Bitter Paradox Live in Concert

Peter and I are extremely excited that we will be the featured singer/songwriter at Cafe Hey's Croon Saloon Double Feature Night in Downtown Tampa on Friday, July 13, 2012.  The event starts at 8:00pm.  For more information, check out the facebook invite and the announcement on reverb nation.

Bitter Paradox 2012

Happy New Year everyone!  Bitter Paradox started the year off with a bang by playing a little mini show for friends and family at the Meridian on Sand Key.  Peter stroked the keys of a gorgeous Grand Piano for the songs "To Love Me", "Polyamorous", and "Run From What You Fear."  Check out the video below!  Also, we are playing TWO open mics this month, so check out our reverb page for details. 

We want to thank everyone for their support.  We plan to release an EP come March 15th.  Any input on which songs you would like to have on it (we plan to include at least 4 songs, max 6), let us know!  In the mean time, enjoy a live performance of "Polyamorous". 

New Bitter Paradox Logo

Click on the image to check out our music on Reverb Nation

This is what it looks like...

when Bitter Paradox is recording a video of themselves playing, and Bee decides to come in half a measure too early:

Premier Night: Bitter Paradox @ Dunedin Brewery

Peter and I, since the formation of our band name, Bitter Paradox, decided to play an open mic at Dunedin Brewery last night.  We had this dude, Wade, jam with us; he played the flute and soprano saxophone; he was old school cool. We did really well, I thought, figuring we played pretty late: 11:30.  The band that went before us were jerks; took them almost 20 minutes to set up, and then they played for roughly 20 minutes...  they were alright, but I wasn't impressed with all the glitter (literally, they had a strobe light...)  Like, are you kidding me?  This is an open mic, not an American Idol audition.  I was pretty annoyed at that point, but I didn't let it get in the way of my singing.  I gave my most bluesy performance yet... we played three of our songs: "Nightmare," "Frightening" and "In the Bay (I get so Angry)".

"Nightmare" went pretty well, but I thought we were going to hold the guitar solo part out longer as we had discussed, so when Peter gave me the cue to start singing again, I was off by about half a beat.  "Frightening" was definitely my favorite to sing; I added some pretty high parts, and I love rocking that one out.... but, it needs to be jammed out more; there is so much we could do with that song.  I added some pretty fun vocal soloing, Fiona Apple style.  "In the Bay (I get so Angry)" definitely came from the heart last night.  When there's a mic to your mouth and crowd before your eyes, you really start to feel the song in your soul.  A dude there started video recording us, so hopefully he will post that on the Dunedin Brewery Facebook page... I don't have have FB anymore, but maybe Peter will post the video on here.

Next time I hope we play three of our newer songs: "Blame the Devil", "Labor" and "Survival of the Elitist".  Till then...

He's Got Personality!

Hey All!  So yesterday, I finally did it... well two wonderful things, actually.  First, I got my new tattoo that I have wanted for fooorreeevvveerr...  I already had a a carpenter ant and a monarch butterfly, but I felt incomplete without a honey bee, after all, that's my nickname!  So check out the pics; he has quite the personality!

The other great news is, Peter and I (I think) finally have a band name!  "Bitter Paradox," which came to me as an epiphany, literally a light bulb lit above my head. Yesterday I saw a guy smoking a cigarette after I was finished working out and I was thinking to myself, "It's so weird that we are all living and dying at the same time... what a paradox.  What a bitter paradox..." And BOOM, and what was so great is that I have been able to maintain the "BP that" Bee and Peter is short for.  So B.itter P.aradox!  YES!  I feel that this name really resonates with our music; it is sultry and seductive, yet scary and emotional, with hints of blues and jazz.  Album title?  Possibly "Simultaneously Living and Dying."

Labor

This past Saturday evening I got together with Peter, once again, to practice our songs.  We were playing with the idea of going out to an open mic this week... we have three solid songs that we've written and two covers.  However, until we figure out a name for our band, I am hesitant to step outside of our comfort zone.  Also, when it comes to performing covers, Peter is adamant about playing them topically, while I like to add my own twist to the songs... covers  may not be in store for us if we can't agree on how we want them to sound (Go ahead Peter: retort).  Despite this, when we write our songs, they are so organic, and our heads never clash.  Our minds combined create some of the greatest songs that I have written with another person.

There is a new song we are working on that was slightly unexpected to come about... but it worked its way in there.  I have to work on the lyrics a ton; they come from a poem I wrote back in February of 2004.  It was titled "The Toltec" because I was obsessed with naming my poems after the first couple words of each one (Emily Dickinson inspired).   It's about working really hard, but still trying to enjoy life.  I think the rename of the title to "Labor" is necessary to emphasize what the song is really about... I love the sound... it's a little more cryptic with a solid beat (and I can already imagine a remix).  As far as vocals are concerned, I want something a little more sultry and soulful than the other songs. Maybe Erykah Badu meets our other song "Frightening."  We shall see what we get from it...  we rough recorded a sampling, and I love how you can hear the rain falling in the background... I can imagine this song starting off with the sound of rain... something to remind us that we are all pouring our hearts out to get through this life, one work day at a time...

Frightening & In the Bay

Last night, Peter and I commenced once again to combine our powers of musical genius.  We ended up practically perfecting our song "Nightmare" and I was pleased to know that his dad thought it was really good (not to mention, he said he loved my voice three or four times.)  We also completed roughly two songs, with the third on it's way.

"Frightening," a song about love's complexities, is finished in terms of melody, but I need to lyrically add two more verses.  "In the Bay," originally written for a friend of mine who consistently has relationship problems, is turning into one of the most gorgeous slow songs I have ever heard.  Peter, after listening to my rough recording improv, came up with something so beautiful on the guitar, that we think the song is worthy of piano.  I still have yet to type up those lyrics, and structure it.  Lastly, we briefly touched on "Betty Lane," but it still needs a lot of work...  but, so far, I like the direction it is headed.  If we continue to work this steadily, I imagine we could start professionally recording in March.

If Peter and I didn't live 60 minutes away from one another, we would probably have 12 songs by now... but alas, the distance makes things a little harder... but honestly, it's our ONLY complication.  Everything is so stress and drama free.  I am so thankful he's in my life, and I would never want to imagine a world without him...  <3

Betty Lane & Nightmare

Currently, Peter and I are working on a new song I wrote the lyrics and melody for called "Betty Lane."  Peter is adding guitar to the song, and informed me that we may change it from its gospel roots to a funk progression... we shall see.  I have to wait till Friday to hear what he has come up with... should be interesting.  The song also needs more lyrics... perhaps one more verse.

We already wrote another song called "Nightmare."  90% of the guitar melodies come from Peter; I added a bit via the chorus.  The lyrics come from a poem I wrote back in February of 2008.  Crazy how something from a while ago can become today's new song.  But I love that; I have so much poetry on my hands (I studied poetry as an undergrad), and I have been writing poetry and melodies with lyrics since I started journaling (which was around the age of 8.)

The evolution of a song is something so organic and pure, that it reminds me why writing is so cathartic, and how singing and playing an instrument are close to divinity... "Perhaps that is why I have loved the artist; creation is the closest we come to divinity." -Anais Nin

"Dirty Boy," "Must Write," and "Fall from Grace" coming soon...