Road Trip

Finally made it to Jersey...I'm out though...15 hours of driving will do that...I'll write more when I wake up...
-Rod

Smoochy?!

So we took a break from studio the other night and rented "Death to Smoochy" which has to be one of the most disturbing dark comedies ever. I leave for New Jersey tomorrow to visit some friends. As poor as I am, it worked out with some favors and other people with money. For one of those days I'll be working with a friend, Nick, at Brandywine Electronics. Check out Nick's Web Journal to see some cool pics of that. I spent two days mastering the partial release of the new "Urban Derivatives" album. There are 30+ tracks slated for the new album so the guys decided until that multidisc set comes out, they'll release a "Studio Bootleg" featuring 13 highlight tracks for $10. For those of you who don't know what mastering is, it means I didn't sleep for two days. Then I was also in charge of packaging 100 of those CDs, so that means I didn't sleep for two more days. On top of that I'm booking shows for the guys and that's taking a good day or two...so for about a week, I'm a ZOMBIE!

Anyway, that's enough of a break to let y'all know what I'm doing...I'll write from the road if I can...later...
-Rod

East Saint Stand Up...Sound Off...

I just finished another 14+ hour session in the studio...today we pulled in guest rappers from E. St. Louis to make cameos on some songs...so that was fun. Last night I had a long conversation with the guitar player about our beliefs and it is becoming more apparent why I am present here this summer. Josh is a good guy and a spiritual man (the guy has pulled me through some tough spiritual matters) but we all as humans have our short comings and that includes myself and my friends. Without disclosing personal information on anyone, I ask you pray for me and especially the people I am near this summer that God uses it for the best like He always does, but that we are open to it.

I must retire for the night, but thanks all for your support...
Soli Deo Gloria,
-Rod

Hello Again from Studio A...

12 hours and counting...

So late...

I have been meaning to post for days now and just have never had the time to, but a few nights ago I think I may have written the best song I have ever written...but that comes later...I've still been in studio monster hours everyday, but it's paying off...today Josh (guitar player for the band I'm working with) said he thinks I'm a killer engineer/producer and he believes I could be killer by the end of the summer...on top of it he really thinks I can be the best at this...so that is really encouraging.

So I need to go to bed, but here's the song lyrics to my killer song, and I hope to be able to get recording to all of you ASAP, but God knows when that will be...here it is:

Since There Was You And Me
R.Kim

Tonight I dreamnt I woke up in your arms this time,
and I didn't have to say goodbye.
Somedays I wish that I could just fly away.

Cuz dreams, like many things, are meant to be broken,
and you can't take all you left behind.
And I breathe, but I just can't seem to catch my last breath,
cuz I'm running after you...
since there was you and me.

I can't help think of years ahead,
if years were what we had with us right now,
you're there and I'm still here...waiting for my time...

Cuz dreams, like many things, are meant to be broken,
and you can't take all you left behind.
And I breathe, but I just can't seem to catch my last breath,
cuz I'm running after you...
since there was you and me.

and I won't say I don't cry,
I can't say I sleep much at night...

Cuz dreams, like many things, are meant to be broken,
and you can't take all you left behind.
And I breathe, but I just can't seem to catch my last breath,
cuz I'm running after you...
since you there was you and me.

====
anyways, that's it, hope you like it, it seems a little hopeless, but I think it's kinda romantic...anyway, g'night all.
-Rod
P.S. The song is about a girl I knew, but not Amy ;) FYI...I'll disclose more later...

A quickie...

So this one has to be short because my computer's battery is down to 5 min. Today was another long day in the studio...I went in at 10am and didn't leave until 10:30pm with the exception of a 90 min. break to watch Garfield: The Movie. It wasn't a good movie by critics' standards but it was entertaining and that's all that counts, Garfield is a stinkin' pimp!

So basic synopsis: my home is the studio, go see the Garfield Movie, and thanks again for everyone's prayers.
-Rod

This one is for the hood (throw ya hands up)...

So what do you do when a jazz/blues rap fusion group wants the mix of their songs to consist of the vocal sound of NAS and Kanye West with the instrumental sound of Stevie Ray Vaughn but uses loops instead of real drums? You listen to a lot of rap CDs and old blues albums and ask God why you're there in the first place...just kidding, well, kind of. I spent most of my waking hours today in the studio trying to harness the sound these guys want and don't know how well as a whole I'm doing. I'm trying not to complain because I'm trying to see this as the book of James describes as "service in the name of the Lord," but it slips now and then. I'm just frustrated sometimes because the last guy who worked with these guys had like 20 years of experience doing this and not only is this my first project of this type, I'm a third year student of recording (17 shy if you can't count) and working with a group fusing genres together...ack! I actually left the control room today and hid in an isolation booth to pray...I was like, "God, I know I'm supposed to do this, I just don't know how, and I don't want to fail..." The guys eventually noticed and went looking for me. I don't want them to see me struggling.

