Call me sappy, but I am happy.
Posted: September 4, 2011 Filed under: Music Leave a comment »I can play this loud for one round today. I’m allowed that. What a rad song and very timely…
(Also, Away We Go, is a great film.)
Feel I’m on the verge of some great truth
Were I’m finally in my place
But I’m fumbling still for proof
And it’s cluttering my space
Casting shadows on my face
I know I have a strength to move ahead
I can hardly leave my room
So I’ll sit perfecty still
And I’ll listen for a tune
When the mind is on the moon
And if I stumble
And if I stall
And if I slip now
And if I should fall
And if I can’t be all that I could be
Will you, will you wait for me
Cause everywhere I seem to be
I am only passing through
I dream these days about the sea
Always wake up feeling blue
Wishing I could dream of you
So if I stumble
And if I fall
And if I slip now
And loose it all
And if I can’t be all that I could be
Will you, will you wait for me
Calvin Locke
Posted: July 20, 2011 Filed under: Music, Personalities 1 Comment »
Sometimes it is simply for that love that we begin doing what we do. Unknowing as to where it will go, we begin as amateurs wanting to breath in all we can in regards to this love that possesses us beyond any training. It’s like it was put in us from the start; from before life began in us there was something there that would be released in the due time. Discovering a passion is one of the greatest feelings in the world. Developing that skill, learning, growing and showing your passion is just a bigger part of this thing I like to call a gift. As I’ve witnessed and experienced, a gift not handled well or shared is a sad thing. It can be taken from you. It can lessen in it potency and yet can blossom, should it be nurtured. Often misunderstood in the infancy of the process of pursuing what we love, is the management of its power and resource. Yet with time, grace and some patience alongside trials and challenges, we see that gift embody the purpose of our lives. I am more than grateful for the ability to create with words and dazzle through paint upon a surface. I am also blessed to be able to help motivate, develop and encourage those with their gifts. That is a beautiful thing. We all need that.
Today, my great friend Calvin Locke releases his much anticipated EP, Yukon to St. John’s. Tomorrow morning he departs on his journey to discover our country, all the while developing his gift as a singer/songwriter. His passion for the gift he has is clearly seen in the way he handles his guitar and plays along with his most beautiful, connected lyrics. He has moved on from the comfort of a lucrative job and entered, as some do, into the realm of the creator. No one determines his time, nor his wealth, except that of his passion and the desire that so urges him on to embrace all he was made to be. In my eyes, he is Rich Beyond Bills.
I met Calvin about 6 years ago through a mutual friend, Angel Guerra. We connected at that time and yet it seemed as though the paths we were both on were not bound yet in a solid friendship. On a November day in the cherished Ship & Anchor Pub I ran into Calvin once again. He had left his job at a company downtown and as 2010 was nearing an end, his journey was really only just beginning. The connection was there. His desire to see beyond the stable and sometimes dull avenue of comfort in the workplace led him to accept his new path. His guitar, his life’s story and his love for people spurred on what is now heard through song, and to a lucky few, through hours spent in conversation. More questions have erupted between us in the wild playing field of thoughts and passion, yet their answers seem to only drive us toward seeking out more questions. No real answers exist just yet, only a calmness that makes you feel right in the middle of all that is questionable.
I recall stepping out almost 5 years ago to pursue my passion full time. I was nervous. It was overwhelming. It was new! There is no doubt Calvin is experiencing this and much more. His music speaks for itself and his ability to face the unknown is as encouraging as his lovely, young friend Logan embracing her hardships as she endures cancer; one of the reasons Calvin is driven to embark upon this Canada wide tour. His love for the lives of others is what motivates a lot of what he does. He has a ear to hear, a voice to sing and an uncanny way of capturing emotion through the combination of guitar string and song.
