Tuesday, February 28, 2012

All The Hard Work

All my hard work is about to pay off.  It's nice.  I've been tirelessly working in this studio and pushing to perfect the songs I'm recording, and now finally, I've got a final single to release!

Look for the new single to be available on iTunes in the beginning weeks of March!  I'll be promoting it and making it easier for you to purchase it.  Anyway, the single for my EP "Latest Thoughts" is titled "Come On Now," and it's something I'm very excited about!

The single will be $0.99, and I promise it's worth every penny.  I'm putting a lot into this.

Sorry this post is so short, but, I gotta get back to work!

Thanks so much for all the love and support, and I'll definitely be posting on here about more in-depth feelings and thoughts soon!

Until then, keep it real guys.

Monday, February 20, 2012

The Possibilities

Oh the sweet nectar of passion.  Oh the sweet nectar of passion.  Oh- the SWEET nectar of passion.


So, the recording, mixing, and "mastering" of my works are going so slowly... SO slowly.  The minute I feel something might be finished, I don't like how it is, or something is off later in the night.  Passion keeps me going though, oh how it does.  I am the type to be a perfectionist over my work.  I can't allow myself to slip into a coma of sorts where it's "good enough."  I want it to sound how I want it to sound, which is why it's taking FOREVER!  I am almost to having a few songs FINAL now.


OH- I haven't mentioned anything about how I'm doing the compilation of the music!


Well, here's how it works: I'm going to have four EP's released within two years.  Two per year. Or if it's sooner, I'm going to do that too... but what I'm really saying is I will not let myself take longer than two years to get them out.  Anyway, when the four EP's are put together, the ideas, moods, feelings, and thoughts work in a sort of flow of emotion which depict my situation or where I am at my young age of 24.  Almost like each EP is a "stage" of each experience I go through in figuring out life.


The titles are as follows:


EP1: Latest Thoughts
EP2: From A Fragile State
EP3: Searching For What's Mine
EP4: To Move Ahead


Each one has a sort of mood, or common theme/feel.  


I hope that once the first one is released, you guys continue to want more!  I am so excited about this.  I've been putting my heart, soul, time, and energy into this solo project.  Every night I find myself going to bed SO late!  But I just love it so much!


Anyway, that's all I've got so far!  Everything else is great... just trying to get more funding in so I can achieve greater success... but that's life in the modern world, and ain't it grand?!

Friday, February 10, 2012

What does it take?!

I'm sitting in the kitchen of my girlfriend's parents' house as I type this post.  I've been doing some thinking lately, and I just can't wrap my head around one thing... how do I or my band and I get a following?  Sure, the concept is easy... but the implementation has been feeling impossible these days.

We are good.  We have catchy music.  I write hooks that will haunt you for days.  I love what I do.  They love what they do.  (By they, I mean my band, by the way, hahaha).  But finding that group of people who will stay devoted to you, and come to your shows, and buy your music, yea... that's no walk in the park.  I've been doing this music thing since high school.  That's 6 years now.  It was hard then, and still stays just as hard.

I don't understand.  I don't know what I'm doing wrong.  But I can't make an honest living without a following.  I need fans.  I want this to work.  What do I do?

SO- in this very short post, you have now read the one thing that has always pissed me off about the industry... some of the, no offense, most terrible musicians will sometimes have the largest following.  When other really good musicians are struggling to have a following.  

Where do I begin? 

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Changing my taillights.

     It's SuperBowl Sunday and I find myself at 3:30PM about to change my taillight covers due to heat damage from somewhat close proximity to a fire.  I'm not sure if I even want to watch the game tonight.  I don't know, it just really doesn't interest me today.  I'm also not sure if I want to partake in any SuperBowl activities or parties.  I'm not really feeling it.  What I am feeling is spending the evening with music.  

