Day # 19 PIC DAY!!!

So instead of writing a lengthy blog I want to show you a pic from day one compared to now to show how far I' ve come....I'm so proud of my progress and I couldn't be happier! This project has been an awesome success so far!!!


Me At Day 1

Day 1 again

And THIS is me after 3 weeks! (notice the extra ab coming in???!??!)

 Looking GREAT!!!!! (and note I'm flexing in all 4 pics so you can def see a size difference)

In short The time I've put in is really paying off. Some of you probably can't see the difference but I sure as hell can!!!

God bless!!!!

DAILY OOOOOOOOUT!!!

Day #18 - A Trial of my patience

 It was a rather  annoying day to say the least. I've learned you can't reason with some people , try as you might. Also, I'm REALLY glad I walked away from that Florida based label....Very talented lot....very unprofessional mentality. That I cannot deal with. I'm looking to build a business...not a nursery.
  The one thing I did not enjoy was how angry I got today. I tried my best to let it slide but so many people got under my skin that it just drove me up a wall. Even though I am working hard on change , I still have my days...and trust me today was one of them lol.
   On a lighter note I finally convinced Nigel to join up with us, even if its temporary, I really want him to have faith in me in that I WILL make sure we all get known and they he gets his share of the limelight and greenbacks :) . I feel as we work and grow together we may very well become an unstoppable force, but first we need to get this mixtape out. Speaking of that I'm almost done mixing these tracks. Our first mixtape will be a duo type deal with both ryan and I sharing the spotlight. I want to put both our talents front and center before we work on any solo efforts, but it should be fun to release three albums (two solo, one collab).
   


On the workout tip


SQUATS SUCK. No seriously...THEY SUCK. I swear my legs feel like they are falling off...and tomorrow I have to do them again..NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. ...but if I ever want to learn to tumble, flip, etc I HAVE to build my leg strength. *sigh* and lets not even get into the leg stretcher....thats just as bad...lol....but I have to get into a rhythm of using that medieval piece of gear if I ever want the flexibility I desire.




Well thats all for now...18 days smoke free and counting!




What What....bitches. 

Days #15,16,17 - Why I Was Silent

   So I return with a new blog. Why did I take those couple days off some of you are probably wondering. Did it suck not hearing my inner thoughts, my progress or useless rambling? Probably not, lol ,but know that because of a certain bill that is being pushed you may never hear from me, Google, Youtube or other power sites EVER AGAIN. This bill is called SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) which when you hear the name is kinda what a lot of companies want and it seems cool right? Putting an end to illegal acts on the net! Not a bad deal,...except the bill is so loosely worded and vague that ANYONE who talks about, references , uses  a work for non monetary gain  that is copyrighted could be held accountable for breach of copyright law and could potentially face jailtime as well as having all their content removed.. WITHOUT an investigation OR a trial. Yeah...doesn't sound too cool anymore does it. This puts just about every website known to MAN at risk. To learn more about SOPA , how websites are fighting against it, and what you can do to support its demise please go here.
       


NOW BACK TO BLOGGING!!!!!




 I have started to really make progress in working out. I'm pushing myself harder than I have ever pushed myself in my life and its mostly due to not smoking. I'm now , on top of doing my 7 weeks to 100 push ups and my normal workout regimen, doing 7 weeks to 200 crunches/7weeks to 50 pull ups/7weeks to 200 squats. My god I feel like I got hit by a freight train but I know all this hard work will be worth it come summer time :)
  Also I'm really excited to record today. We are re recording Can't Do It Like Me with my new partner in crime Ryan Lukowich. I see so much potential in his work and our current collab that I can only see dollar signs and great music in our future. Darc Knite Productions may be my brainchild but I can tell you that Ryan stands on equal footing with me. He has great ideas, knows the sound he wants to have and is very open to critique, which makes studio time a breeze. If only everyone worked like that we'd have 30 albums out by now hahaha
  So I've got a lot of new things I want to talk about but we will have to save for another day because Ryan is on the way and I got the urge to record! I'l probably come back later to go into more details about all that is coming up, I just didn't want it to get to late without an entry. I KNOW HOW MUCH YA'LL MISSED ME!!!! Hahaha Be back soon!




