To The Winchester!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

New Record is FINALLY in the works!

Like the heading says, I’m finally back in the studio doing what I love, playing music. After months, years actually since my band's (www.delaxton.com) last recording, we have finally decided to put out a 6 song EP. The process is refreshing, as we’ve just completed tracking the drums. Thanks to our friend Joe at Cutting Cane studios, they sound jaw-droopingly AWESOME.

Being in the studio made me feel like a kid in a candy store, the greatest candy store, EVER. The reason I say this, is because the studio is jam packed with enough random yet interesting gadgets that it makes you feel like a child again. Ok Ok, perhaps only musicians/music lovers would really appreciate the awesomeness that is Cutting Cane studios. But you tell me, what kind of place not only has loads of incredible equipment, incredible vinyl selections, random toys, and Grammy’s just laying around? It was a very humbling and incredible experience to be in a place where a lot of great things have occurred. My FAVORITE part about tracking drums, was playing a variety of vintage guitars and instruments (I.e 1968 Fender Telecaster, 1959 Gibson Les Paul Re-issue, Gretsch and even a sitar.. yes, sitar!).

Anyway, we’re hoping to get back in studio ASAP and track bass and guitars. Our last visit was a straight 12 hr session where we got all the drum tracks done (it was a busy day). We’re hoping to get a lot done on our next visit, so wish us luck! As always, here are some pics:

Regards,

Ray

Quazo (bassist) undergoing late night jammage

My girlfriend Monica stopped by to show some support...and because there was free WiFi.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Music Video on FUSE TV

My band Delpaxton, is currently doing some very exciting things. Aside from recording our second EP, our music video has been selected to be on FUSE TV. The video is for our first single off of our first EP titled (( In Stereo )). The song is titled "Not Too Distant," and the video was done by our good friend and brilliant cinematographer David Estrada (previously mentioned on this blog). Here's the music video, I hope you all like it!

delpaxton - not too distant from David Estrada on Vimeo.

If you like the video, please visit our website at www.delpaxton.com for more music, videos and insanity.

Cheers,

Ray

Volcano’s, Lagoons, Giant Trees, Gallo Pinto,Toña and a Wedding. (I still Aint Over You...Nicaragua)

The days of 03/12/09-03/15/09 not only gave me a new perspective on the world, but it also re-invigorated the world I know. Between the above mentioned days I went to Nicaragua, a country which I never thought I’d visit. I am happy to say that the experience was a positive one, and I am grateful for the opportunity. Much happened within this short time frame, most importantly, it was the marriage of my good friend Mike with his wife Martina. Their families graciously put us up in one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. From the moment we arrived, we were “on the go,” hardly stopping for a breather. It was, very refreshing. We climbed to the top of an active Volcano and then sought refuge in the crater of one that has been dormant for years. We scaled gianormous trees and zipped between them almost 60 ft up in the air (perhaps even higher…I was too freaked to look down).

The Wedding itself was a beautiful ceremony at a traditional Catholic Church. La Iglesia De Santo Domingo. From there we hopped into our chauffeured buses and made our way back the resort where the entire location was lit by hundreds of candles. The food was exceptional and the entertainment did not stop until, literally, the break of dawn. Some of us performed, some of us drank, some of us passed out, some of continued to eat and some of us…actually none of us…played it cool that night. It was more than the just the coming together of two wonderful people and their families, but also a celebration of life and of the beautiful place in which we live. Nicaragua reminded me that this world is full of so many incredible things. Things that I cannot deprive myself of experiencing. You see, this trip refreshed my life. It took me from the “day to day” grind and slowed me down. I stopped wearing a watch because time, for the most part, had become irrelevant to me. All I knew, was that I was with my girlfriend and my best friends, in a new environment. And that, was more than enough to get me to forget my worries back home.

As I sit here, on my desk, I am aching to go back. At the moment, my friends and I are planning a surf trip to Costa Rica for the early summer…and I hope, that we get to go. If anyone reads this, I urge you to take a trip. Anywhere!

