We are fast approaching summer.... my favorite time, where "soft lips, tenderness and kiss, are things I like to know" as the opening lyrics to this upcoming track declare. I'm at tail end of a long hiatus, and long dealing bronchial issue that has kept my voice at bay. Instrumentals are ready, vocal retraining has begun. In the meantime, here is the instrumental version of Summertime. Peace. Summertime instrumental

Written, arranged, performed and produced by yours truly

Dear friends,
I'm truly happy and excited to share this pre-vocals, fully completed instrumental version of "Welcome to the Show" with you all. I'm never one to consider writing and/or producing fluff tracks (of which we are all unfortunately bombarded with daily and endlessly, and in turn quickly forget,) for the reasons that I believe artists should be making the efforts and writing songs of value and lasting statement.
Pop/house/dance tracks have their place for certain, but can they not at the same time mean something?
Even the thump, thump, thump of a real deep house or trance track can stir many emotions (and libidos) so I think we should expect that of all music, even if the desired result is to simply "get up and dance."
These are the soundtracks to our lives, and I hope we don't go down with best moments memory thinking any of us should "move like Jagger," despite the fact that I can't seen to get it out of my head. Hey, not everything needs to be about a serious subject, and letting loose and getting a grove on is as important as deep reflection, but make it good, and make the words and sound count.
So to that effect I'm going to make this one count.
Here is the sound, expect the words.

Welcome to the Show - Instrumental

Global awareness and participation is the start.

I'm sick of hearing the phrase "never again" when never again is on repeat.
This is the revolution of global village community that we've needed since the Internet came into existence, but yet again a segment of our global village feels it necessary to miss the historical point of it all, and foolishly bah the campaigns and significance of it. If you're of the latter, with nothing more to add to this new consciousness other than complaints and negativity; then please just fuck off, and let the rest of us try as we can, to make a change, one person at a time.
#kony2012 #syria

Good to be back

I suffer through many moments of discontent, disconnect, and disinterest in my craft. A deep depression that sinks in when I know I'm not being my true self. I deep disconnect when I'm searching for my reality, a larger than life disinterest in my surroundings when I can not write what I want to, because I'm not seeing what I should. Those moments can last month after month. Those moments have lasted too many months. Damn it.

There's no easy switch. There's no easy "wake up Geoff!" and get it done. They have to resolve themselves and find their place in my understanding of existence.

The way I know I've conquered that ever present writing anguish for a time being, is when I hear each note as its own song, each sentence of lyric as a phrase that must be heard. I'm a bipolar musician, and so I'm a creative versus not, at every turn. This turn is mine now. I'm back at it and ready for fulfillment. Like it or not or don't care. Like it and we'll do well together. Hold me off, try to turn me into what I'm not, and we'll conflict. Either way I'm gonna write about it now. And thank you for all of it.

That's Who I Am.

Beg ... cont...

Getting ever closer now. Beg is, in my mind, 95% instrumentally finished. The remaining bits to come after the vocals are laid down, and the vocals are now next on the agenda. I've revived my favorite piece of equipment in terms of recording vocals, and have successfully linked it to the new Tascam mutlti-track recorder I've been fortunate enough to obtain. However, that aside, here is the current instrumental version for your ears. If you can imagine the vocals laying heavily on top of this, then we're on the same page.

Cheers.

Beg: Full Instrumental Version

Beg

Like a kid in a candy store, I'm soaking in the sugar sweet that is this new equipment replacement/addition to my home studio. I'm a techno-geek by heart, yet when it has come to my studio setup my actual equipment has shown outdated, despite fulfilled needs; or so I once convinced myself. Replace one 12-something-year-old mixer with modern offerings and inspirations are renewed, and welcomed.

I'm currently working on a song I've titled as "Beg", that expresses the desires that I've come to know too well, and have observed so often as spectator. A dance and game that defines the first wanting acts of intimacy between consenting partners, who have yet to admit mutual wants. Sometimes it's in the eyes, usually it's in the body language. That first press of personal space, talking close, touching, igniting desire.

I initially wrote the melody to this track summer past, and had hopes it would develop to fruition. It has.

Musically I'm at 90% completion. Lyrically I'm close behind. Almost there. Almost ready to add to the album and share. For certain a clip is coming soon, at the least. My desire and passion is returning strong. "Beg" is not far from a completed song.

