Writer’s Block
By Forrest Lee Jr.
Defining Your Writing Style Welcome to writers block. An article about all things in song, or the creation thereof.
pushing the one. A punch is emphasizing the beat on the beat.
I’ve been pretty lucky as of late to have another major motion picture placement What I’m doing at this moment, (The Possession). The song they used for would be adding words, not the way I would speak them, but this film is “I’m Gonna Pay For That”. I rather in an articulate way. Defin- had to re write the song a few times due to ing the essence of a writing style, it not flowing correctly. Even when I not used in written song in four thought I had it complete, it still was missscore and… well you get the ing something. What I did to fix it was to change the chorus ending from “till the day point. I die” to “but I sure had a good time”, with Writing outpunches on “good” side the box is “Sometimes all I’ll have and “time”. And a great way to to do to create the hook, jumped time on the find new ways “time” (“time” is reverse the money word to say the becoming the new 1 same thing. line. “ of the measure). Take a line Yoda might say for example, Well back to work… Its been fun writing everything is ass backwards. this article, I hope you can use something Write a song you must. Or… from it to help you in your songwriting. broken hearted you feel… There’s a hook right there (broken hearted you feel). Rather than write it like you would normally say it… You feel broken hearted. Try reversing the front and back of a line, because this will open up new rhymes with the final word, while still saying the exact same thing. That’s a trick I’ve used numerous times to get out of a writers road block. One friend of mine always has about 10 new hooks or ideas when we co-write. It makes things easier (as stated in an earlier edition of writers block) for me to document every word he says while trying to convey his message. Sometimes all I’ll have to do to create the hook, is reverse the money line. But if I ever get stuck, I will always try reversing a line we cant seem to follow up. And that will usually work. Another thing that can help if your stuck on a song is to try adjusting the time signature. You can take a 4/4 time song and change it to ¾ time, or vise versa. Or maybe create a jump time diamond or push. If you’re not familiar with the Nashville numbers system a diamond is a stop that the whole band does together. And a push is when you emphasize the swing beat right before the first beat of the measure,
Forrest Lee Jr is a singer/songwriter, guitarist, and producer in Nashville, TN. He co-manages Loretta Lynn’s Coal Miners Daughter Recording Studio. His songs have been released by several recording artists, and used in hundred of films and TV shows. www.ForrestLee.com
CONTENTS SOUTH TEXAS CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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FEB 2015 VOL. 3 ISS. 11
ENTERTAINMENT 16 TROUBADOUR INSIGHTS 21 WORK HABITS
ART 3 WRITER’S BLOCK 12 WENLI LIU: LIVING HER DREAM 22 AROUND TOWN
MUSIC 8 LOCAL TUNES: DAVE RUKKUS BAND 11 MEET ADAM CARROLL 16 SOUTH TEXAS EDM
PUBLISHER RUSTY HICKS EDITOR TAMMA HICKS COMICS EDITOR ALLENE HICKS STAFF WRITERS RICK BOWEN, DALE MARTIN, TAMMA HICKS, JON-PAUL JONES CONTRIBUTING WRITERS J MICHAEL DOLAN, DEREK SIGNORE, ADAM DAWSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS ALLENE HICKS, RUSTY HICKS, JON-PAUL JONES, KEVIN MCDERMOTT TO ADVERTISE WITH US 361-904-4339 SALES@STEAMTX.COM SEE US ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMMAGAZINE.NET WANT YOUR CD, BOOK, OR SHOW REVIEWED? HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SUBMISSIONS@STEAMTX.COM
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STEAM Magazine is published monthly by STEAM Magazine South Texas Entertainment Art Music in Corpus Christi, TX. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Views expressed within are solely the authors and not of STEAM Magazine. Typographical, photographic, and printing errors are unintentional and subject to correction. Please direct all inquiries to: submissions@steamtx.com
THE MONEY SEMINAR J. Michael Dolan (:13) The seminar begins now... 1) Don't allow debt to rise faster than income. 2) Don't allow income to rise faster than productivity. 3) Do everything you can to raise your productivity. 4) Let go of the struggle, avoid the media hype, do the research, and make intelligent choices and decisions regarding your money. 5) Whether you have too much or too little, the same (inner) place you go to create your art and run your world is the same place you go to conceive and devise ways to manage and grow your money. Really. Thank you for attending the Money Seminar.
Crumbs count J. Michael Dolan (:13) Every friend you choose, every lover you lose, every argument you fight, every race you win, every dollar you earn, every petty annoyance and frustrating flop you endure, every choice you make, every stand you take, every promise you break, and every grateful bow you take, is “fresh material” for the art you make and the ideas you manifest. Every magnificent morsel, and crummy crumb of life is food for the genius artist, and vitality for the brave entrepreneur.
Check Us Out Online! www.SteamMagazine .Net
Monkeys & rabbits J. Michael Dolan (:37) Many of the clients I work with invest time and money to build a project or develop their career for 2-3 years with unsatisfactory results. They work hard at the daily routine of pushing the giant boulder up the mountain, only to watch it roll back down to the bottom time after time. Truth is, at some point I have to ask the question: “Is it worth it to continue?” If answering “yes” comes from a place of clarity, wisdom and confidence, then by all means don’t quit. However, many times artists & entrepreneurs are so afraid of failing, or losing, or crashing (especially in front of others), that they just keep going down the rabbit hole year after year until they hit rock bottom and fold up
the tent in despair.
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If your project is not growing or gaining ground after FEB 2015 a number of years, and your productivity is going south, along with your original vision, then something is wrong. That’s okay. Just go back to your creative space and reinvent, reconstruct, or start over. That’s what the smart A&E’s I work with do. They know when it’s time to call it a day on one project and begin the process of investing their energy in another. Sure there’s disappointment. But when the conversation finally gets to the deep truth of the matter, it’s always more prudent, more practical, and more liberating to get the monkey off your back than to keep chasing rabbits down a dark hole.