I am blessed to know him. I am happy to call him a friend. I am reminded that as he moves ahead into this life he has chosen, and that which has chosen him, he goes forth not knowing the outcome. In my eyes, he has already succeeded. I often hear of people at concerts or in certain circles describing that they were the first to hear of a person or a band. From the start, they knew the music and their commitment runs deep. Well, I was not the first to hear Calvin, nor will I be the last. I will boast only of knowing him as a friend. I will gladly promote his work, challenge his thought, speak my mind and encourage his growth. I am more than glad to see him take on his life with a boldness amidst fear, with a passion amidst questions and with humility amidst praise.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is my friend, Calvin Locke. Hear his music. Follow him and encourage him in what he does. For it is in those good things that we find purpose and are reminded that our gifts are not for us alone, but for the encouragement and building up of others.
Photos by: Mikey Da Roza & Brock Mitchell.
It all comes and goes…
Posted: April 5, 2011 Filed under: Music Leave a comment »I woke up this morning, headache in tow from a room too warm, air too dry and a back too sore. Mornings like this bother me and keep me from smiling. Still, I cracked the Good Book and read a bit from Phil, but could not focus. Thoughts were array with emotions too tied in to seemingly everything in my life to deal with at the moment. You don’t want to go back to bed, yet you do, if only to wake up anew. I try to wrap my head around the thoughts I am having, looking at my day and its commitments, feeling the heaviness upon my heart that seems to rise with me for the last few weeks. Patience is needed, as in all periods of growth comes understanding and time makes for a long haul through.
I check my mail. Nothing. I check my Twitter. Something. A friend of mine, Brock Mitchell, posted this link in his Tweet. Brock is the type of guy you admire for determination, hard work, authenticity and a spirit that radiates love and goodness. The man is a pleasure to be around. I am sure he has his days, though I have not seen them. From all angles he carries himself and his talent of the highest honor. I’ve got to be a little jealous of Brock, as he currently sits in sunny California working on some dreams come true type work (if only I had my motorcycle down there right now we’d be rollin!). His Tweet stated he missed home. We miss him. Therein the Tweet was Reuben, and I can now see why he is so fond of this place.
Reuben Bullock and I go way back. I admire all he has done in his life, from the days where we used to work side by side, talking daily and watching his video parts as an amateur skateboarder. I recall Reuben barely surviving the tsunami in Thailand and seeing his tanned skin upon his return to Canada, I gave him the biggest hug, having a quick laugh at the fact he said it “wasn’t his time yet” and then we each smoked an L&M in the sun. His mother, father and two brothers make up a family unit I admire as well. I never knew Reuben and his brothers would be so talented in so many areas, yet I am glad they are, as they make music that is beyond delightful and are people I would always call friends. So, thank you Brock, and thank you Reuben, for this morning’s sound; for the ease of the mind that it has given me and inspiration to share it with even more. Check him out:
Of these things…
Posted: March 30, 2011 Filed under: Music, Relationships Leave a comment »I’ve been reminiscent of my father’s earlier years of late, noticing more and more how we slowly become alike. We influence one another and in actuality, I become more and more like him each day. That is a proud thing to say. He is a biker. I am following suit, finally. Beyond what he may be or beyond what he may do, my history lessons are full of what was and what is. I know of the days gone by, more and more, as we converse. He introduced this band most recently to me, Canned Heat. I think this song resonates in many a man’s life. So dad, thank you for the education and for being one bad ass, rad dude I can call bro, pops and friend.
My Morning Caffe.
Posted: March 9, 2011 Filed under: Music, Random Thoughts Leave a comment »I woke up this morning, inspired by my 6AM rise, my 8mm app on my iPhone (thanks Calvin) and my morning coffee. So, I decided to walk to get a coffee this morning and show you MY MORNING COFFEE.
I have never used iMovie before, but being a self-taught type of guy, I figured out a rough way about doing a video this morning. I added two wonderful songs by Herajika Tracks (Dreaming and Shigure – www.herajikatracks.com) and threw these clips together.
This is my morning coffee. This is my Caffe Beano. I hope you enjoy it!
