EddieOlivas.com

I recently recorded a live show for a band called The Great Hiatum playing at Cozmic Pizza, a great local restaurant and music venue here in Eugene. We made a video of one of the songs for the band to submit for a contest. You can see the video here:

I’ve been recording and mixing/mastering music for a few years now, but this was my first opportunity to record live at a nice venue like this and it went really well. I’ll be releasing more songs from that night in the coming weeks and likely some more videos to go along with them. I’ll post them to Facebook and my site soon.

I’m also working on a 5 song demo of my own original songs. I’ve written 3 of the 5 songs and in the process of writing the 4th. Here’s a quick snippet of a song I’m working on called Keep Hold:

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It’s been a long time since I posted anything on my blog, but I assure you there’s a lot of good music to come. In between that I’ll try to post what’s going on now and again. Stay tuned

I just recently finished recording and mixing my band Indian Summer’s new demo. It was tough getting this all finished before our show this past Saturday, but I’m glad we were able to get it done. I learned a lot making this and had a hell of a lot of fun doing it. The show on Saturday was amazing! Lots of people and we got rid of all of our demo CDs! Here’s an online version for you. Enjoy!!

Check out Indian Summer on FACEBOOK and MYSPACE!

I’ve been living at my new apartment for about a week now. Things are going well, I’ve got all my music stuff setup and things are pretty well situated. Just need a little more flare to make it feel like home. I definitely need more pictures for the walls. Soon I’m going to buy a big canvas frame, paint it in the same crazy style as my drawings and hang it up on the living room wall. Should be fun. I had intended to start recording my demo and recording songs with my friends, but my Firepod broke again. The Firepod is what I use to record on my computer. So now I can’t record until I send it in to get fixed. It’s a bummer, but I think I have another way to record that I’m going to try out today. If it works I’ll at least have a way to record one track at a time until the Firepod’s fixed up. It’s time to get more creative and one way or another I’m going to record my music as soon as possible.

I’ve had a few friends over to play music and kick the footbag around this week. This was another reason I wanted to move out on my own. To get myself out of the habit of just sitting at home with the woman all the time. Each day this week I’ve done something with someone at my place and the change in pace has been pretty awesome. My legs are so sore it hurts just to move. I think my plan of escaping the couch and the TV is definitely working. I’ve been eating healthier now that I have my own fridge and there’s an awesome little local grocery store just down the street from me with all kinds of awesome organic food. I gave my friend Codey a guitar lesson yesterday. It was pretty awesome I think I have a knack for teaching. I’m gonna start teaching guitar lessons soon. It’ll be good for me to start passing on what I’ve learned to other folks. Could be a good source of extra cash too if I enjoy it. My girls are coming over for the weekend tonight. Our first weekend together at my new place. Should be cool I can’t wait!

Overall things are going real good. The change to a place all my own and sleeping alone hasn’t always been easy, but as the days pass I like it more and more. I’m making the changes I’ve known I need to make in my life for some time and it’s all starting to come together. Good times to come. Thanks for dropping by!

“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.”

-Pablo Picasso

Yes I am still alive. I haven’t kept up on the blog very much recently, but I think I’ll try to go for once a week from here on out. I’m going to be moving on Friday to an apartment not too far from where I live now. Me and my girl split up and I’m gonna have my own place for the first time in my life. It’s not easy to split up, but I’m looking forward to having a place of my own. I can focus on music and going to school. Try to work on being happy just being me for a while. It’s gonna be a big change I haven’t been single in 12 years, but I’m looking forward to it.

So I’m proud to announce that I’m finally going to college! Got my financial aid all sorted out and such. Just gotta wait until September for orientation. It’s taken me a while to take this step but I know I’m ready now. Through playing music I’ve learned that I have the ability to put my mind to something and stick with it through thick and thin day in day out. I know I can do the same with school it’s gonna be great.

