Do I Have Everybody's Attention Now?

Why did I choose music?

I haven't gotten that question lately. It is, however, one that has been running through my head. Is it fame? Fortune? The hope I may star in an Old Navy commercial fifteen years after my prime? No. None of those reasons. I chose this, because I love it.

It goes back to that day in Utica. I was playing guitar with Ryan's band and I was in the spotlight for at least two minutes. In those two minutes, I felt the greatest rush that anyone could possibly feel. Playing music for people and getting a reaction. That's what I love. That's what I live for.

Which brings me to my announcement tonight. I want to feel that rush again. I want to feel it on a grand scale. More importantly, I want to make a career doing it. To do so, I need to get some exposure. So for that reason, I am happy to announce the following.

On Saturday, February 16th, 2013 at 2:00pm EST, I will be auditioning for the upcoming season of NBC's The Voice!

I'm tired of being the musician who writes in his bedroom, goes out and plays for twenty people, comes home, rinse and repeat. I want be heard. I want the world to hear my voice. I want to have a room full of people sing my songs back to me. The only way I can get there is through this opportunity.

These open mic nights? Rehersal. The real fun comes in February. What do I have to lose right? If I do awesome, the world gets to hear my voice. Mission accomplished. If I don't, I keep trying. Not like they have an age limit. Right, Idol??

The road to The Voice begins tonight! Who wants to come with??

Lessthanthree,
Doug

Let October Come

What a crazy summer. That's the best way I can possibly describe it. Let's get the important stuff out of the way first.

If I take nothing away from the last few months, one thing will be certain. I will always be surrounded by people who care. If you're reading this now, odds are you're one of those people. For those who don't know, I was on the verge of leaving music, making about 6 years of school completely meaningless. The reason I decided to keep going, was all of you. You told me not to quit. Which means that you believe I'm pretty good at this whole singing thing. From here on in, the only way I'm going to give this up is if you say so.

Now here's the plan for the future.

It's time to promote my Black And White EP. The only way I'm going to do that is go out and play. If pulled some strings so I'll at least be able to go to open mic nights. More than likely I'll be at Red House Cafe and Funk N' Waffles. Either way, I start spreading the word in October. Hopefully, this leads to me getting on some local shows.

Speaking of EPs, after a bit of thought and writing, I do have another EP on the way. I'll begin fine tuning in within the next few months. Once I get some more money, I'm back to the studio again. I can't give away the name or anything yet. Let's just say that creating this round of songs was a scary process.

Finally, I think everyone will agree that I haven't done a YouTube video in a long fucking time. It's time to get back to what I do best. Here's what I had in mind.

"Stay Awhile" by Ryan Star
"It Must Have Been Love" by Roxette
"Snuff" by Slipknot
"Daniel" by Elton John
"Hero" by Foo Fighters
"Lightning Crashes" by Live

If you would like to add to the list, let me know what you want to hear.

You guys don't want me to quit. So I won't quit. I can't. This is what I love. Let October come...

Lessthanthree,
Doug

PS: I've been staring at this web page for months now. Your thoughts? http://www.nbcthevoice.com/how-to-audition/audition-process.php

Three More Days

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is an actor who's work has been known for many years. From 3rd Rock from the Sun to his mysterious role in The Dark Knight Rises, the man knows how to entertain his audience. What I didn't know until recently, however, is he has other talents beyond acting. A few months back, I was looking at cover songs as I usually do on YouTube when I came across a little gem. It was Joseph Gordon-Levett holding an electric guitar and performing a cover of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance". All things considered, it was a solid performance. While he isn't the best singer ever, he was comfortable and confident. The fact he was able to make a crowd happy with just his voice and an instrument is a true accomplishment. And then it hit me.

That's what I want to do.

Someone once told me that "nothing is ever in black and white". Contrary to her words, the stories I tell in my songs are about as black and white as you can get. They are simple, true, and from the heart. With that being said, I went into the recording studio and performed each one with just my voice and guitar. It was the most comfortable and honest I've ever felt as a musician and I'm finally ready to share it with you. Some musicians make you wait weeks or months. If you're Guns N' Roses, it takes twenty years and a free Dr. Pepper. According to my poster reveal tonight, you only need to wait three more days.

The link for SoundCloud will be posted on the 15th. The first four songs will be available for free download while the bonus tracks will be stream only. Here's the track list!

