Consistency is key
To uniquely creating
Intentionally
Commitment to one
Undone with time
Consistency
Sets me free
Or holds on to me
It is consistent
That I will be
Intentional Unique Consistency
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Tag Archives: entertainment
Striking Words
It is with few words
I must strike down
The rhythm and the sound
Falling on fond ears
Restrained and freed
Recalling memories so new and old
with few words
I must paint many lines
So that a story can be told
Mr. Dylan
The beginnings of a song about how it seems that peoples belief in song has died. It has gone away with our generation – not that it is a bad thing – but things are changing. If I had a chance this is what I would want to ask Dylan, Seeger, and Lennon. It is a work in progress but it will someday become a song. Cheers and enjoy.
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Hey Mr. Dylan is there anything else you would say
Hey Mr. Dylan would you show me how to play
Hey Mr. Dylan would you do or say anything more
Hey Mr. Dylan the kids don’t care anymore
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Then one day
The songs will just fade away
And we will all go back
And live some other way
If you really must go
Please remember this
I am nothing more
Than some silly altruist
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Hey Mr. Lennon would you sing it again
Hey Mr. Lennon things are so different from back then
Hey Mr. Lennon how did you write those songs
Hey Mr. Lennon it seems what you started is gone
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Then one day
The songs will just fade away
And we will all go back
And live some other way
If you really must go
Please remember this
I am nothing more
Than some silly altruist
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Hey Mr. Seeger can anyone around here still hear
Hey Mr. Seeger no one listens to songs with ipods in their ears
Hey Mr. Seeger I am doing the best that I can
Hey Mr. Seeger the songs are dead and I have no plan
Call Out
Practice hard
Churn them out
That is what the songwriting life is all about
It is no matter where you are
You have to do
And sing from your heart
That makes songs worth writing
Fingers sliding and bending
Notes ringing and clinging
To every syllable and vowel
That sings from this mouth
Out into the world
To scream and shout
That new songs will be birthed
From hand and shovel
Pulled from the earth
And given a life to live
In peoples ears
This is the gift to give
When Bad Things Happen to Good People
As I listened to NPR cover the story unfolding in Boston yesterday on my way home from Chicago – my fiance and I were just silent. Sometimes it just takes time to realize that some people have that much hate inside of them that they are willing to act out and hurt others. It was a very difficult listening to the coverage – and violent acts happen all the time. So I have begun working on a song called “When Bad Things Happen to Good People”. I feel that I have had this song on my chest for a long time. Something that I can turn to when I feel worn out by peoples hatred and violence. A song to give hope, but also deal with the hard question of “why?” Obviously, I do not have the answer – but I know what can make me feel more loving in my own heart. To recognize what is great and take time to be thankful. It does not erase the pain, but rather helps me deal with it in a positive manner. I will have the song posted here tomorrow afternoon – for now here are the lyrics. I just wanted to say there is no reason for why bad things happen – other than the existence of hate/evil. Rather than focusing on evil, I wanted to focus on love and hope. The verses are about what makes this country great and what I am proud of. In verse 2 it is my call to action. I hope that you can relate with this and find it helpful in this time of grieving.
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Keeping everyone affected by this in Boston and throughout the world in my thoughts.
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When Bad Things Happen to Good People
–
When bad things happen
Oh my god
To good people
There is no way around
It is a quieting sound
But hate won’t tear us down
It won’t tear us down
–
I love the way
People care enough to say
Oh I love you
And be safe out there
Just take care
In a world that’s always spinnin’ round
Don’t be scared
The fear will try to tear us apart
But in your heart
We must know
That the hate must die
For the love to grow
–
When bad things happen
Oh my god
To good people
There is no way around
It is a quieting sound
But hate won’t tear us down
It won’t tear us down
–
When news gets tough
You have had enough
Don’t throw your hands
And just give up
The world needs us now
Hate has knocked it down
Its up to you and me
And everyone around
Help someone back up
Even when your heart aches
The love you give
Must be greater
Than the love you take
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
The Salesman of Song
The Salesman of Song
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Born to the middle class
They called him Joe
Full of talent
Full of song
Bringing to life
People’s wishes and thoughts
Make people cry or laugh
Whatever he sought
Growing up he took it so lightly
Musicians were not like him
Seemed to flighty
Years had passed
The pressure had grown
To make some money
Have some kids
Own a home
Through all he had been taught
All he had learned about
Never had the nerve
To sing his way out
See what songwriting could earn
So he went to school and got a degree
Went on to teach middle school until he was 53
Then came the recession
The ugly layoffs
He got caught up in the process
Now he had no job
His paycheck is much less
Would push a mower with his hands
Making sure the kids were fed
Keeping steady the natural family plan
Took out a loan and went back to school
No one ever thought this man a fool
Earned a PHD
Still struggling to find what he wants to be
He writes books on religion
Sells them at the doorstep
He knows that he missed
Stumbled when he could have leapt
He just writes songs on the side
Did it all along
Never had faith to make a living
Writing a song
He sells the idea to the young generation
Asking people for help
Feels the weight of procrastination
In a hole so deep
Playing songs so beautiful to the ear
But no singing can anyone hear
He is too old to try out new tunes
Wants to pay off the house and retire soon
He clearly knows years ago
Where it all went wrong
All that is left
Is the Salesman of Song
Take 1 – Stop Texting
Video
Light and Meaningless
This is just a piece written out of inspiration after watching a documentary about a pop star that has had her “big break”. I found the most ridiculous part of the movie was how they talked about her writing had developed her vocabulary. Then they showcased this horrible song overusing mediocre simile. So I have some simile thrown in for effect here and how ridiculous it is to claim that good simile can create good poems. It can help, definitely, but I believe there is a lot more to poetry and learning how to write than that. On top of all of this, she still co-writes all of her work with major hit writers. So lets not get over zealous with how much she is doing. Anyways – RAWK!
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Heartbreak
Why does every song have to be about heartbreak
As though what you say
Has never been said
The book that was written
No one actually read
Or took any time to look it over
Over and over
My stomach turns listening to stale bread
Filling up the holes in my head
With words so light and meaningless
Where is the controversy in all of this
But a love song will sell
It will land you on the charts
That is all you should care for anyway
Get charted make some dough and roll away
I have no appetite for that no calling for swooning
My heart cannot be pulled anymore by this
Songs about how ones hearted is wounded
Do I really have to be relatable and and marketable
At what point does all of this become a song
Whether I seem to have it right or have it wrong
I can debate this question all night long
When my eyelids glue open to ceiling above
There is no point to this all when push comes to shove
The feelings fall like honey down a wilted tree
I used the word honey there
Isn’t that so creative of me
I have no calling for simile or rhyme
I just try to create what I feel I can call mine
A concoction of words so bitter and so timid
Just the flesh of a peach left when it is pitted
Try to make something small everyday
Quick painting of what is going on around me
To look back one day and truly be able to say
The meaning was left in the heart of the words
There truly is no right way
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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A Cup of Songwriting 