Today, I just wrote and recorded two new songs. I tried to record them on ProTools, but my ProTools software is a really old version, so it no longer works. I just uninstalled ProTools from my computer, so I reinstalled, “Music Creator 5”, another music recording program, so I recorded songs on “Music Creator 5” instead.

Surprisingly enough, “Music Creator 5” sounds studio clean. Good enough to make a homemade acoustic demo. I need a new batch of originals and my goal for 2012 is to start writing a lot more.

I’m serious on what I said about changing my style of songwriting. I’ll try not to write songs that are over 7 minutes and I’ll try not to write anymore dark & angry songs. I’ll admit I over did that stuff. Time to start writing some positive & family friendly stuff. I’ll still be rockin’ on the acoustic, but I’m going to try some mellow and slow folky songs as well.

If I want a bigger audience and more fans, I need to change to a positive direction in my songwriting. I figure this is why I have a hard time being accepted for my music ’cause my songs were too dark & angry, too long.

Feels good to record again today and hopefully I’ll keep at it, the rest of the year.

Kev

In 2012 next year, I hope to get back into songwriting again. Although, I have a different plan in mind for my next batch of material. I’ll try not to make my next batch of original songs too long, ’cause I look back at my earlier work and I realized that I done the “long song” thing to death. I figure I’ll try to write shorter songs, that are catchy, hopefully radio friendly tunes. I’ll also try to put my songs into a more positive direction too, so they can be family friendly. I’ve done the dark and angry song thing to death as well. I figure it’s time for a little change. I figure it’s time to do this if I want more respect toward my songwriting  so people of all ages and families can enjoy my songs.

It’s time to grow up and make my songs a little more serious.

Kev

About 5 or 6 years ago, I had plans of doing an “Evil Fred” concept album. Do an album full of songs about the Evil Fred fictional character that I created. Well this Lou/’Tallica “Lulu” project inspired me to bring that project back. I trashed the big “Evil Fred’ project in the past ’cause I figure it was going to be way too dark and controversial. It might create a big stir on the internet. Considering that Lou/’Tallica’s “Lulu” worked for them, I figure this “Evil Fred” project is going to work for me.

This “Evil Fred” project won’t be released on an official album or anything (since I can’t afford professional CD production), it’ll be an internet exclusive release. I just started re-writing the “Evil Fred” song this week and that also inspired me to bring it back.

I’ll upload video of myself performing, the “Evil Fred” re-write this week in time before Halloween, hopefully.

Admittedly I’ve been on a writer’s block of original songs which is one of the reasons I haven’t released anything in a while, but I’ve just inspired to get motivated on this “Evil Fred” project again.

Kev

Yeah I know, it’s been a long while since a new batch of original songs from the Brock. I’m trying really hard, really am. To be honest, I’ve been totally focused on learning how to become a better guitar player than a songwriter. I’ve been focused on trying to get better at lead guitar, but I’m thinking of writing a few songs so I can practice improvising guitar solos over my own work.

I’ll get back into songwriting again soon, I promise you that. It’s just that I’ve been spending a lot of time trying to sharpening up my guitar skills a little bit. I’ve grown tired of playing simple and basic things, wanted to learn more complex stuff.

New songs will be coming soon, I hope. I never gave up music.

Kev

The real reason why I haven’t written any new batch of songs in a long while, is because I had no motivation for songwriting. Plus, writer’s block is also another reason. While I haven’t written new songs over the past year, I have been mostly focused on trying to learn how to play guitar better and focusing on singing better too. I’ve been focused on studying guitar. Trying to learn to solo lead guitar better, learn music theory, scales & modes, improvisation, ear training, etc. I’ve been trying to learn to become a more professional guitarist. I’ve been concentrating on studying guitar more than songwriting.

