Oblivion And The State Of The Rock Album

We did it.  We made a full length "story album" that clocks in at 57 minutes or so.  The story is called The Beginning Of The Endless Search For Oblivion and I'm really proud of it. It was NOT easy to make.  I think part of the pressure was that it had a format and structure throughout that hour long period that needed fierce attention or run the risk of being a weak link in a nice looking chain.  Now in the making of this album, or maybe even before, it dawned on me how dead the album format itself seems and how individual works seem much more practical for many reasons in the current day.  This is convenient as the next record I was planning was consisting of a bunch of songs anyway.  Now, instead of pressuring myself, locked into the need to put 12+ songs together, I can just release all sorts of different things periodically as they get finished. I never run out of ideas and at this point couldn't imagine stopping recording and creating...There is now enough material in the bucket to play a 2 hour + rock show of all original music.  By the time a few new songs are recorded, some songs would have to be dropped in order to make it in time.  Anyway, there's been no urgency in booking the band so I'm still sorting out who will play what in a live scenario and will continue to rehearse with whoever's around....on Wednesday nights.  Have been offered some cool playing opportunities where I can do original music only, which is my deal.  More on that to come.  It will be original Carribean flavored music played on classical guitar. Another project I have planned includes mainly drumming and singing.  By the way, don't get it twisted, there will be more albums that I will do, but while the state of music consumption is in such flux, best to stay loose, certainly as a drummer!  Leibowitz will be featured in next month's Rocktologist with an interview Tony and I did last week and some other stuff.  Aside from that, the record will be played in its entirety, by a soon to be named DJ at a soon to be announced time. The album will be available in a week or so and will be available at www.leibowitz.bandcamp.com .  You can check out Guitar For Money, our 1st LP while you're there. For even more news and clips, or to just become a supporter by being a "fan" you can visit www.reverbnation.com/leibowitzmusic .  Thank you so much for your support and friendship.

Leibowitz

Happy 2012, Now Where's Oblivion?

I don't feel like a rock star anymore...not like I ever was, but it felt that way in 2011 at some times.  We finished and released Guitar For Money, which has been an experience.  I have a stack of albums to send out this week as I type this.  It has been entirely a web and word of mouth thing.  As far as results, I've done zilch on Bandcamp thus far but just by understanding a bit more of how sites like that and ReverbNation, SoundCloud, etc. work none of the effort has been in vain.  It's simply a starting point or a mile marker if you're in the Florida Keys!  There has been TONS of encouragement by other artists that I admire as well as from my friends, who can be the toughest critics of all---which I do appreciate.  The music is out there and not for everyone but it takes guts to say that to me face to face but people do have their favorites.  I think until I completely satisfy my musical urges I'll continue.  There are new instruments I am considering really digging into. I've been practicing like crazy as Tony and I have taken a holiday intermission and then some before tying a lasso around the rest of the new album.  I'm extremely excited about it and can't wait until it is done to our satisfaction.  Tony will be in Los Angeles for the next month focused on his band Brass Knuckles, who are really doing great. He's one of the most natural musicians I've ever been around so I'm lucky he's in my band in the first place and has become a great pal as well. As for the concept of The Beginning of the Endless Search For Oblivion, this is the most structured and thought out work I have ever produced.  We even have "guest stars" on it from another country on 1 track so far.  Great ones at that! During this time now, I've been practicing electric guitar and its relationship within my rig, syncing up with numerous effects and the like.  I'm preparing to play live when I get the right gig so this is quite important but just as important for studio time in terms of practicality.  It sure helps to become a good techinician and electrician if you play any instrument....It's also been month after month of getting my drumming up to snuff as well which has me so sore and hopefully a better player!!! I've been exercising and strengthening my voice too so when we do final versions I'm handing it out like I should.  If this was a football game it's the 3rd quarter with 1:56 on the clock and I don't plan on this going into overtime since the story is set, as is the music.  The 4th quarter looms and since I write the script, keep the beat and so forth, I've saved the most exiting and radical stuff for last.  Hey, I put up stuff on ReverbNation but those are teasers....I have lots of extras in the vaults too.  Oh, we need reviews for Guitar For Money as we only had one done..a great one at that.  We even were featured on the Rocktologist in August so we know people are listening and some even love it.  Please blog up if you have the slightest interest in doing so, no matter how negative your comments are. Haven't been blasted yet and it would make me laugh and I'd like to get the 1st bad one out of the way as well! Well anyway, enough about me, I wish you and yours an amazing 2012...a safe, healthy and prosperous one at that.

www.reverbnation.com/leibowitzmusic
www.leibowitz.bandcamp.com

\m/ \m/

Josh

Back To The Fronton

Work continues today on the new record just like it has, in spurts, just like since we started in July.  As we get closer and closer to the album being done, my checklist usually shrinks but in this case as I finish something, new ideas crop up and sometimes toy with the idea of making this one even longer.  There aren't any rules anyway and the feedback with regards to the demos thus far has been even stronger than on the last record.  Although I am eager to have every last song finished for this and sit with it and make it what it will be as a finished entity, I'm enjoying the ride and want it to keep going!  Anyway, to all of the people who keep cheering me on and enjoying the music, thanks for listening and for your continued support...and some of you have been brutally honest which is great.  All I really needed was to know that some people would be kind of interested and you are!  Take care of yourselves and don't be afraid to press record and make your own music as it is rewarding and doable for anyone who cares enough to make it happen.

Breaking The Musical Barrier...Updates

Hi there!  I hope everyone is doing well where this finds you and not far from a good time.  Perhaps maybe actually catching you while having a good time, while listening to Guitar For Money?  Well, I have to tell you, making an album is fun...or at least it could be and should be.  I'm annoyed as a gig I was hoping to get fell through as the place was sold.  Times are tough for many and music is intangible so it doesn't NEED to be for sale to be heard and enjoyed...but I'd really like to get out and play a full set of original music in front of people as planned...like real humanoid folks but it might have to wait.   This is kind of convenient as we are in the midst of putting together a monster of an album and I've never had more musical ideas to capture.  Lately, I've been practicing every aspect of playing guitars and drums, composing, arranging and recording...There is no end goal to practicing but to improve and there is always room for improvement.  That and I've got the time!  For the past 3 months I've been traveling so much that I'm still getting used to being in one spot.  Haven't been to the studio in a few weeks but that is because I am backed up with all sorts of things to sort out before throwing more paint on the canvas.  I've been recording to the IPad and getting used to practicing for sessions for even better time management.  This comes in handy as I try to make every take count.  Every time I can figure out an arrangement at home, it saves me an hour or 2 of directional confusion once I get what I want down in the studio.  Weaving a song together to have an interesting structure is a real art form and one that I'm trying to explore.  The best results always seem to come out from studio work but to be prepared for that work and simply go in and not think and feel it and knock it out is always what I aim for.  Tony and I have around 5 more songs in production and 5 more after that--I've written one more for it that fills out the story nicely and I was surprised about that as I felt the main set was in stone.  You have to make a concept album on your own to know what that feeling is like, I guess!