Now Listening: Paper Route

It sure has been a while since a blog on the old KZ blogger. This is merely an update to let you all know that all is not lost, that there is still creativity flowing, and music will someday be pumping you iPods. Plus a little insight to my life, why not, eh?

A lot has happened since the death of the KZ EP. I have run into several musicians since, found many new artists to listen to, and bought many new instruments to enhance the KZ sound. I even moved, KZ is now stationed in Columbia, MO.

Very recently I have had the chance to work with a group formally known as Sunifyde, and now changing their name (maybe to "I"). Unfortunately I was losing time with my studies (Your very own KZ is a Psychology major with a dual minor of Philosophy, and Religious Studies at the University of Missouri). They are a group of AMAZINGLY talented young men, with an even more amazing outlook on their music. They are working on a new concept album, and starting a sister band which will be called Mad Madam Mim. So even though things did not work out they made a huge impact on my getting back into my music. Hopefully I will have time to still play with them from time to time, they are fantastic and have a revolutionary style. Please check out the MySpace! Their lives shows ROCK so if they're ever around your town make sure to check them out!

http://www.myspace.com/thesilencealarm (That there is the link to the above band's MySpace)

My current coworker (not only is KZ a student, but your local Starbucks Barista, on Broadway and Fairview if you're ever in my neck of the woods!) Mr. Christopher Stone, has agreed to storing my drum set as his humble abode. Along with using his house as a storage space, he suggested we try to jam it out for a while. It might not be very often, since I"m pushed for time these days, but I am excited to see what it may bring. He has a very acoustic, heavily classical influenced style. He has a range of instruments (such a organ, mandolin, ukulele, etc.), which when added with my instrumentation I think could meld into something very unique, and more than slightly epic.

But more importantly, I will start writing my new album sooner than later, and it will be recorded out of the comfort of my own four walls! Always looking to the future with high hopes when it comes to the music.

Some ideas in the KZ database (my brain) are a new name, IDHO. A centrally themed album, something very philosophical, spiritual, and psychology. Any ideas you folks have for me? Let me know!

Now Listening: Elliot Smith

Oh yesterday. Was such a fantastic day! I met with Mr. Crecelius for the first time yesterday, and boy oh boy, was it magical. The estimated grand total for the recording and mastering is $666. Ha ha, more like $670, but we had a good chuckle about that. The album is going to change almost everything about my music. My "genre" needs to be completely rethought. We are bringing in instrumentation, and effects, and crazy cool things. His bass lines are like works of art, and his guitar playing has so much soul. He speaks my musical language, so this music should sync so well! The EP track list is finalized:

1) Finding Home

2) Song of Unity

3) Closest to Perfect

4) Lessons

5) Porcelain Doll

6) A Muse to Your Manifestation

I was worried about putting Closest to Perfect on the CD, but I'm really excited to kind of reinvent it with him, and add a "new coat" to it's skeleton. By far, #6 is going to rock your socks off. Recording will probably start in early May, finish in early May, then I need to get all the legal hubbub out of the way. Then it will be able for you to purchase, and pump through your headphones!

Now Listening: The Bronx

The list I am bringing in to Patrick tomorrow (for the EP list) is as follows:

1) Finding Home

2) Song of Unity (New)

3) Boulder

4) To Muse Your Manifestation  (New)

5) Closest to Perfect (Still Under Debate)

6) Porcelain Doll

Now Listening: Led Zepplin

Today has been a day of payment. Paying homage to my musical brethren. I have been singing, listening and feeling music ALL day today. And I have never been more happy listening to such a wide variety of compositions. Currently Immigrant Song is filling my ears. So amazing. So much good music to listen to in this world, so much, it's seemingly impossible to listen to too much music though. 

Update, my prerecording meet is coming up this Thursday, I'll get you more updates!

Now Listening: Coldplay

To start things off, let's put this is big capital letters... I AM GETTING AN EP! Finally it is happening! A very late night of looking up local recording studios resulted in an AMAZING find. His name is Patrick Crecelius, and he happens to be, and I quote, "a jack of all trades". Not only will Mr. Crecelius be engineering the adventure, but he will also be filling in some MAJOR parts of instrumentation my music lacks. With his degree from Berkley, in music production, and engineering, I have a great deal of faith that this endeavor will be very fruitful. To top of this sundae of miracles, I know he is a good musician, seeing as end turns out, my FATHER was his music educator. Small world, I know. So I am now scrambling to get a set list of songs, and tighten up all the loose parts of any songs. It's craziness. But I know for certain that this song below (YES A NEW SONG!) Will be debuted on the EP. So go ahead and take a peak at the lyrics. I will keep everyone posted on the lists, and any further developments. 

