Frrresh Movin' Groovin' Skankin' Hyped Bacon Remixa <}<}fuzzy logic{>{> From Dat Cuz djGOHZUR!!!!

What's Wrong With Being Confident?

https://soundcloud.com/terabrite/demi-lovato-confident-pop-punk-cover-by-terabrite

Huzzah! Here I come to save the day- Fly Walka; supercharger of ultrayouth, erotic neurotic, the bling'd piano king, redneck jedi annnd modest narcissist:
}}{{Phrosty D 'the primal musician'}}{{

Christmaaaaas! ♫♫♫
I just got back from vacationing in Iowa with my folks and stepmother's family, they are awesome,
Soooo cool to expand my family.  Some luxuries were a super HQ home movie theater, delicious dinners, cards against humanity, and a wine tasting at a distillery.  I got to entertain everyone with my piano playin' boogie-woogie grooves and neoclassical improv!  Steff and her family are totes rad!

Near the end of this break I started fearing the unkown in some sense.  I have to be responsible again.  I have a lot to figure out in my living-evolution going forward.  It's Friday, I'm home, and suddenly that feeling is gone!  Just like Demi says: "What's wrong with being confident?"  I can handle anything life dishes out because I'm Donny freakin' Neu!!  I've come out on top time and again.  All my hard work and soulshine is paying off.  I'm healthier; have a great job; I'm taking guitar lessons; I'm gaining independence; annnd I still get to cut loose from time to time!

Eventually I will have new roomies too!

So yeah,
"What's wrong with being confident?"           

}}{{BIG PICTURE LIFE GOALS}}{{

Especially aside from delusions of grandeur an individual may dream...
Here are a few of my life goals...

Become a freelance music or webdesign teacher!
Get a cat!
Become more independent!
Eventually get my music on Spotify!
Put my music on Vimeo!
Continue loosing weight!
Read more!
Stay healthy- mind, body, and spirit!
Aspire for advancing excellence and confidence at my work, Lupulin Brewery!
Visit China!
Self publish a book!

An early riser

Brief Update

Saturday I enjoyed hanging out with my friends Luke and John.  We played Grand Theft Auto 5, watched Avengers Endgame, and had pizza for dinner.  Good times!

Sunday I had dinner with my dad and stepmom at China Buffet.  After they left I practiced guitar then watched the movie Office Christmas Party.  I wasn't sure if I liked it at first but it ended up being really funny!  Even a movie you watch alone can lift your spirits.

I am entertaining the idea of creating another mixtape for SoundCloud...

Also,

I have been chatting online with this act called GOHzur, sounds like they're stoked to remix one of my songs!  More on that later.  😁💪💣  

So why the heck put out a CD?!

Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, and other streaming services have basically eviscerated physical music media and radio.  So why put out a CD?  Quite a question to grapple with when you scope it out.  Well, there are a lot of adults of varying age that still remember the hay-day of CD's and feel nostalgia for them.  CD's are the vinyl of the digital age; actually they work much the same.  A beam of light reads microscopic grooves burned into the disc.  The only difference with records is a needle physically touches and picks up sound from the groove.  Both are known for excellent sound quality if properly cared for.  As a do-it-yourself bedroom producer I feel like CD's are a big deal.  This is because when someone pops your CD into their car stereo, boom box, game console, etc. they are listening to specifically that.  A CD has less distractions than a smartphone and no adds.  I feel like people won't just loose interest in my music right away and listen to someone else.  Another plus to putting a CD out with a replicator is you can pay a little extra for "in-house mastering".  This is where the replicator hires an audio engineer to sweeten up the mix of every song featured on your CD.  Sure, you can buy just remastering for songs online, but why not get two birds stoned and get an order of CD's at the same time?

ModdRN KlazziX coming soon to Compact Disc!    

Rick Brix "I'm a one man band!"

Rick Brix is a full time bonafide one man band!  I met Rick at an Asperger's Syndrome support group of which he is founder.  After going to group awhile, we became great friends.  Despite some distance between our homes we still hang out and record jams from time to time & he's taken me along for some open mics.  This advances both our careers!  I just love playing at open mics!  I am also thankful for his sage advice and perspective.  And now... the interview

What first inspired you to pick up a guitar?
I got my first guitar when I was 12 or 13. It as a Yamaha acoustic 6-string. I believe it was a Christmas present from my parents. I got my first electric, a Fender Bullet, when I was 15, a birthday present from my parents. The guitar came with 10 lessons from Schmitt Music. Then I took lessons from Adam Granger at the Homestead Pickin' Parlor with my d's when I was in high school in the late 1980s. I wanted to learn to play but like Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix.
My dad also took lessons with Adam Granger. I stopped taking lessons in 1990 when I went to the University of St Thomas from 1990-1994. I just started taking lessons with Adam again about 2 years ago.

