Sorry for the last few weeks, but rehearsals have been taking up all of my time.
Recording has gone into a standstill until the show is done, and until I can either fix my M-Audio or borrow someone else's.
Anyone in the area should totally some and see Assassins though, which opens on December 1st at 8:00 pm!
Beyond this, I've been working on a new play, inspired by Amanda Palmer's recent album, as well as constantly working on new songs. I am sorry that recording is going so terribly slowly though.
All this aside, I did actually manage to work in a rough draft of a new song, so I guess I can put that together for a teaser.
You can download it for free (or best offer) here: http://javieraladren.bandcamp.com/track/peace-of-mind-say-demo
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Weekly Blog Update: Javi's Busy Week
So a lot happened this week.
I got new headphones, but they kind of suck (or maybe I'm just biased to my old Grado's). I'm still working on recording with them anyway. Come hell or high water and other such things.
My therapist and I are trying to figure out why I have this weird discomfort with gay culture and resisting gay stereotypes. I'm trying to wrap my brain around why myself. Fun times.
I'm going to be playing a new song. Like a song I finally finished this night. I forgot my camera, so you won't see it, unless you are here. Which you are not. Unless you are.
I have a bunch of call backs that I'm nervous about, which is par for the course. I also have papers that are choking me to death. That's also nice.
On second thought, maybe I won't play the new song.
I don't know.
This got very weird very quickly.
I've restarted work on Someone's Dreaming (the song, not the EP. I mean, the EP as well, but the song in it specifically titled Someone's Dreaming). I have a drum track that's ghetto as shit. That's fun. I may use it. I'm not walking away from that. u
That u was Becky9
As was the 9.
No video today, because I'm a boring man.
Okay, blog over, return to life as planned.
I got new headphones, but they kind of suck (or maybe I'm just biased to my old Grado's). I'm still working on recording with them anyway. Come hell or high water and other such things.
My therapist and I are trying to figure out why I have this weird discomfort with gay culture and resisting gay stereotypes. I'm trying to wrap my brain around why myself. Fun times.
I'm going to be playing a new song. Like a song I finally finished this night. I forgot my camera, so you won't see it, unless you are here. Which you are not. Unless you are.
I have a bunch of call backs that I'm nervous about, which is par for the course. I also have papers that are choking me to death. That's also nice.
On second thought, maybe I won't play the new song.
I don't know.
This got very weird very quickly.
I've restarted work on Someone's Dreaming (the song, not the EP. I mean, the EP as well, but the song in it specifically titled Someone's Dreaming). I have a drum track that's ghetto as shit. That's fun. I may use it. I'm not walking away from that. u
That u was Becky9
As was the 9.
No video today, because I'm a boring man.
Okay, blog over, return to life as planned.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
On Amanda Palmer, the New Yorker, Communism, and the Oompa-Loompa Defense
If you haven't read the article, please do so here: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/10/amanda-palmers-kickstarter-scandal.html
Now, I'm not going to deny a level of personal bias: Amanda Palmer is an inspiration to me as a musician and as a person. I have been a fan of hers since high school, and I will continue to support her work, despite the most recent backlash on her.
That being said, the amount of ignorance and pandering involved in this article is astounding. Joshua Clover handles explaining how a Kickstarter project works as if it were this insidious, bizarre tool used to swindle innocent, and apparently stupid fans into giving her money. He goes on to describe the backlash as Palmer struggling to capitalize on her fans devotion by having them play for free, painting her as this "moustache-twirling boss," apparently out to get rich quick off of her art, citing her using a rather suspiciously titled "Oompa-Loompa Defense," in which, according to her, "If my fans are happy and my audience is happy and the musicians on stage are happy, where’s the problem?”
There is a necessary level of oppression involved for the "happy worker" mindset to work. The Oompa-Loompas themselves were unable to effectively voice their opinions with their work, which is why Wonka was able to assert that they liked it. Her fans are not all living in caves, on in some strange island, and we all speak coherent, modern languages. We have access to the internet, her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and we are all more than happy to voice our opinions of her work. She isn't paying us off to lie, and tell people we're happy "working" for her, so I would just trust that Palmer made that claim in confidence.
This would be a different argument if she was crowdsourcing touring accompaniment. She is asking for local musicians, her fans specifically, to participate in her music. Every action that she has made with this project has been towards lessening the gap between musicians and their audience, and I don't see how paying them to do one show helps that. If anything, it creates a formality, a sense that Palmer isn't interested in the people. Paying them puts her fans in the category of convenient studio musicians, rather than people invested in her work, who want to be on stage with her, who want to play and share this music.
As I said in the beginning, I come from personal bias, and perhaps I am a slack-jawed toady, jumping at cruel Madame Palmer's beck and call, but structurally speaking, nothing in Palmer's behavior has ever suggested an insidious motive, much less one for financial gain. Also, we are talking about music, not accounting or engineering, or construction. I would like to believe that there is a level of joy involved in this act: these musicians are doing what they love, after all.
