Creation into musical art

Creating something from nothing

Music is one of those things that can be interpreted by any person in multiple ways.  It speaks to people on many levels regardless of genre.  Have you ever thought about all the work that goes into creating that 3-5 minutes of audio pleasure?  You have recording process, editing and not to mention the actual creation of the idea.  

Alan Field and The Beards are still making their way into the music scene and I had the opportunity to sit down with some of the band members and get their process behind making music.  I figured it was something that had a certain flow to it, but turns out it really doesn't. 

Creating music, much like creating anything, can come from experience.  True artists can find inspiration in almost anything.  This is true for musicians as well.  But that idea still has to make its way onto paper, then into the minds of the instruments, then into the hands of the editor before it can finally take its final resting place in our ears.

It is truly rewarding for any creator when the finished product hits iTunes or take it old school with a CD.  Whatever the medium, the final piece is what we all see.  Behind the scenes is what people don't seem to think about anymore.  It is fascinating to see the whole picture behind that creation.

Not cut out for editing

This story for me was so much fun.  Seeing the stacks of notebooks full of little scribbles and notes for songs, listening to the artists thought process and finally hearing some of the final products.

The problem came from the editing process.  I have found that I am not one for the technical aspect of reporting.  It finally all came together, but this product was not easy to come by.

Completely unfamiliar with the tools at my disposal, I took some time to play with them and research it all.  This however went completely out the window when I sat down to cut the interviews.  Transferring over some of the band members audio was ridiculous and ended up with the loss of some it.  I also couldn't get some of the sounds to play over the track the way I wanted them to, so we scratched them!

Either way, I still had a great time as usual with the story.  Makes you really think about what sort of process other artists go through in their particular medium.  What sort of things do you think a painter goes through that differs from a woodworker?  Is it just the final vision or is it something more than that?

Complaints never sounded so good

What really makes you mad?

When I pulled up to the UT Arlington Fort Worth Center Gallery for the Complaint Departments second gathering there were drinks in hand and bagpipes playing next door for a wedding.  While the event is still a budding operation, everyone seemed to be right at home and who wouldn't when strangers convene to vent their frustrations over a nice cold beverage.

The idea brought such a huge smile to my face when I first heard about it.  An hour and a half of alcohol and complaining?  Sign me up!  It was sort of crazy to think that people would be able to get along so well and bond over shared complaints about the everyday world.  Work bring you down, neighbors dog leave their mark on your lawn or someone steal your parking spot?  It's all relative at the Complaint Department.

Assimilation

Initially when I walked up, I was greeted and then when I told them about the twitter story I was producing they pointed me in the direction of three people.  I talked to all three like they were in charge as I explained myself, but it turned out only one of them was in charge and the other two were complaining.  Needless to say I was a tad embarrassed.  I was told the best way to get the story would be to grab a drink and leave my complaints at the cork board for their culmination into a lyric later on to be placed on YouTube.

I had no clue what to expect when I first opened up my Shiner, but it was really easy to mingle with complete strangers and have them listen to my ceaseless complaints.  The area was set up in two stages; one inside the gallery where the snacks and drinks were located and the second was outside were tables were set up and cork boards lined the wall to place your complaints on them.

The time spent there seemed to fly by too fast as after three beers it was time to start stacking chairs.  I offered to help out as did most of the other patrons.  While we were doing all that, I heard the best complaint of the day.

"My biggest complaint is that none of these are complaints."

Now, I don't know who said it, but it was the most quotable one of the night and definitely made me laugh because it showed me how absolutely anything can rub us the wrong way.  Not even the complaints are safe at the Complaint Department.

The extras

Head over to my twitter @Zamora_Gabe to see the whole remote story and for more information on the Complaint Department visit their website at www.thecomplaintdeptfw.com.  Leave your complaints in the comments and maybe I'll see you out there next month for the next event!

Brought together for music and beards

Gearing up with Alan Field and the Beards

More than just friends

Alan Field has been a solo project for years.  After the recent release of his solo album, An Asian Kid with White Parents, Alan recruited the help of some of his friends to create a 5-man group known as Alan Field and the Beards.  The band consists of Alan Field, lead-vocals and guitar; Cameron "C-Lo" Lopez, guitar; Keagan Nelson, drums; Harrison King, keyboard and Levi Looper, bass.

The musical process

Alan Field And The Beards are always working on their craft, as the slideshow suggests and always looking ahead to the next step.  During practice, they are serious about the music but playful during the breaks as they poke fun at each other over a couple of beers.  While the music may be on the softer side, the group plays with tons of energy.

The band recently headlined a show on Sep. 19.  There was much preparation involved before they began and all of the band members had their doubts.  However, the Beards played stupendously and Alan Field hit the mark.  The show at the Prophet Bar was featured on UTA Radio and part of the performance was filmed for a music video.

A bit more background

The shots of the practice were taken in Keagan's living room at his home in Azle, Texas.   During this particular practice, the group invited out a professional videographer to get footage together to create a video, hence the bright lights in the backgrounds.  Watching a band grow from the beginning is something to be proud of.  They may one day play sold out amphitheaters, and this blogger will be able to say, "oh yea? I shared a Shiner with all of them around a dining room table while eating burritos."

If you want to learn more about the band, check out their Facebook here at Alan Field And The Beards or follow their twitter @AFandTheBeards.  Follow me on twitter @Zamora_Gabe and leave a comment about the band or other up and comers. 

The Ballpark hosts more than just baseball

 From baseball to parties

Just about everyone associates a baseball field with baseball, and, well, that's right on the money.  What most forget about is that there are other events that go on there besides baseball.  People plan weddings, parties, gatherings, graduations and so forth all to take place at a baseball venue.

With all that being said, I am proud to say that not only do I work baseball games in the Capital One Club, but I also work events as a bartender.  September 21 was one of those days where I worked a couple of events that left me appreciating the serenity of an empty stadium.

The wedding

Like any other wedding, it began with a ceremony that brought tears of joy complete with hugs and high fives.  We set up our bar on the second level of the Hall of Fame next to the reception area.  After the vows were said, the fun began.

My fellow banquet bartender and I started out getting into our groove and turning tickets faster than a traffic cop.  This bridal party was not afraid to hit the liquor and hit it hard.  Serving 150 people from one bar can get a little hectic when they run through three bottles of Patron Silver.


The night rages on, drunken love songs sung, cake sliced and drinks all the while.  Normally we get small breaks in between to grab some food and take stock of what items we need to replenish, but not tonight.  We are informed that the sorority party next door at the Diamond Club is beyond capacity and the bartenders need help making drinks.  Needless to say, we get thrown into the mix as soon as the wedding ended at 11 p.m.

The party

Sweat.  Everywhere you turn there is someone breathing in your ear from the lack of room.  The lines wrap around three separate bars as TCU sorority and fraternity members crowd the venue.  The Diamond Club is not small by any means, but the sheer number of people trying to get to food, the bar, the bathroom or the dance floor is just overwhelming.

Don't have too much other detail for this other than it all turned into a blur until the party finally ended a little after 1 a.m.

Salvation

After the craziness of the night, walking out to the home run porch and just looking at the field without stepping in a forgotten hotdog really made it all worth while.  Seeing the Ballpark completely empty like that reminded me of the vastness that it all is and getting caught up in a moment makes you forget the simple things.

The paycheck from that day was sweet, too.

What was a time where you reminded to take time to breathe and appreciate the little things?  Be sure to check out pictures from other events these past few weeks on my twitter @Zamora_Gabe and be sure to leave me a comment down below.