTLERS WILL ALWAYS BE HUSTLERS
DON’T BE DECEIVED BY FOOLS WITH MINDLESS INTERPRETATIONS.
Remember: WARRIORS OF THE HEART NEVER LOSE
b)
Living off the grid
neighbors miles away
miss the smile of a stranger
moon keeps me company
been drinking fossil water
that took a thousand years
living on fossil water
golden age is near
climbing up the hill
looking at tumbleweeds
only thing i hear
is the air that I breathe
old coyote
looks so hungry
Is home for you near?
this life is funny
living off the grid
this life is lonely
living off the grid
only thing I miss
is the smile of a stranger
c)
Ask yourself:
What is the "good life"?
Is it the plastic face?
Famous actor said they''ll turn you into consumer drones
Magic phones that keep you alone
lure with private jets and private yachts
everything you wished you'd got
Is that the "good life" when you have to pay the price?
What is the price?
Ask your heart, not your mind
for you'll be surprised at what you'll find
when you're promised the "good life"
Whilst in the 3d world best to ask who is offering
you the "good life" and how they're defining
the "good life" just might astound you