This was not our first show, but it was definitely an interesting one. We were playing at the Blue Parrot in Massapequa. Which, as a quick backdrop, is a medium sized bar owned and operated by some very cool and accommodating people. They had another band scheduled to play that night, but that band canceled so they called us up. When the event planner from the Parrot called me to say that they would like us to play it was a very good feeling. We had played only one show there a couple of months prior and they remembered us.
They made us feel right at home, they let us take as long as we wanted to set up, they supplied us with a drink or two. We really couldn't have asked for a better set up. Playing with us that night was Micheal Kormusis who was playing a solo acoustic act called The Mikey K Project. The good thing about this set up is our fans like his music and his fans like ours. Usually when you share time with another band the other band's fans leave. Not the case with our fans, which is a very good sign. Over all, it was a good night, we sounded great, everyone there was enjoying themselves. Nothing like kicking back after a good show with a drink, laughing and talking all night.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
A look inside the band, The Daydreamer
I intended to start writing this blog some months ago when the band formed to keep track of rehearsals, shows and overall thoughts from inside the band. I also wanted to write this blog from the perspective of someone that hadn't had any experience with music or a band before. To catch you up, my name is Thomas and I play the bass guitar. It wasn't like that 8 months ago, though.
In my experience, when you talk about music, there are two types of people. Those that listen and like music, and those that hear and understand it. I used to be the former, I had no experience of being in a band or playing an instrument. I was like most people and thought that I didn't have "it". You know, that inbred talent that musicians have that make them see and hear music in a different way. It's the same feeling a person who doesn't know anything painting gets, when they look at the Mona Lisa. While its great and cool, you just don't fully comprehend how its done. If I've learned anything in the past 8 months, it's that music is an art form.
Growing up, I had this cousin. His name is Matt. Since birth, he was always that artist when it came to music. Extremely talented, but you could just sense that he would talk to someone who wasn't into music a little differently. Not in a bad way, just different and I never fully understood that.
Fast forward to 8 months ago. My cousin said that he was looking for a bassist for his band The Daydreamer, on Facebook. I jokingly left a comment, "Sure I'll do it" He replied to the comment, "come down to practice on Monday." I was thinking that he just wanted me to come down to watch him play. Little did I know, he was serious. I get down to the rehearsal, and my cousin hands me a bass guitar. I clearly remember thinking, what? I can't possibly do this, I'm gonna make a fool of myself. I expressed my concern, but my cousin brushed it off he told me "just play this, this, and this at this time. It was extremely sloppy but there it was, I was playing music! It left me elated and thirsty for more. My cousin agreed to take some nights out of his busy week to train me. For something so monumental, he made the learning process very smooth.
One other interesting note, The rhythm guitarist for The Daydreamer, Mike, is also someone I have known for many years. Although, I knew who Mike was because we were frequently in the same place hanging out, we never really clicked and/or talked. He had his friends and I had mine. I remember, he would bring his acoustic guitar down and start playing songs, me knowing nothing about music, thought this was novel, at best. After I joined the band, we realized through the medium of music, that we had more in common then we thought.
The Daydreamer is chock full of talented musicians, and every rehearsal that I come to, I'm humbled and learn something new. As I said before, Matt (the song writer, lead guitarist, and singer) has been playing music since he was a kid. He can play every instrument in the band, and very well. Guitar is his true passion though, and when he plays it, people will watch in awe.
Mike, the rhythm guitarist, is another musician lifer. He's been playing since he was a kid, as well. He is very versed in Music theory, which is a logical approach to music as an art form. If you learn like I do, visually, then music theory will make more sense to you. Because of that, Mike has also helped immensely with my learning curve.
Tony James or TJ as he likes to be called, is the drummer. This kid, and I say kid because he is younger then all of us, has an ear for music. He has only been playing the drums for the past few years but because he loves the instrument and the music, he is leaps and bounds ahead of where he should be.
Frank, the keyboardist, is the newest to the band but certainly not to music. He is extremely talented at the piano and organ. His timing is perfect and he can learn any song by hearing the notes. His thoughts and suggestions have helped construct the way the band sounds today.
I have been pretty fortunate to land in a band with such talented musicians. Most musicians take it very seriously, and will not tolerate someone learning on the job. This is a great bunch of guys and we have a lot of fun. I will keep everyone posted on our show dates, our strange, yet hilarious rehearsals and our overall thoughts and goals. Stay Tuned!
In my experience, when you talk about music, there are two types of people. Those that listen and like music, and those that hear and understand it. I used to be the former, I had no experience of being in a band or playing an instrument. I was like most people and thought that I didn't have "it". You know, that inbred talent that musicians have that make them see and hear music in a different way. It's the same feeling a person who doesn't know anything painting gets, when they look at the Mona Lisa. While its great and cool, you just don't fully comprehend how its done. If I've learned anything in the past 8 months, it's that music is an art form.
Growing up, I had this cousin. His name is Matt. Since birth, he was always that artist when it came to music. Extremely talented, but you could just sense that he would talk to someone who wasn't into music a little differently. Not in a bad way, just different and I never fully understood that.
Fast forward to 8 months ago. My cousin said that he was looking for a bassist for his band The Daydreamer, on Facebook. I jokingly left a comment, "Sure I'll do it" He replied to the comment, "come down to practice on Monday." I was thinking that he just wanted me to come down to watch him play. Little did I know, he was serious. I get down to the rehearsal, and my cousin hands me a bass guitar. I clearly remember thinking, what? I can't possibly do this, I'm gonna make a fool of myself. I expressed my concern, but my cousin brushed it off he told me "just play this, this, and this at this time. It was extremely sloppy but there it was, I was playing music! It left me elated and thirsty for more. My cousin agreed to take some nights out of his busy week to train me. For something so monumental, he made the learning process very smooth.
One other interesting note, The rhythm guitarist for The Daydreamer, Mike, is also someone I have known for many years. Although, I knew who Mike was because we were frequently in the same place hanging out, we never really clicked and/or talked. He had his friends and I had mine. I remember, he would bring his acoustic guitar down and start playing songs, me knowing nothing about music, thought this was novel, at best. After I joined the band, we realized through the medium of music, that we had more in common then we thought.
The Daydreamer is chock full of talented musicians, and every rehearsal that I come to, I'm humbled and learn something new. As I said before, Matt (the song writer, lead guitarist, and singer) has been playing music since he was a kid. He can play every instrument in the band, and very well. Guitar is his true passion though, and when he plays it, people will watch in awe.
Mike, the rhythm guitarist, is another musician lifer. He's been playing since he was a kid, as well. He is very versed in Music theory, which is a logical approach to music as an art form. If you learn like I do, visually, then music theory will make more sense to you. Because of that, Mike has also helped immensely with my learning curve.
Tony James or TJ as he likes to be called, is the drummer. This kid, and I say kid because he is younger then all of us, has an ear for music. He has only been playing the drums for the past few years but because he loves the instrument and the music, he is leaps and bounds ahead of where he should be.
Frank, the keyboardist, is the newest to the band but certainly not to music. He is extremely talented at the piano and organ. His timing is perfect and he can learn any song by hearing the notes. His thoughts and suggestions have helped construct the way the band sounds today.
I have been pretty fortunate to land in a band with such talented musicians. Most musicians take it very seriously, and will not tolerate someone learning on the job. This is a great bunch of guys and we have a lot of fun. I will keep everyone posted on our show dates, our strange, yet hilarious rehearsals and our overall thoughts and goals. Stay Tuned!
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