The latest buzz that doesn't really buzz...

Well it's been a while since I have posted a blog. I don't even know if anyone even reads my blog, and I guess whether ya do or ya don't it really doesn't matter. I think it's just good to write down my thoughts somewhere. I have an extreme headache right now and I am a little out of it but I am gonna try to push through this blog. 

I just got back from Florida about a week ago, and I am so sad that I had to come back to Seattle. I am pretty sure that I am gonna be moving there sometime in 2009.  The Latin music scene there is so much more than the Latin music scene here in Seattle. Not to mention the obvious...the weather is much more favorable. I know I have a lot of contacts here and I am doing ok here. But I really don't see myself growing much more as an artist here. The majority of the people that I work with over here are pretty much just doing music for the hell of it, whereas I want to make this my career. How can I expect to get serious results if I am not around other serious musicians.  It's a tough decision to make, but I think that this is the best move for me. I am really nervous about my decision because starting all over is gonna suck for a while.  But I know that I just have to be confident in my abilities as an artist and put myself out there and just push for my dream.  Though I really want to move out of here, it's really hard because I need to save money for the move and I don't have a job STILL. What are these things called jobs and how do you get them? Seriously, why can I not get a job? I apply everyday and I have revised my resume several times to match what I think an employer would look for, but still NO LUCK.  Does anyone out there have any encouraging advice for me? It would really mean a lot...

Last Night's Performance...

So as I have previously stated (or have I?) I am a musician in Seattle. A singer to be exact... I would never even say that to anyone except online... I was told by a mentor of mine that I should never tell people that I am a singer if I don't want to sound like a diva. And when I think about it, he's right. A person that goes and exploits themselves like that really does seem cocky and arrogant. And though I haven't been on the scene for very long, I have met quite a few people that turn their noses up as they tell me that they are singers...I just grin and nod and maybe say something along the lines of "cool....." But whatever, thats who they are I guess. I really would prefer to let people know I am a singer when I actually get up on stage and sing. 

ANYWAYS, last night I had a performance at a pretty cool venue... Its a very good venue that plays host to a lot of names, big and small.  But to be honest I really hate performing there. The sound is crappy (their fault) and the stage is too small (my band leader's fault). I don't know why the band leader thinks that we (an 11 piece band) can all fit on that tiny stage. We need room to move! Oh well, anyways aside from the packed stage, there was also a packed audience! It was good to finally have a decent crowd at our show, even though most of the audience was probably there for the other group we were sharing the evening with. Lately we have been having issues with our turnout. I think it's because a lot of people really don't get the music. Yet the other band plays just about the same kind of music and they draw 300-500 people a show! ??? True our band hasn't been around as long as this other group but I think (as far as general musicianship goes) our players are some of the best ones out there.  But audiences here in Seattle really don't know the difference between one Salsa band and another. Seattle isn't exactly the Salsa capitol of the nation. I just hope that eventually people realize that we have the musicianship, the authenticity, AND the energy to bring a really good show! 

Anyways, I just wanted to reflect on the evening... Take Care!

El Blog numero 1...

I don't know how many people out there will read this or if anyone will read it at all. I mean I'm hoping that people decide to read it. But I just felt like I need to write out my life, my feelings, and everything that I go through because its so hard to be put on the spot when it comes to talking to people and expressing myself in person. So without further ado, I am just gonna explain a little about myself. Give everyone a nice little taste of what its like on my side of the fence. A lot of people think that the grass is greener over here...And sometimes its great and sometimes it's not so great.  Just like everyones life I guess. Right now its going pretty shitty. As you all know the economy is craptacular and, financially, everyone is going through their rough times.  

Me? I am only 23 years old and last year I graduated from college with a bachelor's degree in music. Now most people think that it is pretty pointless and stupid to want to get into music because they think that there are no real careers in music and that the only people that actually do have careers in it got really lucky. Maybe they did and maybe they didn't but the opportunities are out there. And to tell you the truth, music is the only thing I really see myself doing. It's the only thing that has ever brought me any joy to my life. I can't stand going to a 9 to 5 everyday and doing the same thing over and over. Every time I get a job like that I feel like my life is being sucked out of me and I end up quitting, gaining no real true experience and getting employers to turn me down for jobs or not even call me back for an interview. Now at this point I NEED a 9 to 5 to pay my bills, but because I have no experience in anything but music, nobody wants to hire me. Regardless of whether I went to college for 4 years and have a degree or not. 

The only way I have been able to pay my bills as of late is by doing gigs and recording. Which is what I want to be doing anyways, but since its the winter and with our country the way it is, it hasn't been very consistent. One of my weekly gigs got dropped because not enough people were coming to our show and spending money, therefore there is no money to pay the band. And even though it was a lousy $60 a week, I still depended on that. So now, my band has to go hunting for another weekly gig. 

Another recent happening is that I got fired from this restaurant that I have been working at for over a year. Now tell me if this sounds fair.... My bosses, who were also friends of mine, hadn't payed me in over a month even though they knew that I needed to be paid. So I finally told my boss that if he didn't pay me, I wasn't going to come to work because it would be a waste of my time. So when I didn't show up one day that I was scheduled to work, he leaves me a message saying that he would pay me my money but that I was no longer working at the restaurant. Now ain't that a bitch? Does that even make any sense? And get this...He couldn't pay me but he could buy $800 shoes, a $20,000 engagement ring, and spend $150 at our mutual friends b-day party? Wow... And then when I get my money he says "This is my mortgage that I am giving you, you know..."  Needless to say that we are no longer friends....

Well, this is it for right now. I'll be back to post later. Feel free to post your opinions....