Tonight I performed my monthly gig at Tushita Heaven. Each performance is different in that we have people that come and go. The attendance is always interesting to me who comes to the concerts regularly or the random person that drops in.
I was in the zone tonight. I felt the music deep inside my heart.. and it felt good to express musically what I was thinking.
Tonight was funny.. in that I thought of very random things while performing and would talk about it. What a great connection. I really enjoy interacting with everyone.. EVEN when I mess up or trip over my words.. or snort when I am playing! Yes... It got that silly.
What amazes me the most, is the ability to open up and perform to connect with everyone one on such a spiritual level.. I really enjoy that.
Thank you all for coming out, what a blessing it is to have your support!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Interesting Observations...
The last few days, I've been reading some reviews, going back to my electronic roots with some musical tunes.
Its an observation, that most of the people that bought "The Journey" really liked it. Of course as my 2nd album, that I produced, recorded myself makes it very hard for me to go back and listen to it.. as I hear all the flaws. I have had a few fans emailing me, telling me they would love for me to release an album unlike what I did with "Trillium". I had always wanted to create an instrumental album with the instruments that "Trillium" has. That is why I chose to go the route I did with my 3rd album.
I have been thinking about returning to my electronic elements for the forthcoming album. I have so many styles that I want to experiment with. I love the rhythms from the alternative genres... as well as rock... I have been contemplating about the next release.
I don't want to get "stuck" in one sound. I want to do so much more. I have so much in my head. I know I won't please everyone. I understand that everyone has a sound that touches their spirit. So I am not offended that not everyone liked "Trillium". I had a chance to work with legendary guitarist Will Ackerman, and I took it. What came out of it for me, was a leap in my writing capabilities. When creating an album, it takes and enormous amount of time. At least for me. "Trillium" took me 3 years from start to finish.
I am quite certain the new album will take some time. I don't want to rush myself. I am not even sure I will release clips.
So there is much to observe and consider. This is where I am at.
More to come...
Its an observation, that most of the people that bought "The Journey" really liked it. Of course as my 2nd album, that I produced, recorded myself makes it very hard for me to go back and listen to it.. as I hear all the flaws. I have had a few fans emailing me, telling me they would love for me to release an album unlike what I did with "Trillium". I had always wanted to create an instrumental album with the instruments that "Trillium" has. That is why I chose to go the route I did with my 3rd album.
I have been thinking about returning to my electronic elements for the forthcoming album. I have so many styles that I want to experiment with. I love the rhythms from the alternative genres... as well as rock... I have been contemplating about the next release.
I don't want to get "stuck" in one sound. I want to do so much more. I have so much in my head. I know I won't please everyone. I understand that everyone has a sound that touches their spirit. So I am not offended that not everyone liked "Trillium". I had a chance to work with legendary guitarist Will Ackerman, and I took it. What came out of it for me, was a leap in my writing capabilities. When creating an album, it takes and enormous amount of time. At least for me. "Trillium" took me 3 years from start to finish.
I am quite certain the new album will take some time. I don't want to rush myself. I am not even sure I will release clips.
So there is much to observe and consider. This is where I am at.
More to come...
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Tushita Heaven..
Tushita Heaven is a great place to be on Friday nights. Why? Because you can come and sit for 2 hours while musicians like myself perform for no cost. You can come into the store and enjoy the ambiance there while music weaves around the store. Then if you get a little hungry, you can find some light refreshments tempting you with the tastes of cheese, chocolate, fresh strawberries, green tea, and other things to help with you palate.
Last night was one of those nights where you couldn't plan the music and people. I was there performing.. but what struck me was the beauty of the store and so many people were in the store. The spirit I felt from everyone was something I won't soon forget. Everyone's inner beauty was shining so brightly, the whole feeling encouraged me to write music on the spot.
DJ Thornton was our host (KSBR Morning Breeze Radio show hostess). It was a good night. My thanks to everyone that organizes and brings these concerts to you.
Peace in Music...
Last night was one of those nights where you couldn't plan the music and people. I was there performing.. but what struck me was the beauty of the store and so many people were in the store. The spirit I felt from everyone was something I won't soon forget. Everyone's inner beauty was shining so brightly, the whole feeling encouraged me to write music on the spot.
DJ Thornton was our host (KSBR Morning Breeze Radio show hostess). It was a good night. My thanks to everyone that organizes and brings these concerts to you.
Peace in Music...
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Ruminations...
