Wow, the past couple of weeks have just been crazy as we’ve continued auditions for Psychanaut plus getting our acoustic/electric set ready for the Cozmic Pizza benefit July 29. Tonight we’re trying out some congas and hand drums which will be an alternate to our normal trap kit for this show.
Archive for the ‘Psychanaut’ Category
We’ve just confirmed a benefit to help raise funds for wildlife and bird rescue in the BP Gulf Oil Disaster. As you know, I’ve been doing all I can to help out, and what I do best is music…so here it is.
July 29th Thursday night at Cosmic Pizza, Psychanaut will be playing, there will be performances by belly dancers (and we’re working on having dancers to some of our songs too, thanks to the fabulous Barbie Gregg), And another performer or band will be added to the lineup soon. Luckily, Susana Romatz is organizing the event, and I’ve heard that there are wonderful goodies being donated from local stores for lucky people to win in a raffle.
It just feels so great to be able to join together with other caring, talented people in working together to help out. I’m looking forward to meeting more wonderful people as we network together to make a great show!
Please mark your calendars early and PLEASE bring as many people as you can. We’ll have a lot of fun while helping our precious wildlife in this time of dire need. Rockin the Rescue!
May-28-10
BP Gulf Oil Disaster
“The Earth does not belong to man; Man belongs to the Earth. This we know. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.”—Chief Seattle
You haven’t heard from me on this blog for a while, because I have been consumed with the tragic Oil Gusher in the Gulf and the damage it’s doing. Millions upon millions of animals and birds, 20 wildlife refuges, and many species already endangered are dying before our eyes. Other than donating what we can to environmental groups who are frantically working there even now, I would guess that most of us want to do more.
By now everybody knows that the tragic catastrophe we have warned about for so many years is upon us. There are an average of 200 oil “spills” per year. But this time, the devastation is so terrible and frightening that perhaps even the “drill baby drill” crowd is rethinking their folly.
Here in the US, we have missed many opportunities for positive change. Jimmy Carter put solar panels on the White House and corporatist Ronnie Reagan tore them down. We refused to move into the 21st Century and continued our addiction to oil, and our money and treasure continues to flow to multinational corporations and the few wealthy CEOs who currently rule the world.
May-7-10
Gravity Well is Done
We’ve finished the remix of Gravity Well. You can find it here in the sidebar, and also at Psychanaut music page. Or if you’re a friend of mine on Facebook, look for the tab called “tracks” on my facebook page.
I wrote the lyrics for this one specifically for the Labyrinth project, and it’s about unconsciousness so it is a bit darker than most of our songs. And yes, I did get the inspiration for it from a musician friend of mine
Apr-14-10
Finishing touches to Looking Glass Road
We were in the studio last night with a friend from out of state, listening to the songs that are nearly mixed and a couple that are just awaiting mastering…and he suggested changing up the cowbell in Looking Glass Road. We’d already mixed it, but we went ahead and laid a track with a different feel – what a great idea! It instantly brings the energy up to just where we wanted it. So now we have a touch of additional remixing to do, but it’s really sounding quite…Psychanautic.
UPDATE:You can hear the new Looking Glass Road mix – and, as always, visit the music pages here at ScarletJinn.com, or Psychanaut.com to check out more tunes.
Feb-15-10
About the Labyrinth Collection
Several of our older songs and almost all of the new ones fall into the Labyrinth Collection that will be featured on Psychanaut.com. It’s a musical story (although any song can stand on its own too) of Universal Consciousness taking physical form, and having a myriad of life these experiences on the way to remembering itself. These last days in the studio working on the songs for this collection have been super productive.
Yes, I’m getting all your emails and messages on myspace and facebook asking “when is the next show?” Some of you are worried, some of you are a bit annoyed, and some of you are just really wanting the music and miss us. We miss you too. I love hearing from you, it really touches me that so many of you care enough to write…
Jan-14-10
Gravity Well
The newest song we’ve completed writing and recording is Gravity Well, and it’s almost ready to mix. Once that’s done, we’ll post it and I’ll announce that it’s available. We had a lot of fun recording the harmonies for this one, it required projection of a certain attitude that could only be achieved by singing the harmony parts in a unusual voice. We should have videoed that session, it would’ve made you laugh.
My favorite part of this song is the chorus, “The game is hide and seek till I find myself, hidden in illusion at the bottom of – the gravity well.” the music is played a bit heavier to portray the gravity.
And of course there’s nowhere to go from the bottom of the Gravity Well but up. 
It’s part of the Labyrinth collection that will be featured in a new section on the Psychanaut website. Many of the songs in the Labyrinth you’ve already heard at Rock Scarlet shows…such as Wayside, Egypt Eyes, Oracle & Alchemy Waits. What’s been missing is a format to present them and let them tell a story.
So adding this piece is going to help bring it all together. Of course, if you don’t want to venture into the Labyrinth or play with ideas, and you just wanna rock — you can still get the songs directly from the download page… but eventually, the Labyrinth will be a cool way to preview the tunes while visiting some cool imagery within the Labyrinth.
PS)I’m looking for artistic people to help with creation of the Labyrinth artwork. If you’re interested or want to help out, contact me either from ScarletJinn.com Psychanut.com or Rock Scarlet.com.
Dec-22-09
Winter Solstice
Winter Solstice marks the date of the longest night and the shortest day. From now until Summer Solstice we get a few seconds more of daylight each day. Thus it’s also the traditional time of new beginnings. Rather than wait till January 1st, this is the time for renewal, and new beginnings.
It’s appropriate that today I’m beginning to look forward to Psychanaut as a new beginning for our music…although it could also be considered a continuation of Rock Scarlet, and in reality, all the bands I’ve sung my songs with. (Whoa, that goes back sooo far!) LOL.
With the same guitars and vocals and the same writing, lots will stay the same. What I’m wanting with Psychanaut is the pro players with ability to rock as hard as RS, but also the skills to know when to make space & create moods. I’m excited to let more songs finally see the light of day with Psychanaut.
What I’m also looking for is players with soul and who get the vision and vibe of what the music is about. Until the right people come along, we’ll most likely have a few new faces come and go. But the songwriting, vocals, and front people are still the same.
Oh, Yeah!
Dec-21-09
Psychanaut logo
The new logo was developed by artist Todd Bradford. Working with Todd was really a delight, and he’s so intuitive that he totally got what I wanted really easily.
We’re in the studio for the rest of the season…but look for the new logo at the next show!