Sometimes all you really need is just a home-cooked meal

Last night I drove home at a decent hour (in terms of the cubicle world), with no plans for the evening. I got in the car and left my company parking lot with hopes of maybe finding a plate waiting for me at home.

I didn't really count on finding any food left over for me though because the problem is that it's very rare for me to drive straight home after work.

Typically, I'll go and have dinner with an old friend, or stop by my favorite diner for a quick bite. So to me, meals are never really something I expect to see when I get home because my family knows I won't be there in time for dinner.

But last night, I just wanted to go straight home.

It might've been that I was still exhausted from a pretty great trip to Vegas, or that I'm most likely going to be pinching pennies until my next check comes in, but regardless of my exhaustion, I had a greater sense of urgency to go straight home. I didn't expect to find any food, or see anyone moving around for that matter.

I actually didn't expect anything, to be entirely honest.

But when I arrived, I found both of my parents sitting at the dinner table, deep in conversation. They greeted me, and continued on. At first, I didn't think anything of it. But then it all started replaying in my head as I was busy trying to wash the smell of recirculated office air off of my face.

They were genuinely enjoying each other's company.

I went back to the kitchen to pretend to look for food in the fridge just so I could see it again. My mom offered me a plate, opened the rice cooker (we were having Chinese fried rice for dinner), and had me serve myself. Then she went back to rekindle the conversation.

Just then I realized, I've been missing out on seeing my parents enjoy their lives together all of this time.

All of the late hours in the office, all of the dinners with friends, all of the diner runs, all of the outings...I've been out of my house so much, I haven't even noticed that I've lost my sense of family and of love.

I'm not really sure why I was so moved by this particular moment, because I've seen it before, but I guess perhaps it has a lot to do with the fact that I've been trying to make so many positive changes in my life lately in an effort to regain my sense of creativity for writing more music, and just writing, period.

I've been in a funk for quite some time and as much as I'd like to think that it has to do with all of the elements in the universe, it really just has to do with the fact that as an artist and a musician, I have to take the time to really sit and process moments in life that have meaning in order to connect with anyone that just so happens to hear anything I write or work on.

Music to me has really started to become more of a personal catharsis, and unless I decide to treasure and savor moments like last night more often, I won't write anything valuable and meaningful. I guess sometimes it pays to stay in. If anything, a home-cooked meal always tastes better than a Denny's club sandwich.

And So It Begins...(Wake Up and Dream)

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step...or something profound like that. That's how this blog series should start out, saying something deep and meaningful as I begin to chart the making and completion of Akapela Jonz's "Wake Up and Dream" EP, which is slated for an October 5th release. However, while there are going to be alot of moments when we get deep, we get philosophical and downright, dare I say it, professional. This blog series, complete with companion vlogs from Mr. Jonz himself, is going to take you from a marekting concept to execution to reality. So much has to go into the building of an album. As I am learning, it is not just slapping a bunch of tracks onto a cd and calling it your album. Music listeners have gotten so particular in the last five years, an artist cannot just serve up a full album with a pretty cd booklet anymore (remember drooling over the cd booklet and being excited when they printed the lyrics on the inside? Was that just me?). Consumers want to be entertained and not just the afterthought or the dollar sign. Most importantly, they don't want to be taken for granted. Albeit, no one does, but consumers, especially music consumers, want to feel like they are getting a full experience, they want to be involved completely (see Kelly Rowland letting fans name her next album). As I am beginning to figure it out, the marketing plan, whether you're an established artist or not, needs to be simple and complex at the same time. The concept needs to be brandmined (thanks R.C.) down so completely, it's almost laughable that you didn't think of it yourself.

"Wake Up and Dream" is as literal as it sounds. Stop sleeping on your potential and get out there and not only dare to dream, but dare to chase that dream, put it in a chokehold and firmly make it your reality. It is my (and that of our illustrious Arnold Randall) responsibility to make sure that our audience is strategically getting that message in way that resonates and creates a top of the mind awareness as Akapela Jonz continues to grow. So stay tuned as we build a campaign from the ground up, hit walls, count our wins and flex our creative muscles. October 5th will be here before you know it and you don't want to miss a single second of what is sure to be an entertaining journey.

