Wow! It's been forever since I have even glanced at my own website... That's pretty embarrassing, but I'm going to try to go over some things that stand out to me which have happened over the fall/winter transition.
We had a pretty nice winter storm here in the Atlanta Area. I was actually stranded for a few days because the roads were iced over. It's been a while since that has happened, but I love the snow so I made the most of it.
It seemed like in the past month I have been more stressed out than ever. It seemed like nothing was going my way and everything was working against me. However, I am striving to break free from the negativity that has been plaguing me for so long. I have some very positive things approaching, and I have more things in my life to be happy about than anything else so.. It's time to TURN AROUND!
Hakuna Matata!
The Dodekapus show, "I Can Dream All Day," which has been months in the making, is scheduled for this February 5th, 2011. It's a Dream Inspired Art Event, and is going to be packed full of amazing entertainment and art from every medium imaginable. These people are some of the best talent in Atlanta, and when they come together, they form a beautiful body of creation and love to share it with everyone. If you can find the time, you better come out and see us. From DJs and Musicians to Actors, Poets, Painters, Dancers and everything you can imagine, this show will have it all. There will even be a Circus performance! If you miss this show, you are going to miss out on one of the best times in your life.
Anyway, enough about that. I would like to share with you what I have been spending a lot of my time on....
My Music :)
Below are several songs I have created. In the past I have been working in Fruity Loops and strictly producing my songs. But thanks to friends and inspiration, I have taken steps to move away from production into creation and have written several pieces to be performed live. All of these tracks below are 100% live-recorded pieces, and I hope you enjoy them, because I have loved creating them.
Of the 4 tracks listed above, two of them will be performed live at "I Can Dream All Day." I hope you can come and enjoy them as well as all of my friends and other talented artists who will be there.
These aren't the only tracks I have created, but they are the only ones I have written to be performed live.
I wish that I had some time to share more with you, but I don't yet. I will, however, share my other projects with you after the show, because I dont want to give out any spoilers ;-)
Until next time, friends. I hope you have an excellent and warm winter season.
One Love
-Jesse
Summer Re-Cap
Written by Jesse Merriman
Friday, 23 July 2010 09:31
Summer officially hit me hard. There has been so much going on in the past 3 months that it's hard for me to go over everything that has happened.
I've been super busy working on several projects, most being put together by Dodekapus, the amazing Atlanta-based Art Collective, which I am proud to be a part of. This group of inspiring, creative and loving people is one of the highlights of my summer. I have enjoyed nearly every stressful minute with these folks. You should check them out.
Aside from all of the craziness of my professional and project-oriented life this summer, I am choosing to share what has gone on in my personal time, because I feel it is the most reflective and peaceful for me. It's very nice to take a break away from the chaos and let some relaxation and productivity take over.
Last week I went to check out Stone Summit Climbing Facility with Chris Head, Derek Jones and JT Boynton. It's the newest and largest indoor climbing wall in the southeast. Aside from the hour of testing, ridiculous wait times for lead ropes, extremely uncomfortable harnesses and the crowd of people, it is really a nice place. 60ft walls are a plus, with a really nice bouldering area. It was fun, needless to say.
However, my heart will always be with nature. Chris and Derek are out at Sand Rock, AL doing some real sport and trad climbing, and I am super jealous that I can't be out there with them.
Plus, it would be very enjoyable to take my Jetta on a road trip with my nice new (used) Thule Roof Rack.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention. This past Saturday, the 17th, was Highjacking Music Festival at Lenny's Bar in Atlanta. It was a very good time with some spectacular performances by the Dodekapus kids.
At the festival, I decided to take advantage of my car's black-primer paint job and stuck a magnetic container full of chalk on the back and let people go to town. The entire car was covered by the end of the night with some beautiful work by all of the people attending. Unfortunately, it rained that night and it was all erased...
But, later on during the week I was privileged with some Custom Graphics by Simon Paramo, the incredibly creative son of the beautiful and very talented Ana Maria Paramo. (Dodekapus)
The Phoenix is excellent. This kid is going to be amazing when hes older. His creativity inspires me every day.
I love my Dub :-)
As some of you may know, I started an Organic Garden earlier this spring.... but it hasnt really turned out how I hoped it would.
Out of all that I planted I have harvested 3 Yellow Squash, 2 Tomatoes and these MASSIVE CARROTS!
..... ?????
Doh! Disappointment.
But, on a more positive side, I have been building up my home studio with some nice audio equipment as mentioned in my previous post. I ordered a Korg ES-1 which should be coming in next week and I will really start churning out some tunes.
I recorded this little number on Wendesday, using my MicroKorg as a midi-controller and running it through a Rhodes Synth.
It's nothing special, and its completely improv so it has its imperfections, but I like it. It's pretty.
And in closing, I am looking forward to the rest of this beautiful Summer. A beach trip tomorrow... time spent with beautiful people... and endless love and inspiration from them all.
I wish you all a very happy July, and hope that you are all blessed in everything you do.
This is J-Nasty (as labeled by Nternational Underground... check them out on facebook)
Signing out.
One Love.
Last Updated on Friday, 23 July 2010 10:13
June's New Track
Written by Jesse Merriman
Tuesday, 29 June 2010 15:15
I've been wanting to make some music lately and felt that today was my day as the inspiration came pouring in.
In my past experience with music I have done everything within software. I didnt have any fancy equipment... no turn-tables, keyboards or pads.... Just my good ol' PC.
Well, I am trying to transition away from that now as I have purchased a synth keyboard, and my good friend Santiago Paramo loaned me a MPC and midi interface so that I can take my first steps into live music.
I am super excited to get familiar with this equipment and start doing some small events... but today I was working remotely and didnt have my equipment, so I made this track in FL Studio.
Yes, I agree. An update to this website is a little overdue... Which is why I am going through the extreme length of posting some old and random artwork of mine.
It doesn't need much of an introduction... Ill give you some summaries of what went into it.
Verano Azul
This is a very simple and quick acrylic piece on a textured paper.
Cool Turtle
This acrylic began as a palette. I took the shapes which were left after painting and turned them into the objects you see.
Monkey Do
a Quick Colored Pencil Drawing
I have some more projects currently in progress which I will soon be posting, and I will be trying to update this site more regularly going forward.
One Love
Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 June 2010 12:17
International Underground
Written by Jesse Merriman
Wednesday, 26 May 2010 09:48
Music, sweet music, I wish I could caress with a kiss...
Over the past couple weeks, amongst many other things, I teamed up with my good friend Mike Allen and Adrian Knight. These two unique artists are really building something up here in the Atlanta area. The two of them have some good music experience, from DJ'ing to producing, and all around jamming out. In the past couple of weeks alone, I have seen them progress and pull through to create some amazing sounds, and all live on the spot. They are definitely a great team.
I'm happy to be friends with these guys, and have the opportunity to spread the inspiration.
