Welcome Back! (Volume 2, Chapter 1)

Here it is ladies and gents, another year for the SPR Blog. This time around, we've attached the word "inspiration" to our theme in addition to "Music and Motivation" because I believe that inspiration is key to every creation. I'll be sharing with you some of the stories that inspired the creation of SmartPhoneRecords, as well as some of the people that made it possible for us to exist. Additionally, I'll share some of the resources we use that help make our company run more efficiently, in hopes that you, too, will find them just as helpful not only for using our app, but for pursuing your passion for making music.

We will also be showcasing artists within SPR community that have compelling stories to share as well. This year will definitely include much more interaction with our readers and customers and we can't wait to get started. So with that being said, I'm going to get back to work.

One important message--we are still working on some updates, so if you run into any problems while using the app, please feel free to send us an email at info@smartphonerecords.com

Thanks again for being with us on this journey. We appreciate you.

See you next week!

Suspend your beliefs (forget logic and CREATE!)

This is a great way to help get your momentum going anytime you're in a creative mood. What this means is while in the creative/brainstorming process, allow your thoughts to explore and the freedom to run free. 

The Impossible Art of Li Wei

During these moments, forget about what's "logical". Disregard, or "suspend your belief" of what goes on in the so-called "real world". It should actually be rather easy to do, as this method is what we use while watching cartoons or movies, for example. For most of us, we're able to distinguish reality from fiction, and understand that they are strictly for entertainment purposes. Nevertheless, we allow ourselves to go on a temporary journey that seemingly goes against everything that happens in reality. 

Whether your ideas are ones that you'll bring to life or keep stowed away, the important thing is that you exercise your mind. Give it permission to think outside the box by tapping into that same person you are while watching a fictitious movie. 

So the next time you sit down to write your next song, screen play or create your next invention, don't be afraid to suspend your beliefs, and give the power to your imagination. 

U Down Wit O.P.P? (Learn from others)

What's the cheapest and most efficient way to learn about life? If you ask me, it would be learning from other people. You know, like OPP--other peoples problems, other peoples progress, other people, period. Whether it's directly from a mentor, a friend, a family member or coming indirectly from an autobiography, a documentary, or a movie, the source itself really doesn't matter. What's important is the lesson. 

Yeah you know me;)

Some might argue that personal experience is the best teacher, but I contend that it all depends on what it is you want to learn. For example, if you're going thorough a difficult phase in your life, it can be helpful to know the ways in which someone else overcame similar struggles.  If someone has accomplished something that you dream of doing, learning about their story may save you time, as well as expedite your learning curve. 

When I would share with investors the idea behind SPR, I would get pissed when they failed to share my vision, or tell me all the ways in which it wouldn't work. But once I learned about Thomas Edison and his invention of the light bulb, or the story of Pandora and the many roadblocks that were encountered prior to its huge success, I began to feel less discouraged, and more motivated. Believe it or not, both of these world-wide, life-altering inventions were once turned down by so-called "smart" investors.

With the world as big as it is, chances are there isn't one person who hasn't walked a mile in your shoes before. So, don't be afraid to find out their background and see how it can apply to your life. After all, you never know the affect your story can have on the next person.

The Accidental Icon (If at first you don't succeed....hire a pro)

Recently, during a conversation I was having with our graphic designer, I shared with him the story of how our SPR icon was created. So, I figured I'd share it with you.

Operating on a tight budget, I made the decision to design the logo myself. I knew what I wanted--a smartphone with headphones attached, and to make the background blue to represent the sky and/or cloud, since all of the activity that takes place on SPR is done in cyberspace. 

The problem was that although in the past I've had some graphic design experience, what I lacked was the knowledge of how to work with photoshop layers and vector images, which was pretty much a requirement if I planned on building this thing on my own. (Thank GOD for YouTube!)

