Gratitude

"Thank you" doesn't seem to match the immensity of this gratitude.

http://youtu.be/_pte_6gHyuk

We've been busy I can tell you that. I keep hearing that when you want something the world will test you. Proving grounds. As we are working on our album release campaign with 3 music videos, 2 release parties, 3 photo shoots for the album design, 6 making-of videos,  revamping the website, and booking an east coast tour delays and the like run amuck. I used to get discouraged easily, but that became exhausting. There's no time for that when you have things you want to accomplish. Energy is important. Better to focus on something that gives you strength.

For me that is the vision. Where and what I see for myself down the road. Setbacks scatter like dust in comparison. You can use the friction to stoke the fire, gain that momentum.

Lately it feels almost like water. There's an obstruction, water flows around it. When faced with an obstacle, frustration is now replaced by creativity and vigor. Almost to the point its become a game. Cat and mouse. It's a puzzle. Thinking 3 steps ahead. Always running...like water.

Not to say there haven't been times I've found myself cursing at my computer. These days its more because I know its slowing me down rather than feeling I don't have the resources. Truth is, now I do. I'm capable of fixing/working with it, but I know the time that it will take to get back on the workflow. There's a lot to accomplish. Time management has gotten a lot better.

Thankful for this developing perspective. Grateful for the support. Grateful for the opportunity to challenge myself and grow.

The band's trip to the TV station!!

We had such an incredible experience with the crew of The Music Box.  Our first TV experience was so positive and unforgettable thanks to them. From the moment we stepped in that studio we felt like we had known everyone in the production crew for years!

Needless to say we were all pretty excited. We were cracking jokes left and right and every one was in high spirits. After shooting the interview they asked me if there was anything I would like to go back over. Honestly, I was so worked up and excited about the interview that I couldn’t really recall what I had said or done. There was a feeling that reassured me that nothing was out of hand so I followed that intuition. While being interviewed by Michelle, she made it feel like a natural and easy-going conversation so hopefully my responses read that way in the playback. Otherwise, I hope their editor is making some magic happen. Honestly though, speaking with Michelle was so much fun. I’m looking forward to more interviews in the future.

The crew was excited to try out new camera shots and try some new arrangements and we were stoked to be on TV. It’s a winning combination. When we started setting up a couple of the crew members put a camera to the end of my guitar. It was kind of like those cameras skydivers put at the top of their helmets to get some crazy shots of themselves falling from the sky. They showed us the footage and it looked deliciously fantastic. It’ll be a nice touch I’m sure. As we were checking my microphone I turned around to see them attaching another to the bell of Mackey’s trombone. I thought to myself, “this is going to be awesome.”

Before recording the performances I recall being ecstatic to let the first song rip. The lights were hot. There was an energy in the air that kept me well aware and alert. As I looked at all the members of the band and back to the production crew all I could see were happy faces and a feeling that whatever this is it’s extremely good. Francisco had some great ideas and explained a great deal about what was going on in the process. During recording I would glance over to Michelle and Jennifer dancing over in the corner of the room behind the cameras having a great time. The support, approach and execution of the production was professional and efficient. They were sharp and knew what they wanted to capture on film. We just had to come in and do what we love to do.

As we were wrapping up I heard audio playback of our performance. Jacob was in the audio room cooking up an incredible mix. It had a lot of punch and fullness. They had done some brilliant work capturing the sound. Everyone was gathered around the door an in the room taking in the music. The final mix is going to be remarkable I’m sure. We can’t wait to hear the mastered tracks from Jacob. The man knows what he’s doing no doubt about it.

We are very grateful to have had such and amazing experience with El SegundoTV: The Music Box. Now we look forward to finding our way more often to TV land in the following months and years. We’re hooked. A huge thanks to the production crew! Can’t wait to see the final product. A watch party is in order.