It's very strange how the creative mind works. You can get an idea or an inspiration while working or chilling or even in your sleep. That is what happened to me one Saturday morning.
I had been working so hard for almost 2 months trying to get the new single 'Blow a fuse' finished. I have never spent so much time on a song, but I wanted to get this song just right. I was having problems with the songline, it just wasn't hitting the happy spot in my creative nerves. I have a mini-disc full of different ways for me to sing it, but I must admit I was struggling. I even had to put the release date back by a month as I was nowhere near finished
Then one morning during the walk with our boxer dog, Bruce, something came to me. Luckily, I was in the middle of a field and that I had my mobile with me, as I have a recording app on it. So singing in a field is cool, but when you find a songline after weeks of disappointment it is a brilliant feeling. So with my beautiful Aingeal off to her work and the pee monster all crapped out and lying in the warm Provence sun, I recorded the vocals on a Thursday morning in a few hours. All I had to do was the final mixdown.....but I wanted a break from recording. So I set about making advertisements for the release of the single.
I made a few cool ones just to annoy so-called friends (but, that is another story and blog) I laughed as they all had my strange sense of humour, but there no response from anyone, so that is enough proof, it has hit a nerve, ha ha ha.
Anyway, I went to bed Friday evening feeling good with how the campaign was going, Mrs. Freak came up with a few good ideas and also kept me in check with my posting to much...thank God she is around. I know I slept great, but around 4 in the morning I awoke very sharply and was wide awake within seconds, something had come to me in a dream, I had this marketing idea I just had to make a promotional film for the single, it only took me seconds to come up with old lady thing, as I have been playing around with the idea of changing from Psycho Rock to Pensioner Rock (well, I ain't fecking 20 anymore).
I scribbled down a few notes and went back to sleep.
In the morning, I set about writing a scenario, not much was needed as it was to be a short film to let the people get just a taste of the new song.
Then after the usual house chores and food, we set about getting the wardrobe ready, that is where my Aingeal comes in.
Mrs. Freak was in top form and proving that our humour and life's are on the same wavelength, because nearly everything she brought out for me to look at, was perfect. My wardrobe was ready,
It was sunny but windy and we thought about delaying the filming until the Sunday as less wind was expected, but we decided to get it done as knowing my luck it would be raining on that particular Sunday.
We got everything set up, camera on a mike stand and then I went into wardrobe. There was no need for makeup as it was not the plan for me to have my face in the picture a lot.
And so to the shoot, we decided at the end of the drive, by the passing road would be a perfect location and after a try-out run...we filmed what you see on the promo film....of course, it has been speeded up to make the film shorter, but you get the idea.
The passing car was a bonus, it was totally not planned and it's passing could not have been better. And I wonder if anyone notices Granny kicking the dog, ha ha ha
Filming finished and so it was onto finishing the final mix of the song. I had to have a small portion to put with the film to get the public interested.
With the song now ready, it was back on the computer to edit everything, now the internet here in Cabannes isn't great at the best of times, but when I was editing it was perfect, my only problem was when trying to upload the finished promo film, it is advised to leave the USB stick with the film in the computer. FFS ha ha ha what an idiot. So with that sorted, the final film was uploaded to the internet and YouTube.
It was a fun journey, moments of losing our cool at each other, but Mrs Freak (Agatha Stoneheart) and I honestly make a great team, she has the same sense of humour and without that Aingeal, I would never have got this or the single finished and to such a high quality.
I hope people enjoy the song and the Promo video, I am now working on the actual video for the song....gonna be funny and yes Granny is involved.
ZEEKtheFREAK Cabannes 14/04/2016
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Thursday, April 7, 2016
FROM BRAIN CELL TO EARLOBE
Finally, I can say with my hand on my heart and without fear of contradiction that the single 'Blow a Fuse' is nearly finished, ha ha ha.
Yes Groovy people, it has been some journey. I have never ever spent so much time working on track, Christ, I had the track from writing to recorded, mixed and out in an afternoon. With ZEEK & GIZ, we did a whole tape recording in one afternoon. Gone are these days, with the technology, the sounds and equipment are more advanced. I did, however, record this track on my old trustworthy Roland VS840 zip disc, as I know I have a whole studio on my computer and the next CD will probably be recorded on that, but I needed to get this done quickly....now we all know how that has gone FFS.
From the idea to getting this far, must be 2 and a half months and to think I want 10 tracks on the 'Gullible travels' CD...what was the date I wanted to bring it out, I think we can scrap that idea.
I struggled with original songline, the music has been done for about a month and after about 20 different ideas, the final idea came to me when I was out walking Bruce. Luckily nowadays on your mobile, you can record, so I did it in the middle of a field at the back of our house and I think I had it totally thought through in less than 10 minutes. I knew there was a reason why it just didn;t feel right. I didn't want to sound like another singer or band. I am so happy I followed my intuition, I knew it would eventually come to me.
The lyrics were also changed drastically, thanks to the changing songline and what started with a line about gay porn ended up more about how religions are dying and fading away. Yes, my mother would turn in her grave if she hadn't been cremated. Always Blasphemy.
