I've been thinking a lot lately about how times have changed, and some things just suck. It's weird, you know? I used to be hardcore on myspace, and I feel like it used to be such a strong site for music and networking. Then it started attracting spam bots, so I stopped using it, as well as pretty much everyone else. Now everyone is on facebook, but also scattered on various music sites such as soundcloud and bandcamp. There's no real core to tie us all together. It's almost as if someone shot the core (or the food) on the internet, and created a supernova shit storm. I would have never been able to get shows, and connect with people if it wasn't for myspace. I loved all of the wonderful experiences of playing dinky venues in Baltimore with punk bands, while I was my own act covering Shatterhand and such. Just trying to blend in, but obviously could not. I am so very appreciative of Don playing my crazy song: EASTER!@, on 98 Rock (Baltimore Radio station) 2 years in a row, if I remember correctly. I'm also thankful for Josephine writing a full article about me in the City Paper in 2006.
You know what sucks even more though? Back then, mind you I started when I was approximately 14 or 15, I wasn't as good of a vocalist as I am now. I'll just say vocalist loosely, because I'm still not perfect, and I refuse to be professionally trained. Let's tap into that topic a little more; why I don't want to get any professional help with singing:
* I sing/vocalize over VIDEO GAME MUSIC!
* I like the rawness/soulfulness that it gives me
* I've enjoyed the progress I've made on my own, and by working on music projects with others
* I'm extremely stubborn, and I DON'T GIVE A FLYING BATTERY F*CK still! haha!
Next topic: Why do I do what I do? Mr. Do! SIKE! No, really... it's hard to explain. Basically, I've tried to quit all together. I get tired of hearing recordings of myself sometimes. Also, it hasn't been easy with all of the criticism I've received over the years. Although, that's to be expected when putting yourself in the eye or ear of the public. I know this now, and I choose to ignore any BS. There is just something inside of me that won't let me stop. I have such drive, and passion to vocalize over some of my favorite vg tunes. It makes me happy. I'll listen to some of my songs occasionally, and I surprise myself. I truly think that some of the lyrics, and stuff that I come up with are brilliant. Sometimes I get lucky, and I'm in that creative state of mind. So that's how the magic truly happens. Other times, I fail miserably, but that's okay. I'm not trying to steal or take away from what the original composers have created though. As a matter of fact, I'm trying to promote them in a weird way, and show them how much I love and appreciate their music. It moves me so much that words, which were not originally there, come to mind. I do this for fun. I don't want to earn money from doing this. I only want people to hear me, and if they understand me, then they'll feel me (not literally). Now, I know that I have some silly songs, so it may be difficult for people to take me seriously. However, pIENESS is in fact serious business.