Now, I'm not going to deny a level of personal bias: Amanda Palmer is an inspiration to me as a musician and as a person. I have been a fan of hers since high school, and I will continue to support her work, despite the most recent backlash on her.
That being said, the amount of ignorance and pandering involved in this article is astounding. Joshua Clover handles explaining how a Kickstarter project works as if it were this insidious, bizarre tool used to swindle innocent, and apparently stupid fans into giving her money. He goes on to describe the backlash as Palmer struggling to capitalize on her fans devotion by having them play for free, painting her as this "moustache-twirling boss," apparently out to get rich quick off of her art, citing her using a rather suspiciously titled "Oompa-Loompa Defense," in which, according to her, "If my fans are happy and my audience is happy and the musicians on stage are happy, where’s the problem?”
There is a necessary level of oppression involved for the "happy worker" mindset to work. The Oompa-Loompas themselves were unable to effectively voice their opinions with their work, which is why Wonka was able to assert that they liked it. Her fans are not all living in caves, on in some strange island, and we all speak coherent, modern languages. We have access to the internet, her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and we are all more than happy to voice our opinions of her work. She isn't paying us off to lie, and tell people we're happy "working" for her, so I would just trust that Palmer made that claim in confidence.
This would be a different argument if she was crowdsourcing touring accompaniment. She is asking for local musicians, her fans specifically, to participate in her music. Every action that she has made with this project has been towards lessening the gap between musicians and their audience, and I don't see how paying them to do one show helps that. If anything, it creates a formality, a sense that Palmer isn't interested in the people. Paying them puts her fans in the category of convenient studio musicians, rather than people invested in her work, who want to be on stage with her, who want to play and share this music.
As I said in the beginning, I come from personal bias, and perhaps I am a slack-jawed toady, jumping at cruel Madame Palmer's beck and call, but structurally speaking, nothing in Palmer's behavior has ever suggested an insidious motive, much less one for financial gain. Also, we are talking about music, not accounting or engineering, or construction. I would like to believe that there is a level of joy involved in this act: these musicians are doing what they love, after all.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Weekly Blog Thing: Waiting for Recording and Other Such Puns
So. The blog thing.
School has gotten pretty intense, a lot of shit to memorize and work on. A scene, two poems, Assassins script.
I want to keep working on music, and particularly recording, but every time I set up my "studio" something isn't working. Right now its the headphones that I still need to send in to Grado to get fixed. It'll happen, it's just being a bitch (as technology and particularly recording is want to do).
No Donkey show this week, since it was a comedy thing. I'd do the comedy thing, but I don't think I can maintain being funny for that long without using my depressing music or stories as a sort of counterpoint.
I think as far as recording goes, I'm going to just start working on every EP and album I've had lined up for ever. I'm not going to worry about full bands or anything for a bit, I just want more of my work out there. So I'm starting from the top and moving down. Look forward to it or whatever.
I have a dream last night where I was shot by some guy in the back. He did it in the name of love.
Also last week's show is here:
Setlist:
Brittle Back
Am I Alone I Am
Polly (Nirvana Cover)
Friday, September 21, 2012
Weekly Blog Thing: On Doing a Weekly Blog Thing and Stuff
Hey gang,
So I've decided to try blogging once a week, since I've been doing open mic shows once a week, so I figured, why not, right?
Most of time right now has been wrapped in a plethora of delightful excuses, like classes, or my own neuroses, or the economy. I have certainly been writing new songs, as the video below will show you, but recording has been largely problematic (as if it hasn't been before, but blah blah).
Mostly depressing songs, but it's something I guess. Below is a video of my open mic last week. I'm sitting in Donkey right now in fact. Isn't that great?
Oh, I also got cast in Assassins at my school, which is super exciting. I get to explore John Hinckley, so that's fun.
This would have been a snippet from my show, but it didn't upload, because it's weak.
I'm also apparently doing a comedy thing next week at Donkey?
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Late Update: The Eventual Return to Normalcy
So wow. The amount of things that piled up on me when I wasn't looking.
After Irene hit us and I lost power for a glorious three days, and sulked, since things were not going smashingly at the Aladren abode in New Jersey.
To be fair, many people lost their lives to the storm, and it was a tragedy, and I honestly believe I got the better end of the deal from the storm. My hard times were more a collection of jetlag, my cousin visiting, my brother moving in, moving down into the cat fur suite, and the long drive back to Athens.
But I'm back and ready to go. And in all the chaos of scheduling and adjusting to things, I realize that it's the 10 year anniversary of September 11.
What the fuck?
Even now, a few days later, it still hasn't sunk in.
Everyone seems so involved about politicizing the damn event, and I just can't get over how little I feel about it.
It's horrible, but I really don't feel that affected by the 10th anniversary of a horrible attack on our country.
I'm not sure what else to write now. I know I should put down how my trip went, recording plans, news about the Flying Cynics, but I just can't get inspired right now. I just want to post to let you all know that I'm still here, so... blah
After Irene hit us and I lost power for a glorious three days, and sulked, since things were not going smashingly at the Aladren abode in New Jersey.