DAILY OOOOOOUT

Day #14 - Overworked

 It's been a trial in my patience trying to get everything on point lately since the main people I need responses and some kind of work from are being quite elusive or are just plain ignoring me, but thats ok.. I am more than used to people being in their own world and forgetting the things they said they would do for the projects we are both involved in. It won't deter me from my goals but at times it can be pretty frustrating. I try my best to take it all with a grain of salt but it can be tiresome to constantly smile and push forward when things start to be stacked against you. I still press forward though, because I can't go backwards anymore, and I refuse to fail and fall back into a life of mediocrity.
  Although we really didn't get any writing done , Ryan and I have agreed on a beat to finally start writing on made by the up and coming producer, Nigel Bowman. He's a good kid although I can tell he is still trying to find his particular sound, but I can tell you this : This guy knows his way around a mixer. I can see him doing great things , and that's one of many reasons I want him on my team. Also , he's extremely versatile so I know I can count on him being able to accommodate a variety of artists. The future is looking bright for Darc Knite Productions! :)
     Also, I know I was suppose to post progress photos but this weekend has been a bit hectic with all the hiccups and hurdles we have been hitting due to hold ups with producers and trying to figure out our next move but rest assured I have been sticking to my work out program, and the results are looking pretty good. As soon as things die down I will, THIS WEEK, take photos to show you how I've come along - that I can promise you.
  On a good note I have still not touched a drop of booze or a cigarette. I still get nicotine cravings from time to time and trust me, when my friends stop over and are smoking near me I SOOOOOO want to snatch their cigarettes OUT of their hands and suck one down hahah but then I think about singing, working out and most importantly, breathing. Once I get those thoughts going in my head the urge starts to die down. I enjoy how deeply I can breathe now, I enjoy knowing I'm not on the fast track to cancer , that food tastes better and that I don't smell like someone dumped an ashtray on me. I also know it will really pay off once I get back on stage and I'm not winded after the first hour, I am so looking forward to that!!
   If anything this weekend wasn't a waste as it was a learning experience in dealing with people and knowing who is really down for making music. I don't have time for half answers and control freaks. I need people who I can talk to and work with and have the ability to see eye to eye on , with equal footing. The minute we start thinking we are above each other is the minute any type of dialogue gets killed. and thats a shame. 




One love


S. Daily

Day #13 - The Artist/Producer Relationship

 So its been a day for me , not a bad one , but most certainly a day. My artist and I worked on what we believe to be a really excellent track, which got turned down - which is OK, but how it got initially turned down is what this blog is going to be based upon (now mind you we got this all squared away, but I think it's important for all future artists/producers to understand this dynamic before going into the business)


Producers: you are the backbone of the song, you literally create the landscape and setting of a song that is soon to be created. Everything you create is for the most part (unless commissioned )  an expression and often extension of yourself.


Artists: You are, as is evident, the voice of the song. Now I stress the word artist and not "singer"because those are two very different things. An artist is as much a part of the creative process as a producer, where as a singer only does what is handed to them. There is nothing wrong with that but we are more focused on the artist  as a complete package. But I digress, the vision of an artist and their lyrics involves just as much depth and love as a producer puts into their instrumentals.


And then comes the clash.


You see sometimes the problem with two creative beings and their visions is that sometimes they don't match. An artist may have an idea for what they want their sound to be , where as the producer may have a particular sound they want on their beats or instrumental - and what the artist is putting forth isn't it.


So what do we do when two parties with a bunch of creative ideas are on other sides of the spectrum?


COMPROMISE.


There should never be an instance where an artist and his/her producer cannot openly communicate their desires for a particular sound or track. I believe having a dialogue between both parties in the end creates a better end result that all persons involved can enjoy. Lets be real, how often have we heard about artists who leave labels because their voice isn't being heard, or a producer going nuts because some artist thinks they know it all. We should always try to meet halfway REGARDLESS of who is in charge, or at least make some kind of  concessions to ease the creative process. 
    
ANOTHER THING


Just because YOU don't like it doesn't mean it's bad. People have varying tastes! Its OK not to like something, hell there is plenty of music I could do without. As a rule of thumb though, when creating a song with someone and the track isn't in a style you are digging, try to remove your personal opinion and see it from a standpoint of "OK I don't like this but is it well written? will it resonate with other parties other than myself?" To cast judgement on music  - be it the lyrics , the voice, or the beat - is OK only if its sincerely wrong (i.e. oversimplified lyrics, badly produced, bad vocals, etc). Its NOT OK if its just something you don't like (i.e. the artist has a vision of themselves doing a certain style , but since that style doesn't resonate with you , you choose to not like their work). That in itself is not OK. If that is the case you have two choices 1. work with them, they may not have the same taste, but you can see how others would really like their music or 2. not work with them. In the end though its best to try to understand your artist/producer and see their vision and what they are trying to do. 