Sincerely,

Ray

P.S. here are some pics

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Jarod Rosello

Jarod Rosello is a brilliant writer, comic book creator/enthusiast, musician, professor, and friend. Currently, he resides in central Pennsylvania where he teaches and studies creative writing at Penn State. His wife Angie, is going to be a brilliant attorney one day. One could say that they are a crime fighting academic duo. Please check out Jarod's work by clicking HERE

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Radio-Active Records

This morning my singer Mike and I took a drive up to Ft. Lauderdale to visit a record store which he's been raving about since his last visit. It's called Radio-Active Records, and they're located (for those of you in South Florida) off of I-95 and Sunrise Blvd. The place has got some serious shit, seriously. They have great deals, great finds, and even a stage out back where they host bands every Saturday night. The joint kind of has this "Empire Records" vibe, and I dig that. ALOT. Anyway, I found some neat stuff: "Frampton Comes Alive" (its a classic which I should've owned by now); The Beatles "Help" (the movie version, Mike bought the British version); Frank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim; "Friday Night In San Francisco" featuring Al Di Meola, Paco De Lucia and John Mclaughlin. From there, we took a further drive to another record store called "The CD Collector of Pompano." They've got some seriously good condition vinyls for great prices. I recomment that YOU take a drive up (or down) and visit these locations.

On a side note, I feel that music is becoming harder to find in its physical form these days. I dont know about you, but the bands that I LOVE, the bands that I stand in line for, I buy their records. I love having a tangible product that I can see and touch...even smell. I am completely blown away by older music. I get so excited sometimes because these recordings are older than I am. Its fascinating to be able to listen to music the way my parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents listened to music. Call me crazy, but I think that some music is just better on vinyl. Anyway, get out there and buy some records. Support your local stores and your local musicians (like me).

Regards,

Ray

UNO!

Last summer my friends and I became obsessed with the game UNO. It was almost as if all of us were a part of a microscopic board game renaissance. We've always been the kind of kids that grew up playing these types of games, so I guess it was only natural for us to carry this love into our (some would say) adult lives. When it comes to UNO, we dont hold back. We play doubles and we love to hear the opposition complain when things dont go their way. Think you got what it takes to challenge the best?

Bring it!

Ray

Monday, July 21, 2008

Amigos

So cheg it: I got these friends that are pretty talented and I think everyone that reads this (if anyone reads this) should check them out. The reason I’d like to present some of these people is because they are genuinely talented. They are artists who are relentless in the pursuit for refining their craft. Somehow, they find the beauty in many of the things that other people take for granted. Their ability to take these things and make them noticeable to the rest of the world never ceases to astonish me. So without further ado, I present some of my friends.

Jamie Tao is an extremely talented graphic designer who now works as an Art Director of an Ad Agency in Miami, FL. Besides being a rad friend, she’s been a tremendous help to Delpaxton. She designed our previous website and continues to help with our artwork, posters, and just about everything else. We don’t complain, we just let her do her thing. Her website is http://www.jamietao.com/ Here’s a sample of a poster she made for us:

Jorge Vargas or “Chili” as we call him, is the busiest laidback person I’ve ever met. Besides working as a graphic designer, he manages to create his own art as well. He’s a talented photographer, photo shopper, musician, and hilarious home moviemaker. He and I are very close and have shared a lot of good times. He doesn’t have a website, but you can message me and I’ll put you in contact with him. Here’s a sample of a skateboard he made for our friend Joe:

David Estrada is just a bad ass, he’s a brilliant filmmaker, photographer, and musician (he’s an honorary member of any band I’m a part of). He takes any worthwhile opportunity that comes his way. He’s currently living in Alaska, and prior to that he lived in New York (where he participated in numerous projects). He’s also lived in Orlando, FL where he studied film at UCF and taught there. You can check out some of his short films along with those of his friends by clicking here: FANTACINE

Shane Perez is my oldest friend of the bunch. He and I used to have a band when we were kids and now we’re very close because of it. Shane currently lives in New York and is involved in numerous projects. Photography being is his main endeavor. His photographs never bore me, for they always make my eyes open up and my mouth ask “How did you do that?” He’s got numerous websites, here are a few: http://www.shaneperez.com/ and Model Mayhem

Hope you enjoy,

Ray