Hey everyone,
This blog is going to be different to say the least. Or perhaps it won’t be. With these short texts I try to keep you posted about what goes on in this band, what we strive to accomplish, which direction we are taking and what I’m thinking. Sometimes I speak on behalf of myself; sometimes I speak on behalf on the band. This blog will be the same in the sense that I will give you the inside deal on what goes on in the band. It will be different in the sense that I will be explaining to you the reasons Rob decided to leave the band. More on that later though, as I have a few things to say before we get there.
I’ve never been a religious man, but I do believe in a certain sense of spirituality and connection with one’s inner self. A concept that has always interested me was Karma. I don’t subscribe to it when described as a force that punishes those who do evil, and rewards those who do good… but I do believe that sometimes the universe, or whichever external force you choose to conceptualize, will give you exactly what you need. This weekend, in some vague & obscure way, I think the universe decided to put me exactly where I needed to be.
You see, during BluesFest, my friend Todd invited me to see a show in Belleville on the weekend of the 11th of September: Slash in concert. I knew this would be the first weekend after school had started, and as such money would be tight due to book purchases for school, and that I’d be tired. All variables suggested that I should not attend this show. Somehow, and at the time I had no idea why, I agreed to go. I thank Todd very much for the invitation as it turned out to be a great weekend. I feel right now, just having returned home, that I was supposed to be at that show, listening to Slash do his thing. Karma. Once more, we will return to that later.
Robin’s departure from the band… I reckon that’s the reason most of you are reading this blog. Well, to put it point-blank, Robin quit the band… he wasn’t fired, he quit. Why did he quit? It doesn't matter... all that does matter is that the band's relationship with him is over. What’s done is done.
I don’t have much to say about the entire situation, except that this band has always been dear to me… I’ve sacrificed a lot to try and make it as good as it can be, and it saddens me that Robin feels the way he does... but Robin has decided to leave the group, and I respect his decision to do so.
Now that we have that out of the way, and that some of you might still be reading, I will explain how a Slash concert fits into all this, and how SoH plans to move forward.
Well, you see, when I stood there in a crowd, just another pair of hands in the air, a part of me could identify with Slash. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean on the grounds of guitar playing, composition or skill. The man has been a hero of mine for most of my musical career, and to speak of me in the same breath as him would surely have the Guitar Gods drop a bolt of lightning on my head. I could relate to him because of the way he handled his musical career. I have had the chance to listen to his new album, which features a great deal of vocalists, including Lemmy, Ozzy, Iggy Pop, Fergie, Miles Kennedy, Ian Astbury, Chris Cornell and others.
When I left for Belleville, my head was still buzzing about the sudden news of Robin quitting. It’s always a weird thing when you think that minor problems are going to work out, but they later turn out to be major. Anyways, I was watching Slash on stage, and he just seemed so damn happy to be there. His band all had smiles, strutted around the stage, shared solos, posed like the rock stars they are, and looked like a little family.
I then thought of everyone who had agreed - and wanted - to work with the man. Some of the giants of the music industry wanted to collaborate with this guy. On his latest album, he would have a basic sound and riffs for the songs, then allow singers to come in and add their own spice and make those pieces into true collaborative efforts. This reminded me a lot of my creative process, where I ask my band members to connect with me and the general idea I put behind a song, and then ask them to take this raw material, and shape it in any ways they wish to create a piece of art. Slash has earned himself a certain reputation as a person in the music industry who is easy to work with. His way with others, his interactions, and his general action, reminded me a lot of what I try to do on a day to day basis with music, and for some reason, that made me feel really good. That show let me get out of town, clear my mind, pen down some lyrics, and get to see Slash. It was just what I needed.
Now, where does SoH go from here? Well, the search for the right singer for this band continues. Even though we have not found this person just yet, we learn a lot from each other, and the new people we meet. When Neil was a member of this band, I grew a lot from the experience. Robin’s stay with us brought the same kind of result, and I felt I grew quite a bit from it as well. I think what we have learned will allow us to go forth and become stronger. Don’t worry though… you will still get to hear those familiar songs you’ve experienced at our shows (for those of you whom we’ve have had the chance and pleasure to perform live).