I am basking in the afterglow of the performance in Dana Point. I stayed in San Clemente from Thursday evening till Monday morning. Most of us were at the rehearsal on Thursday evening. Which went really well. Dov and I did more rehearsing on Friday morning. All of these guys are characters in their own right. Was fun seeing each one's personality blend in with the synergy that was going on.
Saturday's rehearsal was so incredible. It was hard to concentrate because I was listening to what everyone was doing on my music, and I really need to pay more attention!!
The whole weekend was a blur of music, eating, talking, silliness, friendship, synergy, stress, patience, blonde moments, cooking Om-letes, watching the sunset, reading, learning, re-learning, forgetting.. etc!! I could go on.
Highlight of the weekend:
During Jeff Oster's set, playing the Improv Jam in A minor, I cut myself loose on the piano.. and when I looked up everyone on stage was looking at me and smiling at me... lol. I was like " uh oh.. what did I do wrong?" LOL... and when I looked at them.. they all smiled back at me and nodded in encouragement. I still think about that and still wonder about it.. maybe I was out of tune! hahah.
Working with Scott August, Dov, John Luttrell, Jeff Oster as well as our back up Bass player Robert Murray and drummer Russ Sedat, was a trip. The synergy with all of us was excellent. It was an honor to be on stage with all of them.
Oh yes.. and I had the in-ear monitoring system with me this year. WHAT a huge difference. SOUND crew.. you rock.. thank you very much for your willingness to work with me on making the mix sound good in my ears so that I could hear myself.
Deej did a fantastic job of putting it all together. Deej.. you should be VERY proud of what you were able to accomplish!
Room for Improvement:
pffft... always room for improvement. I think the most problematic thing for me was making sure I had the synths/keys I was using in everyone's set written down!!!! I had some of them written in.. but some of them I did not.. so I was not happy with myself about that. ALSO.. if I use the Korg again for the Schmooze.. I need to have a folder on the hard drive with all the songs with the sounds programmed in. I should have taken the time to do that. Making a mental note to myself of to make sure to write down everything I do, etc etc etc.
In Ear monitoring is so different sounding than the actual mix. Making mental notes to remember that and not be so hard on myself.
Korg's bi polar pedal settings!!!! I had to keep resetting the global settings to make sure the pedal was the opposite setting of its default settings.
Overall Ruminations:
I loved every minute of the concert. It went by like a blur..because we all were having such a GREAT time. I look forward to more performances.
More to come...
Saturday's rehearsal was so incredible. It was hard to concentrate because I was listening to what everyone was doing on my music, and I really need to pay more attention!!
The whole weekend was a blur of music, eating, talking, silliness, friendship, synergy, stress, patience, blonde moments, cooking Om-letes, watching the sunset, reading, learning, re-learning, forgetting.. etc!! I could go on.
Highlight of the weekend:
During Jeff Oster's set, playing the Improv Jam in A minor, I cut myself loose on the piano.. and when I looked up everyone on stage was looking at me and smiling at me... lol. I was like " uh oh.. what did I do wrong?" LOL... and when I looked at them.. they all smiled back at me and nodded in encouragement. I still think about that and still wonder about it.. maybe I was out of tune! hahah.
Working with Scott August, Dov, John Luttrell, Jeff Oster as well as our back up Bass player Robert Murray and drummer Russ Sedat, was a trip. The synergy with all of us was excellent. It was an honor to be on stage with all of them.
Oh yes.. and I had the in-ear monitoring system with me this year. WHAT a huge difference. SOUND crew.. you rock.. thank you very much for your willingness to work with me on making the mix sound good in my ears so that I could hear myself.
Deej did a fantastic job of putting it all together. Deej.. you should be VERY proud of what you were able to accomplish!
Room for Improvement:
pffft... always room for improvement. I think the most problematic thing for me was making sure I had the synths/keys I was using in everyone's set written down!!!! I had some of them written in.. but some of them I did not.. so I was not happy with myself about that. ALSO.. if I use the Korg again for the Schmooze.. I need to have a folder on the hard drive with all the songs with the sounds programmed in. I should have taken the time to do that. Making a mental note to myself of to make sure to write down everything I do, etc etc etc.
In Ear monitoring is so different sounding than the actual mix. Making mental notes to remember that and not be so hard on myself.
Korg's bi polar pedal settings!!!! I had to keep resetting the global settings to make sure the pedal was the opposite setting of its default settings.
Overall Ruminations:
I loved every minute of the concert. It went by like a blur..because we all were having such a GREAT time. I look forward to more performances.
More to come...
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The Schmooze...
