The gifts that the ocean brings don't always come from below...
March 22, 2011
-
It’s been a while
Sorry about the lack of updates, for all 32 of you faithful followers (thus far). Things have been really busy lately, and with our first album (forget an EP… we have enough songs for an LP) almost complete, there’s been a lot to set in motion.
As most of you know, Dan’s taken an indefinite leave of absence, so it’s just Craig and I here to bring you the tunes that you know and love… and hopefully would like to spread.
Lots of people have heard our instrumentals, and the feedback has been, for the most part, positive, which we’re thrilled about. We’re at the point where we’ve developed a good set list, and we’re figuring out bookings. Exciting, yes. A lot of work? Even more yes. But we’re working hard to be able to bring you the best show possible.
I just wanted everyone to know that we haven’t forgotten about our modestly sized yet faithful following. We love you very much.
Rain
March 7, 2011
-
What Can We Do?
My knuckles are bleeding. She’s gone… and there’s nothing in my head but the taste of her lips and the surprise on her face…
I knew I was doing what I needed to… my lips against hers, trying to make her see that we didn’t have to worry about anything but us… that finally, I’d surrendered my heart, and that I wanted to focus on our survival… together.
And then she breaks away, so astonished that I’d make a move so bold… so atypical of me, that I’d show so much of myself… like it’s some big freakin’ miracle.
She smiled for a second, and then a look of embarrassed bewilderment over took her. She ran out, like the kiss had hurt. My fist shattered the mirror on the wall.
You’re nuts for one another, said a voice in the back of my head.
March 3, 2011
-
I feel like the cub this morning.
Rain
March 1, 2011
-
It’s not abandonment when the cause is lost.
There might just be too many questions that someone can ask in this lifetime. To expect an answer that you didn’t work to find is not only presumptuous, it’s downright rude.
It sucks when you have to make a decision. Period. We all grew up learning to be decisive. Come on. Make a choice. One or the other. This one or that one. What’s so hard about choosing?
I don’t know if the elder generation was on drugs or what, but making a choice is not, has never been, and will never be easy. We’re taught from very young to not make a fuss, to make a choice, and to not hold everyone else up because we’re indecisive. I think what everyone knows, but no one will articulate, is that making choices sucks.
Yes, granted, choices are how our lives progress… everything begins with choice. But that doesn’t mean that we need to like it. In fact, most of the people that I know hate it. And I’m not excluding myself. It’s not easy, and we shouldn’t have to pretend it is.
Choice is what drives us, and what undoes us. Choice is what will bring someone to recognition, what will grant success or guarantee failure. Choice is why, for a brief moment, I thought of leaving In Ocean Air. And choice is what stopped me. Choice is why we now are two instead of three. Choices are what make us, choices are what break us.
I don’t feel it’s right to break up a group because of the choices of one. So we’ll continue as two until we see the renewed need for a third.
Rain
February 10, 2011
-
It just feels right…
It’s Winter time, Christmas Season is over. And now we are cold, sometimes miserable, sometimes depressed, and always seemingly in anticipation. The best part about all those downer thoughts is the fact that we are always in motion. In motion towards our next moment. I woke up today today the sun shining. For some reason…. (warning crazy thought coming next) I feel as though I am a flower, or maybe a tree… whatever, doesnt matter. I feel as though I grow as a person when the sun shines upon my face. It’s warm embrace is like no other high, and I’ve tested them all…
Anyway, I just wanted to quickly post something up here because all that sunshine this morning shook me out of this mini rut i’ve been struggling with the past couple of weeks. I’m looking forward to getting together with some friends this weekend and playing some music. Music makes me happy. And if it does the same for you, you can assure yourself that you are headed in the right direction too.
It just feels right.
Daniel Ariel
February 8, 2011
-
Maybe today’s a little better?
Hey there. Rain again. Sorry about being a Donnie Downer last night… but it’s not really a good thing when you’re left alone too long with your thoughts. But I think I’ve learned something… and I’ve learned, above that, that there is value in everything, as long as there’s a lesson.
I’ll have you know that I’m putting the finishing touches on the last few tracks, (at least, the first drafts of said tracks… until I have my way with them in the studio) and the date of our first show draws ever closer… are you ready?
MARCH 15th.
I know, I know, beware the Ides of March, and all that… but I’m actually hopeful for us. I mean, life is either a daring adventure or nothing, right? According to the rep, we’ll be opening for… well, never mind that… but I’m excited, either way. This will be the first time I’m on stage with a group since I was about 16. I mean, yeah, I’m ok with that… DJing has its lessons to teach, too… you are the one that everyone looks at when the beats don’t match, but at the same time, drop a real floorburner, and they’ll be climbing over each other to get next to the booth.
I like to think of this as a different experience… an adventure, really. Maybe the music isn’t great… maybe other people can do a better job… and maybe we’ll get booed of the stage… but I’m not afraid. It’s an adventure… and I never forget the adventurer inside me, much like one of my great, great heroes.
