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June 29, 2008
There is a charity organization called Songs of Love.
It’s an organization who enlists songwriters, and invite children struggling with major illnesses to commission a song. Written personally and specifically for them.
For free.
I thought it was a stroke of genius of its founder, John Beltzer. He realized that songs can make a great impact in people’s lives. Particularly, kids are open to it, letting it affect them and uplifting them.
A couple of years back, I was one of their songwriters. I would get a song request sheet from them, and from that point on, I would have 3 weeks to write a completely original song from scratch and record it in a professional manner (not just strumming acoustic guitar and singing into a single mic!).
I loved it. (more…)
Filed under: Ari |
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June 26, 2008
Wow! That’s a title. 
Quite a change from the last couple of mopey posts, isn’t it?
I’ve been meaning to do this, but I’ve been scared to. But now is as good of a time as any.
To let the world know what my intentions are.
My World Domination.
I am not kidding. Here is how I plan to start:
By writing and recording music, and distributing it freely, using blog as the delivery/distribution mechanism.
In the other words, I’m going to pursue a blogging business, with a twist — offering music as the center piece, with writing served on the side. (more…)
Filed under: Announcements, Aries9, Latest News |
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June 25, 2008
I’m a pretty unique individual. But yesterday’s post made me think about how I still don’t know how to use my assets.
It’s like owning great tools that you don’t have the manuals for.
One such asset I have is the fact that I am Japanese. I am completely bilingual, both linguistically and culturely.
There aren’t many successful Japanese rock musicians in US. There are some Japanese-Americans, a few. Like Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park and James Iha, formerly of Smashing Pumpkins. But neither are the “face” of the bands they’re in. (more…)
Filed under: Existential Angst, Reflections |
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June 25, 2008
All of us do this to some extent.
To show the sides of our personalities that are appropriate in any given situation.
You may not swear as often in the company of your parents or grandparents.
Or maybe you do.
On your best behavior on your date? Or talk trash on stage, between songs, like you’ve seen many other rock stars do?
We all have some degrees of personas. And I do, too.
I think how I present myself in my blog, in my communications relating to my music — is a fairly sincere, truthful persona. I’m not hiding much. I think I come across more or less like this in person, especially in one-to-one conversations.
I can’t help but be me, and for the most part, I’m comfortable with that. But I also have to admit, that I am still in the process accepting this person that is me, making the kind of music I do.
I’ve never heard or seen a persona like this one among rock music circles. Among those who play heavy/aggressive/progressive rock music.
I’m going to reveal a complete stereotype, but they do fit, most of the times. Heavy metal guys look, talk and act like heavy metal guys. Grunge guys have their ways. I can spot musicians on streets — because they dress and talk and act a certain way. They emit a vibe.
Or I’m going to confess the flip side. If I’m out meeting people with my family — and typically, we meet other families. Dads and moms. Devoted parents. And I hesitate to mention what kind of music I make. My music doesn’t seem like the type of music a parent should make.
Yeah, yeah, I know what you’re going to say. Why do you care about “should’s?” Be yourself! Make the music you love! Be proud of it!
And you are right, and I do what I do, and I love it. I’m not going to change for anything.
But some days, an ugly doubt raises its head. Is it really me? Is it really acceptable to be who I am and make the music I make?
When I don’t see anyone else with a similar persona, and making aggressive rock?
It’s a funny thing. In music, uniqueness is supposed to be an asset. Yet, you’d also feel unsure, lonely even, when you feel like there’s no precedence.
Now, I am not saying that there are no precedence. I find great comfort in looking at guys like Steve Wilson of Porcupine Tree, and Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam. They look like decent, intellectual, thoughtful human beings — like me. They look like they could be computer programmers. I’m not saying that most rock musicians aren’t decent. But you know — a lot of them are punks. I’m not a punk. Nor a nerd. Or a geek. Or a metalhead.
What am I, then? Well, you can probably tell me that better than I can. A goody-two-shoes, maybe? Bookish, too.
