Right now, I just need a moment to recollect myself. Life is hitting me pretty hard right now -- nearly too hard to explain. Depression hurts, but I KNOW I'll be alright. I just need some time.
Thanks for understanding, y'all...
Aaron-Carl
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Strangelove
There's a couple of things that have me wondering, what the hell?!
Today I received an e-mail/comment from a fellow musician. Attached to his comment was a big html pic/ad -- which I really did NOT want on my page. I politely deny the ad, but make a mental note to myself: "Write this guy back to congratulate him on his award." I guess I didn't answer his e-mail quickly enough... Tonight, as I check my MySpace before bed, I receive another e-mail titled "No worries, Diva... no worries..." And the message was something like "just know that I KNOW..." I thought to myself "oh, okay.." But seriously I have no idea what the hell he was talking about. So in order to gain some clarity, I clicked "reply" to ask him what the deal was. I receive an error message, saying I must be "someone's friend" to send them a message. Basically, this guy sends me this crazy e-mail, then blocks me so I can't respond.
uh.. okay... whatever, right?
I decided not to pursue the issue any further. If he has a stick up his own ass, so be it. Was he REALLY THAT UPSET because I didn't accept his comment/ad? It was a huge fucking AD about his award, with a little message like "hope you're well" underneath. Granted, MySpace has a setting where I can simply BLOCK the html from the comments. Maybe I'll have to do that. But Jesus... If that's something that offends you, imagine how offensive it is to receive a comment that looks more like SPAM? Not everyone wants a million pictures popping up on their myspace pages @ once. I don't do it to others, and I damn sure don't like it done to me. FURTHERMORE, if he was TRULY a friend, he would've sent me a simple e-mail. I would've responded and congratulated him. He was just trying to use my page as further advertisement for his own sake. I realize that. Because of this, I'm laughing at this "diva" e-mail. I deny an ad-filled comment that barely addressed ME at all, and I'm the "diva?" Whatever, bitch... Moving on to more important things...
Thank goodness I have my own label. I've forgotten what it's like to "shop" songs to different labels, only to hear responses like "I like it, BUT... I won't spend any money to license it from you..." And before you think I can't handle rejection, think again. There's a difference between rejection, and people just being stupid. For example (and this really happened today, by the way...): I allowed one of my new tracks to be shopped around to "certain labels" for possible licensing. You may wonder why I even bother doing that, considering that I DO have my own label. I'll get into that later -- there's a method to my madness, I promise. But anyway, I've received a few declines so far. Among them was "I like the track, but it's too SOULFUL for my label." Another one said "It's a good track, just not something I'm looking to pick up for my label because it's not the sound I'm looking for." Mind you, I APPRECIATE and RESPECT those decisions. Their reasons were clear and concise. I understand that one thing doesn't please "everybody." Okay... But when I received a response that said "I really like it but it is very specialist, so I wouldn't be able to pay an advance for it..." And then went on to say that if I didn't want any money, he could possibly "look at it..." (I said, what what?!) I was a bit agitated.
People who enjoy your music enough to dance to it, pirate it, copy it, etc... But not enough to pay money and SUPPORT it -- that shit is tired. How the hell do you expect the artist to survive? How do you expect the artist to continue to make the music YOU LOVE, without support?
Honestly, it's a strange world in the music industry. You'd be surprised at the number of DJs, producers and artists today who have a great "image," but in reality are broke and struggling... I won't name names, out of respect... But it confuses me to see one of Detroit's biggest names do his/her thing @ the hottest club in town one night, and the next day, see that SAME BIG NAME selling meat at the local grocery store. It HURTS me.
It's a reality that most people in this industry -- especially here in Detroit, are NOT making a living from their music! It goes to show you that NOT EVERYTHING that glitters is gold. We're walking around here with no health insurance, no life insurance, no savings plan -- all the benefits that normally come with a "regular 9 to 5." Is this normal? It's not supposed to be like this!
I remember quitting my secure day job shortly after my first record deal with Submerge. My first two records took off (y'all knew that), I started traveling and performing (y'all knew that too), but wound up losing my first house because I couldn't afford to keep it. (Y'all didn't know that, did u?) I was STUNNED to discover that not everyone can live the life you see in the videos on MTV. ...and even more important, just because you sign a record DEAL, doesn't mean that you're going to be taken care of financially... Well, maybe for some people... Y'all ALL know the stories about platinum recording artists going bankrupt, etc. So if THEY can go bankrupt, imagine what the hell it's like for someone like myself!