To be fair, many people lost their lives to the storm, and it was a tragedy, and I honestly believe I got the better end of the deal from the storm. My hard times were more a collection of jetlag, my cousin visiting, my brother moving in, moving down into the cat fur suite, and the long drive back to Athens.
But I'm back and ready to go. And in all the chaos of scheduling and adjusting to things, I realize that it's the 10 year anniversary of September 11.
What the fuck?
Even now, a few days later, it still hasn't sunk in.
Everyone seems so involved about politicizing the damn event, and I just can't get over how little I feel about it.
It's horrible, but I really don't feel that affected by the 10th anniversary of a horrible attack on our country.
I'm not sure what else to write now. I know I should put down how my trip went, recording plans, news about the Flying Cynics, but I just can't get inspired right now. I just want to post to let you all know that I'm still here, so... blah
Friday, August 5, 2011
Blog Updates!
Hey all! Again, I know I usually update these on Wednesdays, but time is really relative, so shut up.
So I've been writing three ukulele songs simultaneously, and I'm not sure if they're all going on the album or not, since my original travel plans have changed. That being said, I have the eurail pass in my hands, and with some awkward financial complications involving everyone's favorite Bank of America and the currency exchange between euros and America-money, I should be able to head off from Zaragoza to Barcelona, Chapter One, in a couple of days.
I've always been trying to figure out time to film at least a couple of these songs for everyone to see, but for some reason or another, I can't seem to get it done, so sorry. I'll try in the future, but things are kind of crazy in Spain.
That's really all there is to my blog today, so...
Today I recommend Owen Pallett's cover of "Hard to Explain," by The Strokes.
Also, for my music, try listening to my first release, -1
So I've been writing three ukulele songs simultaneously, and I'm not sure if they're all going on the album or not, since my original travel plans have changed. That being said, I have the eurail pass in my hands, and with some awkward financial complications involving everyone's favorite Bank of America and the currency exchange between euros and America-money, I should be able to head off from Zaragoza to Barcelona, Chapter One, in a couple of days.
I've always been trying to figure out time to film at least a couple of these songs for everyone to see, but for some reason or another, I can't seem to get it done, so sorry. I'll try in the future, but things are kind of crazy in Spain.
That's really all there is to my blog today, so...
Today I recommend Owen Pallett's cover of "Hard to Explain," by The Strokes.
Also, for my music, try listening to my first release, -1
Friday, July 29, 2011
Belated Blogging! Back from the Mountains!
Hey all! Sorry about the late blog, but the internet up on the mountains cut-off, so blahdeblahdeblah here it is. I wrote a new song up there, currently untitled, but I'm liking how it sounds so far. I'm considering filming a few of my new ukulele songs to post up for everyone to see, so keep checking back!
In honor of the nearing deadline of Sxip Shirey's newest album, here is the video of "I Live in New York City" off of his latest album, Sonic New York!
Also, I recommend listening to my mini EP, "One Week to Dream." These two songs are ending up on the upcoming album project, by the by.
Until next weeks, friends!
In honor of the nearing deadline of Sxip Shirey's newest album, here is the video of "I Live in New York City" off of his latest album, Sonic New York!
Also, I recommend listening to my mini EP, "One Week to Dream." These two songs are ending up on the upcoming album project, by the by.
Until next weeks, friends!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
A Bit Delayed
More updates from abroad. I've been in a recent mental downturn (more accurately, recovering from said mental downturn), and as a positive result, wrote a shit-ton of really depressing psychotic lyrics. What could this mean? Could a sister project have been born out of this depression? Who fucking knows?
Honestly though if I do make a sister release to my upcoming album, it'll have to be after this and "Someone's Dreaming." I have too much on my plate to seriously consider another release on the stockpile of releases I've been acclimating. That doesn't mean that I won't be writing music or experimenting on new songs, it's just that I have to take some things slow sometimes, ya?
To all of my viewers looking for some new music, here is "A Brand New Me" by Bitter Ruin.
And if you haven't heard it yet, check out my demo track of "Surgery"
Honestly though if I do make a sister release to my upcoming album, it'll have to be after this and "Someone's Dreaming." I have too much on my plate to seriously consider another release on the stockpile of releases I've been acclimating. That doesn't mean that I won't be writing music or experimenting on new songs, it's just that I have to take some things slow sometimes, ya?
To all of my viewers looking for some new music, here is "A Brand New Me" by Bitter Ruin.
And if you haven't heard it yet, check out my demo track of "Surgery"
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Blog Updates and Vacation
Hey all, I'm blogging from Spain (just like old times), and I've been having some adjustment time after a long flight, a long drive, and a couple days of awkward sleeping. I've decided to force myself back into normalcy, though, and hopefully I can get back on track of shit that needs to get done.