Cheers.

The Writer's Neglect

I have, with full acknowledged awareness, neglected my blog for a period. I have done this with reason however, as I took a much needed break from all things writing in order to regroup and prepare to continue head on and strong into the end phase of album one, launch of video number one, and to decide on what exactly I want to accomplish via this blogging medium. I have come to the conclusion that in order to share this experience fully, and the songs and lyrics that this creates, I will also need to share some of the back stories, and behind the scenes, to the melodies and words that have provided me with certain  understandings, and in turn those "life moments" of realizations turned into sound. It is not in my nature to explain every meaning to every note and word, and I certainly do not plan to change that, but I believe that in sharing the journey to their arrival, perhaps new connections and commonality of experiences may arise. That said, I am once again looking forward to tomorrow, with you.

In the meantime please check out my first music video for "Your Song." I need your help to spread it around, so please share as you can.

Cheers,

Geoff. 

Something to consider

I've been enjoying an almost final cut of the video for "Your Song" over the last few days, and as some final color correction edit requests are being completed, and thankfully I've fallen back into writing and recording on frequent, I've also spent time contemplating all this through lyric and verse and today while seeking some answers, thought of this:

Something to consider

For God to know everything, then everything at it's point in existence must exist and have existed; therefor you exist so that God can know of this everything.

You are a part of God, of all there is to know, because in order to know all, your life must be known.

Consider how you will be known.

 I look forward to sharing the video with you very soon, and with it some new completed tracks. This the final push for album #1, after which completed I turn to PR mode in order to get the music out there, and hopefully move this to the next level.

Thanks for the continued patience. 

Cheers.

The difference a day (or two or...) makes

A few days ago I posted a piece I'm writing in order to share my process a bit. That clip of The Way I Feel was new as of the night posted, and as I've been back to it a number of times in this short time in-between, I thought I'd share it's latest development. A rarity for me is to be writing the lyrics with each new measure (or 4) in unison to the music, and I'm excited that this is happening with this new track. It usually means that it will be a short period from initial melody to completed song, and I really welcome when that happens. Makes one feel productive. 

[mp3]: The Way I Am - Version 2 - quick ins teaser

Let me know what you think so far!

Cheers

What are you doing tonight?

Tonight I am enjoying the moments that allows me to fulfill (with acknowledged greed) the passions of me. That is, to simply, in simplicity, compose.
I feel most fortunate to have grasped this current upswing of new creative energy and material. During the null times, time passes far too slowly and so I have learned to finally recognize when "something new" is on my mind. It is with humble exhale I play through tonight, and am taking advantage of this new found creativity. Oh yes, yes, yes.

Although I often write alone, as solo artists often do, I find companionship of the process through sharing, and so I would like to share with you something I am currently working on, that sits comfortably within the spectrum of sounds I find soothing to my ears. Without words yet (this sound is only a couple hours old,) but with (as I believe) a clear direction of mood, this is "The Way I Feel" or so the working-title currently goes.

Muah my friends!

Geoff

The mp3 teaser of "The Way I Feel": http://www.geoffmills.ca/music/i_feel_v1.mp3

Thank you

So close... almost there.. I never dreamed, throughout my life, that passion could become existence.

I've learned that when you accept the sacrifices of life that will allow you to survive, yet provide you with the opportunities to seek, explore, and live the passions that drive you; how can you possibly say no to all the moments that will grant you that journey? I do feel reborn, youthful, and overflowing with zest lately, despite the constant internal pressure to complete this first album, a video for "Your Song" which thankfully is ever closer now to completion, and an ever present "Come on" that drills into and echos throughout my mind to make this all known and become known for it. A daunting imagination this, the desire to share your innermost moments through song and sound to the people around you, and to those around them. I often feel that time is against me, but it is only in this catalyst to introspection that I've realized the priceless values and knowledge learned from each relationship, interaction and experience I've lived, that do in-fact provide me with the very words and music that is true and real to me. So I desire to share through these talents I've mustered, all that I can in my world of music.

The last songs to complete this current train of thought, that will also make album number one a complete and a coherent sound, are right now having lyrics written to them, with vocals at the ready and many current attempts now behind. The stepping stones to those "ah-ha" moments I feel when I know I'm every closer to singing the final words. These "right words" now just need to sound, well, right to me as they come out in pitch and tone. Through this process I have also begun a number of songs that will follow the first album, to tell the stories of what's next, and will hopefully be able to share them without delay once this project is completed.