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www.theawkwardyeti.com | www.lunarbaboon.com
IAN SIEGAL THE PICNIC SESSIONS (NUGENE RECORDS) By Rick J Bowen, twitter.com/rickjbowen
Leave it to a Brit to have the perspective and ability to get to the heart of American blues and roots music. On one of his visits to the North Mississippi hill country picnic, selfproclaimed blues pirate Ian Siegal once again jumped at the chance to record at the famed Zebra ranch studios run by Cody and Luther Dickinson. They were joined by Alvin Youngblood Heart and Jimbo Mathus and the day long jam resulted in The Picnic Sessions, released January of 2015. The affair was captured live with one room mic and paired down to ten songs and a half dozen snippets of studio banter that allow us to listen in on the party. The energy and joy of spon-
taneous creativity of the gathering comes through in every note with Siegal improvising lyrics with a jaunty wit and tongue twisting precision. Siegal penned seven of the tunes, some on the very day of the recording. A loving tribute to all things southern “Beulah Land,” features mandolin, banjo and slide guitar to accompany the marching hymn. “Stone Cold Soul,” and Keen and Peachy,” are the albums deep blues stompers and Siegal explains himself during the rambling “Talking Overseas Pirate Blues,” The whole crew joins in the chorus of the loving cover of Townes Van Zandt’s “Heavenly Houseboat Blues.” Two dynamic highlights of the session take the listener to divergent locales: The Tex-Mex tale of a fighting rooster “Gallo Del Cielo,” that finds the pickers trading in their blues licks for Mariachi style, and the heartfelt reading of "Hard Times Come Again No More," with the words of Stephen Foster’s Civil War ballad still ringing with relevance and truth. IANSIEGAL.COM
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CD REVIEWS
STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
HOWARD & THE WHITE BOYS ROSA’S LOUNGE (3011 RECORDS) By Rick J Bowen, twitter.com/rickjbowen
Anyone who has had the great fortune of seeing a show at the renowned Rosa’s Lounge in Logan Square, on Chicago’s Northwest side, knows it is a windowless hotbox of pure blues and soul. Hard-working quartet Howard & the White Boys caught lightning in a bottle there on one summer night in 2013, recording their show and releasing it in October of 2014 as their sixth album, simply titled Rosa’s Lounge. The eleven-song set is not only a high watermark
CORY BRANAN THE NO-HIT WONDER (BLOODSHOT RECORDS) By Adam Dawson, www.thebrokenjukebox.com
As the title of his newest record proclaims, Cory Branan has never written a hit song. But that says way more about what constitutes a hit song these days, than his ability to write a phenomenal track. The No-Hit Wonder is Branan’s fourth release, his second on Chicago based indie label, Bloodshot Records. Following in the footsteps of its predecessors, this album does not have an overall theme or feel or even genre. Branan slips easily into all of the realms that make up the Americana or roots music landscape and sometimes dwells beyond
achievement for the band but a spot-on example of modern Chicago blues. The formula of two guitars, bass, and drums is worked to precision here, with the rhythm section laying down grooves that mix the tight new sound of modern R&B and gospel with classic blues and soul riffs, while the guitars trade gritty leads -- all designed to emphasize Howard McCullum’s big baritone and hot shot bravado. The opening track, “Heat Seeking Missile,” is a snappy Messin’ tune with the kid-type boogaloo that showcases the bands’ mighty chops right from the top. McCullum testifies to his lifelong obsession during the mighty, slow-burning 12bar “Strung Out on the Blues.” Drummer Jim “Buka” Christopulos rolls around his whole kit during the thundering “Trouble Follows You,” then they make a statement with the funk on “Judge.” Special guest Steve Asma joins the crew for the down-home shuffle “Black Cat," adding greasy slide guitar to the stew. The boys take it to church for the bonus studio track “That’s Alright,” with guest Neal O’Hara adding sweet Hammond B3 to the gospel beat. WWW.HOWARDANDTHEWHITEBOYS.NET
the normal scape of either label. He is as comfortable laying down a track inspired by the sound of a Tennessee Trio (Sour Mash) as he is embracing the delta blues roots of his native Mississippi (In The Meantime Blues), all while embellishing the songs with the edginess and honesty of the punk rock he grew up with. In addition to the multiple personality disorder his records seem to have, Cory’s superb lyrical handle and charmingly gruff southern vocals make all of his songs easy to relate and cling to. The tracks on The No-Hit Wonder are no exception, and behind the superior songwriting and Branan’s own guitar playing is a band put together of ace studio musicians and a group of performers that reads like the guest list at this year’s AMA awards, that includes Jason Isbell, Tim Easton, Austin Lucas and Caitlin Rose among others. Branan and producer, Paul Ebersold were able to perfectly match the musicians with the songs that allowed them to shine the most, and in the end have put together Branan’s strongest effort to date. So despite the accuracy of its title, The No-Hit Wonder is another masterful release from one of this generation’s finest storytellers. WWW.THEBROKENJUKEBOX.COM
Putting music to life’s stories Words by Tamma Hicks, STEAM Magazine DBR Photo
STEAM How did you come up with the name? Who is Rukkus? DRB One of our first shows was at the Backwoods Saloon in Ingleside TX. During one of our breaks an old rough stopped me at the bar and said, "For you boy's just being four of you, you sure making a whole lot of Rukkus." So, the Dave Rukkus Band was born.
ry of life stories is the real stuff. STEAM How do you choose which songs fit your style? DRB My Texas roots dig deep and our music is true stories of life experiences; the mood and soft tones soothe the soul and reach deep into your heart.
STEAM Tell me about your original songs. What inspires the music you write? STEAM How did you band together this DRB “Live Oak County Girl” Is about group of musicians? Tell me about the my loving wife and the story of how we guys. met and the love and memories we've DRB Very fortunate to have an amazing made together. “Nobody’s Home” is a network of musicians but most recently song of how sometimes after being marforming a traveling band that consist of: ried for a while the spark starts to fade Gabriel Sanchez- from Robstown TXand its very important to take time to Bass- is a childhood friend that I've show your significant known my whole life he's other that you love played with various My Texas roots them no different bands recorded various than the first day you albums has been the dig deep met. Bands bass player for 2yrs. Joe Suringer-Sinton STEAM Do you have an album out now? TX- Drums- is in my opinion one of the Are you planning on going into a studio best drummers in South Texas. This guy or are you already recording? is so versatile and talented that he can DRB Our album is in the works and keep a beat on anything. He's played with we’ve recently released two singles with the best of the best and all sorts of genres. plans to return to the studio very soon. I'm lucky to have him. Nick GarciaWimberly TX-Lead guitar - This guy is a STEAM So, where can we see you? hidden talent that has been in the Texas DRB Shows range dates in Austin, Dalmusic scene in Austin and New Braunfels las, San Antonio, Houston, an entire TX area his shredding solos and smooth tone tour... playing places like 151 Saloon, Midset him apart from a lot of players I've night Rodeo, Gruene Hall, R&J Pavilion heard. Dave Villarreal- Robstown TXvarious festivals and private events. The Lead vocals and rhythm guitar; I discovbest way to find us is by following us on ered at a very early age that music would Facebook, Twitter, and Reverbnation. be a huge part of my life. I was influenced by my father and uncles, all musicians, to Just search for Dave Rukkus Band on pursue music. SongFacebook.com, Twitter, Instagram, writing is my passion Youtube, Itunes, amazonmusic, spotify, and composing meloand reverbnation! STEAMMAGAZINE.NET dies and musical poet-