October
Hallway Lights
Distance
Everybody's Hero
To The Moon And Back (Bonus Track)
Just Close Your Eyes/Metalingus (Bonus Track)

Whether you are loyal to Twitter or Facebook, the wait is almost over. I'm proud of what I have made and am happy to share it with the rest of you. In 3 days, click the link to SoundCloud, download the EP, and spread the word. The more people that listen, the more awesome this experience will be.

Special thanks goes to SubCat Studios for helping me make this record and the lovely Karina Lenartowicz (aka Ms. Nigel Barker) for making the poster.

July 15th! Black And White EP! Who's ready for it?!

Lessthanthree,
Doug

PS: Stay tuned for updates on my Facebook and YouTube pages. Change is ALWAYS for the better after all.

Final Thoughts

I'm not sure if I can quite describe how I feel right now.

Anxious. Nervous. Excited. Uncertain. Happy. Scared. Hopeful.

None of those words seem to do any justice. In a few hours, I will enter a recording studio for ten hours with my voice and my electric guitar. The final product will be my four song demo. Simple, honest, and from the heart. All I can think of now is the people that helped me to get to this point. I'd like to take this time to thank them.

Mark Chatwin - For almost fifteen years, you helped me find confidence as a singer and performer. You never gave up on me, even on days where I had no faith in myself. I've come so far because of you and I can't wait for you to hear what I've created.

Mrs. Linda Nolan - I think that one line in Prometheus says it best. "Big things have small beginnings." Mark Chatwin would never have been brought to my attention if it weren't for you. You truly were the start of my musical journey and for that, I thank you.

Professors Jean Loftus and Todd Graber - The two of you taught me a very important lesson. I can't make it in music on talent alone. It take technique, hard work, dedication, practice, and a clear understanding of the material one is given. Both of you helped me to perfect my craft. I keep the lessons you've taught me in mind to this very day.

Ryan Star - The year was 2002. Your band was called Stage. The night I saw you climb to the top of that amplifier was the night I decided a musician is what I wanted to be. Between that, your advice, and your songs, I can truly say that you have inspired me to take a chance and try to make this dream real.

Lauren Saliba - I doubt you'll read this but it needs to be said. Believe it or not, I want to say thank you. Despite the negativity between you and I, you have actually made quite a positive impact on this musician. Had I never met you, I would have nothing to write about. Thank you for giving me songs to write.

Last, but certainly not least....

Mom, Dad, Greg, and Karina - The four of you have stood by my side through everything. You seen me at my best and my worst and never left my side regardless. The only thing I can do in return is promise all of you that I will make you proud of me. I love you all!

I am ready now. Wish me luck.

I wanna be Supeman
A god in a crimson cape
Not one whose fortune's come too late
I wanna be everybody's hero
Starting with myself


Lessthanthree,
Doug

Who Is Jason Lane?

For those who don't know, I have been a Superman fanatic for as long as I can remember. My best memory from my childhood was watching the 1978 Richard Donner movie. From that moment on, I believed I was Superman. Mom even made me my own cape. Wore that around the house all the time.

Today, that movie has new meaning for me. Richard Donner's Superman is arguably the best origin story ever told. It's sequel was also a great continuation of the saga. Years later, Bryan Singer would continue the tale with Superman Returns. Contrary to popular opinion, I believe that movie is one of the best comic book movies ever made. Not the best, but it sure wasn't as terrible as people say. Which brings us to the question that has been asked on twitter for some time.

Who is Jason Lane?

The answer to this question was supposed to be answered in the form of a sequel to Superman Returns. Since, however, Warner Bros. were more interested in profits instead of depth in their stories, it never came to light. That ends today. The story I share was you continues the story that Bryan Singer started while at the same time paying homage to elements of Superman's vast universe. I'm no novelist, I don't work for DC Comics, and this story will probably never see the light of day aside from anyone reading this right now. To not share this with you, however, is to leave a great story incomplete.

So without further delay, this is the first entry in my continuation of the Richard Donner saga.

THE NEXT SUPERMAN

Episode 1 - Memory Lane

Lessthanthree,

Doug

54 Days

You've been very patient. I know that I have. Five years of patience to be exact. Mark this date.

On June 18th 2012, I will lock myself into SubCat Studios for ten hours and make my first EP. Just so you guys aren't completely in suspense. Here's the track list. These songs can be found on my YouTube page.

