Well, this year is almost done and I have so many new songs I want to record. You know, it's hard to do all the keyboard parts and harmonies that I hear in my head unless we're in a recording studio....I am sometimes surprised by my own music. I still wonder where this all comes from, where was it all those years I was singing covers like Aretha Franklin, Alannis Morisette, Led Zeppelin, and Ozzie, to name a few. Yeah, I've covered all kinds of stuff...I even used to sing Iron Maiden....

Now I'm focusing on new stuff, and trying hard not to make everything sound like old stuff...that's hard to do as writing and creating just comes from inside and you can't always control it as much as you want. Although singing with Suburban Paranoia (the thrash metal band I also perform with) has certainly helped me to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. Although I think in the end you can still recognize my writing style...it just has different instrumentation and chord progressions and styles and changes....well, at least the vocals sound like me.

Well, I've missed playing with LIPSHOK, thank the Godess we have a new show coming up Nov. 12th. I must get these guys busier. And I'm really enjoying singing with the trash metal band "Suburban Paranoia". It's giving me new ideas and new perspectives and keeping my busier musically which is what I really need. At the same time I am jamming with other people and writing new songs and singing and thinking and doing magick and all kinds of cool stuff. Must keep going.

Right now I am falling down into a pit of despair....it's tough to write songs when I am having so many personal problems. Man what a pile on right now. And even though I know it could be worse, and will be at some point, this period right now has been dragging on. Thank the Goddess for my music! It helped last night singing in my metal band "Suburban Paranoia"...nothing like some music about destruction and horror and bones and decaying flesh to help put you in better spirits. I probably sang the songs the best I ever have and for a little while I was able to forget about all the other shit going on. LIPSHOK is still my baby though. And I will never stop. I have new songs all the time, but unfortunately we don't get to work on it a lot as everyone seems to busy with work and such. I know that happens. Writing for this metal band has helped and of course writing for my middle school punk/pop band has been really fun. Man, you have to admit. I sure can write different styles of music. And I never even knew I could. Playing in a cover band for 13 years can really quell your creative spirit you know? Although the money is fantastic, you lost a little bit of yourself and why you start doing music in the first place. I remember being 10 years old writing songs and singing on the piano. Of course, no one wanted to hear them....not even my family, but inside I was really doing it for me, and that is something I just recently learned.

Well, now I've decided I need more metal, so I've joined a speed metal band "Suburban Paranoia". (Of course I am still in LIPSHOK, d-uh...)  I need to fulfill the metal hungry desire I have, and by doing this, LIPSHOK seems all the more special. It is awesome to get to sing different styles and so rewarding and challenging. I am thrilled and honored to bet to be in 2 projects and I love all the music.

Obviously, I have enough time for it all. I live for my singing and my writing and my music...it is my spirit and it needs to soar continually and I feel I have just increased my odds for that. Metal like that is very new and difficult for me to write to and that's what I love about...the challenge. And I am learning so much that I can add to LIPSHOK as well. Just gotta keep myself out there you know?

Well, here is a new year and I'm still writing new songs and the ideas flow and ebb. I guess that's what songwriting is all about, the flow and ebb of life and how it's going at the time. Although my songs seem to always reflect darker sides, I do have some that I purposely try to write so that others can relate. It's interesting though. I'll write a song about one thing, and someone will listen to it and think of something else. That is one cool part. Interpretation. Perspective.

I am thrilled to be going into the studio again, but I really love the live performance best. When you can see into people's eyes while you play a song...well, that's if they're looking at you of course...you feel you have touched a soul.