The Best Year Ever
January
The year started off relatively slow; I had really began to dig into writing a new album and while Corrine was staying with me, many of new songs began to take shape. The end of January saw me traveling to Las Vegas to compete with the 505 chorus for the 3rd consecutive year, winning superior marks once again. The very same weekend, I sang with Horatio Sanz, of SNL fame, on stage at ASSSSCAT 3000; the show that really has defined a big part of this year for me.
Feb
In February I turned 23, a celebration that most of my friends can tell you lasted almost two weeks and included a Robyn concert, an espresso machine, the Lion King on broad way, dinner with friends at Dallas BBQ (my favorite NYC regular restaurant) and hilarity with visiting beauty Rebecca. I did very little writing in February, but managed to remain active in other areas: a cappella group Upper West Sound, subbing with Marble Collegiate Church, etc…
March
During the final, yet forever-stretching final weeks of winter, life consisted of laying low. Mid-month, to celebrate Corrine’s spring break, a group of us traveled to Lancaster and Gettysburg, PA and Washington, D.C. packed into a small van. The trip was a huge success: Amish hunting, battlefield singing (Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan), brewery festivities, ghost stories near an ancient cemetery, and a day-trip to D.C. for sightseeing galore. While in D.C. I bumped into good friend Jeff, whom I met around the same time the previous year on my trip to NYC with Vicky. Vicky, in turn, visited soon after, during her spring break and I was able to spend a week with her including St Patrick’s Day. Jeff visited NYC and the three of us had a great time together, including a hilarious round of Drag Queen Bingo (at which I claimed the blackout jackpot). I also began work with Solomon Page Group, which would eventually become my primary employer. Oh, and I saw Robin Williams perform improvisational comedy for free…two feet away from him.
April
Early in the month, Corrine & I’s co-written single “There Inside” was released to wide acclaim online to celebrate her birthday. The single earned over 500 hits in its first 3 days, mainly through only 2 websites. Using the momentum of this single’s success, I began to write on the album I had started in the winter prior. April also saw my continued involvement with Marble Church for its Easter season. At the end of the month, Corrine and I traveled to Amherst, where she went to College, for a relaxing (albeit college-crazy) weekend away.
May
In May I decided to leave Starbucks Coffee Company after 3 years, with the promise of a full time gig as Host for a prestigious restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. In the weeks before I was scheduled to start there, I had much more free time in between shifts at the coffee company, so I finished a re-mastering effort of my former album “NeuroCreatures;” which ultimately became “NeuroGenic.” During this process I wrote 3 new songs that I used for the re-release (the Machine ep), all 3 of which were written, recorded, and produced in less than 5 hours a piece. This project inspired me to produce an experimental album that would require me to write, record, produce, and release a song for every day of the week. The project was started on Monday, May 17th with the song “the Crime.” During the first day, I was able to achieve a solid end product, and unique album art for the release, which propelled me through the west of the week. The album, now titled “7 Days,” is still attracting an audience, and is my proudest accomplishment to date. It features several talented friends of mine (Lauren Bowling, Lauren Tart, and Jack Byrne) and incorporates accessible songwriting in strong fashion. I left the coffee company, started at the restaurant…
June & July
…and was out of a job only a week later. The only reason I was given was that “I wasn’t learning OpenTable fast enough,” however after only 1 day’s training I ran an entire shift at the restaurant without incident and was allowed to continue for the remainder of that week and the next. I never received criticism of my job performance directly, and I am still a little bewildered about what actually happened. More important than these events, though, was my exposure to an important showcase at the Iguana bar in Midtown at which I could perform my new material for audiences with connections to New York City music industry elite. Through this showcase I met several influential people who would soon expose me to some exciting aspects of industry presence in the city. I began to work with one such individual on the development of her songs. I am not at liberty to give out the names of these individuals, as they are in the midst of ongoing deals and it would be irresponsible of me to do so without their permission. To them, I say thank you. Much of this continued through July, which saw a fantastic 4th of July presentation over the Hudson River, John Krasinski and Amy Poehler at asssscat 3000, and the beginning of my work with the ACLU as their headquarters receptionist. I also began to put finishing touches on…
August
…”the controller,” the album that I had been developing on and off for more than a year. In order to finish this record I had to create an overarching story for the songs; I had to realize what happened in my life that caused me to develop them, and why they decided to come together the way they did. This album was the first that really incorporated a concept, and features some of my strongest production so far. August saw Hurricane Irene hit New York (you’ll have to ask me personally what I was up to the night before it did), Corrine’s return to the city from Summer break, the end of my year with former roommates James & Ivan (yay for Lauren and Lori!!), and my invitation to join Marble Collegiate as a full time singer with the acclaimed Sanctuary Choir.
