Same Old New Me
If you were to ask me if I consider myself a “better” person than I was 10 years ago, I’m honestly not sure how I’d answer.
A decade ago, I was on my way to college. A kid on the brink of “adulthood”. The next few years would be spent trying to figure out who I was in the context of friendship, romance, ministry and faith. But interestingly enough, for every area that I’ve grown and gained, I feel like I’ve regressed and compromised in others.
I’m now “wiser”, but more jaded. I’m smarter but more hesitant. I used to approach relationships with my heart, but now I do so with more of my head. I’ve become more tolerant, but less passionate; more accepting but less invested. I’ve traded depth for breadth. Now, I’m more eager to talk, but less willing to listen. Increased self-sufficiency has brought upon increased selfishness. Arguably, I’m now healthier in mind & body but less so in spirit. I like more, but love less.
Now let me clarify that this post isn’t meant to offer any epiphanies or definitive answers. It’s simply a realization and declaration that although I’m different from the old me, I don’t really consider myself any better. I think it’s time for this to change.
Relient K – “Be My Escape (Acoustic)”
New Music: “Adagio” featuring Lily Bee
Adagio
Hello friends. I’m back, coming out of the woodwork once again to share some new music with you all =). This one is called “Adagio” and is another song off my future mixtape, GT & Friends. So of course, this includes another collaboration – the wonderfully talented Lily Bee. If you don’t know who she is, then you should! If you mix the warm voice of Norah Jones with the SoCal charm of Colbie Caillat, then you might be able to imagine what Lily Bee might sound like. I had the awesome opportunity to work with the artist during her short stint here on the East Coast, and made sure I didn’t let her return to sunny California without blessing me with a track.
So there you go. Some might call this one soft, or a little sappy, but who hasn’t felt like that once in a while? Maybe this one will keep you just a little bit warmer this winter. Otherwise, stay tuned for next time. I’ll be sure to bring you a headbanger – keeping it real, fo shiggity, fo jinjja my ninja. Word is bond, to the break of dawn. Peace outside.
Below you’ll find the lyrics video, a little kinetic typography courtesy of YMG (Yo Media Group).
Aaaaaand, if you’re so inclined, feel free to DL the track, as a freebie of course via Bandcamp. Enjoy!
I want to be a Ninja.
This was too cool not to share. Courtesy of Gizmodo.
Shot with the Canon 60D. Edited in Premiere.
Post production done in After Effects with Twixtor.Directed by Rishi Kaneria.
Starring Dante Ha, a professional stunt man whose work includes Dark Knight Rises, Contagion, X-Men:First Class, Walking Dead, Teen Wolf and more.
imdb.com/name/nm4010586/Music by Clint Mansell.
Like this:
New Music: DCho – “Free” Featuring J. Choi & Yours Truly
Though the title of this post says “New Music” it’s a bit of a misnomer as this song was originally conceived last summer. Due to a number of reasons it wasn’t actually completed until about a month ago but I think it may have been for the better. DCho & J. Choi are two of my oldest friends that I’ve grown up with so it was a blessing to work on this project together with them.
I recall when DC approached me about this track, saying that he had the perfect idea for B.o.B.’s “Airplanes” instrumental and we got to working on it. At the time, the original song still had a ton of airplay and so we decided to take our time completing it – waiting for the saturation to die down a little and here we are a year later.
The song should be self explanatory based on the title. DCho, a pastor, wanted to really convey the empowering Freedom of God – something that I think was accomplished quite well with this track. The chorus is just a repetition of the line “I’m Free!” (in great melodic form thanks to J. Choi) and really drives the point home that “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom“. I hope those listening are able to experience & relate the same. Big ups to DCho for having me and J. Choi jump on the track.
You can DL the song for free via his bandcamp page.
Wooo… where to start with this track? This song had it’s beginnings back in 2009, when I approached a number of talented friends about having them put their reflections of their Faith into song format, knowing fully well we were all in different places. Johnnyphlo, J. Han (of AMP), and Jae Jin all graciously accepted and so the idea of “Speaking Up” was born, at least conceptually. The bulk of the song was written and recorded shortly thereafter, but due to a number of reasons, it was never given the final polish and sheen it deserved for a final release.
That changed early this year, when the finishing touches were at last put on the track – only for me to keep it in the vault until I felt the time was right. Although certainly not completely ideal, I still find an upside to sharing this song with you now – even if it’s not my most absolute recent work. It offers a snapshot in time of each artist’s personal experience and interaction with God. It was an opportunity for us to speak up and share our hearts, and speak upwards as a form of prayer.
Much love to the homies for blessing the track. Their honesty made it what it is, and I think it turned out amazingly. This is the first single off my upcoming mixtape GT & Friends, due later this year. If you like what you hear, you can download the track via the widget below or by hitting up the bandcamp page. You can also find the lyrics after the break if you want to read along. Thanks and enjoy!
PS, It’s Johnnyphlo’s birthday today, wish the dude a happy one!
PPS, fun fact: the song uses the instrumental from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s “I Tried”.