First order of business: Working out my travel plans. Travelling to Spain isn't my only travel plan, as many of you may have heard, I'm going on a multi-country journey across Europe, ukulele and nanokeys in hand, exploring the world and writing songs. The plan is to go to France, Benelux, Italy, Greece, and Croatia, though I may not be able to go to Croatia (something about returning to Spain after all of this, we'll see though...). This means I have to buy the Eurail pass, get a hostel pass, figure out where I'll be staying, how not to get mugged, and how to not make a complete ass of myself in foreign lands.
Second order of business: Write some fucking music. I need to get started on my Spain song soon, specifically since I'm planning on working out a collaboration on it (more details as they arise). I know that I'm still probably just a bit jet-lagged, but I can't just laze about all day, right?
Third order of business: Finish my fucking plays. Seriously, Waiting Room and Captain Amazing have been on mega back-burner all summer, and I need to finally finish Waiting Room and write out a proper first draft of Captain Amazing.
Fourth order of business: Baltimore Waltz and this fucking research essay. I know that without a library at my convenience all this scholarly research is much harder, but that doesn't mean that I can't figure out something to do in the mean time. I have some of the books for my essay already, and I brought Baltimore Waltz with me, but beyond looking up German words and what bunnies mean to the homosexual community, there isn't much I can do here. Honestly this part of my plan may have to wait for me to get back, but I'm afraid that by then I just won't have enough time to work on it.
Despite all of my stress though, I'm having a grand old time back in Spain. It's just as beautiful as I remember it, and I'm hella glad to be eating the amazing food here again.
That's all I have for now, but tune in next week, and I'll probably say other things then.
Bye!
First order of business: Working out my travel plans. Travelling to Spain isn't my only travel plan, as many of you may have heard, I'm going on a multi-country journey across Europe, ukulele and nanokeys in hand, exploring the world and writing songs. The plan is to go to France, Benelux, Italy, Greece, and Croatia, though I may not be able to go to Croatia (something about returning to Spain after all of this, we'll see though...). This means I have to buy the Eurail pass, get a hostel pass, figure out where I'll be staying, how not to get mugged, and how to not make a complete ass of myself in foreign lands.
Second order of business: Write some fucking music. I need to get started on my Spain song soon, specifically since I'm planning on working out a collaboration on it (more details as they arise). I know that I'm still probably just a bit jet-lagged, but I can't just laze about all day, right?
Third order of business: Finish my fucking plays. Seriously, Waiting Room and Captain Amazing have been on mega back-burner all summer, and I need to finally finish Waiting Room and write out a proper first draft of Captain Amazing.
Fourth order of business: Baltimore Waltz and this fucking research essay. I know that without a library at my convenience all this scholarly research is much harder, but that doesn't mean that I can't figure out something to do in the mean time. I have some of the books for my essay already, and I brought Baltimore Waltz with me, but beyond looking up German words and what bunnies mean to the homosexual community, there isn't much I can do here. Honestly this part of my plan may have to wait for me to get back, but I'm afraid that by then I just won't have enough time to work on it.
Despite all of my stress though, I'm having a grand old time back in Spain. It's just as beautiful as I remember it, and I'm hella glad to be eating the amazing food here again.
That's all I have for now, but tune in next week, and I'll probably say other things then.
Bye!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Update: Someone's Dreaming and New Album
So, wow... I have completely remiss in updating my poor blog. Regardless, I will continue to attempt constancy, but that's always going to be touch and go with me.
THE POINT OF THIS POST IS that I'm updating you all on what I've been doing since writing the songs for Someone's Dreaming. (which was at the top of the year or something to that effect... so only a good six month gap).
SOMEONE'S DREAMING IS STILL IN RECORDING! I'm totally, horribly sorry about this. I really am. Winter quarter ended before we could finish, and we all thought, "Hey, we'll knock that shit out Spring Quarter, have a release show, and it will be just perfect." Unfortunately, I took more credit hours than I probably should, and so did the guy I'm recording with (my good friend Paul, Stocklin), and we are desperately trying to piece together the missing bits of the songs, like drums, and lead parts, particularly the violin, which is giving us NIGHTMARES trying to score and record, though not the fault of our violinist (Amy Brighter). I can't really make a promise about when it's going out, but I assure you that the heart of the songs are there, and above all, I want to release this music the right way. Not rush it out early and have it suck. Patience is key here, folks, remember that.
IF YOU WANT NEW MUSIC, CHECK OUT "ONE WEEK TO DREAM"
Seriously, I know I recorded those songs in a couple of weeks (1 and a half, really), but they pretty solid for roughs. I've been getting some positive feedback on both of them (particularly Dressed and Bound).
