Republic of Adam Shenk

Good day today.....things are moving...

GREAT (most overused word in this blog) bikram class at Yoga to the People.

Then a lunch meeting with Janet Castiel of Redwood Entertainment. It went well, I got a good vibe off of her, and am going to start on a marketing campaign with her company. This is a step in the right direction for me, as they will do a lot with marketing and publicity for me, as well as serve as management for the time being.

Not to mention, Republic, the restaurant we had lunch at was awesome...I had a pulled pork Vietnamese Sandwich (I have a minor obsession now with Vietnamese Sandwiches).

I have a lot to do now to push the CD through printing, and getting all the material that is requested to Redwood Entertainment so they can get me started. I have to decide on 3 songs from the new album to be put on internet radio, and of course, aaaaaah, how will I decide?

Late night

Don't look at the time....aaaah.....up sooo late....took a LONG nap this afternoon, so my schedule is all messed up.

Pretty unproductive day, but got a few things done....

Tomorrow meeting with Janet Castiel from Redwood Entertainment. May be signing with them to help with marketing...Hope it goes well!!

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

* Met Devin Bing in the morning to go over some of my music for my gig on Saturday. I met him last week for the first time, and looking forward to writing some music with him as well as performing together. I think our voices will sound great together, and he is a sick keys player, big into jazz, which works for me.

Tonight I saw the show Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson at the Public Theater. It was awesome! It's like an emo-rock musical based on the life of Andrew Jackson, who was president during Native American displacement, Trail of Tears, etc. It was really funny, twisted, and at times dark & real. I definitely recommend it!

One of my friends was in the play, which is was took me to see it, but then I realized that I knew the guy who was playing the lead, Benjamin Walker. We went to school together at Interlochen Center for the Arts years ago. Great guy, and great performer. He used to go by Ben Davis, so I was confused at first, but then I realized, sure enough, it was him!

Show on Saturday!

I am up sooooo late....aaaaah...but it's ok because I took a nap earlier.

Today I spent a lot of time at the Drama Bookshop in midtown doing shows with the Story Pirates. Those crazy wackjobs, I love them!

I caught up with my friend Bryan Jarrett, and we got some coffee. Hadn't seen him in almost a year! He was doing a Disney cruise and is now back in NY. Sooo good to catch up with him!

So excited to perform again this Saturday at Pianos. Click here to see the facebook event invite, and comment on this blog if you plan on coming.

Can't wait!

I Believe I Can Fly

Today I spent most of the afternoon on the social networking loop: Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, Formspring, etc. etc......  the internet can suck me in sometimes, and I loop around to the same sites, and it needs to stop! AAAAH...but it was good to just waste some time and be unproductive, gotta be honest.

Tonight I played at a private party for this guy Sanyale. He was throwing a dinner party in Columbus Circle for his co-workers, and the theme was setting goals and accomplishing them, so he wanted some inspirational songs. I sang "Something," one of my originals (I'm gonna be something...I'm gonna go somewhere, etc.) and then I sang "I Believe I Can Fly," or rather, we all sang it. Haha, they knew it better than me, all the words, and inflections, and they were even harmonizing! It was awesome, actually. GREAT energy....They took CD's, and signed my mailing list, and I even got a delicious to-go plate of rice, pasta, lasagna, chicken wings.... It was definitely a good showing for me! Posting a clip below of me rehearsing "I Believe I Can Fly."

I discovered a band called "Little Dragon," thanks to a post on facebook from my friend Lucas Madrazo. So I looked them up and downloaded a bunch of their songs. They're from Sweden, and the lead singer is Japanese-Swedish, and has a really cool voice. They have a bunch of artsy videos on youtube, and I am posting one below.

ALSO, LAST NIGHT MY NEW NEPHEW WAS BORN! I welcome to the world Calum Jonas Shenk Colvin, born at 1:26 am yesterday morning! So now my nephew GUS has a little baby brother!!

Life is a stonewashed onesie

I don't know what I mean by that, but I ran into my friend / artist Jonte at BDC, and he was rockin a stonewashed denim onesie:

I took Anes' class again at BDC tonight, and it was amazing! We danced to "In Love With You" by Erykah Badu feat. Stephen Marley. It's off her album "Mama's Gun" and I had totally forgotten about it. Posting it at the end of this blog. Take a listen! It's beautiful!

