26/06/2025
Long post - A story of how a cheesy punk album pushed an artist forward.
I remembered the first time I released an album. It was called, "Message, Not Technicalities". It focused more on doing your best at the time. It came out with 7 songs, with self released lyric videos.. I meant to understand who I was, and who I wanted to be, what I know, and what I can learn. With those concepts in mind - I gathered the confidence to send it out on November 20,2020.
Some people liked it, some people didn't respond, some people were surprised I did it all by myself, some told me to release singles first before an album cause that was the trend, some were just totally straight up telling me it was sh*t.
And yes I know it's terrible, but I was happy cause it still made me groove through that music. And released it with the name - MESSAGE, NOT TECHNICALITIES. I wanted to send this message: Success does not come with perfection at the moment. It comes in by starting something, with full courage and ability, and constant learning and practice.
And it has been an untold mission to portray that message. The message of PROGRESSION. I hate the idea and reasoning that someone is perfect on the spot. They did something to achieve a level of perfection that we perceive.
How does this relate to my current life as an artist?
I'm proud that I started that album. It led to a few singles, even a punk Christmas song, and another EP called Message, Continued - where I found that I could say 10% better in my recording process, and in my mixing process and results than my first album. I then went on a hiatus in 2021 and came back next year with AYOS. The last album(but not last release). It was called A YEAR OF SILENCE. Literally not sending anything out, avoiding gigs, contemplating if I'm really supposed to be an artist. I sent out 11 songs because I don't know what will happen. Just sent out all songs that I wrote in that silence. It gave me a good understanding that I have to learn and accept that its not all I want that I'll get, but that doesn't mean I won't learn to move forward with it.
I then sent out Alter Ego as Ezekiel Zeke's last song.
To bring Zack Schade out. He went to sing as front act for concerts a couple times, throwing out merch to the crowds, giving away SHADES. Just recently, selling CDs and Giving away shades at recent concerts. And probably for 2 events this Saturday at FCMA's First Filipino Music Festival(11:30AM) and then at a Toyota Country Hills Car Meet(3PM). Setlist includes a song from AYOS album, Zack Schade's Fallin' Apart, Fallin For Album, and 2 brand new high energy collab single ft. Lil Dominic. The songs are (1)In White( with music video coming out soon - with special guests from Sonora's lead vocalist - Michie Suva, a co artist - Nico Sari), and (2) Come Closer Now- that aims to make the Filipino Musicians wake up from their slumber of doubts,pains, and failures.
Let's not forget the recent videos that were sent out on YouTube. And the musicians and bands that I've learned to connect and understand, and even dreamt of having goals intertwined with theirs. The hopes of synergy, is close, where before it was but an ideal.
I'm glad you read til the end.
Maybe you are an artist that just needed a push from someone's story...
Or an entrepreneur that lives the lifestyle, and confirms this PROGRESSIVE process is crucial.
Or maybe you stumbled upon this post and read til the end...
Whatever "maybe" it is. Start with the message, not the technicalities.
🤘🕶️