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FEBRUARY ALBUM RELEASES Tuesday 3 February Big Noble First Light Blind Guardian Beyond The Red Mirror Bob Dylan Shadows In The Night Breakfast In Fur Flyaway Garden Butch Walker Afraid Of Ghosts Chip Z'Nuff Strange Time Diana Krall Wallflower Fifth Harmony Reflection John Carpenter Lost Themes John Tejada Signs Under Test Kid Ink Full Speed Mount Eerie Sauna Murder by Death Big Dark Love TeeFlii Starr The Church Further Deeper Title Fight Hyperview Two Gallants We Are Undone Victor Villarreal Sleep Talk Tuesday 10 February Blackberry Smoke Holding All The Roses Death Grips The Powers That B Fat Mike Home Street Home Father John Misty I Love You, Honeybear Gretchen Peters Blackbirds JD McPherson Let The Good Times Roll Jefre Cantu-Ledesma A Year With 13 Moons Johan Agebjorn Notes Knifight V Kodaline Coming Up For Air Retox Beneath California Rhiannon Giddens Tomorrow Is My Turn Ricky Martin A Quien Quiera Escuchar Sisqo Last Dragon The Districts A Flourish And A Spoil The Dreaming Rise Again Vijay Iyer Trio Break Stuff War On Women War On Women William Ryan Fritch Revisionist
Monday 16 February The Mainframe Tuesday 17 February A Place to Bury Strangers Transfixiation Anthony Naples Body Pill Colin Hay Next Year People Elle King Love Stuff Estelle True Romance Ibeyi Ibeyi Imagine Dragons Smoke + Mirrors Jose Gonzalez Vestiges & Claws Kate Pierson Guitars And Microphones Letts Hold Fast Leviathan Scar Sighted Lyal Strickland Balanced On Barbed Wire Mourn Mourn Nedelle Torrisi Advice From Paradise Six Organs of Admittance Hexadic Steve Earle & the Dukes ... Terraplane The Amazing Picture You The Juliana Hatfield Three Whatever, My Love The Mavericks Mono Twin River Should The Light Go Out Monday 23 February The Pop Group Citizen Zombie Tuesday 24 February Alcoa Parlour Tricks All That Remains The Order Of Things Dan Deacon Gliss Riffer Dutch Uncles O Shudder Falling in Reverse Just Like You Future Brown Future Brown Gang of Four What Happens Next James McMurtry Complicated Game Kid Rock First Kiss Make Do and Mend Don't Be Long Mat Kearney Just Kids Oceans Ate Alaska Lost Isles Screaming Females Rose Mountain THEESatisfaction EarthEE Joker
IN THEATER’S THIS MONTH Seafood & Steaks International Cuisine Vegan/Vegetarian Fare Fine Desserts Absinthe Parlor Craft Cocktails Beer & Wine
Friday, February 6 The Seventh Son Jupiter Ascending SpongeBob: Sponge Out of...
Action PG-13 Action PG-13 Comedy G
Friday, February 13 Kingsman: The Secret Service Fifty Shades of Grey
Action Drama
NR R
Drama Comedy Drama Thriller
NR R PG NR
Friday, February 20 The DUFF
Hot Tub Time Machine 2 McFarland, USA Jane Got a Gun
Friday, February 27 The Lazarus Effect The Vatican Tapes
Focus
112 112 S S Fulton Fulton Beach Beach Rd Rd Fulton Fulton TX TX (361) (361) 790-9626 790-9626
Thriller PG-13 Thriller PG-13 Comedy R
THE LAZARUS EFFECT THRILLER PG-13 STARRING Mark Duplass, Olivia Wilde, Evan Peters STORYLINE As revealed through found footage, a group of medical researchers attempt to reawaken the dead, only to find that they've created another monster entirely. IN THEATERS 2/27/15
314 E AVE. G PORT ARANSAS
361.290.7143 WWW.BRONSBEACHCARTS.COM
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THE NORTH END Fowler. You can get their full schedule and
FEB 2015
Troubadour Insights
tickets at rodeoaustin.com.
Wade Bowen is starting off 2015 with a bang. He made his national TV debut on Conan, adding another milestone to a remarkable list of accomplishments since the release of his self-titled album late last year. It’s the biggest independent release of his career and has already surpassed the success of his last major label release. "When I Woke Up Today," the first single from the new album, has also been added to heavy rotation on SiriusXM's ‘The Highway,’ which spent several weeks at #1 on the Texas Music Chart. Bowen's new album marks a true breakthrough for his music, both artistically and professionally. "On all my earlier records, I think I felt like I had something to prove. On this album, I threw all of that out the window," he says. "I felt like I needed to hit the reset button. That's what this record feels like, the start of the next phase of my career. It was nice to make music for the right reasons and just to have fun with it. Hopefully people will enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it." Bowen is a household in Texas but the new album is expected to widen his popularity all over the country. As with all Texas artists, Wade tour constantly to support the new album. He has upcoming shows in College Station, Dallas, Houston, Wichita Falls, Navasota, Nacogdoches, Fort Worth, Abilene, Lubbock and San Antonio. Keep up with his tour and news at wadebowen.com.
With Dale Martin
This time
of year means rodeo time in Texas. Three Texas cities, Austin, Houston and San Antonio all kick off their rodeos in the first few months of the year. San Antonio gets started first with Joe Nichols kicking things off on Feb. 12. It will run through February and will feature such acts as Hunter Hayes, Keith Urban, John Legend, Eli Young Band, Reba McEntire, Styx and Josh Abbott. For a full list of performers and ticket info, see their website at sarodeo.com.
The Houston
San Antonio/New Braunfels/San Marcos/Austin
Rodeo
is the largest of the Texas rodeos, simply because it’s held in the huge NRG Stadium, located next door to the Astrodome. They start the fun on March 3rd with Eric Church and continue through March 22nd with the final show by Luke Bryan. Entertainers this year include Miranda Lambert, Fall Out Boy, Tim McGraw, Zac Brown Band, Pitbull, Ariana Grande and Brad Paisley, just to name a few. Check out their website at rodeohouston.com.
The State Capital
starts their rodeo on March 14th with the Texas icon Willie Nelson. Dwight Yoakam, Eli Young Band, Beach Boys, Randy Rogers Band, Turnpike Troubadours, Martina McBride and many others follow Willie with the final show being March 28 featuring Kevin
Speaking of
Wade Bowen, he and
Randy Rogers front of two of the most popular bands in Texas. Once a year they team up for an acoustic tour they jokingly
call the “Hold My Beer and Watch This” tour. It’s a stripped-down, acoustic set that allows them to play smaller venues like the ones they got their start in, earlier in their careers. They have been doing these two man tours for the past seven years and finally found time to record a duet album. The new album, which shares the same name as the tour, will finally be released on April 26th. Rogers first met Bowen in San Marcos in 2002, and the two became good friends. Hold My Beer is now available for pre-order via Bandcamp, with an immediate download of three tracks, including two bonus acoustic tunes recorded live during last year’s tour. "We both like the idea of showing loyalty to the venues we played when we were getting started and for the people who supported us during that time," Rogers told the Dallas Observer last year. "Our bands have outgrown the venues we played back then, so this is a great chance for us to play in rooms like Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, where I first started. It helps us to stay grounded and true in that sense." The track list for the new CD includes: In the Next Life; I Had My Hopes Up High; 'Til It Does; Good Luck With That; It's Been a Great Afternoon; I've Got Standards; El Dorado; Hangin' Out in Bars; Lady Bug; Reasons to Quit; Lost & Found (acoustic bonus track) and Trouble (acoustic bonus track).
