August 27, 2007 at 8:43 am (music)
Yesterday made me realize how truly poignant music is in my life. I not only had a jam session with Brian Marzan and John Nowobilski, but later that day a phone call was made to Allen that was all about him and I getting together to jam, then an AIM conversation took place that was an attempt to get Glenn over so we could practice as well… then while basically passed out on my bed, I got a text message from Danielle saying she enjoys my music- which reminded me of my new album coming out that is turning out to be so glorious… and it’s just like, every where I turn, there’s music. Even with Dan and Nick we’re trying to start a band ourselves. I know there’s a lot of talk from me saying like, “aw yeah, music is my life, yo”… but that’s the truth! Music is everything to me- I take off two days a week from work for music lessons and band practice(s). One night I was explaining a dream to Vicky about how I’d written a song in my head and was able to play it once I woke up, and her words were, “Wow, you really do eat and sleep music, don’t you?” The only new thing I bought for “back to school” were new headphones for the schoolyear!
I’m not the best at all my instruments- I’ll admit, I’m pretty fucking amazing at bass when I wanna be (and in certain respects), and I’m getting better and better at guitar each day, and drums- I’m passable- I have my moments of shear genius… but overall I’m not some prodigy. And some people look down on that… which I think is pretty stupid. If you can make good music- you have succeeded at your trade. One can shred like it’s no one’s business and bust out all these cool techniques… but can you apply it to a song? Can you make something awesome out of it? Can you play with others? There are so many questions that lead up to making a great musician/player and I like to think that I can answer ‘yes’ to most questions thrown at me and my potential to succeed in the music world.
Just now I was looking at Dirty Fingers pickups for my guitar… ugh, I want those so bad. I don’t know why the fuck I haven’t purchased them yet! Right now I’m strapped for cash, seeing as I still owe my mom more money with the next credit card bill… whatever.
Yo, I gotta jet. Enjoy my thoughts for today.
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August 25, 2007 at 10:25 am (Romancing The Angels, apollo's dream, appastar)
They’re doing it again.
Angels & Airwaves is inspiring me like no other band can.
Sure, I’ve got bands that tend to inspire me in a pretty huge way… but no band creates a bigger stir in my soul than AVA. Something about their sound, their energy, and their message is just beyond powerful and is indescribable. I just got a hold of a new song from their new album called, Everything’s Magic. It’s so brilliant. It just makes me wanna take my life and attempt to make it so much better than it already is.
Ah yes, you haven’t really heard an update from me in a long time, have you? Well, my life’s excitement and accomplishments really only consist of musical endeavors, but allow me to explain!
My new album is turning into this work of pure gold. I’m almost amazed I made it. It’s extremely hard work… but the results are so worth it. This song Gekkoukan High is beyond extraordinary. Last night I recorded bass for some Appa songs- Eager Wishes, Mikael, and Go On… and uhm… yeah, all I gotta say “Fuck yes” to that shit. The songs sound marvelous. I’m actually very excited to show any and all my friends at Benet. Just be like, “Hey, look how awesome this band is I’m in.”
Apollo’s Dream had a practice yesterday. It was extraordinarily less than perfect. There’s a major conflict of interest going on in the band right now. I tried to take the lead and help write a new song, but it seemed no one was just into it at all… it was like trying to jam out was a chore. It’s a lost art, really. People just don’t jam anymore. Every band I’ve played with lately feels that jamming is pointless since there’s really no direction… but whatever. I’ll always miss the Idiot Ambush days for so many reasosns.
I’m still contemplating whether or not to join The Plural of Sheep. Joining them could open up so many connective avenues. New people. New locales. New opportunities. New band members? It could be very very advantageous to join… so I dunno. It’s something I really gotta think about. It’d be a new style of music for me to play bass to/get my name out there even more… cuz that’s really what the music business is about- EXPOSURE. If no one knows who I am, I’ll remain that way forever! And it’s not that I want people to know just me… I want people to know Allen. I want people to know about Appastar and how amazing we are.
I’m probably gonna quit work and get a job somewhere else/better. I’m fed up with the monotony and bullshit management.
Two words: Hitomi Yoshizawa.
Peace & Love.
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August 20, 2007 at 11:45 pm (God)
I’ve been doing some things lately I normally don’t do. Trying out some some different things that I don’t normally do on a day to day basis… and I must say, there’s a reason why I’m generally so happy with who I am and what I do. I’ve managed to filter out all the garbage that tends to fill up a person’s day, and leave myself only with the things that leave me feeling the most fulfilled with my life. These past couple days of experimentation have left me a-okay with the decisions I’ve made about treating my body like a temple, staying chaste, upholding all my morals, and being completely optimistic with moments of unparalleled realism.
This blog is cryptic, and it’d be wrong of you to make any assumptions from the text, but I must say, God set down a bunch of rules in the Bible. Most of those rules make people afraid of being subjected to such a dull life and being submitted to perpetual ennui… but the truth is, all the rules God made for us humans was only to help us be more fulfilled. People only think sex, greed, alcohol, narcotics, disloyalty, etc. etc. is a lot of fun. But the truth is, to remain in accordinance with the law and your fellow peers, as well as trying to lead a moral life, that is the best/easiest way to acheive contentness and ultimate happiness.
Don’t fool yourself. The best of times are the ones you can remember. The best of times are the ones you can explain later to others. The best of times are the ones you never want to forget. If what you’re doing or what you’ve done can’t fall into one of those categories, then it just isn’t worth experiencing.
