Shit is Starting to Happen (13 days remain Part III)

When I downloaded the files from the band's (we'll call them ABO) myspace just shy of three weeks ago, I had to let it sit for a while. Let the music stew in my head to allow my interpretation to surface and form into lyrics and melody. I walked around with the first track coursing through my brain from my ipod for a week. Nothing. Hrm. "Well..." I thought, "maybe it'll be like my very first song with that other band." That other band was the second of the three so far. We'll call them 4 guys in Whitby. When 4 guys in Whitby sent me their song, it was on a Friday night and I had to have at least SOMEthing prepared for that Sunday afternoon. It wasn't until Sunday morning that I began to jot furiously in my notebook while humming notes into the shitty microphone in my computer. It gelled pretty quickly and went over well at the audition later that day. As far as first songs go, I thought it was alright but I found the band's ability to play much more loose and not especially my style. It was evident that they only play for fun once a week. Not for me...

The point is that the first time around, the song came easy. This second attempt was proving to be much more of a bitch. The second of my two available weeks to get this new one together had come to a close and I had a basic idea but still nothing concrete. I left work early the day before yesterday to go back into my closet and not come out until I had a solid start to finish song, shitty or not. Funny because all the while, another of ABO's songs was running through my head while I was putting the finishing touches on the one they gave me. I wrote the chorus down and it drilled its way into my memory over the next day and by the time I finished work yesterday, I had a song and a half ready when I was only asked to prepare for one.

The downside for me at that time is that though I was pleased with myself for meeting the deadline, I must confess that I hated both the lyrics and the melody that I had come up with for "Hardly Wait" (first song). I completed it and was embarrassed. I expressed this at great length to Mightydoll patient as she was. She told me not to sweat it, that it probably wasn't as bad as I was making it out to be and to just ride out the audition with it. Damn. Her support continues to move me. I heeded her advice and made it to the audition with the thought that, "Well, at least I finished it and at least I got a solid chorus that I really like for the extra song." True I wasn't too confident about it but it was to late to let that show in my face or especially my voice.

ABO seems pretty serious about their project. They rehearse 4-6 times per week and have a lot of great ideas other than the ones I worked with. They rent out a large practice room from a warehouse that has been dissected to gear itself to this exact purpose. Dozens of bands are in this one building. I've never been in a place like this before. Upon walking in, its nothing but hallways and doors with numbers. Yet, like walking backstage at some arena. Tight corridors and many band's loud noise filling the space.

I found the right door and the room was empty so I had to wait a few minutes for some of the guys show up. It only took a few minutes until I was met and invited into the room. The drummer and guitarist asked a slew of questions and chatted with me as we chilled on their couch. As I answered the same questions that two other bands had asked me, "what's your musical background, can you play an instrument, who inspires you" and all that, I looked around this fabulous room. On the walls hung posters from concerts, about a half dozen guitars and a huge dry erase board with a slew of notes. Everything from press kit costs, CD pressing costs, merchandise ideas to things as simple as finding a singer and a bassist.

During this conversation, the drummer was pleased to find that I had prepared for this. As he read what I wrote, he mentioned that it drove him crazy to place ads for weeks saying, "take our songs and make them your own. Write lyrics and melody" and then people come in and say, "Yeah, I'm just gonna wing it."

So, right about the time the second guitarist finally arrived, so did the next applicant. As I greeted the second guitarist, I overheard the next applicant say to the drummer, "I forgot my lyrics that I prepared so I'm just gonna wing it."

*snicker*

Well, if nothing else, I get points over that guy. Next applicant parked his ass on the couch during my set after I told the band that he didn't have to wait in the hall.

So it began. They started with the one I had completed and I was more than surprised to learn that I was indeed on the right track! It sounded completely justified (and vastly different) from the crappy recordings I made in my closet. We ran through that number a couple times and it was decent. What really made me feel good was the second song. The chorus running through my head the last few days was a really nice fit.

I was told by the band that I have a killer voice, that they were very pleased with the preparation I had done and I will definitely be called back for a second audition after they have had time to see the other applicants.

I left that building in a daze of exhaustion and bliss.

and then went straight to the jam night at my local pub to sing my ass off all over again.

thanks for reading.
love,
HH

Audition #1 of 3rd Band (13 days remain Part II)

HUBRIS- "2 weeks it has been. when is good for you?"

ABO- "Well we are open for tues and or wed if u can make either night for 30-45
mins jam? We tend to do two auditions per night, we are really giving everyone a shot."

