StreetSyde Musings

What's Under the clothes, Brooke Davis?

2008-05-12T11:15:00.000-07:00

My goodness. It's been quite a while since I picked up the digital pen scribed a little something pretty, hasn't it? sorry of the LOOOOONG delay folks; been real busy. Gather around the campfire and i'll tell you all about it...

*clears throat*

Since I last posted, I've put two artists on Itunes, gained a decent amount of popularity with my electropop side project, stayed busy with my hiphop acts, and STILL managed to go to work. On May 2nd, Nick had his first show. I was backing him up, with Chris on the computer. It didnt go exactly as planned, but it wasnt that bad. And Also, since I've been gone, I started yet another blog, this one specifically for my AMakeshiftRomantic outfit; it's called A RoughDraft Romantic. It's a production blog that will culminate with the release of my Cover EP, so check that out. That doesn't mean I will stop blogging here, no sir. I will try my BEST to manage both blogs, along with the ones that I have on the side. On the Rapping side of things, it has picked up quite a bit. I do have a few new songs with my cousin and one of my friend from my old rap group, so thats good. Also, Sequoia is coming back to cali, which is great, because I NEED my hair braided badly.

It's kinda odd to not blog for more than One Month and look back at all that has happened; It really makes you step back from your life to take stock on all that has been lost and gained; The bigger picture is often overwhelming to most not prepared to see it. I mean, to say you're going to do something is one thing; talk is cheap, as I have come to realize. It's another thing entirely to put into words things that have happened to you after they happened; feelings are different compared to before or after an event, such as the pain subsiding, or the love dwindling. I don't think people reflect on themselves enough. I know that I don't. I don't know how people reading this blog take the things I say: do they care? I just know that I often overwhelm myself after I go back and read a post that I wrote months ago. I realize that I am capable of so much more than anyone even said I could accomplish; I think I amaze myself, since my self-expectations are usually quite minuscule.

Anyway,with that said, I still have alot on my plate. The Numbers for both Nickasaur's EP and Call it a Draw's EP have not come in yet, and Flamboyant is now complete with his EP, and working on the finally assembly of his Mixtape. As for me, I have alot of work to do, both as AMAKESHIFTROMANTIC, and as just, Me.

Carpoolizms (and other isms....) Continued......

2008-04-11T09:20:00.000-07:00

I KNOW i said that i would finish the previous blog soon, so i really apologize, but TOO much has happened since then and now that I have to start a brand new post. I will, however, start where I left off:

After the session with Flamboyant, Chris and I caught a movie (although at this time, i forget which movie exactly) and from what i remember, I couldn't find a ride home from the movie house, so i walked. On Saturday, I recorded a song for my makeshift romantic outfit that was requested by someone, a cover of a bright eyes song that Im quite fond of. I'm not done, but of course, I'm going to post it anyway:

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Sunday was a work day.

From Monday, all the way to Friday, Flamboyant was in the studio, so we got a massive amounts of songs done, including several mixtape songs, as well as completed some unfinished songs for his album, including Touch N Go (wherein which I do my best Timbaland Impression). I'll post it when I have it on hand, but for now, take my word on the fact that they are Top Shelf stuff. Also, within that week I acquired Nickasaur officially onto my Itunes account, so thats great. As of the time I am writing this, his EP, Carry =On Monday!!! is currently processing and will be on Itunes within a matter of days, up 2 about a week and a half. I also made for him a beat for his cover of the Backstreet Boys' I Want It That Way:

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Nick really can produce and record himself; I simply answer any questions he has while looking like im actually doing something, Here's a song he produced and recorded himself this same week:

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Friday morn, I went with a friend to go out of town to visit another friend. I was there over the weekend, returning on Sunday to go to work. On Monday, I began working on a fall out boy cover for my A Makeshift Romantic outfit, which didnt take that long. Granted I didnt finish that day, but I still put it up on my Myspace, just for fun. I asked Chris to do the background vocals, suprisingly, he said yes. I also recorded Flamboyant. I recorded Flamboyant everyday this week, not to mention Chase on Wednesday (i'll post the song later). I also worked with an artist I havent worked with in a while, a girl named Ruth.

Ruth:

I met Ruth through Flamboyant's girlfriend Paige. I went out with the to the Hookah Bar one night, and I struck up conversation with her. Hailing from New Zealand, She now attends college out here. I also found out that she, in fact, sings. So ends that story.

Today, I recorded 2 songs with Flamboyant, and watched Street Kings with Chris. Great Flick, go watch.

When I got home, Chris sent me his part for the Cover Song.

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I like the way it turned out. And so, I sleep. But before I do, I must give a HUGE thanks for Flamboyant and my buddy Christian. Ever Since my Car stopped running, they have been my means of Transport. Thanks, guys, and see you tommorrow at the kegger at USC.....

Carpoolizms (and other isms....)

2008-04-03T08:35:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the lack of updates (to the six of you that DO, in fact read this.... and for the 3 of you who can actually READ). Busy is an understatement. I find myself doing about six to 10 songs a day, and often forgetting to sleep in between days. It sounds hectic, I know, but the odd thing is that it only sounds hectic when looking back on it. The fact that I do several genres of music gets tough sometimes, mostly because you forget which mode you're currently in. Granted, you are still you, but.... its hard to explain. I suppose the BEST way to explain it would be to say that although you use the same part of you're brain to make all those different types of music, you use different parts of that part of your brain. it that got confusing, then hey, welcome to my life. hmmm.... let us take the day back to last friday, due to lack of upates....

last friday, chris was in fact fortunate enough to join me on the adventure of the day, so that was good. Flamboyant recorded an old-skool inspired ditty, featuring both chris and myself, called think it thru:

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gotta leave... will finish later....

Gotta Love Public Transportation III: Transport with a vengance

2008-03-25T18:07:00.000-07:00

They say that walking and taking the bus builds character, not to mention help the walker/bus taker lose a decent amount of weight. Loads of bullocks. I suppose it did make me humble when I was forced to take the bus when my car decided to stop working, but as far as building character and losing weight, it did nothing. I toned up a bit, if toned means staying the same size and shape, except for the muscle pack building OVER the fat I already have. On top of that, summer is rearing is hot, sweaty, sunburned tanned head sooner than later, and I haven't lost one pound, which means when I hang out with my UFC friends and model friends, it will be 18 buff guys and ME. Last year didn't bode so well, since I felt the need to overcompensate for my, lets call it "fluffiness". Everyone was talking about swiming to the half mile bouy and back, making it a one mile swim. It didn't seem like that big of a deal. My friend Musa, who speciallizes in Judo and other mixed marital arts, was having cold feet about swimming. I, on the other hand, was totally game, and kept making fun of him, which made everyone else make fun of him. This pissed him off to no end, as its slightly embarrassing for a chubby man twice your size to challenge you to a swim, especially since he's WAYYYY more out of shape than you are. To be honest, it didn't seem like a hard swim at all. So, to get it over with, we decided to swim together, that way if one of us fell short, the other person could back him up. Bad idea. As soon as we started, I was regretting it every step of the way. At first, I really got a good stride going. It was a breeze, and I was making it look way too easy. By halfway to the bouy, Musa turned back, insisting that he was drowning. I kept going, since I was almost there. I looked back and saw my friends john and jeff join me. I reach the bouy, and started to swim back, and that's when I lost the stride. The tide was against me, and I started to panic. I paddled and kicked as hard as I could, and it seemed like I wasn't going anywhere. Just as I felt my legs lock, I saw the lifeguard come to get me. At least I made it halfway.

