New video! Check out the performance I did of “Merry Sheep” at an open mic at the Winthrop Playhouse:

Lots of new music in the works. I’ll be performing again real soon, as well. Keep checking back for more updates.

Abstrakt

I apologize for my lack of blog posts. These past few months have been busy but extremely good. On a personal note, I got engaged and moved with my fiance into a great apartment in Mass. I know the nomad in me will be inspired by this relocation, and thus much more Abstrakt art will be produced. I have not taken a break from making music. Tons of new material is in the works, including a finished product of “Merry Sheep,” complete with a unique orchestral beat; my talented fiance sings beautifully on a number of new pieces, including “Nomad,” my tribute to the wandering/wondering soul; i continue to delve into mankind’s search for enlightenment and how it inevitably intertwines with politics and science: …We grapple for autumn just to watch the fall of the other seasons, but no oak foliage is more holy than maple leaf collages, when beginning the frigid winterizing process.; i’m also channeling the revolutionary spirit in a song about finding inspiration and challenging the known: Plenty of cynical viewers miss significant visuals critical to the picture by thinking the image is literal, when deep within the obvious individual pixel is the consciousness to drop a rock and cause the pond to ripple.

Words are being written, many of which rhyme with other words. Beats are being made. Songs are being sung. Questions are being answered. Answers are being questioned. Food is being eaten. Stay tuned for new updates and local performances!

–Abstrakt

Hey all,
I uploaded 2 new tracks to the music section. The first is a song called The Garden…..it is actually not a new one, it was the first song I recorded with Will Knox a couple years ago. He made the beat, plays the guitar, and sings the chorus. We were so happy with how it sounded, we decided to collaborate again, and this led to Beetle Without a Rock and Mankind.

The second track is called Rain Falls on Lotus. I made this recently and wanted to put it up on the site because it is a little different. It’s not a hip hop beat, and I probably wouldn’t rap over it….it is more of a piece or musical scene; a moment, if you will. It hopefully will provoke some images. Anyway, enjoy these tracks, and remember to check back often for more updates. Peace.

Abstrakt

Earthlings,
I apologize for the delay in posts. I recently got a new job working at a high school and my focus this week has been on settling in with that. So far so good–I’m liking the job and learning a lot. In this economy, I am grateful to be working. Let’s hope Obama’s plans really turn the tides–this depression is depressing.

I want you all to know that music is being made–lots of music. I’ve been writing more than ever. The majority of the words I am writing rhyme with other words, but the idea is that I am writing things that have never been written–playing with words, twisting ideas and concepts into beautifully obscure shapes. I’m drawing inspiration from a number of new places, most notably Alice in Wonderland. I finished a song that uses a number of characters, images, and ideas from Alice as metaphors. It’s amazing how socially, politically, and religiously relevant children’s stories are; powerful morals hidden within playful oddities. The hook sort of encompasses the main theme:

Everyone’s an Alice who wonders where they’ll land, when they catch up with the time but have grown too tall to
understand.

The beat is pretty much all finished as well. It is sounding good. Logic Pro is a quality music program. My love of travel and fear of monotony inspired the song “Nomad,” which is also completely done, beat and all. My girlfriend is an amazing singer and is going to sing the chorus. Her voice really sounds good with the guitar and flute loops I have in the beat. After almost 6 years, I finally have a beat for my song “Merry Sheep,” which I have performed many times (check the video section for my “Merry Sheep” performance from the Netherlands). Until now, I had always performed it a cappella, which is perfectly fine considering I love spoken word. I was very picky about what beat would work best with the words, which have their own natural rhythm. The beat I came up with is unique, particularly for a hip hop song, and you’ll hear why very soon. I have a song called “The Dance” that was inspired by Tim Burton’s imagery. I tackle the war head-on in another song: “Take a deep breath for veterans in the desert growing faceless, and hold it ’til we discover an oasis” (the first verse of this song can also be seen in my video section under the title Political Message). In all I probably have 8-10 tracks ready for the studio (anybody have a studio?!?). I’m really working hard to make good music, meaning not just lyrics with a beat, but rather sounds and ideas that complement each other, blend, and combine to create an overall unique aural experience. I am passionate about music and a perfectionist when I write, and because of that, this process of recording a full album has been somewhat slow (some might say extremely slow). However, I get so much pleasure out of actually creating it, that the experience hasn’t been overly frustrating or drawn-out (”the pleasure is in the journey…”). Seriously, though. Studio? Anyone? Bueller?

I’ll keep you all updated on how the album is coming–definitely keep checking back for new beats and lyrics. I’ll have a new video up sometime this week. I truly appreciate the support, and like any artist, feed off of your encouragement. I love to be inspired. Peace.

Abstrakt

Important one. What is your favorite cereal?

Ben & Jerry’s created “Yes Pecan!” ice
cream flavor for Obama. They
then asked people to fill in the blank to the following:

For George W. Bush, we should create “_________”.

Here are some of their favorite responses:

1. Grape Depression
2. Abu Grape
3. Cluster Fudge
4. Nut’n Accomplished
5. Iraqi Road
6. Chock ‘n Awe
7. WireTapioca
8. Impeach Cobbler
9. Guantanmallow
10. imPeachMint
11. Good Riddance You Lousy Motherfucker… Swirl
12. Heck of a Job, Brownie!
13. Neocon Politan
14. RockyRoad to Fascism
15. The Reese’s-cession
16. Cookie D’oh!
17.The Housing Crunch
18. Nougalar Proliferation
19. Death by Chocolate… and Torture
20. Credit Crunch
21. Country Pumpkin
22. Chunky Monkey in Chief
23. George Bush Doesn’t Care About Dark Chocolate
24. WM Delicious
25. Chocolate Chimp
26. Bloody Sundae
27. Caramel Preemptive Stripe
28. I broke the law and am responsible for the deaths of
thousands…with nuts

Friends, 

Intrepid Descent is a documentary directed and produced by a good friend of mine, and talented up-and-coming filmmaker Erik Osterholm.  The film explores the most extreme backcountry skiing at Tuckerman’s Ravine.  I had the pleasure of going on a couple shoots with them up the mountain to help with sound.  I also created and produced the original score for the film.  It is currently being sold on Amazon at:

 http://www.amazon.com/Intrepid-Descent/dp/B001T9O674/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1235139229&sr=8-1

Check it out.  It is very well done–some beautiful cinematography and stunning time lapse, combined with some very interesting historical footage.  It also being shown at numerous film festivals, including BANFF.  Word.  Support the arts.

Abstrakt

Are we ever truly alone?