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...

It's 2011 and it's time for something NEW

I am bringing this blog back after a few months of dedicating my time to another blog of mine: The Real Food Pyramid.  I plan on utilizing this site to update my progress about my main passion for and struggles with music  I also plan to use this blog to write about my professional endeavors, and perhaps some of my other artistic ventures.  Either way, I read this really great article today, recommended to me by my brother, about how important it is to write down your goal's progress to get yourself motivated to stick to it.  Here goes.

So, as far as music is concerned, I have started a whole new project after so many failed projects in 2010 (seven, to be exact...).  I feel this time around, I am finally doing what I want to be doing: steadily learning how to play the guitar and piano by ear, while writing songs and singing for my new band.  This time, it's only me and another buddy of mine; I am so thrilled that he and I do NOT want to work with a rhythm section... it's just him on guitar and me on vocals and guitar.  We are both going to be writing music and lyrics.  THIS is what I have been wanting to do, and I am so, so excited and thankful that I have someone I know I can trust; someone I know who isn't an asshole.  Thanks Peter.

Note: 2010 wasn't a complete failure by any means.  I wrote roughly 12 songs, four of which I have rough recorded.  You can listen to them here.

Just Bee.

http://www.myspace.com/beezarchive

An Old School Ode to Jaegermeister!

I love my Jaeger

'Cause it changes my behavior.

I become the moving sidewalk,

So you can call me the conveyor.

I'll spill some rhymes for you

'Cause that's how I pour.

If I drink anymore of this shit,

I'ma be on the floor!

The Creative Mind on Vacation

The creative mind on vacation is really just around the corner on writer's block.

Essay on Words: "Understand"

The word “understand” is considered synonymous with “appreciate,” and “identify with.”  However, when we“understand” something, we may not always be able to identify with it.  For instance, I can understand, logically, from Hitler's view-point,  why he wanted to exterminate the Jewish race, but I can not “identify with” this thought process or the actions that came from it, and I definitely can not “appreciate” it as a sound methodology for life.    I believe that there are many things that I will “understand" because to understand is to except what is, as it is.  I do not have to value it or believe in it to understand it. 

When we are able to understand something, we are becoming knowledgeable of the world around us. Essentially wisdom is a gathered by knowing a past, being aware of a present, and acknowledging a future; this is all we really have.  To take away the right of one’s ability to think is to hinder that person’s ability to understand any concept, and therefore all concepts throughout time.