that begin on the museum's second floor that Mrs. Jones predicts will draw fans from far and wide. During his life, Jones always thought a museum dedicated to him was a bad idea. He would often tell Nancy 'Nobody is going to come see me and all this stuff. This is crazy.’ But Nancy didn’t agree, she always encountered his fans when she visited his gravesite. “I would go at different hours of the day and there would be people from everywhere there; Nashville, Canada, Switzerland. They all come to see George's grave.” His legacy began with Jones' first Number One single, 1959's ‘White Lightning.’ To commemorate the song, the Jones estate is partnering with a Kentucky distillery to produce and distribute nationally White Lightning Moonshine. The bottle features Jones in one of his favorite poses. "The picture we're using on the label we call 'the badass picture.' He loved that picture and I do too. Putting it on the bottle just makes it perfect," says Mrs. Jones, who adds that the Country Music Hall of Famer often toyed with the idea of entering the booze business. "He'd say the alcohol controlled him all his life, and now he's controlling it." In addition to the museum, the shrine to Jones will also include a rooftop deck, event space and concert venue. Jamey Johnson has already expressed an interest in performing there at the grand opening.
www.martinsmusic.com
George Jones
is often regarded as the greatest country singer of all time, and soon his fans will have a chance to visit a museum dedicated to Jones and his life. In a recent press conference in Nashville, his widow Nancy Jones revealed the floor plans for the facility, which is set to open April 24th, around the two-year anniversary of his death on April 26th, 2013. A gift shop and restaurant will be the first attractions tourists encounter upon entering the Possum's kingdom, located on 2nd Avenue near Music City's Broadway honky-tonk district, but it's the personal treasures
Make Your Spring Break Reservations Now!!
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By Adam Dawson, www.thebrokenjukebox.com
that are just brilliantly literary and poetic, almost untouchable in a way. The second are the songwriters that have a way of coming off as one of us, a common guy who writes songs that we all can easily relate to. Occasionally a songwriter finds a way to enter both of these realms at the same time. Sometimes it’s for a song or an album and on very rare occasions they permanently reside there. Adam Carroll belongs to the latter group. His songs have a way of immediately connecting with the listener and at the same time, being completely beyond anything we could have written ourselves. The characters in his songs live in our neighborhoods but they are so elegantly presented within the song that it makes them seem larger than life. Once you add in Carroll’s fine guitar and harmonica playing and his off kilter vocal delivery, you have an artist that in my opinion can hold his own in any songwriting circle, no matter how high up the ladder you go. Comparisons to John Prine and Townes Van Zandt seem to come at him from all directions and they are absolutely well deserved for once. I would throw others in the mix as well, Guy Clark, John Hiatt, and the list could go on. Basically think of all the writers that get every word right and go ahead and place Carroll in their midst. I first heard of Carroll through a couple of Hayes Carll bootlegs, where Carll stated that if he could get away with it he would sing Carroll songs for half of his set and claim that he wrote them. This was a high praise from a songwriter that I respected so I thought I would check out some Carroll’s work. I ended up at a gem of a show, a song swap with Graham Weber. That show sent me on a journey of discovering everything Carroll had to offer and I have yet to be disappointed thus far. A few years later I got to see him live two nights in a row with Weber here in Ohio. I was not only impressed by the ah shucks stage presence that immediately held the audience’s attention, but that he was as humble and quiet off the stage. It almost felt as he did not have a grasp on just how great his songwriting is. I have talked with many musicians and fans that have crossed paths with C a r r o l l throughout the years and everyone agrees that he is one of the most immensely talented guys working today and that just being around him is an intriguing, humbling experience. From all accounts there is not a person out there that cares more about his craft than Carroll. On stage he is engaging and funny, even though he has a tendency to fumble lyrics occasionally. Mark Jungers, another great Texas musician and producer of Carroll’s 2008 album Old Town Rock n Roll, once told me a story about Carroll opening up for him. He said the venue was packed and Adam came out and messed up the first three songs he tried on the
audience. After apologizing and making light of the situation Carroll nailed the next tune and was received with a standing ovation. At the end of the night the merchandise table that held Adam’s records was almost completely empty. I thought that was a perfect example of how powerful this guy’s music can be. Carroll has a pretty full catalog for someone who has only been releasing material for just over a decade. To date he has five studio albums, two live records and a phenomenal release with Michael O’ Connor. Every one of these albums is phenomenal and it is very difficult for me to pick out just three to tell you to start with. His debut record, 1998’s South of Town, made my list of five great debut records. This is definitely a situation where you can start from the beginning and work forward as Carroll came out of the gates in stride on this release. His second release came two years later and contains some my favorite Carroll songs ever. Lookin’ Out the Screen Door was produced by Lloyd Maines who worked on Carroll’s first three studio efforts and his first live album. Among the highlights on this record are “Race Car Joe”, which Slaid Cleaves later covered on his album, Unsung, “Errol’s Song”, the story of a hunting partner of Carroll’s father who Adam looked up to all of his life, and “Karaoke Cowboy”, which tells of a failed Nashville singer living a different life of fame as a the karaoke DJ in a small town. My personal favorite on the album is Carroll’s ode to unchanging love, “Blondie and Dagwood”. One other song that is a favorite of other artists to cover and fans to hear is “Girl With the Dirty Hair” which was the first tune of Carroll’s I personally heard. The next studio album that I want to touch on is Old Town Rock n Roll. Recorded in Mark Jungers garage with the help of Jungers and
Canadian musician, Scott Nolan this album found Carroll captured in his relaxed finest. The looseness of this record allows the quirks of Carroll’s vocals shine through the perfectly written lyrics. While Maines always seemed to find a way to present Carroll’s work in a great light this record doesn’t try to mask the scars and marks on the songs and it really is a breath of fresh air. The standouts are “Oklahoma Gypsy Shuffler”,
career, including live versions of “Oklhoma Gypsy Shuffler”, “Home Again”, “The Girl With the Dirty Hair” and “Billy Gibbons’ Beard”, which appeared on he and Michael O’ Connor’s ablum, Hard Times. Speaking of Hard Times, it may well be my favorite record released in 2010 and if not it is damn close. An album with a theme of Gulf Coast losers it really is a great collaborations. Carroll and O’Connor take turns singing the
“Hi-Fi Love, and “Highway Prayer” all songs lead parts on the songs, and co-wrote most of that make you feel good sometimes smiling and the material on the record. “Billy Gibbons’ sometimes just nodding your head in agree- Beard” is my favorite song that Carroll sings on ment. To close the album is a song that makes it. It is sad and funny all at the same time, all older guitar players grin, “Porter Wagoner which is a common thread on the album. The (AKA the Silvertone Song)”, tells of the gap other Carroll standout is the title track which is between generations and the nostalgia that kind of self-explanatory. comes from a cheap guitar signed by a legend. Overall Carroll’s career is already amazing and This article would be a failure if I did not men- shows no signs of slowing down. I would really tion how much I love both of Carroll’s live suggest buying everything in his catalog because albums. Live at Cheatham Street Warehouse there is not a bad one among them. Also do was released in 2002 and hits almost all the best yourself a favor and go see this guy live if he songs from the first two records along with ever comes near you. some great stories WWW.ADAMCARROLL.COM and a few previously unreleased SEE ADAM NEAR YOU! songs. The story and version of “Errol’s Song” on this 2/05/15 @ CHEATHAM STREET alone is worth the price of the album. WAREHOUSE IN SAN MARCOS In 2010 Carroll released the second live 2/20/15 @ SAXON PUB IN AUSTIN album, Live at Flipnotics. This time Carroll 3/10/15 @ GRUENE HALL IN was joined by Scrappy Jud Newcomb on NEW BRAUNFELS lead guitar and the songs span his entire
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baggage deep down, but at the same time I still treasure it, and accept this conflict. So this painting is very special to me, because it started me to engage my strong spirit in art.
