My time at Guitar Center produced a few long-lasting friends. Javier Pardo was at the top of that list. Outside of bonding over our appreciation for John Mayer, we shared similar goals and interests musically. The relationship I was in at that time led us to a studio session one night in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. She had yet to see my work in the studio and although I was getting over the flu, I insisted on performing with Javi for a few hours. We left Hart Street and made our way over to a dark room that would filter our noise from the world. She shared a similar background, being from the church, so I felt in many ways she understood what I was going through emotionally. Remaining supportive, she set up the camera, capturing a moment between Javi and me that would come to inspire the name “Cafe Con Leche”. With “In Rainbows” constantly on repeat, we channeled our inner Radiohead and made an organic first attempt at “Bodysnatchers”. Being used to performing solo, hearing the drums blaring into my ears was sonically appealing, and the desire for a bigger sound would come to be. Her voice, a gentle “daamn” at the end of the video, was enough validation to justify the price of the room. My mission was accomplished.
Similar Posts
Que Vuelva (Alex Bueno)
The morning sun peeked through the blinds, casting a soft golden light on my disheveled bedroom. The memories of the previous night still fresh in my mind, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had to do something, anything to try and salvage what was left of my life. I…
King Roach “Bushwick High” (2002)
I remember the day I picked up my purple Squire Fender Strat, feeling the weight of it in my hands, the smooth lacquered finish shimmering under the dim bedroom light. It was a piece of art to me, an extension of my being. I would cradle it gently as I…
Love Hurts (Incubus)
Day 3: As I sat on the edge of my bed, nursing the aftermath of my three-day pity party, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of my own self-loathing. Strewn clothes and empty bottles bore testimony to the tempest that had raged within me over the past 72 hours….
Morning View: The Gizzi’s Montage
As would be expected, I brought Morning View to the Gizzi’s stage once again, giving our new guitarist, Michael Paul Lawson, a chance to bless the stage we’ve grown accustomed to. Thunder had become a key figure in my life, as his presence at my shows more often than not…
Change (Deftones)
Back in the recording studio, alone once again, I found myself drawn to the familiar comfort of a cold Coors Light. The black plastic bag crinkled as I pulled a can from its chilly depths, the condensation clinging to my fingers like the weight of my regrets. I needed something…
Juicebox (The Strokes)
It had been a few months since I last used Smule, but lately, I couldn’t shake the urge to belt out a cover of “Juicebox” by The Strokes. Working in a warehouse that was empty 90% of the time, I had the freedom to either blast the radio or keep…