I want to extend and invitation to everyone wherever you are, and come to SoCal for a very rare opportunity to see Scott August, Me, Dov, John Luttrell and Jeff Oster in concert. We have been having a great time rehearsing and enjoying each others music. Paul Carter of San Clemente Surf Boards will be auctioning some excellent pieces of art work!! Paul Carter
There are several things you can do.
1. The Schmooze VIP cruise on the Ocean R/V Explorer you get to hang with the us the musicians. OR
2. The Dinner/Concert at The Dana Marina Harbor. What A Dish, Mahi, Two Guys Grilling and French 75 will be providing the food and drink.
OR You can do both. The money raised from ticket sales goes to KSBR 88.5 Radio. So please come and join us Sunday September 5th, 2010. For tickets and more information go here:
KSBR MORNING BREEZE SCHMOOZE
Rehearsal photos:
Photos courtesy of Dj Thornton,host of KSBR The Morning Breeze program.
There are several things you can do.
1. The Schmooze VIP cruise on the Ocean R/V Explorer you get to hang with the us the musicians. OR
2. The Dinner/Concert at The Dana Marina Harbor. What A Dish, Mahi, Two Guys Grilling and French 75 will be providing the food and drink.
OR You can do both. The money raised from ticket sales goes to KSBR 88.5 Radio. So please come and join us Sunday September 5th, 2010. For tickets and more information go here:
KSBR MORNING BREEZE SCHMOOZE
Rehearsal photos:
Photos courtesy of Dj Thornton,host of KSBR The Morning Breeze program.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Prep and Rehearsal...
Getting psyched for the KSBR Morning Breeze Schmooze on September 5th. I will be performing with Scott August, Dov, John Luttrell and Jeff Oster. Bass player Rob Murray and drummer Russ Sedat will join the fray!
These guys are all great musicians. I enjoy each of them. They all have a unique musical voice and so I am so pleased to be rehearsing with them and getting to know a few of them better.
Morning Breeze hostess Dj ( Deej ) Thornton is doing a fantabular job putting this event together.
There are photos of the rehearsals up on Facebook.
If you live in the Southern Cali area or if you just need to visit California, I'd like to invite you here to be a part of the SCHMOOZE. Just click on SCHMOOZE and it will take you to the KSBR information page. The Ocean Institute will be taking us on a cruise for VIP cruisers.
Wishing you all a spectacular summer!
More to come...
These guys are all great musicians. I enjoy each of them. They all have a unique musical voice and so I am so pleased to be rehearsing with them and getting to know a few of them better.
Morning Breeze hostess Dj ( Deej ) Thornton is doing a fantabular job putting this event together.
There are photos of the rehearsals up on Facebook.
If you live in the Southern Cali area or if you just need to visit California, I'd like to invite you here to be a part of the SCHMOOZE. Just click on SCHMOOZE and it will take you to the KSBR information page. The Ocean Institute will be taking us on a cruise for VIP cruisers.
Wishing you all a spectacular summer!
More to come...
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Summer
Summer is in full swing here in SoCal. Even tho the weather is being very mild, I don't mind so much. I am sure in August, September and October we will get the heat that is our Indian Summer.. or "Secret Summer" as some of the local surfers/beach combers coin the term here.
I was hoping to go to Northern California this summer to perform, but I need to slow down. My health needs to be my first priority.. and so I am taking it easy for now. No I am not sick or anything terminal. I am listening to what my body is telling me, and that is to slow down. In the fall I am sure I will be working to book some shows up in Sacramento/San Francisco area.
I am in the middle of outlining the next album(s). I have SO much new music floating around in my head. I think I am a little shocked at the amount. After releasing "Trillium" I felt that perhaps that I would be empty of anything musical. I was completely wrong. I have so much acoustic and electronic sounds floating around, sometimes its very frustrating because I want it all out TODAY! lol. BUT I know that this will take time as it did with the previous albums.
For now, I hope you will go to my website and you can download 3 songs for free. These are mixes that did not make it on Trillium.
Free Downloads
These are gifts to you as my thanks for reading, writing to me and sharing my music with your friends.
Also, when you d/l a digital copy of TRILLIUM, you can get a PDF booklet of the album liner notes! Pretty cool, eh? I thought so too.
I hope to go camping in August, and then there is the KSBR 88.5 Morning Breeze Schmooze on Sunday September 5, 2010. More info here: Morning Breeze Schmooze
I will also be at Tushita Heaven on Friday August 6, 2010 from 7pm - 9pm. This is a free concert. I enjoy giving my time to the community and performing.
Enjoy your summer!
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