Anyways, until then, there's always music. And comfort food. But as far as music goes, it is the reason I'm on the bus right now; I'm sick of using a loner mic, so I'm off to get one for the home. Which means you will have to deal with more songs by me. HA. Right now, the plan for the week is this: thursday, chase will record his part for flamboyants songs, as well as several songs of his own. I will demo some hooks for unfinished songs he has, as well as songs for nick, and several other artists that I'm working with whose profile is much higher than mine (which means I'm not going to disclose any names). On top of that, I'm also going to work on songs for my AMR outfit, my hiphop album, AND my spoken word project. Busy. First things first. Off the bus I go.....

GoodByes (or Bad Byes, rather)

2008-03-23T04:01:00.000-07:00

I hate it when people leave. Especially people I care about, because whether you mean to or not, as soon as you care about someone or something, you save a small (or large, depending on the care factor; patent pending) place in your heart for them. When they leave (and they will, as people always leave), it leaves a hole in your heart. Thats my theory, anyways. I find it near impossible to love someone who isn't there, which is why long distance relationships are usually doomed from the moment the one person boards the plane. I dont think you will stop loving that person, I just feel that the absence of that person leaves a void thats really tough to fill. When my friend Jeff died, it left a whole so big, it still hasnt been filled up yet. And now, Seqouia is leaving for Las Vegas (although, by the time this post goes up, there's a good chance she could already be gone.) On account of whats happened in the past week (which I'd rather not get into) it's rather understandable, I just hate the fact that it's happening. It's so out of what I expected how this week would end, I just want to wake up and find out the WHOLE week never happened. But oh well. Like I said, people leave. This week was a busy one, and at the very least, on the music side, things were pretty good. Flamboyant and I redid some of his songs, doing a bang up job, I might add. Chase still need to add a middle verse on DIGITS, along with some choruses that need filling out, but other than that, we're very close to the completion of the album.

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Nickasaur has been doing pretty good on recording himself. He drops me a line every other day, sends me some songs, and then I master them. I've been talking to him about using the Fanboyz itunes account to sell his songs, and he sounds game, so thats great.

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Chris (aka Nonsenze, and the dork geniuz, to some) made a new song, and its great. The bad news is, hes real private and he doesnt want me to post it up, so if you want to hear it, and you have a quarterlife or myspace, and you just so happen to have his quarterlife and/or myspace, flood his page with the request of a song called "Who U laughin at" and you will not regret it ( I dont think.) his myspace is right here, his QL is here.

as for me, im just writing new songs for my A Makeshift Romantic outfit, as well as songs for my hiphop album, but, I may or may not post them, so.... yea. Hopefully, a better week tommorrow.

Twenty One

2008-03-14T15:40:00.000-07:00

This is a post that I posted on Quarterlife on my birthday....

Twenty One
Edit
March 5, 2008 at 02:34
I've been up for a while, so yesterday and today seem to be blending together rather nicely. I don't really see the use in birthdays, since today, i am no more mentally prepared for the future than i was yesterday, but the difference being that i can now buy booze, something everyone gets tired of right around the time we are allowed to buy said beverage. I've done my share of adolecent drinking to satisfy my thirst, at least for now. It's just good to know that I can always fall back on achoholism for the psedo-egoboost that I need to stumble through the day. I woke up on monday to a phone call from one of the artists that I work with, Nickasaur! (yes, for some reason, the exclaimation point is in his name), asking for a quick instrumental for a song cover he had in mind. He wanted to cover T-pain's "Lemme Buy U a Drank" (hookt on foniks must work for him), but to slightly change it, giving the song a lo-fi, game boy feel. This means, I had to make the entire backing beat from scratch, THEN change the instruments. No Problem. In fact, it was so fun I did a couple more; "Apologize" by OneRepublic, and "IceBox" by omarion:

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I then, went back to sleep. No significant thing happened that day. I awoke yesterday to another one of my artists waking me up to record a session. What resulted was I song that came out pretty good considering I made the entire thing in my PJs, including rap the last verse. (I'll post this when I load it on my PC). I also realized it was my busiest day of the week, because I had to meet with another artist, Darrell Baskin, to discuss his contract with me (just a simple recording agreement, nothing big). I also had to gloss the contract over with my Partner, who didnt quite understand the jargon, but since i was quarterbacking the deal, simply needed to know the basics. I then, went to the home studio to do two acoustic covers, both of which are on my quarterLife Page. After I finished, I realized I had been working all day and It was already wednesday. My Birthday. I proceeded to turn on my PC and blog about the last two days. And am still doing so....

Insurance Quotes from Your PC....

2008-03-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

I turned twenty one last Wednesday, and it was about time that I transferred everything that I am responsible into my name, since I'm all grown up now. The first thing that I decided to do was to transfer my car insurance into my name, but since I didn't have the credit my mom has, and since I've been in several accidents, I couldn't afford the insurance that my Mom was paying on my car. I decided to look up some online insurance quotes. Online, I was able to find the right type of insurance for my car. Now, all I have to do is fix the car (yikes). The next thing I need to do was to secure my new business and the studio space that I'm renting out, since I'm moving out as soon as possible (twenty one, remember?). On the same site I was able to look up both Business Insurance, which I discussed and approved with my business partner, and Renters Insurance for my new pad. The last thing that I need to make sure of was that, before I leave, I was SURE that my mom was taken care of. She has a terminal illness, so Long-term Care Insurance is a must. I looked up some quotes online, and printed them out for my mom to look over while I pack up my stuff. Thank goodness for the internet, and online insurance quotes.

Gotta Love Public Transportation 2: Transport Harder

2008-03-14T01:34:00.000-07:00

It seems I always find time to pen in this blog when I'm waiting for the bus, so I figure I'll post one up right now, while I'm doing exactly that. I can't help but apretieate the sudden surge of technology in the past 10 years that can allow me to type my blog, listen to my new tracks from the studio,email my PR guy& 2artists, chat with chris on yahoo, and ask my mom where I can take the bus at exactly where I am, all at the SAME TIME. Although I always hate to admit it, I depend on this device (my phone) so much, that every time it gets cut off, I lose my mind. It's like the scene in cast away when is on his raft thingy, and he loses that volleyball he talks to.

The craziest thing happened to me last Saturday. I was hanging out with my dad, something that I don't do much, but I want to do more of. We were going to go to a place that I hang out a lot, since, now that I'm 21, We can hang out like peers, more than just father and son. Before we left, he got a phone call. It seems that his friend, Al (who is a great guy, by the way), had some car trouble in LA, and needed a ride. My dad looked at me, and before he said anything, I knew what he was going to say. Never someone who turns away the chance to help someone, I say "Lets Go." I hop in the car and we high tail it to LA. When we get there, I checked the car out. It seems that there is a problem with the radiator. I put some fluid, but when we drive down the street, the car begins smoking. I check under the car, and realize that there was a leak. They get the car towed, and all is well. My dad and I decide to
call it night, so we hop on the freeway so he can take me home. On the freeway, a car zoomed right past us, swerved in front of us, slammed into the divider next to us and flipped over, RIGHT NEXT TO US. Had my dad not been paying attention, we would've been the car to that car in the same car wreck. That night, I hugged my mom tight and thanked God that I made it home safe.

