Unreleased Music

Tonight I went through my song repertoire and rediscovered a bunch of music I've written and never performed. This varies from songs I've written for important people in my life, environmental songs, love songs, traveling, dreams, destiny, moments in time, etc. Recently a friend told me that he wanted to hear my dark side- some anger, frustration, sadness: all what some might consider contradicting to the abundant joy and positive message that I bring through my music. It's interesting to scroll through my repertoire of countless songs that have not yet made it on an album. This was never that I didn't want to share them, just that others took priority at the time. Still, while reviewing the progress of the album so far I realized there were a few emotions that were left out. Likewise, I've pulled some of those songs into this project. One was written for my very good friend Brian Caltabiano who passed away last year from liver failure at the age of 40. Brian was an amazing spirit- very creative and artistic and one of the most genuine people I've ever met. He was also what some might call a "functional" alcoholic, being capable of going about his day drinking without being noticeably intoxicated. The people close to him were not blinded by his vibrant personality to realize that there was underlying pain that was being buried. Brian had struggles like every human does, but somehow got lost in only one way to deal with it. I often reminded him to love himself and believe in positive change. Among his internal demons he was still a beautiful soul- a person that I love very much. 

Brian was a huge supporter of my music and I remember him once applauding me for writing something in a minor key (many parts of Evolution part 2). He said it sounded sinister and was different than any mood he'd heard me bring about in a live setting before. We would always encourage each other in our art, him being a brilliant architect and painter. 

Recently I've been noticing more and more connections to people, considering that a very important person came into my life recently. She also happens to be an architect/artist. This beautiful soul... "angel"... came out of nowhere in a time of need- gave me a beautiful place to live after being non-stop on the road for eight months, plus has been helping me fund the current album in the works. When she came into my life I thought, how could I get so lucky? A friend of mine once said that "luck is when preparation meets opportunity." This is certainly true. But I know in my heart that something... someone brought her to me. 

Brian's song "Back to You" is one of many songs that was so emotional at the time of writing that I haven't gotten to record it yet. This has a similar feeling to the song I wrote for the amazing Adam Buchanan, who was my best friend for many years, a strong musical companion, and the person responsible for introducing me to Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds. Adam also had struggles and unfortunately took his own life with a tragic suicide four years ago. It was quite shocking and extremely difficult to understand. 

I wrote Adam a song and also played it at his memorial service, though the notes could barely vocalize it was so emotional. Adam was not only a brilliant musician who toured with me in Taiwan and a variety of shows, but he was also one of the first people to encourage me to keep singing and writing songs when my voice was still in the developing stages. I've been working hard for years to continue my growth and know that somewhere out there his spirit is shining proud. In fact, the last words he ever said to me were "I am so proud of you. You are living the dream and are going to go all the way. Don't ever stop- I love you so much." I did not realize that these were last words, but they have resonated with me. And I will never stop growing.

Friends, despite that these events were and have been hard to deal with (among other life circumstances), I respect that struggles are a part of life. I've personally found ways to express these emotions through music and am on a mission to inspire people to believe in themselves- "Love Who You Are," "Love What You Do," "Make a Change," "Long Way to Go," "Daylight Comes".. etc. to name a few song titles for tracks on the horizon. This inspirational message is always what I've wanted to reach the world- help people boost their spirits, believe in themselves, and give permission for happiness.

I am not one to live in the past, and rather allow myself to strengthen through each experience. This is all a part of life, and my best efforts are to prioritize the songs that could possibly reach people who are having similar struggles NOW. This respectfully includes the songs that I wrote during these times.

Positively, even the darkest saddest moments have brought enlightenment that translates through these deep songs. Likewise, I will not hold any music from you- there is a lot that needs to be recorded and I want you to hear it all! For now, my hope is that those requesting for more dark, angry songs can realize that I am a person who thrives from taking those moments and channeling it into enlightenment. That is who I am and will continue to be. But don't worry, I will not restrict my audience to only one mood. Life is about balance and so will this album be. I am discovering variety, the peaks and valleys of music and subject matter. I assure you that I've written about almost anything you could think of- but like I said, certain songs must take priority. 

As in the song "Patience," I follow my own words- "Take one thing at a time... Carry only what I can."

:)

Music Video for "Patience"

I'm developing ideas for the music video on "Patience."  Here is the email I just sent to the production company I'm working with:

This song has a great story just in the process of writing it.  I often introduce this song in a live setting by asking the crowd if they ever lay in bed at night and think about all of things to do the next day... or in a lifetime for that matter.  Of course everyone has experienced this.  Upon writing this song, I was laying in bed going through lists in my mind of everything I had to do, people to call, places to go, music to write.  I realized that it would all get done and again valued the importance of taking one thing at a time.  Respectfully, I jumped out of bed as this song came to me- ran to my notebook on the coffee table, sat on the couch looking out the window as the sun began to arise... singing to the world through the window.  I felt I was heard and knew I was doing exactly what I should have been.  This is what I'm here to do, and more than ever the music is erupting from within me.  

