Moving On

What up world?!?!?!?

-It's been far too long since my last post. I've missed you, but to be completely honest, the break was rather nice. I feel as though not sharing everything via written (or typed) word, I was able to save a little bit for new musical compositions, & boy, are there some new compositions in the works. It's wild how things work out within the arts. Lately, I've added music instructor to the many hats I wear, & the process of teaching others has opened up new creative avenues in my own process. Perhaps it's growth from sharing my knowledge with another, or simply inspiration from the excitement & appreciation that my young students exhibit with each lesson. All I can say is that it's been highly enjoyable & has immensely influenced my outlook on life as of late.

These are the moments I love to relish in. When I can't objectively notice, but yet in still feel creative strides being made. Completing the Boss Level EP has been a trip & a half. Lord knows it's been a long journey, but with that chapter coming to a close, new opportunities presenting themselves, and how the band has been flourishing @ our live shows & in rehearsals, I'm excited for what's next.....whatever that may be.

It's been 5 years here in Dallas. I've seen many friends move on and out to new cities, new jobs, new relationships. It's wild when you take a step back and attempt to take it all in. I know there are many there in the world to like to quantify their life within certain spans of time. "Where do I see myself in 10 years?" Questions like these are prevalent within surveys, personality quizzes, and many people's minds. I feel like I've always been one of those souls that is far more concerned with where am I now than the hypothetical musings of my imagination. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for goal set mindsets, but none of us can predict who or what will come into our lives and shake things up, even the ideal future that our hearts desire & our minds dream of. I hustle hard, but it's never for a material or tangible purpose. I do it for the love, & though that may seem so cliché.....it's true.

I still remain focused. I desire to be a better musician, artist, writer, & human being. I hunger for more knowledge. I long to connect.....to inspire & be inspired. It's these things that motivate me far more than money.....far more than fame. I'm just thrilled that things are falling into place, that I'm fully open to more growth.....and all that comes with it.

Each & every one of us have dreams.....let's make 'em realities!!!

(I promise I'll keep in touch more often.....salud!)

The Return

It's been a long time...I shouldn't have left you...without a few words to reflect to.

Yes, it has been far too long since my last blog entry, but I'M BACK...with a vengeance. Well, not really. We're rapidly approaching the holidays. I'm still trying to get the premiere Boss Level EP completed, & still trying to make sense of all the nonsense. While I've been away, not much has happened. A few misunderstandings due to over done political correctness, but no harm, no foul...no casualties.

I fear that I'm growing restless. Every now & then, moments arrive where it almost feels like the world isn't enough. It's as if you're very soul is yearning for someone, something to stir it. Perhaps it was the Halloween season, but during my second month of living solo I began to watch more horror/thriller films wanting to be scared...challenging my psyche to not be affected by the many movies I was watching at the time. I wondered if there was something sadistic about wanting to be frightened. Fear is usually an emotion that most try to avoid, & here I was rushing towards it.

I got through "Trick or Treat," "Session 9," "Martyrs," "Rob Zombie's Halloween remake," "The Friday the 13th remake," "Paranormal Activity" & others. Still, no problem sleeping, but...I guess that's a good thing. Next on the plate is "The Fourth Kind" reviews haven't been too complimentary to this film, but two folks that I know said it creeped the mess out of 'em, so I'm definitely game.

Until next time...keep rockin'.

Thunder Storm New (sort of) Macbook Y Mas!!!

Yes.  As I write this entry a storm is raging outside.  Plans were made to deliver and set up a PA system amongst other things @ the new rehearsal spot for the Boss Level but to no avail.  Funnel clouds began to appear over North Carrollton & Coppell, so traveling in the thick of the affected area with two gynormous B-52 speaker cabs and more seemed like a bad idea.  Despite this, what this abrupt situation afforded me was quiet time to write, read, and explore online thanks to a new addition to my world...my quasi-new macbook.