So I think I am performing next Saturday at Pianos upstairs @ 8 pm, and May 18th is the release party at Bitter End. Woo hoo!!!

Mama's Gun - Erykah Badu

Diet Cream Soda

Here are some things that I like/love that others may find disgusting:

1. diet cream soda
2. spam!
3. imitation crab meat
4. orange/grape soda
5. chicken liver (though I haven't had it in a while)

How do you feel about these items? I'm sure there are plenty more but I can't think of them right now. Comment people! Who's reading my blog?

Great day today....after work this morning I took a delicious nap, then had a great appointment with my therapist.

Then an AMAZING bikram class today at Bikram Yoga NYC on the Upper East Side. Probably my favorite yoga studio. Very nice facility and great teachers. My teacher tonight, Patrick, is a funny guy, so there was lots of laughter, and it was a really good practice.

AND....I finally booked a date for the CD release party. I almost don't want to say it, because it's changed so many times, but I feel good about this one. It's Tuesday, MAY 18 @ Bitter End @ 8 pm. This is the perfect day of the week to try and get press and music industry down, and hopefully I will have some help doing that. But either way, I'm sure it will be a great show and I can't wait. Hopefully I can perform before then too.

We'll see...

Goodnight! Time to eat some spam and noodles!!

Get Me Outta Here

I'm posting this Esmee Denters song "Get Me Outta Here" at the end of this blog entry. I've been diggin this song for a minute, though the video's a little lame. I love the hook and the feel of the song, and it's so dang catchy.

Here's a pic of my new design:

I had a Story Pirates rehearsal today...always a good time.

Still trying to book the dang date for the CD release party.

Ran into a little problem with the volume on some of the tracks on the master, so printing is being delayed a little bit....

STAY TUNED.....

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The Real

I gotta be honest, I had a rough couple of days. Sometimes life starts to feel too real, and it seems like there is no way to escape.

BUT I gotta feel these feelings, it's the only way to get through it. I heard a quote from my friend, "Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional." I like that alot, not sure where it came from.

Last night I went over to my boss's house. She is the owner of the kids music program where I work, and she had some good ideas for my career. She used to work at Atlantic Records, so she is familiar with the music business, though that was in the 90's, when everything was quite different. She has a sick place on the Upper East Side. It was my first time going over there, so we hung out, and had some Indian food.

Today I played for some auditions for this motown show that my friend is directing. I like playing for auditions. It's a great way to hear some good singers, and I ended up knowing alot of the girls that came and auditioned.

Had another rehearsal tonight with Jason from the Bloodsugars, learning some new tunes.

Sigh....life goes on & on, trying to figure it all out, trying to make it all count...

OH NO!

I forgot to write in my blog last night!!! HORROR OF HORRORS!!

HAHAA.......

WELL......

Yesterday I had the pleasure once again of taking Joe Buffa's class at Chelsea Piers. We danced to Danity Kane's "Lights Out," and it was reeeealy fun!!

I also went and got my design did up right. I loved going to Washington Heights now that it's warm. The Heights just comes alive, everyone is outside in the park, in a good mood, etc. I got a really nice design, I don't feel like taking a picture and posting it here, but trust me, it's NICE. Heehee.

Today I just took some Bikram, and I'm already wiped, so I'm taking a little bitty nap.

Grand Central

I love that middle section of Grand Central subway station where literally EVERYONE is walking in different directions. It's amazing there aren't more collisions. Everyone just weaves their way in and out.

Tonight I met with Kahari Mays, boyfriend of Joanna Numata (see previous blogs), who is a producer, as well as model, etc. I laid down some piano for a track he was working on. It sounded good I think!

C R A Z Y

Feeling a little crazy today....

Rarely am I getting enough sleep.....

I stay up way too late.....

I did however, pick up my beautiful Yamaha MO-8 from First Flight Music. They had replaced a couple of the keys, and my friend Jonathan Cody White who lives in my neighborhood, helped me bring it up my 5 flights of stairs. Thanks Jonathan!

I'm glad to have the keyboard back! It's my baby!

I also was able to take Anes' class at BDC. He is one of my favorites! Big movements, very fluid but great musicality. I sweat alot in his class, but I feel so good, like I've just gone swimming. Haha, and he's an awesome guy. He came to one of my shows at Pianos, and he writes music as well, so now that he's living in NYC, we're gonna try and collab!

