DEMO 1.30.2007
This is a good example of how some of these electronic ideas evolved in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Here’s an attempt at adding acoustic guitars. The earlier version has no guitars, but an alternate synth melody that I later muted.
DEMO 1.30.2007
Here’s a groove that started in early 2007. By late 2008 it hadn’t changed very much, probably because I neglected to work on it.
DEMO 1.29.07
Looks like I started this one on the same day as the last one. My objective in listing these from when they were first created is intended to provide a better understanding of how things evolved over time. Should there be another list from when they stopped though? First things first I suppose. Here’s where I left this one in late 2008.
DEMO 1.29.07
Here’s another that began in January 2007. I remember enjoying walking while listening to this. I could certainly keep working on it. Such is the case with all of these I suppose. They were all abandoned/postponed for the sake of something new, cast off onto a hard drive somewhere. Here’s where I left this one along the way.
DEMO 1.23.07
I managed to get a little further on this one. It began in early 2007 and proceeded to where I seem to have left things almost two years later in late 2008. I don’t know where I was headed with it to be honest. I obviously enjoyed working on ideas like this though. Why else would I spend so much time on them?
DEMO 1.15.07
Here’s another electronic idea that failed to materialize. It seems like I just kept layering things but never took anything away. I guess I thought it all sounded pretty cool back in the day though. Every idea seems like the most important thing in the world when I’m working on it. Then you listen back one day and wonder how you ever thought it was worth the time.
All part of the process, right?
Frisky Kids
I recently attended a show where this band played. Really great songwriting all around. I’ve had their songs in my head all week. Please check out their music and support them. They’re great!
DEMO 1.10.07
I stopped working on this idea after the first few layers. I guess I was focusing on other ideas and forgot about it one or decided it wasn’t worth pursuing at the time. Maybe I should pick it up again someday? I feel bad that I can’t devote enough time to ideas like these. Don’t some people say how every song they write is like a different child? If that’s the case, I’ve been a very bad father.
DEMO 12.12.06 - FOUND SOUND
Here’s a series of noises I recorded around Prague in late 2006. Each noise was isolated and looped to produce the semblance of a rhythm, then layered with other noises and FX on top. It’s all a bit much for current me to be honest. Why did I spend so much time recording and editing all of it? Why do I feel compelled to organize things in such a way? It’s something in my brain.
Number 7 is a little different though - as I was walking home one night I heard a group of people singing in a tavern down the street from our apartment. It was the only time I ever saw that place open for business. I still wonder what words they are singing. I should have learned more Czech! If anyone can tell me, I would be forever grateful.
DEMO 12.8.06
More from December 2006. This was an experiment in vocal layering and reverb, drifting back and forth from major to minor. There’s also a later version from a few years later after I added a bunch of FX noises on top of the original tracks.
DEMO 12.7.06
Here’s another string arrangement. If I remember correctly, a section of this went on to become Easy As Pi, although in 5/4. I recall this being a favorite to listen to over and over again, especially near the ending. I really don’t know where it all came from. I must have had it in my head for some time and found a vehicle to take it out. I would love to collaborate with someone on this someday.
DEMO 12.6.06
Let’s get back to the demo project I started a couple years ago. This is a string arrangement from December 2006. I think I meant for this to serve as a segway between songs. Perhaps it still could be someday. I’m pretty sure this was my first attempt at composing with virtual string instruments. Nothing fancy just some looped chords I thought sounded interesting. Wouldn’t it be nice to record with a real group of classically trained musicians?
COVERS - SPRING 2018
This past Spring I recorded a large collection of covers that were speaking to me at the time. Below are few songs from those recordings. I’ll share more as soon as I can. I don’t know what to say about these songs. I guess I’ll let them speak for themselves. I did my best to honor their spirit and the people that wrote them.
Thanks for listening.
FUNDRAISER FOR BORDER ANGELS
This week's organization is:
Border Angels is an all volunteer, non-profit organisation that advocates for human rights, humane immigration reform, and social justice with a special focus on issues related to the US-Mexican border.
Border Angels’ mission is to reduce the number of fatalities occurring along the Californian border through the placement of life saving water stations in the desert.
Many years of devastating economic and immigration policies have created a situation where thousands of people from Mexico and Latin America risk their lives each year crossing into the United States in the hope of finding a better life. Since 1994, an estimated 10,000 people have lost their lives during the journey due to extreme weather, lack of food and water, and the overall perilous nature of the trip.
Border Angels also works to serve San Diego County’s immigrant population through various migrant outreach programs, such as Day Laborer outreach and a free legal assistance program.
In addition to my donation, here's a song called 'We Welcome You Today' by Fred Rogers.
Immigration is obviously a very complex issue. What is not complex is caring for each other as human beings. It is our responsbility as human beings to look out for one another, regardless of who we are or where we come from. We must show empathy for those in need and help them however we can.