For the longest time I haven’t been able to record any music because I’ve had an issue with my computer, but I’ve got it handled now so I’m going to be working on a demo very soon. I’ve been going to open mics and playing with friends still. Things are good I’m thinking about teaching guitar lessons now that I’ll have my own place. Anyway things are changing quite a bit for me lately, but I’m gonna try to be more diligent about keeping up on the blog. Soon here you’ll start seeing more recordings, videos, and blog entries from me. Stayed tuned and thanks for checking in

So it’s day 48 or so in my 60 days of sobriety. At this point I have no intention of changing a dang thing on day 60. I feel better than I have in a long time and on top of it I’m saving all kinds of cash. It’s been kind of a rude awakening sometimes not having something to escape with, but now when I’m having a hard time with things in my life I end up doing something useful. I do something about it whereas before I would just escape and put it off for later. Nobody’s perfect I still find ways to kind of escape, but in different ways now like eating way too much junk food or downing a caramel Frappucino or 3. Anyway I’m totally glad I decided to do the sobriety thing, it’s put my life back in balance…more or less.

Played another really good session with James and Melissa and Nick tonight. Some of the new people I’ve been playing music with. It’s a pretty amazing feeling sharing your music with new people. On stage or off. Makes me feel alive again. I can’t wait to record! I can’t right now until I get a new computer part that’s on it’s way in the mail. As soon as I get the part I’m gonna record a demo of my original songs. I’ve got new songs and old songs that I haven’t laid down before it’s gonna be so fun. Then once it’s laid down I can poke around and find good musicians to add stuff to it. Can’t freakin wait! Music is my fav

“Genuine beginnings begin within us, even when they are brought to our attention by external opportunities.”

-William Bridges

Man I just had a really good jam session with one of the musicians I met recently. Dude named James. It was totally awesome! I mean that just exceeded my expectations by far. We pretty much wrote the chords for a whole song and a good half of another. I can’t believe it we did a lot. He has all kinds of chord progression ideas and we just sat there playing guitar and tossing ideas around for like 2 straight hours before taking a break. So freaking awesome. Totally stirred up my creativity, I played lead and sang random words over the chord progressions just coming up with music and lyric ideas. That was just so much damn fun I feel totally inspired musically right now. I’ve never had a songwriting partner that I really clicked with but man that definitely clicked. I’m stoked to have connected with this dude that was fun as hell. Great session. Ended my day on a really good note

“Process is how you operate, your routines, your way of thinking, your priorities, your actions. Recursion is the natural tendency towards repetition, oscillation, self-sufficiency…in nature, in movements, in ourselves.”

Process and Recursion is the sophomore album release by Rebuild, a solo project by Shawn Kilmer. Shawn did a damn good job of putting together this latest album. Each song is a dynamic change in overall feel from the song before, yet the songs flow together well and make for a crazy up and down ride. Whatever mood one song puts you in, don’t expect to stay there for very long. In this album everything changes.

To start off I’m drawn into head bobbing along with the Industrial style first track “Ordinalities of the Good Lives” with its upbeat groove and happy melody. The production quality struck me right off as being top notch. So I’m just gliding along to this great beat when everything hits a dead stop, nearly all silence, only echoed spoken words remain. Now throw out the upbeat groove as things simmer down to a slower more somber feel with “Out in the Rain” and “Belief”. I hear chanting. Like I’m in some kind of monk’s temple listening to voices echo out over an old PA system before I’m awoken from this reverie as a new beat rolls in like looming thunder from the clouds.


Things take an even more unexpected turn to a more innocent, folk type feel in “The Old Safe Road”. A song that makes me feel like I’m walking down an old forest path on a summer day not a care in the world just listening to the sounds of the forest. Yet the lyrics make me ponder how much of life’s potential is lost as we repeat our daily habits going down the same old safe road. The album is also chalk full of crazy, strange sounds and spoken words that at times create a very cryptic and dark mood as with “Determinism”. Strange pieces of echoed conversations about something religious, suffering cries, and crazy noises that just make me think of what hell might sound like. Well maybe hell if it had awesome piano music.