Canvas II

CANVAS

Canvas is a celebration of the arts as well as a vehicle to spotlight local organizations and charities. At a Canvas event, you are guaranteed an amazing visual and musical experience as well as the opportunity to contribute to a cause. There will be drinks, food and vendors and there is no cover, yes that’s right it’s a free event!

Help Support a Cause:::::::::::::::::::::::

Free Arts for Abused Children
Free Arts envisions a society of individuals from different communities, cultures, and life experiences connecting through the healing power of art to interrupt the cycle of violence, create understanding, build self-esteem, and nurture better lives. Painting, dance, photography, mixed-media collage, and music are just some of the avenues of creativity made available to the children participating in the programs. http://www.freearts.org/

Thank you and see you there!

Canvas II

Event Information

Saturday June 26, 2010

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

All Ages

Cover: FREE

Music: Soul

Prequel to the Canvas II by Mr. Notes

Artistry

what is our music saying?

I was at a friends house playing some tracks on shuffle on his iTunes and came across this song: "Cause The Beat Hot" (download the instrumental here)

Now is this a musical genius or just plain coonery? Sure the beat is simple and the most work, I think, was put into this was chopping up the "meow" mix. Today it seem like you can make music, if you want to call it that, from just about anything! the art and creativity of making something has been lost with the thought of making a quick buck.

Then later in that day I saw THIS by Lil' B (if you don't know who he is he's from Souljaboy's camp):

Today, I don't think anyone truly knows what music was meant for? It had a message, a meaning, a purpose! I ask you, artists and producers, what does our music mean today? what is our music saying right now about our time? And most importantly when did music, let alone hip-hop, stop saying something MEANINGFUL?

Canvas: Art, Music, Cause

It's my first blog of the year and I'm so glad that I get to kick it off by talking about Canvas: Art for the Watchers, Music for the Listeners and a Cause for the Givers which was hosted on January 16 by a very good friend and talented artist, Arnold Randall. By blending music, culture, art and a humanitarian effort all into one, Canvas had a little something for the art lover in all of us. The exhibit also showcased that when combined for a higher power, music and art together are a force to be reckoned with.

Of course, the night kicked off with music by our very own Cliffnotes while patrons walked around the exhibit taking in Randall's fascinating images that reflected on war, music, cultural moreways, beauty and the romance and intricacy of the human spirit. As people walked around

chatting and catching up with old friends not seen for awhile, you could hear the definitive pause in their speech when the eye caught a glimpse of a piece of art that demanded full attention. Or the noticeable bobbing of the head when the ear picked up on the beats from Cliffnotes. Randall's art is amazing, it's edgy and clever and the response it draws from people was always the same. Take the piece "Casual Tee of War." I don't know how many people drifted to this piece first, drawn in by the bright gold shell casings that outlined a young soldier wearing a shirt that boasted "Casual Tee of War." The boldness of this piece always drew people in who uttered audible gasps of "ahh this is dope" or "cool play on words." Another piece that captured attention (although I might be bias because it is my favorite piece) was the image of a young man wearing headphones setagainst a blue stardust-esque background. The cool thing about this piece is not only it's celebration of music, but the fact that you almost feel like you've stepped in on private solitary moment between a man and his music. We all definitely know what it is like to have that moment with a certain song or album and when someone breaks that peace, it's hard to capture that feeling twice. This is probably why I'm in the process of acquiring this piece for my own private collection ;)

Another one of the night's profound moments was the performance by singer-songwriter Will Hawkins, who performed songs off of his EP " The (Re)discovery EP Preview." Hawkins drew cheers and love from the exhibit crowd as he soulfully performed "She Believes" "Trouble" and "Want You Bad." The performance was the perfect compliment to Randall's work as he sang about faith, the fear and exhiliration of love found and lost and the delicacy of life's perfect moments. I'm sure Will Hawkins garnered a few more fans that night and he is definitely on heavy rotation on my iPod right now. I can't wait to hear more from him and was so glad to hear him at the exhibit.

With the proceeds of a silent auction going to Speak Child, an organization that helps develop critical thinking skills and basic reading competency in youth through reading and creative writing programs, Canvas literally had it all. I'm so proud of Arnold and definitely can't wait to see what else he has in store for this year. A major shoutout to my family over at AG One who represented that night and were there to support Arnold. A marriage of creativity and humanity, if this is how 2010 kicks off, then this is going to be quite a year. Good night folks!

The Canvas Album may be downloaded free here.