So I play this song with the hope that one day we will live in a world without borders, without flags, without xenophobia of those we don't know or understand. Until that day comes, however, I hope you'll join me in supporting organizations like Border Angels as they continue to help immigrants and refugees. Thank you so much to everyone at Border Angels for helping to welcome those in need!
WE WELCOME YOU TODAY
WE HOPE YOU LIKE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
AND WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL STAY
WE WELCOME YOU TODAY
WE WELCOME YOU
WE WELCOME YOU
WE WELCOME YOU TODAY
AND WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL STAY
WE WELCOME YOU TODAY
FUNDRAISER FOR THE CENTER FOR NEIGHBORHOODS
Hey folks.
This week's organization is:
The Center for Neighborhoods builds healthy, sustainable, safe neighborhoods through informed and committed neighbors in Louisville, Kentucky. It achieves that goal through community engagement, education, planning, and data assessment for many different neighborhoods throughout the city.
Since its founding in 1972, the Center for Neighborhoods has cultivated grassroots leadership, partnered with neighborhoods in community planning efforts, facilitated civic dialogue, and actively participated in neighborhood-based development & improvement projects.
In addition to my donation, here's a song called 'The Sunny Side of the Street' that some of you may know. It's a song that reminds me that, as easy as it is sometimes to fall into despair, there is always hope. We must reach out to each other, and not only through these computers we use every day, but in person face-to-face.
We may travel across town or across the world and think we don't have much in common with the people we encounter. But we do! This is all one neighborhood, wherever we are. We must find new ways to bring ourselves closer together in order to understand and empathize with one another to create a better world for everyone.
The Center for Neighborhoods seeks to do just that through the work they do everyday. I hope you join me in supporting them!
THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET
GRAB YOUR COAT
AND GRAB YOUR HAT
LEAVE YOUR WORRIES ON THE DOORSTEP
JUST DIRECT YOUR FEET
TO THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET
CAN'T YOU HEAR THAT PITTER PAT
WHEN THAT HAPPY TUNE IS YOUR STEP?
LIFE CAN BE SO SWEET
ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET
I USED TO WALK IN THE SHADE
WITH MY BLUES ON PARADE
BUT NOW I'M NOT AFRAID
MY ROVER'S CROSSED OVER
IF I NEVER HAD A CENT
I'D BE RICH AS ROCKEFELLER
WITH GOLD DUST AT MY FEET
ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET
FUNDRAISER FOR THE LOUISVILLE SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL
Hey folks.
This week's organization is:
THE LOUISVILLE SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL
The Louisville Sustainability Council brings together individuals, nonprofits, governments, educational institutions, and businesses to collaborate with the community to facilitate the achievement of Louisville’s sustainability goals.
Among the Louisville Sustainability Council's goals are to help improve the city's air quality, reduce total energy and water consumption, divert 50% of solid waste from the landfill, decrease transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy from renewable sources, and protect the city's waterways by exceeding national quality standards.
In addition to my donation, here's a song called 'Tiny Blue Dot'. It's from a TV show called Ready Jet Go that my kids like to watch sometimes. This song reminds me to do my part in protecting and sustaining our environment, whether I'm in Louisville or anywhere in the world. Even if you don't donate money to the LSC, I urge you to seek out sustainable efforts in your community and learn how you can help protect the enviroment where you live. Please think about your daily actions and consider what you can do to live more mindfully of the world around you.
We're all guests of nature and should respect our host accordingly. If we don't, our host might kick us out of this party someday. And I, for one, would like to keep this party going...
TINY BLUE DOT
SO LONELY IN THE DARK
FROM WAY OUT HERE
YOU'D NEVER KNOW
HOW BEAUTIFUL AND VARIED AND GRAND IT IS
HOW MANY CREATURES CALL IT HOME
SHINY BLUE DOT
LOST IN THE UNIVERSE
SO EASY JUST TO PASS IT BY
BUT OH YOU EARTHIES KNOW HOW SWEET IT IS
HOW PRECIOUS RIGHT BENEATH YOUR FEET IT IS
THERE'S NOWHERE ELSE
THAT YOU COULD LIVE BUT THIS
THE ONLY HOME YOU'VE KNOWN
WHEN YOU'RE FLOATING OVER EARTH
AND YOU SEE IT FROM ABOVE
IT TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY
THIS PLANET THAT WE LOVE
ONLY LOOKING DOWN LIKE THIS
CAN WE SEE OUR TASK SO CLEAR
THAT WE SHOULD BE THE GUARDIANS
OF ALL THAT WE HOLD DEAR
SWEET BLUE SPACESHIP GLEAMING IN THE SUN
THE ONLY HOME YOU'VE EVER KNOWN
TINY BLUE DOT
WHAT A GORGEOUS LITTLE SPOT
OUR PLANET
OUR SPACESHIP
OUR HOME
FUNDRAISER FOR NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
Established in 1896, Neighborhood House was the first settlement house in Kentucky. Over 121 years later, it serves as a community center for children and families living in the Portland neighborhood of Louisville, as well as other surrounding low-income neighborhoods. Poverty among the families (45%) and children (55%) that come to Neighborhood House exceeds both the national average and the rates in the poorest counties in Kentucky.
