Wednesday, March 3, 2010
2:03 AM | Posted by
Dan Ruemenapp
This week is Spring Break here at Boston College, and it is a lonely one in my house all by myself. Actually, it isn't that lonely. I have my guitars here to keep me company (one of them is Sean's, I don't own an acoustic haha). This week I have dedicated to the process of recording and songwriting. The picture above is my bedroom/home recording studio. When I want to get the official and final versions done I will go to the studio in the Music Department on campus, but for now this is my work place. It's a very comfortable place to write and record.
So far, I have written music for almost 5 songs right now. Some of them are farther along than others and some are just barely past conception. Being alone has allowed me to sit in my room and survey my large collection of music and find inspiration in numerous places. Before, I stated I was going to title my project Clarity but after recent thought and the variety and range of material I have so far and will plan on having in the future has given me thought to a possible change in the title of my project. My other idea is: Possibilities. I feel that this title would really fit, especially since this would be my first ever record, and unsigned and individually made and produced by some low-budget college students. There are numerous possibilities (pun intended!) with this record. I have a wide range of material because I want to show off my dynamics and range as a musician and not just a guitar player. There are also possibilities in my career. I LOVE music and want to do nothing but play music the rest of my life and sustain myself doing so. This being my first record, the possibilities are endless to what might come after. I may sign a low-budget record deal, I may make it big and tour the world, or I might just be a local musician playing gigs on weekends, or absolutely nothing might happen.
I feel that the possibilities are endless and I hope the cards fall the right way with me. I still have a longgggg way to go to finish this record, but I have to start somewhere. I am glad to have you all on the ride with me.
"I'm just a curbside prophet / With my hand in my pocket / And I'm waiting for my rocket to come."
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
First, I am 21 now. My birthday came and went and we held a huge party for it. Lots of people showed up and I'm glad with how it turned out. It doesn't feel that weird to be 21, except that I feel really old. Life is just going by too fast and I need some time to sit and enjoy it every once in a while.
Speaking of time to sit and enjoy life, my schedule this semester is really busy. I started off working 16.5 hours a week as a student manager at the Loft @ Addie's in BC Dining Services. I just recently interviewed for a position as a research assistant in the psychology lab here at BC and that would add another 5-10 more hours onto my schedule. I decided to cut 3.5 hours out of my work schedule to make room for this research position because I feel this will be a great experience working in the field of Psychology and getting a hands on look at what could possibly come as a career. Also, as a part of my Social and Emotional Development class, me and three other students have embarked on a blogging research project designed to discover the emotional connection us humans have with music. You can follow our blog from the link added to the top of my site or here.
Also, I purchased my recording microphone for instruments and vocals since I came back to the States. After careful observation, I have come to decide that I NEED vocal lessons. For now I will do with what I have, but I am determined to make it not just as a guitar player, but as a singer-songwriter as well. Since I purchased my microphone I have recorded numerous ideas and it seems to help the creative process as well. Sometime this weekend or next week I will get into the recording studio here at BC and actually work on things.
Last weekend I went home and found myself the recipient of a surprise John Mayer concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, MI. I don't have the time or energy to comment on his recent controversial interview with Playboy right now, but I will express my opinion in the near future. Anyways, the concert was AMAZING! My first John Mayer concert will never be forgotten: I found a bootleg recording (awesome quality) of the exact concert I was at! He played a good mix of Battle Studies material as well as his classics. I have heard numerous bootleg recordings of his, and this concert is probably one of my favorite. I got to sit on the floor with great seats and experience my number one musical influence live in person with my family. It was great. Believe it or not, I will be seeing John again next week in Boston.
I do find myself missing Spain a lot and try to compensate with the map of the Metro of Madrid on my wall as well as listening to as much Spanish music and speaking as much Spanish to myself or those who can understand me. Its weird but I probably associate more with Hispanic culture more so than my actual ethnic heritage. My time abroad was an amazing experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Everything is in full force here back at the Heights and it's time for me to get to work. I'll try to keep this updated a little more often, mostly with posts about music and my recording process. Hope all is well with ya'll. Keep on keepin' on.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Throughout my time here in Madrid I have been volunteering at a soup kitchen (el comedor) as a part of my sociology class. Yesterday was my last day there, and its just another part of this wonderful place that will be hard to let go. It was a great opportunity to meet good people, practice my Spanish, and also help out the community of Madrid as I studied here for the semester. One thing I noticed in particular there is that usually the same people come every day for a meal. This just goes to show how these people aren't just having a bad day, they are really in need of help. Another thing this has taught me is that these problems that we find throughout life happen all over the world, and even worse in some places.
The people that volunteer at the soup kitchen are generally retired from work and come in every day to lend a hand. One lady, named Carmen, uses the soup kitchen as a way to give back to the community but also to find company seeing as she lives alone. There were also some people, like in all places, that took advantage of the system who clearly didn't need to come to the soup kitchen but just wanted a free meal. Some people weren't grateful for the help they were given, but the majority seemed very happy to have people like us give them some nourishment. The majority of the people who come to the soup kitchen are either immigrants, the poor, or people with drug problems. Spain has grown into a country of immigrants, similar to the United States, and these people are placed with the same problems as those American immigrants who have a difficult time finding work.
The volunteers at the soup kitchen function as a family and all have their own part into helping run the place. It was truly a blessing to meet, make friends, and work with these people. They wondered if I'd ever return to Madrid, and I told them that if the opportunity ever presents itself, I will return to the comedor to help them out again. I ask that you all stop and see what you can do to help out around you. Even something as small as a smile can brighten someone's day. If each of you can do that, then we are all going to be okay.
"Build me a home from a cardboard box / Many windows never locked / This is how we used to play / Shorter nights and longer days / With faith we would not fade away."
Friday, January 1, 2010
2009 was a good year, and the 2000's were a great decade. 2010, however, looks like a very bright future ahead and I am very excited to see what is in store for me and the world. Let us not forget the past. We must remember all the good times we've had and learn from the bad times to try and make the future that much better.
To sum up 2009, here is a video and song done by DJ Earworm featuring the top 25 pop songs of 2009. All these songs give me some sort of memory of the past year and I think it's a great way to pay homage to the year and all the good times that was 2009.
"I've got a feeling / Oooh, oooh / That tonight's gonna be a good night."
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