While in the midst of a songwriting course, I was challenged to write a song consisting of only two chords. It helped me to focus on melody, lyric stanza, and other characteristics of the written song to create the dynamics that most songwriters accomplish with chord changes. What The TV Feeds became the wonderful fruit of my labors. I enjoyed the song so much in fact, that I included a full studio version on my upcoming record Circus of Idols. The track features vocalist Carrie Welling of The Vanity Belles.

Listen to : WHAT THE TV FEEDS

 
LYRICS:

————–

“The newspaper is DEAD!” said the TV SET…
“Well, YOUR days are numbered,” said the internet to the TV
And the critics hail what the bloggers hate
The youth don’t agree
Just to complicate the issues

Tight jeans, skinny ties
It’s cool once again if you synthesize your music
And so they sing about drugs

And they sing about pain
You may sing about GOD
As long as you don’t mention his name
And thats what they teach
And thats how they preach
That you ain’t achieved
Till Jesus Christ comes to your parties

Its what the TV feeds
What the TV feeds
Its what the TV feeds
Oh, Its what the teens believe

Watch that flock, how it turns on a dime!
Its just a matter of time before America modifies her mind
Fame is a game and your body is your card
Learn how to bluff don’t work too hard at it
When you can get away with “face”,
You can get away with ALL if you listen…

…To what the TV feeds
What the TV feeds
What the TV feeds
Oh, Its what the teens believe

La-Di-Di-Da-Da
La-Da-Di-Da-Da

It’s amazing how this song has stood the test of time for me. How ahead of it’s time the concept, arrangement, and even filming were for the time period it was released. It’s 20 years old this year and it could definitely stand up if released AS IS today. That’s when you know you done it right. Don Henley is a master of that…

I think I might duet this soon.

I directed, filmed, scored, edited and produced this little ditty in my daily playground, Brooklyn, New York… It’s entitled “THE BARBELLES”.

It’s a mini movie flier for The Vanity Belles™ residency at Arlene’s Grocery in February 2012 !

We completed and posted the whole thing in under 24 hours on a shoestring budget. I’m proud of it.

It was thoroughly enjoyable to work with everyone on this project. BIG shout out to “The Badges”, a band that I met earlier that day. They were tremendous actors who delivered far more than I expected they would as musicians. And of course I ALWAYS love working with Jessi Rae and Carrie of The Vanity Belles™. For those of you that don’t know, I manage the Cosmo-Country duo. I’m so excited about what’s to come for them in 2012.

I learned a lot filming “THE BARBELLES”. Conducting the voiceovers for Carrie and Jessi was a totally new experience for me. I believe I just about mastered the timing by the time I was finished. What an exciting little venture THAT was! I learned a ton and immensely enjoyed myself. I think I’ll add it to my repertoire for 2012: “Perform more voiceovers.”

I’m a lucky lucky man.
I’m so fortunate to be doing what I WANT to be doing with my life. I realize that I have my parents, my family, my education and my support system to thank for this opportunity. I am so blessed. I LOVE YOU ALL.

- Patryk

———————-

THE VANITY BELLES ARE:

Jessi Rae Waltz
Carrie Welling

“BARBELLES” FILM CREDITS:
Boys in the saloon and live music courtesy of “The Badges”:
Ben Morgan
Connor Grant
Eli Bridges
Peter Longofono

DIRECTED, FILMED, SCORED, EDITED AND PRODUCED BY : lil’ ole ME.

I’ll be playing another exciting We The Songwriter house concert at a new venue February 17th in northeast New Jersey.

Email Wethesongwriter@gmail.com with interest.

“Remembering you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” -Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Address 2005

I have always been an individual stimulated by changes and challenges. These two things excite me and furthermore seem to remind me I am alive. Following new opportunities that cross my paths and keeping an open mind to change has always presented me with the ability to pursue my passion for music, and I am eternally grateful to everyone and everything that has helped shape the unique story of my life thus far.

I have had an amazing career with Apple over the past 6 years. I’ve learned a wealth of information from the most desired company on the planet and have acquired many friends and amazing relationships. Apple has helped me to define myself for half a decade. I’ve watched the company grow from possessing only a fraction of the market share to literally surrounding my every day with the innovative products I helped to release !! I helped to build in-store music programs, taught countless classes on Pro Level software, and had the opportunity to study the unique world of Steve Jobs’ success as well as the skills of the innovative minds that worked along side of me. These moments have changed me as a person. I embody a world of gratitude for Apple, Inc.

Apple, I salute you. You have changed me.

February 10th will be my last day as a Creative Coordinator for the tech giant. I’ll be embarking on the next chapter of my life as a full time musician and entrepreneur. Although there is the frightening element of the unknown for me, I welcome the challenge and recognize that I have the greatest support system one man could ever ask for. I am positive this change will deliver a promising and happy future for me !!

In the year to come you’ll be hearing about all the work I’ve been engaged in, including The Vanity Belles, We The Songwriter, Buffstock 2012, my upcoming record Circus of Idols (to be released through PledgeMusic), and even a novel I’ve been writing!

I’ll also undoubtedly be hitting up all my singer/songwriter friends for advice about my new endeavors, as I’m excited to learn more and more about this field.

Life feels light again. I am upon her edges and I scream into her canyons, “Geronimo!”.

—-

“20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the one’s you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” -Mark Twain

I’ll be teaming up with Pledge Music to bring you my new record Circus Of Idols. I’m so excited! New stuff real soon!

Come join me.

This one will be interesting. For sure.

I’m gunna do something I have wanted to do for a LONG time.

My friends and I return to The Bitter End in NYC for a star-studded performance. or maybe it’s starring a STUD PERFORMANCE!? I don’t know. Just be there.

I had the pleasure of playing the We The Songwriters House Concert Series in Jersey City this past week.

I’m always so happy to play house concerts, because I get a chance to meet music lovers and tell the stories behind the lyrics of my songs. There’s never a loud obnoxious guy screaming with his friends at the bar. Everyone is focused and WITH me. That’s so important, especially for my type of music. I just LOVE it!

Here’s a little sneak peak from the show. Filmed by the “Annie Leibovitz of the Ludlow Area Scene” the one and only Manish Gosalia.

That’s Carrie Welling of The Vanity Belles and Ben Morgan appearing with me!

I’ll be bringing the force to a solo show at Rockwood Music Hall this coming Monday, January 2.

I have a few surprises in store. I mean c’mon I could play a boring ole’ regular show, but I know those aren’t the droids you’re looking for.  Think, laid back, song-centric, and homey. I’ll toss in some twists to keep you entertained.

STAGE 2!  See you there.

Peace and happy new year to you all!