Bringing these songs up leads me to my next order of business:
I HAVE SIX SONGS PREPPED FOR DEMOS FOR THE NEW ALBUM, AND YES I KNOW I'M BEHIND ON MY EP
I just have to keep writing, particularly since I've decided to do this album in halves, one half written here, the other half abroad. I'm going to Spain over the summer, getting a eurail pass, and touring around Europe with a ukulele and some new, compact midi interfaces, writing a new song in a different country. I cannot even begin to express just how fucking pumped I am to start doing this (By the way, if anyone knows of some small-level venues in Spain, France, Benelux, Italy, Greece, or Croatia that wouldn't mind a tourist with a ukulele to come in and play snobby American music, let me know!) Travel has always been a big thing in my life, and the idea of combining music and travelling sounds beyond divine. It all works in to my over-arching goal of going on tour internationally. I don't really know if I'll ever get to the point in my career where I can do that and not lose all my money and confidence, but I want to travel the world and share my music for as long as my body can take me.
I feel like I write at my best when I'm exhausted, even though that doesn't logically follow. I've spent most of the day baby-sitting my twin sisters, who are the most adorable creatures in the world, but are complete nightmares to try and get to sleep. I couldn't start filming promo videos for the album because of them, but honestly I'm not too worked up about it. They are adorable, and my gear and camera will all be there tomorrow, so what-the-fuck-ever, right?
Anyways, long story short, Someone's Dreaming still happening, New Album, filming eventually, slight insomnia, travel plans. I have to go and get my dog, Lola, inside now.
Until next update (hopefully not 6 months from now)!
THE POINT OF THIS POST IS that I'm updating you all on what I've been doing since writing the songs for Someone's Dreaming. (which was at the top of the year or something to that effect... so only a good six month gap).
SOMEONE'S DREAMING IS STILL IN RECORDING! I'm totally, horribly sorry about this. I really am. Winter quarter ended before we could finish, and we all thought, "Hey, we'll knock that shit out Spring Quarter, have a release show, and it will be just perfect." Unfortunately, I took more credit hours than I probably should, and so did the guy I'm recording with (my good friend Paul, Stocklin), and we are desperately trying to piece together the missing bits of the songs, like drums, and lead parts, particularly the violin, which is giving us NIGHTMARES trying to score and record, though not the fault of our violinist (Amy Brighter). I can't really make a promise about when it's going out, but I assure you that the heart of the songs are there, and above all, I want to release this music the right way. Not rush it out early and have it suck. Patience is key here, folks, remember that.
IF YOU WANT NEW MUSIC, CHECK OUT "ONE WEEK TO DREAM"
Seriously, I know I recorded those songs in a couple of weeks (1 and a half, really), but they pretty solid for roughs. I've been getting some positive feedback on both of them (particularly Dressed and Bound).
Bringing these songs up leads me to my next order of business:
I HAVE SIX SONGS PREPPED FOR DEMOS FOR THE NEW ALBUM, AND YES I KNOW I'M BEHIND ON MY EP
I just have to keep writing, particularly since I've decided to do this album in halves, one half written here, the other half abroad. I'm going to Spain over the summer, getting a eurail pass, and touring around Europe with a ukulele and some new, compact midi interfaces, writing a new song in a different country. I cannot even begin to express just how fucking pumped I am to start doing this (By the way, if anyone knows of some small-level venues in Spain, France, Benelux, Italy, Greece, or Croatia that wouldn't mind a tourist with a ukulele to come in and play snobby American music, let me know!) Travel has always been a big thing in my life, and the idea of combining music and travelling sounds beyond divine. It all works in to my over-arching goal of going on tour internationally. I don't really know if I'll ever get to the point in my career where I can do that and not lose all my money and confidence, but I want to travel the world and share my music for as long as my body can take me.
I feel like I write at my best when I'm exhausted, even though that doesn't logically follow. I've spent most of the day baby-sitting my twin sisters, who are the most adorable creatures in the world, but are complete nightmares to try and get to sleep. I couldn't start filming promo videos for the album because of them, but honestly I'm not too worked up about it. They are adorable, and my gear and camera will all be there tomorrow, so what-the-fuck-ever, right?
Anyways, long story short, Someone's Dreaming still happening, New Album, filming eventually, slight insomnia, travel plans. I have to go and get my dog, Lola, inside now.
Until next update (hopefully not 6 months from now)!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Writing Journals: Dreamstaylite
So, Monday was Martin Luther King day. Hooray and happiness. Unfortunately though, Glidden was closed. I of course found this out after packing up my keyboard, stand, distortion pedal, and walked over there. Fuck. Well, I thought that I'll just not write a song today, but after my roommate left, I felt compelled to. So, listening to the Decemberists the entire time (by the way, the new album rocks!) I got to work on this rather epic, grand sounding song, "Dreamstaylite." It certainly wasn't an easy thing to do, writing a song late at night, especially since I borrowed Eric's noise-canceling headphones. They sounded great, but I wasn't able to hear myself sing at all. Despite this, I finally worked my song out, and completed song 2 of 6.
As far as planning the song, I've enlisted Dan Baker and Amy Brighter on bass and violin respectively.
As far as planning the song, I've enlisted Dan Baker and Amy Brighter on bass and violin respectively.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Writing Journal: Someone's Dreaming
I am starting a journal describing the process of putting the EP together, so it may be best to start at the beginning.
