This is a song about how my mind seems to wonder at all times. I have a very curious personality – and I feel this song really captures the way I feel sometimes. Enjoy!
Wonder
Video
Reply
Tag Archives: Arts
A Little Insight into My Music World
Recently I received an email by a young artist asking questions about how to gain exposure in the music industry. Although I have no solid answer for this question I do believe I may have a unique perspective on it – if nothing else an entertaining perspective! So here is my response to one of our fans recently that I typed out. I thought it would be a great thing to share. Enjoy!
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Hey (Name),
Sorry it took me a bit to get back with you. We have had a crazy couple of weeks and currently have a couple days of down time so I wanted to make sure I took some time and really responded to your questions. I think the first thing you have to do is create a youtube video that generates dislikes (thumbs down). This may seem counter intuitive, but here is why. First, it teaches you the most important rule in the music industry – don’t give a shit about what people say/think about what you are creating. The moment you care more about what people think than the art that you are creating – you can not continue on creating great art. Also, if you are getting negative reviews it means that you are actually reaching people AKA you are being heard. Just because someone likes or does not like your work does not really matter – you just want to be heard right? You should not care whether or not people enjoy or do not enjoy your music – it is art everyone is titled to an opinion. This does not mean that you should not have mentors – but I will talk about that later. If you can get over this first major hurdle then you are on your way. Exposure in the music business can be a very difficult thing for artist to stomach. So right away, this is giving you a great lesson – to simply let go and start creating. A quote by Steven Pressfield illustrates this ”Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.” So focus on giving to the world and forget about what others think – just do your best.
So obviously youtube is a huge way of gaining free exposure.
From a logistics standpoint of building a fanbase – start building a core group of followers in your class/hometown/school. It might just be a couple of friends that you are going to give your first recordings to. Start small and focus on developing meaningful relationships with people who genuinely have an interest in both your music and you as a person.
Play open mics. Learn from other performers and ask questions. Develop relationships with people at these gatherings. Get feedback on your original music from people you look up to and trust. This will help you in deciding what works and what does not. Always try to get lessons for guitar/voice especially when you are young. Great website openmics.org
Once you feel confident in your performing abilities – record a demo. I would suggest paying and going to a studio when you are young. You can learn to record yourself later. But go to someone who knows all the little studio tricks that can help you out.
Finally maintain a presence (and grow it as you go) on Sonicbids, Reverbnation, Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, and CD Baby. This is an investment but these are great tools to begin gaining exposure.
A lot of shit has changed since I was 15 playing at open mics, but this is what I think would really help a young person in current music world. Hope it helps you.
Cheers,
Nate
Screw Texting
This is a song about the disconnect between someone on a phone and someone not. I was really inspired to write this song as I walked through a grocery store and almost got whacked by some guys shopping cart as he laughed and texted to someone. That shit is dangerous – and i see people texting all the time when I am driving. I would say that is just as bad as drunken driving. One time i stood on an overpass in LA and 13 out of 30 cars were distracted drivers. Just zipping by doing 80 and texting. Shit be crazy. So this song explores the texting dilemma in a the form of a confused love song. I felt this would make the song most intimate and revealing to do it in this way. I think I achieved what I was going for – you tell me. I will be posting the video tomorrow. Enjoy!
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Stop texting
When we are talking
There is nothing
Better to do
–
Feel like I am dying
Cause I am holding
I am holding my breathe
for you
–
Your friends calling
Just ignoring
All l the little words
I try
–
It feels vacant
In this party
Yeah this group
Of just me and you
–
It just kills me to hear you say
–
Don’t go
I wont go if there is a reason for me to stay
Don’t stay
I won’t stay if there is a reason for me to go
(Repeat)
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I fight feelings
We have outgrown these
Damn phones
Lets throw them away
–
What could make you
So happy
Looking at that
Box in your hand
–
Fingers punching
Always talking
While your lips
Have nothing to say
–
It so quiet
In the room now
That the phone is
all tucked away
–
We can just talk another day
Wonder
This is the revised version of a song that I am currently finishing up. It is about being in the grind and trying to find meaning in your work. For me it is grinding through all of the social media/marketing day to day activities of running my own company. It is a simple morning – but my mind begins to wander. That is where this song comes from. Hope to have video up soon. Cheers!
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When I wake up
Feeling fine
Get up put the coffee on
I’m in the grind
The TV rings out so clear
In subtlety
Weather man’s telling me
These thoughts are free
But you will find
You will find
You will find
That in due time
–
That OH
Don’t you just wonder
How the clouds can fade
They just fade away
And oh
Don’t you just wonder
How life it fades
It just fades away
–
It fades away
–
Every time I think of her
I fade away
All these people telling me
Move this way
What the fuck is wrong with you
He will say
You’re head is tucked in clouds
But I’m OK
Then again
And again
And again
Love I will send
–
But OH
Don’t you just wonder
How the clouds can fade
They just fade away
And oh
Don’t you just wonder
How life it fades
It just fades away
5 am grabs me
Very informal late night ramble. Drove from 8:30 am until 5 am and this is basically where my mind was at. It is crazy how you almost start to hallucinate and you definitely need some time to recover. So here is to late night, cheers!
