This big train stays on a track with cracks and divots,
And you can't dig it, 'cause yo shovel too short.
I suppose I'll let you on this train,
You hooked, I'm like life support.
Amazingly, I'm still amazing ME,
In awe of all the things that I've yet to be...
LIKE...
Amazing...We've defined amazing to be, the things we see on TV...
LIKE...
Round butts, and perfect figures, slick talkers and quick jiggers,
Who believe in P.C. by day, but at night call their own people, "niggers".
And we figure these figures in the spotlight know what it's all about, right?
So, I ride on a train...It's perfect, it's exquisite, and everybody wanna ride in it...On it, I think they want it...
The experience... My ride rides nice, even on thin ice,
and I'm too cool to fall below, and too cold to get heated so...
SO, amazing, me, I pump up my own head because the only one to make me think other wise, is none other than me.
My train rides nice, now fly train...Fly above the aboves and beyonds into a time eons away from a life where the peons are told when and how to play.
My train's got big purple wings, elegant things when they spread, I hear gasps from nay-sayers and haters abound, but they just mad cause their trains stay on the ground.
Look at me now...
A million miles high, but you can still see me, secretly my biggest critics really wanna be me...
Beam me up like Spock, stars don't walk they trek.
I want to erase your mind and replace your thoughts with something you'll never forget or regret.
It's progress, as my train sets the standard for those to come.
I implore you to dance to the beat of your own drum,
Or suffer from doldrums, dull huh?
I felt like Greene was a good color on me, so Green birthed some breach baby beats,
Delivered differently, but always, ALWAYS landing on our feet.
A legion of talent in me, a beacon, a challenge, and ME...a light, pure balance and HE,
A MIC, true talent, now breathe...
Exhale the negative, inhale the haters,
now upchuck their bones, and save them for later.
Cause you gone need a skull to weigh down the papers you stack,
When you live in the moment, and never look back.
All over the place, my mind goes all over the place, Hell, I'm all over the place.
I place myself in a category of Otherlings, something from another being,
One of Jack's lost magic beans.
Impressively, and aggressive, he, is nothing like the gyrating, generations, generating hits, auto-tune masturbating. Jacking the flavor off real musicians, and coming quick.
Careers end, post drip, limp, now call it quits.
Misfits, writers, biters, bums, fighters, nuns, this rhyme is for the inner tiger in you. You might mess up, fess up, but don't take your missteps in vain.
Grab your ticket, hop aboard...It's time to load up the train.
Jirod Greene (Copyright 2010)
Showing posts with label Austin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Austin. Show all posts
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Make Sure
Before you become a part of someone else's life, make sure that you're proud of the man/woman that you've become, and look forward to the even better YOU you're becoming.
Buried in a freshly dug grave, my guilt and self pity lay luke warm; having just died. I used to carry them both around like growths on my back because it's the only way I knew to care for them and carry on.
Guilt and self pity invited clearance for a sneak attack from those I cared about the most. I knew of my own strengths and unwavering beliefs, but those strengths were perceived as weaknesses, or petty nuances.
I will not treat myself like an alien and say "People just don't understand me..." because I believe that is a cop out to co-existing and serves as an excuse for abandoning others.
You're not eclectic just because people don't "understand" you...
I said in a previous post, "Don't hang around people who haven't been anywhere"...and I mean that. Some people bask in the light of their e-glories, and others believe that if they can get a few people to feel the way they do, then their case in stronger, and better, and on the whole, the right way to feel.
Make sure you're not dining with people who are hungry for fat, juicy drama. They look to you like hungry hogs waiting to be slopped. Starve them! Corrupt communication is like tons of calories, you may not look heavy from consumption right away, but you can darn sure feel it.
People who perform an action, regret it, and then perform it several other times, are considered slightly insane. I'm insane, but I'm aware of my insanity, and I've thrown a wrench in the gears of many of my moving mental monsters...Some are harder to halt in production than others.
Some individuals feed their monsters, masking the ugly, scaly, outer appearance, fooling others and eventually themselves.
We're human. We're imperfect. We are bound to screw up...It's just the way we are in this life. However, being aware of your screw ups and wanting to amend your ways can help you maintain a better balance of good and evil in your personal life.
If you find yourself calling correcting others when connecting you with another person, then you interrupt them by saying, "No no, he/she is not a friend, he/she is an associate..." You, my good friend, are, simply put, LAME. People only say that to exercise their superiority over other individuals. True, there are people who are strictly associates, but one motto I swear that I live by:
"SOME THINGS ARE BETTER LEFT UNSAID"
People fail to understand etiquette in conversation...(And that's a whole 'nother blog)
If you're growing and maturing, don't commune with others are still infants in communication.
If two men are sitting at a table together over food; and one is upset with the other, I don't believe they should eat in silence.
I have a gender bias. Sure, we all get mad at each other...but I feel like, with men, especially in America, with our history of great compromises, signed treaties, allied forces, etc., men have learned to put their differences behind for the greater good, to support and promote the bigger picture, but if you're dining with someone who'd mentally rather color the kids sheet at Red Lobster, while you're studying a Van Gogh painting, pick up the tab, tip your hat, AND your waiter, and keep it moving on out the door...
Anyway...a rant, if you will.
Make sure that you consider yourself when you're considering others. It's not selfish to ask yourself, "What should I be doing right now to fix this situation?", or "Am I in the right place right now?"
Make sure YOU'RE covered. No one else will love you like you can love yourself.
MAKE SURE.
Buried in a freshly dug grave, my guilt and self pity lay luke warm; having just died. I used to carry them both around like growths on my back because it's the only way I knew to care for them and carry on.
Guilt and self pity invited clearance for a sneak attack from those I cared about the most. I knew of my own strengths and unwavering beliefs, but those strengths were perceived as weaknesses, or petty nuances.
I will not treat myself like an alien and say "People just don't understand me..." because I believe that is a cop out to co-existing and serves as an excuse for abandoning others.
You're not eclectic just because people don't "understand" you...
I said in a previous post, "Don't hang around people who haven't been anywhere"...and I mean that. Some people bask in the light of their e-glories, and others believe that if they can get a few people to feel the way they do, then their case in stronger, and better, and on the whole, the right way to feel.
Make sure you're not dining with people who are hungry for fat, juicy drama. They look to you like hungry hogs waiting to be slopped. Starve them! Corrupt communication is like tons of calories, you may not look heavy from consumption right away, but you can darn sure feel it.
People who perform an action, regret it, and then perform it several other times, are considered slightly insane. I'm insane, but I'm aware of my insanity, and I've thrown a wrench in the gears of many of my moving mental monsters...Some are harder to halt in production than others.
Some individuals feed their monsters, masking the ugly, scaly, outer appearance, fooling others and eventually themselves.
We're human. We're imperfect. We are bound to screw up...It's just the way we are in this life. However, being aware of your screw ups and wanting to amend your ways can help you maintain a better balance of good and evil in your personal life.