Anyway, since I haven't blogged in a while, here's what's going on with me and some of the projects I have been following on this blog:

Flamboyant:

He's probably the most consistent artist that I work with right now. Every week, we record at least 2 times a week. Since I last blogged, he's finished at least 5 songs, which I will put up once I get home (you can usually check my quarterlife page for those, because I usually post those WHILE I'm at the studio on that page). He's pretty much done with the bulk of his album proper, so we are just working on mastering, final mixing, and album order. While that's being worked on, We will also work on a mixtape for us to pass out at the show on the 27th. He has a slew
of songs he didn't put on the album that he wants to put on the mixtape, along with three songs he made specifically for the mixtape.

Nickasaur!:

He has a big show coming up, so I have to figure out the easiest way to trigger autotune in realtime. I have several ways to do it, nut I have to figure out the easiest way for him. I sold him an external audio recording setup, and taught him how to best use it. Since then, his home studio quality has gotten WAY better.

Chase AO:

When working with Chase, you really have to take what you can get. Granted, he is a great artist, and I dont take that away from him at all. But sometimes his schedule is so busy, he can't always make it to every session. The last time he came was the last time I posted about him in my blog, so no songs were made with him.

As for the rest, I'll continue this in my next blog, seeing as I'm already home and tired from walking....

A & R Crib Notes

2008-03-06T02:40:00.001-08:00

I've been blogging on this site for a good month and some change now, and finally, on my birthday, I receive my FIRST COMMENT!!!! Its kinda sad how excited I am about ONE comment; it's like when a dog pees all over itself when someone new comes to visit. It was a comment from my dear friend Marianne, and the comment goes as follows:

Rather than leaving a comment on each and every blog that I find interesting, I figure it'll be easier to just ramble on the newest blog. Convenient, ain't it? Hahahah. Okay. First off, I feel incredibly stupid for saying this, but you're an incredible writer! In the year+ I've known you (damn, crazy huh?), I've never really taken notice to it. But whatever, at least I have your blog to read at my leisure now :] Here goessss! The ramblings of Marianney.

1. There was one entry where you mentioned your dear SK. Hahahahaha, remember how sad I'd get when we were on the freeway and it'd make that sound? "bloop bloop blooooooop" It sounded like death :[
2. Valentine's Day. Remember last year? With the brownies? And the Amoeba adventure? Dinner with your dad? Yay for memories.
3. Ok, so this is really random. But I'm sort of interested in becoming an A&R, as a side job thing. And I have NO idea where to start. Since you're already in the music business, would you be able to help me with that?

Lastly, happy birthday. It was exactly one year ago when all of us saw The Zodiac. Cuh-raaaazy how fast time flies.

Thanks, Marianne for the comment. Now comes the part of the show where we (meaning me) answer the "fan" mail (I'm using that term very loosely). So you wanna be an A&R? First know, that the letters stand for Artist & Repertoire .Here's a nice little tidbit; Before the release of their album Infinity On High, the band Fall Out Boy told sources a potential title for one of the tracks on the album would be "You Can't Spell Star Without A&R". The track title didn't make it; instead the track was titled "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race," which is the album's lead single. This job title is very broad and has many duties that are attched to it, so I'm going to let the monster of knowledge that is WIKIPEDIA.COM explain is slightly better:

In the music industry, Artists and Repertoire (A&R) is the division of a record label company that is responsible for scouting and artist development. It is the link between the recording artist/act and the record label, generally to help with the artistic and commercial development of the label's artists. An A&R person is often required to handle contractual negotiations, find songwriters and record producers for the act, and schedule recording sessions. In the UK, before the rise of the record producer, the A&R Manager would oversee recording sessions and assume responsibility for making creative decisions relating to the recording.
Part of their duties includes keeping contact with their counterparts in music publishing companies to get new songs and material from established songwriters. Contrary to common belief, it is not one of the A&R department's main jobs to sort through the plethora of demo tapes sent by hopeful musicians to the label. A&R departments at major labels in the USA typically only accept solicited demos, or ones from business contacts with which they are familiar. However, major labels outside the USA and many independent labels still accept unsolicited demos.

I'm assuming that she wants to be an A&R for an indie label, so I'm going to gloss over that briefly. Unlike big labels, this job title at an indie label includes sorting through unsolicited demos, which can lead to some amazing finds. If not for having to do this, I would not have found an artist that I'm working with right now, Nickasaur, and my intern Bernadette (who is more like an A&R in training) would not have led me to the prodigy that is Darrell Baskin. My intern surfs the web on a daily basis scouring myspace and other sites looking for raw talent. She literally searches for talent with a distinct sound that she feels would be a perfect match for my writers and producers (who are chris and I). As far as the contracts, though Chris and I usually handle that part of the job ourselves, our intern delivers contracts if we are tied up with sessions or meetings. Now, if you want to BE an A&R, you have to have a very good idea of how the Industry works, not to mention plenty of connections; Talent is no good if you can't pair it with a winning production team and decent writers, because let's face it; not all the acts out can write for themselves, and hardly any produce for themselves anymore. I recommend going to the Library and borrowing the following books, if you can find them:
All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald S. Passman
This Business of Music Marketing and Promotion, Revised and Updated Edition (Hardcover)
by Tad Lathrop

Also, These sites are sites A&Rs go to often for tips and to discover fresh talent:
http://www.crazedhits.com/
http://www.aandronline.com/

Listen to the radio often, and see whats popular. Also, see what the radio is missing from a commerical standpoint, and try to find acts that are both new & fresh, but still have a stong enough following to sell a massive amounts of records, because the sad truth is that the Music Industry is an Industry: there is not industry without cashflow.

I hope that answers your Question. Till next time folks....

Birthday Blog

2008-03-05T03:11:00.000-08:00

I figure since I've been spending a rediculous amount of time on quarterlife, I should just post my portfolio here, since it not only has everything I am currently working on (the sole purpose of this blog) but also, it has a blog for today that I wrote, and I figured, instead writing the blog twice, just post this. Btw, today is the day of my birth. mazel tov. To go to my Quarter Life Page, Click Here.

