Originals

I finally got around to using my ZOOM PS-04 handheld 4-track digital recorder. I put down two guitar tracks - one rhythm guitar track, and a haphazard lead guitar track that started as a bassline played on my Rickenbacker 330 Fireglo guitar, but it mutated into something resembling a lead throughout the tune. Oh well, it didn't sound half bad for a crude demo, at least it made the music sound a bit more interesting. I added the vocal track, and was able to successfully load it onto my computer and turn it into an mp3 file for Ed to learn. The tune is "Light of Day" and it's one that I really like.

Anyway, we hope to maybe play at Lestats Coffee House, but they only allow original music to be played. I think it's because they don't want any hassle from ASCAP regarding published material (cover tunes). We have 8 originals in the can so to speak, so we need more if we want to get an hour's worth of originals ready to go. Thus, I had to get off my rear and get to steppin' with the ZOOM PS-04, which I did today. Really easy to use. I just need some more smartcards, the one that came with the unit does not have much storage and after one song it's already full!

I'm hoping to hear more from Ed as well, he has four originals he has written and they are all great tunes, crafted with care and lyrically excellent. If the two of us can move on some original submissions, Lestats and other places like it will be in our crosshairs.

I really love the atmosphere in "With Intent" regarding original submissions. In this band original music is encouraged - in fact, Ed has always been supportive of my original material, even back in CenterAisle. I've always appreciated that, and I continue to do so. It's good to finally be in a situation that I feel is 100% compatible with what I want to do, and that's to be able to write. As you can see I am happy to be in this band. It's what I've always hoped for as a writer and a player.

Doing it With Intent

Back in my college days a looonnng time ago, I had a philosophy class taught by a man named John Connelly. I think he may still be teaching, I don't know, but I digress. Anyway, his class wasn't the classic philosophy class that taught you about Plato and such, but he taught I guess some kind of Eastern philosophy. The core of his teachings was that everything that happens to you is because of your intentions. So if something bad happens to you, then you intended for it to happen to you. Likewise, if something good happened to you, then you intended that to happen to you too. The gist of his message was that if you think positively as much as possible, then you intend good things will happen to you and indeed it will.

The band I'm currently playing with is "With Intent". Currently a duo (we're looking for a drummer) we play rock tunes from the 60's to current, along with original music. The heart and soul (and the guy who started it) is my good friend Ed De Caro. Ed and I have known each other for about 16 years from working together at a corporation in San Diego, give or take a few months. It's funny, all those years we knew each other, yet we only started jamming back in 2001 in our old band CenterAisle. Ed, who is a fabulous singer with a unique voice and a very good guitar player to boot, was the drummer. But it was obvious from the start that he had the goods to step out in front.

He has a voice that can carry a group and give it an identity. But he also has something that I have rarely seen in anyone, and that is absolute belief in himself. He expects good things to come his way, and they do. I've witnessed it at work - time and time again he just sets out to accomplish something big and worthwhile, and he pulls it off. And with this music thing, he's doing it again. When CenterAisle ended, he just pulled up the bootstraps, and decided it was time he step out in front. And he did. And he did it great. Fortunately for me, he asked me to join him in his little endeavor, and I have to say I am glad that I said yes - even a fool like me gets lucky sometimes. I truly feel we have a good thing going, and Ed is leading the way.

So, I am going to take a cue from Ed, and steal a phrase from him as well (since it's his band and he thought of the name) - I am going to do it With Intent. Intent to make good music. Intent to check the ego at the door for good of the whole. Intent to be able to create from a blank sketchpad and mold it into something good. Intent that good things will happen if we keep positive.

http://geocities.com/rocku_with_intent
rocku_with_intent@yahoo.com - tell Ed that Mike sent 'ya.

Good night now.

Praise Band notes from a ham-fisted bass player

Well, I just got back from my praise band practice tonight. I'm such a ham and egger. Give me the bassline to "Satisfaction" or "Ramble On" and I'm in my zone, but try to get me to play "Come and See" (a praise tune) and forget about it!

Tonight was our third rehearsal as a band, and it was the first night for our new guitarist Steve. This guitarist is an excellent musician and plays totally by ear. He came in and really spiced things up, and keeping up with him was all this ham-fist (me) could do.

Bottom line is I am not in my comfort zone musically with the Praise Band. I had the same reservation in With Intent too, but I worked through my issues (playing a total support role as a bassist in a two-man outfit) by non-stop practice. Ed and I set an intense schedule, stuck to it, and we have made great progress. I learned how to lay back, help keep the time, while helping to create a groove - and of course it's still a work in progress. It's going to be the same with the Praise Band too. In the Praise Band I am playing with seasoned musicians - Elisabeth on keyboards, Russ on the drums and Steve on the guitar. Right now I am bringing up the rear musically, and I need to pick it up. But I am confident I will find my footing and excel in my own way - I always have and I always will. The upside of this whole thing is that I am going to get better just by playing with these superior musicians.

Tomorrow - off to a With Intent rehearsal. More on that tomorrow. Good night now.

Webpage Launch

Well, today I decided to launch my own webpage (http://geocities.com/mikelewismusic). Why, I don't know, but after playing music for over 25 years I thought it might be cool to just have a place of my own to jot my thoughts and keep a running tab of what I am up to. Well, last night I played with my current gig, With Intent, a band started and led by my good friend Ed De Caro, who handles the lead vocals, guitar, and harmonica. We played our second gig at the Metaphor Cafe in Escondido, CA. It went great, Ed managed to record some of our tunes digitally and I can't wait to hear the tunes. Right now we are a duo but Ed is hoping to get a drummer in real soon. Ed and I played together in CenterAisle, and when that ended we hooked up and started something real good. We get to play some cool cover tunes while having a pallet to create our own original music. It's a really cool thing and I'm really glad Ed asked me to join him on his little endeavor. I will strive to do my part to help make this thing sound really cool.