FACEBOOK/STEAMTX
Continued from Page 13 photos taken from my models and as well as photos collected from Chinese stock photos sites, and all of these can be the starting point of my creation. Sometimes I use part of the body or cloth from one image, and then I use the hair style or background from another, so one painting could be a combination of 4 or 5 photo sources, but for the figure's face, I always create one from my imagination. I do use Photoshop to render the images if I feel like to get a sense of the final result first, but sometimes I do just paint directly on the canvas. Nevertheless, I will always find an emotion, a mood that I would like to evoke, and I work on the face very carefully, make it my own special kind, a face that I feel the most close to me. Maybe subconsciously I am making it a reflection of myself on the canvas, that it is myself after all, like many viewers have commented. STEAM Does inspiration come to you or do you actively seek it? If so, how? WL I do constantly seek inspiration, but I found that when I start a new painting, some ideas would come out naturally from the feel of the structure, the paint tones, or the position of the figure. I would suddenly feel the urge to work it onto that specific direction or expression. STEAM I know you travel quite a lot and sometimes paint during these trips’ what do you do with those paintings? Do you bring them back with you? WL I mainly travel to China and France because my family members are in these two countries, when I stay longer than 2
weeks, I have to paint, otherwise I would feel missing it too much. I try paint very small pieces though, in order to bring back. STEAM Is there one piece that is special to you, or that you particularly enjoyed creating? WL Yes, "Lady in Blue" is very special to me, because it was the first figure painting that I completed and then I felt: wow, I found myself in it. It is a brownish toned 36 inch square painting--a very modern style Asian girl with an eerie touch… very special and my husband's favorite! The subject is wearing a dark blue shoulder-less evening dress, with messy twirling up strange hair style, sitting next to a little typical Chinese designed wood table, and there is an Amaryllis flower pot on top of it. The girl is leaning to the side of the table, gazing towards the viewer, with an a bit odd position, feels like she is being pulled by the table and flower pot. I created the face, and worked on the expression very hard, just trying to let her come alive, and that being able to speak to the viewer of this obvious contrary of modern attitude and heavy traditional bond behind her. I realized this is a painting naturally came within my inner self--having grown up in such an environment carried with both heavy tradition and heavy politics, and I sort of hated and escaped from it, and found myself freedom and a modern life style, physically and spiritually. But on the other hand, I think tradition has its glory, and it profoundly enriches us in many ways. I am molded by my childhood background, and I am aware of it, I know that I constantly fight on my traditional
STEAM A while ago you did a project on your Facebook page that I thought was very clever! How did you come up with the idea? The project was a picture of a bird and you asked your friends to paint it and send you a picture of their work, you also painted it and showed everyone. WL Oh yes, that was a really fun project. As a self-taught painter, I did not have the chance to study and practice with others, so the social media was a great help for me to get that kind of communication going on, and I love it. I saw this colorful bird image on the web, suddenly had an urge to paint a bird for the first time in my life, and wanted to paint with others with this same subject. For me, I wouldn't just paint it the way it is, I wanted to do my usual way--to combine some elements and make it into something special, therefore it will show a certain level of emotion or story like my other paintings. So I paint a falling leaf on top of the bird's head, indicating the loneliness of every creature in nature. While I did this, all my painter friends on Facebook did their own version of this bird painting in all different ways and styles. I was thrilled to see those interpretations with one subject, and I think this is one of the most important points of making art. STEAM Where is your work being exhibited? WL My work is being exhibited on a regular basis at The Misfit Gallery in the Bishop Art District in Dallas. At the same time I often participate in local expositions and shows. STEAM If there is anything I have forgotten or that you would like to talk about, please do! WL I just feel so fortunate to be able to create art every day, so grateful to life in general that allows me to finally live in my dream. To see more of Weli’s art: wenliart.com
Clockwise om Top: Lady in Red; Peach Blossom 2; Origin; Little Bird
Austin, TX— The band has announced a tour in support of the record, which kicks off on March 4th in Grand Junction, CO and runs through May 1st. “This is a "concept" album and is based on historical research of the Salem Witch Hysteria,” reveals One-Eyed Doll’s vocalist, guitarist and visionary Kimberly Freeman. “Many of the lyrics are direct quotes from the original handwritten witch trial court documents. The songs explore different personal accounts from real people and touches on theories about why it happened. It's meant to be listened to in one sitting, from beginning to end, like a movie.” “Even though this is probably our heaviest album yet, it was written almost completely on banjo and mandolin in the Redwood Forest near Santa Cruz, CA,” drummer “Junior” Sewell boasts. “It has this great "forest metal" vibe. It was also all written at once with several melodic themes that appear throughout the album." One-Eyed Doll have gained an exceptionally loyal and rapidly growing fan base since 2006 with consistent touring, a solid memorable live performance, and a DIY connection with the fans. The band's live set is an interactive fanfriendly experience that's both heavy/ sinister and sweet/vulnerable. Their
This album is a compilation of tracks I recorded over the last several years. All revenues from the sale of this CD go into a fund established to campaign along with ASPCA to persuade Congress to close the loophole whereby it is legal to ship horses to South America where they are slaughtered with barbaric cruelty. You can help with this cause by purchasing the CD for $20. In addition, if you telephone or write your congressman and senator, this will help even more. Thanks for helping!