QuarterLife

2008-03-02T13:58:00.000-08:00

I honestly don't frequent Myspace that often. When I am on Mypsace, its just to check my messages and stuff; the basics. I was on about 4 days ago (about the same date as the last time I posted here) when I saw the ad (well, I think it qualifies as an ad; the reason I'm sketchy about it is because you don't really buy anything as an end result, except for buying into whatever they're saying) for QuarterLife, A web show from the creators of My So-Called Life. I was actually a fan of that show, so I was in fact semi-curious, but I never really got into any web shows too much, so I was a bit skeptical. I clicked the trailer that was made for it, just to get a feel. I spent that first day (at its ENTIRETY i might add) going through the entire 33 episode series and still fiending for more. I was addicted. I went to the studio, and all I could think about was the show. It was agonizing. I went home, and THANKFULLY, there was another fresh, episode. It didn't last, though, since the web episode are only 6 to 15 minutes long. I wanted more still, so I went on the quaterlife website. I found that the site featured in the show (the show is about a girl who blogs on a site called, of course, QuarterLife ) actually exists. I'm assuming that the site was built in lieu of the show, but is was fully functional, not like some other show based sites (i.e. Freakylinks). Quarterlife is a hybrid of all the sites our demographic (18-25, hence the name Quarter-life) such as myspace, facebook, youtube, and your average blogging site (like this one.) They somehow managed to roll all those into one website. At first, it seemed like some kind of Myspace clone, but as I delved further into it, It was more than that. It is essentially more of a springboard for artists, photographers, musician, writers, and more. It revolves around a portfolio of media that you put together to display to the public. You can show up to 25 pieces of work, but the folder you store your work in has unlimited space. you can also export your portfolio and embed it on myspace or facebook. I've Been working on music, but sadly, I've been too caught up on quarterlife to blog here. but I promise, more posts soon. Until then, Look me up on quarterlife by clicking HERE.

Tabletop Gaming Classic Gone Digital? Chance For FREE swag??? Indeed, Indeed....

2008-03-02T11:46:00.000-08:00

Warhammer: Age of Rekoning is a highly anticipated upcoming online game based on the tabletop game sensation Warhammer Fantasy. It's been in development since early 2004, and now that the game is on the verge of release, warhammergamers.com is holding a contest! The Instructions are simple: To enter, simply register on the forums.Every post or reply you make will get you an entry in the raffle. To make it even sweeter, Every thread you make will get you two entries in the raffle. The way it works is this; at the contest's end, every thread and the post's ID will be entered at random.org. The first 23 posts of the list will be the winners. Naturally, the first three posts will win the three grand prizes. PRIZES?? Oh, what are the prizes, you ask? There will be THREE grand prizes and Twenty runner-up prizes. The prizes are as follows: The first three winners will get an EVGA GeForce 8600GT graphics card. If the winners of the graphics card do not want the graphics card, they can choose 5 months subscribtion to WAR instead (which is still, a pretty sweet deal). The twenty runner-ups will get a 2 month subcription to WAR. To register, go to Warhammer Online Forum.

Finally!! Work Done!!

2008-02-27T21:17:00.001-08:00

Today was an extremely busy day, but a fufilling one as well. Yesterday, I spent the end of the night and the beginning of today working on Coya's Book, which we have tenatively caled Remedy. We were working on the book until 6 in the morning. The night before, I decided to sleep over, but I didn't know that I would hardly do any sleeping. My friend Leandre, who I used to be in a rap group with ages ago, dates Coya's roommate, Melody. He came to Coya's house yesterday to sleep over. Just as we were finishing up the book work, he gets up for work, which tells me that its 6 in the morning. I begin to watch 40 Year Old Virgin but decide to trade it in for The Holiday. I fall asleep, and awake at 10:00 am. It was quite a bummer that I awoke at 10, since I was planning on arriving at my destination at 10. It didnt really matter to me, though, because my main concern was to finish a chapter in the book with Coya. We left the house at 12, and got to the bookstore at 1. Chris was there, applying for a job (a Job I feel he is not only totally suited for, but also a total shoo-in for.) We sat at the coffehouse portion of the bookstore that all bookstores as big as the one we were in (a two-story monster of a bookstore) had built-in as customary. We worked shortly on the book, basically changing what Coya had wrote previously as first-person into third-person (one of the many drastic changes we had made the night before). Around 2, I called Flamboyant to see if he wanted to have a session (I was expecting a no). He said that he would only have a session if Chase would come. Shit. I then called Chase to see if he would decide to grace us with his presence. Suprisingly, he not only said yes,but he was also ready to leave before we were. After I gave the good news to Flamboyant, and we caught the bus to my house. I called Flamboyant as soon as we got to my casa and he picked us up within a matter of minutes. We then decided to wait for Chase when we arrived to the studio. Chase arrived not too long after, and added a chorus to "Ride or Die":

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Chase also worked on two songs today; the somber dear-john letter that is Sorry Old Love:

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And the powerhouse single "Keep on Chasin" Produced by Kevin "K-Mac" Macall (He is a beast indeed):

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while I was doing all this, Coya and I were comepleting a Chapter in Remedy. After the session, everything in the day seemed well worked out...... Thank God.

Money For Your Blog?? I Think So....

2008-02-27T20:54:00.000-08:00

I saw something on Myspace about making money for posting blogs, and I automatically thought it was probably a scam. However, since I was slight in need a cash flow solution, I checked out the ad (I didn't have much to lose at that point). When I clicked on PayPerPost.com, I quickly realized that not only was the operation one hundred percent legitimate, but I only had opportunity to gain; I mean, money for posting my reviews on things? It takes the phrase "a penny for your thought" to a whole new level. All I had to do was sign up, and I was in business. When I first signed up, my blog was not eligible; to qualify for membership, your blog must be at least 30 days old, and the blog MUST have at least ten existing posts. I still had some ways to go at the time, being that I only had my blog for 24 days and there was only 9 posts up. What I loved about the site was that despite the fact that I still could not blog for money, I could still use the referral tools on the site to make money.They also had very useful tips and tools on how to maximize the PPP experience. I checked my Email not long ago, and found that I am now accepted into the PPP experience! I know that the money made from PayPerPost will go to improving the site, such as paying for a decent domain.Now that I am accepted as a Postie on PayperPost.com, I strongly recommend the service to anyone willing to post their opinion!

payperpost

PoppyCOCK

2008-02-26T02:33:00.000-08:00

I know that I said that I was going to work on Music today. I also said I was sick. Today, the latter statement took over the day, as I woke up at two in the afternoon.Although I DID write some lyrics to an older Folk melody I made some time ago, I didn't demo it, so I won't post it up until I do. I felt like a sweaty ballsack as I bombed around the living room. I know that for the past two days I've been totally noncontructive, but I have the fucking flu; cut me a modicum of slack, especially since I worked on more creative things today, but I'll get to that later. I figured out a new snack to cook when I have a sack of potatoes laying around the kitchen ( it's also something that I should have figured out how to cook my first 2 years of college). All i did was chop up mini red potatoes, season it with seasonings (duh) add some special hot sauce (not telling) and a tablespoon of butter. I then ...... this shit is boring, so I won't continue, but it was REAL good. After, I wrote some poetry, more lyrics, and fell asleep with a pen in my hand. The problem was, I fell asleep FACEFIRST. Thank God I didn't poke an eye out, but I wrote all over my face. An hour later, I contacted the booking manager for the Rhythm Lounge; I figure if I wasn't going to make music, I should at least get a head start on some business stuff. I also realized that I lost my MP3 player, which sucks, cuase my whole life is on there, at least musically. Hopefully I find it soon, but if not, I guess I have to start from scratch. I also contacted Darrell Baskin about recording an EP for the show. We can also sell it on itunes. He gave it a go. I sent in the ITunes application for distrubution and Sent the news to Chris. He was onboard, but had slight reservations about some of the ways that I handled things with Darrell and itunes, but all was resolved quickly. I rocked the 'Tube for a bit and found this cute video about a little girl who sums up the original Star Wars movie to the best of her ability:

adorable.I talked to my dad shortly, and check his blog to find that he has written a Post!! Way to go, dad. After, Seqouia called me. She has offfically made me co-author of her book that she is writing, so I stay on the phone with her until 2 in the morning. We have a good foundation for the story, so to keep working on the book, I set up a blog that only her and I can access to dump random ideas in. After I hang up with her, I settle in to watch some quarterlife ( ive become obsessed with the web show from its first episode due to the writers strike) and now, I will watch a few more quarterlifes and turn in. Tommorrow, I have Chase coming to the studio (I hope) and a session with Flamboyant, followed by One Tree Hill, and me going to Coya's house to sleep over so we can go to Barnes and Noble the next day.