Word up.
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August 18, 2007 at 9:03 am (benet, creativity, parties)
MortFest ‘07 has come and gone… and what a splash it made/success it was. If you’re unsure of what MortFest is, it’s basically the name for any party I have… which are usually on the small scale. However, the party thrown last night was much bigger than some tiny shin-dig. All sorts of people came, and it was on-par with the massive parties my parents have thrown, proving that whether I care to acknowledge it or not, I’m a lot like my mother and father in many ways. It was such a good time, and all I heard were positive remarks from everyone. Even Nick and Dan didn’t seem to be complaining (and if they were pissed off or hating it, I would have heard things). The party was fantastic in the sense that I united and re-united a bunch of different people. And… that was somewhat of a hidden agenda: one of the whole goals of MortFest was to bring together people from all sorts of different social circles. I wanted to prove that “groups” mean nothing in high-school, or in life, for that matter. Good people are good people, and just because someone is in a different social circle, doesn’t mean you can’t invite them to sometihng or hang out with them: it just don’t matter! Social circles are stupid. And I don’t necessarilly mean cliques- those are a bit more exclusive/pretentious. Social circles are a bit more natural and okay to have… but there’s really no reason for them at all. Glenn complimented me saying that he was proud that I’d managed to have a bangin’ party with no alcohol- which is another point proven: you just don’t need that stuff to have an awesome time/party. Call me stupid/cliche’ for bragging that I can have a party without alcohol, but it’s sometihng I wouldn’t mind priding myself on. MortFest ‘07. It was a good night to remember. And among all the people there, lots of people didn’t show up. Crazyyy, right?!
So I’m addicted to Persona 3 like it’s no one’s business. While there are many different things I would have done differently with the game, it’s still highly original and awesome compared to like… any RPG I’ve ever played. So I still find myself completely absorbred and engrossed to the max. Lately I’ve been very creative in the sense that I’m starting to really think out of the box and be a bit more original in my thoughts. If someone asked me, “What color would this best look in?” (for anything- a wall color, a dress, etc.), I used to be terrible at coming up with a solution. Now if you ask me on my opinion of what might be a good idea for anything, I start brainstorming confidently, and at rapid-fire speed with all sorts of nifty solutions and even why they’re good ideas. It’s a new page in my book that I’m enjoying writing. But yeah, back to how this pertains to Persona 3: the only thing stopping me from just completely dying every time I play the game (out of esctasy) is because I’ve got ideas in my head to make the game way better. Most games I play, I just kind of accept what comes… but not anymore, I guess. I also have my ideas for/of Anime Scene-It and my new Sims idea.
Really folks: Mae’s new album is love.
I met someone new last night. Her name is Hatti Barratt, and I’ve gone to Benet with her for the past 3 years and we’ve never talked. Not cause it’s like “Yeah, don’t like her, no thanks.” But it’s more of… we’ve never been in the situation to do so/been given the chance! And last night Dan brought her (hah, it was weird seeing dan have a ‘date’) and I must say, I had no idea such a bodacious girl was in my class. I’m really wishing we were friends a lot earlier than… FUCK. Senior year! Oh well, shit like that happens. It’s kind of a shame that I’m finally in my prime and I’m now leaving Benet, lol.
I’m joining a new band. The Plural of the Sheep has requested my assistence. We’ll see how this goes.
So yeah! It’s back to more Persona 3 for me. I’ll talk to you cool cats later.
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August 15, 2007 at 10:55 am (Uncategorized)
August 14th was a most auspicious day. For it was on this day that the third album (not including B-sides) from Mae was released, entitled Singularity. I might as well cut to the chase and immediately divulge my true thoughts on the album- instead of focusing on the flowery text no one really ever cares about.
Singularity is filled with heavy riffs and complex melodies. The heavy feel is awesome- you can rock out so hard to these songs, but it’s still tasteful and happy. But the complex melodies take a minute to enjoy. That’s because… well… they’re complex! However, once the song is finished, you realize that the words are already ingrained in your head and you wanna go back and listen right away. So yeah, here’s the final verdict: buy this album, but don’t discard it right away. Let it sink into your skin and your mind and your heart. If you still don’t like it by that time, then Mae just isn’t for you.
The first track, Brink of Disaster may be my favourite song off the album. It’s just so hard-hitting and awesome. The first five tracks alone are worth the $8 I spent on Singularity.(You asses don’t believe me when I say ALL NEW ALBUMS ARE ON SALE THE FIRST WEEK THEY’RE RELEASED) The love song Just Let Go is so wonderful. The only faults I noticed in the album were tracks 6, 8, 9, 12. 6 and 9 because they’re the only songs I can’t remember what they sound like off the top of my head (which shows a lack of awesomeness). Then track 8 because it really was just lacking… And track 12: it’s the last track off the album and I just feel like they could’ve done better. It’s like they decided to rock ridiculously hard for 11 tracks, then right when they get to the finale they crapped out. It’s excellent, sure, but lately I’ve just been craving sometihng super awesome when it comes to my closing tunes… and this + Sum 41, two albums I was awaiting so impatiently for both didn’t deliver. Maybe my expectations are gettinng too high…
Okay, folks. Buy this album. It’s worth your money- even at full price. Mae is truly one of the most talented bands out there and deserves your attention like no other band does. Singularity isn’t as impressive as The Everglow (their sophomore effort), but it’s still incredible. And it’s a different experience, really. So add this cd to your collection NOW.
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