If you find yourself calling correcting others when connecting you with another person, then you interrupt them by saying, "No no, he/she is not a friend, he/she is an associate..." You, my good friend, are, simply put, LAME. People only say that to exercise their superiority over other individuals. True, there are people who are strictly associates, but one motto I swear that I live by:
"SOME THINGS ARE BETTER LEFT UNSAID"
People fail to understand etiquette in conversation...(And that's a whole 'nother blog)
If you're growing and maturing, don't commune with others are still infants in communication.
If two men are sitting at a table together over food; and one is upset with the other, I don't believe they should eat in silence.
I have a gender bias. Sure, we all get mad at each other...but I feel like, with men, especially in America, with our history of great compromises, signed treaties, allied forces, etc., men have learned to put their differences behind for the greater good, to support and promote the bigger picture, but if you're dining with someone who'd mentally rather color the kids sheet at Red Lobster, while you're studying a Van Gogh painting, pick up the tab, tip your hat, AND your waiter, and keep it moving on out the door...
Anyway...a rant, if you will.
Make sure that you consider yourself when you're considering others. It's not selfish to ask yourself, "What should I be doing right now to fix this situation?", or "Am I in the right place right now?"
Make sure YOU'RE covered. No one else will love you like you can love yourself.
MAKE SURE.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Designed to Design
I believe in a higher power. I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins. I believe that through Him, I have the right to eternal life. I believe that no science, educated thought on different theories claiming the Bible's "fables", nor first semester Sociology professor who starts all first day lectures off by stating, 'I do not believe in God, and by the end of this semester, I'll bet I can persuade many of you to think like me'...None of that can make me doubt the divine power that has placed things in my life so intelligently, so crafty. I do not believe in coincidence. I believe that everything that happens to me, happens so that through it, God will be glorified. I am not perfect like my Maker is perfect. My imperfections show EVERYDAY.
I have many insecurities. I have anger issues. I have been jealous of friends. All of that, I've asked The Lord to take away. He's working on me. (LOL) Indeed, He is working on me.
There are many things in which I have to sit back and learn. There are a lot of things that I need to shut up about because quite frankly, I'm not a professional in that department on that specific topic or idea. I am not one who is well read or well studied on every subject.
There are some things I do know. One thing that I've been doing, I'm guilty of not giving myself enough credit. There are things I do know. I've confused pure knowledge with arrogance just by my situation. I've allowed others to convince me that what they perceive to be the correct way to handle issues is the only way. Friends and family.
My design was not a mistake. God did not create me to run over people, nor did He create me to submit to the will of others. This post is a self realization. If you're good at what you do, it's not a coincidence.
Don't let anyone make you think that your ideas are not good enough, and the moment you start feeling like you're being pushed against a wall, fight your way out. I do not promote violence, but a fight is something completely different. I think a fight comes about as a necessity, sometimes. You fight for what you believe. You fight to stay alive. You fight to be heard...when others don't believe in you, when you're dying, when others cannot hear you.
You can only keep your tail between your legs for so long before you say, I'm not doing this any more. Once people realize that they have you where they want you, they'll do what they please, and pacify the situation that causes you to stir. Pacification is temporary. I say, don't suck on it at all. Don't be shut up or shut out.
Even if you stand alone, stand for what you believe. Be strong.
I'm an otherling created by God...
Jirod
I have many insecurities. I have anger issues. I have been jealous of friends. All of that, I've asked The Lord to take away. He's working on me. (LOL) Indeed, He is working on me.
There are many things in which I have to sit back and learn. There are a lot of things that I need to shut up about because quite frankly, I'm not a professional in that department on that specific topic or idea. I am not one who is well read or well studied on every subject.
There are some things I do know. One thing that I've been doing, I'm guilty of not giving myself enough credit. There are things I do know. I've confused pure knowledge with arrogance just by my situation. I've allowed others to convince me that what they perceive to be the correct way to handle issues is the only way. Friends and family.
My design was not a mistake. God did not create me to run over people, nor did He create me to submit to the will of others. This post is a self realization. If you're good at what you do, it's not a coincidence.
Don't let anyone make you think that your ideas are not good enough, and the moment you start feeling like you're being pushed against a wall, fight your way out. I do not promote violence, but a fight is something completely different. I think a fight comes about as a necessity, sometimes. You fight for what you believe. You fight to stay alive. You fight to be heard...when others don't believe in you, when you're dying, when others cannot hear you.
You can only keep your tail between your legs for so long before you say, I'm not doing this any more. Once people realize that they have you where they want you, they'll do what they please, and pacify the situation that causes you to stir. Pacification is temporary. I say, don't suck on it at all. Don't be shut up or shut out.
Even if you stand alone, stand for what you believe. Be strong.
I'm an otherling created by God...
Jirod
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Letter To Haiti
Hello Haiti,
I woke up this morning and I had you on my mind, so I prayed. I woke up and got a drink of water and I sat down in front of the television and watched as a news station talked about an aftershock, and I prayed.
This letter, Haiti, is to you and all of the brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers that you've lost. This letter is for those dying right now in the streets, and under buildings. This letter is for those still holding on right now, helping others, searching for loved ones, coping with the death of loved ones.
I don't have much, Haiti, but what I do have, I'll do my best to send my part. It's still not enough, I know...I know...
In the midst of the tragedy, there is resilience still... When I look into the eyes of your youth, through pictures, I can see something. Something is very clear when I look into their eyes. The one word that I see when I look into their eyes, is the word, "WATCH". Their eyes are saying "WATCH".
"Watch us rebuild this place. Watch us develop into successful men and women for Haiti. Watch us."
Some children are laughing and smiling because they don't exactly know what's going on, but their attitudes are the foundation for a fresh start.
Your inhabitants may go away for a time, Haiti. I believe in my heart that they will come back and help you.
With every great natural disaster, there comes the negativity, the comments that are spurred by emotion can cause more harm sometimes than help. People have said and are saying negative and ignorant things, Haiti. People, out of fear, hurt, and desperation, may sometimes act ignorantly, but my focus is on the heart of the survivors. We're waters apart...but we can look up and see the same sky. I'm throwing a prayer up there...
I watch you on TV. I MUTE the volume, and I just look at you...I look at your beautiful faces. I look at the parents who have decided to deal with their loss, I look at the grandparents who have gained a little more strength to press on for their childrens' sake. I look at the children. I look into those big beautiful eyes, and I see that word again... "WATCH"
I can't do much Haiti...I can raise awareness. I feel so helpless...My God. Things of this nature, and of this magnitude, remind me of just how small I am.
Lift up little survivors like "Winnie" who was rescued from a collapsed building. She's one of your survivors... I'm watching her. I pray that along with the aid that is received, there are people there praying and interceding, and reassuring some, and reminding others that God is in control.
God is in control.