To all of you that support, listen, share the emotions, find your own meanings to relate and are walking this journey with me, you are the reasons I share these songs. I hope you will keep listening and I will do my best to keep sharing and writing.

Thank you.

Geoff

Getting Ready for Ready

Ah to be composing again!

Those ivories always know how to show fingers what to do now, next, and then again and again... thankfully. They determine wisely and with solid authority, within their own black and white contrasting dances, what is to be felt with each note, and where each emotion will move to.  It's dance time for me, and so I'm hard at work to complete the tracks I've held on to for the past few months, waiting for the real moment when I could agree with myself, and smile that my rhythm has returned once again. Only words without a little backing I agree; so instead of jibba jabba I will share this new version of Ready with you now. Not yet an hour old this first full instrumental is (sans vocals,) and so with a quick and dirty recording to mp3, I humbly share and present Ready - instrumental version 1. (Listenable via the player)

This is not yet sound engineer mixed, but in my headphones it sounds damn sweet ;)

Cheers!

Your Song - behind the scenes

An experience like no other, and with forward momentum, the video shoot for Your Song which took place on April 30, 2011 in Montreal, was an awakening, enlightening and highly motivating experience. It has reaffirmed my ambitions and recharged my creative energies, as I had hoped it would. A cast and crew that went above and beyond my expectations, has left me with a lasting feeling of thankfulness and drive to work harder to write, arrange, perform and produce beyond what has been released to date. I firmly believe that the upcoming songs will not only round out the efforts behind album number one, but will also fulfill my desires to create a truly uniform and well rounded album that runs a complete story, and may just reach the heart, mind, and rhythm of souls I've been attempting to reach. It can be an introverted and lonely path of writing this choice of life, but when you find people coming together to assist you on the journey because they believe in the lyrics you're professing, and are moved by the music you're accompanying them with, it's a moment of bliss and renewal. Thank you to all of you that have turned Your Song into a visual medium from the sound. Let's do it again real soon!

For some behind the scenes shots from the music video production of Your Song, come visit me on Facebook.

Cheers and peace, peace, peace.

 

 Thanks Mom! xo

Ready....

Ready - a quick instrumental
- a bit of sexy
- a precursor of what's to come.

Cheers!
...
www.geoffmills.ca/music/ready.mp3

"Your Song" - the video shoot approaches

The dates have now been set for the video shoot for the track "Your Song" and as I look at the calendar of what needs to be done between now and then, the excitement, anticipation and nerves begin to rise in waves of harmony. As this is my first ever experience in doing such a thing, I am amazed at just how much time and effort goes into these types of projects. Sitting on the viewers side of the television, as most all of us are limited to, we fail to realize how many talented people it takes to pull something like this off. Luckily, I have been extremely fortunate thus far, to have a group of people willing to donate time and energies, and am eternally grateful and indebted to them for these efforts. An incredible learning experience this is.

We are planning a behind-the-scenes making of for this video alongside the actual shoot so I look forward to sharing those clips and items with everyone. Sharing is key in this industry! I do hope you'll tag along for the ride, and as we near the day I will have more and more to share with you.

Cheers!

Oh and if you have a moment, please vote for me in the EMI Music search. There is a widget here on my blog that you can use, or you can text MILLS to 79999. Every vote helps, truly.

.. and here is an exclusive link to "Your Song" that will also allow you to download an MP3 copy! I hope you will enjoy, share and perhaps add it to an iPod or playlist here and there.  (courtesy of SoundCloud)  LINK

xo

Been how long? Yikes.

It has been some time since I've updated my blog, as I glance at the last post date. Yikes. However there is a good reason for it, being that I have needed a writing break in all aspects of my life, including music, in order to recharge some creative batteries that were running on very low due to overuse. During this downtime however, I have not sat idle, and am happy to announce that I am in production on my first music video, with an extremely talented director by the name of Alp Altiner whose credits to date have given me a great rush on this upcoming shoot. As it is the first time I have been involved in such a production the learning curve is fast and steep, but well worth the stresses, anxieties and certainly excitement it has and continues to create within me. One of those "so much to do, so little time" scenarios that both give and take of the energies required.

