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5
Friday Oct 31, 2003 - Link to Entry
Happy Halloween. Check those snickers for razor blades.
Day 8 - What if?
What if was written right after my car accident last January. I realized that if the timing of the event had altered slightly in either direction I would have been in a world of hurt but instead walked away unharmed (for the most part). The strange thing was that at that exact moment I was listening to Dave Matthews' Busted Stuff Track 4 which says "Everyday should be a good day to die." Right after the word die, SMASH. Strange, no?
What if? is a acoustic ballad that has a bit more of a jazzy feel than the rest of the album. It celebrates life and says forget about playing the game of what if, just enjoy what we've got.
Six days till UPS comes
Thursday Oct 30, 2003 - Link to Entry
My first batch of labeled but packageless CD's will arrive in 6 days via UPS ground so I've been told.
Let the countdown continue on as planned!
Day 7 - Peace
A straight up rock song that is loosely played featuring battling electric guitars, rocking drums, the second curse on the album (1st is in Bustin'), and screaming vocals. This song is my version of Everclear's Father of Mine. It tip-toes on the line between love and hatred, sympathy and anguish, rejection and forgiving. Is it peace meaning 'a calling for a truce' or is just another way to say goodbye? You decide.
VII
Wednesday Oct 29, 2003 - Link to Entry
One week till TGP...
Day 6 - Must Be the Weather
Fitting since the weather has clearly altered from balmy high 70's to frantic wind storm and low 50's. Must be the weather is a stream of consciousness about not feeling quite right. Its about being out of touch with yourself and then searching inside of yourself to find where you might have lost your way. Its about drowning your sorrows in music and forgetting about love for awhile. Features Wham style organ and vocal intro and what I consider to be the best solo, a battle between electric guitar and the B3. Awesome!
Eight
Tuesday Oct 28, 2003 - Link to Entry
Day 5 - The Stagnant Waltz
It was summer, my heart was broken, I was unemployed... I had all the time in the world and yet my drive had been swallowed up. This song is about being in a rut post-break up. Its about finding your way back to your feet. Waltzing your way to get the negative energy out from within.
The song features a jazzy piano sound, vocal brass, and intense harmonies. Inspired musically by the produced works of Jon Brion. Running, Spinning, Out of my mind! Once driven and focused, the world was mine!! ...So I waltz to say goodbye.
"9"
Monday Oct 27, 2003 - Link to Entry
9 mo' days... can you hear me?
Day 4 - Allie's Song
Based on my favorite book, Catcher in the Rye, Allie's song is a wish made from the other side for Holden to move on with his life. Holden tries to cling to innocence and protect the world from pain, but all he does is shelter himself from feeling, coping, and loving. It is about letting go and getting out of your head. The song features a Dave Matthews style riff with great organ and harmonies. It is the oldest song on TGP having been written back in late '01/early '02 while I was working on the Forcythia album. One of my favorite songs.
10 Days . . .
Sunday Oct 26, 2003 - Link to Entry
Back from Chicago...tired...ready for another entry on the 12 day countdown to TGP.
Day 3 - Goodbye
Goodbye is the title track of The Goodbye Project. The only song on the album that features a doombeck drum and alternate guitar tuning. The song is a response to the question put forth by Forcythia "How do you say goodbye?" Goodbye attempts to answer that question exploring themes of mortality and loss of loved ones. "Are you there, or am I scared? Its one or the other it would seem." Goodbye is a one sided dialogue between the living and the deceased that finds peace and comfort in the knowledge that someone is waiting on the other side of this life. It encourages memorializing and embracing sadness as ways to let go rather than dirt to bury the past away.
11 Days!!!
Saturday Oct 25, 2003 - Link to Entry
So today featured a shocking upset of the ranked Wisconsin Badgers by your Northwestern Wildcats. A very plesant homecoming.
Still in chicago and still very busy so I'll be brief.
Day 2 - Bustin' at the Seams
Bustin' is about falling in love and how that makes your life fall apart. It always blind sides you when you aren't looking for it and turns you inside out. Bustin' has a very sexual driving energy that pits love versus progress. Checkout the mp3 on the music page as well as the other new mp3's.