My Sol helped me Immensely, being my energy and also my critic and thanks to her comments, I am happy to release the first new song in almost 6 years. Good grief how time flies, but things are looking good in Camp Freak and after the final mix down tomorrow, I will start work on the next song and also the first Fools Funnybone, yes the website is ready, so on to that, but that will be in the next blog. Thanks for reading, hope you are all well.
Peace and Love
ZEEKtheFREAK
www.zeekthefreak.com
Yes Groovy people, it has been some journey. I have never ever spent so much time working on track, Christ, I had the track from writing to recorded, mixed and out in an afternoon. With ZEEK & GIZ, we did a whole tape recording in one afternoon. Gone are these days, with the technology, the sounds and equipment are more advanced. I did, however, record this track on my old trustworthy Roland VS840 zip disc, as I know I have a whole studio on my computer and the next CD will probably be recorded on that, but I needed to get this done quickly....now we all know how that has gone FFS.
From the idea to getting this far, must be 2 and a half months and to think I want 10 tracks on the 'Gullible travels' CD...what was the date I wanted to bring it out, I think we can scrap that idea.
I struggled with original songline, the music has been done for about a month and after about 20 different ideas, the final idea came to me when I was out walking Bruce. Luckily nowadays on your mobile, you can record, so I did it in the middle of a field at the back of our house and I think I had it totally thought through in less than 10 minutes. I knew there was a reason why it just didn;t feel right. I didn't want to sound like another singer or band. I am so happy I followed my intuition, I knew it would eventually come to me.
The lyrics were also changed drastically, thanks to the changing songline and what started with a line about gay porn ended up more about how religions are dying and fading away. Yes, my mother would turn in her grave if she hadn't been cremated. Always Blasphemy.
My Sol helped me Immensely, being my energy and also my critic and thanks to her comments, I am happy to release the first new song in almost 6 years. Good grief how time flies, but things are looking good in Camp Freak and after the final mix down tomorrow, I will start work on the next song and also the first Fools Funnybone, yes the website is ready, so on to that, but that will be in the next blog. Thanks for reading, hope you are all well.
Peace and Love
ZEEKtheFREAK
www.zeekthefreak.com
Monday, September 21, 2015
Life in France part 1
Living in France part 1
I have been living in the South of France
now for 15 weeks and I am totally enjoying my new life. My Solange is the person that makes my life so beautiful, along with our mental boxer, Bruce, they are now the two most important things in my life.
I have also started working on my music again and hopefully, a new CD will be realised, next year. My Sol, is my guide as to what is cool and what is not.
My health is also like old, my blood pressure is back to normal and I have halved my dosage of tablets. My weight is perfect, I have reached my desired weight, thanks to watching what I eat and my work in the gym and out in the mountain roads with my racing bike.
I must now try to conquerthe lingo. I am very confident, as I have a perfect teacher.
All in all, I think it was a wise desicion to move myself here. Of course I miss my family and friends in Holland, but my lifestyle here is one I always sought.
I hope my Freaky fans are all cool and well....see youz again in October from theFREAK's Halloween gig
Zeek
I have been living in the South of France
now for 15 weeks and I am totally enjoying my new life. My Solange is the person that makes my life so beautiful, along with our mental boxer, Bruce, they are now the two most important things in my life.
I have also started working on my music again and hopefully, a new CD will be realised, next year. My Sol, is my guide as to what is cool and what is not.
My health is also like old, my blood pressure is back to normal and I have halved my dosage of tablets. My weight is perfect, I have reached my desired weight, thanks to watching what I eat and my work in the gym and out in the mountain roads with my racing bike.
I must now try to conquerthe lingo. I am very confident, as I have a perfect teacher.
All in all, I think it was a wise desicion to move myself here. Of course I miss my family and friends in Holland, but my lifestyle here is one I always sought.
I hope my Freaky fans are all cool and well....see youz again in October from theFREAK's Halloween gig
Zeek
Thursday, July 23, 2015
ADHD Freak
Living here and getting to know the locals and their customs, I have realised just how tightly wound up, I actually am and far from the relaxed dude, I dream I am.
I understand my lack of the lingo and being away from everything, I built up over the last 36 years, does not help, but this was a move I wanted to make......for my health, but also for my music, because although I am writing songs with My Celtic Faith, I am having difficulty in writing new material for the planned 2nd solo CD.
I am doing fine with my sporting activities and watching my diet, that is not a problem. I will learn the lingo and we are gonna buy something that connects me to the net and I can get Scottish tv, hopefully
I understand my lack of the lingo and being away from everything, I built up over the last 36 years, does not help, but this was a move I wanted to make......for my health, but also for my music, because although I am writing songs with My Celtic Faith, I am having difficulty in writing new material for the planned 2nd solo CD.