Ah yes, my white model two month old macbook is a gem thus far.  Though my house experienced a very brief power failure, literally less than five minutes after my roommate called to request that his iMac be shut down, I still have battery life to enjoy the simple things, like viewing my friends short films on YouTube, reading other's friends blogs, checking out a few Katy Perry music videos (I wish I could say it was simply for the music...if it was, what would be the purpose of watching the music video) & sharing a little bit of my life & perspective with whosoever reads this.

The reason I needed a macbook was primarily to expand the sonic possibilities of my band & to do so with less gear than I use now, but I admit just being portable, untethered to a power source is oh so very nice.  Phase one complete...on to phase two, getting a kick-ass midi controller and diving into more of Reason & possible Ableton Live, but that is simply geek talk for all my electronic musicians out there.  What is far more engaging is how these devices affect us, for I know how it's affecting me.

As I said before, my primary reasons for the Macbook were to utilize it as a musical asset.  Too many times in the past have I been on the road away from the home studio longing to be able to create rather than waste time in hotels, vans, etc., but now that I've got it I feel energized to do much more.  I want to edit video, nothing crazy, just some video blogs...possible comedy sketches.  I want to stretch out into photography, nothing major just explorations in what is possible post point & shoot.  I want to do it all.

I think that's why I identify with producers and got my degree with a production emphasis.  I love creation, and want to inspire others to create as well.  I value individuality and originality, even when I celebrate it thru "quoting" musically or verbally.  I've never begun a project with an intent to plagiarize, but recognize when aspects of music, images, or stories coincidentally hold similarities to things past.  I believe that it was Igor Stavinsky that said, "Good composers borrow...GREAT composers steal."  Great quote, but very similar to T.S. Elliot's, "Immature poets imitate...mature poets steal."  I wonder who said it first.

Regardless of when it was said, all that matters is it holds truth within its words, for all that came before inspires what comes next.  Richard Linklater's, Waking Life led me to believe that the moment the ideas are out there those in tune to them gravitate towards them, use them as fuel to carry them to where they want to go or what they are trying to discover.  Though in this technological and informational age where the vehicles may have changed, the process remains as it has always been.  T.S. Elliot also was quoted saying that, "Art never improves, but the material of art is never quite the same."  What was good will always be good, I'm just glad to be turned on by another tool of the trade & look forward towards the possibilities.  I'm tuned in once again.  It is time to transform potential energy into something kinetic.

