Hello? It's me....

Hey friends,

Holy shit it’s been 3 years since I blogged. What the fuck even is a blog. Does anyone read a blog anymore? I’m not sure. Anyways I’m unemployed. Got laid off by some shady mother fuckers along with my team and a good homie. Going out on my own. Universe been trying to push me into it for years anyways, so now she gets her way. A little nervous, mostly excited. I’ve got the blind optimism thing on lock. No one can fuck with it.

Music wise, I’m cruising. Been working on other people’s stuff and it has me sharp as a tack. Putting out a single on 8/30 to prove my bloviation. Can’t just throw shit out there without proof. Listen to it, tell me I’m wrong.

I’m doing better than I have in a long time. Last three years, lot of ups and downs. Got a lady now, clear direction in my life. Fuck I don’t know - what is expected of a man my age anyways? Everything - that’s what. Stakes are high but I’m here for it.

If you or your friends want any marketing / content / music production - head over to www.sunshinepresents.com …. it’s the agency I started up with Tommy and am running with going forward. I have some grand visions for the future.

Love y’all,

Nick
nick@nickarnesonmusic.com

May 2020

I haven’t gotten on here in a while. Used to rant all the time, just come on here and let them fly. It’s a tricky space though because it’s the internet and everyone can read it. It’s like I want everyone to read what I write, because i always look back and laugh and i want other people to experience that. Also something really therapeutic about writing in a public space. Though it’s never as genuine as I want it to be. I don’t ever talk about really personal shit on here, because that impacts other people too much. Seldom does one have something really personal or intense that doesn’t involve another person - a family member or something. So yeah, you’ll need to read between the lines.

Either way - this has been a hard year. Currently we’re facing so much awful stuff in the news. George Floyd. Fuck. I sobbed like 10 fucking times this week. Listening to the heart break and misery this country is going through. I did some contributing. Not enough. I’m doing more. I went to a protest but got scared of Corona and went home. I’m guilty of complacency though and it eats me up. I’m not doing it any more. My commitment to the world right here. It boils down to compassion and love for people. If everyone felt it, we’d all be saved. I’m not going down this rabbit hole just saying I’m committed to doing more.

Corona is devastating the music community and also bringing it new life. People are making such awesome shit for the internet. The live streaming quality if off the charts too - Hallowed Halls Facebook Live shows are impeccably done and sound beautiful and it’s all streamed live. Amazing. I haven’t done any live streams yet. I’ve been making videos. Between you and me sometimes I feel intimidated by the level of talent out there and postpone performances. It’s not cool and I’m trying to get over it. Videos are fun because when you perform you can just act like no one is watching, because no one is watching. It’s that level of performance that is required live though, and sometimes I catch it - not all the time. It’s all the time when I’m drumming but not for singing / playing guitar. It’ll get there just like anything else you obsess over.

Well friends hang in there. I’m hurting along with everyone in the world - this year was rough for me anyways without all of this other shit going on. I have to believe we’ll get through it or it’s a lesson or there’s something lying up ahead that will soothe all our suffering. Here’s hoping.

Stay strong out there, love you all.

Nick

PODCAST EPISODE 7: AMY DRAGON

Late December '19 Update

Hi friends,

I’m going through some shit, and need to pause on the output. I’ll be back, and I’m fine. See you in ‘20.

Nick

PODCAST EPISODE 6

PODCAST EPISODE 5

PODCAST EPISODE 4

Live From Space / Podcast Episode 3

Hello awesome friends,

What's happening friends? Hope you're week has been filled with righteous moments of super awesomeness. I know mine has. Here's what's happening, as always business FIRST:

1. New Series - LIVE FROM SPACE - debut. Acoustic performance with some subtle production nuanced in for the full effect. Trippy background to entertain your eyes as much as your ears!

2. Podcast episode 3! This is a solo episode, and a shorty. I talk about what I learned this week, rant about bedtime, discuss what I want in life and talk about my scientific study between stoke levels and the amount of music I play. There is a direct correlation!

I'm interviewing the artist known as Nosila this week, podcast will debut next Sunday (11/10). She is a Portland artist who makes beautiful, dreamy, electrified pop awesomeness. She has been getting quite a bit of local buzz of late, and I'm stoked to have her on the show!

My next music video for Time Is On Your side (Spotify link here) will debut on 11/16!! Do you like Christmas? How about birthdays? How about sunsets? How about dancing? Puppies? Take all of those feelings of happiness, smoosh them together, and that's the amount of joy this video will bring you. Am I exaggerating? NO. Shooting is almost wrapped up. It will star Rick Danger, my brother Erik, and my good friend Ryan Link. There will be spaceships, warp speed, interplanetary travel, space fights with HORSE and the GSIAB. What the fuck does that stand for? You'll need to watch to try and put the puzzle together!

Thanks everyone! Output right now is off the charts so I'm glad you all are out there enjoying it. Keep coming back and I'll keep making cool shit!!!!