Chad Stuart
darkly humored, intense, sometimes quirky and theatrical rock and roll captures the hearts of metal, rock, goth and punk all-ages audiences night after night. In a joint statement the band says: We're excited to be releasing our new album, "Witches" with Standby Records on March 24th, 2015. This is by far the best thing we've ever made, and it's amazing to have a talented and enthusiastic team to help us get it out there. Since 2007 One-Eyed Doll has been almost completely DIY, taking care of recording, tour production and merch on our own. We were approached by several labels during this time, but none of the deals they offered felt right to us. Standby Records has been the first label that we feel has complete respect for our artistic vision and is hands off, willing to just let us do our thing. Witches is by far our most artistically ambitious album yet. It's a colorful and intense telling of the true story of the Salem Witch Hysteria. We can't wait to show it off to our die hard fans that have been there with us over the years, as well as the new fans Standby Records will be helping us to reach. And come see us on the road in March and April on the USA.
Mar 10 Jake's Lubbock, TX Mar 11 Fitzgerald's San Antonio, TX Mar 12 Trees Dallas, TX Mar 18 Scout Bar Houston, TX Mar 21 Texas Rock Fest Austin, TX WWW.ONEEYEDDOLL.COM The band says, "Buy 'Witches' for your friends! The fan who buys the most copies of 'Witches' to give to their friends by March 1st will win this amazing one-of-a-kind custom Tregan Guitar! If you buy 5 or 11 copies, not only will you get to show off our new album to your friends, but there's a very good chance you'll win the guitar! We'll keep a tally of how many you bought so you can always add more up until March 1st when we announce the winner!"
watch
three DJs from the Corpus Christi/Alice
their crowd’s response and the BPMs
scene; DJ Dragon, DJ Cewbed, and DJ
and mix genres. For those of us
Cisco. True to my Dummies Guide,
that never really thought
these guys all mix genres and styles;
Dummies
much about mixing songs,
some have limits on which genres they
Guide! I would have
BPM is beats per minute
use, some just go with what the crowd
never
and
is into.
OK I admit it—I know very little about EDM—Electronic Dance Music.
don’t stick to one style; they
Actually, that’s no longer true… I looked up an EDM
for
thought
that
with
out
matching
those up or using effects you
Techno stuff we listened
can’t just stick two songs together
to as kids would actually fall under EDM, but it does; in fact it began
and hope for the best. It takes talent,
the movement and is now referred to as
patience and knowledge to get it right.
House Music!
I learned that most DJs
Next time you are out check out the EDM scene. Anyway they mix it, EDM is a heart pumping, head bobbing, and body moving good time!
With that in mind we talked with
STEAM: How did you come up with your name?
DJ CISCO CHASING HIS DREAM
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Interviewed by Lori Steindorf, STEAM Magazine
STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
What’s the meaning behind it? DJ CISCO: Francisco, being one of my middle names, I decided to just go with the shortened version of that. STEAM: How did you get involved with this type of music? Did you see another DJ and it struck a nerve or were you messing around on your dad’s record player and realized you could do this? DJ CISCO: It was actually my recently deceased best friend, Travis, who introduced me to EDM. I remember DJ Blend and Steve Aoki were the first DJs to really interest me in the EDM genre. After seeing Aoki in concert, I knew DJing was exactly what I wanted to do, and I have been chasing that dream since. STEAM: How do you choose which songs fit your style? DJ CISCO: I spend, I’d say, about 80 percent of my day with my headphones on, always listening to new music, as well as old music and music from all genres. You never know where you might find a dope track. STEAM: Do you use one genre or mix a few together? Is there one genre that you don’t like to use? DJ CISCO: My fascination first started with house and electro. Now, for the most part, mix tech-house, electro/electro house and trap, always sure to throw
in as many top 40, Tejano, or throwback tracks as possible, especially remixes. I do, however, always avoid Country. I prefer my sets to never have a break in the energy. STEAM: What equipment do you use? DJ CISCO: I personally prefer my Traktor s4, but I have been getting more proficient with CDJs, because that’s what most clubs tend to have. STEAM: Is there anything that we have missed? Or do you have something you’d like to share? DJ CISCO: This is hands-down my biggest passion. My ultimate dream is to be on stage at major events and festivals. EDM made a huge impact on a lot of my friends’ lives, and I just really hope to make a future out of spreading the genre. STEAM: Tell me where we can see you. DJ CISCO: As of now, these next three months, I plan on spending most of my time getting better at production. I plan on ultimately releasing a few of my own tracks, and hopefully picking up a promoter or working for a promotion company. Also, I have a couple events coming up like the Spring Fling Music Festival at my school, Texas Lutheran University, and a Mardi Gras Show, and I’m sure a bunch of house parties. STEAM: Please give me the links to send people to. DJ CISCO: You can find me on Facebook: DJ Cisco, Twitter: @TLUcon1, and Soundcloud: MATT_Cisco
STEAM
I think this is the first questions everyone would ask… How did you come up with your name?
DJ DRAGON I’ve
DJ DRAGON
Flowing with the Vibe
Interviewed by Tamma Hicks, STEAM Magazine
been in my motorcycle club, Calaveras MC, for eight years and that’s my road name, Dragon; it’s what everyone knows me by. When I started DJing five years ago I just went with who I am, plus I’ve got dragon tattoos all over me. It just made sense and a perfect fit for me.
STEAM How did you get involved with this type of music?
DJ DRAGON
Well, we were in Los Vegas at the Ghost Bar on top of the Palms and we saw DJ Paul Oakenfold performing. Right at that moment I knew it was something I wanted to do. I have cousins and family that are DJs too, so it was easy for me to get into that way.
STEAM Do you play any instruments or have a connection like that?
DJ DRAGON No, just straight DJing. I love music and it’s always been a part of me. I like it when people are having a good time; I get my vibe off that.
STEAM
EDM music covers a wide range of electronic music styles; what do you classify as your style?
DJ DRAGON I mix a lot of styles to-
gether. What I do and play is based off how the crowd is reacting and where the vibe is taking us. So in one night you might hear some trap, electro, house and electro house, Top 40, hip-hop, maybe even some Tejano. It just really flows with what the crowd is vibing to.
STEAM
I know that some DJs , like Steve Aoki, mix their sets at their studio and that’s what they play at the clubs. Is that what you do?
DJ DRAGON No, I do my mixes live; while I’m on that stage at the club. I don’t use a laptop or anything like that. I do my mixes on my Pioneer CDJ 2000 and CDJ 900 Nexus, so what you hear is what I’m doing for you. The systems has a guide that shows you all your data for the songs, and without a laptop you have to pay attention, because you if you don’t you’re going to
train wreck and everyone in the club will turn to see what you’re doing. That’s why I use the CDJ 2000, it’s equipped with all kinds of effects and fades to use while you’re mixing so you don’t train wreck.
STEAM You’ve never had that happen, have you?