     I've been feeling strange the past couple of days.  I'm not sure what it is.  I'm trying to figure out what's up with that.  Last night my awesome band OneSecond performed at UD for the Thursday Night Live CD Release Party.  We had a blast, and received a great response!  We played pretty well, too!  I couldn't help but enjoy myself!  I know music is where my passion and heart lies.  My one true love.  My freedom.  My expression, but more importantly as I'm learning this past week: my acceptance.  Music has accepted me always.  It's great.  I love it!  I feel I can really be myself and let it all out.  If this can be a career for me, and support my lifestyle, I would be the luckiest man alive.

     Lately things are off, though.  I'm realizing that Chicago is going to have to be a long term goal.  I need to establish some work experience with a Marketing job first.  I'm thinking I might move to Cleveland, and be near my girlfriend.  I'm not sure yet.  I'm about 80% certain that's what I'll do though.  I just want to make sure that the move isn't going to be for nothing.  I'm not positive about my direction in my personal life, either.  Things FEEL weird.  Different.  So, I'm just diving into my music hoping that, as always, it gives me an idea.  It usually does that.  I've got so much potential and so much to give, and I'm just hoping that one day all that I have to give will pay off for someone.  That someone will benefit from it.  That I can improve someone else's life.  I've felt that a bit with some of my music.  I've been told that my lyrics have been an inspiration, or that a song I've written really helped someone or moved someone because of their current situation.  Being told this, makes me feel accomplished that my love can change someone.

     So, as I'm about to venture out and change these taillight covers, I am moving with one question on my mind: What's my next move?! 

Monday, January 30, 2012

Getting back on track.

It sure has been a while since I've been on here.  I know I've been absent with a lot of things going on.  But now it's good to be back on track!  


Things have been really cool lately.  My life is starting to gain focus, meaning, and inspiration.  I know what I need to do, and I'm set to do it.  


For those of you who aren't aware, and I don't think anyone, except for a special lil' lady I know, has heard this yet, but, I'm in my studio recording a solo album.  It's all recorded, mixed and mastered by me.  I'm pretty excited!  I'm giving this album the title, "Latest Thoughts."  I am aiming to have 11 songs total on this album.  As I stated earlier, I'm SO stoked!


With this happening, I've felt useful again.  It's crazy!  I feel in my element again.  It's seriously been since high school for me since I've recorded, mixed and mastered my own album.  And for once, I'm taking a ton of time working on each song until it's the best sound I can get out of the equipment and hardware I have.  But aside from the love I have for my band, OneSecond, and our shows and recording in the studio, I'm so happy to be doing my solo work in conjunction. 


BUT- allow me to expand upon this new album.  There's some cool things happening with it besides the fact that I'm taking the time to make it a quality product.  What's new about this album is it's an eclectic mix of different sounding songs that I'm writing recently.  Some are electronic-driven instrumentals, some are straight Blues/Pop/Rock, and others are Acoustic songs.  It's nice.  I am actually in the middle of recording a song that reminds me of the Foo Fighters... yea... not necessarily my main influence... but it just came out that way.  But, I can guarantee that it will not be a waste of your time to take a listen once I release this bad boy!


I have, though, been very exhausted.  Working on this album the past week and a half, I have three songs of the 11 done, to what I think are my best mixing and mastering.  BUT- guaranteed I will revisit these songs and work on them again!  Anyway, with staying up until 4 or 5AM, I sometimes work the next day in the afternoon... but I'm not waking up until maybe two hours before that shift would begin.  It's been bad.  So my most recent battle- a better sleep schedule.  


It's funny, because I noticed when I'm with my girlfriend, I am naturally on a better sleep schedule, because we tend to sync without even realizing it.  It's rather awesome... but now with us apart, it's me back to my old sleep schedule, cause I'm working on a ton of new stuff!  


Keep your eyes and ears open for the new album.  I will be announcing it on my Facebook page and on here.  When it's released, you will know, (if you check).  


Hope you all are doing great, and I really appreciate you reading my blog as well as keeping up my developments!  I am so grateful for all of you, and your support!


May God bless your lives, and I will be posting soon!  Enjoy your week :-)

Monday, January 16, 2012

It's 3:13AM on a Monday morning... what else would I be doing?!