Personally, I'm in a weird space. I can proudly say that I haven't had a day job since the year 2000. (Thank you Jesus!) But it's certainly not easy at times... Fortunately for me, I have a partner who DOES work a "regular 9 to 5." And together, we do pretty good. When my music income is good, life is VERY GOOD. When sales, royalties, gigs, etc. are low, things are tight! Lord knows I'm not rich, but I'm doing alright for myself and my family. Some days, I'm like "shit... can I PLEASE find a day job somewhere?" But I don't give in to the pressure, because I know that if I'm gonna do something, I HAVE to put 110% of myself into it for it to work. I can't put 110% into a day job, and STILL be Aaron-Carl, the producer/DJ/remixer/diva(?) that y'all see in the record stores. Something's gonna fail... And I know (and thankfully, so does my partner) that this music is IN ME. I honestly cannot see myself doing anything else in life with such passion -- unless his name is Tommy Lee. (hahaha!)
Seriously though, if I DID have a day job, I'd have to stop doing music. But that thought alone SCARES me... Why? Because I've given up a secure job AND college for this music thing. I've invested my ENTIRE ADULT LIFE into making this "music thing" a career. Am I successful? Sure! I run my own label that's distributed all over the world. I'm able to "cut checks" for people who record music under my label. I have fame, fans, frequent flyer miles -- lol... Not too bad for a boy who grew up in the hood. But hell...
I look @ my big sister Angie, with her super-giant luxurious home and her Master's degree... And I look at my little sister Melva, with her career firmly in place (and a sharp-ass car!)... THEY are BOTH successful in my eyes! Mind you, like my sisters, I can support my children. I live in a nice house in the suburbs. As I said, I'm doing alright. But damn. This shit ain't easy...
I could go on, but I think you understand.
"Strangelove, strange highs and strange lows... Strangelove... That's how our love goes..."
Thanks for stopping by. Tell me your thoughts. As Jill Scott once said, "MMPH if u feel it, holler when u hear it..."
AC
Today I received an e-mail/comment from a fellow musician. Attached to his comment was a big html pic/ad -- which I really did NOT want on my page. I politely deny the ad, but make a mental note to myself: "Write this guy back to congratulate him on his award." I guess I didn't answer his e-mail quickly enough... Tonight, as I check my MySpace before bed, I receive another e-mail titled "No worries, Diva... no worries..." And the message was something like "just know that I KNOW..." I thought to myself "oh, okay.." But seriously I have no idea what the hell he was talking about. So in order to gain some clarity, I clicked "reply" to ask him what the deal was. I receive an error message, saying I must be "someone's friend" to send them a message. Basically, this guy sends me this crazy e-mail, then blocks me so I can't respond.
uh.. okay... whatever, right?
I decided not to pursue the issue any further. If he has a stick up his own ass, so be it. Was he REALLY THAT UPSET because I didn't accept his comment/ad? It was a huge fucking AD about his award, with a little message like "hope you're well" underneath. Granted, MySpace has a setting where I can simply BLOCK the html from the comments. Maybe I'll have to do that. But Jesus... If that's something that offends you, imagine how offensive it is to receive a comment that looks more like SPAM? Not everyone wants a million pictures popping up on their myspace pages @ once. I don't do it to others, and I damn sure don't like it done to me. FURTHERMORE, if he was TRULY a friend, he would've sent me a simple e-mail. I would've responded and congratulated him. He was just trying to use my page as further advertisement for his own sake. I realize that. Because of this, I'm laughing at this "diva" e-mail. I deny an ad-filled comment that barely addressed ME at all, and I'm the "diva?" Whatever, bitch... Moving on to more important things...
Thank goodness I have my own label. I've forgotten what it's like to "shop" songs to different labels, only to hear responses like "I like it, BUT... I won't spend any money to license it from you..." And before you think I can't handle rejection, think again. There's a difference between rejection, and people just being stupid. For example (and this really happened today, by the way...): I allowed one of my new tracks to be shopped around to "certain labels" for possible licensing. You may wonder why I even bother doing that, considering that I DO have my own label. I'll get into that later -- there's a method to my madness, I promise. But anyway, I've received a few declines so far. Among them was "I like the track, but it's too SOULFUL for my label." Another one said "It's a good track, just not something I'm looking to pick up for my label because it's not the sound I'm looking for." Mind you, I APPRECIATE and RESPECT those decisions. Their reasons were clear and concise. I understand that one thing doesn't please "everybody." Okay... But when I received a response that said "I really like it but it is very specialist, so I wouldn't be able to pay an advance for it..." And then went on to say that if I didn't want any money, he could possibly "look at it..." (I said, what what?!) I was a bit agitated.