Everybody's Hero
October
Hallway Lights
Distance

Let the countdown begin. 54 days....

Lessthanthree,
Doug

I Don't Have A Harmonica

I want to rant tonight. Sometimes you just need to. Keep in mind that while what I'm about to say may not apply to all of you, I want everybody to listen carefully because obviously this doesn't sink in.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I am not the best musician in the world. I don't have the guitar skills of Hendrix, I'm not as deep as Cobain, I don't play piano like Mozart, and I sure don't have the voice of Josh Groban (even though I really, really want it). I would like to believe, however, that God gave me an amazing gift that is my voice and with this voice I have set out to become the most REAL musician in the world.

For the record, I, like other "popular" musicians out there, tend to use a four chord formula. The difference between me and everyone else? I'd like to believe I tell a damn good story with those four chords. Speaking of stories, there isn't a lyric that I have written that wasn't true. They are real stories from the heart and put onto paper. For this reason, I don't write a song every thirty seconds. I write when I feel inspired. Sometimes I'll manage three songs in a night. Most of the time it'll take me six  months before I get inspired again. Speaking of time, it's something that NONE OF US have anymore. So in case you're wondering why I don't play five shows a week or have out anything resembling a recording, it's because I have a job that just so happens to be at night. I use this job to pay bills. Sometimes it tires me the hell out. So on days off, I tend to do things other than record, write, or play music. Example: Realaxing. Doesn't mean I'm not passionate, it just means I need a break from everything.

All of those things are not only what make me as a person but they also make me as a musician. I knew that there would be people who get it and people who didn't. And while I appreciate the love from my supporters (you know who you are), I can't help but feel that there is a handful of people that have said or do say that they enjoy what I do but really don't.

Is it cause I don't have charisma? Is it cause I don't have a death metal scream? Perhaps I'm too emo? Are my lyrics not deep enough for you? Maybe they're too corny? Do I not have enough tattoos? Or is it because I don't have a harmonica around my neck?

This is where I hit you with the truth. When it comes to music and my life, I have a plan. I have a mindset. I will be damned if I let anybody change that. With that said, if you do like what I do then by all means thank you and keep listening and spreading the word. If you don't like what I'm doing, sure it sucks to hear that. But I would rather be told that you don't like it rather than discover that you didn't. The truth hurts but lies are far more painful. I would rather everyone told me I sucked at this music thing. At least then I could fix myself so that I don't suck. Trust me, I've become quite good at fixing myself.

The bottom line, if you like my music, awesome. If you don't, don't waste my time by telling me that you do.

Part of me wishes I didn't have to say all of this, but I'm not one to hold it all inside. Blame the Prima Donna in me. At least I feel better now...

Lessthanthree,
Doug

It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

Tonight's entry comes a day late. Hangovers kinda make it hard to write. I'm sure you all understand.

I'm gonna be about as blunt as I can be. The year 2011, all things considered, really sucked.

Don't get me wrong. There were some great moments. Some of you, however, who know me best know that this was one roller coaster ride I didn't want or ask to be on. Bottom line, this was a year of uncertainty. Where was I going in life? Who could I trust? Does anyone even like me? Will I be in debt forever? Too many questions and not enough answers.

It wasn't until August that the dawn finally came. Boy, did that sun shine. I got a secure job for once. I still do. Through them I was able to get myself some wheels and contrary to popular opinion I was still able to make music. The feather in the cap, however, was New Year's Eve. It's funny how people say "the pen is mightier than the sword." The pen I used that day was used to obtain freedom. That's right. After twenty-five years, I will no longer be a resident of my parents house. It was a big step. Still hasn't sunk in either.

With that, I wash my hands of 2011. 2012 is supposed to be the year the world ends. If that's true, I'm gonna make this year count. These aren't resolutions. Resolutions never come to pass. These are promises.

I will release some kind of CD before the year's end.

I will run Arcon's very first King of Iron Fist Tournament. Details to come.

I have three ideas for stories. I will finish them.

But most importantly, I don't care if I make it in music, hospitality, vitamins, or if I take a new route and go fuck crazy working for the post office. The only thing that matters is that I will be successful.

The new day is here. The slate has been wiped clean. Time to write the next chapter.

Lessthanthree,
Doug