           So, after a night of incessant booking, I find myself still awake at 3 in the morning.  My night has been REALLY productive.  I have been sending out emails to venues in attempt to book for my band OneSecond.  Along with that, I was applying to jobs via Monster.com in the city of Chicago, IL.  With that cat now out of the bag, I feel safe in saying, I'm moving to Chicago, IL.  Not right away, but within the year.  Allow me to further explain what's up with my feelings on this epiphany.

           I've made a decision.  That's what I've been needing to do for quite some time.  But hell, I've MADE A DECISION.
                   
                          'Eric Ulliman has made a decision to make the right move and do 
                                                     something grand with his life.'

           -this statement resounds in my head almost every day.  This is pretty unique for me.  I've been so scared for so long to make a move, to step outside the many comforts and securities I've been surrounded by and with which I've grown so familiar.  My entire life has been this billowy struggle.  Billowy is a great word to use.  I use this word to depict how supported I am in Dayton, OH, by family and friends.  I've worked hard in my quest to continue perfecting my craft and passion of songwriting.  I've been told how good my songs are.  I've been told how well I perform on stage.  I've been told how good I play guitar.  I've been told how my vocals are well done.  I've been raised in this environment that makes me feel GOOD about myself... but feeling good is only half the battle.  I don't want to just be good.  I want to be extraordinary.  It doesn't matter what I get into.  I am built to be great, I can feel it.  I've got a calling to music.  It's my soul.  It's my emotion.  It's my way to speak the feelings for others who can't express it themselves.  It's my life.  I have been SO determined and driven ever since I realized this is the career I am called to do.  But that determination and drive was shrouded by my fear of leaving these comforts and securities.  Well, I'm ready to leave them behind for a bit.  I'm ready to struggle.  I'm ready to succeed.  I'm ready to take a risk.


           That word, risk, has such negative connotation to it sometimes.  When people hear that word, I feel the negative aspect of it jumps out and scares people.  But, I believe this is what separates those who become successful and those who do not.  It's the individuals who take that risk that tend to be so successful.  You don't achieve success without taking a risk.  When I heard that word back in high school, I admit, I thought a bit more on the negative side of things.  But now, I hear this word, and I think it's beautiful.  I equate risk with success.  Those who are major and great in their achievements all started by taking a risk.

           It's just like falling in love, how come we are so willing to  fall in love and put ourselves on the line?  Falling in love is a risk.  It's a huge risk.  To put oneself out there and not know what could come from it.  But as I am in the highest conviction, love is one emotion and feeling that we are constantly chasing and for which we are undoubtedly willing to take a risk.  It is of the highest desire in humanity, in my opinion.  Love is amazing, and it's the best choice anyone can make.  To be unconditional in caring for, about, and choosing that one person every day over all the rest.  To take that risk.  In my eyes, when you commit and take that risk, it's almost astonishing... it tells me that this one person put herself on the line for ME.  That she is choosing ME, without knowing what could come of it.  But it all starts with a risk.  I've taken that risk recently within this past year.  And you know what?- it's the BEST decision I've ever made.  For the first time in my life I want to be a better person because I'm with someone who deserves the best.  I'm unconditional towards this person, I don't take things personally, and I put their feelings at the upmost level of consideration.  I will always be there for this individual.  And I believe she knows it. I've never had a closer, more amazing friend in my life.  And I adore the crap out of this lady.  And for the first time in my life in a relationship, everyday is actually getting BETTER than the last.  Such a cliche, but now I understand why it is written in so many love songs.  Literally, a few months ago, I thought that things couldn't be any more amazing than they were at the time.  But today, they are so extraordinary.  It's the craziest thing.  But how did it all start?- by the two of us taking a risk.