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5 a.m. grabs me
not asleep yet
soon
maybe
probably not
the skies lift a heavy fog
from evening shoulders
passing lines
and green street signs
–
late night
driving all around
better prop up these eyelids
so they had not fall down
–
the next day is no better
wake up late
in somewhat of a lucid state
but 5 a.m will take some time
to recover
my mind works slow
slower on those days
it stumbles through
with a velvet glaze
–
my eyes bloodshot
all around
last night was late
and there is still a ringing sound
–
i muster up the courage to write
let the words fall and thoughts take flight
i feel alright as my muscles warm
to poetry I return
with no care for content or form
–
that is where I stop
as vision blurring mind distort
better put the pen down
on days like today
it is best
to keep it short
Fades Away
Here are the lyrics to a song that is currently under construction. Most of the ground work (guitar parts and melodies) have been written. Now I am just taking a couple of different approaches to the lyrics. The key of the song is the chorus where I was caught looking at these massive clouds in the air and how they just vanish. Reminds me of how my life sometimes creeps away from me too. But it is a love song because these feelings were not experienced alone. I would like to call this a rolling post because I will edit it and change it as I refine it. Hope to have a youtube video of the final product up in a couple of weeks. Enjoy!
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Oh I think of her
Feeling fine
Laying in the summer grass
On borrowed time
Oh the world is new
For you and for me
This is the where
We will live
Between thoughts
And dreams
Where you will find
You will find
You will find
Us
–
-Chorus-
And OH
Don’t you just wonder
How the clouds can fade
They just fade away
And oh
Don’t you just wonder
How life it fades
It just fades away
–
–
It fades away
–
–
The world is different now
Than yesterday
Change will not know itself
In shadows grey
But then again
Days like this we remember
Velvet nights in late September
Between your arms
We will make it through
To mornings light
Wn the light
And morning bright
We will be
Pajama Celebrity
This is written out of my bewilderment for my generations obsessions with themselves. I may be a part of the problem too – I am still trying to understand it all. I really tried to focus on the use of “me” and “I” in this poem and how the demeanor changes drastically into the last line of the poem. From a sense of self discovery to a tone of demand and control – which is what seems to happen to people obsessed with this idea of a self made celebrity. All of this is going on and it begs the question what is the overall purpose of this shit.
–
You mean even I can be a celebrity?
Take a couple pictures and soon you will see
That all this media can focus on just you and me
But what about all the people
Filling up the tabloid pages
Worry you must not now
They are gone with the ages
–
Just hit this button and post it online
It can’t hurt it seems like a fun time
A sign that reads something funny
A dog
A cat
Doing something witty
Such a low cost to pay
For such a pretty kitty
–
You mean even I can be a celebrity?
I can have the entire world revolve around me
Me the center and others revolving
I don’t care if no ones problem I am solving
As long as I fulfill the constant desire
The feelings will make me move higher and higher
–
When I get up to high must I get down?
I like the view up here I just look around
What is the real point of this all anyways?
I am going to exploit the shit out of it
I take advantage while it pays
–
Cause yeah
Even now I can be a celebrity
Wear crowned jewels into obscurity
Where the world revolves around me
What I say and what I do
I might even try to persuade you
Into believing that there is more here
That just a silly little kitty
That is why I am sitting pretty
–
Turn on the computer and say my piece
Might even do it wearing my favorite fleece
Pajama bottoms and rocking out
This is really what I am all about
The camera now loves me with all respect
Forget about leaving my ego in check
Cause all this pride has got me feeling good
Now sit down and listen like you should
On a lighter note – I have yet to post any songs to my blog. Tomorrow I am going to start by posting a video that I am very happy with and gives a nice introduction to my songwriting. I look forward to that posting it and more videos of songs to come. I hope to have at least 1 post a week that is a song – this blog will keep me working towards that goal. So stay tuned for some fresh tunes 🙂
A Floral Confit or Rose Scented Turpentine
Pink and green
Seaweed green
Sunset pink
With a cup of water to drink
Bent glass in subtle ways
The beauty lasts for only days
Velvet touch
Burnt under glow
Pedal gentle
Summer tone
Resting peacefully
Under gravity’s pull
Drink the water
Until the stem is full
Grasping life
With both hands
Passing time
With falling sand
The clock calls out
With subtle hues
But brings great joy
Until it’s time is due
But with beauty laughter
And laughter joy
Summers gift
Nature’s toy
Time is not infinite
Space not confined
Rose scented turpentine
Joy and fresh
These are the treats
From the flower blooms
Upon eyes a floral confit
The End of Days Mayan Tribute Video
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrFKVXZSuww
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This is The Bergamot’s ode to the Mayans. Dedicated to the Mayans on the last day of the world, according to their calendars, December 21st 2012.
ENJOY!!!
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LYRICS:
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VERSE 1
If there was no tomorrow
Do you think you’d be alright?
If you had to go with me
Do you think you’d put up a fight?
–
OH
–
Leaves and limbs are bending
But the trees are standing upright
There is a bitterness in the air
And a coldness in the night
–
OH
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CHORUS:
But I don’t
Want to tell you
All the
Dreams I have
I take a breathe
And turn
That’s when it happens
Your gone
Again
OH NO
OH NO
–
Anticipation is building
Fear creeps in through the night
Breathe deep and move quickly
Everything will be alright
–
OH
–
Fields they are burning
As you hold me close tonight
Winds around us are cursing
They hiss with the passing of time
–
OH
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CHORUS (REPEAT)
A Cup of Songwriting 