Another year around the sun…
I call this, a “Birthday Poem:”
Another year around the sun
Another year of love and fun
Another year aimed at peace
Another year with groovy beats
Another year finding new ways to laugh
So 36, let’s kick some ass.
“Something Good” out May 7th.
I’ll be releasing my first single “Something Good” off my upcoming album on May 7th. It’s an upbeat, anthemic cry to end loneliness!
Speaking of which, I’ve been working hard on a stop-motion lyric video that I’ll release jointly with the song.
Enjoy a clip here:
My Mom’s Story
Today’s episode of “Your Lunch Break”
I chatted with my Mom, Ana Hall, who arrived to the United States when she was 13 years old. We talked about her experience immigrating to the States at such a young age, and learned a little bit about what life in the 50’s was like in Cuba.
(Click here and find the episode titled “Cuba Guest: Ana Hall”)
We also listened to some great Cuban music and I’ve updated the Your Lunch Break Playlist with a lot of the songs from today’s episode.
Enjoy:
BandCamp Friday!
Happy BandCamp Friday everyone! I am enjoying this monthly tradition of playing my favorite songs on BandCamp for my radio show Your Lunch Break.
If you aren’t aware, BandCamp is a website that allows artists to sell their music and receive a very fair cut of the profits. What makes BandCamp even more special is that the first Friday of every month they wave their 15% revenue share, giving all but the processing fee to the artist.
Check out my BandCamp profile! Perhaps there is an album or song you don’t own yet?
Today’s episode of Your Lunch Break was full of love for BandCamp AND my friends who’ve got music on the site. I played these artists today, and I encourage you to explore their page, support them with a follow and purchase!
The #SomethingGoodChallenge
I have a new album on the way and I’ll be releasing the first single, “Something Good,” on May 7th. I’ve teamed up with Candace Taylor to create a dance for the chorus of the song am challenging all of you brave goofballs to learn the dance, film yourself doing it on your phone, then send it over to me. I will compile them all to make a music video!
You can learn the dance in its entirety, pick and choose your favorite parts, or you can do a freestyle with your cat. Anything goes. The funnier/happier the better.
Submit your video to SomethingGoodChallenge@Gmail.com by April 19th!
Here is a demonstration/tutorial of the dance:
Today’s Your Lunch Break
Here is an updated playlist of the songs spun during this weeks Your Lunch Break – the theme was “Spring Has Sprung.”
Here are a few fun facts about Spring:
1. The fall and spring equinoxes are the only two times during the year when the sun rises due east and sets due west.
2. While springtime brings flowers and warmer weather, it may be the worst time for human babies to be born. A large-scale study found that babies born in the spring are more likely to develop schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and anorexia…. (yikes!!)
3. Holidays that occur in spring include Easter, Passover, April Fool’s Day, Earth Day, Arbor Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Cinco De Mayo, and Holi (festival of colors in India).
We listened to everything from The Beatles to Solange — everything to get us into the mood for Spring. You can enjoy this feel-good mix right here:
Your Lunch Break Playlist Update
Here is an updated playlist of the songs spun during this weeks Your Lunch Break – the theme was “Songs that Questlove loves.”
I just finished reading his book “Creative Quest” – in where he shares his philosophies on creativity while using his personal examples of living with a creative brain. He also shares the story behind a lot of songs from both The Roots and other artists that he’s worked with, so I complied those songs into a playlist.
You can tune into Your Lunch Break live every Friday at 1pm EST on Imposter Radio. Here is this weeks playlist:
600 Days Without Alcohol
600 days ago I decided to take a break from alcohol. I woke up one morning after a night of drinking and came down with a cold. I thought I’d take a week off to help myself heal a bit… and well, that week led me down a path of self-discovery that I must have been eager to travel on, because I haven’t turned around yet.
I have come to the conclusion that I’m not my best self under the influence of alcohol. I become over-the-top, wildly deaf to the needs of others and incredibly ego driven.
To be completely honest, I don’t seem to have a massive issue with other substances. I find myself to be very productive, creative, and health conscious while using marijuana. Psychedelics have offered me amazing spiritual awakenings. I can even find balance in the simple pleasures that caffeine and sugar has to offer.
But alcohol, I’m learning, is not my friend. In fact, it’s the kind of substance that makes me lose friends!
How many apologies do we get in our life? I feel like we’re gifted with an unlimited amount of “I love you’s,” but “I’m sorry” can rack up some serious emotional debt. The past 600 days have been about claiming accountability for my previous actions, and paying a lot of my debts.
I’m realistic and understand that tomorrow may very well deliver its temptations, but in this moment, I’m happy. To briefly loosen alcohol’s suffocating grip is worth it, if even for a second of air.
My Love – out now!
“I’ve had to grow, but now I’m home with you, my love”
I’m super happy to release this collaboration with Sean Grandillo out in the wild today. What started as a lighthearted “catchup sesh” over FaceTime, ended as one the sweetest collaborations.
This song has all the right ingredients to fill you with good vibes, and I recommend listening to this while eating something sweet, staring at a blue sky and hangin with some one you care for deeply.
“My Love” can be found on all of your favorite streaming services, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and you can also take a listen right here:
My Love
… is never gonna let you down.
Sean Grandillo and I started collaborating remotely on a song in early January. We set up a FaceTime call just to see if either of us hand any ideas and slowly the melody of this chorus started to unravel and reveal itself. We spent a solid month sending recording files back and forth – developing and ultimately gushing over each others new additions to the tune.
We are releasing the song everywhere this Friday, 3/12, but you take take a sneak peek right here and now: