Tuesday 30 October 2012

There She Croaks

Hey y'all, Carm here!

I have been home-ridden for the last few days.  Yup, it's flu season in North America, and we have been getting some very strange weather in Toronto.  As most of you are probably aware, we had some left over winds come in last night from "Sandy".

As a result of the weather change, I have contracted a nice little flu. Good for me right? For sure! But this blog entry is going to focus on the life of the vocalist when sick.  I just want to share some tips from the one and only, ME!

Ok so you are feeling a bit stuffed up are we? Here are some tips:

- Hey! Don't sing or speak if you don't have to! Yeah, it's a bit difficult, I know, because personally, I can't shut up for a second.
- Make sure you are drinking a LOT of liquids, not just the hot stuff like tea, because caffeinated beverages like tea and coffee, though good for you in most cases, can dry up your vocal cords even more.
- Protect your throat, this is your baby, your instrument.  This is a good time to bust out your winter scarfs and rock them hard.
- Nasal spray is your friend.  Help clear up your sinuses if they are bothering you by increasing your sprays to twice a day instead of once (so once in the morning, and once before you go to sleep).
- Do you have a humidifier? You know, one of those things that makes steam? Well lock yourself in your room or a small space for a few hours and soak in the moisture.
- Don't smoke! If you are a singer, you shouldn't smoke regardless! Unless the raspy voice is what you are a going for.
- Natural foods such as honey, ginger, and lemon are your best friend. (Thank you Seth from the Tricky Ones for reminding me of this one!)

These tips aren't a "all in all" cure for you, but they will help you refrain from further damaging your vocal cords during your sickness. You need to let all the liquids that are blocking your breathing/nasal system clear out because trying to hit those notes during this time will cause a LOT of strain.

So, that is where I am right now.  Trying not to strain the cords. It kind of sucks being sick. I had to cancel band practice, and well, spend more time cooped up at home.

You know you  heart your band when you miss them when you have to miss band practice! <3

And well, as my latest entry says, I have a lot to learn, especially with my newly acquired bass!

So okay, I took today off, but tomorrow, regardless of my state of being, I need to get back to work.  I can't sing right now, so I'll pick up the bass.  At least I can learn those parts better so I can start training myself to sing and play bass when I am better.

I'm excited for the challenge, so this damn cold needs to take a hike!

'Til next time!



Saturday 27 October 2012

The blog comes to life!

Just as Dr. Frankenstein injected life into his monster, so have we with this blog!

Being The Band is now our official Youtube channel (only 1 Webisode up for now) documenting the life and times of Forgetting All I Know!

I gotta say filming it was hilariously amusing, and the bloopers at the end of the video speak for themselves. We're hoping to publish 1-2 episodes per month for now, but once we get better at this whole thing we'll probably be filming every week or so.

So if you wanna see us running around acting life goofs, having a blast and talking junk about band stuff; TUNE IN! Don't Tuna.

Enjoy the clip, subscribe and leave comments because we'd love to hear/read/EXPERIENCE them all =)


-Princess Bubblegum. (P.B.)

Wednesday 24 October 2012

If I Could Touch the Stars

Hey Y'all! Carm here!

 It has been a very busy last couple of days; between working in the real world, and working in the world of music.

My index and middle fingers on both hands are numb. Why, you ask? Well because yeah, I am the bassist now.

Growing up, I played a bit of piano so I have a base.  I know about how things should sound in conjunction with other instruments, minors, majors, etc, but I don't know if I was really prepared for the amount of work it takes to learn a new instrument.  Regardless of the struggle, I am having one hell of a time being the bassist.  I love it.  I love holding it, and the weight of it around my neck.

When I get the song right, or hit the right notes, I feel so much pride ;)!

Now, can I do this and sing at the same time? That is where I feel a little bit insecure. Yeah, I can say I have some musical talent, but this goes beyond that: it's multitasking!

This is coming for a girl that can't chew gum and walk a the same time... well no, I can do that and a lot of other cool stuff while multitasking, my ADHD allows that for sure.

It's hard work, but it gives me such a thrill! WEE!

You know what else gives me that thrill? Seeing a BRAND NEW article about us in POP! Magazine again! :) Thanks POP!

Read here!

Remember to LIKE and SHARE! :)

Friday 19 October 2012

If Money Grew on Trees... of Hard Work

Photoshoots, magazine articles, studios, shows, and everything in between. Nothing is free and making ends meet is sometimes difficult.

But not to worry, the fruits of our labor are already so sweet and tasty that they practically pay for themselves. With a little bit of motivation and elbow grease we're getting all these things done. Checking them off one by one and moving forward. 