People who enjoy your music enough to dance to it, pirate it, copy it, etc... But not enough to pay money and SUPPORT it -- that shit is tired. How the hell do you expect the artist to survive? How do you expect the artist to continue to make the music YOU LOVE, without support?
Honestly, it's a strange world in the music industry. You'd be surprised at the number of DJs, producers and artists today who have a great "image," but in reality are broke and struggling... I won't name names, out of respect... But it confuses me to see one of Detroit's biggest names do his/her thing @ the hottest club in town one night, and the next day, see that SAME BIG NAME selling meat at the local grocery store. It HURTS me.
It's a reality that most people in this industry -- especially here in Detroit, are NOT making a living from their music! It goes to show you that NOT EVERYTHING that glitters is gold. We're walking around here with no health insurance, no life insurance, no savings plan -- all the benefits that normally come with a "regular 9 to 5." Is this normal? It's not supposed to be like this!
I remember quitting my secure day job shortly after my first record deal with Submerge. My first two records took off (y'all knew that), I started traveling and performing (y'all knew that too), but wound up losing my first house because I couldn't afford to keep it. (Y'all didn't know that, did u?) I was STUNNED to discover that not everyone can live the life you see in the videos on MTV. ...and even more important, just because you sign a record DEAL, doesn't mean that you're going to be taken care of financially... Well, maybe for some people... Y'all ALL know the stories about platinum recording artists going bankrupt, etc. So if THEY can go bankrupt, imagine what the hell it's like for someone like myself!
Personally, I'm in a weird space. I can proudly say that I haven't had a day job since the year 2000. (Thank you Jesus!) But it's certainly not easy at times... Fortunately for me, I have a partner who DOES work a "regular 9 to 5." And together, we do pretty good. When my music income is good, life is VERY GOOD. When sales, royalties, gigs, etc. are low, things are tight! Lord knows I'm not rich, but I'm doing alright for myself and my family. Some days, I'm like "shit... can I PLEASE find a day job somewhere?" But I don't give in to the pressure, because I know that if I'm gonna do something, I HAVE to put 110% of myself into it for it to work. I can't put 110% into a day job, and STILL be Aaron-Carl, the producer/DJ/remixer/diva(?) that y'all see in the record stores. Something's gonna fail... And I know (and thankfully, so does my partner) that this music is IN ME. I honestly cannot see myself doing anything else in life with such passion -- unless his name is Tommy Lee. (hahaha!)
Seriously though, if I DID have a day job, I'd have to stop doing music. But that thought alone SCARES me... Why? Because I've given up a secure job AND college for this music thing. I've invested my ENTIRE ADULT LIFE into making this "music thing" a career. Am I successful? Sure! I run my own label that's distributed all over the world. I'm able to "cut checks" for people who record music under my label. I have fame, fans, frequent flyer miles -- lol... Not too bad for a boy who grew up in the hood. But hell...
I look @ my big sister Angie, with her super-giant luxurious home and her Master's degree... And I look at my little sister Melva, with her career firmly in place (and a sharp-ass car!)... THEY are BOTH successful in my eyes! Mind you, like my sisters, I can support my children. I live in a nice house in the suburbs. As I said, I'm doing alright. But damn. This shit ain't easy...
I could go on, but I think you understand.
"Strangelove, strange highs and strange lows... Strangelove... That's how our love goes..."
Thanks for stopping by. Tell me your thoughts. As Jill Scott once said, "MMPH if u feel it, holler when u hear it..."
AC
Friday, November 30, 2007
I Got Elfed
My friend (and label mate) DJ E. Dubb and I got "elfed" today. We just wanted to spread some holiday love to y'all... Hope this makes you laugh, or at least smile!!!
Click HERE to watch us get down, ELFIN STYLE!
MUAH!
AC
Click HERE to watch us get down, ELFIN STYLE!
MUAH!
AC
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Christophe Tomasi, R.I.P.