The time that I have taken off from writing and thus completing some tracks that are waiting for finishing already, is not an easy thing for any writer. A sense of idleness and stagnation can creep in and make one feel a bit, well... lazy and somewhat down. I guess those are the closest descriptive words I can muster for that feeling. Yet I find those down times equally as important as the whirlwind of pen to paper and hands to keyboard times, for the following reason: the time is needed to clear the mind so that I'm writing of things anew and not of things past. New experiences always help as well, of which I've thankfully enjoyed many of late, and have made some wonderful new connections, some undoubtedly lifelong, along the way. As not to write too much about not writing, I will keep it short and sweet, but I will will say this. Some great new music is on the way my friends, especially for those that like to move their feet, and share a little rhythm time with one another. ;)

As for the video - oh my - lot's on the way for that too! A behind the scenes video is also being made, a funky upcoming photo shoot, and a wee bit more :D

Peace, peace, peace.

The amazing works of Alp Altiner can be found here on his official site: www.alpaltiner.com
Be sure to check out his IMDB credits as well. Cool stuff!

Intimacy and Truth - My Piano and I - All of Me

As I continue on current vocal production efforts to complete and release the new dance tracks I have been working on of late, and really can not wait to unleash upon everyone, I never for a moment abandon the side of me that feels as I do when I think upon my life and my understanding of love. In keeping with that, a ballad to share with you that is simply me at my piano singing in truth and intimacy, a pre-release track recorded live (and in full unedited and error laden glory ;) this evening of a song I have written and titled "All of Me." 

The link below is for the mp3 of this song.

Cheers everyone.

Geoff Mills - All of Me (mp3)

Gord Mclaughlin

“McLAUGHLIN, Gord - On Sunday, November 21, 2010, at his home, in his 67th year. Gord is survived by his brother Roger McLaughlin and his sister Marnie McLaughlin. Gord was a Vietnam veteran as he was SSGT. with the U.S.M.C., he was a past member of Links of Niagara Golf Course, and will be sadly missed by his best golfing buddy Dennis Dumont. SIMPLER TIMES CREMATION CENTRE have been entrusted with the arrangements for Mr. McLaughlin. In keeping with his wishes a private graveside service has taken place. Memorial remembrances made to the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund would be appreciated.”

Yesterday I received the above news about Gord McLaughlin.

He was my biological father.

I hardly knew him.

Despite wishes to the contrary, and an attempt to connect on my part that turned only into disappointment sided with some heartbreak for the effort. The finality of death means that questions remain unanswered yet must now find their own solutions. A part of my being whose roots I grew from, I cannot now ask certain reasons for. These are things and moments that shape our character, our lives and our perspectives on life. They have shaped mine. Anger and sadness interchange now for the lead role in my mind as I ask myself many questions, all held with the current response of “Why?” More to write about I suppose. I am thankful for music and its therapeutic abilities that I will lean on now, as I have before. I am always helped whenever able to turn emotion into sound. Music and writing, to me, are the simplest and most truthful forms of communication when used as a method to honestly confront feelings that need to be. If I write simply and honestly about what I feel, then I have begun to face those feelings. I find this a great way to discover more about one’s self; where we stand on values, decisions made or to be made, and/or any questions we need to be asking introspectively. This news has forced me to do just that; to write about it in order to be honest about what I’m thinking in respect to this, and to ask myself the questions I need to ask so I can find my own answers. So I will ask what I must, and seek out that that is the truest. 

I am repeatedly drawn to the line in the obit that reads “sadly missed by his best golfing buddy Dennis Dumont.” A certain sadness resides in that sentence. What to make of such a statement? No mention of your children (biological or otherwise,) strikes me in many ways. 

When I was a young man in my early twenties I reached out to you without judgment, criticism or comment on your long absence from my life. We met then, and after all those years you told me how you had missed me and how you would like to be a part of my life again. I agreed despite my fears because I wanted to know who my father was. You called me “son” as I said good-bye and I was left with an imagination full of possible future moments, of a chance to find out more of where I come from, of talking of times missed, of planning for times ahead. I was left to believe things would be different from that point forward. You never called again despite your promise. I hope your golfing buddy filled whatever void that empty promise may have left. Nothing filled the void I felt for many years, and now that opportunity, and yours is gone... 

…as is mine.