I feel like my life is, to quote Chelsea Handler, "borderline amazing," but I'm so scared about everything. Will I make any right decisions. Will my music be heard? Will anyone care? 

The PR firm we met with yesterday doesn't have time to help me with my CD launch party, so I hope we can find someone else. I would really like to put in the effort to have a proper launch party with industry folks there. I'm trying to keep the faith that everything will work out!

On & On & On & ON...

Today I met with Oui 2 PR firm, Rob Goldstone & David Wilson, friends of Ayhan, who produced my album. Good meeting...looks like they will be helping with my CD release party....getting industry people to come out.

Tonight I played a last minute gig with Carmen Noelia at Tillman's in Chelsea. Pretty cool venue.....We did all R&B covers including "Certainly" & "On & On" by Erykah Badu. We killed "On & On!" We also did "Wonderful" by India.Arie & "Golden" by Jill Scott.

Look at this pretty face :-)

Artists & Inspiration (John Legend sighting)

What a great day!

I met this afternoon with Devin Bing, an amazing songwriter and singer who I met from Craig's List. He came over and we had a chance to vibe, and do some listening/playing. Very talented guy. I think we can learn alot from each other, and I'm very excited to work more with him! He is primarily a jazz pianist/vocalist, but VERY versatile singer & writer.

Then, tonight I went to Bitter End to check out Erin Christine. It was a big show for her, as she had some label people coming out. She did a great job! She is an amazing singer, very beautiful, and great performer.

Um....there was someone special who came to see the show...... John Legend! What???? I know! Erin and Tiffany Starr (songwriter that Erin works with) had met with John's label, but apparently she didn't know he was coming out! I was so excited for her! I can't believe he was there! Amazing!

I stayed after for a set from an artist I had never heard of, Olamide. I just had a feeling he was gonna be good. HE WAS! Apparently, he's on Sesame Street, and his older brother is Donald Faison, one of the stars of Scrubs. He's an amazing songwriter and singer (plays guitar) and his band was killing it! His bass player is Brady Watt, who I went to school at Berklee with, and the piano player & drummer in the band were great! They said they didn't have a rehearsal, but they sounded tight as hell! Looking forward to more from Olamide!

All in all, a very inspiring day!!!

MUSIC

Aaah, I love music!

Took Joanna again today, and we danced to "Say It Right" by Nelly Furtado. Someone gave me the compliment that I dance with so much feeling, and I realized, I just love music. I can't help but feel the music, especially if it's a song I can really connect to.

This is Joanna's fierce facebook picture.

Here is another tidbit from this great book I am reading, "Networking Strategies for the New Music Business" by Dan Kimpel.  I think this can apply to any social situation.

"Follow the 10-5 rule for meeting and greeting: If you make eye contact with someone within 10 feet of you, you must acknowledge them with a nod or a smile. At five feet, you should say something--'Hello' or 'Good evening.' Don't pretend you don't see them."


I was going through a lot of old music to put on my phone, starting with songs that got a lot of play in my Itunes, and I came across "My Petition" by Jill Scott. This song is so beautiful! You gotta take a listen and let me know what you think. And after that, watch the video of Jill Scott's most classic song in my opinion, "Long Walk." That song/video made me fall in love with her....I still think she is one of the best vocalists I've heard.

My Petition - Jill Scott

LAZY DAY

Today, I am grateful that I wore sweatpants all day!!

Someone came over in the morning for a coaching, (I play piano for people to prepare for auditions, etc. I am a great sightreader and really enjoy doing it) and then I did pretty much nothing for the rest of the day.

However, I am reading a great book about networking in the music business. I highly recommend this book. There is a great quote that I came across while reading it:

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."    -Dr. Maya Angelou


I love this! It's so true!

Martha Graham

I had to steal this from my friend Demond's blog. I love this quote!!


“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is on a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”


-Martha Graham

Sleep / Rain / The Crazies

SOOOO good to sleeep iiiin two days in a row!  


I got up and went to take my friend Joanna Numata's class at Broadway Dance Center. Check out her choreography in a video we did last year at the end of this blog. 


I went and saw "The Crazies" at Regal E-Walk 13. It was pretty good! Nice rainy night activity. I think the following pictures will help explain the insanity of the rain & wind in NYC this weekend.....broken umbrellas everywhere! I had to throw mine away at the end of the day.