           I think this completes my thoughts in my decision process, and how I view things.  I'm ready to take on this risk.  I have faith in the Lord, and I believe he won't let me parish.  He already put an angel in my life who has made me feel more confident in myself than I've ever felt.  She truly is my angel.  So cheesy and cliche, I know, but it's true.  I've got the talent, I've got the survival skills with which my amazing mother has raised me.  My mother is one of the biggest reasons I still pursue this career, because she believes in me.  For that I will be eternally grateful, and I don't know how I'll ever be able to make recompense to her.  I was shown how to be a man in this world by my father, who is one of the most genuine, honest, hard-working men I've ever come to know.  I'm built to survive, but I'm also made to succeed.  The Lord doesn't make a man with such passion and desire for something unless it is to be used.  This is my path, and I'm so lucky to make this journey.  But not just that, I'm more lucky to be surrounded with the family and close friends that I have.  But I can already say- I will always be so fond of, and appreciative of the lady in my life who has my heart, and will forever be in my consideration.  The one with whom I am foreseeing and planning a great future.  I will always love and cherish her.  I'm the luckiest son of a bitch on this Earth.  You better believe it, because I do with every cell of which I'm made.

           So, Chicago is where more opportunity waits for me.  It's teeming with live music venues, professional, career-minded musicians, management companies, even record labels!  There's also a ton more people that live there, thus increasing my chances of pulling a larger following.  This is the city I choose, and this is the career I am continuing.  What's crazy is I feel like I didn't pick this career... it's always picked me.  From the moment I was able, I was performing for family members, and singing my heart out.  And as time went on, I realized how much I loved this great communication tool, outlet, and form of expression.  It's such a gorgeous art.  It's brilliant.

           So here I am, now 4 in the morning.  All I have to say is, watch out world, I'm taking you by the reigns, and thank you Lord for this talent and the people you've put in my life.  But more importantly, when will I land a damn job?!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Other Things.

Well, it's been a bit since I left you with my last blog, but I'm here and ready to post again, haha.

Work is still... work.  I've gone on and on about that enough already.  I think it's time to talk about other things.

Lately I've been feeling rather off.  Things are not quite popping for me.  That is fine, and that's okay, it's life, and I get that.  My days seem rather mundane, not in a negative sense, but in the sense that everything is almost the same... there's not much variety.  Again, it's life... and right now, and I'm sure as life goes on, I'm learning how to digest that in my daily life.  I'm not upset or complaining about it, rather, I'm unsettled and curious about it.  It's definitely something that is up to me to change, but there are times where I feel these days are necessary, because I won't comprehend or appreciate the awesome days that I experience.  And at least I'm not having crappy days, haha. 

I need to start writing again.  I haven't written a song in a while, and I can't control my creativity... it comes and goes as it pleases.  I can't turn it on or off.  I need to take advantage of it when it is inside of me.  Lately, when I'm feeling it, I am not in a position to make the best of it and express what's in my mind, heart, and soul.  It's hard for me to be content when I can't take advantage of my passion.  It really disheartens me.  It's like this: wherever I am, I'm not there.  I'm physically there, but mentally and emotionally, I'm not.  I feel like the shell of Eric Ulliman, because my eyes are telling of my mindset-elsewhere, but my body is there... I probably sound like a total creeper, but this is how it is. 

Today, I'm finding this to be my battle.  I'm dealing with the shell of Eric Ulliman.  I've written a song about these types of days, it's called Prisoner.  The chorus will really explain it all.  It is:

"I'm alive, but I feel trapped inside.  A prisoner in my own body.  Something's wrong, so I am trying to find- Why I'm not myself lately.  Is there something I am missing?"

This is the epitome of what it's like when I'm in songwriting mode, but can't take advantage of it.  It's also the perfect description of what it's like when I'm having the "not myself" type of day.

Anyway, I leave you all with this: We are all human, and we all have emotions.  If we are feeling something, it's not wrong nor is it right- it just is.  We can't control how we feel, but we can control how we handle those feelings.  That's what I'm trying to do today while surrounded by people who don't know this about me yet.

Thanks again to everyone who has been reading these, and supporting my career choice.  I am forever grateful to you, and I promise to spend a lifetime paying you back with the music I create.  That's what I plan to do, ergo, that's what I will do.