Here are some things that I love in this town:
Arnemancy
Vortex Magazine
Sundog Shows
Toadhouse Recording Studios
Telegraph Mastering

Love,

Nick

PODCAST EPISODE 2

Uncertainty

Except, no one cares

I show my soul 

Get only blank stares

supposed to weather 

All uncertainty 

And what my ego requires 

Means I’ll never be free 

I’m always looking 

For uncertain answers 

My course is certain 

No doubt what the plans are 

Yet the need for approval

And the whims or the masses 

Ensures the removal

Of rose colored glasses 

As this is a long haul 

With no rest for the weary 

The order is tall

The short term is dreary 

They say doubt is normal 

A routine occurrence 

Though this flood of rebuttal 

Makes me question my sense

What’s to keep me from quitting

What’s making me stay  

Probably better than shitting

My whole life away

On a whim or a vision 

I caught late at night 

Enshrining my mission 

In spiritual light 

Yet aging is real 

And it’s a time for the young 

My grey hairs reveal 

This songs likely been sung 

There’s a place in exhaustion

Where it stops making sense 

Same as flaunting the caution 

Getting down off the fence 

Fight growing up (and single announce)

You gotta fight growing up at every turn. That’s what I’ve tried to do, for my entire life. I always figured I’d abandon most of this by now, but the urges just get stronger so I go deeper into the rabbit hole… Gets exponentially easier to honor the impulses - my body seems to have adapted fairly well to the 5 hours of sleep or so. A good friend of mine Simone suggested I start a podcast - in fact had a dream that I did and was good, not a weird dream so be cool, just a dream. If you believe in those kinda weird visions then there might be something there. I think I do so there is something there. I’m not convinced anyone really wants to hear what I have to say, but I’m also not convinced that is the reason most of us do this. Considering my numbers are pretty low currently, I suppose I’m proof of that. My shits getting better though. It’s hard for you to listen to the shit I put out a year ago and then the stuff now (10/24 is my next one - video / spotify single) and tell me it’s not roughly 75% better in quality and intention. There’s no ego in saying that, I’ve put out some real garbage just to get it out. I’m impulsive, but the impulsivity is now turning into just working fast. It’s very late, and I’m going to call it. Have a nice weekend, and I hope you do something fucking sweet. Keep coming back and I’ll keep making cool shit.

Nick

Time Is On Your Side

Hi friends,

Here is my unreleased single. I just like sharing. It’s not out until later this month, but I can’t help myself. Have a listen, let it really get in there. It’s a good one.

https://soundcloud.com/nickarneson/time-is-on-your-side/s-D1hEV

Nick

Accepting rejection

How many rejections have you taken this week? This year? They suck right? Whether it’s a subtle fuck you from the coffee lady because you only tipped 18% or a solid “you suck” from your boss because you fell asleep on your laptop (again?!). Putting your creative work into the world is basically asking for monumental rejection. Every drop is a “this could be the one” and almost without exception it isn’t quite.…

Unless you’re doing it for the right reason, and then every drop is the one. I’m not fully there, but I’ve gotten better and am getting better. I’m trying to be more present when I’m making and that helps immensely. It’s a small window each day that I’m free to express the inner, weird workings of my soul - and I have come to realize that pissing that time away thinking about some mansion on a beach in a future that only exists in my mind is not the way to go. I encourage the same for you.

The worst kind of rejection, and the kind I have yet to get over, is the apathy. The feeling that no one gives a shit. It’s lonely in the barn, and my way of interacting with people is by getting my work into their face. If they feel nothing, I’ve failed. So, there’s that. I haven’t figured out how to best this demon, other than get better and make people give a fuck. “No one cares until they do” - someone said that, not sure who. The trick after that is making them care for longer than the average pop song or news cycle. Best not to dwell on this folks, trust me.

Long story long, hang in there. I’m an emotional rollercoaster of man, and I can handle it. Surely you’re stronger than I. I bury it behind a facade of sarcasm and facial hair, but believe me - I feel everything. Every glance, tone, body language or wild energy sends me flying high or plummeting low. There is no middle ground - this is what I get being the person I am. If tomorrow I woke up flat lining in my response to people, I’d know that my creative days were over. Comes with the territory.

Longer story long - hang in there. Keep coming back and I’ll keep making cool shit. And ranting about the cool shit at length.

Love you guys. Seriously. Whoever you are. Leave a comment - I know you’re coming to these pages and reading this stuff, I can see the data. Interact with me, I will respond in kind.

Later,

Nick

Show this Thursday, Single This Friday

Hi friends,

Playing a show on Thursday (9/26) and am releasing the music video I’ve been working on the following day (9/27). Excited to share the song and video with the world, feel they really came together nicely. Hope to see you all at the show, or in the comments section of the music video or somewhere out in the world at some point.