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La Quinto Pino

Forgot to mention that I met up with an old friend from my Inwood days, Charles Wood, at the wine bar he works at, El Quinto Pino in Chelsea. So charming!

No wine for me, but I had some tasty frozen horchata. The food there looked amazing as well!

Yay for reuniting with friends! 

                                          

Sweat, theater, & Erin Christine

Went to Bikram Yoga Lower East Side again today....but it was ROUGH.....I dunno if it was from the BBQ's last night (see pictures on previous blog entry) or I'm just feeling a little under the weather. But I made it through, and of course, sweat a ton.

I went and saw my friend Mike Crane in the play "Brack's Last Bachelor Party," at 59e59 theater. He is a brilliant actor, and I'm so proud to know him.

Was talking tonight on Facebook with Erin Christine, an amazing singer & artist who has been rocking it in NYC, doing live shows. She offered me a lot of encouragement, as I needed a little uplift. We are both working really hard, and though sometimes I feel a little crazy trying to do this whole artist thing, it is something I enjoy, and like she said, you just gotta keep working harder, and maintain a positive outlook. Thanks Erin! She has a show this coming Tuesday at the Bitter End.

Bikram & BBQ's

Today after a long morning/afternoon at my kid's music job, I went down to the Bikram studio in the Lower East Side. Something many of us do is try the intro rate (usually around $20) for a week of unlimited classes at various yoga studios around the city. It's a good deal, and you get to try out different studios. It was a nice class with a great teacher.

Later in the evening, I made up for all those calories burned by eating my face at BBQ's with my friend Todd. I had quarter chicken honey-glazed (white meat) which comes with fries and cornbread. Aaaah soo good!

We saw a woman eating this:

She was about to go in!! It looked delicious, but so, so wrong....

CD is almost here!!

I dropped off the final master CD at Play-It Productions today, so the printing is in progress! It will be in my apartment in about 2 weeks! YES!!!!!!!!!

Went to therapy today, and at the beginning of the session, I started to feel really grateful. I love my therapist, and it just felt really good to be there today.

This weather is AMAAAAAZING!!!! It's getting so warm here in NY!

Took a great tap class today with Germaine Salsberg, and then hip-hop with my boy Lajon! It was a really fun combo, and he pulled me out at the end with a couple other people, which always makes me feel good.

That's all for today. Still trying to book my CD release show and/or another show before or after, and figure out management. I hope it all comes together

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SPAM (the canned meat, not junk mail)

Let it be known that I like to eat spam. I just discovered it a few months ago from a friend who knew I like to eat Ramen noodles. I always put an egg in there and sometimes a hot dog or sliced veggies. She said the Korean way to eat noodles is to put a bunch of stuff in there, including sometimes American cheese & Spam. Well now I do the Spam, plus bacon, plus mushrooms, plus egg, and add some Swiss cheese when I put it in the bowl. Delicious!! And chocked full of sodium! AAH!

I went to Craig Derry's vocal class today. We do great group exercises, and then people perform. Craig has been really supportive and I always seem to get a good response from the other kids in the class. Tonight I played and sang "Still."

Craig suggested that I come back more often, since the class is essentially my demographic, and I should try singing the various songs and see what kind of response I get. I like that idea!

Joanna Numata / Floetry / Indian food

Took class today with my girl  Joanna Numata. Not only do I consider her a friend, but she is an amazing choreographer & dancer. One of my favorites for sure. I look forward to working with her more. We both share a love of the group Floetry, and today we danced to "Say Yes."

JOANNA

FLOETRY

I also took tap class with Germaine Salsberg. Nothing else quite gives me that same feeling as when I'm tapping. Feels so gooooood, and I have some SERIOUS shoes that make it even more fun to tap.

Tonight I had rehearsal with Jason Rabinowitz, the lead singer of "The Bloodsugars," and Matt Katz, keyboard player, who taught me a couple new songs. We had Indian food that was amazing! Samosas, nan, raita, chicken masala, saag, the whole deal...Delicious!

Wonderland Robbers

Today I took Bikram at Yoga to the People. I love that place! Classes are only $8. Bikram makes me feel sooo goood!!!!

