new music, new ideas, new direction.

Well it has been awhile since I posted here. I have been writing some new tunes for a new band/project with a few buddies. The musical influences that are responsible for these new ideas are a drastic change of direction. It is quite a bit different then what I have produced with the Lost in transit projects. When we are in possession of a suitable demo I will post some pieces and then you can see what you think.
--neer-game-nic


Talk to ya'all soon,
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Quick post...

Just some quick updates. I haven't posted for a few weeks...it's been non-stop since we returned from a Christmas and New Year's spent in mid-western, Manitoba Canada. In stark contrast, we have been having balmy weather; which has provoked many to dawn short sleeved shirts. In the next few weeks, I am preparing to release a B-side track from the 'When the snow is gone" EP recording sessions. It has, some what, turned into a joke which is attributed to the unnatural vocal part I recorded and the unsightly horn melodies. All in all, it really is a tragic recording, but one well worth taking time to listen to. Stay close, I will post in a few days.

Well I woke up today to fresh snow and tundra weather. It is 0 degrees Fahrenheit and a far cry from the weather my life is used to in sunny California. The trade off is a much calmer way of life than I'm used to, (well if you don't include the chaos that Christmas drug through). It has been a great trip though... hanging with the fam. I may even meet up with a good buddy from the Denver days. While he resides somewhere in the US Midwest, his parents are cordially blessed to deal with this fridged weather permenantly, as they live just minutes south of the Canada/US border. New Years also proves to be a possible blood pressure increaser because I have been asked to sit in on bass for the band The Tailgate Outlaws. There is a new line up this year. Jen Martens will be doing all of the Singing, Kevin Earl will be on Drums/Guitar, Mike Martens will be on Guitar/Drums, and me I will be on Bass and will sing a cover called Mr. Brightside. TGO will be the musical entertainment for the slighly, locally famous, New Years party at Andy and Jen Martens of Morden.



TGO



Here is the song line-up:
Hit me with your best shot - Pat Benatar
Umbrella - Rihanna
I kissed a girl - Katy Perry
So what - Pink
Unbelievable - EMF
Mr Bright side - The Killers

It is always a good time, many people coming together that haven't seen each other all year much food ...much drink... and then we watch the ball drop.

Lost in transit Christmas EP 2008 - "When the snow is gone"

"When the snow is gone" is the latest release from Lost in transit. It is a short Christmas EP. It definitely is a deviation, stylistically, from the usual Lost in transit style... The other point to make is that, contrary to the Self-titled 2007 EP "Lost in transit", "When the snow is gone" was not a solo project... Olyvia Franklin was involved in the writing and recording process.
Tracks:
-When the snow is gone
-Oh come Emmanuel
The track, "When the snow is gone", is an original. It has a catchy 1-2 beat and is mostly comprised of piano, organ, with a minor accompaniment of strings.
"Oh come Emmanuel" is an old carol that we put a new twist on. The vocal melody is the same as the original version but the music and arrangement have been re-created.
-- This EP is available for purchase through snocap.

Big trip and "summer like" Christmas

So I checked the weather where we are flying tomorrow (our flight leaves at 6AM)... ya here you go

Winnipeg Weather

Winnipeg Time

...quite the contrast to the balmy 50F, here in California. What a shock it will be when we hop out of that warm plane onto the tarmac. ...oh blessed tundra. Although Christmas is kind of a rip off here in the sunny state. I was walking down a road, overly strung with Christmas decorations, the other day, and I had to chuckle to myself at the painted sheets of plywood laying in peoples lawns that were supposed to represent snow. Christmas here is like a Hollywood set. We try to "make" winter. You have to wear coats, gloves, and scarfs almost as a costume... you don't really need them, we just wear them because it makes us feel "wintery"...or so we hope... as we sweat away the day, bundled up. Anyway... Merry Christmas... and have a great New Year.

Today, Dec. 1st, is World AIDS Day. 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of this world wide 'Stop AIDS' campaign.

"The WAC was established to support and promote a global campaign on HIV and AIDS. The campaign strengthens and connects together many of the AIDS-related advocacy and campaigns happening in our countries and regions – each are supported by a multitude of groups who are demanding that their governments and other key stakeholders deliver on previous promises and commitments on HIV and AIDS. The civil society-led WAC campaign targets politicians and policy-makers countries most affected by HIV as well as donor governments, international agencies such as those of the United Nations, as well as civil society. It supports people and organizations to work together more closely, unite and soundly advocate at the national and international levels, so the campaign can deepen the partnership for a stronger response to AIDS."

www.worldaidscampaign.org

Old residence... made fresh

I went and saw a show the other night at The Starline, Fresno CA, and by far the best presentation was put forth by a band called, From Indian Lakes. I used to live in Indian Lakes, which is a small mountain housing community in the Sierra Nevada foothills, so naturally I was drawn to this band when I heard the name. Some of the band lives/lived in Indian Lakes. I have been wanting to see them play for quite sometime because I am somewhat of an aquaintance with Joey Vannucchi (lead vocals/guitar) and have been wanting to see them live. Their recordings don't even compare to seeing them live. It is hard to pin down a specfic genre for this band but they have a very attractive style. They use a lot of , what seems to be, a short delay effect on their guitars so there is a feeling of calm, distantness in the tones and an open airy feeling. They also use a lot of breaks and odd time signatures which contribute to their original style. If you get the chance to see them live ...don't miss it.

