Album Update > Enter: Keegan Tawa

Well, September’s here and my original plan was to have the album completely recorded by now.

HAHAHAHAHAH!

Right?

What’s that saying, “When you make plans, the Universe laughs?”

I’m trying to remember that everything happens for a reason.

Right now, we are still working through the mixing of Trivial Pursuit, the first recording on the album. The original cut was far too much on the electronic side and not enough on the nostalgic jazz side. The result was that the story got lost.

In short, my grandfather wouldn’t have been happy with it!

So I called on my good friend, fellow karateka, and electro-jazz producer for help.

> Enter: Keegan Tawa.

You may know Keegan as the saxophonist for The Upstairs Band, but his real gig is producing symphonic electronic-jazz space music that features him and other musicians as well as rare ancient instruments.

Though our styles are different, Keegan understands jazz AND electronic music so it’s the perfect blend. He was also recently featured in NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert for his new EP, Triangulation.

I’m currently waiting for the final mix of Trivial Pursuit which I’ll share with you once it’s mastered (and way before it’s released to the public) as a thank you for being a subscriber to this list and a loyal fan.

If you’re wondering how it’s different from past versions you’ve heard, well, all I can say is it feels more like a New Orleans Street Party than a homemade demo!

If all goes well, we will use the mix as a template to record the rest of the songs. I absolutely loved the musicians on the song so I will definitely be inviting them back to the studio as well.

At this point, I am looking for an album release in April 2022 and dripping out singles in January, February, and March.

How can you help?

So glad you asked! Once the groundwork is laid and the first song is done, I will be launching a pre-sale campaign for the album. Those who support the album early will get lots of cool perks along with it AND they’ll get a digital download of the song as it’s completed and months before it goes public.

It’s really important that I share this album. It’s a compilation of the songs and feelings I couldn't express when I was 16, Great music is a pre-requisite, but my goal is to have great stories people can connect with to know they’re not alone.

I’m so excited to share it with you!

(Below is a pic of me and Keegan in the studio!)