I do not know you personally, Haiti, but in my heart you are my brother, my sister... and I love you. Please hold on. I pray that help; food, water, shelter, medicines...I pray all that comes, and hold on to faith. You've lost so much, I know.
For the "Winnie's"...hold on. Look into your loved ones' eyes for hope, and when it seems all hope is lost, plant a seed into the minds of those around you, pray, and say to them, "WATCH".
Jirod Greene
I woke up this morning and I had you on my mind, so I prayed. I woke up and got a drink of water and I sat down in front of the television and watched as a news station talked about an aftershock, and I prayed.
This letter, Haiti, is to you and all of the brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers that you've lost. This letter is for those dying right now in the streets, and under buildings. This letter is for those still holding on right now, helping others, searching for loved ones, coping with the death of loved ones.
I don't have much, Haiti, but what I do have, I'll do my best to send my part. It's still not enough, I know...I know...
In the midst of the tragedy, there is resilience still... When I look into the eyes of your youth, through pictures, I can see something. Something is very clear when I look into their eyes. The one word that I see when I look into their eyes, is the word, "WATCH". Their eyes are saying "WATCH".
"Watch us rebuild this place. Watch us develop into successful men and women for Haiti. Watch us."
Some children are laughing and smiling because they don't exactly know what's going on, but their attitudes are the foundation for a fresh start.
Your inhabitants may go away for a time, Haiti. I believe in my heart that they will come back and help you.
With every great natural disaster, there comes the negativity, the comments that are spurred by emotion can cause more harm sometimes than help. People have said and are saying negative and ignorant things, Haiti. People, out of fear, hurt, and desperation, may sometimes act ignorantly, but my focus is on the heart of the survivors. We're waters apart...but we can look up and see the same sky. I'm throwing a prayer up there...
I watch you on TV. I MUTE the volume, and I just look at you...I look at your beautiful faces. I look at the parents who have decided to deal with their loss, I look at the grandparents who have gained a little more strength to press on for their childrens' sake. I look at the children. I look into those big beautiful eyes, and I see that word again... "WATCH"
I can't do much Haiti...I can raise awareness. I feel so helpless...My God. Things of this nature, and of this magnitude, remind me of just how small I am.
Lift up little survivors like "Winnie" who was rescued from a collapsed building. She's one of your survivors... I'm watching her. I pray that along with the aid that is received, there are people there praying and interceding, and reassuring some, and reminding others that God is in control.
God is in control.
I do not know you personally, Haiti, but in my heart you are my brother, my sister... and I love you. Please hold on. I pray that help; food, water, shelter, medicines...I pray all that comes, and hold on to faith. You've lost so much, I know.
For the "Winnie's"...hold on. Look into your loved ones' eyes for hope, and when it seems all hope is lost, plant a seed into the minds of those around you, pray, and say to them, "WATCH".
Jirod Greene
Friday, November 13, 2009
Telling A Truth
Right now, I'm infatuated with telling the truth. I can lie. Oh boy, can I lie. I've actually mastered the art of the Convenient Lie for Folks in A Hurry. I've written the book successfully by myself... (No et al) Mister No Et Al... Ask about me. But this season brings about a reason to tell the truth.
A Truth
I get annoyed by loud noises, especially in the midst of silence, while I'm eating my applesauce in the living room and someone takes it upon themselves, or rather, believes that I MUST need a piano/keyboard/steeldrum/guitar serenade. No thanks.
A Truth
People, especially women, who refuse to see the point at hand and care solely about their hurt feelings, neglecting the fact that in a relationship (especially with an artist), you need to look beyond yourself and no that I GOT NEEDS TOO. (Two selfish people cannot co-exist...without a little pushing and shoving...) NOT AN ADVOCATE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE...
A Truth
I think I'm a genius. But my very lethargic TUMOR of a sub-personality weighs me down.
A Truth
Sometimes I fear disappointment so much, that I'd rather text than talk on the phone.
A Truth
I hold my nose whenever I'm asked to put toilet paper in the womens' restroom at work...I have a fear of what it might smell like.
A Truth
If I can see Godly qualities in you, and you smile a lot, I probably think you're a beautiful creation.
A Truth
I believe that evil resides in certain forms of music. I also believe that a chosen few have adopted that evil and it's aroma has attracted and successfully hooked a brainwashed youth into forming a cult-like following.
A Truth
I believe that people who are "churched" cannot change. They see nothing wrong with their lifestyle or their audacious behavior, looking down on those who may not be as SANCTIFIED as themselves. I should not, but I do secretly loathe them.
A Truth
I sin EVERYDAY.
A Truth
I'm fascinated with people's fascination about my sexuality, because I wonder what they're trying to prove, or hide.
A Truth
I've gained a lot of weight in the past year, and I'm uncomfortable with the way my body looks.
A Truth
When I flex my stomach muscles, I tell myself, "There's the hidden hope. There's still hope."
A Truth
Sometimes I scrunch my nostrils together in the mirror to envision what I'd look like with a nosejob...Much more European I believe...I'll pass...Thanks!
A Truth
I see myself on MTV
A Truth
I see myself working at McDonald's
A Truth
I wear my REGRETS like ashy skin...I don't like it to show...so I hide it, but it always comes back after a good shower.
A Truth
Disappointing my mother is by far the thing that scares me the most...Hell is a close 2nd.
A Truth
At some point I've probably disliked every friend I've ever had...and some I still kinda don't care for, and they always know why.
A Truth
I have friends who, periodically, think they're better than me, but they're too ashamed to admit it, but I can smell it on them. (Because I'm better than them) LOL A joke...a TRUE JOKE...the second part anyway.
In all this...I hope you read. I hope you understand. I hope you do.
JG
A Truth
I get annoyed by loud noises, especially in the midst of silence, while I'm eating my applesauce in the living room and someone takes it upon themselves, or rather, believes that I MUST need a piano/keyboard/steeldrum/guitar serenade. No thanks.
A Truth
People, especially women, who refuse to see the point at hand and care solely about their hurt feelings, neglecting the fact that in a relationship (especially with an artist), you need to look beyond yourself and no that I GOT NEEDS TOO. (Two selfish people cannot co-exist...without a little pushing and shoving...) NOT AN ADVOCATE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE...
A Truth
I think I'm a genius. But my very lethargic TUMOR of a sub-personality weighs me down.
A Truth
Sometimes I fear disappointment so much, that I'd rather text than talk on the phone.
A Truth
I hold my nose whenever I'm asked to put toilet paper in the womens' restroom at work...I have a fear of what it might smell like.
A Truth
If I can see Godly qualities in you, and you smile a lot, I probably think you're a beautiful creation.
A Truth
I believe that evil resides in certain forms of music. I also believe that a chosen few have adopted that evil and it's aroma has attracted and successfully hooked a brainwashed youth into forming a cult-like following.