Sick on Oscar Sunday....

2008-02-25T03:48:00.000-08:00

I feel like shit today.... Well I did when I woke up. When you wake up at noon, you know that you don't do much of anything, because at that point, you basically pissed your whole day down the drain (assuming you pee in the shower). Officially the first day in the week I didn't work on "official" music (because I dicked around with some beats, but nothing much to merit a post up), I decided to flip on the tube (the TV, not the other tube that resides on the web, and is shorthand for youtube) and catch the Oscars. I'm a huge Movie buff, and when I'm not making music, I'm usually bitching and moaning about who fucked up what script that whichever dickhead decided to option into a movie but couldn't stay true to whatever comic it adapted on the Internet (cause I'm a fucking Internet Nerd). Nothing too eventful, or at least surprising; everyone I thought was going to win, did, so I didn't get as worked up as I normally do about the show. This all is thanks largely in part to the fact that no shitty movie made it on the ballot, which wasn't hard because there were only a few shitty movies out last year (none come to mind as of now, which is probably for the best, because if I start, I doubt I'll stop). Today is also the last day of the week I don't work on music; I start back up bright and early tomorrow (or later today, seeing as its 4 in the fucking morning). I still have to write a verse and hook for Flamboyant's song from 2 blogs ago, " And That's Why", not to mention about 9 other incomplete songs in his docket. I still have YET to finish the two Nickasaur songs, not to mention pick up the other half of the money owed to me from said artist. I'm not a mean asshole, so if he doesn't have the money, it's no big deal (until Wednesday, when I send Little Big Jonnie 2tone to Break his legs as a warning). I also have to meet with Flamboyant about A.) The Rhythm Lounge show, and B.) The track list for his still unnamed CD.

As the Oscars wind down, I get hungry, Bake up some breaded fish, and my phone rings. Flamboyant is antsy and wants to hit the Hookah Bar. I'm sick from all the walking in the rain and buses during unspeakable hours (see other blogs), but I go anyway. We Choose to frequent Exhale, on 7th and Broadway in Long Beach. We go at least 4 times a week, cause we like the place and the owner is cool and treats us like actual people instead of a Revenue. I highly recommend it to anyone who is in the Area and wants a place to just relax in a calm environment, but doesn't want to stay home. We meet several girls there whom we've seen and talk to before. One is real cute, so I opt to get to know her better (she's probably reading this and regretting it right now). I'm single, but I doubt that many girls can deal with my schedule, much less the fact that I'm in a steady relationship with my Music. I know for a fact my last girlfriend sure didn't, and I don't think I can be with a girl who can't respect that, so if that girl is reading this, and does regret it, I don't take much offense to that (To be honest, no Chubby Guy can; not that we don't want to, it's just that we have no choice: we're fat). after about 2 hours, we leave and I come home. I set up more things on the site (such as the pics on the sidebar; now you can put faces to the names I blog about.) I also find this adorable vid of this little kid singing "Hey Jude" by the Beatles :

I'm also completely ENAMORED by Kina Grannis. Many Might know her as the Digg Girl, and she also won the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl Contest. I love her original material AND covers, and although Im sure that with the record contract she won from the contest she will not need someone to record her, I would love to work with her in the near future, either as a producer or a writer:

As I am tired, I'm off to 4 hours of sleep... Wheeeeeeeeeee..........

Home From The Coffee Shop

2008-02-24T03:29:00.000-08:00

I usually don't post two consecutive posts with such a small time gap between them, but whatever. I was able to get a ride from my sister's friend Anna-Lynn (thanks a thrid time, by the way) to my house, instead of going to Chris's house. I figured it would save me less trouble in the morning. When I got home, I took a mean shower; I had been walking all day and I was almost positive I smelled like ass (which is not good). After said shower, I got to work on several marketing prospects for Darrell Baskin, the Guitar Player from the previous post. I finished my chat with my i tunes Rep, and then proceeded to add the review (if you could call it that) to the other site I help maintain, Critics Without a Clue, a brand new review blog (Yes, It's the same one started by my father who hardly knows a keyboard from a mouse, but don't give me any shit). I figure that since my dad is trying to apply for PayPerPost (Yes, that was a shameless plug for PayPerPost.com, home of all your Paid Blogging needs - and there's another one) so I might as well help him a bit, that way, when he gives me shit about not paying the phone bill, I can always bring it up. Plus free publicity, so Booyah. After that, I work on an Instrumental for a cover that I'm working on for my A Makeshift Romantic outfit, which is A Click Five's "Empty":

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Its still rough, but as always, I post up everything that I'm working on, this included. I also spiffed up the site a bit more, adding a AIM widget (yay). Since I am always online thanks to the mighty power of my SideKick, you can always talk to me from there. If its offline, that means my phone is dead. The AIM widget is on the sidebar, along with everything else. I also added the link to the review site, Critics Without A Clue (Shameless Plug, Deux). Now, I (finally) sleep.

Stranded @ the Coffee Shop

2008-02-24T00:53:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting at a cafe at ten in the evening, sipping on an unpronounceable mocha drink, soon to be followed by an Arnold palmer. My stomach aches in a fashion that makes me regret the two drinks I just bought, whilst my eyes scan the establishment for a restroom. I'm tired, my feet ache, and I have no ride back to the house. Half of my brain is is telling me that this trip was a bad fucking idea. The other half is directing my eyes to the stage. Darrell Baskin is one half of the Band Alpha Moda. He's a guitar player, and he's pretty damn good. He starts off with a guitar only instrumental called "breaking down". It was fast, rhythmic, solid. His next song, "el blugeonaro" is a Latin-inspired standoff style powerhouse, also sans lyrics. His ballad following that, "sleep well, dream pretty" is a smooth, coffeehouse lullaby that is raw with emotion as much as it is very well written with a nice guitar solo at its peak, and easily my favorite song in his set thus far. He emotes well, responds great with his audience, and is an absolute solid investment. "Deliverance", a pick-me-up song about the calm after the storm, has all the charm that comes with being in his genre of music (I.e. John Mayer, Jason Mraz, etc.) With a flare that I only see in certain types of people. His structure of his songs seem to mirror a Mikal Blue type of format, but is surprisingly full of depth sonically, especially since this performance is an acoustic only set.
He also played some very well chosen cover songs, starting with Coheed and Cambria's "Mother Superior". I am a huge Coheed fan, and I think he really pulled off the song, so Kudos to him for that. He seems to have a pretty strong following, which is great and makes my job easier, because at this point, I'm way past determining whether or not I want to work with him, and I'm already trying to figure out a fucking marketing plan. I've already emailed i tunes some starter info, and he hasn't even finished his set yet. He then proceeded to play a cover by City in color, followed by a poem he wrote, which gets me to want to feature him on my spoken word project. His last song, the name I missed, is a wonderfully teary ballad with a soulful bridge and all the makings of a second single. Many thanks go to Bernadette, my trusty intern for giving me the heads up on this guy. But I'm sold, and ready to record him this very instant. As I try to bum a ride to Chris's house, I now know that this trip was fully worth it.

