Recording Soon!
I am super, super, super excited. I record in a week and a half! Oh shit…I record in a week and a half…ha ha ha…I’ve got work to do. Seriously though, I am super excited to be doing this…just me, solo, in the studio. I’m excited to hurry up and get this album done, so I can begin recording my next album….and then there’s tour. Touring, touring, touring. Going on tour in April with One Man Train Wreck. I’ve been trying not to stress money. The button orders haven’t been coming in as quickly as I’d hoped, but I’m reaching out, and trying to gain more business.
If you would like 1″ custom buttons, you should go order them from my other website. I know I’m missing out on a lot of business because I only offer the one size, but it’s another $500 in start up costs for the next size up, and I just don’t have it. The good news is, I have been able to do button trades for some of the things I need, and still manage to have enough money to renew supplies…I actually like the barter system quite a bit.
I did manage to order stickers though, something many folks have been requesting for quite some time, but I just never got around to getting. Behold…STICKERS!
B&W Vinyl Goodness
Well, I ordered them, but probably won’t see them for another 3 weeks or so. Stickerguy.com is good, but also in high demand, so while the prices are awesome, it can take 3-4 weeks to receive your order.
I’ve been trying not to go crazy staying home, but still manage to pick up a show here and there. Still working on finding my audience. It’s a weird shift when you’re more familiar with the punk and metal crowd, and then you just start busting out this weird, eclectic, bluesy, genre-less shit. I’m glad that many of my fans from previous projects have carried over, but I’m not sure that playing punk and metal shows is going to be ideal forever. Not complaining, at least the music is good (usually), but it’s time to start stretching my wings a bit and seeing what else is out there.
I played a killer show at The Red Room in Portland, OR on the 1st of this month. (and by killer, I mean I played to 15 or so people on a Thursday night, and the sound was awesome). I love it when the levels are just right, and I can hear myself clearly. That is one difference I’ve noticed between doing this and doing punk projects…hearing yourself makes a HUGE difference. The staff is always friendly and awesome too. The lead singer/guitarist for the opening band told me about a venue called Valentines that he felt I should check out, it was of his opinion that my sound would be well received and the potential for finding lasting fans would be very good there…so I sent an email, and I’m waiting to hear back.
I’ve been playing a lot of new songs live, in preparation of recording the new album. Adjusting kinks and what not. Every time I perform, it’s like the song develops more, and I start to get really excited at the changes that have been naturally flowing.
I’ve also been watching a lot of Bill Hicks again, which has been getting me fired up, as it usually does. I really admire people like him…Henry Rollins too…people who just put it all out on the line for better or worse, without any apologies.
I think what he’s saying here is very important.
All I aspire to be is 100% me, all of the time. Watching this video clip really makes me miss The Athiarchists. I don’t really talk about it all that much, but I do. I miss them a lot. The music, the passion, the fire. It’s been a long time since a band inspired me so much. I miss Aaron too. I don’t miss SHiT, but I miss “tihs” and I miss Aaron. I really wish we would’ve put more focus into “tihs” instead of SHiT, but wishes don’t turn into fishes that fill your belly, and I am happy with the direction Zebrana Bastard is moving in.
I spend a lot of time thinking about “what else”, as in “what else can I do?” I never feel like I’m ever working hard enough, especially when I’m not on the road. Granted, I haven’t even been off of tour for a full month yet, but it’s getting to me. There’s a slim chance I’ll be leaving for a month as a road dog for another band I also really love shortly after recording, but the chance that they will actually need me is super, super slim. So I’m not really holding my breath on it…but it’s difficult, because if I’m not leaving, then I’d like to start booking some local shows at the very least. I just hate sitting still for too long. This coming from the woman who just spent 5 days in Oregon. Idunno, it’s just so hard for me to sit still.
Anyway…recording comes soon, and I’ve got songs to polish, I can’t wait to start touring with this new album. Planning on releasing a couple 7″ splits with some friends as well in the very near future. Please, please, please…if you like what I’m doing and want to see me do more, buy some merch or place a button order. Every dime I make goes right back into this. I hate asking for help, but if you want to, that’s the best thing that you can do for me. I’ve got a list of expenses racking up from website fees that are quickly due to other things on the back end that I need to get done and haven’t been able to afford to do, and every little bit helps out in a big, big way.
I’ve also been working on some art I plan on putting up for sale, which is a new hurdle for me to overcome, as I’ve never tried to sell any of my art before…but I’m going to do it. So expect to see some of that in the near future. 🙂
Take care everyone, and as always, thank you so much for your continued love and support.
-Z.B. 🙂