If you’re cool, then I’m cool…
Posted: February 28, 2011 Filed under: Music Leave a comment »Ok, fun intro, wicked good on the simplicity, but dude rappin’ really should learn to rap. Period. I just like the intro.
A new friend and an old one.
Posted: February 28, 2011 Filed under: Music 1 Comment »Wonderfully connected in the shortest of time, here is a new friend of mine whom I think you should all meet and enjoy. I’ll let her take it away with this song, this video and these words. It was a pleasure meeting you, Jocelyn, and that through a mutual friend(s). So, ladies and gentlemen, if you haven’t already met her, here is Jocelyn Alice.
Accompanying her with talent and passion, and a voice that moves as fluid as his hand upon the strings of his guitar, through melody and song, is Calvin Locke. I enjoyed the two of them tonight, live, at an intimate show in one of Calgary’s best cafes, Higher Ground. Enjoy, as you will most likely hear much more from them both. Thank you guys!!! =)
Losing your balance…
Posted: February 20, 2011 Filed under: Music Leave a comment »Miss high profile caught you shopping on Canal
I guess it makes sense, it seems phony as your style
Your hair and your nails just as phony as your smile
Fake eyelashes, you drew your eyebrows
It make a brother ask, do you pride yourself?
Your make up like a mask, tryna hide yourself
It seems on the outside you thinking you the shit
But there’s a soul that’s inside that you don’t even knew exist
So you so out of touch that the world mistreat you,
Rich niggas fuck you and broke niggas beat you
Hoping this will reach you when you understand
That your value ain’t determined by another man
Cause right now you let them brothers get the upper hand
And you just tell them go deep like Cunningham
And you just let them OD like Len Bias
And that pussy so good he let his friends try it
Losing your balance, yea uh
Losing your balance, yea uh
Losing your balance,
Girl you losing your balance uh, yea
Don’t slip don’t fall,
Just a get a grip my nigga hold on
Don’t lose your balance,
Don’t lose your balance
I look around at my city this is SinVille
That boy 11 years old and can inhale
Sometimes I ride around wondering if we in hell
Or why the cops love to throw a nigga in jail
I’m bout to lose it I just had another friend killed
Over some bullshit this cycle’s like a windmill
I had a convo with my soul I asked it “When will, this shit change? “
It said boy “Just use them pen skills”-
And so I write this for my niggas on the corner
Love you cause you my brother so I feel I got to warn ya
This shit ain’t set up for a young brother to advance
On that note, you niggas playing right into their hands
Damn, better get yourself some goals, you niggas better dream
I know the hood raised you but there’s bigger better things
And for those that passed I need a moment of silence
Sssssshhhhh
Yea and don’t be losing your balance
Don’t be losing your balance,
Don’t be losing your balance,
My nigga don’t be losing your balance,
Uh yea so don’t slip, don’t fall
Just a get a grip my nigga hold on
Don’t lose your balance, uh
Don’t lose your balance
I got a thing for this little mama
She do it to me plus her brain is for real I’m a… sucka for love I guess
Won’t catch her up in the club cause she ain’t into that
Kind of chick that rather rent a flick and get intimate
Say she never fuck with thug niggas only gentlemen
And yea that ass is fat but what’s better is her intellect
Other men ah sweat her when we walk past
Can’t even blame em’ I did the same when I saw that ass
Match with the thin waist, brown with a slime face
Love the conversation and the kicks was like a sensai
Now she got me chillin’ with her all around the clock
My homie’s beefin cause I never come around a lot
Keep on telling me I changed and things ain’t the same
And ever since she came around I never want to hang
They tell me that it’s foul how a chick will make me switch
But man I can’t help it dog her mind got me whipped
I think I’m losing my balance
I think I’m losing my balance yea
She got me losing my balance, uh
She got me losing my balance,
But I won’t slip I won’t fall,
Just a get a grip and hold on
Losing my balance,
Losing my balance