A Truth
I believe that people who are "churched" cannot change. They see nothing wrong with their lifestyle or their audacious behavior, looking down on those who may not be as SANCTIFIED as themselves. I should not, but I do secretly loathe them.
A Truth
I sin EVERYDAY.
A Truth
I'm fascinated with people's fascination about my sexuality, because I wonder what they're trying to prove, or hide.
A Truth
I've gained a lot of weight in the past year, and I'm uncomfortable with the way my body looks.
A Truth
When I flex my stomach muscles, I tell myself, "There's the hidden hope. There's still hope."
A Truth
Sometimes I scrunch my nostrils together in the mirror to envision what I'd look like with a nosejob...Much more European I believe...I'll pass...Thanks!
A Truth
I see myself on MTV
A Truth
I see myself working at McDonald's
A Truth
I wear my REGRETS like ashy skin...I don't like it to show...so I hide it, but it always comes back after a good shower.
A Truth
Disappointing my mother is by far the thing that scares me the most...Hell is a close 2nd.
A Truth
At some point I've probably disliked every friend I've ever had...and some I still kinda don't care for, and they always know why.
A Truth
I have friends who, periodically, think they're better than me, but they're too ashamed to admit it, but I can smell it on them. (Because I'm better than them) LOL A joke...a TRUE JOKE...the second part anyway.
In all this...I hope you read. I hope you understand. I hope you do.
JG
Saturday, March 7, 2009
On Bears and Sharp Objects...
Proud would not be an appropriate word to describe my feelings about our new album, Lumina. The words that would describe my emotions would be summed up in the phrase, "Pleased with The Necessary". I'm pleased that we've released an album that tells some of the band's very own personal stories. Years of life-altering experiences and relationships have left scars, sweet memories, bitter after-tastes, but definitely, lessons learned.
I stand behind Lumina with all confidence that SOMEONE will hear it and a song will resonate with him or her.
This morning I awoke with a revelation, well, a newness of who I am as an artist. It's so hard to get a lift in this life sometimes. I have my thoughts on what the music industry might be; and I want to swing left from that tunnel. Sure, my dreams of my name is lights has oftentimes left me experiencing tired moments at night, staring at the ceiling, thinking about what it's going to be like when it happens, but then this past Saturday, I saw our name in lights: The Ars Supernova on the Stubb's Marquee.
We've pushed so hard to escape the stereotypical local, hobby band label that haunts bands until people see them on TV. I still want to push, but I don't want to push to prove anything to anyone but to ourselves. I sell myself out to David, Dietrich, Matt, Alex, and Ross. If I can't be real with anyone, I can be real with them.
Over the years, I've witnessed the positive and negative views about our music. I won't lie to you, sometimes we make some ridiculously intricate stuff...(I wanted to cuss, because it seemed to fit...) But sometimes, what seems intricate and difficult to some, is extremely relaxed and elegant to us. To me, some things, some lyrics just fall RIGHT into a song that I'm writing to. "Probably the reason he believes that no one sees him bleed and pleads are late to talk him off of this ledge..." is a line from the song "Encore" off our album Lumina. I want you to hear that, hear the melody in that part... It's the dun nun nun nun..."Bat Man" or old Bat Man theme. See, everything, has been accidentally created on purpose.
If you're reading this, and I hope you are reading this, I want to thank you for loving us and being so loving to our music. Thank you for accepting our oftentimes "Non Radio Friendly" music. Thank you for letting us write from our hearts. Thank you for letting us be ourselves and being so kind and hearing our music...truly hearing our music.
Of course, I could continue to ramble...But again, I love you, listener. I love you friend. I love you critic. I love you aimless wanderer through this page.
Cheers,
Jirod
I stand behind Lumina with all confidence that SOMEONE will hear it and a song will resonate with him or her.
This morning I awoke with a revelation, well, a newness of who I am as an artist. It's so hard to get a lift in this life sometimes. I have my thoughts on what the music industry might be; and I want to swing left from that tunnel. Sure, my dreams of my name is lights has oftentimes left me experiencing tired moments at night, staring at the ceiling, thinking about what it's going to be like when it happens, but then this past Saturday, I saw our name in lights: The Ars Supernova on the Stubb's Marquee.
We've pushed so hard to escape the stereotypical local, hobby band label that haunts bands until people see them on TV. I still want to push, but I don't want to push to prove anything to anyone but to ourselves. I sell myself out to David, Dietrich, Matt, Alex, and Ross. If I can't be real with anyone, I can be real with them.
Over the years, I've witnessed the positive and negative views about our music. I won't lie to you, sometimes we make some ridiculously intricate stuff...(I wanted to cuss, because it seemed to fit...) But sometimes, what seems intricate and difficult to some, is extremely relaxed and elegant to us. To me, some things, some lyrics just fall RIGHT into a song that I'm writing to. "Probably the reason he believes that no one sees him bleed and pleads are late to talk him off of this ledge..." is a line from the song "Encore" off our album Lumina. I want you to hear that, hear the melody in that part... It's the dun nun nun nun..."Bat Man" or old Bat Man theme. See, everything, has been accidentally created on purpose.
If you're reading this, and I hope you are reading this, I want to thank you for loving us and being so loving to our music. Thank you for accepting our oftentimes "Non Radio Friendly" music. Thank you for letting us write from our hearts. Thank you for letting us be ourselves and being so kind and hearing our music...truly hearing our music.
Of course, I could continue to ramble...But again, I love you, listener. I love you friend. I love you critic. I love you aimless wanderer through this page.
Cheers,
Jirod
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
On Death, Dying, and Family...
I find death so fascinating. Not the actual "Death" itself, but the events that occur after one, a loved one, has left this life. Whenever a loved one passes away, it seems as if people begin to manifest their cynicism. There are even some who'd like to feel as if they're mourning the loss more than others, and proceed to weep or moan harder than their co-grievers.
It would seem to me, that death brings out the worst in some people. Sometimes, accidents can be so tragic that the grief seems unbearable. Over the years, I think I've grown a little more understanding that death is a part of life. I'm fighting to understand that some people cannot control their emotions, and I do not want to seem insensitive toward my family and friends. I remember when I was seven, and a loved one passed away. A family member was carried out of the church, kicking and screaming and as I stood to the side as other family members ushered her out, she unknowingly kicked me in the head with her high-heels. *That hurt pretty nicely*
But I've often wondered...If we, (my family) as spiritual believers, understand where our loved one is going, why do we grieve so hard? She loses her husband, he loses his father, they lose their grandfather... We shed tears...Crying and grieving is necessary, but at what point are we free to act out of place and become unruly because we want people to feel the pain we feel?
The older I get, I understand that as much as I love all races, there are just some differences in how we handle things, especially funerals, and I'll leave it at that. If you'd like me to expound, inquire within.