Speaking for myself (after all, its my blog… hahahahaha!), I would like not only to find a great lead, but as importantly, another solid guitarist. I have seen what can be done with two (or maybe three) guitars, and I will be advocating to have another guitar player in the band, whether it comes in the form of singer that plays guitar, or another guitar player, or both. I’m also interested to see what other instruments and performers might want to work with us.
I think the next step for the band, as we move forward in our search for a front, is to jam with as many people as possible, and try and learn from as many people as we can, by including them in our jams and hangouts. There is a bunch of people who I’d love to work and jam with (most know who you are). I don’t know what this band is going to look like at the end of the day, but I do know we are going to have a hell of a great time getting there.
I think what we need to do is to have fun. I have spoken to Peyts about this, and even though we have grown musically during the summer, somehow we both felt like the fun was leaking out of the project. I know that I want to get back to the point where this becomes all about the joy of creating music with others and for others. I’ve learned over the last few months that I’m lucky to have great friends as my band mates, and I want to pay special attention in the next little while to learn from them.
Peyts has a dedication, passion and energy for this band that can only be described as a fire. Jay is one of the most solid, intelligent musicians I have met, and I think I have a lot to learn from him when it comes to the way I want to approach music, how I can work at creating it, and how I can challenge myself to be better. I’m proud to say that these guys are my band mates, friends, and some of the best dudes I have ever met.
This week has made me reflect a lot on the experiences I’ve had in music. One of the things Robin said before leaving the band was that it was hard to work with me as I had not had the experience of having nothing, of true loss. I’ve reflected a lot about this, and have come to a conclusion. I might not have that kind of experience, but what I do have is the good fortune of having great people around me, be it my friends, family, coworkers, or my amazing girlfriend. I do have life experience, but in a different field. I am grateful every day for those around me, and I think when comes time to include experience in my music, I can be even more grateful that I will speak of joy, happiness, friendship and the passion I have for what I do.
I just want to extend my thanks for all of you who support this band, support my fellow musicians, support the young musicians, support your community... Be assured that SoH will be back playing live very soon, and that we’ll be stronger than ever. Thank you all again, you mean the world to me, and to this band.
In the meantime, take care of yourselves, those around you, and take the time to reflect… not on what is lost or fleeting, but rather what is cool around you.
Peace,
Cap’n Phil
This blog is going to be different to say the least. Or perhaps it won’t be. With these short texts I try to keep you posted about what goes on in this band, what we strive to accomplish, which direction we are taking and what I’m thinking. Sometimes I speak on behalf of myself; sometimes I speak on behalf on the band. This blog will be the same in the sense that I will give you the inside deal on what goes on in the band. It will be different in the sense that I will be explaining to you the reasons Rob decided to leave the band. More on that later though, as I have a few things to say before we get there.
I’ve never been a religious man, but I do believe in a certain sense of spirituality and connection with one’s inner self. A concept that has always interested me was Karma. I don’t subscribe to it when described as a force that punishes those who do evil, and rewards those who do good… but I do believe that sometimes the universe, or whichever external force you choose to conceptualize, will give you exactly what you need. This weekend, in some vague & obscure way, I think the universe decided to put me exactly where I needed to be.
You see, during BluesFest, my friend Todd invited me to see a show in Belleville on the weekend of the 11th of September: Slash in concert. I knew this would be the first weekend after school had started, and as such money would be tight due to book purchases for school, and that I’d be tired. All variables suggested that I should not attend this show. Somehow, and at the time I had no idea why, I agreed to go. I thank Todd very much for the invitation as it turned out to be a great weekend. I feel right now, just having returned home, that I was supposed to be at that show, listening to Slash do his thing. Karma. Once more, we will return to that later.
Robin’s departure from the band… I reckon that’s the reason most of you are reading this blog. Well, to put it point-blank, Robin quit the band… he wasn’t fired, he quit. Why did he quit? It doesn't matter... all that does matter is that the band's relationship with him is over. What’s done is done.
I don’t have much to say about the entire situation, except that this band has always been dear to me… I’ve sacrificed a lot to try and make it as good as it can be, and it saddens me that Robin feels the way he does... but Robin has decided to leave the group, and I respect his decision to do so.
Now that we have that out of the way, and that some of you might still be reading, I will explain how a Slash concert fits into all this, and how SoH plans to move forward.
