New Year's Revolution

Ladies and gentlemen, like it or not, a new year is upon us and I'm feeling optimistic. I feel like 2008 was a year of tilling the fields, sewing seeds, and oiling these rusty wheels which are finally starting to turn. I feel like the tiny snowball has just started rolling down the mountain. My band, Almost Eliot, kicked off the new year with a show that I hope is a sign of things to come; an amazing gig on a real live stage (with lights and everything!) playing for over 200 attendees. We've been together as a band for about a year now...I remember 2007 ending on a bad note with practically everyone who was in the band at the time leaving or being fired. I was seriously considering moving back home (or at least to Austin, TX - a music city real close to home) but every prayer I prayed, the voice of my God told me that he had a plan and a purpose for me in Los Angeles, the city I love and hate in equal measure. So I stayed. And I worked. And when I felt like giving up, I worked. And now I think I'm standing on the edge of something big...or at least very close to the canyon. Something is happening and it scares me, but thrills me at the same time. I think my dreams are going to come true.

So it's with no small measure of thought that I wonder if I'm ready; if I'm the person I need to be. I put together a list...sort of new year's resolutions, and sort of just a snap-shot of what I want my life to look like in 2009. I'd like to share some of them with you.

1. Everyday, I want to find and step into my heroic moment; whether it's giving change or encouragement to a homeless person, having a conversation with someone who needs to hear a voice of hope, or giving inspiration to someone whose well has run dry. I want to be a hero every day.

2. Use this blog as a journal of sorts - not a daily obligation, but a daily outlet for creative expression to keep myself sharp and accountable as an artist. I have a nasty tendency towards laziness. I need some structure to help fight against that.

3. Stop cursing when I play video games. Seriously, I could make a sailor blush. Settle down...it's only Halo.

4. Focus on challenging and inspiring others through my music. I don't want to write hits anymore. I want to write songs that move those who listen to them - songs that challenge their way of thinking. Songs that, when you first hear them, you go "...what? Hmmm...." and on second listen you go, "Okay, no. That's freakin' awesome." I want to find my unique voice and yell with it.

5. No more microwave dinners and saturated fats. I want to eat healthier, work out regularly, and take care of myself. I'd like to learn to cook a few good meals if any of you chefs out there have some recipes you'd like to share with someone who is cooking dyslexic.

6. Record and release the first Almost Eliot album; professionally produced, mixed, and recorded well at a quality equal to or above that of mainstream radio. Along with that, I want to collaborate with film producers, actors, and a director to make a music video. At shows, I want to have t-shirts, buttons, and stickers to sell or give away.

7. Say with full confidence that I am in the business of inspiration. I don't want to make commercial music. I want to avoid merchandising and selling art wherever possible. I want to find a balance between making a living as an artist and selling out.

Last, I wanted you to know that I wrote a song called New Year's Resolution at about 1:00 am on New Year's Day. After our show, the band went to our drummer's place where there was a New Year's party going on. We brought in the new year by jamming out together. This song was born out of that jam session and I put lyrics to it when I got home that night.

New Year's Resolution
Through my fingers another year has passed.
January the first becomes the last.
In with a bang, out with a "thanks for coming by."

Force of habit...I give in just because
sooner or later, everybody does.
As you can see, I've been asleep for far too long.
This is the song I've got to sing.

This is now and evermore my creed, my one good deed;
I'm staying awake. I'm staying awake.

With my whole self, I'm rising with the sun
to the morning, whatever troubles come.
Through the seasons, I'll gladly be aware.
And the reason is simply being there.
Needless to say, I've been away for far too long...
thanks for the song I've yet to sing.

This is now and evermore my creed, my one good deed;
I'm staying awake. I'm staying awake.
Hold the line and circumvent the cost before I'm lost.
I'm staying awake. I'm staying awake.