Lastly if there is a problem, give a good reason or critique as to why. An artist/producer cannot move forward and make changes if there's no reason as to the why. As much as we all wish we are, we cannot read minds, so there's no telling what you do/don't want unless you speak up and clarify what is working for you and what is not. There's nothing more frustrating to an artist/producer than NOT giving a reason why you don't like something. All that does is causes tension and often leads to a strained relationship between you and your artist/producer.




Remember as with any relationship in life : COMMUNICATION IS KEY.


ANYWAY 


This is day 13 and I'm feeling rather good. Doubled up on my workout today and I'm feeling buff although I overslept on my nap and I think Ryan is more than ready to get back in here and record another track hahah.


That's all for today. Another success and another day into this beautiful life of change.




Daily OOOOUT

Day # 12 - The Plate Is SOOOOOO Full

So It's been a REALLY busy day, so I don't have a lot of time to blog it up. LOL I'll make sure to condense everything from today and tomorrow into one blog, just know a lot of good things are happening. I'm working on two really fun tracks that I think are coming out great , and that you guys will totally love! Ryan Lukowich is a joy to work with and I think you guys are gonna dig his sound. We went in on those tracks!
   Thing is working on them has thrown me off balance , so I just need to get back into the swing of things and find my stride. Its a work in progress but I shall rise to the challenge. Regretfully I think I'll be doing the vlog every other week as time is becoming a little thin due to all thats happening , but I promise to blog everyday. That I can do.
   My week two photos will be up tomorrow afternoon, god willing. My strength is really starting to get up there and im liking what I'm seeing. Things are really progressing nicely! Tomorrow I will also be starting my Singing Success program finally. I was waiting for one key component to come my way and now that I have it I'm going in!!!!
  I really can't believe its almost been two weeks since my last cigarette. It's really bugging me out that I've stuck to my guns like this. I've never stayed so dedicated to anything. To me that's a great sign for everything to come this year!


EVERYONE HAVE AN AWESOME FRIDAY!!!


Daily OOOOOOUT

Day #11 - When Microsoft attacks

    So I pulled an all-nighter trying to get myself back in the swing of making music , spent 10 hours on a track, only to come back to see my pc decided to update itself and with it, it took the track I spent so much time on. Needless to say I was more than frustrated. In the end though I believe everything happens for a reason , but man did that burn me up! LOL
  On a more positive note because of that I sat here re-listened to the track (after re-recording it for another 4 hours) I realized I wasn't completely sold on the lyrics, I still dig the concept, but in the end losing that song may have been for the best. Nothing sucks more than writing recording mixing and releasing a track that in the end you aren't 100% behind. It just ends up being time wasted and energy misused. So once I am well rested (havent gone back to sleep yet!) I'll jump back on the horse and get things crackin.
    
NEXT


I've begun working with an extremely talented rapper named Ryan Lukowich. The kid has a lot of potential and I see him going places...all he needs to do is work on his HORRIBLE SLEEPING SCHEDULE. He wakes up at the crack of 4 p.m. YEAH RYAN I SAID IT. WHAT....WHAT!!!!!?!? Lol. In all honesty though he is a rare find in this area that is so inundated with the same 3 types of rappers repackaged in different people. I have the same gripe about rappers out here as I do with a lot of the cover bands out here as well, there isn't many people daring to be different, to stand out. Then again most of these guys are doing it simply for the money - which is probably why they do as they do, and why I could never wrap my head around doing something so mundane as having the same set list as the other 200 bands out here. Now don't get me wrong I LOVE COVER BANDS, when there is a sense of uniqueness to them. Yes , you can be unique and be a cover band. Case and point - M-80. If you don't know who they are and you live in my area,..then please go to the Woodlands on a Wednesday and check them out. Totally awesome group of musicians.


Well that was random..ANYWAY.




So its another day down and another day sober. I think I'm doing pretty well. Also, since I'm feeling a lot better I will begin doing the singing success program, as I've noticed my singing needs a great deal of work still. Others tell me I sound great or fantastic but I know better. I know the voice I use to have and what I'm truly capable of...I just need to put the time and effort in to get myself back to the way I once was musically..or better yet, to surpass anything I have ever been or hope to be.


With that I shall take my leave..because I can barely keep my eyes open


Stay Classy Internets


DAILY GIGGITY GONE!!