September
I transitioned to Investment Banking Firm Credit Suisse to their Records Management Department early on in the month, eager to impress as my work experience began to gain prestige (ha ha). I was also informed that my Grandmother, Marianne, would likely only make it another few weeks after having been diagnosed with Brain and Lung Cancer and refusing treatment. I booked a flight home to visit her one last time, and penned “To An Angel” in her honor. This piece incorporates Gabriel Faure’s “Pie Jesu,” sung by Corrine, and an incredible string arrangement arranged by Brian Andrews. On the 26th of the month I returned home for the first time in 13 months and was able to spend some quality time with my family and a few friends. The site that hosts my music, and usually takes 15% of all profits, generously cut that down so that sales could go to my Grandmother’s hospital bills. During the week I spent home, Corrine came to visit as well and we were able to go to several of my favorite places: St Claire’s Winery, Sandia Crest, Santa Fe, South 14, the Manzanos, and others. We even got to see the balloon fiesta (though that was technically on the first of October). Oh, lest I forget, September saw my 50th ASSSSCAT 3000 show.
October
The trip to New Mexico was both comforting and enlightening. Not only did I realize more than ever that New York was the place I was meant to be, but also that family is deeply important and the friends that matter will be there for you when you need them. I was able to see many facets of my home in a new light, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity. My Grandmother passed shortly after I returned to New York, and I think about her often. I dressed up as a winter priest for Halloween (which turned out great), began writing new music, and toyed with creating a band with fellow musicians Brian Andrews and Andrew Sheron. Oh, and Cider Week was a great time…if you know me at all, you know my weakness for Cider. Unfortunately, October also saw the disbanding of Upper West Sound due to poor attendance. It’s not dead just…not happening right now.
November
A big part of the month revolved around my assignment at Credit Suisse, which ended the day after Thanksgiving. I mention this because there is a high possibility of returning to the organization after the New Year and because I won 750$ playing the office pool and know jack sh** about football. November saw me start Capoeira training, form a band (that will continue to work together through the New Year), working at the ACLU again, and a terrific Thanksgiving celebration that involved the Macy’s Day Parade (with the incredible and supportive Brea, and radiant Becky), and dinner at a Western themed Chelsea restaurant with Becky & Brian. The final note of the month rang out with the amazing Advent Concert at Marble Church, which has become an important part of my life in the city. It is a pleasure to sing with such talent every week and get paid for it.
December
Yes, it is only the 13th, so this will be somewhat incomplete…however all I can say is: working at CBS, arranging the First Noel to be released ASAP, Mom is visiting for a week and a half to spend Christmas in the city, Christmas services with Marble, Rockabilly holiday party awesomness with Becky & Brian on the 10th, Yankee swap with Corrine on the 13th, and New Year’s Eve in the best city in the world.
Ok, so I may just have the best life ever, or maybe I just had a great year, either way I leave you with these parting thoughts:
- The purpose of life, in my opinion, is simple: find what makes you happiest and pursue it to no end. Don’t be disappointed when every little thing doesn’t work out to achieve happiness, know and have faith that you are working towards the goal of happiness and that it is ultimately up to you. Live with love and happiness will follow.
- Don’t be afraid to take a risk every now and then, but don’t let others see you weak. If you look like you’re desperate for something, people will take advantage of you.
- If something is meant to happen, it will. If you want something to happen and it doesn’t, you may be going about it all wrong or you may have your priorities mixed up.
- The most important people in your life will never need a reason to be, they just will be.
- Things move fast, things move slow, strike a balance between them so you always know where you’re at and enjoy it while it lasts.
I don’t write greeting cards, I don’t like bullshit, and I am fucking serious.
