Not Worth Reading

Well, only the true fans will read this. Mostly, because it includes no interesting content AT ALL.

I was on the train the other day coming home from work, and these junior highers came on and were swearing up a storm and screaming at each other and just generally being obnoxious. Now, I don't know if maybe i'm just an old man now and these things bother me, but I guess that's the case. I remember that I was the coolest person in the world in Junior High. Nobody could tell me what to do, and me and my friends were unstoppable. But then I grew up and realized that was absolutely not the case. The opposite, in fact. I wish I could see these people in 10 years and give them a recording of what they were saying, because guaranteed they will be completely embarrassed. "I said that? I thought I was that cool? Now I work at Tim Horton's trying to make enough money to support my bastard child who's father bailed on us after we graduated 11th grade?? My how the table's have turned."

On a lighter note, I think the girl working at the Big Rock Brewery gift shop had a visual affair with me today.

Catch Up

Hello again.

Remember when I used to have a blog, and hundreds of thousands of people would check in on a regular basis to see my regularly posted insights? Yeah, it's such a long time ago it's hard to remember.

I'd like to say that I was taking that time to prepare a surprise for my fans who have so patiently waited these months without an update, like an album that's ready to go or some sort of feature-length movie about my life. But that's not it.....

Or I could tell you that I've been taking this time to rest after many years hard at work to bring you quality music, and I've worn myself out but now after a few months of laying low, I'm back and better than ever. But that's definitely not true.....

Truth is, I've been doing nothing.

But that's not right. You know it, and I know it. So I'm back. And I promise I'll be better at this. I've exhausted the amount of time I can go without making a recording of something that I've been working on. And I have been writing. Some stuff that's a lot more grown up than songs in the past (we've got some fireworks--to light up their smiles........what?!?) So I'm excited about that. I'm also excited about this:

The new guitar.

It's a Martin, with rosewood back and sides and a really nice tone. I'm very excited to start recording with this baby. Which brings me to my next point:

The new records.

I've put a lot of thought into this in the last month or so, and it's still coming together. Basically the idea looks like this: There will be 4 EP's that will be released within a very short time frame as each other, and each will have it's own unique style. I often find myself in the middle of recording an album, and I start to change the style in which I want it to sound. I'll be recording a nice folk acoustic album, and all of the sudden I feel like I need a full orchestra and layers and layers of electric guitar with heavy distortion. But with this concept, If I need to record a heavier song or want to add some electric to a song, I'll do it on the heavier album. If I write a song that's very simple and pretty, I can leave it be and put it on the acoustic album. I'll write a post later about the individual albums and what their styles with be, but for now it will be an alternative record, a very simple acoustic record, an in-between acoustic rock record, and finally either a live album or a collection of covers. I feel like this is going to be a good step and I will be able to do it with the gear I have. Which brings me to my last point:

The new recording gear.

I am planning on purchasing a Mac Pro to record with. This will add so much possibility to what I can do, and make things just a hell of a lot easier. Along with this, I'm going to be purchasing a new audio interface so that I can record more tracks at the same time, so when I attempt to record drums I will be able to have more control with the sound and less problems in the studio when trying to record drums on only 4 tracks. I'm very excited about this new gear that's going to be coming my way, and as soon as I get it, work will start on the new EP's. My plan is to get these records out for free, as I save up to do some work in a real studio on a real full-length record, so that I can create something that is worth putting up on iTunes for $9.99 and feel okay about people putting their money towards. But that will be a while after these 4 EP's are released, so patience will be required. Hopefully these 4 collections of songs will be able to suffice until things work out for a full length record in the future.

A website update is probably also due, so I'll work on that while I'm waiting on my gear. Any suggestions on website ideas, or any ideas for the EP's for that matter, would be awesome. Sometimes I get tunnel-vision when working on this stuff, so advice from outside is always appreciated. Just comment on this post or email me at ericmichaelbraun@gmail.com and let me know if you have any ideas or complaints or suggestions.

I hope that we're still friends even after this long time apart.

I'll see you again soon. I promise.

Eric

Swing

Well it looks like i'll be playing a few songs at "The House" coffee shop here in Calgary tonight. It will be good to get into the swing of playing some regular shows here. Develop a fan base, and eventually take over the world.

In time i'll get some video and recordings of live stuff up. In the meantime, if you're not around for the show, just imagine it. Set aside an hour or so and try to imagine what song i'm playing at that moment, and whether or not i've incorporated a french horn somehow.

Also, if anyone has a used french horn for sale, that would be great.

EMB

The Album

Well, I figured I should talk about the album. The time has come.

There was a point this last year when I was certain that the record would be finished at this point. Recorded, mastered, and distributed. Obviously this is not the case, because millions of screaming fans don't have their hands on a copy.

I've made a decision that I want to do this. I still do. But I want to do it well. I'd rather give you a really good sounding and well put together album in 6-7 months than give you a handful of crap now. I hope you feel the same way. I've been working on some new stuff and i'm getting really excited about recording it, but I want to make sure it's worthwhile. I have thought about the possibility of recording another EP within the time the real record comes out, just for kicks and giggles. Maybe that's what I'll call it........ I feel like I need to satisfy this craving to get recording, so I don't rush into something with sketchy songs and not quite enough substance. I'm looking to work with other musicians on this one...I've realized that recording by myself may be easier at times but we were built to play music with others in order to brew creativity, and I got very lonely and frustrated when I was trying to do this all on my own.

It's late, and I've written down all of my thoughts for the night. Hopefully we're on the same page about the record, but if not, it doesn't matter. This isn't a democracy.

Close Call

Well, I'm here, with one day to spare.

Not that I have anything important to say....

I never really watch music videos anymore. Not since the days where I could spend hours and hours in front of MuchMusic, entertained beyond words. Now it's a different story, however.

But, I did notice this video recently, and it's pretty awesome. Take a look. And, since I can't embed the video, there's just a link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb9X5jMofEo

Stalemate.

Apologies all around.

I've been through quite the transition point in the last weeks/months/quarter and I've been lacking quite a bit on these posts. Not that I'm trying to make excuses, but:

1)I moved to an acreage

2)Before I could finish unpacking from my move, I started packing for camp

3)I worked at camp

4)Before I could unpack from camp, I was packing for my move to Calgary

5)I moved to Calgary

6)Before I could unpack from Calgary, I had to buy a cowboy hat

7)I bought a cowboy hat

But now that that chaos has passed, I'll give a solid attempt at rekindling my love affair with blogging. And I mean love affair in the most sexual way possible. Sorry if that makes you uncomfortable.

I will talk about the album another day. It needs a lot of space to be talked about. Then we can discuss it in a civilized manor.

If I don't have another post within 5 days, I give you all the right to never listen to my songs again. Then at that point you can stop flattering me and we can quit kidding around about the whole "musician" thing.

......Give me 5 days.

On Tour?

No, i'm not on tour. Just moving.

My life has been pretty crazy the last few weeks...and hopefully within a week or so things will start to slow down and i can start putting the pieces back together.

And then, maybe a tour.