How do you develope and evolve your musicianship at guitar, harmonica, and vocals?
I practice at least 2 hours every day. When I don't have a gig I usually practice 4-5 hours per day. I develop my playing by learning new songs, scales, techniques, and improvising while playing at my gigs, as well as taking guitar lessons.

Do you learn music mostly from chords, tabs, sheet music, by ear or some combination of those?
I learn mostly by tab, lessons, instructional videos, as well as by ear. I have been trying to learn more by ear. In the past, I mostly learned by guitar tab in tablature books as well as online and with tablature-based computer programs.  Playing with other people also helps to develop learning, skills, and musicianship.

With so many gigs how do you stay passionate with each performance?
I stay passionate because I do what I love and play the music I love to play. I also mix up my songs a lot and learn new songs. I probably have a repertoire of round 1,000 songs. There are a couple hundred that I play regularly at my gigs. The other 800 or so song get mixed in depending on my mood and what I feel like playing. I also mix in some of my originals. And I am constantly trying to improve what I already do. I try to mix in a few new licks here and there.

I see you perform some originals.  When you write a song do you start with chords & riffs or with the words?
When I write original songs I usually start with a chord progression and/or a riff. Occasionally I will have lyrics in mind and then come up with the chords and riffs.

Do you have any somewhat obscure musicians who inspire you?
There are many local musicians inspire me. I learn a lot at open Mic nights. I also occasionally go to other musician's gigs. Listening and watching other musicians can inspire me when writing songs, as well as trying and developing techniques.  A few people who I admire are Adam Granger (my guitar teacher), Dave Coffell, Adam Hammer, Nathan Ness, Leon Laudenbac

Do you have any unusual sources on inspiration?  Or do you have any ways of getting inspired that many people just wouldn't guess?
Sometimes listening to music I don't usually listen to: an artist or genre I don't usually listen to, can be a source of inspiration for songwriting and coming up with riffs and chord progressions.

Were you in any bands in years past?
I have been in a few bands over the years. Most don't last long for me. I don't like being tied down to other people's agenda. Being a one-man band gives me the freedom to play what I want to play and make my own schedule. I do play with a couple other musicians at some of my gigs. Right now, I play 15-20 gigs per month  with another guy, Joel, who plays trumpet, piano, and sings. We call ourselves B & B (which stands for Brix and Bartos, our last names)

Tell me a little about your music gear.
I currently play a Taylor 210 model guitar which I purchased in 2016. I have 2 Mackie powered speakers which I also purchased in 2016. I purchased these with the help of Tri-Cap, an organization in Stearns County, through a program that helps low-income start-up entrepreneurs, as well as college students and first time home owners. It was a two year savings plan in which for every dollar I saved, Tri-Cap added 3 dollars. In those 2 years I saved up $4,000 which I used to buy my guitar and sound system.

And lastly, how can someone book you for a gig?
If someone wants to book me for a gig, all they have to do is call or message me at 320-420-0704 or e-mail me at rickjbrix@aol.com. They cab view my website where I have videos of me performing, a list of some of the songs I perform, and my current schedule. I also give guitar lessons at my home in St Cloud, MN.

X-Kray

X-Kray was my first legit FL studio EDM (electronic dance music) song.  I composed and sequenced it back in 2015.  It is very original but doesn't really have many effects.  It has a way of jumping smoothly yet spontaneously to a completely different melody.  Sometimes I use a sound that seems to jump out at you in the transition.  Like a fractal, there's this sense of chaos and repetition.  These are stylings I would continue to develop.  In my EDM songs to follow I'd delve more into effects and sound design, also working with samples.  I continue to experiment in FL studio and other programs.  I don't really have a specific formula.  There's a lot of experimentation and trial and error.  Many things I still don't know how to do.  I never stop learning.  Lately to speed things up I have been sequencing a bunch of beats and melodies and fit them into place later.  I don't even worry about key signature until after.  Doing what I feel in the moment and not over thinking it is my new style!  There's still things I do very purposefully, but mostly I'm winging it.  In that spirit, I am titling my upcoming EDM work- Indeterminate Aspirations!  So now for the song that started it all, X-Kray!