Go Cats!
12 Days until TGP!
Friday Oct 24, 2003 - Link to Entry
I'm writing from Chicago where amidst my media blitz I have already had the joy of a short hail storm and rain downfall. Mind you I have not had anything fall from the sky on me since June. Weather aside its time to begin the 12 day count down to the Goodbye Project (TGP).
Each day I will write about one of the new 12 songs. At the end the unofficial release of the album will take place. It will be available for purchase from me in person, and online shortly thereafter.
Day 1 - Scar
Scar is about trying to move on from a broken heart. It is about the pain you feel when you find out your ex has moved on and about the difficulty of moving on yourself. Though it was written specifically about my move to San Francisco and the break up I was going through at the time, it is a song that says, hey we get hurt but we get back up with a mark to remind us what we had, what we learned, and what to do differently next time. Cause hell, its only a scar.
Alright fans...I must away, but I'll be back with the countdown before you know it.
One more day...
Wednesday Oct 22, 2003 - Link to Entry
until chicago...I made some purchases today: The New BareNaked Ladies CD, Everything to Everyone, and the Live from the Alice Lounge 7, basically unplugged singles created by the local radio station.
Just thought I'd share.
Business Blitz is about to begin upon my arrival in Chicago. I will be promoting the heck out of RoundRecords getting people thinking about the new album and about the biz in general.
14 days till unofficial release. Later!
Out of My Hands
Wednesday Oct 22, 2003 - Link to Entry
The Goodbye Project entered its pre-production phase on September 8th of 2003. About six weeks later every last detail was finished and shipped off for mass production. Now that all is said and done I see that I went a bit over budget, but I also have a much better product than I expected. Here are a few interesting statistics.
90 hours were spent with Jerry working on the album (and he put in an extra 20 hours without me even there)
20 hours were spent in transit to and from the studios
10 hours were spent on CD layout and graphics with Jon (and he put in an extra 20 hours without me even there as well)
That means that in the past six weeks, while working full time, and an average of one night a week DJing (48 hours of work per week) I also put in an additional 20 hours a week on The Goodbye Project. 68 hour weeks...wow! Not bad!
So now the focus can truly shift in a big way. I can turn my attentions to performance and marketing myself and RoundRecords. First stop, Chicago. My red-eye flight gets me in at approximately 5:30am Central Standard time, so 3:30am in America. From there it will be business cardsView image
galore and playing the tunes via walkman or local guitar any opportunity I get.
This entry is unfocused, but I am not ashamed...perhaps tired...goodnight.
Deadlines and Pressure
Monday Oct 20, 2003 - Link to Entry
Some bad news came through today. It looks as though the packaging will not be completed until mid/late November. As a result I ordered 100 non-packaged CD's to satisfy your Goodbye Project desires and give you a more affordable option for the interim.
Some good news also was borne of today. The design is complete and as of tomorrow will be on its way to the manufacturers so all I will have to worry about is sales and promotion, which will be a relief! Also a few big steps were taken in terms of promotion tonight. An introduction was made between a certain artist (yours truly) and a certain booking manager. Things are looking better and better for the "dream" venue.
Alright, I have a lot of paperwork to fill out. So goodnight and sweet dreams.
Website, Packaging, and my 4th wedding in 8 days
Sunday Oct 19, 2003 - Link to Entry
Changes will be flying around on JeremyRound.com this week. The mailing list will be born, MP3's for both albums will be available. Ordering of Forcythia will be available. New Photos, New Features, New New New.
Also the artwork for The Goodbye Project will be finalized in the next 24 hours. Previews will be available online.
So last night marked my fourth wedding in 8 days. While it has definately been overkill I am actually getting better at the DJ craft. Last night I only had feedback once, actually had someone on the dance floor the entire night, and got my first tip (chi-ching!). I also premiered two tracks off the Goodbye Project, "Come Home to Me" and "Goodbye." When they played everyone continued about their business. No one seemed put off by them which I considered a big success considering they were sandwiched in between the greats.
