So as I’m getting ready for my SXSW showcase coming up in a couple weeks, I’m looking for inspiration, and therefore am always looking for cool new music. I think watching other artists is such great inspiration to improve what you do. Not to exactly replicate what another artist does, but to question what you do, and as a result get better from it. However, let’s face it… We all copy from one another. It’s the perfect form of flattery when someone copies you right? Well, either way, I guess I believe that each new trend is just a reinvention of a copied look from before… No person can do one thing the exact same way. That being said, there is nothing like raw creativity, which is why I love getting inspired by random you tube videos.. I am a music fan of all genres, and used to play a lot of fingerstyle guitar. This is one of my favourite videos from way back – Mr. Andy McKee. Enjoy!
I guess this is blog post #1! Over the past two years I have had many amazing experiences including, working with Randy Bachman and opening for Chicago’s Blues Pioneer Buddy Guy. I want to let you know about my acoustic album that is coming out at the beginning of February 2009. I’m very excited about it as compiling everything together has been a great learning experience. For once I was able to take some new songs and play them simply ‘me and my guitar’. It sure is a special feeling when you are part of every process in the project. After doing the writing, arranging, producing, recording, designing, pressing, and everything else (with lots of help), there’s a whole new meaning to finishing a record. The album is called “Alone” and is built on the concept of avoiding fully-producing a song, which there sometimes is a place for, but can overtake a track. “Alone” exposes my voice and guitar playing with only the songs themselves. I wanted to make a record like this because I felt it was important for me to learn how crucial having a great song truly is. When everything is taken away, the song is left by itself… and only then can you tell if it’s something special.
I’ll be having a CD Release Party in Calgary on February 6th, but it will also be available on iTunes, or http://www.killthe8.com.