Anyway, talked to a friend of mine, Abi, yesterday and it's always encouraging hearing from her. Right now, it's nice to hear from people outside of the studio. I love these guys, but I never see anyone other than the same 3 people everyday! I guess Abi is working at a One-Hour Photo Lab...weird, because I was a manager of a Lab myself for like 2 years...after this summer we should have all kinds of weird stories to share that only photo people think are funny...speaking of, this girl is going to be huge someday...I'm working on a couple of her songs when I get time and she is just incredible. Once I heard someone playing her old CD in the hallway of my dorm and I made that person play it for me from like midnight to 5 am! I asked who it was and hunted her down the next day. I'll try to get one of her songs posted when we're done!

Anyway, time for bed...g'night all, and thanks for the support...
Soli Deo Gloria,
-Rod

P.S. Check out the new Evanescence video for "Everybody's Fool." It's an interesting view of the entertainment industry.

Five Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes...How Do You Measure The Life Of A Woman Or A Man?

Today I read my friend Nick's online journal, and he was talking about how God's presence is continually evident. I nodded in silent agreement but then went on with my day. The last couple days have been a bit frustrating for me in the studio...not because of the guys, but those of you that know me know that I am hard on myself and the last two days showed that. I was questioning if I should have still tried to force a way to go to Nashville and if staying here was the best plan of action. I knew that all the signs seemed to point here, but at the moment I was feeling inadequate to the project(this is my first hip-hop project) and I didn't know if I was doing this particular project any justice.

I was in the studio yesterday for what I recall was the 8th of 12 hours there and was really getting down (12 hours is a long time to sit in a chair, stare at a computer screen, and listen critically.) The guys were brainstorming and discussing ideas and so I drafted up a really rough mix of one of the songs. When they got to hear it, Poe (one of the MC's) flipped and in his words, "Rod's a beast," so that was encouraging. Then this morning I remembered that I forgot to call the Wal-Mart in Nashville to tell them I couldn't make it this summer. The part-time hours with the Photo Lab was going to be my only source of income down there. Anyway, I called them this morning and it turns out it's a bad summer and budgets are running low and they couldn't afford to hire for the summer after all. After that, I looked to the sky and whispered, "OK God, I get it...thanks..."

So that being said, I know where I'm supposed to be, and for the most part, what I'm supposed to do. It's weird, some of my old song lyrics come to mind:

"If I waited for a burning bush to tell me what to do...then I'd never have sufficient faith to go on day to day...Lord give me faith to trust in You..."
-Burning Bush//Burning Scroll

"And we don't know where it will take us...And we don't know where we'll be...It never really mattered before, why would it matter now?"
-Before We Take This Road

Enough for now, thanks everyone...
Soli Deo Gloria,
-Rod

Still in the studio...

Why is the talkback not working in Aux. 3/4?!

Like A Rolling Stone...(This is how it feels...to be one my own...)

At the current moment we're taking a break from studio to watch Frailty. If you weren't scared of religious fanatics before, this movie will make you paranoid. Don't get me wrong, I believe God has a will in my life...and I will follow, but I don't believe many of us are meant to be serial killers.

Anyway, I've been continuing to work in the studios here at college. Thanks to everyone who's been e-mailing/calling/other forms of communication with encouragement. Cory, I just saw a book about Jesse James from West Coast Choppers and I definitely see what you were trying to tell me...I can follow the easy ride or carve my own path and lead the way. Jeb, bro, you have been there since the start...you and Pam were some of the first fans. Kevin, you too...how many years have you been married now? Not too bad for the eternal bachelor. Tara, thanks so much for always being the encouraging voice here at this school and one of my best friends here from the start. Jacie, you're always showing me how to make this town exciting. Casey...wow, you were there from Jr. High until the day we tossed the caps. Paul & Emma...wish the best for you guys, you know I'm always there for you guys. Dan & Sue, thanks for taking care of our family since leg warmers were in style. Mareike, you have been the absolute best, your love and encouragement has constantly pulled me through frustrations in life. I apologize if I've forgotten anyone, but those are the people that I remember have e-mailed me lately.

Well, I'm going to finish this movie with the "Urban Derivatives" guys and get to bed to prepare for another day in the studio. Thanks again everyone, you've been a real blessing and I will continue to work as hard as I can know the Man Upstairs and all of you still believe in me...God Bless...
Soli Deo Gloria,
-Rod