"Hard Knock Life"

This one goes out to the one and only Amy Winehouse. The young and restless English child who took the world by storm with her uniquely powerful and amazingly soulful voice. I was in the studio with Memphis producer MaxPtah and emcee Knowledge Nick when I heard about her death at the age of 27. We all had to really take a moment. Having problems with drugs and alcohol abuse, violence, and self-destructive behaviours, many of us knew that she was headed down a dark road that would eventually lead toward disaster if she didn't change her ways. However, I don't think ANY of us actually wanted to see it happen. 

Yea, she was in her own league. Amy paved the way for many artist after her. British singer Adele had credited Winehouse's success in the United States for making her and fellow British singer Duffy's journey to the United States "a bit smoother". American singer Lady Gaga credited Winehouse with making it easier for unconventional women to have mainstream pop success. She has been seen as one of the major artist responsible for the revival of soul music since 2000. At the very least, her death highlighted her music, talent and how important GOOD MUSIC really is. (Sorry, but if KE$HA died, it would be a shame, but... ::shrugs::) More importantly also showed that LIVING FAST and DYING YOUNG is OVERRATED!! It's a message to the younger generations. The lifestyle Amy Winehouse lived wasn't/isn't GLAMOUROUS. It's DESTRUCTIVE. There are many trying to live this type of life as a trend. Her life wasn't. Hers was real. Moreover, I am sure she didn't want her life to be the way it was. But, we can learn from others mistakes and there's definitely a lesson in this one. Amy, we miss you already.

R.I.P

"I don't ever want to do anything mediocre. I hear the music in the charts and I don't mean to be rude, but those people have no soul. Learning from music is like eating a meal.. you have to pace yourself. You can't take everything from it all at once...I'm a musician. I'm not someone who's trying to be diplomatic, you know, trying to get my 15 minutes. I'm just a musician who is honest." -Amy Winehouse

"The Newness"

Have you ever done something for so long that it just got kinda old? Almost to the point of you not wanting to do it at all, at least during that time? Well, I got to that point a few days ago. After designing non-stop for weeks, I was feeling drained, uninspired, uncreative, and stuck. Of course, there was a build-up to get this point. I realized it while working on a recent project. The only thing I did for almost 2 hours was stare at a blank computer screen..............(Btw, this is NOT A GOOD THING). It was definitely time to do something different.

I needed a break from the mundane.

I was looking to do something else. So, I looked in books and magazines for hours to find something to inspire me. Then, I ran across a really interesting illustration........It was the inspiration I needed. I immediately got brushes, paint, water, and everything else I needed. It had been a while since I've painted. I was excited to "get my feet wet" again. As soon as I started, I felt free and as I continued, I started to feel lighter. My vision seemed to even get clearer. It was THE NEWNESS. It felt really good. It may not last long at all. However, it got me out of the rut I was in and it allowed me to get re-inspired.

We all get into situations where life seems so "run of mill". At times when things seem stressful, tense, lifeless, stale, boring, etc. all we really need is a BREAK. Take time to re-energize yourself. You'll thank yourself. This is what came out of my break...

Kevin Sandbloom - Singer/Songwriter

Siphne - Artist/Musician

Jason Da Hater - Emcee