This morning, I received the news. My friend, and Cratesavers partner, Christophe Tomasi, committed suicide this past Thursday, November 15, 2007. I will miss him a lot.
Not only was he my friend, but he was a great friend to a LOT of Detroit artists and producers. He loved Detroit music with all his heart. His presence will certainly be missed. May his soul rest in peace.
Love,
AC
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Wallshaker, and then some...
Hello babies:
Yes, you can slap me because it's been a while. But before you get that pimp hand ready, let me give you a few updates. heheheheh...
Now, with all of this music stuff going on, you can understand why I've been so silent lately. Lots of other things are happening in my life as well... I've finally reunited with my brother David, whom I hadn't spoken to since my mother's death -- it just hit me. Mommy died EXACTLY two years ago TODAY... (Hi Mommy. I hope you're still watching me, and you already know that I miss you!!!)
Wow. I feel like I just hit a brick wall. I don't even know what else to say. I was going to write about my "friends" who haven't called... But now it doesn't even seem important. I can't get this "anniversary" out of my head. Maybe I'll try to call my sisters, to see how they're dealing with today. Today's a good day for a family dinner, don't you think? I'll try to arrange it and we'll see what happens...
Hugs and love...
AC
Yes, you can slap me because it's been a while. But before you get that pimp hand ready, let me give you a few updates. heheheheh...
- "Wallshaker" -- the track, not the label, is making quite a comeback. For those who remember the FIRST release back in 1997 -- Ironically, the LAST record to ever be released on Soul City... It's been re-released on Millions of Moments, Germany. ...and to my surprise, people are really loving it!
- "Crucified" is next to be re-released, also on Millions of Moments. I've heard a nice little remix, and I can't wait for the vinyl to hit the shelves.
- "Hateful" is currently being re-worked by none other than Mr. Quentin Harris himself. I can't even say anymore about that, because I'm too excited. Y'all know I've been wanting to work with that man for the longest time. I also hear he's being asked to remix "Sky." I haven't heard a response yet, but I'll let you know as soon as I do.
- "Drive (I-75)" is currently being slated for release as a single, finally!!! Detroit's B. Calloway provided a rather provocative verse... There's also another remix from yours truly. DJs have asked me about this record for a little while now, and I was waiting for "_______" -- that motherfucker knows who he is... He was the first to offer up a verse for my remix. However, he was too busy trying to get some (meow), and since I don't have a (meow), I guess I wasn't important enough. Fuck him. (But I'll be nice now...)
- "Bittersoulfulsweet" is such a CHALLENGE to make!! I want this album to HIT people hard. Of course I'm trying new things -- new sounds, new ideas, etc. I'm even working with other producers. I'm treating this as if it's the last album I'll ever make. ...so I want to give it my ALL - and then some.
- "Oasis" -- I've done a vocal version, finally. Thanks to Kiko Navarro for the inspiration.
Now, with all of this music stuff going on, you can understand why I've been so silent lately. Lots of other things are happening in my life as well... I've finally reunited with my brother David, whom I hadn't spoken to since my mother's death -- it just hit me. Mommy died EXACTLY two years ago TODAY... (Hi Mommy. I hope you're still watching me, and you already know that I miss you!!!)
Wow. I feel like I just hit a brick wall. I don't even know what else to say. I was going to write about my "friends" who haven't called... But now it doesn't even seem important. I can't get this "anniversary" out of my head. Maybe I'll try to call my sisters, to see how they're dealing with today. Today's a good day for a family dinner, don't you think? I'll try to arrange it and we'll see what happens...
Hugs and love...
AC
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Random Thoughts
I've finally come up with a definite title for my new album... YES! Finally!!!
2008 is going to be a fabulous year... I can't wait. I'll FINALLY get to go to Japan! The people at Underground Gallery are so obsessed with UR, they seemed to have forgotten about me. I don't mind, however... God has a way of working things out.
I've been working out lately. While it's rough sometimes, I try to get on that treadmill at least ONCE a day. I like to joke that my scale's finally displaying NUMBERS again, instead of a big fat "E" for ERROR. HAHAHA!!! (Actually, I'm not kidding. The scale DOES display numbers again... lol)
I love MySpace... I've been able to interact with some wonderful people through MySpace. Did I invite y'all to link to me?
