2 Years, 7 Weeks, & 2 Days

This past Thursday I got my first listen to the mastered recordings for the new album, and they sound awesome. Like pure dynamite. Like when you get to hear these songs that I've been working on for so long, you will finally understand why I put so much time and effort into producing them. And for those of you keeping track, from initial drums tracks to master recordings took 2 years, 7 weeks, and 2 days. And the project isn't even full done yet. In contrast, initial drum tracks to master recordings for my first album took less than 5 months. You want to have a conversation about dedication? I'd be happy to have that conversation with you, but just keep in mind who it is that you're talking to.

So, what's next? The album art is done, and the ball will get rolling on the production of the physical CDs this week. Two music videos are currently in simultaneous production, but ideas need to be firmed out for more. Live arrangements need to be hashed-out, and the band needs to be fully assembled and rehearsed. The album release party needs to be planned, as well as booking more live shows, including more performances in NYC. I began laying the groundwork for the PR campaign back in July, but that's going to get firmed up more once we have a release date.

And after all that, I guess I can just sit back and relax, right? Sure thing. You just keep thinking that.

The 57th Presidential Inauguration

My day on Monday began at 4:30AM. We had already driven into DC the day before (and fought to find a parking space) to get our tickets from my representative, Sean Patrick Maloney, but they were general admission so we had to be up early. We caught a train just after 5AM and were in line for the Gold Gate shortly before 6; a line that already stretched down the street and around the corner. And it was cold.

By the time we got through the security tent and staked out our position on the mall, it was close to 8AM. Despite the number of people in line before us, we were quite happy with our view of the Capitol, though we of course wished we could have been closer. And so we waited. And waited. We enjoyed the pre-ceremony music while we ate our breakfast (granola bars), and then tried to amuse ourselves until the introductions and 11:30 start time. The crowd booed Paul Ryan. The crowd booed Newt Gingrich.

The ceremony itself was fine, though we couldn't really see much. We were pretty far away, the binoculars weren't all that helpful due to the people standing in front of us, and the closest jumbo screen to us was behind a tree. Oh well. During President Obama's speech we started walking around our section a bit, seeing things from different areas. As soon as the speech ended some people started to make their way to the exits, like when you know you're team is going to win and you want to beat the traffic. We decided to go as well, and to head toward one of the parade entrances.

It was now about 12:30PM, and getting into the parade took an additional 30-minute trip through security. Open your coat, empty your pockets, take off your gloves and hats. I was (that guy) carrying binoculars on my belt, so I took them out of the holder and was holding them, waiting to step into the security tent when a guy came up behind me and lifted my coat. "What have you got here?" he asked as he investigated what he must've thought looked like something I was trying to conceal. Once he was satisfied that it was just a holder for my binoculars, he stepped back to join the other numerous law enforcement officials at the checkpoint.

We walked up Pennsylvania Ave. and found a spot that we thought would have a good view of the parade, and then we waited. Again. The parade was supposed to start around 2:30PM, but really didn't start until closer to 3:15. And it was still cold, and we hadn't eaten or drank anything in hours. But then it started, and soon the presidential party was at the block before us. People started shouting that they were getting out of the car and walking. And sure enough they were, and they came and walked right past us. The crowd went nuts. It was amazing dumb luck that we happened to be standing at just the right part of the parade route to see President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice-President Biden, and Dr. Jill Biden out of their limos and walking down the street. Very cool. After that we ditched the rest of the parade and made our way to the Metro, got back to Virginia around 5:45, had dinner (our first food or drink in almost 8 hours), then drove back to New York. I got to bed at 2AM.

So here's my big takeaway: Most Americans will never see the president in person. We read about him, we see him on TV, we learn about his policies, and we judge and debate his actions. We study presidents in school, watch movies about them, and are taught about the things they did by our parents and teachers. Because of this, I would argue that to most people the president is not real, at least not in the way that the people, places, and things we encounter in our lives are real. Presidents are superhuman, larger than life, monumentally historic figures. But when you see him live in person, that changes. It did for me, anyway. Seeing President Obama in person really made it sink in that he's not superhuman - he's just this guy who happens to be trusted with incredible power and responsibility. I won't use the word "regular," but when it all comes down to it he's just this guy walking down the road. He's human, with strengths, weaknesses, and flaws. And so I'm kind of having this small realization that no matter how entrenched our government is and no matter how permanent it may seem to those on the outside, the only thing holding it together is us. People. And a mutual belief in this republic of ours.

It's not always obvious, but on Monday, for me, it was.

Go Big Or Go Home

"Don't try to see yourself the way that others do - it's no use" -Ben Folds Five

I began initial editing of the first video off my new album the other day, and the above lyric seems appropriate. We all can be hyper-critical about the way we look and the way we act, and believe me when I say that these things can become even more apparent when you're looking at yourself on a screen. Just like being in the recording studio, the process can be very exposing, sometimes bringing to light things about ourselves that make us feel self-conscious. But in the end, what's the alternative? To not record the record? To not release a video?  To not take a step forward?

Life is about getting outside of your comfort zone. If we don't continually do things that challenge us, that scare us, and that push us, then we begin to live stagnant lives. Many of us may find ourselves at the brink of something new, or something different, and feel unable to move forward due to the uncertainly of what lies ahead. But now's the time. Take the leap. 2013: go big or go home. That's the theme of the year. That should be the theme of every year. This year I'm going to make sure that I get out of my comfort zone. In many ways, I've come to the brink of something new, and this year is the time for me to go over the edge.

You should, too.

The Home Stretch

I've never run a marathon, but I imagine that after you've run 26 miles you can feel pretty drained. But I also imagine that once you hit that last .2 miles and the finish line is coming up fast, you get a jolt of energy. You've come all this way and you're almost there. That's kind of how I felt yesterday in the studio as we were finalizing the mixes for the new album. Yes, it's not done yet (it still needs to be mastered) and yes it's not released yet (right now we're looking at late spring), but at times I've felt like I've been pushing a boulder up the side of a mountain, and now I can finally see the top.

Recording my first CD wasn't nearly as difficult. From the time I initially had the idea of recording A Thin Line to the time it was released was about a year. For the new one we're looking at about 3 years. A Thin Line was recorded, mixed, and mastered in about 8 days. I can't even begin to count the number of days we spent in the studio tracking and editing for this one. And money-wise...well let's just say that we've exceed the budget for A Thin Line by about 50%. So, yes, my first CD wasn't nearly as arduous, but it's also not nearly as good.

Next week the tracks will be mastered, and once I've approved them they'll go directly to the manufacturer since all of the artwork will be completed and ready to go at that time as well. I'm hoping to have the final completed product in my hand around February 1st, at which point all of the people who contributed funds to the album fund will be able to get theirs. I hope you're one of them.

The boulder is almost to the top of the mountain. The next step is to push it down the other side and see how far it rolls.

2013

So, here we are. 2013. It's a good idea every now and then to stop, look around, and take note of where you are in your life, where you want to be, and how you can get there. I like to do that. I like to write out my goals for the year. You may call them resolutions, but I don't because it's really just an outline of how to move myself forward. How am I going to get this new album released? How am I going to move my career to the next level? The only way to know where you're going is to know where you are and where you've been. Take today to do that if that you can.

And in the meantime, enjoy this:

Happy new year.