This past weekend, my loving grandfather passed away. My eyes begin to water even now, as I think of his gentle eyes, and his cool way of saying things. I think about the memorable quotes that used to come out of his mouth. I think about his life and how he pressed forth to be a better man and a better Christian man every day. I think about the stories that I was told over the phone about his "ornery" behavior in the hospital just recently.
So, I leave Austin to travel to Lake Jackson to be with my family. A lot of people haven't seen me since my Big Mama's funeral. I began to brace myself for the comments, as I was coming back with some obvious changes in appearance... LOL, nothing plastic really, but I'm a little thinner and I've got these seven inch vines hanging from my scalp. I like to call them locs, but you KNOW my family gon' call them something else. *SIDENOTE* When I get around my family, my vernacular changes...
I spent the night with my cousin who didn't want to sleep alone after having stayed there at the hospital with my "Grandchester" after he died. My cousin watched me grow up, but for some reason I feel like she still sees me as little "Dut-Dut". It was good sleeping in her big ol' bed. We're family. We stayed up and could not sleep; thinking about "Chester Kemp" and his life and we began to think about how much we couldn't believe that the day had come... that he was actually gone away from us.
After getting about 2 hours of sleep, we traveled to my grandmother's house. I took a lot of deep breaths because this was my GRANDPA... It's still odd knowing that he's not going to be there, standing in front of the space heater or perpetual flame as I'd like to call it. He'd stand in front of the space heater to get himself warmed up whenever he felt cold. Now, that space heater stayed on 368 days a year. Really, 368 days. It was always on. I walked in the door and I was met by the laughs of my great-aunt and others, "Law'd have mercy, look at that boy's hair. What them is, "DEAD"locs?" I 'bout died of laughter. They were pulling on my hair and asking me if it was fake. We just sat and reminisced on a lot of things. We fried fish and talked about folks. It was grand. I showed them the Study Breaks Magazine that we were featured in, as well as a copy of The Ars Supenova's new album. They were like, "That's good baby", but they didn't seem all that impressed. See, I may be "JIROD GREENE" whenever I'm home here in Austin, but when I'm HOME HOME, I'm "Lil' Dustrag" or "KOOL POP" or "DUT-DUT"... Those are a few of my nicknames. They didn't care that I was a Semi-Lebrity...
That night, when I traveled back to Austin, I lay on the couch and closed my eyes, and I began to imagine looking into my grandfather's eyes and wondering what he was thinking before he left. I cried as I began to think of his life and how we interacted the last time we saw each other. I began to think about other family members and how I would not let 2 months pass between seeing or hearing from people that I love...
I forgot to deliver him a message from a friend at my mother's church. I learned that his nickname was BILL. Country-Folks sure do have a way of making a nickname come up from absolutely nothing, but it means something. How did anyone manage to get the nickname "BILL" from Chester? It's beyond me.
I received word that some family members were getting emotional about the funeral arrangements and stormed out during several family meetings. After being perceived as still being a baby, (I'm 24) I wanted nothing more but to strut around proving my intelligence, and call the emotional outbursts and arguments, "unnecessary" and "unneeded". You see, I was NEVER EVER the youngest grandson, well, I was until others were born shortly after me, but I was always treated like the "delicate" one. Even today, at 24, I'm still treated as the delicate one who needs to have "thick skin when you come down here to the Country". All I can think about is, "I WISH I WAS THERE WHEN ALL THAT STUFF WENT DOWN", I'm speaking about the outbursts around the funeral arrangements. It just doesn't seem logical to throw a fit when you want something that no one else wants.
I feel as if it's our responsibility to be there for my grandmother. SURE, They've lost a father, and we've lost a grandfather...but she lost her soul-mate. She lost the man she lay beside every night. She lost the man that she STOOD beside in SICKNESS and in health... In sickness... MY grandmother stood beside my grandfather when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer almost nine years ago. She was there for his emotional break downs. She was there for his mood swings. She stood beside him, because she was and remains to be strong. Heck, she's stronger than a lot of us.
When I was little, around the age of 7, my family members just started DYING at a rapid pace, or so it seemed. My cousin and I talked, and we seemed to lose family members left and right. By the age of 20, all of the great aunts and uncles on my mothers side had passed away...All but one. Dear Ol' Aunt Sweet. But at funerals, I'd be crying my eyes out before we even entered the church...remember, I was the "delicate" one. I would look around to see who else was crying, and then I'd cry harder... I was young.
I think people still do it, it's just a bit different these days. Adults boast their pain by pressing the Emergency Unnecessary Outburt Button and pretend that they're the ONLY someone whose lost a loved one. I'd love to put a padlock on that EUB Button. We're al grieving. We all miss him.
God, tell my grandpa that we miss him. Tell him that we'll see him again soon. Tell him that I'm sitting here, about to design his obituaries and I can't find a good, manly font. Tell him "Robin" misses him so much, and that Laci misses him.
I love Chester Ray Kemp, Sr. I know he's having a good time with Chester Ray Kemp, Jr.
Cheers,
JG
It would seem to me, that death brings out the worst in some people. Sometimes, accidents can be so tragic that the grief seems unbearable. Over the years, I think I've grown a little more understanding that death is a part of life. I'm fighting to understand that some people cannot control their emotions, and I do not want to seem insensitive toward my family and friends. I remember when I was seven, and a loved one passed away. A family member was carried out of the church, kicking and screaming and as I stood to the side as other family members ushered her out, she unknowingly kicked me in the head with her high-heels. *That hurt pretty nicely*
But I've often wondered...If we, (my family) as spiritual believers, understand where our loved one is going, why do we grieve so hard? She loses her husband, he loses his father, they lose their grandfather... We shed tears...Crying and grieving is necessary, but at what point are we free to act out of place and become unruly because we want people to feel the pain we feel?
The older I get, I understand that as much as I love all races, there are just some differences in how we handle things, especially funerals, and I'll leave it at that. If you'd like me to expound, inquire within.
This past weekend, my loving grandfather passed away. My eyes begin to water even now, as I think of his gentle eyes, and his cool way of saying things. I think about the memorable quotes that used to come out of his mouth. I think about his life and how he pressed forth to be a better man and a better Christian man every day. I think about the stories that I was told over the phone about his "ornery" behavior in the hospital just recently.
So, I leave Austin to travel to Lake Jackson to be with my family. A lot of people haven't seen me since my Big Mama's funeral. I began to brace myself for the comments, as I was coming back with some obvious changes in appearance... LOL, nothing plastic really, but I'm a little thinner and I've got these seven inch vines hanging from my scalp. I like to call them locs, but you KNOW my family gon' call them something else. *SIDENOTE* When I get around my family, my vernacular changes...
I spent the night with my cousin who didn't want to sleep alone after having stayed there at the hospital with my "Grandchester" after he died. My cousin watched me grow up, but for some reason I feel like she still sees me as little "Dut-Dut". It was good sleeping in her big ol' bed. We're family. We stayed up and could not sleep; thinking about "Chester Kemp" and his life and we began to think about how much we couldn't believe that the day had come... that he was actually gone away from us.