Artists' Burden

Hey,

-What it is world?!?!?!? It's been a while since my last post. I assure you that my Top 20 Albums piece will continue real soon. I've got some East Coast love on deck with explorations on "Ready to Die" by the Notorious B.I.G and "Enter the 36 Chambers" by the Wu Tang Clan, so stay tuned.
Anyways, I wanted to get back on the blogspot & give a little insight to what has been going on as of late. The main situation in my life right now has been the first official recording of my band, The Boss Level. The idea of the "Magnificent Beasts" EP has been in the works for a while now, and it's in the process of coming to fruition. Drums were laid down courtesy of Mr. Evan Gentry back in Mid-May along with most of the basic bass and guitar tracks, and little by little we've been getting closer to completion. Last night, I laid down the core vocals for one of our songs, "Danger," but it was so strange to perform it under these circumstances.
Music has always been the primary passion in my life, and creating it almost comes naturally. I can't really force it, so I'm constantly searching for means to spark the creativity. The strangest thing about it is that, most times, it's almost as if the song writes itself, and I have no control over the degree of difficulty the tune will provide for any of the band members...including myself. What's even more perplexing is the difference between performing in the controlled environment of the studio compared to the "anything goes" arena of the stage. Lately, I've found that when I perform material with the band, we all propel each other to attain that level (the "boss" level, if you will) of performance necessary to execute the song. I can feed off that energy and hit a vocal range unattainable in solo performance. Hence, the difficulty in performing in the studio.
I've always sang but never consider myself a singer. I still cringe a bit when that label is mentioned, for this vehicle is the first where I'm up front and center...for everyone to hear, so it's taken some getting used to. It's a very vulnerable position to be in, & it can drive you mad...if you let it. The only way to find solace is to surrender yourself to the song, and in doing so I've discovered it's not only an easier way to be...it's the only way to be. As I tracked a part of one song in particular that held Twista-like amounts of verbage in a small space I recall telling Ryan, our engineer, "I need to stop writing such difficult parts." We laughed it up, but deep within the recesses of my mind I knew, I've never written anything for the sake of being difficult. I've only written what seemed right for the song, even if it meant not necessarily being right or easy for me or anyone else in the band.
There have been times where that very aspect of my creativity has rubbed some folks, including myself, the wrong way, but most of the time it works out for the best for everyone involved grew musically, technically, & artistically. We discovered the ability to tap into something within ourselves that we never knew was there, and that's what makes the entire process so exciting. I still get a kick out of playing recordings of our material to friends who upon listening ask, "Who's your singer," only to be pleasantly surprised when I tell them it's me. I enjoy it when folks who only knew of our guitar player, Josh, during the FTL days, revel in his sound, ideas, and prowess saying, "I didn't know he could play like that."
The truth of the matter is we as artists are slaves to our art. Some artists are genius, constantly attempting to break barriers in order to redefine our perception of what is possible & palatable. Some artists are freaks of nature that can effortlessly create or perform what most would deem unfathomable. Some artists are just in tune. They see, hear, and feel what is out there & translate it into something universal for all of us to tap into. I feel as though I belong to that third category. I remain open as a vessel for music to flow. All I do as a performer is attempt to relate the message as best I can...and entertain people while I do it.




Peace. Love. & All That's Beautiful in the World.

An HOB SOB

HELLO YOUNG WORLD!  Welcome to the first of what will be many accounts of the way I see it.  "Who am I?" you might be asking.  Believe me, I was thinking the same thing.  Excuse me for not introducing myself.  My name is Daniel J. Hardaway.  Born and raised in beautiful Houston, Texas, now living in the wonderful city of Dallas.  Those from Texas may view the vibe of these two cities as night and day, but I find a way.  Throughout this journey, for that is essentially what this "blog" is, you may find amusing commentary, random reflections, bold declarations, and hopefully, I'll find...myself. 

Isn't that the point?  You live, you learn, and thoughts form within your mind.  Too many can drive a man insane, so it helps to have a means by which to release and reflect, but I don't want to bore you with the "heavy" stuff.  Right now, I'm caught in a moment that will be most definitely etched in my memory.  I'm currently writing this from my friend and musical brother, Evan's house.  We're in a band called the Boss Level, and tonight we perform @ none other than one of my many favorite musical sanctuaries, the House of Blues.

This Houston location is fairly new, but being able to rock the stage tonight is still somewhat surreal.  I'm sure it will hit me onstage, and now is not the time to dig into the origin of the Boss Level.  All that's necessary to know is we're a fairly young band & this is a big opportunity.  So glad we've made it, but now's the time to make it and own it.  All in all, it just does this music lover's heart some real intense good to be able to share my love with my friends and family all where everything began for me...CLUTCH CITY BABY !!!

It seemed appropriate to start something new on such an occasion, so here's a toast to coming home.  Damn, it feels good.

I'll leave you with a few recent random thoughts...

  -Luling City Market is the best smoked sausage in the world.  If you know that, you know me.

  -"Loop, Swoop, & Pull" is not only the most effective shoe tying method, but possibly the next D-Town Boogie craze.  "Bunny Ears" method is simply a cute ploy to teach kids who suffer from ADD. 

  -I love the Rockets, but I don't know if I can stomach another first round playoff match up against the Utah Jazz.  I love jazz, but not the Utah Jazz.  There isn't even Jazz in Utah, and if there is...then I'm sure it sucks!

  -Music is oh so amazing.  (This thought isn't that random.  It appears frequently in my mind.  Stay tuned for my top 20 albums of all time list!)