I love my friends... Julian (DJ Nasty) is awesome. He wants to argue with me about the title of my album, but I won't let him. :-) Ever since I moved over to the "East Side," life has been different. I don't know if it's because of my Hospital visit... I don't know if it's the house... I don't know what it is. But I've discovered that change is good.
I love my fans... Bruno from Brazil, Steefaan from Rouen, Orcinus from Japan, Andrew and Jordan from Michigan -- I realize that I can name all sorts of countries and places, and find people who are truly fans. That's a great feeling, and I don't take it for granted. (MUAH to y'all!)
I love my family... My sisters Angie and Melva, the three of us remind me of "Soul Food" -- y'all remember that? And surprisingly, my brother David and I are even speaking again. God is good, eh?
I MISS my old friends... Folks like Shant (who has no damn excuse, since we live so close to each other now), Jeff and Kerry, and all my folks Downriver. My number hasn't changed, bitches... CALL ME sometime!!!
Alright y'all.. I'm feeling a new beat in my head. Time for me to make some music.
Peace out...
AC313
2008 is going to be a fabulous year... I can't wait. I'll FINALLY get to go to Japan! The people at Underground Gallery are so obsessed with UR, they seemed to have forgotten about me. I don't mind, however... God has a way of working things out.
I've been working out lately. While it's rough sometimes, I try to get on that treadmill at least ONCE a day. I like to joke that my scale's finally displaying NUMBERS again, instead of a big fat "E" for ERROR. HAHAHA!!! (Actually, I'm not kidding. The scale DOES display numbers again... lol)
I love MySpace... I've been able to interact with some wonderful people through MySpace. Did I invite y'all to link to me?
I love my friends... Julian (DJ Nasty) is awesome. He wants to argue with me about the title of my album, but I won't let him. :-) Ever since I moved over to the "East Side," life has been different. I don't know if it's because of my Hospital visit... I don't know if it's the house... I don't know what it is. But I've discovered that change is good.
I love my fans... Bruno from Brazil, Steefaan from Rouen, Orcinus from Japan, Andrew and Jordan from Michigan -- I realize that I can name all sorts of countries and places, and find people who are truly fans. That's a great feeling, and I don't take it for granted. (MUAH to y'all!)
I love my family... My sisters Angie and Melva, the three of us remind me of "Soul Food" -- y'all remember that? And surprisingly, my brother David and I are even speaking again. God is good, eh?
I MISS my old friends... Folks like Shant (who has no damn excuse, since we live so close to each other now), Jeff and Kerry, and all my folks Downriver. My number hasn't changed, bitches... CALL ME sometime!!!
Alright y'all.. I'm feeling a new beat in my head. Time for me to make some music.
Peace out...
AC313
Monday, September 17, 2007
Phone Sex
Talk about a revelation... My youngest son, Jevon, approached me with the most outlandish comment I've heard in quite a while.. I was having a conversation, and I had mentioned that I was going to call a friend of mine -- I'd just obtained his phone number. Out of nowhere, Jevon says (loudly): "Daddy, YOU'RE gonna have PHONE SEX!"
(pause) (mouth drops) (did this boy just say what I THOUGHT I HEARD HIM SAY?)
So I sat him down and asked him, "where did you hear such a thing?" Answer: He heard it from the RADIO. (I sat in disbelief...) So I probed further and asked him: "What exactly IS phone sex?" Answer: Phone sex is when you get on the phone (with a girl, he says) and "talk about sex..." For example: "I wanna have sex with you..."
My response: "You will NOT be having phone sex with ANYBODY until you're an adult -- and even then, you will NOT have it on MY TELEPHONE!" And with that, I sent his little seven year-old butt to bed...
Can u believe it? Phone sex. Lord, have mercy...
AC
(pause) (mouth drops) (did this boy just say what I THOUGHT I HEARD HIM SAY?)
So I sat him down and asked him, "where did you hear such a thing?" Answer: He heard it from the RADIO. (I sat in disbelief...) So I probed further and asked him: "What exactly IS phone sex?" Answer: Phone sex is when you get on the phone (with a girl, he says) and "talk about sex..." For example: "I wanna have sex with you..."
My response: "You will NOT be having phone sex with ANYBODY until you're an adult -- and even then, you will NOT have it on MY TELEPHONE!" And with that, I sent his little seven year-old butt to bed...
Can u believe it? Phone sex. Lord, have mercy...
AC
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