After getting about 2 hours of sleep, we traveled to my grandmother's house. I took a lot of deep breaths because this was my GRANDPA... It's still odd knowing that he's not going to be there, standing in front of the space heater or perpetual flame as I'd like to call it. He'd stand in front of the space heater to get himself warmed up whenever he felt cold. Now, that space heater stayed on 368 days a year. Really, 368 days. It was always on. I walked in the door and I was met by the laughs of my great-aunt and others, "Law'd have mercy, look at that boy's hair. What them is, "DEAD"locs?" I 'bout died of laughter. They were pulling on my hair and asking me if it was fake. We just sat and reminisced on a lot of things. We fried fish and talked about folks. It was grand. I showed them the Study Breaks Magazine that we were featured in, as well as a copy of The Ars Supenova's new album. They were like, "That's good baby", but they didn't seem all that impressed. See, I may be "JIROD GREENE" whenever I'm home here in Austin, but when I'm HOME HOME, I'm "Lil' Dustrag" or "KOOL POP" or "DUT-DUT"... Those are a few of my nicknames. They didn't care that I was a Semi-Lebrity...
That night, when I traveled back to Austin, I lay on the couch and closed my eyes, and I began to imagine looking into my grandfather's eyes and wondering what he was thinking before he left. I cried as I began to think of his life and how we interacted the last time we saw each other. I began to think about other family members and how I would not let 2 months pass between seeing or hearing from people that I love...
I forgot to deliver him a message from a friend at my mother's church. I learned that his nickname was BILL. Country-Folks sure do have a way of making a nickname come up from absolutely nothing, but it means something. How did anyone manage to get the nickname "BILL" from Chester? It's beyond me.
I received word that some family members were getting emotional about the funeral arrangements and stormed out during several family meetings. After being perceived as still being a baby, (I'm 24) I wanted nothing more but to strut around proving my intelligence, and call the emotional outbursts and arguments, "unnecessary" and "unneeded". You see, I was NEVER EVER the youngest grandson, well, I was until others were born shortly after me, but I was always treated like the "delicate" one. Even today, at 24, I'm still treated as the delicate one who needs to have "thick skin when you come down here to the Country". All I can think about is, "I WISH I WAS THERE WHEN ALL THAT STUFF WENT DOWN", I'm speaking about the outbursts around the funeral arrangements. It just doesn't seem logical to throw a fit when you want something that no one else wants.
I feel as if it's our responsibility to be there for my grandmother. SURE, They've lost a father, and we've lost a grandfather...but she lost her soul-mate. She lost the man she lay beside every night. She lost the man that she STOOD beside in SICKNESS and in health... In sickness... MY grandmother stood beside my grandfather when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer almost nine years ago. She was there for his emotional break downs. She was there for his mood swings. She stood beside him, because she was and remains to be strong. Heck, she's stronger than a lot of us.
When I was little, around the age of 7, my family members just started DYING at a rapid pace, or so it seemed. My cousin and I talked, and we seemed to lose family members left and right. By the age of 20, all of the great aunts and uncles on my mothers side had passed away...All but one. Dear Ol' Aunt Sweet. But at funerals, I'd be crying my eyes out before we even entered the church...remember, I was the "delicate" one. I would look around to see who else was crying, and then I'd cry harder... I was young.
I think people still do it, it's just a bit different these days. Adults boast their pain by pressing the Emergency Unnecessary Outburt Button and pretend that they're the ONLY someone whose lost a loved one. I'd love to put a padlock on that EUB Button. We're al grieving. We all miss him.
God, tell my grandpa that we miss him. Tell him that we'll see him again soon. Tell him that I'm sitting here, about to design his obituaries and I can't find a good, manly font. Tell him "Robin" misses him so much, and that Laci misses him.
I love Chester Ray Kemp, Sr. I know he's having a good time with Chester Ray Kemp, Jr.
Cheers,
JG
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Come With Us
I sit up thinking almost every night about where it is we're supposed
to go in life. Where is The Ars Supernova supposed to go from here?
I watched the 51st Annual Grammy Awards Show on Sunday night. I watched
as each performer took the stage and offered up his/her/ or their best
musical gifts to an audience of fans, peers, and producers. I watched
as the winner(s) of each categorized award walked on stage to accept
their molded, gold-ish, phonograph...
And I saw us...
As it would seem to most... A silly day dream. I laughed to myself and I said, "A dream"
When I lay my head down, and I sleep...Sometimes I dream the most vivid
of dreams, and sometimes, I don't remember those dreams throughout the
course of the day...but...
There is one dream that just will not go away. This dream haunts my
thoughts throughout the day. It dances in my head throughout the
evening.
I dream of carrying our music; our message beyond 6th street. This
dream reaches beyond Austin, Houston, or Dallas. Though touching each
city with fashion and finesse, we reach out beyond this great state of
Texas toward the edges of our nation and even the corners of the Earth.
I believe the "greats" had dreams just like this dream I've been
having. I believe Quincy Jones dreamed about it. I know Michael Jackson
dreamed about it. I'll bet Bruce Springsteen dreamed about it, and
Stevie Nicks, The Beatles... They all dreamed of stepping out and
reaching forward to touch someone in another part of the world.
I've never been so close to tasting this dream. It's sweet, I can smell
it. The work, the hard work in the specialties of each player in this
band can seem bitter, and a bit sour at times.
More than being a performer, or a musician... Being a humanitarian.
Keeping our supporters on our minds daily is a major focus. Giving
back...or rather just GIVING, because that is what keeps us going.
True, we've a lot of work to do as young musicians. We've a lot to
learn, and still there are dues to pay, but to know that we've got each
other as we travel down this road with uncertainty at our heels, but
with faith in our hearts... We can share this light, this LUMINA with
the world.
Even after the first album, we're still MESSENGERS... Even after the
second album, we will still be LUMINA. We will continue to bring forth
a message of hope to any and everyone who will listen. We will still
show that light to anyone who is searching for positivity through
poetry and instrumentation.
We are not saviors. We are not perfect. We do not know ALL there is to
know. Artists are what we call ourselves; players in a band founded upon
key principles: truth, wellness, hope, love...MUSIC.
Friends...supporters...family.
.... That's who you are to us.
We're striving... Moving at a rate that seems unreal when we think back
to how far we've come in only two years. The six of us are only PART of
The Ars Supernova. We need you to come along with us on this journey.
I love you.
Cheers,
Jirod
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Oh What a day it has been...
January 30-31, 2009... The Ars Supernova has been working so hard.
On Friday... We shot the second half of our music video... "Supernova: The Death of A Star" in 32 degree weather. Let me tell you, the paparazzi was out that night. We shot the red carpet scene for the video. ALL SIX of us stepped out of a limo wearing our very own custom designed vests compliments of Loves, Mariessa in Austin, Texas. She does absolutely amazing work.
