Hello, 2015.

I don't even know where to start.

I was going to write a post, but I may have encountered a huge writer's block.. As usual.

I've been trying to get back into music, but I can't seem to bring myself to it for some reason.
I need this sanctuary where I can get myself up and running again.

Guess I'm going through this phase where I'm trying ensure I've got a job secured.. And it's pretty obvious that I put in quite a bit of effort in doing so.

I'm listening to a little something I'd like to announce in a few more weeks after I get a hold of a friend of mine and discuss further details around a few things.

I'm listening to a few things that I'd like to call.. magic.
It's a natural talent to some. Unfortunately, for me, I've always had issues trying to make it natural (hence, it's a natural talent to some, right?). I'm listening to a couple of sessions I worked over last year, and I'm pretty happy with the results. No such things as "further improvements". Sounds right as it is right now.

I wish I can get some of that enthusiasm back, and work further on it.
I get very frustrated with myself when I'm inactive around songwriting.. It used to happen like nobody's business over a few months, and now I'm slacking off in a very unproductive matter.. However, I find it surprising that I'm not the only one like this.

I know I used to treat it as work when I got into some serious recording phase in 2011-2012.
Now all that stopped for some reason - ever since I had to move to New South Wales and face the city life, getting a job, and planning for the future.

In short, I guess I'm growing up.

I can go on about the above, but let's see what else has happened.

I found a new source of inspiration.
Or new sort of music. Not that it was written around this era.
It's the Dixie Dregs.
Steve Morse to be more specific.

Steve Morse happens to be one of the most versatile guitarists of this era. I've never heard a virtuoso that plays in all styles whenever they feel like it. Jordan Rudess falls under this category as well.

I picked up a couple of things by listening to a lot of Steve Morse (like the same way I force fed myself with Dream Theater music to understand how odd measures work), and artificial harmonics would be one of the key learnings I've picked up from Steve.

It's not a new trick, just that Steve presents it in a very unique manner that has his signature written all over it. Like the violin effect.

Right now, I'm listening to a track that I'd never imagine I'd help out with.. And thanks to months of practice (I've gotten better ever since then!), I've implemented artificial harmonics to a rhythm track. A rather strange technique, but it does have the right feel.

I'm confident enough that if I were ever asked to play live for the parts I recorded, I'm pretty sure I'll nail it at one go.. Unlike the earlier days, I remembered I recorded chord by chord (I was going to with the note-by-note approach).. And it wasn't a pleasant experience after you listen to the playback.

It's perfect, yes. But as a guitar player, it disgusted me somehow.
Thank goodness that moment's gone.

Also, it's not old news that BB King recently left us from the music world.
It's a bit sad that the world is losing guitar players that invented really good sounding music..

I mean, the next thing we know, we find Satch or Vai .. gone.

I'll probably be in tears by then.

Most of us grew up listening to these guys.

Life's too short to complain about things we hate or dislike.
Sometimes I wish I heard less of this when I'm out and about.

Then again, who am I to make a change?

Right?

That's when we come back to the whole point of not sharing personal thoughts..
As we grow older, critics tend to be louder too..

Perhaps it's the quality of life we have in this era.
Maybe that's the problem.

Maybe..