I entered the competition, wasting $10, probably, and writing one of the sappiest songs of my songwriting life.
EXTREMELY ROUGH DEMO: Only Just The Start
Lyrics:
It's always been my passion, it's always been my life
It's time to take action, I just want to get it right
Will they see just who I am, will their words cut me like a knife
Can I give my everything so my star can shine so bright
I have waited all my life to sing a song for you
I have battled through the tough times and worked to see it through
And now I stand before you, and open up my heart
This is not an ending, it's only just the start
You've shared with me your courage, you've given me such hope
Don't want to be discouraged, I just want you all to know
That it's taken me so far, all the love and all you do
That I'll give my everything, and I'll give it all to you
I have waited all my life to sing a song for you
I have battled through the tough times and worked to see it through
And now I stand before you, and open up my heart
This is not an ending, it's only just the start
All the times I will cherish, memories of you and me
And our love will not perish, you know it will forever be
And as I walk uncertain, to a future where we part
This is not an ending, it's only just the start
This is not an ending, it's only just the start
This is not an ending, it's only just the start
Schmaltzy almost to the point of being disgusting, but I think it's appropriate for the "I just won American Idol" song.
But who knows? Maybe by some freak act of chance I'll be a finalist. It took me 20 minutes to throw it together, so not too much time wasted on the effort.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Nice visit
As I mentioned in my last post, my "little brother" Caleb came down for South By Southwest and I got to spend some time with him on Saturday.
It just reminded me how sad I am that I don't live closer to him, because I think that more than just about anyone I've actually written songs with, Caleb and I could really come up with some amazing music together. He hears the same things I hear, he notices the little things/chord progressions that I use that no one else pays attention to. He has that same level of care about the little things that make simple sound great.
I guess if it's meant to happen, it'll happen. Anyway, Caleb - thanks for making time for hanging out with me. Next time we'll take more time...
Also, much love to my cousin Ryan who came up to visit from Houston. You've grown up into a pretty kick-ass guy, and I enjoyed wandering aimlessly around downtown Austin with you on Friday night.
And this (the Roman Holiday demo video - it's all we've got for now):
It just reminded me how sad I am that I don't live closer to him, because I think that more than just about anyone I've actually written songs with, Caleb and I could really come up with some amazing music together. He hears the same things I hear, he notices the little things/chord progressions that I use that no one else pays attention to. He has that same level of care about the little things that make simple sound great.
I guess if it's meant to happen, it'll happen. Anyway, Caleb - thanks for making time for hanging out with me. Next time we'll take more time...
Also, much love to my cousin Ryan who came up to visit from Houston. You've grown up into a pretty kick-ass guy, and I enjoyed wandering aimlessly around downtown Austin with you on Friday night.
And this (the Roman Holiday demo video - it's all we've got for now):
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Video, Narcissism, SXSW
So my throat performed reasonably well at the gig on March 1st. I've even got video proof of it that I'll be cutting together pretty soon for a brand-spankin' new Roman Holiday video promo reel!
I already made a live DVD (warts and all) for family and friends of the band. As much as we appreciated David's work with the camera, there were starts and stops in weird places (endings and beginnings cut off, etc.) and it was just super-sloppy, partially because the way we have to set the lighting up in that particular club just doesn't lend itself well to videotaping.
The bizarre part about it for me was that it was the first time I've ever really seen myself perform. I've been doing this for the better part of 10 years, and I never had the occasion, save a couple of brief shots on Channel 4 in Jacksonville in the background of a news report, to see myself singing and playing on stage.
Shockingly, it wasn't horrifying. I think I do need to learn how to sing without closing my eyes, and I think that I could stand to lose a few pounds, but overall, I was relatively pleased.
It was funny to me that I screwed up Super Freak, and funny to see me take bass solos and groove with Rob - I actually look like I know how to play the damn thing. It kind of weirded me out, to be honest.
The best part? It made me want to do it again, and to do a whole show this time with a good board recording as well instead of the on-board camcorder mic.
Anyway, hopefully I'll be able to cut that thing together in the next couple of days and post it here.
South by Southwest is this coming week, and I'm thrilled that I'll have a chance to spend some time with my "little brother" (from another mother) Caleb. He's coming down for the festival from his current home in Arkansas. He's become quite the songwriter and guitarist, and I'm so happy to have been able to know him since he was just a little kid, trying to convince me that his GTX guitar was actually something a lot nicer, and listening to the progression of his music and songwriting from its Pollen Dance beginnings through all the great stuff he writes today. Not to mention the leaps and bounds he's taken as a guitarist. He impresses me endlessly, and I figured I'd give him a little tribute here on the blog. I really wish he lived closer so we could make some seriously funky-ass music together. Or whatever. I just love the guy, and I'm happy to have him coming to my town, even if only for a few days.
Look out for the video, and enjoy yourselves. Life is short even when it's long.
In closing, much love to my dear departed Grandma V. - we loved you and we will miss you. I hope I'm wrong about the afterlife, so you can have a wonderful time in Heaven with Grandpa and Uncle Peter and all your friends.
I already made a live DVD (warts and all) for family and friends of the band. As much as we appreciated David's work with the camera, there were starts and stops in weird places (endings and beginnings cut off, etc.) and it was just super-sloppy, partially because the way we have to set the lighting up in that particular club just doesn't lend itself well to videotaping.
The bizarre part about it for me was that it was the first time I've ever really seen myself perform. I've been doing this for the better part of 10 years, and I never had the occasion, save a couple of brief shots on Channel 4 in Jacksonville in the background of a news report, to see myself singing and playing on stage.
Shockingly, it wasn't horrifying. I think I do need to learn how to sing without closing my eyes, and I think that I could stand to lose a few pounds, but overall, I was relatively pleased.
It was funny to me that I screwed up Super Freak, and funny to see me take bass solos and groove with Rob - I actually look like I know how to play the damn thing. It kind of weirded me out, to be honest.
The best part? It made me want to do it again, and to do a whole show this time with a good board recording as well instead of the on-board camcorder mic.
Anyway, hopefully I'll be able to cut that thing together in the next couple of days and post it here.
South by Southwest is this coming week, and I'm thrilled that I'll have a chance to spend some time with my "little brother" (from another mother) Caleb. He's coming down for the festival from his current home in Arkansas. He's become quite the songwriter and guitarist, and I'm so happy to have been able to know him since he was just a little kid, trying to convince me that his GTX guitar was actually something a lot nicer, and listening to the progression of his music and songwriting from its Pollen Dance beginnings through all the great stuff he writes today. Not to mention the leaps and bounds he's taken as a guitarist. He impresses me endlessly, and I figured I'd give him a little tribute here on the blog. I really wish he lived closer so we could make some seriously funky-ass music together. Or whatever. I just love the guy, and I'm happy to have him coming to my town, even if only for a few days.
Look out for the video, and enjoy yourselves. Life is short even when it's long.
In closing, much love to my dear departed Grandma V. - we loved you and we will miss you. I hope I'm wrong about the afterlife, so you can have a wonderful time in Heaven with Grandpa and Uncle Peter and all your friends.
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