A Song Of Unity

Was it luck, or a miracle?

That made the oil last all those nights? Or was it a lie?

And is was love that made someone

Commit suicide on a cross, to save my life?

I don’t know, I don’t know…

 

And is it just life

For someone to throw their

Hopes and dreams away for a suit and tie?

And is it recreation to play video games where everyone dies?

I don’t know, I don’t know…

 

So slow it down for me.

I don’t know who I need to be.

Why don’t you slow it down for me?

Do you have the answers that I can’t see?

 

And is the love that I have, or the faith that I lack,

Or a bit of the both that makes me who I am?

And do we own anything,

Or is it just gifts, From something bigger than

You or me, I don’t know…

 

Who really know any of these things?

This is a song of unity.

Cause no one really knows these things.

This is a song of unity.

This is a song of unity,

Can’t you see that we need each other.

Cause no one really knows these things,

Without out one another.

 

Slow it down for us.

Can’t you see what we see?

Slow it down for us.

You don’t have the answers that we need.

Now Listening: Sibelius' Violin Concerto in D Minor (1st Movement)

I have been very ill for the past couple days, so headway on anything at all has seemed to seise. Although, I did write a song. I think it could be the song I am most surprised by, and proud of. And didn't record it seeing as I have no voice for singing. But I assure you, soon. I will have it up soon.

To: Many People Whom I Won't Mention, From: Me

Do you think it’s the worst thing that you’ve done?

That you met her, and that you met her on the alter?

And now you’ll die, go and die, but will He save you?

Are you scared? Are you scared that he won’t?

I don’t really wanna know…

 

All those nights that you cried, you were perfect.

You are perfect, the best thing I had.

You stood up, you tried you best, no one knew,

You were perfect, and crying,

I can’t stop knowing, It was my fault.

 

Will Mary take your hand? Do you know it for sure now?

Or are we all little pieces, of something, together

Together, or all apart?

Little pieces, at the bottom of a lake,

Will He save you? I don’t know if I should know.

 

I know you regret it, taking her hand,

Holding her tight, letting her go,

But I’m sure damn glad that you did,

I begin to understand now,

I’m so lucky, damn, I’m so lucky.

 

We were dancing on rooftops,

I pushed you, I pushed you off,

And you fell, of so far,

But you found a new roof top,

I’ve felt so bad, broken one too many roof tops.

Now I have my solid ground.

 

It’s not a poem, it’s your life.

It’s your fucking life. I’m so sorry.

She was perfect too.

There is nothing I can do.

I’m so sorry. Damn, I’m so lucky.

 

Jeffery Trees, and crucifixes.

I only hear her breath when the wind hisses.

You moved too far away, no one loves New Mexico

She misses you, please come home.

Please know, that I’m sorry, that I couldn’t stay,

And yes, it was a mistake

 

And who are you? You beneath that rib cage?

Behind this sternum, where something beats?

You are alive, and always in hiding,

But only from yourself. I pray for you, but to whom,

I do not know.

Now Listening: Lisa Hannigan

So I was driving home from Columbia, MO the other day, and had a fantastic mix CD featuring such artists as (above) Lisa Hannigan,  Iron and Wine, Andrew Bird, (and his "Bowl Of Fire"), Coldplay, Greg Laswell, Wilco, and my dear sweet Ray LaMontagne. It was such a stunning compilation of artists. I think I could sell it to Starbucks as one of their tacky seasonal promo CDs. The song that stuck out most of all, was Lisa's. Her lyrics were just amazing. I had never heard her before I had complied these songs onto the CD. So I figured I'd let you read, and appreciate. 

I don't know what you smoke or what countries you've been to if you speak any other languages other than your own but I'd like to meet you I don't know if you drive if you love the ground beneath you I don't know if you write letters or panic on the phone still I'd like to call you all the same, if you want to, I am game.

I don't know if you can swim or if the sea has any draw for you if you're better in the morning or when the sun goes down I'd like to talk to you I don't know if you can dance if the thought ever occurred to you if you eat what you've been given or push it round your plate still I'd like to cook for you all the same, I would want to, I am game,

If you walk my way and I could keep my head we could creep away in the dark or maybe not, we could shoot it down anyway.

I don't know if you read novels or the magazines if you love the hand that feeds you I assume that your heart's been bruised I know I'd like to know you you don't know if I can draw at all or what records I am into if I sleep like a spoon or rarely at all or maybe you would do? maybe you would do

if I walk your way I will keep my head we will feel our way through the dark though I don't know you I think that I would do I don't fall easy at all