After meeting up with a couple of representatives from Hive Studios we got a pretty good idea of what the industry is expecting from new musicians like us. The studio was professional and cozy. The guys were friendly and realistic in terms of the recording process, and were interested in more than just recording and editing. Their organization deals with managing and promoting bands as well, which is pretty rare to see from studios these days. What was even more rare was that they offered a financing option on their recording "projects". They were even kind enough to hook us up with a contact for booking shows in Hamilton! So if you're looking to record (in the city of Hamilton), I would recommend Hive if you can dish out $2000 for a 3 piece demo with no time limitations, and some managing and promoting on the side as well.

We're yet to see how much business we'll be doing with Hive, but the demos will be out soon enough for your precious ears to listen to. POP! Vulture magazine will be featuring all our new material for the next few months so don't forget to check it out!

So let us know where you'd like to see us play in the next couple of months and we'll try to make it to your hometown. So far we'll be gigging in Toronto and Hamilton. So if you make it down to one of our shows be sure to let us know which songs you'd like to hear on our demo and EP!

Peace out for now people, don't forget to keep on rocking in the free world and do doodle loo doo...

PASHA!

Monday 15 October 2012

Life Can Be a Dream

Hey Faikers, Carm here.

Holy cow singing from the rooftops has this week been amazing.

Good things, my friends, good things will always find me.

And here is why, and it might seem little to you, but whatever:

I won 2000 Petro-Points this week while buying an air freshener at the gas station for my car.

But wait that isn't all...

FAIK has been lucky enough to be noticed by Pop Vulture Magazine, an independent online mag based out of California.

Here is the our first article in POP! CLICK HERE TO READ

I'm just excited to see Forgetting All I Know on a website that I  haven't created myself *giggle*. It's baby steps, you know.  You have to put in the sweat, blood, and tears, and you might never get someone to notice you, but POP! has and we are grateful.

A lot of crappy stuff has happened to FAIK.  There was even a split second that I thought my singing career was over when Josh and Greg left the band.  But as early post have clearly depicted, we are reborn and we will literally, take FAIK to that next level.  It's one thing to say "I'm leaving in coffin" and another to do it.

Not all are capable of that kind of dedication, but we are.

Keep posted because FAIK is going to be all over your face in the next few months... and you are going to like it ;)




Tuesday 9 October 2012

I've Got Ants In My Pants

Hey Y'all, Carm here.

So much is going on that sometimes I feel like I'm loosing my head, and if it wasn't attached...

I guess at some point in everyone's life - or every other day in my life - we all look around and wonder how we got here and where we go from here...

Today is one of those days for me.  And there are pros and cons, or rather, good and bad things about where I am right now.

Here are the pros:

- I have never been happier with my music & band than I am today
- I can finally say I am a confident woman and vocalist
- I'm employed, have great friends, a roof over my head

Cons:

- My mom is still my biggest fan
- I can't seem to get my music out there to be heard
- my PA system still gets drowned out from time to time by the other instruments
- I can't afford to go on the road with the band yet

I have this need to just get back on stage. I think this is what is making me restless and annoyed by all the other little things that need to be done to market a band.

I just want to sing.  I want to sing and make people feel the way I do when I DO sing for them...

It's in my blood now.  The performance, the rush... not knowing what kind of show it will be.

So here I write, eagerly waiting for the next show... Remembering a time when I could look down into the audience and not only see familiar faces, but new ones... watching so intently, listening to every beat, every word...

I am writing again, a lot.  Songs about love, heartache, destiny, all the good stuff... But something more has happened.  I have become a different writer. I can't tell if it is for the better yet, but by experimenting with some new methods, I feel I am growing as an artist.

I just want to be heard.  Music is my voice.

- Ants in my Pants



Wednesday 3 October 2012

Defying Who We Were

You know the feeling you get when things are working out and you have the time to stop and appreciate it too? Like having your cake and eating it. That's how I'm feeling after leaving last band practice.

Things are turning up pretty well with the new line-up, some good people and good tunes. I couldn't ask for more! All my life I've been looking forward to the moment when I could be engaged in writing and performing music with some honest people and this is exactly how I pictured it.

I feel like the curse of the past has finally lifted and we can move on with our lives. I also never thought that our name would be so relevant to so many events in the band's history. We literally once again forgot who we are in order to move forward.

Its time to give it all we've got, work hard and above all (and I stress this with everything I do in life), HAVE FUN!

From my heart to yours, everyone I have the pleasure of working with at the moment, I hope you're enjoying this as much as I am.

Love,

Pasha