California: Chapter 2 Phase 1

It's almost been a week since we've arrived to California. Things are going well. We're preparing for our show at Hensley's on Friday and everything is off to a good start. The old songs sound better and we're going to be showcasing a new song. As well, the little things are coming together quite nicely. We're all practicing vocals together now which is going to help our sound a lot. To "plus" our stage show we're going to be making a cool banner for the show, hopefully all goes well. On the home-front we're sleeping on the living room floor at Michael's family's place. It's nice not to be living in the rehersal studio. I can manage myself better, though it hasn't even been a week yet. I have to watch my back, as I've already left clothes in the washer and left the house. not a good thing. "we must be like ninjas" No one can see you making a mistake if you're not making one... We'll also be working at one of the restaurants starting tomorrow. Exciting because I like to make my own pizza. I don't start until Wednesday though. Oh Well.

My Time In Madison: The Overview

After living in our rehearsal studio and playing on the streets of San Diego with no job, for about two and a half months our (Michael and myself) holiday break in Virginia was much needed. Just as I had hoped, great things were accomplished during this time and my spirits are at an all time high. I tried to keep a calendar while I was back marking my triumphs of each day, but as I look at it i only got past the first week. This may be due to the fact that I spent most of the second week in Fairfax seeing old friends and reliving the life I used to live. Although it was fun, it was a reminder of what I've been doing and what I need to be doing. Hanging out around GMU is a thing of the past. I also got the chance to have a Spratt reunion in Charlottesville. Good times, no one has changed. In between these times I was able to revamp the myspace, make some flyers, design and screenprint two new T-Shirts and create many new song ideas and practice my music skillz. For Christmas I received two amazing books: Tour:Smart, which is basically the holy bible of being a successful band, and How to Write a Hit Song, a great book which eventually led me to an amazing epiphany. I have been considering myself a songcatcher not a songwriter, hence the name of the blog, because I feel as though the songs are already there and I just catch on to bits and pieces of that which eventually leads to a song. Well a songcatcher can be likened to that of a fisherman and although skilled fisherman may be able to catch many fish; he still needs to cook it and season it before serving it to his dinner guests. I realized that although I have been catching songs for quite sometime and I have not been putting enough effort into cooking and seasoning them for just the right taste on your tongue. Essentially, serving raw fish. Even sushi is meticulously prepared. I've always though I was more of an idea man than details. Now I realize what the details really are, your life.

Which all leads to my new mantra for the new year: Discipline