Continued On Pg 18
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STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
DJ Cewbed Jammin’ All Kinds of Music Interviewed by Tamma Hicks, STEAM Magazine
STEAM How did you come up with your name? DJ CEWBED Well, I'm the 3rd Marvin in my family and I like to distinguish myself from the other two. Not saying I don't love my dad or my grandpa, but I just like to be my own person. So Cewbed (pronounced like Cubed) came about because I'm the third, and in math when something is cubed there is a little 3 right after the number. I didn't want it to be plain Jane” Cubed” so I switched the spelling up a bit. STEAM How did you get involved with this type of music? DJ CEWBED I got involved in this type of music back in high school. I made friends with a guy from Alice, and Alice has always been pretty big in to EDM and DJs and whatnot. My buddy introduced me to DJ Bl3nd, and I instantly fell in love. Just the energy of the whole genre is incredible. I absolutely love it. STEAM How do you choose which songs fit your style? DJ CEWBED I don't think I have one specific style. I jam any kind of music; from Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, all the way to Kanye West, and even Texas country. I like to think of myself as a music enthusiast.
DJ DRAGON Continued From Pg 17
So, anything that makes my head bob or makes me bounce is my style. I just love good music. STEAM Do you use one genre or mix a few together? Is there one genre that you don’t like to use? DJ CEWBED Like I said, I love music; any genre fits me. I don't stick to just one genre or style of music. I like to play anything and everything because you aren't always going to have every single person groove to what you groove to. As for a genre I don't like to use, there really isn't one. I like to show all genres love. As long as it sounds good I’ll play it. STEAM What equipment do you use? DJ CEWBED I use a Pioneer DDJ-SR controller and a MacBook for my software. STEAM As you said, Alice has a bigger EDM scene than Corpus. Do you think Corpus is ready for more? DJ CEWBED EDM and the kind of music we jam are basically nonexistent in the club scene, and just in general, in Corpus. We're here to shed some light on that subject. Heads up Corpus! Get ready for what my buddies and I have in store for this town!
needed to get this equipment and learn it, because it’s the club standard. Now, I want to upgrade to the next generation that’s just hitting the markets so I’ll be selling this system. I’ve never used a laptop or any of the software that are out there because I mix live, but I’m working towards using a laptop, so that I can do VJing too. (Video DJing)
STEAM Can you explain how the CDJ works without a laptop? Does the system have a hard drive that holds all your music?
DJ DRAGON My turn tables are compatible with Record Box, which when I download a song it recognizes, stores, and analyzes the data (like the bpms, genre, so on). Then I load everything onto a USB drive. The CDJ2000 will load up and sync the turntables. Since I play so many genres I have 6 or 7,000 songs on my USB, so I really can play everything.
STEAM Where can we see you? DJ CEWBED I have a residency at Entourage Lounge on Weber and SPID on Tuesdays and Saturdays. February 20th I will be DJing at Ropers for my buddy's birthday. Besides that follow me on Twitter and Instagram to see where I’ll be. Twitter: @lilbitofmarvinjay, Instagram: @cewbed_likecubed
show?
DJ DRAGON
Every Saturday night at Club Revo Alice! I’m the house DJ and have been there for the last two years, and I do shows in Corpus and around. I’d like to do more shows, so tell the clubs you want to see DJ Dragon! On February 13th Revo Alice is having a Anti Valentine’s Day Party, with DJ Evolution, DJ Helix, Dj Roman Franco, and hosted by DJ Heavyset; I’ll close out show. Also, every spring break I take my show to the beach, so watch my Facebook page for details. I’d love to see everyone out there!
Speaking of STEAM Where do you think the EDM STEAM which, what is your Facescene is headed? book page?
DJ DRAGON Oh yes, in the beginning,
but that’s how you learn. When I bought the system, my wife thought I was crazy for spending $2,000, but my reason was simple. When I talked to DJ Paul Oakenfold and told him that I wanted to get into EDM DJing, he said that if I wanted to do it seriously I
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STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
DJ DRAGON I think it’s about to start DJ DRAGON DJ Dragpumping up and it’s going to get big! EDM is making its way south from Austin and San Antonio. EDM is has a bigger presence in Alice, but more and more people are getting into it and clubs everywhere are following suit. It’s going to be crazy to watch!
STEAM
So where can we catch your
on, you can’t miss me.
STEAM PICKS FOR FEBRUARY ENTERTAINMENT
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ART
USS LEXINGTON TIME YOU EXPLORED WHEN WAS THE LAST THE BLUE GHOST? CHRISTI NORTH BEACH, CORPUS OPEN DAILY 9AM-5PM
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FEB 2015
KEEP ON GIVING! Just because the holiday season is over doesn’t mean the local community food banks aren't still in need of your help! Support your local community by donating: NON-PERISHABLE FOOD BABY AND TODDLER SUPPLIES MONETARY DONATIONS The Food Bank Of Corpus Christi 826 Krill Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78408
HOUSE OF ROCK, 322 STARR ST, CORPUS CHRISTI TUESDAYS OPEN MIC, BEER WEDNESDAYS WITH THE BAR NUTZ, 2/6 JANE ROSE & THE DEADBOYS, 2/8 CORPUS CHRISTI SONGWRITERS, 2/14 PEACE & QUIET, 2/26 FAYUCA WITH TYDINGS, 2/27 HUDSON FALCONS GIGGITY’S, 722 TARPON ST, PORT ARANSAS LIVE MUSIC EVERY NIGHT! SUNDAYS: ANTONE & THE ALL STARS, MONDAYS: OPEN JAM, TUESDAYS WITH PAUL TAYLOR BAND, THURSDAYS: FREE BEER BAND, 2/4 RUSSELL EDGE, 2/6 TY DIETZ BAND, 2/7 SHELLEY KING BAND, 2/11 JIM DUGAN, 2/13 RIPTIDE, 2/14 LYRICAL BYNGE, 2/18 TY DIETZ & TONY SARACENE, 2/20 RIPTIDE, 2/21 TODD DORN, 2/25 BILLY SNIPES, 2/27 RED GIANT, 2/28 MIKE MILLIGAN & TEXIANA BLUES RED’S SPORTS BAR, 5114 CARROLL LN, CORPUS CHRISTI SUNDAYS - DJ, WEDNESDAYS - BENTO RAMON, 2/1 SUPER BOWL PARTY WITH BETO RAMON AFTER THE GAME, 2/6 VINYL, 7 LOS SOLEDAD, 2/13 HARD CANDY, 2/14 TRISUM, 2/20 CATHOUSE, 2/21 RELIC, 2/27 JOHN CORTEZ BAND, 2/28 MOFIT SHORTY’S, 823 TARPON ST, PORT ARANSAS 2/6 INDEPENDENT THIEVES, 2/7 RUBEN LIMAS, 2/13 STEVIE START, 2/14 TY DIETZ & TONY SARACENE, 2/20 TIFFANY, 2/21 SELFIE, 2/27 DENNIS DAVIS, 2/28 JIM DUGAN THEO’S BILLIARDS, 5815-B WEBER RD, CORPUS CHRISTI 2/1 SUPER BOWL PARTY, 2/6 SWITCHBLADE JESUS, 2/7 BATTLE FOR TXIF, 2/18 SHADOW OF THE GIANT, 2/21 VALLES FLYING MACHINE, 2/28 UFC 184,
Alice Food Pantry 311 East Main Street, Alice, TX 78332 Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley 724 North Cage Boulevard, Pharr, TX 78577 San Antonio Food Bank 5200 West Old Us Highway 90, San Antonio, TX 78227 Donations can also be made at your local HEB; just ask your cashier!
