Category Archives: Other

Me&the kids in a NAMM PSA (now on your TV)

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This was as much fun as it looks like !  This is a public service announcement for NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) to promote playing and learning music.

Since I know you like behind-the-scene pictures, here’s one so you can see how it was shot (Picture by Happy Ron Hill):

Video Shoot 2013 PSA NAMM

This was 2012… Happy New Year !

HappyNY2013

Time to look back…

In terms of music, there’s a lot of things to be happy about:

  • I got 3 articles published about me and my musical endeavors in the San Diego Reader (still the largest weekly magazine in San Diego with a print of 150k+)
  • Two singles were released: “Secret” debuted on KPRIs Homegrown Hour in March. “(Not Our) Ride Home” was covered by the Reader when I released its photo video on 11/2/12  in honor of the victims of a bus crash that happened in March (with mainly kids on it). Too bad 2012 had another incident where this song applies to, in the US this time, leaving too many families with a lot of questions and a lot more grief to deal with. The song is available in the “Store” tab, and a free download link is available upon request.
  • A short film with my music score went from the 48H Film Project to the San Diego Film Festival, guaranteeing me an entry as “composer” in the IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base). A dance track I wrote and produced was used in another short film and its trailer won “Best Trailer” award at the 48H Film Project 2012 in San Diego.
  • To top it all off, I received an award (and a little bit of cash along with it)! Every year, ASCAP gives out ASCAP+ awards to songwriting members whom have not established  a significant royalty income yet, but have shown promising results in the past year (2011). I guess my entry in IMDB in the “Soundtrack” category with my song “Losing Time” (in a short film screened at the Temecula Valley International Film Festival) was part of the reason I got this award…
  • Most of all, I had a lot of fun playing 28 shows, meeting a lot of great people and hearing a good amount of great music last year. More shows are coming up soon…

A lot of things happened on the personal side. Suffice to say that 2013 can be a better year in many ways than 2012 in that respect. Of course, it can always be worse.

But I’m not planning on that !

So, Happy New Year and thanks for tuning in !

Carl

 

Video Thursday – Ben Howard covering Call me Maybe

Ben Howard covers Call Me Maybe in the Live Lounge

Ben Howard performs a cover of Carly Rae Jepsen’s track, Call Me Maybe in the Radio 1 Live Lounge.
I hadn’t heard of Ben before stumbling upon this one. A very interesting version and probably a good introduction to the style of this British songwriter.
Oh yeah: has an amazing voice… check it out for yourself. (Bonus points for the bass player for also playing drums. Or the other way around.)

Video Thursday: Wonderwall from Oasis (Ryan Adams) – by Megan Hope


https://youtube.com/devicesupport


In this cover of Ryan Adam’s version of Oasis’ hit “Wonderwall” local San Diego artist Megan Hope really shines. This rendition brings out the best in her vocal sound while also showcasing her guitar playing abilities. I met her for the first time in 2009 when I played my very first solo show at a little church in Golden Hill, San Diego (a very cool&intimate venue called “The Marquee”, that unfortunately was short lived). She performed with a duo called “Novel Concept” and already then her vocals were a highlight of the evening. Please listen and share, she deserves to be heard !

PS: when I run out of local artists to post about, I’ll add someone “famous”. But doesn’t seem it’s gonna happen soon :). Here is Megan on Reverbnation.

Video Thursday – Going French – From Belgium: Stromae “Alors on Dance”

Stromae - Alors on danse (clip officiel)

Stromae is a multi-award winning Belgian artist from Belgian-Rwandan origin. This song from 2009 was a number one hit throughout Europe. It accurately captures “l’ennui” of the anonymous working guy in a big city with mainly first-world problems to worry about. Being a dance song, this is definitely a bit different than the previous posts, but surely worth a listen !