One month in.

I haven't been keeping up on this lately although I have no reason in the world why I should have been. I just haven't. Plus I haven't had any exciting developments happens that came up as blog worthy. I don't think this one counts either, but I should update it anyway just so I can keep my regular readers interested.

I have officially been here a month. Yesterday, out of that month, I finally did something productive. I've been reading a lot lately and am currently working on a "musician's self help book."

"I Don't Need a Record Deal." It puts going Independent under a perspective light and follows an artists suggestion on the best way of "attacking the indie music scene." This book has motivated me dramatically. Some pressing issues in the back of my mind were thoughts like I couldn't make it 'big' because of age, or looks, or personality. But the book, and some reading from an artist I consider an inspiration, really put it into light that music isn't about the personality, it's about the emotion, about the music. Think about it critically, the band you love, do you like their music because of who they are? Because their hair is long? Because they drank, or did heroin, that's what made their songs great? Major markets put too much hype on what the artist wears, or who they're involved with, or the personality itself and the music gets left behind because of that.

Getting that message through my mind and actually focusing on the music has inspired me greatly. It's refocused my goals to the exact same message I had been giving my dad when he broke off from his old job and focused all on his own business: "Let the work speak for itself." I, not only, have a plan in how to go about making and selling music, but years experience of Guerrilla and Social Media Marketing. Not to mention the web series I was apart of, that was all independently made, produced, and sold to Topeka's CBS affiliate, and picked up. Right there, BOOM. That's my sign that I can make a living out of music, without all the hype from a Major Label. Make it all in-house and distribute with networking from social media... I've got this thing made.

Last night I actually met up with some neighbors that have a band, minus a bassist. They put on the show at the complex here last Saturday. I sat in and we jammed. We had a really good session. It's was nice to dust off the cobwebs and sit in with physical band. Being the bassist, I really have an advantage sitting in with groups who have a good guitarist, all I have to do is sync up with the drummer, make a good back beat, and watch these really talented players take off. It's a lot of fun to watch.

I have an audition with an up and coming group Monday, www.donedealrealmusic.com, and possibly some other things later on, I'll see how everything plays out. In the meantime, I'm going to relax in this beautiful weather.

-kb

Personal Challenges.

So in the time I have working on finding work (via actual job or band) I've taken up a challenge a personal challenge. Every so often I come up with little concepts that I always tell myself I'll "turn into a comedy sketch," or "movie idea," or something. Last night I came onto an idea that I decided I could further pursue and write out into a short story... or long story... or just a story. Last nigh,t after I figured I'd make it a personal challenge, I spent a lot of time working on the concept of the story, writing all the general ideas and premise down, some key dialog that I thought up, and even a little test draft to see if my story writing capabilities... well... actually made since.

This morning I thought up another little concept or premise, completely unrelated to the story I had in mind from last night. It's based as a questionnaire, but it doesn't really require you answering the questions it's kind of rhetorical:

"Let's say a debt collector is making his usual calls, one of those calls is to a man who sounds rather, distraught, over the phone. The debt collector works past it, try's to ignore it and continues on with his speech, "Sir, we show that you have not made a payment on your dept, this is a call to remind you and try to work out some sort of payment plan that better benefits you." The man reply's "What does it matter?! None of it matters! I'm going to jump anyway... none of this shit's important! Fuck it, man. Fuck it."

As the dept collector, what do you say? (go ahead and think it out, if you like, before continuing.)

Now let's say this dept collector is a genuine spirit, and actually cares for this man's safety. He gets the jumper talking and finds out that he currently on a bridge somewhere, just kind of hanging on the edge. He finds out about this gentleman's tragic back story; that his father died not too long ago very suddenly, he's been fired, and that his wife left with the kids and the dog, because of the mounting debt.

The debt collector, starts talking to him about how even though it is a bad situation, it shouldn't be the end of the world. That through all the hardships and tragedy, that each day is a gift, and a chance to start anew.

After a considerable amount of time has past, the debt collector has told him story's and examples of hardship. The man, after listening to all these shimmering examples of hope, has decided that he can work through it, climbs back from the ledge and decides he's going to get his life back in order and begin again.

The man thanks the debt collector, "I'm really glad I decided to pick up the phone, you're my guardian angel. I owe you a lot." The debt collector reply's "It's my pleasure, I'm glad I was able to help..."

As the debt collector, do you then remind him of why you called?

think i'll go on a walkabout, find out what it's all about...

a few photos i've snapped in the last week. this last saturday i visited downtown and took shots leading up Congress Ave....or BLVD....or even Road. the road leads all the way up to the state capitol. enjoy.

and finally, home sweet home.