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FRONTIER SALOON, 9709 LEOPARD ST, CORPUS CHRISTI THURSDAYS: KARAOKE WITH HOLLY ADAMS; 2/1 SUPER BOWL PARTY, 2/7 JOHN CORTEZ BAND, 2/14 VINYL, 2/21 TY DIETZ, 2/28 VINYL STINGRAYS, 401 BEACH ST, PORT ARANSAS 2/1 2ND ANNUAL SUPER BOWL PARTY WITH MUSIC BY JOHN BOYD BEFORE THE GAME
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In October of 1986, I cut through a tumbledown wire fence and drove my old pickup truck onto the rural property I’d just bought with my life savings. I was a 23-year-old dreamer back then, with a desire to live in the country by the labor of my own hands. I’m now living that dream and thriving on that same property along with my wife, Mary, and our five kids. We built our own house, and we enjoy food, fuel and beauty from our land. We’re now blessed to see a second generation setting up a homestead of their own, and putting their selfreliance skills to use, on our family acreage. Few other dreamers I’ve known have managed to fulfill their ambitions. In my experience, most dreams don’t die because of a lack of practical homesteading skills or passion, but rather become casualties of the failure of knowing to work efficiently to get
enough of the right kind of work done. Bills pile up, gardens don’t get planted, roofs continue to leak, enthusiasm wanes. The cause of these problems often goes unrecognized until passion is cold, relationships frazzled and finances exhausted. Knowing how to work efficiently on a homestead where you are your own boss requires a specific skill set that contrasts sharply with the skills needed to work a traditional office job. I’ve worked for wages and now I work from home on my own land, and the two experiences are entirely different. If your goal is to be in charge of your own successful modern homestead, you must learn how to work, which is just as important as learning practical skills. Put into practice the following six homesteading habits to help you get the right work done in the right way, and you’ll bring the satisfaction of self-reliant living one big step closer.
1. Learning
How to Work: Set Guiding Principles
A homesteader with- From MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Story & Photos by Steve Maxwell out goals is like a ship without a rudder. You may be sailing, minded folks online, which makes the but you won’t end up where y o u Internet an invaluable tool for the want to go. modern homesteader. You’ll need You need to decide many more tools, of course, but the at the outset what kind of lifestyle Internet is crucial — I’m sure our you want. For us, it came down to homestead life would never have sucthree main guiding principles: Earn all ceeded without it. family income without leaving the property, raise our kids with us at 4. Learning How to Work: Work home, and provide for as many of our the Right Way basic needs as possible from our own Having the proper tools to work effiland and labor. ciently will make a huge difference. 2. Learning How to Work: Follow Doing work in the right way means a Disciplined Schedule with Rest equipping yourself the way a professional would, not as a hobbyist would. No boss, no outside schedules, no You probably won’t be able to buy imposed deadlines — these are some professional-grade tools and gear of the attractions of working from right away, but work toward it. home, but they’re also likely to contribute to failure. Not having a boss means your success will depend almost entirely on how well you determine what must get done. When setting your own schedule without imposed deadlines, you’ll thrive only if you fill your day with productive activities. Self-reliant living is really about responsibility.
3. Learning How to Work: Do the Right Work Today, we have easy, unprecedented access via the Internet to the information needed to create a thriving homestead lifestyle. You can pick up almost any selfreliance skill imaginable, learn how to work from home, and establish international connections with like-
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Excerpted from MOTHER EARTH NEWS, the Original Guide to Living Wisely. To read more articles from MOTHER EARTH NEWS, please visit www.MotherEarthNews.com or call (800) 234 -3368 to subscribe. Copyright 2015 by Ogden Publications Inc.
Doing work in the right way means equipping yourself the way a professional would, not as a hobbyist would.
5. Learning How to Work: Carry a Notepad Pound for pound, my notepad and pen are the most valuable physical tools I own. They’re always with me to catch the little thoughts that waft through my head throughout the day: “Buy 5 pounds of 4-inch deck screws,” “Call Rob about shingle order,” “Take photo of spiders in pasture for blog,” “Harvest garlic.” This habit prevents me from letting tasks that need doing escape my memory, neglecting details, and wasting trips to town by forgetting to buy all the items I need.
6. Learning
How to Work: Work Efficiently and Avoid Distractions The most spectacular homesteading failures I’ve seen all involve people who talk a lot and move slowly. While the Internet is an essential homesteading tool, it’s also full of distractions that turn people into spectators and consumers rather than participants and producers. No responsible boss would allow you to watch television, play games or socialize online while you’re on the clock. What you might not realize is that, when work-
Ing from home, your homestead can actually fire you. When your garden doesn’t get tilled in time and your woodpile is too small come November, the homestead will hand you a pink slip — and it will be at least as shocking as the regular kind. You’re free to indulge in these distractions during the workday, but they could cost you your dreams of a self-reliant, hands -on life. They probably will.
putting the garden to bed; completing a promotional video and website for a local marina; helping one of my sons finish a simple, portable chicken coop he’s building; picking some apples for Mary to use for a pie bee that she’s participating in with friends of hers; extending the watering system on our cattle pasture; and working on my websites with my digital assistants, Mike and Kristena, who live 400 miles away.
My day starts at about 7 a.m., when I either work on digital projects or hands-on jobs, such as fixing machinery, tending cattle and fences, or working in the garden. My wife, Mary, is a full-time homemaker. She has lunch ready for the family at noon, and then I go back to work until 6 p.m. Lately, I’ve spent my afternoons cutting and splitting firewood, and helping my son build his own house for him and his wife. The kids handle cleaning up after supper, so Mary and I are free to walk with our dog along a forest trail for a couple of miles. It’s quite a treat to hear whippoorwills sing while a full moon rises through the trees. As I write this article, my to-do list includes
This is a general pattern of our day-today work for six days a week. We don’t work beyond the essential chores on Sundays. The variety of a homestead workweek makes it so much nicer than hourly paid work, at least for me. I look forward to Mondays just as much as I do Fridays, and I’m excited to get out of bed each day. Our carbon footprint is smaller than it would be otherwise, because we don’t travel for work, we heat with wood, and we make, reuse and repair a lot of what we need. This isn’t the life for everyone, but it certainly is for us.
We built our own house, and we enjoy food, fuel and beauty from our land.