"Ripples" Performed @ The Velour
Here's a throw back to when I performed at the Velour in Provo,Utah. The Venue is setup very well - an overall cool environment and atmosphere, with church like stained glass, angle wings and other uplifting artifacts spread about the walls and ceiling.
My mind recalls the hour drive South from Sandy,Utah to Provo with the sky covered in softened pink and creamy orange clouds resting atop cascading mountain ranges. Dressed for the cold of winter (This was just before Christmas 2015) my boots walked the town with the sparkle concrete leading the path. Having arrived early there was much time to journey around to different shops and restaurants. The Velour was not yet open to the public, but not too far was a chocolate shop. Decorated in a timeless fashion, large black and white tiles scaled the floor. Hardwood tables and booths were classically placed around the building and offset in the back a large very well built chocolate and espresso bar stood. A young couple sat by themselves as my face peaked through the doorway. They both turn my way and after a moment smile, then proceed to invite me in to talk story. We exchange words and they encourage me to perform at the Velour - to which I replied "I'll have to look into that". Casually we discuss the town of Provo, they tell me bits of history and how they grew up, college, business... like that.
As amazing as the chocolate and coffee looked, it was well out of my price range - Starting at 17 dollars for a bar the size of a king Hershey's.
Soon my watch reads nearly 8 o'clock and it is time to head to the Velour. Stepping out of the Chocolate storefront a long line leads away from the venues entrance. All are waiting to enter.
Standing for nearly 30 mins in the brisk cold - Finally to enter and perform. Overall, immediately I was fond of the stage setup and design of the area. Little details popped out at me and made my mind ponder the journey of pursuing music - how far to go from how far I've been.
The notes may still be steeping.
House Jams : Dancing in the Moonlight Cover
Another Jam in between creation sessions.
This time I do a simplified cover of "Dancing in the Moon light" by Thin Lizzy
The Gloomiest "Moon River" Cover You'll Ever Watch
Ani and I cover "Moon River" in my car while it rains by the melancholic Pacific ocean.
Biking Kona to Hilo
Here's video I put together of my biking adventure from Kona to Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii.
House Jams : Sleepy Bay Lullaby Electric
In between editing video and writing I took some time to jam out and practice a few songs.
Sleepy Bay Lullaby is by far one of my new personal heart wrenches. Every time I play this song there's something released and created deep inside me.
Video updates : Feb
Putting aside videos and other projects for the last month and a half has been a fulfilling sacrifice. I stayed up until 4 A.M. this morning getting some old videos finished up and uploaded to the web. It's always a joy to look back on past adventures with friends. Here's a couple and there are more to come. My compact camera that I had been shooting these videos with was left on my roof and drenched in rain a while back, but I'm hoping to buy a new one very soon and continue to go on these awesome adventures. Keep in tune!
Update : The Timeline
My postings have been highly lacking - But not because of laziness or neglecting the site. My time has been focused on Music since mid December. My family went off island for Christmas so I offered to house sit and watch the dog. Taking advantage of the situation to work and save cash as well as utilize the quiet house and space for music was my mindset. Family left Christmas night and didn't arrive back until January 9th or so. I built a small recording studio in my mothers "Storage Room". Taking all of the tools, boxes and mess out, then cleaning up the room led to me stripping all of the beds in the house and using the mattress as sound dampening material for a better tone. A mattress for every wall and one placed on top as a ceiling too with carpets on the floor. From the day they left to the day they arrived back I was inside the storage room sweating, recording, and focusing inside.
Total number of songs recorded : 16
One song I recorded and wrote on the spot and am highly pleased : "Sleepy Bay Lullaby"
All of the songs are just myself, guitar and simplified drum kit.
This is a goal of mine that has been in the works for about a year and a half now. I can't describe how excellent it feels to have these songs recorded in such a manner of relative completion to show and share with the world.
Now my goals for music are to take everything to the next level. Playing out and eventually get into a legit recording studio.
You can check out the new recorded songs in the Music page or listen below.
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"If you are able to listen to your own work and be content and happy... You've made it"
- Carl Kuahane (Worship Leader at Shorebreak Church)
Thank you for all the support and listening ears.
What we're listening to : Sky Allen
Sky Allen is a singer songwriter from Salt Lake City, Utah. A life long multi-instrumental musician with a large catalogue of original tunes from a vast array of genre's. Incorporating soulful and unique vocals over guitar, rhythm, and sometimes full band settings. His current music is based in the traditions of international roots music.
Living back in Utah I came to know a very cool musician by the name of Sky Allen. He worked at a coffee shop that I just happened to walk into one afternoon. It was a wild story and series of events but it led to excellent conversation and jam sessions. He's got a highly unique style that is inspiring with the uplifting focused words.
Scope out one of his songs here :
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