The first song I wrote was the title track, "Someone's Dreaming." I started a system of selecting which pedals to incorporate into each song, and with this one I took the Delay and Shift pedal. I ran to a Glidden practice hall after work on a Sunday and set up my guitar, amp, and the like, listening to Owen Pallett all the way. This was my first attempt at writing songs with pedals, so I was a bit nervous.
This is exactly what I like about practice halls. Writing music is hard for me to do publicly. Not to say that you're isolated in the practice halls, you can hear everyone around you. Singing, violins, trombones and pianos all blazing out, some fantastic to hear, some not so much. That is the point though. In a way, we are all in a community, practicing our own music, aware of each other, but understanding that we are all here to learn.
Anyways, I was figuring out how to loop things with my pedal and decided to write a bass line for it using my guitar and my nifty shift pedal. With the song finished, I packed up and left. One song down, five to go.
Now that all the songs are written, and we're about to head into recording, I've enlisted the help of Dan Baker on bass, Amy Brighter on violin, Liz Held on cello, and Eric Miller on drums for this song.
Look forward to the EP March 18th, 2011.
The first song I wrote was the title track, "Someone's Dreaming." I started a system of selecting which pedals to incorporate into each song, and with this one I took the Delay and Shift pedal. I ran to a Glidden practice hall after work on a Sunday and set up my guitar, amp, and the like, listening to Owen Pallett all the way. This was my first attempt at writing songs with pedals, so I was a bit nervous.
This is exactly what I like about practice halls. Writing music is hard for me to do publicly. Not to say that you're isolated in the practice halls, you can hear everyone around you. Singing, violins, trombones and pianos all blazing out, some fantastic to hear, some not so much. That is the point though. In a way, we are all in a community, practicing our own music, aware of each other, but understanding that we are all here to learn.
Anyways, I was figuring out how to loop things with my pedal and decided to write a bass line for it using my guitar and my nifty shift pedal. With the song finished, I packed up and left. One song down, five to go.
Now that all the songs are written, and we're about to head into recording, I've enlisted the help of Dan Baker on bass, Amy Brighter on violin, Liz Held on cello, and Eric Miller on drums for this song.
Look forward to the EP March 18th, 2011.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Resurrection! "-1" and a New EP!
So, it's been awhile since my last blog, but whatever. The first big piece of news is my EP, "-1" is out on Bandcamp, iLike, and ReverbNation for free! I'll post the links below.
In other news, I have my full on, punk rock plans for 2011. These plans include a second EP to be released sometime late February/early March which I've already started writing songs for. Then in the spring I'll start work on an LP! How exciting is that?
Anyways, the EP I'm working on is called "Someone's Dreaming," and I'm planning six tracks for it. What interesting with this one is that I'll be collaborating with a friend of mine on this album, one Eric Miller, who will be working as my producer/sound collaborator/awesome person who's letting me use all his nice toys.
I think that's all I have to say for now, and I'll probably write another song for it tonight (hopefully).
Thanks for reading, and buy the damn EP!
Bandcamp: http://javieraladren.bandcamp.com/
iLike: http://www.ilike.com/artist/Javier+Aladren/album/-1
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/javieraladren
MY WEBSITE: http://javieraladren.com
In other news, I have my full on, punk rock plans for 2011. These plans include a second EP to be released sometime late February/early March which I've already started writing songs for. Then in the spring I'll start work on an LP! How exciting is that?
Anyways, the EP I'm working on is called "Someone's Dreaming," and I'm planning six tracks for it. What interesting with this one is that I'll be collaborating with a friend of mine on this album, one Eric Miller, who will be working as my producer/sound collaborator/awesome person who's letting me use all his nice toys.
I think that's all I have to say for now, and I'll probably write another song for it tonight (hopefully).
Thanks for reading, and buy the damn EP!
Bandcamp: http://javieraladren.bandcamp.com/
iLike: http://www.ilike.com/artist/Javier+Aladren/album/-1
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/javieraladren
MY WEBSITE: http://javieraladren.com
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Notes While Waiting in The Library
Well well everyone, it's that time again!
So June is upon us. The heat has really made life more interesting, and I personally can't stand it.
I'm thinking of making an EP to start promoting myself a bit. It will have Refugees Among Islands, and some of the songs that didn't fit onto my upcoming album.
This blog is feeling kind of fragmented today, but I'm alright with that. Recording is going along, and I'm also preparing for my upcoming shows. Now that I'm armed with my own ukulele (purchased from Evelyn Evelyn) I've been recording and learning songs and doing generally good job, minus getting sick and all.
Speaking of recording, here is myself struggling in the stifling heat of the studio laying down the ukulele track for "Ocean of Fear"
...And I'm beginning to rock out a vocal track over here:
Recording has been going very well today! Here's a nice pic of me with a tambourine too
Well, that's all for the evening, enjoy your day, and keep checking in for more updates on The Library!
