1-30-10

Today was a beautiful day. I snowed about 6 inches in norman. I started the day with a run and got acquainted with Norman’s neighborhoods (very nice under a fresh coat of white snow). The recordings went well- the creativity is flowing.

After a full day of recording and being badass Mikey and I tucked in early, Bristen and Larry went out late to hang with our producer Chad and some of his friends at some bars in town and almost got in a fight of “EPIC PROPORTIONS” (more on that later…).

Rob

One of the songs we did yesterday is titled: “Goodbye”. The song is about a communication breakdown and the harsh end result. Anyways here is some of the song for you.

Day 3 in a few hours….maybe.

-L

“GOODBYE”

“She hides behind smile
Walking through yard
Hoping no one sees…”

“…and the secrets that you keep away
They will haunt you in another way”

01-27-10

Slept in a bit this morning. stayed up all night trying to finish up some cupids for the children’s hospital. I met my dad for lunch at our favorite spot, “Mama’s Daughter’s Diner”, then finished up some art for a friend. Laundry, sketch pad, books, laptop, phone charger…trying to get all your obligations outta the way before you hit the road is always a bit nerve wracking, but I think I got everything. Now all that’s left is this looming

Curiosity…tension…fear…excitement about the new record. I’m driving up by myself mostly for scheduling unknowns and the predicted bad weather. but mostly I just love traveling alone. I don’t get to do it much anymore so I take the chance when I can (me and the old “Silverado” have put in many miles and seen a lot of pretty country together over the past ten years). A lot of good thinking time.

I’ve taken to reading the cherokee feast of days every morning. The strength and wisdom in these simple thoughts is hard matched by any horoscope or daily devotional. “Habit has it’s beginning in thought. Whatever has become second nature to us has caught on in our thinking – only to operate, in time, without thinking at all. Breaking with deeply ingrained addictions is something else again”.

I see this pattern so much. In music and art, in anything, the mind is always what’s standing in your way. If you can successfully get it to do what you want it to do, the body will follow right along.

Most of us are so locked up by our minds that we’re unable to follow our hearts, dance, sing, play guitar. Every day is a constant conquering of patterns. never ending. When you begin to make your own habits you also start to notice all these nasty habits floating around that you never even noticed.

Is music my way of programming myself for a better me or is it just another addiction, like drugs or love? Let’s see…broke, hungry, pawning off valuables for cash…hmmm. All these things to ponder on the three hour drive to Oklahoma and the hope for the future that a new record can bring: A new spark, new life…maybe even some cash…please. Just a little. Just enough would do.

Van Gogh never sold a painting in his life, and I’m no Van Gogh, so my expectations don’t go too far monetarily. no cribs in my future for sure. Drove up a little early to drop off some paintings but i guess the storms have already messed with the phone service. Guess it will have to wait.

So I made my way to the studio a little early and caught the tail end of a graham colton vocal session. we
went down to the “Deli” here in Norman,OK to check out a couple bands and wait for the rest of the crew to get in. I’m always impressed with the talent coming out of Oklahoma. Not only are they quality artists and musicians but the creativity runs high around here. It’s nice to be around people that are willing to work with and understand even the wildest ideas.

I’m excited about being in this place, I love this studio, it’s the most comfortable environment. i know the record and the relationships that come through in the next ten days will have a great effect on everyone and decide the course of the next couple years. A record is like that, everything that you’ve seen, felt,
tasted and bled over up until this point gets put through the strings and out on to the airwaves and then your empty, relieved and free to move on, move forward, the weight is lifted, start anew, so fresh and
so clean.

Ama, the cleansing waters. “we bury them from sight forever and plant again the tree.”

-B