Anyway it’s right back again to a more hopeful, happy feel with “Out in the Rain”. The lyrics “My heart beats so bright, don’t lose that light” ringing out reminding me to never let go of my dreams and to hold on to the good in my life. Funny just a second ago I was listening to the sounds of hell, suffering, and echoed thoughts of religion. The dynamics really work to keep things interesting. The album’s last two tracks are also a stark contrast to each other. One a folk style cover of a Cat Stephens tune called “Trouble” and the other, “Hardship” is a crazy tune that sounds like the soundtrack to an eerie, epic movie scene with a crazy man mumbling in the background.


From danceable Industrial beats to somber chanting to folk music, echoed conversations, crazy men mumbling, and the sounds of hell these tracks are a crazy and enjoyable ride. In this album everything changes and I think it’s brilliant. Shawn is quite talented at creating quality, eclectic songs that really put across the emotions and ideas behind them, each in very different ways. My favorite tunes from the album are Ordinalities of the Good Lives, The Old Safe Road, Out in the Rain, and Thanks for Nothing. I’m anxious to hear what Shawn will come up with next. I bet it will sound nothing like anything we’ve heard from him yet.

You can buy Process and Recursion the printed album for 5 bucks or download it for free at MySpace.com/torebuild

I just finished playing my first open mic tonight at Ron’s Island Grill by the U of O campus. When I walked into the place I have to admit I wasn’t sure what to expect. It seemed kinda small and like there was hardly anyone there. But I quickly realized this thing they got going on is awesome as hell. A whole bunch of people showed up, artists and friends, everyone crowded around the stage and were totally into it. Not just a bunch of people eating food and not paying attention like I half expected. I would’ve invited people ahead of time to come listen, but it was my first time getting up there by myself and I was pretty freaked out. I figured it’d be easier to look like a nervous fool for a bunch of people I don’t know. But to my surprise I didn’t freak out, I loved it, I’m totally gonna do it again, and you are definitely invited!

So I usually don’t really get nervous about stuff until it’s right upon me and that’s definitely how it went tonight. It took all the willpower I could muster to show up, but I felt mostly ok when I got there. Nerves under control…until the girl announced “So I’ve randomly drawn everyone’s name and the first one up is Eddie Olivas!” GULP oh shit are you serious? Sooooo my first time doing this and I get to go FIRST…as in right now…freaking perfect. Hello nerves. Now this isn’t the first time I’ve performed music for people, I’ve played with my band (though we never played any shows which is one reason I finally quit) and on the streets at Saturday Market, but it’s the first time I’ve gotten up on a stage alone with my guitar and everyone looking right at me. But I figure hey this is what I love to do so it’s about time to man up and cross that line. Well it went completely AWESOME! As soon as I started singing the nerves just melted away (mostly) and I got right into it like always. I got a really good response from everyone and I even managed not to screw it up royally. Man I just love playing music more than anything and to finally play for a bunch of people who were actually into it was just so awesome! I played two of my own songs and Mr. Jones by Counting Crows. I’m so glad I mustered the courage to get out there and do it. After a long time of feeling pretty deflated about music I finally feel inspired again. I’ve just recently written a new song and I’m in the middle of writing another one now. I’ll definitely be playing out again very soon and this time I’ll let you know when and where so you can come out and say hi

To most of us being a musician seems like a very romantic idea indeed. When we think of musicians often glamorous visions of screaming fans, flashing lights, orchestras playing in perfect harmony, rockstars with mad sex appeal, and lavish lifestyles come to mind. But what are the true advantages and disadvantages of living day to day as a practicing musician? In this article we will discuss the various benefits and drawbacks of being a musician.

Benefits

1. Playing music is soul fulfilling
Playing music is cheaper than therapy and a hell of a lot more fun. An emotional release and means of self expression like no other. Playing music can take you places in your own heart and mind that you may not have ever known were there. It can lift you up and help you escape when you’re feeling blue, or give you a fun way to spread the joy when you’re feeling good.

2. Sex appeal
Although this is definitely one of the worst reasons to become a musician, being a good player definitely has it’s upsides when it comes to the opposite sex. Arguably musicians have more sex appeal than any other type of artist. You might be dog ugly, but if you can lay down a song and nail it for some people, odds are you’ll catch someone’s eye and you won’t have much trouble finding a date.

