Looking elsewhere….

The nerves were there- they always are- but my first show back from hiatus felt like a success, and also like an awakening.  The live  format I thought would be running full steam at this point in 2012 is lacking, yet enough to make me confident to take it "on the road".  Cellist? Check.  Percussion? Harder to keep around.  But I am pressing on, shaking the rust off my Alvarez acoustic and beginning to book shows OUTSIDE my comfortable LA surroundings.  In addition, I'm going to be playing open mics on a regular basis.  My intention is not only to perfect my performance and quell the nerves I so frequently receive after long breaks, but to get my music to new ears.  I am tired of fighting to get the same people to the same venues.

My first show "away" will be on May 4th in Canoga Park, CA... Let's hope the fact that I will know NO ONE and will promote very little will only strengthen the energy and power of my performance, and bring new fans and listeners.

The little things…

For a while there, I got caught up in the "full band" potential of my music, and began writing and rehearsing music for bigger venues, more instruments- and less honesty.  Since my EP came out almost a year and a half ago I have been desperately seeking to emulate what producer Tim Moore and I created those few months at Mas Music Studios in my live shows.

I am not proud of that.

This year I am going back to what I do best- writing emotionally draining love songs and performing them- well.  But with a catch.  I have a super inspired new format to the live show (and hopefully new recordings THIS YEAR) that includes SICK percussionist (but no full kit, ceiling bashing drums) Brandon Davis, and ridiculously hard-working cellist, Jarrett Furst.  If this isn't the year for me to finally settle on a performance "style", there may never be one.

Thanks to everyone who has followed this journey... My first live show back from this crazy hiatus is set for March 19th in West Hollywood, CA.  Let's make it real...

ph

Social Media Frenzy

Yessssss... I'm on a lot of different sites- but the only ones you need to worry about are:

So if you haven't "liked" or "followed" me yet, and you're still checking

this site for more than occasional updates and new music- get with it!

I'm all over those thangs!  Click on the social media above that you haven't

connected with me through, and get connected! Love you all-

here's to a SUPER productive 2012!  ...ph

Closure Video gone LIVE on YouTube! … Christmas for charity

The video for "Closure" is live on YouTube for anyone who wants to see it- I'll also put it on the media page for this site... Thanks to everyone who came out to support me and the cast/crew... I'm very happy to have had the experience.

Closure Screening, 12.4.11

Lately, besides the Paul & The Kir show recently to close out the year, I've let my music take a hiatus.  Time has been generously spent this past month creating and promoting a Christmas CD for Charity that includes music with co-workers at my restaurant (I work in West Hollywood so there is quite a bit of talent), so that's that.  If you'd like to hear a sample, check out this cover I'm doing with fellow singer/songwriter Krissy Kroft...

Other than that, I'm looking forward to some time with family very soon, and a VERY productive 2012.  Happy Holidays everyone!

“Worthy” single download and Closure video premiere!

The moment(s) has arrived! We have finished tracking/mixing/mastering   and arguing over my new single, "Worthy" and it is now available to the world on Soundcloud as a free download... It took a lot of time and energy (MANY THANKS TO MIKE DELAY OF EIGHT LANE STUDIOS) and I'm very happy with the final product.  I've been searching for a new direction as far as post-Secure Heart Borders recordings go, and I really believe we're on the right track in capturing the essence of my music- the goal being to release this track on another EP in 2012...

If you aren't in the loop or my circle of friends, you might not be aware that my first music video is premiering at a small bar in West Hollywood called Sheddy's Beer and Wine Bar.  I will be playing a short acoustic  set, then "Closure" will be played on a full size projector screen at both 11pm and midnight.  Here's the invite- you are of course, by reading this, are invited... Thanks again to all who took part in that video and I hope to see you there!

~ ph

Closure on the “Closure” video!

Last week we wrapped up a 12 hour day of filming on the music video for "Closure", the third track off my EP... Editing has begun, and we will- if all goes well- have a final edit by the first week of November!  I know, right?

The single "Worthy" is still in production with 8Lane Studios- all we have left to track are vocals and cello, then mixing begins on that as well... Busy, we be!

As usual, thanks to EVERYONE for all the love and support! And HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Fundraising a success! Recording commenced!

The "Massive Music & Wine Night" was held Friday, September 30th at the United Methodist Church in West Hollywood.  It showcased acoustic pieces of all my current projects (Bandana Boys, Paul & The Kir) as well as two of my favorite up-and-coming songwriters right now, Jaden LaRue and Lizz Potter.  The evening was a success in all aspects, and we have met our budget on kickstarter!

The next step in the process is several production meetings and a tentative shoot date for the "CLOSURE" music video is now set for October 15th (I know, right?!?!?!).  Thanks to EVERYONE involved who contributed to the project- I want nothing more than to make you all very proud.

In addition to the upcoming filming of my first music video, I am also two weeks into the process of recording "Worthy" with engineer/producer Mike Delay (of the band Tic Tic Boom!).  I am so very grateful to be so busy and to be able to look forward to two very specific, very REAL projects involving my music... Let's get there, friends...

Music Video?!?!

Crazy movement in the music front- finalizing which new song to get cracking on recording with Mike Delay at Eight Lane Studios, putting together a music night at the end of this month at a church in WeHo, and also set to film a music video for Closure with a GREAT group of friends that are putting the project together.  A passionate producer in Sheenalee Vint, a professional cinematographer in Phil Holbrook, and an insanely particular director in Marko Tomic... As a group, we have started a "fundraising" effort for the project on Kickstarter.com, and if you are feeling especially charitable towards seeing my music put to a visual, then please don't hesitate to give ANY amount possible to it... HERE IS THE WEBSITE- We are hoping to raise $1000 by the end of this month, and begin filming in the first week of October!!! Once again, thanks for all the love and support, friends...

Side Projects

As the summer wraps up, I'm putting some extra energy into some side projects- My good friend Kirstin and I are experimenting with some brand new material as a twosome in the vein of Tenacious D, calling ourselves Paul & The Kir, and my good friend Zach and I are uploading Youtube video collaborations (mostly covers) under the name, The Bandana Boys.  Who knows what will come of these separate pieces, but I know it's forcing me to write/create and practice more, and that's never a bad thing... Within the next few weeks I promise to have a few rough recordings of brand new material up on this site for 'review', and also- knock on wood- promise to have a professional recording(s) of something outside of the EP by October of this year...

Cheers, and thanks for all the support,

ph