Also went out to see Ticket to Ride my producer, Jerry's, Beatles' coverband. They were really accurate and a lot of fun to watch. Here's a picture of Jerry and I working in Half Moon: View image
Time to get back to fixing this site...Enjoy! Sign up for the mailing list!
Mastered, Now what Jro?
Friday Oct 17, 2003 - Link to Entry
So what is a master anyway?
Recording is a very complicated process. After weeks of practice and pre-production involving learning parts, rearranging songs, creating demo tracks, etc, you finally go into the studio to "track." This is the time when you lay down the parts with top of the line gear to get the optimal sound. This must be done for every instrument and every vocal on every song. After this is completely finished, mixing begins. Mixing involves making the parts have the relationship you want to each other in terms of volume, tone, eq, etc. After this is done finally you want the entire disc to have a cohesive sound and to flow appropriately, thus the master. Mastering is a final polish that makes the CD that much more commercially acceptible. Thats the abbreviated version of the past 6 weeks of my life.....you dig?
Now what Jro?
So much, so much. First off I'd like to announce a new up and coming show scheduled for November 8th in Los Angeles, CA. Exact venue and time TBA. The show will feature the comic stylings of Sam Greenspan and will be my official So. Cal CD Release Party. I will most likely play a full hour accoustic set.
CD Release Party for SF will most likely be in December with a full band assembled for the occassion. Venues are currently being researched and a promising lead has come to the forefront. More Details on that soon.
So Get Pumped...It has begun!
The Future is Near
Thursday Oct 16, 2003 - Link to Entry
Now let me give you that toot toot.... beep beep...
Tomorrow is it, disc done, send away on Saturday and wait for one to multiply into 1,000. So now its time to remember why I got all of this started to begin with. I decided to get this music recorded so I'd have something to show for the past year, evidence of my musical growth, a living record of my time in San Francisco, and most importantly to launch what I plan to be a career in music.
Goals that the album will help me achieve:
1) Regular Gigging at several different venues
2) A professional demo of my abilities to send to potential bandmates, agents, managers, labels, etc.
3) Another Revenue option for RoundRecords
Though I failed to meet my overly ambitious goal of taking 12 loose songs from start to produced finish and mass production in a month, I am coming in at only two weeks past my deadline which both my wallet and heart are thrilled about.
The 12 day countdown to The Goodbye Project will most likely begin late next week. I will have official word by Tuesday and will keep you all posted of course.
Burn Out or Fade Away?
Wednesday Oct 15, 2003 - Link to Entry
Lately I can't seem to find enough energy to power through my days. Call it a lack of exercise, inefficient diet, cold dry weather, or perhaps I've been going full speed for a bit too long. Either way I'm limping through this week.
Remixing is done and its so much better. I should be very proud and excited but I'm a bit too tired for either. Sleep tonight, refocus and reenergize tomorrow.
Re-Mix
Tuesday Oct 14, 2003 - Link to Entry
The mix arrived Sunday evening via my mail slot. I began listening to it non-stop unable to hear anything but flaws. I played it for others and they had only positive feedback. Why do we see something different in the mirror than what people see when they look our way?
Either way there are somethings that could be greatly improved upon before we go to print, so tomorrow will be a remix rather than a master. This could potentially mean a week's delay in the final product being available, but also means a world's difference in quality. A week is well worth the world. Oui/non?
The art is coming along beautifully thanks to the great works of Jeff Cacossa and the tireless efforts of Jon Brandon my graphic designer/layout guy and lead guitarist of the Fan Club, my to be band.
Is it fall in places where there are seasons? Re-Mix Baby! Re-Mix!
3 Events, 3 Days, and No Internet
Monday Oct 13, 2003 - Link to Entry
The weekend from wedding hell is over and I remain standing, barely. After spending a majority of the weekend wearing a three piece suit and avoiding to play celebration, YMCA, and the Chicken Dance, I was rewarded by my (insert unkind word here) downstairs neighbor with the internet being down for the 15th time in the past 8 months. Unacceptable and above all irritating.