Nick

Good For Right Now Trailer #2

Added some cinematic elements to this one to really add the drama. Made it kinda creepy actually. Turns out horse headed people are creepy as fuck.

https://vimeo.com/360925505

Taste of why…

I don’t get asked this much but I can sense the inquiry, especially of a generation above and (strangely) some peers. Why? You are basically going from 6 am to midnight every day, why not just chill? The answer is that I don’t have a choice. The overwhelming urge is too strong. The opposite too miserable. Sitting and wishing. Regretting the wasted hours. The feeling of restless dissatisfaction (helluva song title - dibs). I HAVE TO. Just a snippet. I’m tired. See you soon. 9/26 live show.

8.31.19

Hello friends,

Quick NAM update. I’m finished with a single, and am starting work on the corresponding video. I setup a new green screen in the Barn and got a new lighting rig - all pretty boring stuff to the non-participant but it will mean a great deal to the quality of my videos. Can really only get better, haha.

Album is coming along fantastically. I’m going forward with my plan of one single at a time, with a corresponding video. It will be worth it, trust me. As my video chops get better, which they’ve already improved dramatically (go watch one of my first youtube videos vs the latest music video, it’s night and day), I’ll be able to put out more of it. This means more free happiness for you - the viewer / listener. I’m here for you.

My pledge - if I don’t have your attention in the first 10 seconds, it’s probably not for you and that’s okay. If after 10 seconds you’re feeling something - even a slight twinge of emotion - stick around and see what else happens. This is a community (or at least it will be), and YOU are welcome here. I make music for you, and me, and everyone.

Keep coming back, I’ll keep making cool shit.

Nick

Patreon Page

HI friends,

Thanks for reading. I've set up a Patreon page. It's difficult to do, but I've done so for two reasons. First, to be connected with those who are enjoying what I create. I want to connect more often and build a sense of community around what I'm making and putting out into the world. Being an extrovert in a fairly introverted line of work, I get lonely! I love hearing that what I'm putting out into the world makes people happy or makes people dance, or helps someone through a shitty day. I write about intensely personal stuff that likely resonates with a lot of you. I want to hear about how it impacted your life, and I want to tell you why I wrote it in the first place. Mostly, I want to inspire people to stay up later than they should to chase their secret creative dreams.

Second, making all of this stuff is expensive. My overhead is high. I have a career, but the income from it generally covers off the student loans, bills and mortgage that so many of us face. There is little buffer to support my creative endeavors. However, something deep inside is telling me to keep pushing and creating - and in order to do this I need a little grease for the proverbial wheel. It's damn hard to send out this email, as it's damn hard enough for people to care when it's free. My pledge is that with support will come access that others don't have. Behind the scene Barn videos, exclusive tracks and direct conversations where you can hit me up for any sort of advice - music, life or whatever.

My ultimate dream is to build this into a self sustaining content engine. I have a vision for what it looks like and I want to build a community around the music and videos I'm putting out. I want to discover other videographers and musicians who can help me hone my creative vision and I want to support others who, like me, can't ignore the fire burning within.

Over the past couple years, I've become a fairly spiritual person. It's a strange turn of events for someone who has always been a staunch (even argumentative) atheist. I'm not about to preach or try and convert (it's not that sort of spirituality), but it's given me inspiration and drive to do what I'm supposed to do, and not what social pressure tells me to do. The more I allow myself to fall into this inspiration, the wider the flow of creative channeling I find myself privy to. It's wild, no other word for it. It's as if I'm suddenly a receiver for an unlimited amount of creative whims, and it's merely about finding the hours in the day to harness, capture and bring to life.

I want to share this with all of you because it's only possible for me to do this if my creative output touches others as it touches me (no actual touching). I want to share my process and not just the final result. I want to post writings, drawing, poems and rough songs to a small (or huge) cadre of fans and friends who are engaged. In theory, this platform (Patreon) seems a two way street.

My overarching mission and vision is to not only satiate the internal drive to follow my path, but also (and most importantly) to inspire others to do the same. I'm 40. I have 2 kids. I have a good career. By all social metrics I should be fine and content. I'm not content, never have been, and am guessing there are many others who feel the same creative impotence. Too many of my friends have hung up their guitars, or given up their creative endeavors because they are too tired or don't have time. It's tragic to me. I want to inspire others to stop ignoring these late night cravings, to give into the crazy every now and again (or 6 nights a week), and to put work out into the public space regardless of fear of rejection. It will get rejected a couple times, and people won't care... until they do.

Here's hoping that you do, because I do. It drives me with the white hot intensity of a thousand suns. Sounds dramatic, but it's real. If I stay up until 1 am on a work night and create something good, the next day on 4 hours sleep is blissful and productive. If I go to bed at 10 pm and don't create anything, I'm a cranky zombie until the next night.

Thanks for reading this, thanks for caring, and hopefully - thank you for contributing. I'm looking forward to developing this with you, as it's really not possible without your support.

Keep coming back and I'll keep making cool shit.

Nick Arneson