Back to the basics

I have neglected my music for far too long and I am ashamed of it.

I used to play everyday. Even if it was just one song.

I haven't played for so long I lost the calluses on my fingers. NOT GOOD.

So I have been picking up my guitars more. Today, for example, I came home on my lunch break from work and played a few songs.

I also have been listening to a lot of new music, courtesy of a friend I've known since I was 5 years old.

Currently obsessed with a band called Crash Kings. Highly recommended. Love their sound, and I think I'm going to cover a song or two of theirs.

I'm also thinking about throwing a little "debut" event at my house sometime in early 2011 to showcase the songs I have so far.

We'll see though. I have stage fright.

Here's my favorite Crash Kings songs.



Happens to be my year of birth too... so the song is extra sexy.

Love!

Recording

I don't consider myself a shy person, and I typically have no problem talking about myself or showing off my talents... whether they are through speaking, writing, designing, or photography.

My music is a completely different story.

I don't know why exactly. It could have to do with the fact that music is so dear to me, and I am therefore more protective about sharing it, and having it critiqued.

Maybe it's the fact that I have a personal relationship with my music, and I like to keep it to myself.

Maybe it's the perfectionist is me, and I never feel like my music is good enough.

Whatever it is, I suffer from an extreme degree of performance anxiety.

I shake and start sweating every time I pick up my guitar in front of someone. I still get nervous when I rehearse with Cary, and he's been there with me since day one.

It took practically 6 months in the making, but my good friend Jeremy hooked me up with his good friend Bobby who has a recording studio in his apartment in Hollywood. After a few months of trying to find a date to record, Bob finally had an open spot this past Sunday.

I woke up extremely anxious. Jeremy texted me saying the recording session might be canceled and to be honest, I almost felt relieved. I didn't want to go record my music, anyway.

Nathan was a trooper and he dealt with my moody ass. He was really supportive and worked with me on getting over my anxiety.

I got another text from Jeremy saying the recording session was on for 3 pm.

I feel silly now looking back at how emotional and nervous I was. The recording session was beyond amazing.

Bob was intensely kind and made me feel right at home in his home and studio. He let me play one one of his guitars since he had everything already set up and ready for me to record acoustic. It took a bit of getting used to hearing myself sing through the headphones, but it really was an amazing experience.

I messed up a few times on the first 2 songs cause I was still getting over my anxiety and getting used to the headphones, but I nailed the second two songs on the first time. Jeremy and Bob were both impressed with my voice and my music, which I took as a GREAT compliment. I think it also settled some nerves.

Cary came with me, and he was being surprisingly supportive. He was in the recording studio with me the entire time, comforting and encouraging me. He even stayed with me during my warm up session to get used to the set up.

After Bob burned us a CD with our four songs on it, I walked out of his apartment pumped, refreshed, encouraged, and stoked. Hearing myself sing through the speakers was weird the first time through, but when I listened to it again, I'm proud of myself for overcoming my anxiety.

Now it's time to share my music. And continue making more.

Cleaning out the house ...

And by house I mean my external hard drive.

Some of the files on that thing are ridiculous. Files from school (from 2003!), financial aid information, photos (from high school!) and of course music.

I had iTunes organize my music folder on my hard drive a few months ago and I didn't really understand what it did. It threw my music into random folders. It was supposed to make my life easier, but it only confused me.

I didn't bother reorganizing it since I knew I was going to get a MacBookPro soon. I told myself I would organize my music when I did.

Last night was the first opportunity for me to do so. Holy moo balls. It took me an hour to go through and organize just all the bands I have that begins with the letter A. lol. This is going to be a long process.

I'm excited though. Nathan hooked me up with a great downloading website where you get quality files. I already started a list of albums to download.

And with my fast-ass internet at home, I'm going to get anything I want!

Oh the power of technology.

Abbreviated update

2010 so far has been quite the riot.

I've been keeping up with most of resolutions (toot toot). Although I have fallen behind in my reading.

I am reading a wildly interesting book called Friendship, An Expose written by a college professor. I will surely dedicate an entire blog to it as I have highlighted several well thought-out passages from the book.

I already have my next book lined up called "Founding Myths" by Ray Raphael. I guess its a book revealing stories that hide our patriotic past. I'm excited to read it.

I'm dedicating 2010 to opening horizons and catching up with the world today since I feel like I am falling behind. I don't want to end up like my mother where she stopped keeping up with technology after VHS.

I already have a hard enough time trying to work the TV. Pathetic.

I've also dedicated 2010 to the arts. Obviously music will always be my number one boo, but I want to expand my writing opportunities (which is well on its way since I got hired as a freelance writer for Demand Studios), dive back into photography and even try my hand out in drawing and paint. I've already drawn out a few things. One of which is a gnome. Cause I have a freak obsession with them... don't judge me.

And I can officially say 2010 is the year of coffee. I am in love. I think I just like the smell of it the most, but obviously it's also tasty. I have been going to a lot of different coffee shops and trying out their goods.

Best coffee in town thus far: Peet's Coffee and Tea.