I give myself permission to feel this way because it is the way I feel. I am angry and disappointed. I am sad and confused. Fathers, love your children.

I will say good-bye because good-bye is all that is left. In my way I will miss you. I wonder if you have missed me too, from time to time.

And I write because I have to, because it is my way of healing and working through what life has placed upon my plate.

My Friend

My Friend

by Geoff Mills

Hello my friend,

How have you been?

'Cause it seems such a long time,

Since we've shared a laugh,

Like we did back then.

I see you're doing fine,

And that puts my mind on easy,

So thanks for the cheer,

That we shared that year.

Well thank you my friend.

You saved me from the fall,

The one that took it all,

When they left me bleeding, in the end,

You were there for me my friend.

So I thank you, friend,

For all of the times that we've had,

I thank you my friend.

You're the brother I'll always have,

So let me thank you my friend,

'Cause I know when the others I ran,

I could call you again,

My friend.

And so let me thank, you my friend,

‘Cause i know that one day soon, I will see you again,

My Friend.

Thank you again.

[mp3 version here] 

- written, arranged, performed, and produced by Geoff Mills

- copyright (c) 2010 Geoff Mills

---

Written in dedication to and of a dear friend who was there for me, and helped me hold on to and rediscover my spirit, drives and passions for music during some very difficult times. There is something special and worth remembering about those who have our best interests at heart, and offer us their friendship and love without agenda. It is with humility and boundless gratitude and that I present this song in his honor. Thank you My Friend, always.

Spirit

I am a spiritual individual, who is aware of spirit.

I often wonder how many other people are as well, aside from just saying so. Do some people feel their spirituality only when in a place designated as one worthy of worship? I seldom visit such places for my own reasons, but I do understand some peoples’ need for such. Is the holding of one’s hands together in certain form a symbolic expression and requirement of being spiritual? Is kneeling in a certain manner or toward a specific direction a sign that one person is more of spirit than another? Do people believe that such places of altars or symbols are a more direct means of connection to something greater than ourselves, or instead simply a place of calm to contemplate peace and their position? Are they? Are these places of visit popular because one has been told to go there, or because in true introspection one really believes in them as the defining place for such inner enlightenment. I have no answer other than my own preferences. Personally, I feel most connected when I’m alone with nature, where nature is the only sound of life aside from my own breathing and heartbeat. For me, when I can remove all other chatter and interruption from life, open my mind and feel the energy of everything, that is when I feel most connected. It is in that moment that I review my life, my decisions, the lessons of, and the now actions that I must take so that I am not destined to repeat myself.

My spirit is that which binds my consciousness to the energy of me. My body is simply its conduit here that allows me to put into material practice the lessons that I must undertake in this existence, for its own learning towards a better state. My spirit contains all the essence of my existence, from that which drives me, to that which provides me with my determinations, knowledge, passions and desires. From the values I have learned, to the moral judgments I place upon myself without the need for a conscious opinion. It is the eternal energy of me that can only be transformed, never destroyed, as I believe.  Hardship and heartache are to me a good example of a transforming spirit. We are given choices and it is our choice to either grow from the moment, expanding upon our understanding of life and our contribution to existence, or to simply brood and walk in self-pity without looking up to see what we may have become, or are becoming.

The expression of my spirit is music. The keys of a piano when played and run across in pleasing chord, feel like extensions to the things I hold dear to me; the love, pain, sacrifice and joy that is life. To write from a moment in time, to encapsulate that very moment and the exact emotion of it in music and voice is for me a way of capturing my very spirit at a specific point in my journey. Song and words mean everything to me, and each time I hear back one of my songs, my own voice far too familiar, I am immediately brought back to the very moment in time of it, emotion and all. It is interesting to milestone one’s life in such a manner. It’s a great way to learn from the past, and compare it to now. It is to me a blessing not to be wasted.

My questions about the spirituality of our world are simply questions that I need to ask in order to understand viewpoints aside from my own. I believe I am an opened minded individual, and so as such to a claim I am eager to hear and understand how others view themselves and their spirituality. Learning is power, and I am curious and truly interested in what other people define as being spiritual, and what it actually means to them. I find by asking the questions I broaden my own understanding and knowledge of what it means. I have my own opinions and perceptions on this matter, but they are limited to my experiences only and so I find that to be a bonded one-sided conversation. In order to better understand I must ask, and in so doing, hope that you will share.