I am doing fine with my sporting activities and watching my diet, that is not a problem. I will learn the lingo and we are gonna buy something that connects me to the net and I can get Scottish tv, hopefully
Monday, July 6, 2015
LIFE IN FRANCE the early days
What can I say, I have been living in France now for just over 2 weeks and it is starting to feel like home. It is years since I felt so relaxed, my BP is as low as it has been for years and my weight is finally coming down.
My Aingeal; Solange is the reason for my feeling so good, she takes care of me and has made me feel at home, Our Bruce keeps me active as well
I am cycling like the old days, and taking on the hard climbs with ease. I am actually amazed, how I am taking to climbs with the bike.
People, I will keep you in touch with my life here in the Provence
be kind to yourself
My Aingeal; Solange is the reason for my feeling so good, she takes care of me and has made me feel at home, Our Bruce keeps me active as well
I am cycling like the old days, and taking on the hard climbs with ease. I am actually amazed, how I am taking to climbs with the bike.
People, I will keep you in touch with my life here in the Provence
be kind to yourself
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
France
MY LIFE IN FRANCE
As most of you know, I am moving to the South of France in June, to start a new life with my Aingeal, Solange and our boxer Bruce.Exciting yes and sadness also.
EXCITED
Excitement, because this move is exactly what my music, my sanity and to a certain extent my health needs. I know Solange will take care of me and I will love her even more.Musically, I know it will charge my batteries and a new CD should be in the making (it has been for years, but time to start it). I always love making new friends, introducing people to my music. I know Solange and to a certain extent, the people and the life in France will give me the peace in my soul, that I so long for.
SADNESS
I will also be sad to leave Alkmaar and the Netherlands, Alkmaar gave ZEEKtheFREAK lots of love and that warms me and I will miss the social life here. The most important thing to me, I will be leaving my brother behind, a difficult decision, as we have always been in the area of each other and thankfully the internet will keep us close in some way. I will also miss my two nieces and a lot of friends. Both my bands, TheFREAKS and My Celtic Faith will always be in my heart and we will still be recording and gigging together.So many things still arrange, but when it happens, I know it will be cool. I hope you will join me on this journey
ZEEK
Sunday, February 8, 2015
New Website
I am working day and night to get a half decent website online,bear with me, hopefully it will be going soon.
I had forgotten, how much work goes into it. I think it proves how much of a control freak, I am. I should give this to an expert..but nope.
So please, bear with me.
By the way, you can purchase, 2 of my songs on iTunes, links to follow
BooYah
Zeek
I had forgotten, how much work goes into it. I think it proves how much of a control freak, I am. I should give this to an expert..but nope.
So please, bear with me.
By the way, you can purchase, 2 of my songs on iTunes, links to follow
BooYah
Zeek
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Monday, February 17, 2014
My Celtic Faith
Finally got my stuff together and along with Tommy Kuilboer (ex Entropy/ZEEKtheFREAK) ,I have formed a new Celtic Symphonic Metal band,called;My Celtic Faith.
We will be making a combination of Celtic music, but in a heavy way.
The website of the new band is online at www.mycelticfaith.com . We will be having out first try-out gig in August at an Irish/Celtic afternoon in Alkmaar in the Netherlands, so hopefully it will be the start of something cool
We will be making a combination of Celtic music, but in a heavy way.
The website of the new band is online at www.mycelticfaith.com . We will be having out first try-out gig in August at an Irish/Celtic afternoon in Alkmaar in the Netherlands, so hopefully it will be the start of something cool
Sunday, June 23, 2013
...and so he journey begins
Groovy people,the first of my blogs...,my cat is meowing next to me,she knows I am off and is constantly by my side.
The tension in my stomach is high,excitement,nerves,I'm not sure,but I have never been so happy and tomorrow a new chapter in my life begins,where this chapter will lead to,I have no idea,but I am open to all avenues.
everything is ready,bag packed,passport and e ticket ready...me....damn right I am ready.
My sweet niece Kim,will be staying in my house for the duration of my visit to France and she thinks it's cool,the house to herself..but says she won't have a party...I asked her why not?,ha ha ha......at least she will look after my baby, Alba...
Groovy people,this is but a short blog,I will try to sleep tonight,but doubt that I will,I will post again soon,when I have time and remember,I hope soon to be uploading photos as well to http://france.zeek.org.uk/#!home
people all the best and next time I blog,will be in the arms of my baby in France
au revoir
ZEEK
The tension in my stomach is high,excitement,nerves,I'm not sure,but I have never been so happy and tomorrow a new chapter in my life begins,where this chapter will lead to,I have no idea,but I am open to all avenues.
everything is ready,bag packed,passport and e ticket ready...me....damn right I am ready.
My sweet niece Kim,will be staying in my house for the duration of my visit to France and she thinks it's cool,the house to herself..but says she won't have a party...I asked her why not?,ha ha ha......at least she will look after my baby, Alba...
Groovy people,this is but a short blog,I will try to sleep tonight,but doubt that I will,I will post again soon,when I have time and remember,I hope soon to be uploading photos as well to http://france.zeek.org.uk/#!home
people all the best and next time I blog,will be in the arms of my baby in France
au revoir
ZEEK
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