So June is upon us. The heat has really made life more interesting, and I personally can't stand it.
I'm thinking of making an EP to start promoting myself a bit. It will have Refugees Among Islands, and some of the songs that didn't fit onto my upcoming album.
This blog is feeling kind of fragmented today, but I'm alright with that. Recording is going along, and I'm also preparing for my upcoming shows. Now that I'm armed with my own ukulele (purchased from Evelyn Evelyn) I've been recording and learning songs and doing generally good job, minus getting sick and all.
Speaking of recording, here is myself struggling in the stifling heat of the studio laying down the ukulele track for "Ocean of Fear"
...And I'm beginning to rock out a vocal track over here:
Recording has been going very well today! Here's a nice pic of me with a tambourine too
Well, that's all for the evening, enjoy your day, and keep checking in for more updates on The Library!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The Library Blog #1
Haha! I can use the number 1 again because this is not a vlog.
Anyways, since vlogging has gotten more inconvenient than usual, I decided to post a blog instead, just giving some updates on how things are on "The Library," my first album, recorded in my brother's room.
Well today wasn't a good day for recording, mostly due to my throat feeling like crap (probably due to walking in the rain for an hour and a half yesterday wearing a t-shirt and jeans, but whatever). I gave my best to redo the guitar track for Ocean of Fear for the seventh time, but not before trying to record with my new ukulele, which besides going out of tune every time I touch it, can't be heard with any of my microphones. So I tried recording Brief Roads to Brief Lives, and spent an hour slamming on my keyboard, trying to get the notes right. I unfortunately am suffering from lazy fingers today, so I could get as far as 30 seconds before my fingers decided to stop listening to my brain.
Before I continue, it's midnight, I feel like shit, and I just watched hours of witty British comedy, so I'm not feeling particularly agile-minded or productive.
I then moved on to taking a stab at Ordinary Day, but my lazy finger problem boiled that down to another 20 minutes of frustration.
On the bright side, all of the songs are finally written, 6 on guitar, 6 on piano. When I practice them, they are all sounding pretty diverse and good, and I'm still not hating how Refugees sounds in its finished form, so hopefully I won't have to redo that one as well.
If you are 21 and older and reading this blog, good for you! I have like all of 14 fans and 10 of them are teenage girls and the other 4 are my parents and extended family. Anyways, if you are 21 and older and nearby the New York City area, then you should definitely come and see me perform at the UC Lounge in Manhatten (Well Chinatown, but that's being nit-picky) on June 5th. It should be a great place, nice bar, $10 cover charge, and I'll be there at 8 pm, guitar and keyboard in toe, ready to promote my upcoming album ruthlessly.
Other than that, the last shows of my New Jersey Tourish are winding down, with the next all ages show at the Court Tavern on June 19th, which should be a grand show, hopefully with enough songs recorded to actually start selling little EPs for the album, though this is not a promise in any way, shape, or form.
I'm tired and have the sniffles, so I'm going to bed
night everyone!
Anyways, since vlogging has gotten more inconvenient than usual, I decided to post a blog instead, just giving some updates on how things are on "The Library," my first album, recorded in my brother's room.
Well today wasn't a good day for recording, mostly due to my throat feeling like crap (probably due to walking in the rain for an hour and a half yesterday wearing a t-shirt and jeans, but whatever). I gave my best to redo the guitar track for Ocean of Fear for the seventh time, but not before trying to record with my new ukulele, which besides going out of tune every time I touch it, can't be heard with any of my microphones. So I tried recording Brief Roads to Brief Lives, and spent an hour slamming on my keyboard, trying to get the notes right. I unfortunately am suffering from lazy fingers today, so I could get as far as 30 seconds before my fingers decided to stop listening to my brain.
Before I continue, it's midnight, I feel like shit, and I just watched hours of witty British comedy, so I'm not feeling particularly agile-minded or productive.
I then moved on to taking a stab at Ordinary Day, but my lazy finger problem boiled that down to another 20 minutes of frustration.
On the bright side, all of the songs are finally written, 6 on guitar, 6 on piano. When I practice them, they are all sounding pretty diverse and good, and I'm still not hating how Refugees sounds in its finished form, so hopefully I won't have to redo that one as well.
If you are 21 and older and reading this blog, good for you! I have like all of 14 fans and 10 of them are teenage girls and the other 4 are my parents and extended family. Anyways, if you are 21 and older and nearby the New York City area, then you should definitely come and see me perform at the UC Lounge in Manhatten (Well Chinatown, but that's being nit-picky) on June 5th. It should be a great place, nice bar, $10 cover charge, and I'll be there at 8 pm, guitar and keyboard in toe, ready to promote my upcoming album ruthlessly.
Other than that, the last shows of my New Jersey Tourish are winding down, with the next all ages show at the Court Tavern on June 19th, which should be a grand show, hopefully with enough songs recorded to actually start selling little EPs for the album, though this is not a promise in any way, shape, or form.