HUBRIS- "is Wednesday at 7:30 okay?"

ABO- "111 Hockey Avenue, northwest corner at Blubber and Bouffant. Room 33 is our jam space."

HUBRIS- "Sweeeet. Looking forward to it."

ABO- "Awesome, you're still down for tomorrow right? We have two auditions tomorrow, so we have about an hour with you and then someone coming at 9 which my other guitarist booked.... Looking forward to it man!"

HUBRIS- "Seriously I'm fuckin psyched! Is your practice space bike friendly? 8 pm right? Look for the kinda blonde guy. Here's my cell if you need to get ahold of me. xxx-xxx-xxxx
cheers,
Nick"


This band is expecting that I have prepared for one of their songs. That is half of what I'm ready for. I took the liberty of downloading another of their songs that I happen to like better and I have set lyrics and melody to that one as well. They are a heavy act and listening to their recorded tracks, it is my hope that they are just as tight live. After all, I'm not the only one auditioning. They are auditioning for me as well. Further reports to follow of course.

Love,
HH

Jam Nights

The jam nights at my local watering hole is becoming a great wad of fun for all things rock singer. The first time was about a month ago. It was sheer bliss. I picked three songs they knew and poof. I was singing for a live band before a very small audience. Mad props ensue from the band, the bar employees and other patrons. *nut*

So I go back last week. MD and her mum joined me for this excursion and I was totally buzzing and vibrating from the excitement. I got there at 9:30 sharp, the usual start time. I picked a seat close to the front. I spoke to the band about what they could play that night and let them clearly know that I was pumped and looking forward to doing this again. They spend the first hour, as they normally do, playing their own set. Their first break begins and I'm even more buzzy. Soon :D

Second set begins and they call up some of the fantastic musicians and singers from their friend's birthday party happening on one side of the bar. Damn, this one chick had a set of pipes perfect for a stunning Janis Joplin tune. After an hour, the second set ends and the band takes another break. bzzzzzz. Very soon :D

It was damn near the middle of the third set that I began to grow impatient. After all, MD & her mum are now tired enough to want to go home. They considered doing so and catching up with me there but they stayed. By then I was quite pissed because they have now brought every fucking person in the bar to arrive after me on stage to jam. I had been waiting for three and a half hours right in front of them for a turn at the mic. Nothing. Clearly, getting there first and immediately talking to the band is not enough to get them to realize that I was even there. I was furious. Right about the time I see the drummer disassembling his kit, I take it upon myself to go up there and ask the bassist, "Next week I guess!?" He looked surprised and replied, "Oh shit!! We didn't get you up here!?" Me, "No. No you didn't"
He then spewed forth with apologies and how embarrassings and surely next week and we shook hands and said goodnight. I was still very crushed and pissed but I gave them the benefit of doubt and slept it off. MD was so kind and patient to me. Consolling and supportive.

Then, just last Wednesday, I return to the jam night determined to get my ass up there to be seen and heard. I still encountered a hefty wait time but it was all better for sure. I sang Rooster by Alice in Chains and that went okay for the most part. The thing that really got me off was finding out that they knew Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine. They played it very well and for that, I fucking nailed it. Not a beat missed. Weird too because I had not performed that song since I was 16 years old standing in as singer for Sonus Ex Machina's band in his parents garage on his birthday. For all this, the manager of the bar gives me a hug and cheers! Many patrons of that bar as well as the band were loudly giving their approval and the waitress I had that night said, "That was fucking awesome! You rocked out with your cock out!" and then proceeded to buy us each a shot for us to slam together.

It seems I do have what it takes. I cannot tell you how incredible it feels to do this. I'm really looking forward to finding a band.

The First Tryout

It was really lucky that I got his message and showed up early. By the time I would have arrived after a full day of work, his girlfriend had come home with a nauseous tummy and needed quiet. Fortunately, we had finished by then. I felt pretty confident that I delivered comfortably and acted myself. We basically chit chatted about music and about what they're looking for. He said that I sounded like Maynard on Parabola and like Jack White on Seven Nation Army and they sounded really good. Before playing me a few of his tracks, he said he wanted me to sing for him in the way that I sound like. Without influence. I'm pretty sure I pulled that off :D He said that I am very good and recognizes that despite no formal training, I can stay in key without a problem. He further added that he has no problem being blunt and if he didn't think I might fit, he'd have ended the visit much sooner. I'm 1 of 10 who contacted them and the first of 5 that they wish to see. Either way, he'll let me know wether I am invited back for a practice.