It's All About Momentum!

Day 13. Yesterday was a real challenge. Between teaching, eating, getting my workout in and running some errands, it suddenly was 11pm; in panic I stared at the screen, pulled up the track, looked at the time and all I heard was a little voice saying..."you're not gonna make it today. There goes your 31songs in 31days".

I threw some first instinct vocal ideas on it, kept listening to the music, looking at the time and slightly freaking out again. Thankfully, it was a collaboration, I just needed vocals and lyrics. Hahaha, JUST...the voice kept saying "You're running out of time, don't have a clue what you're singing about" and for a second I wanted to accept the fact that I didn't make it, telling myself I could write two tomorrow. I did NOT listen to that voice.

I took a deep breath and started to tap into my subconscious mind, allowing myself to JUST BE and DO what FEELS right instead of thinking if it's good or bad or what time it is.(as long as I stick with the 2 hour time frame)

Melodies are easy for me. I can do 10 songs a day if I had to. (I really can)  But WORDS is a different story. The trap you fall into when writing lyrics by yourself is that you tend to keep re-using some of your favorite words. Listen to some albums and you'll notice that many artists do this. Not all but many.

I decided to NOT worry about it and just write. Over-thinking, over-analyzing leads to writers block.

Once you let it go, think about the scene, the theme or title, the words start flowing. Are they final? Most likely not, writing is all about re-writing. What's important is MOMENTUM!

I must say I was truly amazed with myself. I was tired, frustrated and slightly panicking. I claimed writers block for such a long time while finishing my album ARC OF A DREAM. Looking back, I call it bullshit. Subconsciously I was stalling completion in fear of disapproval, failure or maybe just pure fear of completion?

As songwriters who take their career serious, we have to learn to write, start to finish, than re-write, start to finish and let it go! And repeat! Things are always way simpler than they seem. Life is good. Feeling accomplished! Cheers!

PS: Soundbites are coming next! Stay tuned!
xoxo
JVB

DAY SEVEN

It's been pretty fun so far.The biggest challenge has been to not write about the same old things and to use different approaches, let's say, one song starts with a vocal melody, another get's inspired by a drumbeat, guitar riff or synth sound. Yesterday was my first Collaboration on this project, felt good to only come up with lyrics and melody. I did feel a little resistance at first but once I let go of the "inner judge" allowing myself to just dive in, it became effortless.

I don't always have a concept when I write, some writers do. I usually let the music take me, picking a theme has been another one of my challenges. The beauty in writing is, it doesn't matter how you start the journey, as long as you end up with a completed song that resonates with you. A song that captures a feeling, a vibe, a mood. And of course if I was writing for a specific project, a music library, I'd have more of an outline and theme, most likely writing a sound alike. What's fun about this project is that I can write whatever I want without having to fit a format. It's fun to express myself any way I want, goofy, serious, off beat. No RULES! Of course in the back of my mind I am thinking about where that track could be placed and ultimately, I want to find those 31 babies a good home but as of right now. All I need to do is give birth to another creation. ;)

I've been pretty good as far as only spending a couple of hours on writing,  not all in one sitting, I work for 30 min, get the idea down, take a quick walk with the dog or do my workout  than come back with a clear head and fresh perspective. It's working really well.

The frustrating part is that I can hear some of the songs fully produced and want to do it right than and there (yes, I've spend several hours on a couple of songs I felt strongly about). I have to remember to just WRITE the song first, start to finish, THAN focus on production, although in some cases tweaking the sounds along the way is extremely inspiring, as long as I don't get caught up in "tweaking" that sound forever.

What I did notice is that I am more creative, ideas keep popping up consistently, I've recorded some ideas right after writing a track or while waiting for a student. The fossett is open and little symphonies keeps flowing, effortlessly. Day Seven accomplished. (Just realized, I spent so much time on this Blog it's already day Eight, hahaha.

Starting tomorrow,  I will post snippets of the tracks, I don't know if it would be a good idea to post the entire songs. (copyright, quality and time wise)

My goal is to do at least 10 Collabs on this project.
Stay tuned the fun is just about to start!
xoxo
JVB

31 SONGS in 31 days!

Happy 1st of July. I can't help but wonder what I did the first half of the year. Setting big goals and plans surely wasn't part of it. I made a tough and hard decision at the beginning of the year;  I let my baby, long time commitment "Otto's Daughter" go. Probably the hardest and most painful thing I've done, and I've done some pretty challenging things in my life.