Well, you see, when I stood there in a crowd, just another pair of hands in the air, a part of me could identify with Slash. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean on the grounds of guitar playing, composition or skill. The man has been a hero of mine for most of my musical career, and to speak of me in the same breath as him would surely have the Guitar Gods drop a bolt of lightning on my head. I could relate to him because of the way he handled his musical career. I have had the chance to listen to his new album, which features a great deal of vocalists, including Lemmy, Ozzy, Iggy Pop, Fergie, Miles Kennedy, Ian Astbury, Chris Cornell and others.
When I left for Belleville, my head was still buzzing about the sudden news of Robin quitting. It’s always a weird thing when you think that minor problems are going to work out, but they later turn out to be major. Anyways, I was watching Slash on stage, and he just seemed so damn happy to be there. His band all had smiles, strutted around the stage, shared solos, posed like the rock stars they are, and looked like a little family.
I then thought of everyone who had agreed - and wanted - to work with the man. Some of the giants of the music industry wanted to collaborate with this guy. On his latest album, he would have a basic sound and riffs for the songs, then allow singers to come in and add their own spice and make those pieces into true collaborative efforts. This reminded me a lot of my creative process, where I ask my band members to connect with me and the general idea I put behind a song, and then ask them to take this raw material, and shape it in any ways they wish to create a piece of art. Slash has earned himself a certain reputation as a person in the music industry who is easy to work with. His way with others, his interactions, and his general action, reminded me a lot of what I try to do on a day to day basis with music, and for some reason, that made me feel really good. That show let me get out of town, clear my mind, pen down some lyrics, and get to see Slash. It was just what I needed.
Now, where does SoH go from here? Well, the search for the right singer for this band continues. Even though we have not found this person just yet, we learn a lot from each other, and the new people we meet. When Neil was a member of this band, I grew a lot from the experience. Robin’s stay with us brought the same kind of result, and I felt I grew quite a bit from it as well. I think what we have learned will allow us to go forth and become stronger. Don’t worry though… you will still get to hear those familiar songs you’ve experienced at our shows (for those of you whom we’ve have had the chance and pleasure to perform live).
Speaking for myself (after all, its my blog… hahahahaha!), I would like not only to find a great lead, but as importantly, another solid guitarist. I have seen what can be done with two (or maybe three) guitars, and I will be advocating to have another guitar player in the band, whether it comes in the form of singer that plays guitar, or another guitar player, or both. I’m also interested to see what other instruments and performers might want to work with us.
I think the next step for the band, as we move forward in our search for a front, is to jam with as many people as possible, and try and learn from as many people as we can, by including them in our jams and hangouts. There is a bunch of people who I’d love to work and jam with (most know who you are). I don’t know what this band is going to look like at the end of the day, but I do know we are going to have a hell of a great time getting there.
I think what we need to do is to have fun. I have spoken to Peyts about this, and even though we have grown musically during the summer, somehow we both felt like the fun was leaking out of the project. I know that I want to get back to the point where this becomes all about the joy of creating music with others and for others. I’ve learned over the last few months that I’m lucky to have great friends as my band mates, and I want to pay special attention in the next little while to learn from them.
Peyts has a dedication, passion and energy for this band that can only be described as a fire. Jay is one of the most solid, intelligent musicians I have met, and I think I have a lot to learn from him when it comes to the way I want to approach music, how I can work at creating it, and how I can challenge myself to be better. I’m proud to say that these guys are my band mates, friends, and some of the best dudes I have ever met.
This week has made me reflect a lot on the experiences I’ve had in music. One of the things Robin said before leaving the band was that it was hard to work with me as I had not had the experience of having nothing, of true loss. I’ve reflected a lot about this, and have come to a conclusion. I might not have that kind of experience, but what I do have is the good fortune of having great people around me, be it my friends, family, coworkers, or my amazing girlfriend. I do have life experience, but in a different field. I am grateful every day for those around me, and I think when comes time to include experience in my music, I can be even more grateful that I will speak of joy, happiness, friendship and the passion I have for what I do.
I just want to extend my thanks for all of you who support this band, support my fellow musicians, support the young musicians, support your community... Be assured that SoH will be back playing live very soon, and that we’ll be stronger than ever. Thank you all again, you mean the world to me, and to this band.
In the meantime, take care of yourselves, those around you, and take the time to reflect… not on what is lost or fleeting, but rather what is cool around you.
Peace,
Cap’n Phil
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