3. Connecting with an audience
The feeling of connection when playing music for a receptive audience is like no other experience on earth. Having people cheer you on while you do what you love not only feels absolutely amazing, it prompts you to perform at your best and go beyond the limits of what even you thought you could do. There’s no place like the stage.

4. Meeting new people
As a musician you will meet and befriend people whom you may not have had anything in common with otherwise, fan and fellow musician alike. Music like other art forms can unite people from all walks of life, no matter their differences because it reaches people on an emotional level. Emotions go beyond whether or not you speak the same language, have the same colored skin, or live in the same neighborhood. Everyone knows what it is to feel and as a musician you have the gift of being able to help total strangers work through and understand their own feelings and problems through your music. And one way or another, they will thank you for it.

5. A focused, active mind
Being a musician will sharpen your mind and hone your focus. The intense mental stimulation and concentration playing music requires will activate and exercise your mind. It’s been scientifically proven that playing music can enhance the brain and sharpen listening skills for picking up the subtle nuances of speech and other sounds. Playing music keeps your mind strong. A strong, active mind will help you live a richer, happier, and more fulfilling life. Playing music makes you smarter!

Drawbacks

1. Your work is subjective
One of the most difficult aspects of being a musician (or an artist of any kind for that matter) is that what makes some people love you and shout your praises from the rooftops will make others hate your filthy guts. Music, like other art forms is subject to the opinions of the people who experience it. It can be tough to take when you work very hard at something and pour your heart and soul into it, only to be judged, criticized, and found lacking. If you want to be a musician, it’s important to grow a thick skin and learn to take the criticism along with the praise.

2. Training
There’s just no getting around it. Being a musician takes hours and hours of training and practice to become proficient and years to become really good. Great musicians make it look easy, but behind the glamour and romance there are years of practice and hard work. If you want to be a good musician, it takes more than just a burning desire. You will have to take action and put in the time. But make no mistake, if you truly want it bad enough, you can do anything.

3. Solitude
As with many other art forms, writing and learning to play music takes a good deal of alone time. For some, it can be difficult to balance making time for your passion and keeping up with your friends and family. For others, this may actually be viewed as a benefit. It’s not all dark dismal solitude of course. You can take lessons, play in a band, find a writing partner, or get out and play for people. But if you want to become proficient at your instrument or learn to write a good tune, you’ll need to sit down and work it out on your own.

4. Lack of financial stability
More often than not, life as a professional musician is fraught with financial instability. Going back to disadvantage #1, the problem stems from the fact that your work is subject to the opinions of others and if you think it’s only about being a good player, you may be in for a rude awakening. It takes tons of promotion, hard work, people skills, and business sense to be successful as a professional musician. But there’s no doubt it can be done if you play your cards right. For those of us only in it for the fun, no need to worry about this one.

5. Irregular hours
Going out and playing gigs by night, promoting by day, and long trips away from home while on tour don’t necessarily leave a lot of a room for a normal, stable home life. It’s a far cry from the 9 to 5 many of us are accustomed to. This may sound like a dream come true depending on your priorities, but for anyone hoping to have some semblance of normalcy or routine in their lives, being a musician can be a rough ride. There are a lot of ups and downs and it can be tough to deal with the swings. Again if you’re playing music just for fun, no need to fret about this one.

Can you think of any other advantages or disadvantages to being a musician that you think belong in the top 5? Leave a comment and tell me about it! I’d love to hear from you.

After 2 weeks in the making we’ve just finished our first full length project for our recording studio service Studio2Eugene. A 5 song demo for an awesome band called Upstate Trio. 3 really cool guys from Upstate New York who play Jam/Rock/Funk music with guitar, bass, banjo, drums, and percussion. They first came into the studio and we didn’t know what to expect and had our doubts about how good they might be. But from the first take I could tell these guys were tight together and really good. They’ve got their shit together musically and it’s been an honor to record them. I’m glad we all came together and did this project because I think the final result is pretty good stuff. These guys can really play and these recordings bring out the sound pretty well. They were all smiling ear to ear and so were we when all was said and done. It was a great experience all around. So without further ado here is the demo for your listening pleasure

Visit Upstate Trio on Myspace!