long blog so fire up a coffee...

So here we are into September. Still have some summer left despite various stores putting up Fall (and Xmas?!) decorations. Been raining like crazy here but it's still summer, okay?!

That was the weather, now onto the music...

I have sent out free downloads of ACT NATURAL to those who pre-ordered. Some time remains to take advantage of this deal until the physical cds are in my hands. And I've heard some interesting reviews from friends about the new music, ranging from "This is your best/heaviest" to "You sound happier."

Happier?

Well, when I wrote the music for what became MOOD SWINGS, I was definitely in a depressive state. I never hide that from anyone. I felt that music was reflective of what I was dealing with. And yes when I wrote "Force Quit", I honestly thought "This will be the last song I ever write and record." I forced myself to quit performing and all that stressful stuff. But of course, the cd sold well, people wanted to see my trio perform live, so like Motley Crue, I came out of "retirement".

Minus the middle school drama.

But with ACT NATURAL, the writing definitely has more of an upbeat feeling to it. The songs are still heavy and aggressive but, as one friend put it, "I can put this album on repeat." Hmmm...did I do something right? Maybe. But all I did was write new music.

I have been setting up interviews to promote ACT. I already did a phone chat with Jeff Rickett at CBJ Radio last Thursday, which will air on Wed Sept 13 at 9pm EST. Also have another live Q&A with CT McManus on Wed (twice the Bello!) at 7:30pm which will be done via Streamyard. Also waiting word on doing interviews with Metal Maiden Vicki, DJ Metal Mistress, DJJD, Tom Hanley, Debbie Mazella...whew! I'm tired thinking about all this but someone's gotta do the running-around.

And yes, some have asked me "Will you play live?" And my answer is the same: I would like to do one show this year, and one next year. That's it. I don't find myself missing the stage as in recent years. My trio played two shows last year and they were stellar, possibly the best I ever did. Yes, I tried getting on the bill with Living Colour/Extreme at Starland but they are not having any opening bands on their tour. Fair enough. I do not like selling tickets, too old for that. As I said earlier, it's too stressful. I like not having my heart race 200mph trying to get even 20 people to see me perform.

All I care about is people hearing the new album, and really enjoying it.

The rest will follow...