As for the writer’s block part, I just had no ideas to write songs. Although I’ve written a few new songs this year like “Be Home Safe”, “Say Goodbye Osama” and “Egyptian Freedom”. That’s about it. So I’ve been reading a lot of novels, reading the current news, playing video games and watching movies, hoping to pick up inspiration again. Songwriting only happens when I’m inspired.

Hopefully soon, I’ll get motivated to start writing songs again. I guess I became bored with songwriting. Happens to musicians sometimes.

Kev

Some people might wonder this if I will ever do a CRUMBS Cafe radio interview sometime in the future. I know those guys have been trying to get me in there for a long time but I’m planning on it. It will happen someday. Here’s the thing, whenever I get something new to promote on there, I will do it. I need to make a new demo CD to promote on there, plus I will go on there to plug my blog site, of course. Whenever I get new music written and recorded in a studio for a new demo CD, I’ll do the CRUMBS interview. I do want to do it though. It’ll happen down the road. Maybe not this year, but next.

I know the guys in CRUMBS will want to talk about my blog site mostly, but I would like to promote my music too, of course. I just want it to be a good & positive interview, nothing negative.

I am writing new songs again. I’m probably going to make my next demo right at home. Instead of a local studio. I’ll make a home made album this time around.

Kev

Some people call me a pretty good guitarist and some say I’m great, but to be honest, I’m not that great of a guitar player that some think I am. I think I am okay at guitar playing but I still have a lot of work to do and learning.

For example, I have a lot to learn on music theory. I’m still trying to get better at ear training and improvisation. I’m trying to understand time & counting the beats in music by using a metronome. There’s so much shit I have to learn.

If I want to form my own band, I need to get better. Understanding time signatures and beats is pretty important in music. I need to learn how to keep up with time in music if I want to play with a drummer and that’s what I’m trying to get better on.

I’ve been playing guitar for 15 years now and I’m not a professional guitarist yet, but I’m working my way up there. If other people think I’m a professional, that’s great, I’m flattered to hear it but I’m not even close to it.

It is my goal though is to become a professional and not be looked at as an amateur. It takes years to get up to that level of playing. I’ll probably end up forming a band soon anyway ’cause I learned that playing with other musicians helps you play better.

In the past, when I was younger, I actually tried to audition for bands. Really I did, but I didn’t make any of the bands I tried to audition for. That’s why I stuck with being an acoustic solo act over the years, so I can get my own musical project going. If I can’t get in on any other bands, I’ll start my own thing.

I just want to be a better player. Be a guitar player like all the heroes that I looked after: Jimmy Page, Hendrix, Clapton, Satriani, Neil Young, etc. While I do want to play professional like them, I do want to have my own style, of course.

Just wanted to be real on my talent. Most musicians think they are talented, all the time, but you gotta be real with yourself.

Kev

Here’s one video from last night’s gig that turned out okay. This is one song that I nailed with no problem. Didn’t make any mistakes in the guitar parts and lyrics in this tune.

Enjoy.

Kev

I badly want to form a band but I need a better P.A. system. I do have a small P.A. System but the one I have that one I use is a small one with one speaker that is used for live acoustic. I want a better P.A. system where the vocals would be loud enough for a band. The P.A. System I have now isn’t good enough for a band.

As soon as I buy a better P.A. System for the vocals, I’ll start working on forming a band as soon as possible. I plan on saving for a P.A. System soon. This is why I haven’t started auditioning band members yet, ’cause I’m waiting to get a better P.A. System.

I have two electric guitar amps that are loud enough for a band though. I WILL form my own rock n’ roll band down the road. This is something I’ve always wanted to do. I want to be part of the full band community. I almost have the professional sounding gear that I need, just need a P.A. System. It will happen soon.

When I do form a band, I am predicting that my future band has the potential to be big. That’s why I want it to happen soon. My goal with the band, is that I want it to be a hard rock jam band. Play original hard rock and do improvisational jams like what my heroes Led Zeppelin and Neil Young has done. So the other members will indeed, have to have decent improv skills.

Kev