I do relate to Stone, and I appreciate him, whenever I see or hear him in interviews. He seems like a no-nonsense, down-to-earth guy. A regular guy. He doesn’t exactly look like a rock star that he is — short hair, glasses, regular clothes.
I’m like that. People would never guess that I am a rock guitarist, by meeting me in person.
So, I have atypical persona for a rock musician. Big deal. It is an asset, something that distinguish me from others.
But in my hours of weakness, I sometimes wonder.
If it would be anyway “easier” if I were more “typical.”
…..
I may be over-sentimental, but I am not dumb. I know the answer to that question.
Yes, I do.
Filed under: Ari, Aries9, Music, Reflections |
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June 23, 2008
I wrote about this before, but I’ve been rather surprised by how different my listening choices have become, now that outside is sunny and warm.
In Flames and other heroic, aggressive, heavy music gave way to gentle, optimistic and comforting music, like Sarah McLachlan.
The change is so drastic that I find myself wanting to load my iPod with completely different set of tunes. I’m simply not listening to my cold-weather music!
I also think that this affects my writing, too. Writing music is about capturing and channeling feelings of that particular time, at least for me.
I suppose I can watch a movie or envision a different scene from the one I’m currently in, but really, that kind of manipulation only lasts a moment and is skin-deep.
I will have to think about this in my writing process. I’m just not in the right mind set to write aggressive and heavy music. I feel like writing some silly children’s songs. (which I can)
Do you feel that you listen to completely different set of music when the season changes? How is the difference, if so?
Filed under: Ari |
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June 22, 2008
Derek Sivers is a celebrity in the indie music world.
He’s the founder of CDbaby.com.
He recently released a free e-book for self-promoting musicians. I downloaded and read it, and understood why he succeeded.
The man is a genius. (more…)
Filed under: Reflections |
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June 19, 2008
Rhythm is the foundation of the music. It’s the ground upon which everything else stands upon.
Rhythm is everywhere in life, in the nature. From the speed at which butterflies flap their wings to our heart beats, rhythm is built into the world.
No wonder it forms the core of music. Rhythm is like the connection between our primal nature and the articulation of our feelings that music is. (more…)
Filed under: Music |
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June 18, 2008
I know, labels aren’t what matters when it comes to music.
But I just realized that I have all forgotten about the term “hard rock.” When I described my liking of heavy music, I generally use the term “metal.”
But really, I can’t say my music is metal. There are bits and pieces influenced by the metal music, but not really.
Is it hard rock? Hmmm, I would say yes. Songs like Shark and Diamond Sleeps Tonight can be called hard rock.
But still, when I think of hard rock, it’s still pretty riff-based music. Diamond is has a cool riff, for sure, but it goes to more chordal thing during verses and choruses.
That’s the thing. I think my music is quite heavy in spots, but it’s really not heavy on riffs. I’m more of a chorder — find interesting-sounding chords, put a few together and strum them in an engaging way, and you get a start of an Aries9 song.
When I coined the label “progressive modern rock” I thought that it was an accurate description of Aries9. It’s not really prog enough to be “progressive rock.” But it’s more sophisticated than simple “modern rock.” “Grunge” just doesn’t do it at all — I associate that with more raspy, thicker vocalists. There is a genre called “Neo Prog” on allmusic.com — and bands like Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree are in there. I may get in there in the future, but for right now, my songs are too concise to be lumped into the prog camp primarily.
So it’s “progressive modern rock. ” It’s a modern rock, progressive kind.
I think I can live with that.
Filed under: Ari |
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June 17, 2008
It’s been my observation that lyricists write about whatever his/her primary concern is.
Well, of course, that makes sense. We don’t feel compelled to write about something that’s not on our mind, do we?
Now, I don’t know if there’s been any formal studies done on it, but I would say in popular music, love, or more precisely, romantic relationship, is the most popular topic. (more…)
Filed under: Ari |
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June 16, 2008
I’ve noticed that now that it’s gotten warmer, I’m listening to a lot more of mellower music.
Not as much metal. More of folkier music and “sunny day rock.”
One of the way I think of music is that it’s a sound track to the movie that is your life. (more…)
Filed under: Reflections |
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