After several hours of watching video tutorials and playing with different effects, the original icon was born. The funny part is that to this day, I'm still not sure how I did it. Everything about it, with the exception of the color, was a complete accident (or "ack-ee-sent", as my niece used to say) right down to the details of the shadowing inside the phone itself, and the headphones. 

My work on the Left / Rezniks work on the Right

I was EXCITED! The minute I saw it I knew it was the one, so I saved it. 

And then...my computer crashed.

"WTF!!" I yelled out.  Fearing that I had lost  the icon and desperation because I had no clue how I did it. Thankfully, it was retrieved when my computer restarted, although it was a bit distorted due to the .bmp format it was now in. But I didn't care. By this time I was just relieved to know that I didn't have to start over. I knew I had just dodged the mother of all bullets.

So with this experience, I guess I've learned two things: 1, from now on, I'll let the professional graphic designers handle any icon upgrades, and 2, I've learned that you don't have to be perfect to do everything right the first time. Because, while I was worrying about what others would think of our icon, in actuality, no one really cared. Know one knew the story behind how it came to be, so essentially, all of the fears that I had about it were self-manufactured. 

So don't beat yourself up trying to be perfect all the time, especially if it's your first time up to bat. Just keep your eye on the ball and swing--you're bound to hit a home run eventually. 

My 3 Favorite 5 Letter Words

My Three Favorite 5 Letter Words on my iPad Screen

Today

Learn

Until

These are my 3 favorite 5 letter words. And they are my favorite because I've come to the conclusion that I can use any one of these words to get me through any situation. 

For example, to write this entry I used "today." It often comes in handy, because for me, it is a word that helps keep things in perspective. 

It's easy to get sidetracked by our past, or to dwell in reliving moments we either regret or would love to repeat. The same can be said with the future, I suppose. Life is filled with more options than we know what to do with, which requires us to make more decisions about the very things that will ultimately find their way into one of the two categories I just mentioned. But even as daunting (or exciting) as "future" planning can sometimes be, it can also overshadow the lessons, adventures & answers that the gift of "today" has to offer . 

It's been said that "the best way to predict the future is to create it"...

So, what better way to do that than by embracing TODAY???

The Conductor (Take Charge of your Symphony)

While channel surfing the other day I stumbled upon what appeared to be a symphony preparing for their upcoming performance. 

As the spectators were being escorted to their assigned seats, on stage the musicians were busy putting their respective instruments to the test while simultaneously getting rid of any last-minute jitters, I suppose. The noise blaring from these instruments sounded more like chaos than a soon-to-be sophisticated, professional paid event.

Conductors Baton

Then, just as it started, the noise abruptly subsided. As the lights dimmed, the conductor confidently made his way to center stage armed with his conductors baton. He looked as though he was certain it would be a night no one would soon forget. 

Which leads me to my point of today's blog: with so much "noise" in our lives, (i.e., social media, current events, family, relationships, work, medical issues, the unpredictable economy) sometimes life itself can become just as "chaotic" as that symphony rehearsal. Perhaps even though it may SEEM noisy and disorganized, in actuality, maybe life's just waiting for you to get on stage and take charge of your own "symphony".

Happy New Year!

No, it's not January 1st, but it's a personal "New Year" for me. I celebrated my birthday yesterday and made a resolution.  I've decided to start a blog and every Monday I'll make a new entry. I'm not sure exactly what I will be writing about, but it will be positive and worth reading.  Many people know me as an artist, but what they don't about me is that I hate to write. It may sound weird, considering my new resolution, but I do not like writing. I live inside my mind most of the time.  But what I've discovered is that when I write my ideas down, I'm able to separate self from thought and bring them to life. A great idea needs to have room to mature and grow on its own, and not be lost in the mix & mayhem of all the smaller, less important ones. 

Happy New Year

I've also learned that the things I put off doing are usually the very things that I should do FIRST.  So check in with me every Monday & since I've told you guys about it, I have to stick to my word.  

Thanks for reading, stay creative and remember-- you don't need to wait until January 1st to make a resolution.

-Damion