The shoot was grueling, but PAPERTANK made it enjoyable. The trinity: Jeff, Jon, and Ray, again, very amazing videographers.
We had a full day of shooting and enduring the cold weather. PICS COMING SOON!
On Saturday we had an interview with the newly launched online publication called Rapt Magazine at Mozart's in Austin. The interview was a lot of fun, and we got to play with a beagle! Valerie of Rapt asked us really great questions. The real questions, you know... She didn't ask only the standard "Getting to know the band" questions. She asked us about our relationships with each other, the meaning behind our new album, each and every one of our musical influences.
Later that day, we had a photoshoot promoting Loves, Mariessa. FUN PHOTOS...Wearing our new show attire. In the beginning, we didn't know how we'd all look together, but everything came together beautifully.
Then came the time to load up gear and head to STUBB'S for our show. We'd had a long couple of days and the only thing that was driving us was...well, wanting to put on a great show. Alex, our violinist was suffering from an injured wrist. We were like, "OH NO!!!" which her friends would later conclude is the result of myspacing too much. LOL, but we wanted her to get better so we were concerned. When we got to STUBB'S there was the usual hustle and bustle of people moving gear, dropping this, and picking this up...This seems to be an ongoing thing, but EVERY show, David, our guitarist will lose a cable, or Dietrich, our keyboardist will mysteriously lose a cable, and they do the tango, back and forth with why the other person took the cable, put it in his car, drove it to Persia and boiled it in castor oil...Never to be found again... Until someone ends up finding it.
Right before the show...Alex's bow breaks...and she was just going to have to fake like she was playing. After a series of "Oh My God's" and "What are we going to do's", we decided that the show must go on.
We started with our song "Supernova" instead of the song "Cure" that we were initially supposed to start with... The lights and the fog machine set the scene...and my comrades began to sing the beginning of the song...A minute later, I make my grand entrance...I stand DEAD center...silent, with an accusing look on my face...hand on my hip...JUST AS BAD AS I WANNA BE... I approached the mic to begin the song...I open my mouth and began to sing...FIRST WORD....NO SOUND!!!!
Second and third words...NO SOUND... WTH...no sound...I looked at the sound technician, he gave me the shrug as if he didn't know what was happening. In a panic...No...I'm calm...I just reached over and grabbed David's mic...I mean, he didn't need it...oh wait, he did...but I grabbed it any way...And began singing over the crowd... APPLAUSE...
Minutes into the show...the struggling Alex was saved.... a bow appeared amidst the fog and lights by a mysterious, glowing hand. Dietrich's father had come to the rescue with a working bow.
And so the show went on. Lessons learned. A triumph for The Ars Supernova... It's a live show...stuff happens...But we weren't defeated.
A big thanks to all the people who came out and showed support.
Cheers,
Jirod
On Friday... We shot the second half of our music video... "Supernova: The Death of A Star" in 32 degree weather. Let me tell you, the paparazzi was out that night. We shot the red carpet scene for the video. ALL SIX of us stepped out of a limo wearing our very own custom designed vests compliments of Loves, Mariessa in Austin, Texas. She does absolutely amazing work.
The shoot was grueling, but PAPERTANK made it enjoyable. The trinity: Jeff, Jon, and Ray, again, very amazing videographers.
We had a full day of shooting and enduring the cold weather. PICS COMING SOON!
On Saturday we had an interview with the newly launched online publication called Rapt Magazine at Mozart's in Austin. The interview was a lot of fun, and we got to play with a beagle! Valerie of Rapt asked us really great questions. The real questions, you know... She didn't ask only the standard "Getting to know the band" questions. She asked us about our relationships with each other, the meaning behind our new album, each and every one of our musical influences.
Later that day, we had a photoshoot promoting Loves, Mariessa. FUN PHOTOS...Wearing our new show attire. In the beginning, we didn't know how we'd all look together, but everything came together beautifully.
Then came the time to load up gear and head to STUBB'S for our show. We'd had a long couple of days and the only thing that was driving us was...well, wanting to put on a great show. Alex, our violinist was suffering from an injured wrist. We were like, "OH NO!!!" which her friends would later conclude is the result of myspacing too much. LOL, but we wanted her to get better so we were concerned. When we got to STUBB'S there was the usual hustle and bustle of people moving gear, dropping this, and picking this up...This seems to be an ongoing thing, but EVERY show, David, our guitarist will lose a cable, or Dietrich, our keyboardist will mysteriously lose a cable, and they do the tango, back and forth with why the other person took the cable, put it in his car, drove it to Persia and boiled it in castor oil...Never to be found again... Until someone ends up finding it.
Right before the show...Alex's bow breaks...and she was just going to have to fake like she was playing. After a series of "Oh My God's" and "What are we going to do's", we decided that the show must go on.
We started with our song "Supernova" instead of the song "Cure" that we were initially supposed to start with... The lights and the fog machine set the scene...and my comrades began to sing the beginning of the song...A minute later, I make my grand entrance...I stand DEAD center...silent, with an accusing look on my face...hand on my hip...JUST AS BAD AS I WANNA BE... I approached the mic to begin the song...I open my mouth and began to sing...FIRST WORD....NO SOUND!!!!
Second and third words...NO SOUND... WTH...no sound...I looked at the sound technician, he gave me the shrug as if he didn't know what was happening. In a panic...No...I'm calm...I just reached over and grabbed David's mic...I mean, he didn't need it...oh wait, he did...but I grabbed it any way...And began singing over the crowd... APPLAUSE...
Minutes into the show...the struggling Alex was saved.... a bow appeared amidst the fog and lights by a mysterious, glowing hand. Dietrich's father had come to the rescue with a working bow.
And so the show went on. Lessons learned. A triumph for The Ars Supernova... It's a live show...stuff happens...But we weren't defeated.
A big thanks to all the people who came out and showed support.
Cheers,
Jirod
Friday, January 30, 2009
Believe In Me
I can remember climbing up on the top of a fountain ledge at the Brazos Mall in Lake Jackson, Texas and singing Christmas Carols to anyone who would listen as they entered and exited Dillard's. A few people even threw money to me on the ledge. I'm sure the money was for me, or either they had a bad aim because none of it made it into the fountain. I can remember how expressive I was as I sang my heart out to the passersby. My mother, embarrassed and tickled pulled me down after a security guard noticed me and noticed that I was probably generating more cash flow that the department stores. I was five. I can't imagine what type of trouble I might get into now at the age of 24.
I've been singing for a long, long time. The first song I ever sang was at Shiloh Baptist Church. I sang "Yes, Jesus Loves Me" at the age of 7. At that point, with the microphone in my hand and the approval of my family members saying "Amen" and "Sang Boy!", at that point I realized that I might have something special.