In addition to my financial contribution, here's a song called 'I Feel Alright' by Steve Earle. It's a song that makes me feel better every time I play it and serves as an uplifting reminder to stay positive. Even though it can be easy sometimes to feel somber amidst the adversity we face each day, I'm thankful for what makes us better, kinder, happier human beings. So whatever you're doing today, I hope you feel alright too.
FUNDRAISER FOR HOUSE OF RUTH
House of Ruth provides housing and support services for people with HIV/AIDS and their families who are homeless, at risk of losing their homes, or need financial help. They do this through a continuum of services such as emergency shelter, short and long-term housing, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, advocacy for clients, and basic needs assistance to provide food, clothes, rent, utilities, public transportation, and back-to-school support. Please share your love to support House of Ruth!
In addition to my monetary contribution, I humbly present you a song by Anohni. It's one of the most honest, thoughtful, and caring songs I've ever heard. Whenever I play this song, I'm left with a tremendous sense of gratitude for the love I've been shown by the people in my life, whether it's someone I've known for years or someone I've just met. We should be thankful for the love we receive each day and not take it for granted. We should give that love back to those we know and don't know. I'm beyond thankful to Anohni for writing this wonderful song and hope to honor it properly every time I sing it. Thank you Anohni!
FUNDRAISER FOR KENTUCKIANS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH
Here’s an important song by Hazel Dickens. I’ve held a deep admiration for her since I discovered her music while interning at Smithsonian Folkways, so much so that I even wrote my senior thesis in college about her. I sing this song as a gesture of solidarity with people around the world who continue to fight for freedom and justice. This song has been a reminder for me to stay active, to keep doing what I can do to make the world a better place, and to never give up.
Whether or not you like this song, please consider donating to Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, a statewide citizens' organization working for a new balance of power and a just society. They use direct action to challenge and change unfair political, economic, and social systems.
Among its many goals, KFTC aims to address the problems caused by coal mining, reform our state tax structure, restore voting rights, and help choose better leaders who represent ordinary people instead of powerful interests.Their membership is open to all people who are committed to equality, democracy, and non-violent change.
THEY'LL NEVER KEEP US DOWN
UNITED WE STAND
DIVIDED WE FALL
FOR EVERY DIME THEY GIVE US
A BATTLE MUST BE FOUGHT
SO WORKING PEOPLE USE YOUR POWER
THE KEY TO LIBERTY
DON'T SUPPORT THE RICH MAN'S STYLE OF LUXURY
AND THERE AIN'T NO WAY THEY CAN EVER KEEP US DOWN
OH NO AIN'T NO WAY THEY CAN EVER KEEP US DOWN
WE WON'T BE BOUGHT
WE WON'T BE SOLD
TO BE TREATED RIGHT, WELL THAT'S OUR GOAL
AND THERE AIN'T NO WAY THEY CAN EVER KEEP US DOWN
YEAH WE'VE BEEN SHOT
WE'VE BEEN JAILED
LORD ITS A SIN
WOMEN AND LITTLE CHILDREN STOOD RIGHT BY THE MEN
BUT WE'VE GOT A UNION CONTRACT
THAT KEEPS THE WORKER FREE
AND THEY'LL NEVER SHOOT THAT UNION OUT OF ME
NO THEY'LL NEVER SHOOT THAT UNION OUT OF ME OH NO
THEY'LL NEVER SHOOT THAT UNION OUT OF ME
WE’VE GOT A CONTRACT IN OUR HAND
SIGNED BY THE BLOOD OF HONEST MEN
AND THEY'LL NEVER SHOOT THAT UNION OUT OF ME
THE POWER WHEEL IS ROLLING, ROLLING RIGHT ALONG
AND THE GOVERNMENT KEEPS IT GOING, GOING STRONG
SO WORKING PEOPLE GET YOUR HELP FROM YOUR OWN KIND
YOUR WELFARE AINT ON THE RICH MAN'S MIND
NO YOUR WELFARE AINT ON THE RICH MAN'S MIND OH NO
YOUR WELFARE AINT ON THE RICH MAN'S MIND
THEY WANT THE POWER IN THEIR HANDS
JUST TO KEEP OUT OF THE WORKER AND
YOUR WELFARE AINT ON THE RICH MAN'S MIND
AND THEY'LL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER KEEP US DOWN
OH NO THEY'LL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER KEEP US DOWN
THEY CAN CHEAT ROB STEAL KILL
BUT WE GONNA STOP THAT WHEEL
AND THEY'LL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER KEEP US DOWN
AND THEY'LL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER KEEP US DOWN
YEAH THEY'LL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER KEEP US DOWN
BENEFIT VIDEO SERIES
I'm starting a new series to support different charities here in Louisville and around the globe. I hope you’ll join me in supporting these organizations. Please donate whatever you can, even if it’s simply sharing the information to raise awareness. Thanks for your support as always.