I'm tired and have the sniffles, so I'm going to bed
night everyone!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Information on The Library and last leg of the Javispa New Jersey Tour(ish)!
Adored blog followers (1 of you, as far as I can see),
It's May already. Time has really flown by, and so have many deadlines for my small project. From a seven song mini-album that would've been a part of my senior showcase in December being brought back to March, and from the idea of a concept album in February to be released in May, to now, where I'm pushing it back to late June, perhaps early July, this project has had to be in the backseat for so long. I've been writing, neglecting my room, juggling schoolwork with Neighborhood 3, and moving from venue to venue with my guitar and keyboard. All the while recording and vlogging had to slip away from me, always another day. With 2 more days of Physics, the freshman showcase getting postponed, and the 4th and final marking period dragging on. I still have things to do, people to impress, internships to complete, contests to rock. I've been making what I can out of the music New Jersey has to offer, and I'm not stopping.
I'm moving. To Ohio. I'll be taking playwriting at Ohio University. I've fought my hardest in the Battle of the Bands (both of them), and I've been writing new songs, I've learned two new instruments then when I first decided to be a musician, I've had sound designing opportunities. This has been a very busy year, and I'm not even slowing down yet.
I've started going all out on recording "The Library." I have some work done on 2 songs, "Ocean of Fear" and "Like the Four Left Behind." Things are progressing, and I'm going to shoot for June 14th as a release date, though it probably will be set back.
The irony of writing out this expansive blog to only one visible follower is really something, huh? Especially since said one follower is in fact my mother. Hi Mom. I'm still trying to be a rockstar.
So anyways, my New Jersey Tour(ish) is coming to a close. I have 2 shows lined up, one in fact in New York City, and the other at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick, kind of where I first started playing music. I'm planning on having a Summer Blast show, a backyard show at a friends house. No prices on tickets, just come out and have fun. I'll have more details when we can set this up.
Thanks for listening to my ranting. More details are at my wonderful website: http://javieraladren.com
-Javispa
It's May already. Time has really flown by, and so have many deadlines for my small project. From a seven song mini-album that would've been a part of my senior showcase in December being brought back to March, and from the idea of a concept album in February to be released in May, to now, where I'm pushing it back to late June, perhaps early July, this project has had to be in the backseat for so long. I've been writing, neglecting my room, juggling schoolwork with Neighborhood 3, and moving from venue to venue with my guitar and keyboard. All the while recording and vlogging had to slip away from me, always another day. With 2 more days of Physics, the freshman showcase getting postponed, and the 4th and final marking period dragging on. I still have things to do, people to impress, internships to complete, contests to rock. I've been making what I can out of the music New Jersey has to offer, and I'm not stopping.
I'm moving. To Ohio. I'll be taking playwriting at Ohio University. I've fought my hardest in the Battle of the Bands (both of them), and I've been writing new songs, I've learned two new instruments then when I first decided to be a musician, I've had sound designing opportunities. This has been a very busy year, and I'm not even slowing down yet.
I've started going all out on recording "The Library." I have some work done on 2 songs, "Ocean of Fear" and "Like the Four Left Behind." Things are progressing, and I'm going to shoot for June 14th as a release date, though it probably will be set back.
The irony of writing out this expansive blog to only one visible follower is really something, huh? Especially since said one follower is in fact my mother. Hi Mom. I'm still trying to be a rockstar.
So anyways, my New Jersey Tour(ish) is coming to a close. I have 2 shows lined up, one in fact in New York City, and the other at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick, kind of where I first started playing music. I'm planning on having a Summer Blast show, a backyard show at a friends house. No prices on tickets, just come out and have fun. I'll have more details when we can set this up.
Thanks for listening to my ranting. More details are at my wonderful website: http://javieraladren.com
-Javispa
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Set list for April 25th
Hey everyone, here's the set for April 25th! Come out and see it! Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased online for the same price at http://javieraladren.com
Ocean of Fear
Like the Four Left Behind
Footsteps
Refugees Among Islands
Diva
Brief Roads to Brief Lives
Jacks and Knives
Ocean of Fear
Like the Four Left Behind
Footsteps
Refugees Among Islands
Diva
Brief Roads to Brief Lives
Jacks and Knives
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Javier Aladren at Crossroads!
Hey everyone! The 28th I'll be performing at Crossroads, and as it is a Battle of the Bands, I have brought a backing team of Daniel Baker (Bass), and Gabriel Spector (Piano, accordion). The show is going to be pretty big, and time is running out for tickets! Hurry up and buy soon!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Updates on the 28th!
Hey everyone! It's snowed in Javispa, and I've got some big news regarding my upcoming show on the 28th. Jersey Shows has turned it into a Battle of the Bands show, and so I'm going to be judged on my performance. In response to this, I've enlisted the help of guitarist Scarlett Menendez and bassist Daniel Baker. I've got a rough draft of the setlist ready, half old songs, half new ones, so I hope to see you all there!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)