A Team Effort

Hey all!

I'm excited to announce that I've been working diligently producing a track in a collaborative effort with Washburn University's very own Mark Feuerborn.

A member of student media and a kindled spirit, Mark is a multi talented instrumentalist and audio engineer. Not only is Mark proficient with his voice and with the guitar, Mark is a member of the active band Buyer Beware.

(image credit @Buyer Beware Facebook)

Mark and I have been working together on a track called 'Pierce' which will feature very tribal and atmospheric vocals from mark. I've produced most of the track so far, and I would say it's a blend of dark atmosphere, electronica, and...well I shouldn't spoil it anymore!

Mark is putting the final touches on the vocals now, and I can't wait for us to share the track with you all. Looking forward to sharing the track in a future post. Stay tuned!

Cheers

Jukeboxx Media: Kansas City's Jukebox Heros

It's time to break out of the Topeka music scene for a second and give these folks an introduction. Jukeboxx Media are a full entertainment company that has the Kansas City market nailed down.

(image credit @Jukeboxx Media Facebook)

They cater to any and every entertainment need you could possible imagine when it comes to weddings or events. Their services include but aren't limited to: DJ's, photographers, videographers, emcees, and even party motivators. A subset of Jukeboxx Media is their featured band Lost Wax. The talented local musician Ashley Reynolds (post coming soon) is a Lost Wax member, and also the founder and frontman of our band Monk's Wine. To check out the Monk's Wine post for our band biography, media, and more, click here.

Lost Wax assert themselves as Kansas City's go-to party band. From Bruno Mars to Daft Punk, their mashups are the life of the party. They're funky, on point, and just downright fun.

So whether you're needing a DJ, an amazing band, or just general help with entertainment, Jukeboxx Media are a group of serious professionals who give it their all to keep the party poppin'.  

For upcoming shows, tunes, and much more, see the links below!

Click to check out Jukeboxx Media's website

Click to check out Lost Wax's website

Topeka Symphony Orchestra 'Woos' WU Students

Shout out to Topeka Symphony Orchestra! They have an upcoming show Great Sounds that you definitely don't want to miss. It will feature Washburn's Anne Marie Snook, chair of the music department. Having been a music major, I'd be absolutely delighted to see her perform. Her credentials are impressive, and she's sure to bring delight and talent to this show. I would urge locals (regardless of age or musical taste) to attend the show and indulge yourself in some top notch musicianship.

(image credit @www.topekasymphony.org)

White Concert Hall

Isn't it gorgeous?  The design and acoustics make for stellar performances that you could never forget.

(image credit @www.washburn.edu)

Show Details

Saturday, March 14th

White Concert Hall

7:30 pm

For performance details and other information regarding the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, click here.

Click to check out Washburn's Music website

So You Wanna Be a Rockstar...

It's easy to fall under the assumption that modern day 'rock stars' are still trashing hotel rooms, mainlining illegal substances, and making more money in a year than I will in my entire lifetime. Unfortunately this lifestyle is becoming obsolete, except for the lucky few. 

Here is a leaked list from a record label of the demands per show for some of those lucky few:

(image credit @www.powerfm.com)

Even those lucky few tend to have very short lived careers, much like a professional athlete, and the nurturing and life span of their careers often involves making decisions or deals that completely do away with their creative control.

The digital age in which we are living has all but done away with album sales. The internet is one big cesspool of (largely) free information and file sharing, and just about every song recorded resides on the internet as an mp3. Even if the devout fan goes the legal route, iTunes offers purchases per song rather than per album.  Almost no albums went platinum during 2014, save for Taylor Swift's '1989' and the movie soundtrack of Frozen. Even artists as big as Pharrell seem to be enduring hard times. Though 'hard times' for Pharrell may be good times for you and I, his hit single 'Happy' earned him less than 3000 dollars in songwriting royalties despite his millions of plays on Pandora.

So how do artists survive with the music industry on its toes? Tour!

Tour, tour, tour, tour, sleep (maybe), tour some more....and sell as much merchandise as you can.

Whether it be on a local or global scale, musicians supplement their income. They play shows, teach, sell merchandise, and much more. If you want to survive as a musician, it's very possible! Just be persistent, and never lose your passion for music.

Andy Mckee

I can't think of anyone who has embodied success, passion, and musicality with such charm and tact as Andy Mckee.

(image credit @Allan Torre)

A Topeka native, his success and musical prowess speaks for itself in some of his earlier YouTube videos. With smooth silky chords and a mane of hair, Andy was well on his way toward an illustrious career and quickly earned the title 'YouTube sensation'.

Andy Mckee - Rylynn

I'm fortunate enough to know Andy personally and he is not only a world class musician, but a kind and gentle soul. He has played along side such names as Prince and Dream Theater, and continues to tour the world showing no sign of letting up. If you haven't seen him live or in video, I urge you to watch the above YouTube video or book some tickets to go support this fine artist!

For upcoming show, tunes, and much more, see the links below!

Click to check out Andy's website

Click to follow on Facebook

Click to follow on Twitter

Jarrod Guth: Guitar Extraordinaire

I can't refrain myself any longer. I've just GOT to introduce my dear friend and bandmate (and occasionally a sound life coach) Jarrod Guth.

(image credit @Jarrod Guth Music Facebook) 

I consider Jarrod one of the most in demand and talented musicians in the Topeka music scene and beyond. For a brief recap of his role in our local band Monk's Wine, click here.

Aside from fulfilling his crucial role in Monk's Wine, Jarrod is tenacious and plays actively around town for weddings, corporate gigs, and other various events. Though he has a handful of guitar players whom he admires and pulls inspiration from, a continued influential figure for Jarrod is Topeka native Andy Mckee (post on Andy coming soon). His playing is dynamic and diverse, ranging from atmospheric melodies with very loose phrasing to heavier riffing and even blues. You'd be hard pressed to find a style of music that Jarrod couldn't play. Add in a witty stage presence accompanied by a fine singing voice and you've got Jarrod Guth.

The more I spend time with Jarrod, the more I realize his passion spills over into every aspect of his life: Fatherhood, friendships, work, you name it. His presence in Topeka is one to be reckoned with and he's an incredibly generous, approachable human being. I'm honored to call him my friend and bandmate.

For upcoming shows, tunes, and much more, see the links below!

Click to check out Jarrod's website

Click to follow on Facebook

Jarrod Guth - Groove for Maxwell

Culture in the Commons

This one goes out to all my fellow Washburn students!

As stated via Facebook (courtesy of good friend and musician Sage Cornelius), a free event is taking place on campus tomorrow called Culture in the Commons.

(image credit @Sage's Facebook)

The event will consist of three artists who will perform pieces that will showcase a range of musical styles, and following each performance will be a brief discussion of the cultural relevance of each song performed and a little history lesson pertaining to the style of music performed. 

Sounds like something I wouldn't want to miss out on! 

Lineup

Brail Watson 

Brail will be singing, playing his cello and even rapping. I've known Brail for some time now, and he is hands down one of the most talented guys I've had the pleasure know. Click here for more information on Brail!

Nico Williams

Nico will be playing Marimba style percussion will some jazzy vibes. Nico is a good kid and talented percussionist, and his performance will be noteworthy to say the least.

Sage Cornelius

Sage will be playing his violin in a very 'fiddlish' manner, and will be singing some Native American themed tunes accompanied by a hand drummer (unfortunately this will not be me).

There you have it! It's free, and the event will be held tomorrow in the dining hall of the union from 3-4pm. What better endeavor is there than to casually enjoy the fine artistry of these musicians while learning a thing or two?

Hope to see some familiar and unfamiliar faces there! Cheers.