I'm not sure how into film production you are but you have to check the line of cameras Red has. As you look over the following cameras remember that most movies you watch are viewed at 1k (1080). Most movies you see in theaters are probably, most likely, only shot at about 2k max. Knowing that, look at the following cameras... and be amazed........... 28k.....$55,000.

Side project - New music...

I am currently involved in the creation and production of a collection of Christmas songs. This is the first it has been talked about outside a group of 3 people. The songs, as of right now, will be released under the band, Lost in transit, and will consequently be available for purchase on Snocap. Stay close because the release will happen shortly. The number of songs in this collection is undecided at this time, but this release will include originals along with a couple standard Christmas songs arranged in a slightly different light.

Not much to say about the election...

I haven't posted anything about the election yet because I wasn't sure if I even would at all. Sure there are some pretty important issues but do people really even care? This election has had a near record breaking voter turn out. I would have to say though that there are probably a million other proposition ideas to promote and I am more than confident there are more competent and down to earth presidential candidates. Sad thing is, we will never even hear about them because we have reduced our presidential race down to 2 less than desirable parties. Maybe it isn't that people don't care, but that they have realized that the "caring" needed to make a difference in a system like we currently are controlled by, seems almost insurmountable. I don't know what else to do but make the best of what we have, love people, and try to make a difference in the circles I am involved in. Hopefully the next 4 years will provide a life changing outcome for everyone.

Is all the poison gone?

So my latest project is a fairly large batch of olives (well, large for one person to consume...I will definitely be giving a large amount of them away - Kim hates olives). It is amazing how such a bitter product (and lots of deathly lye) can transform into such a rich, buttery, and flavorful item. I've got about 2 days left until can enjoy them with some bread, sausage, and cheese and of course with a very good glass of wine.
In case you want to try a batch for yourself, I have included my recipe...enjoy.


Olive recipe for mission olives
- Olives are ready to pick when they start to have a purpley tinge to them.
- Slice olives long ways lightly…

Soak (no aluminum)
12 hours in lye solution - 4 tablespoons of lye in 1 gallon cold water (under 70 F). stir occasionally.
- Drain, and soak 8 more hours in fresh lye solution.
- Cut into a large olive - lye will change the flesh to a yellow-green, penetrating to the pit.
- If the lye has not penetrated to the pit, soak an additional 8 hours in a fresh lye solution.

Rinse
- Rinse in cold water
- Soak 6 hours in fresh, cold water.
- Change the water and soak 6 hours in fresh cold water, repeating four times a day for 4-8 days, or until there is no lye taste

Preservation
Add whatever spices, garlic, vegetables, or other additions to the marinade you desire to either of the following.
Brine cure l (storage for 2 weeks)
- Cover with salt brine - 6 tablespoons salt per gallon of water.
- Let stand 2 days.
- Refrigerate and use within 2 weeks.
Brine cure 2 (storage for 2-4 months)
- Cover with salt brine - 13 tablespoons salt per gallon of water.
- Store 1 week.
- Cover with fresh salt brine - 1 pound or 1 2/3 cups salt per gallon of water.
- Store in a cool place, preferably a refrigerator.
- Use within 2-4 months.
(Before eating, soak olives overnight to remove excess salt. Use within 3 days after soaking.)

Know your props...

Although I am less than confident in exactly how our country operates( including the debates, nasty trash talk, and disregard for the real issues) voting is the only voice we have at the present time, so we should do all we can with what we have... Even if you don't agree or disagree with the props they will still effect our taxes and future; so be informed and vote... we work to hard to let the government be nonchalant with our money.

In case you haven't seen any of the write-ups for the propositions that will be voted on this coming November 4th, below are some links about the issues taken from The League of Women Voters website.

*What's cool about the league, is that it does not support or oppose candidates or political parties. It is completely nonpartisan and is widely accepted as an accurate source.

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Voters in this election will be asked to vote YES or NO on 12 statewide propositions:

Proposition 1A Bonds for High-Speed Rail
Proposition 2 Treatment of Farm Animals
Proposition 3 Bonds for Children's Hospitals
Proposition 4 Parental Notification About Abortion
Proposition 5 Rehabilitation of Nonviolent Offenders
Proposition 6 Public Safety Spending and Criminal Penalties
Proposition 7 Renewable Energy
Proposition 8 Ban on Gay Marriage
Proposition 9 Victims' Rights
Proposition 10 Bonds for Alternative Energy
Proposition 11 Redistricting
Proposition 12 Bonds for Veterans’ Home Loans

Are you drowning in your "stuff"?

- 92% of people do not have cars
- 1,000,000,000 people do not have access to clean water
- 800,000,000 people live on less than $1 per day (300,000,000 of them are kids)
- Every couple of seconds someone dies of hunger
Do we even realize how much we have...
Check out this video...

First off...

Alright just got setup... This will be a place for me to document what I do on the side... my other life, aside from work and group activities... the things that I consider side projects. If you are reading this I hope you will stick around and follow what will be posted in these entries...hopefully they will make you think, satisfy your appetite for music, and give you a different perspective on things.