Never forget the bullwhip-toting adventurer inside you, no matter what your choice of adventure may be.
I have two: the first, and the closest to my heart is my writing. Maybe I’ve told a few of you about my first novel, Gods Among Men: Inception. My editor’s still working on it, but it’ll be out soon enough… I think it might allow you a little bit further inside the honeycombing maze that happens to be my head. I had fun writing it, and it took me almost 14 months, but it’s done.
The second (before I get too far off track) is my music. I never thought that I would have a good understanding of music, and I always believed in the fallacy that either you were born with the talent, or you weren’t. Like I said… it’s a fallacy. Music can be learned, and yes, you can get good, even if you haven’t been doing it since you were in diapers. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are people out there with a natural musical gift… (I think the research has shown that it’s actually biochemical) those people that can hear something once, and play it out verbatim on an instrument they’ve never even touched before. Those people of whom everyone seems to be jealous… not me, though ;)
But those are the guys that you can’t emulate, because what they have is within them. Their method of learning can’t be simply… “duplicated” or “taught”… they just happen to be fortunate enough to have it within them… like August Rush. (I just watched that movie… I love it.)
Anyway… a message to all of the people that take the time to read this… if anyone does… don’t give up. Live your adventure. Remember… it’s not wrong to get discouraged… after all, we’re only human, and there’s only so much anyone can take. What’s wrong is giving up.
Don’t let something get the best of you, no matter what it is. Beat it, and triumph. Maybe it’s taking some time, but it’s what I fully intend to do.
Always,
Rain
February 7, 2011
-
Sometimes, we all get left behind.
I never thought that I would ever question where I’d stand with love… especially with regards to my history. I’ve realized, though, that “where” one stands is entirely dependent on “what” is in one’s past, and that it’s awfully hard to figure out where you should be when you don’t have a reference point.
So maybe life is a little hard right now… it doesn’t mean that it has to be an awful thing. So we’ve decided to reevaluate what’s important to the two of us, and so we’ve come across a difficult point to pass… a rickety bridge, or a road that just seems to vanish under the snow.
I want to believe in love, to believe in us, to be sure that our bond will find a way though… although, this time, I’m not so sure. I won’t burden you with petty details, but I will say that it hurts.
Like you wouldn’t believe.
Rain
February 6, 2011
-
What does it mean?
Music. To make music. To be in a group. To write songs. To play an instrument.
What a phenomenon.
I’m glad to be a part of it. Although, there’s still a part of me that has difficulty calling myself a musician.
Never finished. Just abandoned.
Rain
February 2, 2011
-
I actually wish it was snowy…
So yesterday, I worked for about 7 hours on a remix of “Stand Out” from A Goofy Movie, originally sung by Tevin Campbell.
And I… well, let’s say “updated” the theme a little. I mean, I don’t know. Some of you might like it, some of you might not… but in any case… I worked hard, so it’s ok for me… for a first draft anyway. I know I should be writing a case brief right now for Juvenile Justice, or a myriad of other things, like cleaning my room, or making a commitment to take it easy on the beer.
Yeah… last night was a little nuts. But anyway, at least I didn’t wake up naked on someone’s roof.
So, the other day, it snowed. And you know I mean snowed. We’ve gotten something like 20 inches in January alone, from what I’ve heard, (don’t quote me) and they say that we haven’t even gotten the worst of it yet. Although, I’d prefer that to this ice. It’s awful, and they still haven’t cancelled classes.
I’m debating whether or not to start writing a new instrumental today… or if I should start mixing vocals. I don’t know. I’m still in my shorts, and it’s almost noon.
I don’t know why I wish it was snowy, instead of this slushy, icy mess outside. I guess the snow gives me a sense of urgency, and a sense of necessity in being in the casa. It motivates me to be productive. When I look outside my door, and I see this,
I get inspired to do something.
I guess it’s just not one of those days.
Rain
January 28, 2011
-
Goofy and Starcrossed
So this morning, my alarm wakes me at 6:45, (I forgot to turn the damn thing off!) and I got bored, as I often do having to stay quiet. I went through a couple of my old DVDs. I found A Goofy Movie. I can truthfully say I haven’t had a more rewarding viewing experience in a long, long while. It really took me back to my childhood, back when I thought high school was so big, so grandly over my head, and something so far away, I didn’t think I’d ever see it.
Here I am, almost a college grad, and one can’t help but wonder, where did all the time go?
Mama always says, “you just wait. Once you’re my age, it goes by even faster.” Glad to know that it only gets better. But I don’t think that has to happen for me. I think that every moment taken to appreciate something good really does make it slow down a little… not in a “slo-mo” sense, but more like adding more friction to each moment, and not letting them slip away so easily. (Hint on the lyrics for our newest track, “Sleepy and Starcrossed”.)
This is how the song makes me feel… there’s a definite touch of Craig-ness in this one, even though I wrote all of it, the guitar included.
I don’t wanna be long winded, but this morning, that movie gave me the greatest idea for a cover. See if you can guess. ;)
Happy Friday, all.
Rain
