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Ambles
Late night rambles
turning my mind into scrambles
leaving me in shambles
It is terrible
I am tired
It is late
Why do I put off sleep
procrastinate
prolongate
something that should be shortened
to a simple task
the computer breathes for me
keeps me going
all this and no real knowing
if it really does anything at all
my mind is scrambled
and my eyelids are about to fall
Hairline
I am trying to understand some of the things that seem to change as you grow older. I am not sure why I take interest in these things of vanity – but I do – good or bad. I don’t want to give away too much – enjoy!
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Why spend so much time thinking about your hairline
all in all things are just fine
sing and write a poem from time to time
does this symbolize youth and health
or simple vanity
for all eyes to see
what will happen in the days to come
there is no reason for that
I am not sure if it is a reason to just look back
a connector to my past
but I start in the glass and wonder
what is the reason for it
my worry
my concern
in days and years I will learn more
about the world
and myself
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
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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
Clocks and Lamps
This is a poem reflecting on life through the collection and the ultimate giving of possessions. I was inspired by a conversation I had with my uncle, who is a very devout priest, about how the things that he had collected simply become garbage if the family does not want it. Maybe he came to this by seeing all the people come and go in his life – and the disposal of their belongings. It really reminded me of how life is truly simple at the core to give back and not be controlled by what you own. A simple idea and a poem to go with it. Cheers.
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A holy man has spent his years praying
Years
Walking through narrow wooden halls
Lit with dim lamps
When night would fall
Sitting silent on a quiet lake
He would speak so softly
As to not make a mistake
Years passed
His health began to wane
One could never tell
He never spoke much of pain
His years of prayer and solitude
Subtle vintage soul
Quiet demeanor and gentle attitude
–
“Is there any worth to this”
He asked me
Once we pass
Is there any meaning left
The colored lamp, wooden clock
Passed from hands to hands
Through generations tenderly walk
Falling down the mountain
Back to life
Formed from reincarnation
The giving fountain
Eyes passing
Looking
Watching
Take what is left
When the date has passed
When the soul departs
Small trinkets left
–
I learned much from his quiet soul
His tepid walk
Gentle flow
Upon others shoulders
Leave what you collect
From the field
There is no reason to save
Gands these items we collect down
It becomes a pile of forgotten
The trash man will collect it and move on
Drive away in the early dawn
–
Clocks and lamps
Collect new meanings
When new eyes see
A new branch is born
Upon the tree
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
Mr. and Mrs. Particular
This is a story about a band name that we still laugh about to this day. Our first attempts to name our band were pretty rough. But this one in particular is funny still because it captures who we were once upon a time. Enjoy!
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Mr. and Mrs. Particular
This is an emblem of what we once were
No longer do they exist
Vanished into the darkness and mist
Sent them off to the valleys and mountains
Never to be seen again
Every once and again we think of them
How everything seemed perfect back then
The sun would come up in the east
And settle in the west
In simple naivety we would live
It was all we knew
We thought it to be the best
Through travels and experience
We realized our views were much less
Then second best
We had grand ideas and no way to achieve
So the best option was for us to have them leave
So we packed up their things
And gave them our best wishes
We were both so young but willing to change
I never would have thought how things felt
Oh but so strange
And new
And confusing
This whole idea of changing was quite amusing
Even after we packed up everything in the van
There was one thought that came back
Again and again
What if we never find our way back
What if we let go and want our old selves back
We looked at each other and began to say
It seemed we were quoting each other
So we just stopped
Both of us felt the same way
Take 1 – Stop Texting
Video
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
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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
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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
Elkhart’s Eternal Flame
Late night band practice in Goshen, IN led to a midnight drive to South Bend. Even at the late hour you can see the flame burning off of the highway in Elkhart. It reminds me of how that thing burns 24/7 and how we are filling it with every step that we take. So this is a short poem about where it all took me.
A Cup of Songwriting 