Pop Evil “IV” and Recent Life.

By no means has the album been officially titled but, “IV” is a working reference. It’s the bands fourth studio album, and my second (with them). Our growth, maturity, artistic exploration and interests have yet to pause or even slow. In many ways, it seems our exploration and open-minded approach is at an all time high. We feel there are no barriers, no rules and no “no’s” being enforced on this record. We went into the studio with new inspiration, new ideas, and a mindset of working hard and being positive. We worked together through growing pains, learning experiences, trying times, and easy ones.
The first five weeks passed rather quickly, with the exception of missing home and family, everyday. The working end of it, though, seemed to come at an all time simplicity. Songs flowed and ideas ran rapid. We bounced ideas of each other openly, receiving praise, compliments and constructive criticism. We felt strong, we believed in each other, and our confidence was showing the attempts we were willing to take in song writing. When the dust settled and we had finally grown tired, exhausted really, we had accumulated nearly 20 song ideas. Last album, “Onyx”, we had a total of 8 songs make it from demo to pre-production. We had more than doubled that, with no struggle, no resistance.
Since the completion of the 20 rough cuts, we have stepped away from the songs to let them marinade, to listen, to reflect. I chose to come home to Michigan for a short amount of time and in doing so, have moved into a new apt with Jessica. Our first apartment, of our very OWN. No roommates. No nightly guests. Just free range loving and free range food, haha. The stress of the new album and moving nearly drove me crazy at times, especially with the pressure of the CrossFit Open now being less than a week away but, in the lowest of lows, Jess and I bound together and we rose higher than ever.
Our apartment is small, it’s really not anything to write home about but, it’s ours. We’ve done a great job of starting to fill it with affordable pieces, furniture, and living essentials, as it’s already STOCKED FULL of Love. My training has taken a turn for the best, maybe ever. Listening to our songs reminds me of how far we’ve come, how strong this team is, and how great this album will be. I’m reminded daily to remain patient. Don’t get too greedy. Set goals, work for them, and don’t give up when all fails, it WILL get better. Jess and I waited nearly a year in Kalamazoo before finding our own place. Now, we have our own place, and while here, we have already found a much more desirable apartment for the same price for a summer move in. The upcoming place is much larger, beautiful and is in a great neighborhood with great landlords. It’s large enough for us to grow and stay, maybe for a few years, even. Something we’ve never had or done. Her job and dreams are in full flight and after never-ending struggle and tribulations, she continues to triumph and grow. I myself struggle regularly with the band, with our growth, our personal struggles and the music industry as a whole, yet, we go and make what I have NO DOUBT, is our strongest album, yet.
A strong foundation is everything; very few will build one, though. It’s not glamourous. It often feels like it takes the most effort and yields the least reward. I compare it to cutting drums to a new song. Drums, alone, are boring. They’re not much to listen to but, no song can be great with weak drums. It’s the base. It’s the core. Put in the time, don’t take shortcuts. Be patient. Set goals. Work HARD. It will only take everything you have but, in the end, it’s so worth it.