I felt a lost, not sure what to do next, besides the obvious, writing music for libraries and film/tv placements. I can't stop making music and being who I am living my purpose. I am an artist and need to express who I am not just by writing but through love performance. I'm a performer and need the stage.

So many of us get so busy with life that the one thing we love the most we do the least. Something so painful and sad about this picture.  And time goes by and another year passes. You make money, lose it all but you can make it back, your relationship collapses, eventually you find someone better,  fall back in love and be happy again, all is good. One thing we don't get back is TIME!

Today I decided to challenge myself, to write one song a day for the entire month of July. It doesn't have to be a vocal track, nor does it have to be a completely well produced song. Just a good foundation, first draft that can later be perfected with a re-write and production skills.


The idea is to just write, step outside the box, get creative and allow myself to just be. Pick different topics, genres, whatever comes out. It's about working that creative muscle, making the time and allowing creativity to flow. I'm completely open to collaborating and invite you to become part of this journey.  Does it spark your Interest? Let's keep it simple.

Do

Here are two different ways to go about it:

Option 1) We collaborate in person. Hit me up, we set a date and time and spend 2 hours writing a tune. (Yes, two hours only, trust me this works)

Option 2) Online. Send me a track, an idea. Can be a piece of music or hook or lyric and I'll take it from there (or the other way around)

Important is, that it needs to be done on that day within a certain time frame. No excuses. No over analyzing, criticizing, just writing, letting the creative juices flow)

Many artists feel like they are not inspired, they have writers block, can't write while under pressure, the goal is to work through this resistance by just having fun and not taking it all so serious! Just allow the magic to happen, or maybe even not, and that would make an interesting song as well, lol

We are capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for! No more waiting for tomorrow for what can be done today! You want to expand, write, create and collaborate, here's my invitation. Regardless, I am committed to go on my "July 14 - One Song A Day in Journey". 31 songs are waiting to come to life!

I will post updates on here as well as on facebook and soundcloud.
Ready Go!
;)

First Big Accomplishment!

It's taking me some time to get back into "work mode" but I'm not beating myself up for it. Been doing my workouts and that's a good start. I decided to focus on Otto's Daughter till tomorrow's show. Than start working on my other projects including OD.
So excited to be playing my favorite new song "Onto The Next One" tomorrow night and super proud of the guys for pulling it off in two days. Now; all I gotta figure out is an outfit and fun stuff to throw at the crowd. ;)
Today's biggest lesson:
Don't wait, don't delay, don't over-think or over-analyze, follow your gut, dive in and just do it! Take some risks! Do one thing every day that scares you. ;)
xoxo JVBeast

Fuel for Creativity!

The Music Industry has changed drastically and it keeps on changing. Get over it! If you are in the industry and you resist change, you'll have a hard time moving forward, adapting to the "new way". Most of us haven't even quite figured out the "new way"...we're all kinda in limbo. The great news is, here's our chance to come up with something new and groundbreaking. We can try new things, they may fail, I'm sure many ideas will but so what...you keep on trying.

The worst thing you can do is bitch and complain. What exactly does that accomplish? You hate the budget cuts, the shitty music out these days...REALLY? There's always been shitty music. Music doesn't need to be meaningful and deep at all times. When I'm on the dancefloor, I want to dance, laugh, flirt....have fun! Just because it doesn't speak to you doesn't mean it's bad.

How about all those hating on Skrillex, Rhianna or Lady GaGa, how they don't deserve to be as big as they are. IF you think they suck, DO BETTER! Bring something to the table that tops their production, their mass appeal! Yes, they all have big machines behind them but you can create something out of nothing if you have the drive and the believe that you are great! Saying you don't have the big label behind you is just another excuse to NOT get to work. Let your frustration be your inspiration. Instead of getting bitter, get busy, get creative!

We're all guilty of it, but it doesn't serve us! So now go write a song about it! ;P

Three Reasons to be Thankful that you are an Artist!

I was just reading an article I got in my e-mail this morning,and it made me realize and reminded me, how fortunate I truly am to be an artist. Being a creative person isn't always easy. We tend to be needy, moody, live on a crazy schedule, usually spent a lot of time in solitary, we want instant gratification, make a living doing what we love. We usually can't deal with a 9-5. It sucks the energy out of us, it's exhausting, leaving little if no room for creative time. We deal with our inner demons, criticism, usually don't have too many people around us that understand and support us, well, the list goes on and on. It's easy to focus on all the negative things but let's NOT forget all the beauty of being an artist.

