Aaron Pring!

The drummer from Dave's band The Royalty will be coming aboard tonight to work on Electric Candle percussion. Aaron Pring will be finalizing our drum sections with a snare sound over our existing bongo/conga mix. It should be an interesting addition to the sound and I'm excited to hear what Dave has in mind with it. Welcome, Aaron!

The Weston Monster, Sighting 1!

Holy sh*t.

After my previous "quiet-talking" post and my suspicion of some sort of monster nearby, I took it upon myself to review some of my old photos that I took in and around Dave's studio to see if I could find any suspicious happenings. Sure enough, a photo that was taken of me for my May song promo back in the spring reveals a shady monster character coming right at me! I had no idea and luckily something must have scared it away before it was able to attack. It must have gotten spooked by the camera flash or something...

Somehow I didn't notice this in the original photo back in May but here it is clear as day! Check out my first sighting of The Weston Monster! I will be sure to look through some more photos and perhaps do some more scouting around the premises during future sessions.

The Visual Side of Things

Don't ask me why I am talking so quiet here. Must be I don't want the secret getting out that I'm excited about creating the visual elements to the What To Keep & Let Go project. That or there's a monster in the woods in Weston and I'm afraid of getting captured outside of Dave's studio.

To Quote City Lights....

"The summer's over and it's getting cold."

Feels great :)

Still Plugging Away At Electric Candle

Dave and I met on the 22nd to once again hash out some parts for Electric Candle. It is our goal to work on one song at a time so as not to lose focus and direction. During our prior session, we nailed down some hand drum work in attempt to lay down a better structural backbone for other parts such as a piano melody and cello harmonies. After some beat tweaking and such, we were able to begin with piano. We took what Marcin had originally envisioned for a melody and modified it a bit (you still get credit for that, buddy) haha

Here is Dave working out the piano. Don't mind the crazy red faced man at the end of the clip.

Shout Out To Tina!

I am grateful to have my cousin Tina, who I haven't seen in a long time, be following my blog! Here is my classic video update on the way to the studio, with a shout out to her! :)

There is a Light In Your Eyes

We push and pull and I fall down sometimes....

My girlfriend and I saw Mat Kearney last night at the Boston House of Blues and it was a long time coming. Back in February when Melissa and I really started to get to know each other, it was Mat Kearney that filled our car space on 3 hour long road trips interrupted by random foggy roads and cemeteries, iced over ponds and just-over-the-line state welcome centers. We found ourselves relating to the lyrics and the stories he tells of love and self-discovery. It's not every day you come across an artist that makes you feel like he or she is actually you in the future or that you're on the same path as they were before they wrote the words you so closely relate to. Melissa says over and over again - "You guys are practically the same person". haha We do seem to have a lot of the same things to say.

Like I suspect Mat Kearney felt at one point, I have been feeling like I'm not too great in relationships. I tend to have commitment and focus issues and I attribute a lot of that to losing a close intimate connection with my mom at such an early age, afraid of getting too close in fear of losing them perhaps. Melissa has a lot of patience with me and seems to understand my "push and pull" tendencies though it's not totally easy for her. She's remarkable in her tolerance. I do tend to stumble back quite a bit but I know I'll get there, the place that I'm comfortable where I am and every step forward is full of life and not fear. The show last night brought Melissa and I even closer, reminding us of those early days when we were learning everything about each other: who we were, who we are and who we want to be.

I saw three of my favorite bands this week and loved each of them in their own way. U2 was nothing short of brilliant and revisiting my passion for them with my best buddy Chad was incredible while Snow Patrol brought out that rhythmic energy in me that I have been longing for. However, I have to say that the deep connection I found with a guy who's life seems to run parallel to that of my own, who lights up a small venue with his down-to-earth, "my brother went to BU", like charm, will stick with me always. He sings of changes within himself and a hope for a more grounded and fulfilled life of love and hope and I aspire to be more like that.

And having the girl you grew to love with his music by your side only helps to amplify that feeling.