Whining aside, the mix is done and I would rate my happiness with the product at an A/B (a fictitious mark only available at UW-Madison). Truth be told I could have done some things better vocally, but it is still a rocking disc. Mastering and design will be done by midweek and then it will completely out of my hands.
Time for phase two of RoundRecords, PROMOTION! I need to get gigs, build alliances, send cd's, make more Forcythia's, and Play Play Play! A few serious conversations will be taking place in the upcoming weeks to determine what roles the current cast and crew will take and which will need to be filled by newbies.
Oh and Chris Columbus (the world explorer, not the Chicago based film director), thanks for the downtime!
Dangerous Liason
Friday Oct 10, 2003 - Link to Entry
Its the remedy in the experience...sorry, I've got that Jason Mraz tune stuck in my head.
Mixing has begun, and for all I know could also have finished. I left after 4 tracks were completed to pick up my DJ rig for my three, yes three, gigs this weekend. So the weekend is shot, but the album should be mastered, I'll have money in my pocket, and life will slow down in a big way next week. Without class, recording, and constant DJing, I'll probably be bored. I hope so!
Just in case you were wondering, the CD sounds AMAZING!!! Jerry did such a great job! Time to rest up and prepare for a weekend of bad 80's songs. My thoughts and prayers go out to Roy of Sigfreid and Roy. Although that does mean that there could be an opening on the Strip....
Tracks and Crossroads
Wednesday Oct 8, 2003 - Link to Entry
Yesterday marked the end of the production phase. The Goodbye Project enters Post Production officially tomorrow as Jerry brings our finals over to OTR studios to begin mixing. Though this may mean very little to all of you out there, what this means to me is no more late nights in Half Moon and Belmont, no more obsessing over performances, its time to get RoundRecords and its first album, The Goodbye Project out there. I am psyched to have reached this moment in time!
So the next question is am I wasting my time working so many little jobs on the side? Should I be focusing on music and DJing? Only tomorrow will tell.
Other business news. We have business cards! Okay...that's it.
Keep on Rockin'
Tuesday Oct 7, 2003 - Link to Entry
Yesterday was an intense session of vocals. After 7 hours of straight singing I was a bit worn down but still pleased with most of what was created. Today I took off from teaching and music to celebrate the holiday, get my business affairs in order, and of course to attend a baseball game.
Tomorrow should mark the end of the production phase of The Goodbye Project after we record some harmonies and backups in Half Moon. It looks to be an intense week with 3 DJ gigs and the finishing up of the album. Wish me luck.
Tired
Sunday Oct 5, 2003 - Link to Entry
A night of DJing, a day of cleaning and organizing...I'm exhausted...and I find myself missing the Goodbye Project. But alas, my longing to return to work will be satisfied tomorrow as I head down to OTR to finish vocals, and then over to half moon to burn some cd's and do some mixing.
I dont know if I'm built to work this many jobs. At least I'll have my grandpa "I walked uphill to school both ways" story now. Goodnight.
I'm Walking Through Walls
Thursday Oct 2, 2003 - Link to Entry
Great Great Session....Nailed the vocals for a few tunes...Got the piano and organ taken care of. We are well on our way. The disc will be out of recording and into post by monday. Awesome!
I'm really doing this!
A Dream
Wednesday Oct 1, 2003 - Link to Entry
is a wish your heart makes...
The closer I get to the end of The Goodbye Project the more real my dream of being a career musician becomes. With that dreams comes a lot of questions and doubts. What I hope to post here is inspirational words to look back upon in times of doubt so that I can continue plugging away at what I want to become. I also hope these words can serve as comfort and support to all of you.
Today's words come from an article in the USA Today. There was a cover article that talked about the return of the male singer/songwriter. Sting was quoted at the end of the article as saying, "Music is its own reward. Whether you sell three records or three million, music still nourishes you...the fact that I can be creative...makes me happy. That's what you have to concentrate on."
And so I shall.
Tomorrow is vocal recording and I'm still not quite back to tip top shape. Well I have faith when the 'tape' starts rolling I'll be able to perform. I'll keep you in the know.
In the meanwhile tell Matt to finish this site already.