Jan

18

I’ve always liked January’s as a whole…

Filed Under Babbling, Music 

Of course, part of it has to do with the fact that my birthday caps off the month on the 31st. And like every person in the world being big on presents, I always just was happy enough to have the present be the presence of friends at a show on my birthday… I first played one in 2003, then did it again in 2004 and 2005. We’d have the show, then the party would be back at my place afterwards usually. There were a lot of fun times had at those.

The truth of the matter is, I don’t play out shows anymore because it takes too much away from me. Weird to say, right? Well, there’s a difference for me practicing for me around my apartment or at the fountain or hanging out and jamming with friends, than there is for me to sit down and figure out setlists, promote, juggle around supporting musicians, promote, work out new arrangements, promote, etc. You get the drift. And with a full courseload, my wife, two cats, and just trying to live, its hard to do. Especially to get the grades that I want to get. I can’t make Dean’s List and rock out, and well, Dean’s List looks better on the resumé than “rocked hard.”

So for the past few years, I’ve tried to time an EP or some new tracks at about the time of my birthday. I need to reflect a few new EPs on my discography page, but even still, I’ve just kept some new songs coming around. My 23rd and 24th birthdays were documented in songs–”Derry” and “Fifteen (Emergency)”–so seeing I’m hitting that big quarter life crisis, in the words of John Mayer (”Why Georgia,” if your mind is forgetting), its only fitting to release something big for me.

Back in November 2002 or so is when the official end of Mindflux occurred. Sad to see it go, but that was just life and what happened and we moved apart. That winter break, I worked on some songwriting and old songs that we had never gotten to as a band, and I made the decision that come January 2003, I would be starting the new year off as a solo artist. Matter of fact, I have some of my first shows from February on tape as “proof” of that. Not bad, huh? Heck, I even have the first recorded version of “Trying So Hard”–the song that would become my staple song–from the night right after I wrote it. Talk about an interesting flashback on that one.

And standing about five years down the road from the first time I took the stage without Lorn Miller or Harry Ticer, well, I honestly miss my first brothers in musical arms, but I did what I had to do. For me, its funny to look at all of these lyrics I have on my computer and all of these albums I’ve released on my discography, and to see where I’ve gone, where I’ve been, and how many damn songs I’ve written. I couldn’t tell you an exact number, but I’ll tell you that the number I still play is maybe one-third of any number that I’ve written. And probably even less.

In keeping with the theme of an album as a birthday gift to my friends, I’ve got two things in store for everyone…

1) Soon, very soon, you’ll be able to go to my music page and download full zip files of each and every album I’ve ever released with cover artwork. And, I might even dig up a rarity or two. All you’ll have to do is put in your e-mail address on signing up for them, and you’ll be good to go. I’ll be watching my bandwidth, so I might have to take them down from time to time, but even still, they’ll be free for whomever wants them. If you don’t feel right just doing free downloads, well, there’ll be a PayPal button for those who want to make donations for bandwidth/site upkeep/my general health and sanity/whatever. Covers all bases.
2) I’ll be releasing a new album of classic oldies that you’ll also be able to find on the discography page then too. And this one will go live as soon as its done. Tracklisting will be announced soon, but I’ve picked out 10 “classic” tracks of mine and I’ve named the album: Five Years of Trying So Hard - Songs I Haven’t Forgotten How To Play. They’re a mix of some songs that you might recognize, some that you might have heard of, some you might remember, and maybe one or two that you don’t know. Consider it my thanks for all of the time you guys came out for this show or that show or just hung out with me.

Expect the latest its done to be the end of February. I mean, I do need to keep my grades up so I can be on Dean’s List, you know? Thanks friends…

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    About The Site


    Thanks for stopping by, folks! My name is Adam J. Cohen, and I'm a guitarist/songwriter in Champaign, IL, recently relocated from Orlando, FL where I'm a UCF grad. Here, you'll find vignettes on my life, setlists and show reviews, and whatever else crosses my mind. Enjoy!