Music gets me up in the morning. without it I’d stay fetal position in bed. Being a Musician is a curse and a joy. I can’t see life without it.
To be the best “me” I can be. To reach as many people with my Music as possible. To make a mark on this world with my Songs. To make a consistent Living making Music.
I would eradicate the concept of Money. It brings out the worst in people. And while all the money in the world cannot buy you happiness, not having money truly sucks.
Geez. Anything off of Van Halen 1 or 2, Black Sabbath's Paranoid Album, or Led Zeppelin 4?
The list is endless. but let’s say my top 10 favorites would be: Black Sabbath Led Zeppelin Judas Priest AC/DC Foreigner Journey Van Halen Deftones Tool UK
My writing process might be unique. It happens one of 3 ways. The most typical way is Music first. I'll be playing my Guitar and will come up with something I like and it will evolve over time into an entire Song. Then I'll Demo it off and have it playing while I'm driving and I'll start humming Melodies until something clicks. Then those Melodies will turn into words and phrases and that gives me the Direction in which the Song will be about. On the rarest of occasions I'll pick up the Guitar and a Song will just pour out of me and in 3 minutes the Music, Lyrics, Melody, and pretty much the final Arrangement will be done. I can honestly say this has happened to me maybe 10 times in my entire Music Career. But every one of those Songs have gone on to be Recorded and stayed pretty much exactly how they were written. The other way I write, I'll hear something on TV or in the Car next to me or whatever and it will get the wheels rolling and suddenly I have entire Songs in my head- or at least the Music or a Vocal Melody. I rarely write from personal experiences. I do, however have the ability to put myself into a situation I've never personally experienced and can write Lyrics about it. For example off the top of my head, I can imagine what it would be like to lose my Father in say a Car Accident (I didn't- he lived a long and productive life until 85) and empathize to the point of writing heartfelt and poignant Lyrics that feel real.
I want to make people feel the Emotions of a Song. Some of my stuff has a deeper meaning or Message, but I mainly write about situations people can relate to. And if they can relate to a Song or if it means something to them even if it’s not what I intended then I succeeded.
There is nothing to compare it to.
I would never encourage anyone to do this. As I said previously, it’s a curse. but I can’t NOT do it. The reality is people would rather spend $5 on a Coffee that takes minutes and costs pennies to make and is gone in 5 minutes than $.99 on a Song that they get to keep FOREVER!! And it is a constant uphill battle just to get people to come to Shows. When you live in a place like Los Angeles where there are 30 choices every night and the threat of a DUI, people just stay home and watch Netflix. If I knew how to fix it I would.
I like it. It’s basically FB for Musicians. But Musicians are notorious for not Supporting so I’m not sure if this is a place to reach our Audience.
Apart from people not buying Music anymore or thinking that supporting is getting in for free? I’m frustrated by the lack of actual Musicians playing on Music today. Loops, Programming, Computer Software, etc. is no substitute for a real Drummer, Bass Player, Piano Player, etc. Today all you need is a laptop to be a Producer. It’s ridiculous that people eat that up. I’m frustrated with people using the Derivative Artists as inspiration instead of checking out who actually inspired them. I’m frustrated with the lack of Songwriting in today’s Rock. people say Rock is dead. Well, we had the world by the balls when Grunge(Alice, STP, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam) was on top. but the 2nd and 3rd waves of Artists (Candlebox, Silverchair, SevenMaryThree, etc.) did not have the Songwriting chops to further the genre so the Record Companies looked for the next “Thing” which was Punk/ Power Pop a la Green Day and Blink 183, then Ska which turned to Swing (ugh!!) and we lost it all to Hip Hop. There are some Artists that are trying to bring it back. Foo Fighters, Rival Sons, Royal Blood, Greta Van Fleet (as much as I hate to admit it). I just don’t know if anyone is noticing. Kids these days are firmly entrenched in Hip Hop.
One of my Mottos is “You can’t ask people to Support if you’re not willing to Support.” So we try to see as many local Artists as possible. And we Pay to get in even tho we can get into every Club for free. And if I find a Band at a Show that I like I will always buy their CD. I also try to get Bands that I discover on the Bill with us at upcoming Shows.
Thats the question, isn’t it. How do we break thru? if someone out there knows please tell me.
Black Valentine Blakvoid Guitar and Whiskey Club