Gotta Love Our Public Transit System

2008-02-22T23:42:00.000-08:00

I am currently on the bus, running errands for the family, kicking myself in the ass for not taking better care of my car. Yesterday, Chase no-showed AGAIN. Oh well. Instead, Flamboyant and I worked on 3 songs; 2 of his and 1 of mine. We finished the verses he needed for "And That's Why", the slow, incomplete song I posted on my last blog. Its still incomplete, but at least He completed all his verse. Now to Write the hook and a last verse for it. Shit.

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I added a verse to my song, "strugglin", a song I started sometime last year. Its been a while since I sat down and wrote an entire song that I perform myself. I have to be going through something to warrant a session. Otherwise, I'll simply lay a verse on someone elses song. But, in times like these, I need to express myself or explode.

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The last song was the second song Flamboyant ever recorded ( which is proof that he hasn't been doing it long, because he used the Game's "wouldn't get far" beat on this song). He basically did his own version of the song, berating all his former lovers. I have a verse on this as well, but only talk about one girl. He redid his two verses, and finally added the chorus, completing the longest song he has had incomplete.

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I then went home, bullshitted for about an hour, then took the bus to the moviehouse where I caught a showing of a movie I had already seen (step up 2 the streets). Bad idea, because after the flick, I tried to catch the bus home, but to no avail; the last bus had already left without me. I make a beeline to chris's house, where I dried off (it was raining balls that night - further proof that the movie was a bad fucking idea) and made a beat sampling Citizen Cope's "Mr. Officer", then knocked out.

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In the morning, I caught the bus back to the house, bombed around for 2 hours, then jumped back on our trusty public line to go to San Pedro to hang out with my Other friend Chris. As soon as I jump on the bus, I noticed a familiar face on board. My friend Sequoia was on her way to work. Coya is a remarkable mess of a soul (and I mean that in the most endearing way, although she probably won't see it that way) and with her, there is never a dull moment. Although we never got romantic, I often compare girls I am dating to her. If I had a girl like her, I think I would be satisfied. I would never be as foolish as to actually attempt to persue her, though. I thing that I have come to learn about Sequoia is that I'm not her type, and I'm damn glad of that. Lord knows how badly that would have gone, but make no mistake, I love her to death. After she got off, I proceeded to my stop, got off, got on another bus, and then proceeded to Chris the dos (as I will call him) and talked busines with him. Then, Im taking the bus back , and here I am. You've probably noticed a couple of changes, such as the PayPerPost in the sidebar, and a new link. As far as the PayPerPost, what can I say; I'm a whore for extra doe.Also, BIG news. I actually have a PHONE NUMBER for this blog! Thats Right folks. You can call me and leave messages about the post without having to write anything. I even forwarded it to my cell phone, so on the good days, I might even pick up and talk for a while. I will post up messages left for everyone to hear, unless you request it to Be Private. To call me, simply click the Button on the sidebar that says CALL ME!; sometimes, especially if im busy, I'll put it on voicemail, but ill usually pick up. But yeah, I'm gonna post this up and go home.

Catching up with Myself Pt. 2: Electric Boogaloo

2008-02-21T13:31:00.001-08:00

I've had a busy past two days. I know I always say that, but unfortunately its always true. I really want to update this blog everyday, and I would, if not for said busy schedule. And since the bus (for the time being) is considerably slower that most forms of transportation, I continue to be busy. Sigh. Oh fucking well. Yesterday, Chase flaked out on the session we had planned, which was a real bummer because A.) Flamboyant needed him (and Kevin, for that matter) to lay down some hooks for songs that he (and me, since I'm in one of them) worked on prior to their supposed arrival, and B.) I don't see Chase much anymore, and he's just a nice cat to hang out with. Nevertheless, we got some songs out of the way (sort of; they still have no chorus, and one is only one verse still):

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share your files at box.net

Well, Chase is supposed to come to the studio today, so we'll see how that pans out. Also, some more semi-bad news. The person who originally gave me my domain (my dad) now wants to start his own blog, so he wants to split it with me, so when you go to notjustpoetry.com, click on streetsyde musings (or rather the squiggly microphone that represents my site). Anyways, after I finish Amir's session, I get dropped off at my old Catholic school (and current Church; despite all the sailor-like swearing, I promise, I'm still a decent Catholic, if there is such a thing, lol). There is a Filipino Healer at the Chruch, and my Mom (who is Terminally ill) and my sister went to the service. I try my best to sit through it, but couldn't. I don't know. It just all seemed too Televangelical. So, after that odd array of mixed feelings, I caught the bus to the movies and saw Definitely, Maybe with Chris (not I'm not gay). It was good; real fucking good actually, so much so, that I almost cried ( I swear, I'm not gay). At that point it was 1 in the morn, so we walked to his house, I showed him some beats I had worked on, and likewise. Around 4, we went to Denny's (on foot, for I still have no car), and after he went home, and I went to the bus stop, where I waited till 6:30 for a bus to take me home. I then slept, moved my pathetic excuse for a car to the opposite side of the street (cleaning day) and got on the horn with Chase to double check if we were still on for today. After I confirmed, I helped my mom get ready for the doctors, saw her off, and tugged my Weewee off to the latest downloaded porn that I have. Which brings me to the present day. Excuse me while I do some more tugging.

Snowball Effect

2008-02-19T20:35:00.000-08:00

I really, REALLY want to be the glass half full kind of guy, but with the way shit is going for me, unless that glass is a shot glass half full of fucking liquor, it ain't really gonna cut it. On Monday, My car finally gave me its last "fuck you" as it refused to start. For good, this time. Shit. I had to pay things to people with no means of movement (other than these poor fucking excuses for feet), and as far as I could see, I was screwed, royally at that. Oh well. After I got things done the only way I knew how (by panicking and sucking cock - minus the sucking cock part) I plopped down on my bed, exhausted. At least I have my Music. Which brings me to the shining light at the end of this collapsing fucking tunnel; Flamboyant and I may have a show at the Rhythm Lounge in Long Beach sometime in the near future. To celebrate this pseudo-victory (fuck you guys, I need to be happy about something) I'm going to post 2 Flamboyant songs that I'm both in; One Complete and one incomplete:

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share your files at box.net

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Also, I've been slacking BIGTIME on Nickasaur's songs (something I really apologize for) and I am slowly but surely getting back on track. Here's what I have so far on his song heart disease (it may not seem like much difference than last week, but if you listen closely, you can tell):

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Also, as of tommorrow, I have another person on that List of people that I'm working with:

Chase A.O: I've known Chase for a while now. I met Chase at my high school through Kevin. He is one of those rappers who can appear to have both massive street cred and major comerical marketability. He used to be a tad on the hefty side, but after alot of training and disipline, he now looks like a fucking Tyson Beckford with a fade. I haven't worked with him since before I started this blog, but tommorrow, I expect to put some work in. Here's an old track I did with him, produced by Kevin (which proves that the dude is a fucking prodigy, and would be totally wasted - Sorry, bro, but I'm just speaking the truth - if he pursued football):
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I got a big day ahead of me, so Goodnight, folks.