    

Fuzzy Logic

Fuzzy Logic in the context of artificial intelligence would mean that a machine would think in "degrees of truth" rather than the usual binary "true or false" (1 or 0). In theory it is how a robot could think and make decisions like a human.  This is an instrumental techno work inspired be the idea.

Please enjoy!

Neurosis

First off, why don't a share this ballin' playlist I made on SoundCloud-

https://soundcloud.com/the-primal-musician/sets/the-joy-vibe

I've been quite well.  One thing has dawned on me- how much more open with people I am.  It is this openness along with my own better understanding myself and keeping a journal that has helped me greatly.  Things that might have put me in an Asperger's Shutdown years ago don't today.  There is no shame in having a disability and needing some supports in place.  There is no shame in going to therapy.  There is no shame in having a psychiatrist.  In addition to being Asperger I am also bipolar.  Maybe these fuel my creativity.  At least that is putting a positive spin on it.  My mind can go to weird uncomfortable places.  I don't claim to have a magic elixir, but those are things which help me. 

Here is a song I wrote about feeling neurotic and stuck in obsessions-

I'll simply let the music and lyrics speak for themselves.

I'm excited to be starting guitar lessons again today!

It feels good that I continue to invest in my talent.

Two goals of 2020 are to host 4th annual Birthday Bonanza & release ModdRN KlassiX album!

Fun, Friends & Fireworks!

I have been doing great with my move!  I even wrote a song about the new place and the cool people around here!  And I am still making good lifestyle choices, with a nice long walk yesterday.

On the 4th of July I really enjoyed myself.  I hung out with my buddy John and I learned a new skill: how to light fireworks with a blowtorch!  As you can see below the neighbor's dog was quite obsessed with fountains.

It's a ways off, but I'm already planning another birthday party/concert, possibly at the bowling alley.

I am also eager to release my second album, ModdRN Klassix!

Another wish is buy unique new instruments from Etsy.

Three things which require money, something I'm rather low on, so it's back to work I go!

Another recent development is that I put some music on Audiomack, check me out here:

https://audiomack.com/artist/phrosty-d

Thanks for reading, sincerely- 

your favorite nobody,

Phrosty D (The Primal Musician)

  

Ch'Ch'Changes

I am going to be moving soon.  It is a hopeful path, the new house will allow me a cat!  I am also going to be in a bigger town with more opportunities and much more happening.  I am excited about the location, I think.  We'll see how it feels when I get there. 

I am making lifestyle changes.  I quit smoking and I'm eating healthier and smaller portions.  I am also going out for brisk walks.  It feels good that I am turning over a new leaf.

Work is underway for an exciting new song called Neurosis, sort of a follow up to Trapped In A Pill.  It is personal to me and I'm taking the time to get it just right.  I'm also working on several others.  One of the others is a revamp of Modern Day Caveman.  I was just reflecting this morning that in addition to the lyrics that I've typed I'm also going make notes on the delivery style.  A vocalist is also an actor of sorts and you want to play the part well!

A friend made me take a look at my distant past yesterday.  He made me realize how far I have come and also reminded me not to let history repeat itself.  Around 2011, I used to be sort of an unfocused burn-out and now I'm a sharp super-achiever.  I'm not perfect, but I sure have grown.     

Phrosty D music videos

Learn how to place music on itunes at ReverbNation.com

About a Girl

I have been dating a girl named Gabby for almost a month.  She is very pretty and a sweat heart but still has sarcastic humor.  I feel good that she liked me right off the bat!  I liked her right off the bat!
I got to cuddle with her and we've kissed.  I got feedback on the kissing and how to do that better.
We have gone dancing and bowling.  It's all new and exciting!  This weekend we go out for Mexican food!  I enjoy being around her and even learn to laugh at myself.

I celebrated my 27th birthday recently.  I had my friends out and I played 4 or 5 songs on my guitar, then we played football in the yard!  We also played Halo 3 jamming to John's punk rock music.  Pizza and cake were our food on that delightful day along with loads of soda pop!

I am working on a new song called "Sweet Pea" and a cover of "Mega Mega Upload"