With this video, I want to bring out the image of music exuding from my soul- laying in bed, B roll of "cloud of thought," swirling types of effects, this 'cloud' being my dreams and visions.  When I say swirly effect I'm thinking reminiscent of the Wizard of Oz, when she is being carried by the tornado in her house.  During that time in the film there is a lot of swirling and it's reflective of a dream atmosphere.  I think some special effects are going to work beautifully with this concept, fulfilling the dream- like ambiance, me in various places playing/singing the song, constantly back to the 'bed/dream' image with B rolls of me playing, sort of like a see-saw effect.  Then in the middle of the song I can run to the living room, start writing, and the video can show swirls coming off my pen and into the atmosphere... reaching people all over... shots of 'stage' crowds, stage shots of me playing/singing, a couple shots of me playing on the train singing to folks and playing in Rittenhouse Square.  

In the bridge I'm "wide awake and I can see the years beyond.  Inside of me a light has sparked, it's already dawn..."

- This is the moment of capturing me sitting on the bed playing while the sun is rising outside the window (definitely have the place for it), notebook in front of me. This can be very intimate with me singing right to the camera, a more simple moment of the video.  As the last chorus comes around some of those effects can come back, 'swirly' as if the words I'm singing are forming into a bubble and going out the window, into the sunshine, rising to the clouds- birds flying around it.  The idea is that what I'm saying is reaching people, but simply because I'm passionate about what I have to say.  The sky can fade into another 'crowd/stage' shot, perhaps we can located some footage of video shot from stage out into the audience of a big festival.  I want to mark the impression that this music is being heard (as it is), on an even larger scale, which ultimately is what I want to happen when this video goes viral.

At the very end I think it would be cool to have just me with the guitar on a theatre stage (small/intimate atmosphere).  It would be perfect to shoot this on April 21st at PSALM Salon.  We have a show there and it's by far the best spot I can think of for this shot.  We can also get shots of the band that night on stage, which will be perfect to integrate throughout the video.  If you're not available, I can still get the footage that night somehow!  In any case, the intimate, personal ending of just me at the end with the guitar- theatre looking setting, dark surrounding, playing in a white spotlight.  Camera can turn a bit- like a circle, as if the stage is spinning.  Very end, face right in the camera saying "carry only what I can."

This was a stream of consciousness with my ideas on this video.  I'm excited to get started!

Acoustic Love

It's been an amazing creative adventure in the process of this album.  Inspired by my recording sessions with Tim Reynolds, particularly the acoustic sessions, I've decided to record even more acoustic material!  I'm really connecting with this Martin D18 Golden Era, more than any guitar I've played.  Through hours and hours of daily practice recently I'm discovering amazing things on this instrument!  Tomorrow I'll be going back into Milkboy Recording Studios to capture some of my instrumental pieces. This includes two brand new ones and other short segments that will serve as connecting musical moments throughout the album.  I will also be finishing up the Garden of Love track, which will be the first single we push from this project.  Many folks have said they want to hear my guitar more on the studio recordings- don't worry, there will be PLENTY of guitar on this album, acoustic and electric!!  Can't wait for you to hear it!

In studio with Tim Reynolds and Stanley Jordan

It's been an amazing experience in the studio recently.  I'm honored to have Tim Reynolds on the upcoming album performing electric on "No Place Like My Own," where he created some amazing sonic landscapes and played a brilliant guitar solo.  Our two electrics really compliment each other in this song.  In addition, we recorded some special dueling guitar tracks: Tim on nylon string guitar and me on the 00018 Martin Guitar.  We did four improvisational acoustic compositions that were truly magical, experiencing musical journeys through waltz, flamenco, classical, and even one with him playing on a new instrumental piece I've written.  The last one we did was intended to not be in a key and just let ourselves be free.  We entitled this track "Childlike."  These duo guitar tracks are really something special- in Tim's words, "this is gold right here."  Acoustic pieces will be integrated throughout the album as segway instrumentals. It's also an honor have Stanley Jordan playing a gorgeous tapping guitar part on the song "Let it Come-" this was an unexpected thrill.  I arrived in the Outerbanks, NC on Saturday night and sat in with Tim Reynolds and TR3 in their home town.  The next thing I knew, Tim, Stanley and I were all on stage with three electric guitars, doing rounds of solos over an all star band.  It was definitely a moment to be marked in history- and don't worry, I heard someone got the whole thing on video!  Spending time with these musicians in the studio brought about something incredible that I can't wait for you to hear.. I'll be posting a preview of the dueling acoustic tracks as soon as possible.  Meanwhile, check out some inspiring thoughts on music therapy by Stanley Jordan.  It was a pleasure talking with him about this, as it's always such an honor to play for folks in hospitals, nursing homes, etc.  This is one reason why Musicians On Call is such an amazing program! I will be volunteering a lot with them in May- bringing the healing power of music to people.  More beautiful experiences to come!   http://www.stanleyjordan.com/en-us/musictherapy/observations  http://www.musiciansoncall.org