Tonight I DVR'd the Oscars, and went and saw my friends Nick Boddington (who has sung at a bunch of my shows) and Jade Bartlett, aka "The Wonderland Robbers" perform at the Metropolitan Room. They both have amazing voices, and sound awesome together! It was a great show, and I like the venue. Good stage & sound.

2 for 1

Tonight was the show my friend Todd Henry worked so hard to put together. 2 for 1: a music/dance collaboration show.

So proud of Todd & his creative partner, Vicky. The show was a sucess. Good turnout. It was at Triskelion Arts in Williamsburg.

I played 5 songs:

*Two Time
*Legend
*Warning Shot
*Live to Tell (madonna cover)
*2 Bad 2 Do Good

Band was: Iakov Kremenskiy (good old standby), Carras Paton, sounding awesome on sax/flute, and a new drummer Jeff Villanueva.

I was really digging the sound. We all sounded smooth and tasty together. Can't wait to play with those guys again.

Jennifer Hirsh, etc....

Wonderful day today...

*Got another SICK haircut / design from Carlos up in Washington Heights

*Did a video taping in Jersey with "The Bloodsugars" at Soundwaves Studio for a new website being developed called Fuzztopia. They loved us there!

*went swimming for the first time in awhile at Bally's. So refreshing!

*saw my good friend Jennifer Hirsh tear it UP @ Googie's Lounge (above the Living Room). Definitely my favorite set that I've seen her play. Her voice is so wonderful, probably my favorite of anyone I've met. Her tone, her control & pitch, the choices she makes when she performs. She was raw & vulnerable tonight, and her band was sounding sick!  Click here to check out her website!

Spike Hill

Had a good set tonight with "The Bloodsugars" at Spike Hill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Listened to a couple songs from "Lowry," the band before us who is doing a residency at Spike Hill. They had a cool sound.

SUITCASES

Been listening to the masters for my new album, "Suitcases," and checking the CD for errors before it gets duplicated.

The whole process was pretty up & down, but I'm liking the way the album sounds!

Took a great bikram class earlier today at Yoga to the People. Love that place! Only $8 dollars per class, and great teachers!

Did a show in Brooklyn with Story Pirates, and spent a little time with Heather Robb of The Spring Standards, an AWESOME indie/folk band. I had the fortune of seeing them at "Joe's Pub" a couple months ago.

Watching American Idol now. So far my favorite guy is Alex Lambert. He has such a cool voice...This week he sang "Everybody Knows" by John Legend.

LA LA LA LA LA LA

Does anybody read this? ANYBODY????? LALALALALA........BLOG BLOG BLOG BLOG, I'm BLOGGING, blog blog blogggggg bloooog blooooop blip blap blllllaaaaeeeeeggghhhhh.......

Going a little crazy over here....hahahhaaa!!!!

Trying to be a good little blogger, and write on here everyday.....but not sure if anyone is reeeeeeeaaaadddding.....who am I doing this for anyway? Not sure the answer to that....

I'm thinking of moving to L.A. in the summer / fall......I wanna go!!!!!!!

I've got a case of the crazies tonight!!!

Therapy is helping, I promise!

The album is coming the ALBUM IS COMING!

I went to the printing house today! Play-it Productions

CD will be in production in the next few days and done in a couple weeks!!

Those boxes of CD's will be IN my apartment until I figure out a date for the release party!!

Took La Jon's class at BDC. It was a great combo....La Jon is a great teacher! Here I am using the word great again!! GREAT GREAT GREAT! AAAAH!!!!

Is anybody out there?

I'm laying in my bed...should be sleeping....but I didn't want to go to sleep without writing a little bit.

Is anybody reading this? Hello??? Anybody out there? out there? out there?


I had a good rehearsal tonight with Todd at Triskelion Arts in Williamsburg. We are excited for our show on Friday! Click here to see the Facebook invite.

Was able to catch my old dance friend Katie Dean perform with her friend/my new friend Erin Dalton.

They choreographed a piece together that was awesome. In fact, I saw a bunch of amazing dancers perform as part of Waxworks.

Tonight I FINALLY decided on a song order for my CD, and wrapped up the design with Sean Eliseev, who is an incredible designer. He took care of my last EP as well. Unfortunately I realized after he went to bed that I forgot 2 of the photographers, and I'm crossing my fingers Sean sees my email on time tomorrow and we can fix that!

I'm super excited to see the final product, and I hope you are too!!

Goodnight!!