SleepLogged, But Still Standing....

2008-02-17T01:54:00.000-08:00

Wow, alot of shit in just the past few days..... First, I am now an Author on a new blog, the Geekz were Here, with many thanks to Darko-Kun for giving me that chance. If you have time, mosey on over there and check out my post on Indiana Jones 4. Now for the Bad News (not for you guys, cause you're not me or Chris): The PenHeadz Contract fell through, so we wont be recording them anymore, so that day was a complete waste of time. No love lost on Kevin's behalf though (thanks for tryin, buddy.) I also am still working on Nickasaur's Two songs, one of which is still at the workplace, the other I have posted the UNFINISHED product here ( I might start doing this regularly when I work on projects; it lets the artist know where I am in the project, and it lets my trusty readers know I dont just sit on my ass updating blogs all day.)

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I'll only post the blue download button when the song is complete. I also started an Audio Tutorial Site. Keep In Mind it won't only deal with Digital Audio, but analog Audio as well (DJing, etc.) so yay for me. And lastly, feel free to notice the slight tweaks I've made to this site ( the links, the easy access to the podcast, etc. ) And more to come, when I wake up in a week or so....ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Happy Valen...... You all suck.

2008-02-14T03:34:00.001-08:00

I know I should be all Lovey Dovey; after all, it IS Valentines Day, right? Fuck that. I'm single, and today is just another reminder of that. So, instead of acting all mushy and shit, i decided that today, im gonna watch a bunch of new movies and work on music, since those two things are in fact what I actually love. I am posting in the wee hours of the morning because I spent the first hour of the day working with Flamboyant on a joint for his still unnamed mixtape.

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We had an interesting discussion about BabyFace and his role in shaping the state of modern R&B (We have to talk while we drive to the bar, due to the fact that he blew out his stereo. Boo.) When we got to the bar, we parked in the lot, and recorded right there in the car. To be honest we do it often, but not as much as we used to, and suprisingly, it comes out rather good.

I'm also spending the day working on Nickasaur's Powerpop version of Chris Browns "With You" ( I would post it, but its not yet done.) I'm also working on the Penheadz treatment demo that we recorded on Monday (same reason for not posting as the previous song).

I also spent it spiffing up the page to the way you see it now. I ALSO have a NEW DOMAIN FOR THIS PAGE!!!! yay. The new address for this page is: www.notjustpoetry.com. I know I havent posted up any poetry yet, but I will. I am also in the process of getting a wordpress (yet another blog type site) so I can just dump all my poetry this, and then Link it Here. So, fuck V day (of Course, having said this, I'll probably meet some cute girl at the bar and have a good one after all.)

Soooooo Busy, Folks.....

2008-02-13T10:21:00.000-08:00

I apologize for not really updating much, and i swear there have been certain instances where I was INDEED updating the blog on the road, even so much so do have about 3 or four pages of stuff ( if i was writing it on paper....REALLY small) and then my fucking phone, as if to taunt me and say, " HAHAHA, you depend on me SOOOOO much, so just to fuck with you, im gonna go BLOOOOOP!" and then it shuts down. well anyway, I have been real busy working on shit for so many people, so lets go down the list:

PenHeadz Writing Team: Ive known my friend Kevin for quite some time now, and I recorded him numerous timesover the years. I met him in high school after getting kicked out of my previous (and catholic) high school. I was in choir, and so was he. I didnt hang out with many people, seeing as I just got there, but he was cool, but I never heard him sing by himself. I knew he played football, and judging by the people would talk about him, he was pretty fucking good. Because of this, I thought that he just took choir to get credits so he could play college ball. One day, (the same day hefound out that i could rap) I found out that he could sing.Well.Very Well. So, over the years, starting from that day in my 10th grade year, I've recorded most of his work. On Sunday, he asks me to call him for a business proposition. I found that odd, since I always recorded him pro bono ( I hardly ever charge people that I feel are super talented and I know are gonna pay me back somehow, whether it be monetary or another favor-- in this case, it was both). I called him back, and found out that he finally joined a writing team. Lorianna, another person I knew from my high school days, had a writing team called PenHeadz, along with two other people. And Kevin makes 4. He offered a paying job, and I accepted. On Monday, we worked. Hard.

Check Them Out Right Here, and don't forget to click on my friend Kevin (K-Mac)

Flamboyant: I've know Amir for a long time now. Since Kindergarten, we've been really close friends. Aside from him, I only still talk to 3 other people from back then, and none of them as much as him. We lost touch when I stopped going to catholic school, but we caught up with each other in 2006. At the end of that year, he reached out to me, and said he wanted to talk to me about something and invited me to a party at USC. He had been in a band, but wanted something more, and he expressed to me that he wanted to rap. I said okay, and that I would try him out over one song. That one song turned into thirty one songs, and what started as a one-time project has turned into the greatest addiction he has ever had. Yesterday we worked. Hard.

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share your files at box.net

Check Him out on Myspace by Clicking Here

Nickasaur: I've known my sister's friend Nick for a long time. My sister went to the same school I went to, but the difference is, while I was kicked out, she simply declined to go ( I forgot to mention- due to the fact that it is slightly embarrassing- that this catholic school spans from K all the way to 12 grade.) I havent spoke to nick in a while, and when I saw him after awhile, I was suprised. To be honest, the kid reminds me of myself in many ways: loves music but doesn't know where to carve his place in it, mad creative and knows how to express himself, and a little goofy. The only difference is the size factor; he's the Gilligan to my Skipper (cause he's skinny and I'm fat, not cause we're fags on an island), or the Gale to my Oprah (cause he's skinny and I'm fat, not cause we're closet lesbians.) He AIMed me (cause, due to the rapid advancement of technology, AIMed is a word now) because he had a question about recording. He asked me to check him out on his Myspace, and I must say, I was pretty flippin impressed, so much so that I VOLLUNTEERED to work on his music.He has a Powerpop sound that I really dig. As I'm Posting this blog, I'm working on his music. Hard.

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share your files at box.net

share your files at box.net

share your files at box.net

Check out his page here

This list and the ever Expanding FANBOYZ COLLECTIVE (my writing/production team) list of things-to-do, plague me, so.... WHEEEEEEEeeeee.....

The podcast subscription Link (Finally)

2008-02-04T02:41:00.000-08:00

Click the Below Links And Enjoy!!!
(Note: The Sin Bin Promo is NOT my Podcast; It just showed up and I can't take it out, so please IGNORE it.)

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Catching Up with Myself.....