1. You've got a creative outlett!
You are alive and able to express yourself in the form of art, whatever it is you do, it's a gift, a talent that most people wish they had. Embrace it. The more you use it, the stronger it will get. Life isn't always easy and what better way to cope with difficulties in life than pouring it all into your art. How many amazing songs have been written because of a broken heart as well as someone being madly in love or just happy and high on life? It's your way of helping you get through life, it puts perspective into your life. Once the pen is moving, things start to reveal itself, you plant a seed and watch it grow. Make room for your creativity and it will welcome you into a world of endless possibilities!

2. You do something you Love and are Passionate about
So many people live their lives not even knowing what they are truly passionate about. They spent half their life working for someone else than die leaving nothing behind. Everybody has a purpose on this earth. Fear is the main reason most people don't follow their dreams. Your Passion and Love are the fuel for making your dreams come true. It soon becomes not only an obsession, an addiction, it's infectious, it sets you on fire, it's something you can't live without, it makes you act and come from a place that sees no boundaries, knows no limits. It's what makes you thrive. It gives you strength and power, moves mountains. The beautiful thing is, your passion, your gift is the one thing no-one can ever take from you. The trick is to stay focused on your goal, enjoy the journey and take the little set backs on the way as inspiration, a challenge. We grow and learn only by doing, we find out who we truly are. Embrace it. It's a never ending journey. Life is all about growth and decay. You are either growing or dying. It's what keeps us alive inside!

3. You contribution to this world
Your art, your talent can make a huge difference in someone elses life. You might help someone get through a rough time, change someones life, you might inspire someone to follow their dream. Ever heard a song that says it all? It's exactly how you feel right at that moment? Imagine it's your song. How gratifying is that? We all want and deserve recognition, fame and fortune, and there's nothing wrong with wanting these things. Success means different things to different people. I believe the more successful you are, the more can you contribute. Be it a money, time or sharing your knowledge. We are here to live to our fullest and leave a legacy behind, to make the world a better place. Although not all of your work will be seen or heard, they are all stepping stones, part of you and your progress. Your journey to happiness and fulfillment.
As much as it can be frustrating at times, an ongoing uphill battle, no one cares more about YOU and your Business than YOU. You are in the drivers seat! When you really think about it, what a powerful position to be in, what an amazing gift to share!

I'm extremely grateful to be able to express myself through my music, performance and art. I know, you feel the same way! Be grateful and NEVER look back. Leave no reason to regret the things you could've, should've done! Risk a little. Live in the NOW! Follow your inner voice, let it guide you. And NEVER stop doing what you love. If it makes YOU happy, you're on the right path! Enjoy the ride!

xoxo JVB

What's big and small anyway?

Yesterday I was ready to just say "hell with it"; I'll cancel the whole tour, don't have enough dates, confirmed guarantee's, don't have my apartment rented out, no one to watch my cats. It's too much work, too uncertain, too hard. I pulled a rune and of course it told me this is a time to reflect. I know better; forcing things never accomplishes anything. So I turned to my true love, I finished a few tracks that had been on my "to do" list for weeks. Focusing on creating and completing MUSIC!

I didn't schedule band rehearsal, but invited the "still in question" bassist over to our home to go over the songs and get to know him a bit better.

My amazing and supportive man held me and said "Whatever you decide I'm on your side baby". We went for a walk, I ran and felt already a hundred times better. Back home, I started to reflect on my past achievements; events, all the obstacles I had overcome so far, way scarier and riskier than this little 5 week tour.

It's not the first time I booked a tour not having a full band, not the first time I started from scratch. I grew up in communism, I risked my life for my freedom and started from zero, I packed my bags again and moved to the US. I lived in NY build my band, my life. I moved to LA with half of my band and started all over. Each time things get's better and better. Each time I'm moving forward.

Two weeks ago I got so inspired while tracking our cover "Ace of Spades"; I decided to make a music video, before we go on tour; made some phone calls; a week later we have a meeting with our video producer and an amazingly and talented producer/director friend who's totally in it. All from Inpspired Action!

When I trust and allow to let things flow, everything happens effortless.

Long story short; the bassplayer is really cool and coming with us, matter of fact, if we still like each other five weeks from now, he'll be the new bassist in PINK STAR; the new child and creation of Otto's Daughter. Woooooooooooooooho

Trust the process!
xXx
JVB