At the age of 10, I stepped on stage at O.M. Robert's Elementary and belted Brandy's "I Wanna Be Down" into a Shure 55 "Old School" Microphone during a talent show. The local newspaper, The Brazosport Facts documented the talent show, and I was pictured inside.. I can't find the picture to save my life. Holiday Events, Church Programs, and Talent shows seemed to be my trinity for singing.
In high school, I developed a greater appreciation for Choral Music and I began singing music written by Classical Composers like Bach, Tchiachovsky, Monteverdi, Brahams... You name him, I joined a choir that praised his music. I competed in UIL Solo & Ensemble competitions. In college I joined the mixed collegiate choir and I developed an even greater appreciation for Choral Music.
I joined The Ars Supernova in 2006. The other young men in the band at the time wanted to create something that was more than what we'd been hearing on the radios and on television. We were all indeed hungry for more than popular music was giving us at the time. Through the formation of the band, I was able to express myself freely through my lyrics. Vocally, I'd try to pull from some of my musical influences; Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, Ella Fitzgerald and a younger influence, John Legend...and even Beyonce.
MUSIC... such a wonderful tool for expression. Sometimes it's a bit frustrating... Because to have a career in music, people have to want to follow you. There has to be something about you that makes people believe in what you're trying to do. In my opinion, some people sell their souls just to have a hit record, no matter how bland of a song or how short-lived their success becomes. The band challenges me to be myself...and never compromise what I write for the sake of a #1 hit.
I figure Solange Knowles to be another influence. She christened a new type of music and vocal expression through her latest album. (I'm actually quite intrigued by her to tell you the truth)
But through this new album, LUMINA, I want people to hear the music...I want them to hear the passion. I want fellow vocalists to hear what I'm doing vocally. Sure, I want to make a career out of this, but to be quite honest... If atleast a handful of people will listen and dig this sound... My heart is happy. It's art... It'll be critiqued, criticized, made fun of, but I'll be darned if someone tells me I'm not good at what I do... LOL (Just kidding)
My comrades and I have been blessed with the gift of music, and we've been blessed with an audience of the WORLD to share it with?
You believe in me?
-JIROD-
I've been singing for a long, long time. The first song I ever sang was at Shiloh Baptist Church. I sang "Yes, Jesus Loves Me" at the age of 7. At that point, with the microphone in my hand and the approval of my family members saying "Amen" and "Sang Boy!", at that point I realized that I might have something special.
At the age of 10, I stepped on stage at O.M. Robert's Elementary and belted Brandy's "I Wanna Be Down" into a Shure 55 "Old School" Microphone during a talent show. The local newspaper, The Brazosport Facts documented the talent show, and I was pictured inside.. I can't find the picture to save my life. Holiday Events, Church Programs, and Talent shows seemed to be my trinity for singing.
In high school, I developed a greater appreciation for Choral Music and I began singing music written by Classical Composers like Bach, Tchiachovsky, Monteverdi, Brahams... You name him, I joined a choir that praised his music. I competed in UIL Solo & Ensemble competitions. In college I joined the mixed collegiate choir and I developed an even greater appreciation for Choral Music.
I joined The Ars Supernova in 2006. The other young men in the band at the time wanted to create something that was more than what we'd been hearing on the radios and on television. We were all indeed hungry for more than popular music was giving us at the time. Through the formation of the band, I was able to express myself freely through my lyrics. Vocally, I'd try to pull from some of my musical influences; Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, Ella Fitzgerald and a younger influence, John Legend...and even Beyonce.
MUSIC... such a wonderful tool for expression. Sometimes it's a bit frustrating... Because to have a career in music, people have to want to follow you. There has to be something about you that makes people believe in what you're trying to do. In my opinion, some people sell their souls just to have a hit record, no matter how bland of a song or how short-lived their success becomes. The band challenges me to be myself...and never compromise what I write for the sake of a #1 hit.
I figure Solange Knowles to be another influence. She christened a new type of music and vocal expression through her latest album. (I'm actually quite intrigued by her to tell you the truth)
But through this new album, LUMINA, I want people to hear the music...I want them to hear the passion. I want fellow vocalists to hear what I'm doing vocally. Sure, I want to make a career out of this, but to be quite honest... If atleast a handful of people will listen and dig this sound... My heart is happy. It's art... It'll be critiqued, criticized, made fun of, but I'll be darned if someone tells me I'm not good at what I do... LOL (Just kidding)
My comrades and I have been blessed with the gift of music, and we've been blessed with an audience of the WORLD to share it with?
You believe in me?
-JIROD-
Renascence- From Our Album Lumina
The word Renascence means new birth or life; a rebirth.
Our song Renascence was written especially for young women. As a man, I cannot even begin to imagine the pressures that society seems to place on young women to live up to the standards of "beauty". It hurts to see young women try so hard and then fail because of the constant change in standards of this word; "beauty".
However, I do know how it feels to work at something for so long and work so hard and still feel like you're missing the mark. We all search for approval in some way, shape, or form. Sometimes, it may be a kind word, a compliment, a smile or a hug.
I've heard and witnessed so many stories about young women who failed to see the beauty in themselves and sought other, more tangible ways to define what they considered beauty. TV and magazines can paint such a twisted picture of "perfection", and some women may see that and believe THAT is beauty. Let me be the first to tell you... A great majority of the things you see in print are edited masterpieces. Adobe Photoshop works wonders and can fool the untrained eye.
But more than that. The song Renascence talks about a young woman who lives to please others, especially a man in an abusive relationship. She's beaten, battered, and broken not only by him, but also by this worldly view of beauty that she has been trained to believe is the way for her to live. In the end, the woman finds an honest friend, or maybe she looks in the mirror at herself and realizes that she's always been beautiful, but she gains confidence in herself. She finally opens her eyes and for the first time, she loves herself. She sees that light, that positive bright-shining light within herself.
In the Spring of 2007, a Texas A&M Student lost her life to the hands of an ex-boyfriend. Pictures of her will forever be branded in my memory. She was beautiful. Her personality lit up a room. She gained the strength to move on without him. She's no longer here because this man did not appreciate her beauty. He could not see how someone so young could have so much strength to live her life without him. So instead of allowing her to live her life without him, he ended her life.
Whoever you are, where ever you are...No matter what you're going through, through this song "Renascence", I'm connected to you. You don't have to feel inadequate. You don't have to feel like you're not beautiful. Love yourself. You ARE paramount. You ARE important. It's okay to start over; to redefine who you are in life. Sometimes we need a refreshed mind. 2Pac said it best, "Keep Ya Head Up."
Cheers,
Jirod
Lyrically I'm Supposed To Represent
Ladies and Gentleman:
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jirod Greene. I'm the front man/lyricist of Austin's own art-rock band, The Ars Supernova. I wanted something that I could use as an outlet for my thoughts as I seem to always have a lot of my mind, and I'm always willing to share. So keep coming back as I'm sure I'll have more to say later.
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