2008-02-03T20:52:00.000-08:00

I've been busy setting up things to connect this blogspot to my Myspace, my imeem, plus finding a spot to host the audio and video podcasts that I have been doing. I FINALLY (almost) finished editing the first podcast I did, which is a review of movies that came out at the end of last year, which I will post almost immediately after posting this (so, pretty much, after you read this, or even while reading this, you can check it out.) My next one will be longer, and will be allot more thought out (this one was pretty much a fucking mess), and will be about movies I watched last month, up to movies I saw this fine month of February. Since I am always working, whether as a drone disguised as a forklift driver in our wonderful blue collar retail industry, or in the studio as a producer, writer, engineer, or a million one other jobs I stumbled onto (but still do a pretty damn good job at), the days just fly right on by, so when I realized that one whole month of this new year had already passed, I realized that I have been putting off too many things I originally intended on doing quite soon, but always put off as something that I can do tomorrow. Well fuck that. I’m not getting younger (or skinnier; I look like a fucking Gandolfini stand-in compared to before Holiday break), and I had allot of things jotted down on that ever-growing to-do list. Here’s a hefty sample of the list:

Lose Weight: I mean, who DOESN’T have this on their to-do list? But really, I wasn’t pushing three bills before November, so this guy in the mirror is looking pretty damn sad.

Finish Rap Album: For something that I started working on when I was still in high school, it’s about fucking time I close this up. I’m not going to stop rapping; I don’t think I could do that, even if I gave it a serious try, but I will feel more at ease with everything else that I’m doing, i.e. the indie album that I’m working on. I know that those two genres are considerably on opposite sides of the spectrum from one another, but for some reason, those are the two genres that I readily identify with. I will always and forever love hip-hop, for both what it used to be, and for the possibility of what it can become (and maybe become again). It is part of who I am, instilled in me from a young age due to where I come from and I love every aspect of it.

Complete “A Makeshift Romantic” project: I also am an undeniable romantic, so I indulge my soft side with my indie project. I love the sound, and the unorthodox regulations for what constitutes what an indie song is. I always joke that indie is the karaoke of rock/folk, due to the fact that you don’t necessarily have to know how to sing, and just the fact that you try is enough. And I stand by it, otherwise wouldn’t have tried to do it in the first place. As of now, it’s just a bunch of covers that I do in my spare time when I’m not working on beats, or recording anyone, but since I do in fact write pop rock and folk rock for certain high profile acts, I’m working on writing for myself. The problem with that is that I'm so used to writing with a different frame of mind (especially since plenty of the acts that I write for are women), so writing for me is hard if it isn’t spoken word or rap, but I’m working on that.

Complete Spoken Word Project: Originally, I was just going to have spoken word pieces as interludes in my hip-hop album, to divide the three parts of the CD. As I did more spoken word pieces, I just kept going after three. What started out at part of something, became its own entity. I have seven tracks, and I’m shooting for fifteen or so.

Capture all of the above on video, and edit it into a documentary: It’s not really for me to shop around; I don’t know if it would make for an interesting movie. It’s just for posterity and such: to fully appreciate where I am currently at, I have to have a good idea of where I have been.

As you can see, I have a lot to do, so if you can excuse me, I have to get started.

fame.... or lack thereof.....

2008-01-29T10:44:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend...... wow..... just too many things...... lets start with thrusday, which was a decent day, where me and my friend and production partner chris, did our first podcast (or rather attempted) for this blog, along with me finally figuring out how to sign up with a site that helps me distribute my blog as well, so that was a productive day (the blog's 1st part will be up tommorrow, if not tonight). It was slightly nuts, since there was a tornado warning, in cali, so I stayed @ chris' pad (big thanks to his mom for letting me do so) . On friday, my mom fell I'll and I had to rush her to the emergency room. On saturday, I watched RAMBO..... ehhhhh. It was directed my stallone, and in that regard, it wasn't that bad, although it was a bit short, which wasn't that bad. And what's more, I notice that stallone likes to cheat in sequels that he stars in a series that he directs by inserting gratuitous flashback shots from the previous movies in the series..... I guess he thought," fuck shooting flashback footage, because techically, I shot three flashback MOVIES. And goddamnit, I'm Sly motherfucking Stallone." I guess. On sunday, I spent it with my mom at the hospital, and met her absolutely adorable nutritionist..... the problem was, she remembered me from somewhere, either from the last time I was there with my mom, or if I met her at a party or something, which made me feel terrible. On top of that, she seemed rather sweet on me, which, mind you, is never a bad thing (my mom even took notice, as did her bedridden roomate.) Later that night, I mixed down a song for chris that he did for her girlfriend, (upon getting his permission, I'll post it up here tonight.) He had to take his mom to the hospital as well. So, while he went out to tend to his mom, I stayed and worked on the song for him. When he arrived, we got into a heated discussion on whether or not I should have my name on his upcoming project, RoKcAnDY. I am definitely gonna work on it, but I'm always a little resistant to putting my name on things like that, even if I deserve it. Granted, I have worked with some high profile pop and rock acts (that I'm obviously not gonna name), but even with that, I used my pseudonym for that. I love pseudonyms, because they are the masks that I wear to make myself secure enough to be every version of myself that I strive to be. I actually started as a hiphop prodcuer, and expanded to more music. I'm a credited producer, writer, and mixing/mastering engineer. As I expanded, I decided that I didn't want to be pigeonholed into just one genre, yet at the same time, I didn't want my versitility to be a gimmick either. So, I arrived at a solution.... have a different pseudonym for everything i do musically and theatrically (I have about five, not to mention a imaginary band, in which I am basically the only member). So natrually, I was pretty hesitant to put my name on his project. He stressed that it wasn't his project; it was OURS. Good point. We have been working on this project for about 4 months now, and since its about to materialize, it was good to clear this up. My only real hangup, was that I never want to person to affect the judgement of the work that person puts out. If I ever get famous, I will be the most reluctant celebrity out at that time. But make no mistake, I WILL milk that shit. Not in the 5 cars, 2 houses, and STILL buy a fucking bionic horse just to roll around in a show off, but in the sense that I'll do stupid shit and get away with it. Not anything illeagal (so much), but rather just something senseless, and pass it off, having people saying, "yeah, I totally see why he slammed his garage door on lance armstong's tractor," because of course, I needed to make that point. Not the "I hate all monotesticaled men, cause you're half of me!" point, but rather the "what the FUCK is armstong doing on a fucking tactor??? Stick to bikes bitch!" point. Sometimes it needs to be done.

Greetings

2008-01-25T01:13:00.000-08:00

Ive never written a blog or anything before, really, so this will be my first foray into anything remotely like this. Since I'm used to preforming spoken word, i am used to having my thoughts verbally expressed. so, quite appropriately, i will sometimes post a podcast, either to accompany the blog or in place of it. I am an avid movie watcher; to be honest, that is more than an understatement. that being said, i will also post a weekly movie review of the movies i have seen during the week ( i am a lazy bum, so expect those to be in audio form.) I am also in love with music, all genres, all various artists, so i will also do a weekly or bi-weekly review of music, both new and old.... other than that, theres really not much else to say tonight.... so on that note, I'm signing out.