Blog Report: "Just Like the Diamond Cutter, You Never Saw It Coming!"

Howdy everyone,

So this will be a nice long and elaborate blog post. Grab a chair and sit down.

First off, there's been another delay for N0_HER0ES that has changed what was supposed to be an early 2014 release into something that may take a month or more to come out. This one is no small delay, rather it's huge and could take awhile to get past.

One of the songs set for the mixtape, may have to be rewritten or replaced entirely, due to the unexpected and unforeseen news that the guest for that song dropped out of the project. As such, I won't go into details, because I still respect the art of privacy (it's not something bad, rather it was a personal decision) and thus, it's a bitter pill to swallow, mainly due to the importance of how the song would affect the mixtape and the narrative planned for the middle chapters, and also puts a yoke around my neck for getting this project done timely.

Also, attempts to start a band have failed spectacularly. Either the people I want to work with are on the other end of MA, work 2 jobs and have no time, are perpetually unavailable, or some other reason I can't think of at the moment.

So the options left now are to keep on trying (the obvious one), or talk to another band and ask if they would consider playing the role of backing band for one night (i.e. The Roots), or swallow my pride, and stick to PA beats (the nuclear option). I'm not looking to compromise my intentions, my goals, just for a quick minute, rather, I'm trying to get the right setting to let these songs shine like they should.

In regards to the collaboration, well, I have a plethora of options, one of them is rewriting the song's 3rd verse, another is recruiting someone else to do the part, and either releasing it on the mixtape or as a remix later down the line. Scrapping it is not an option. Like I said before, no compromising.

This is a tough one. If nothing works, who knows, open it up to the public and find someone that way, I dunno. Like I've believed all my life...it's always the stuff you don't see coming that hurts the most. Sigh.

In other news, next week, we launch "Please Hold: 2014 Sampler" on bandcamp and noisetrade. Be on the lookout.

PN Evolution - coming 1.1.14



See you all later.

-MC Larny

Blog Report: announcing collaborator #1

So here we are.  The mixtape has started recording (finally) and we got some friends coming along for the ride. Yes, the guy who famously was "anti-collab" has had a change of heart. Blame being in bands and side-projects and seeing how much different and better stuff sounds with others involved, but this mixtape will have a selection of collaborators join in on the synth-heavy activities.

So without further ado, here's a special look at one of the guests on #N0_HER0ES (coming this fall)!

The Collective Lives: Enter RETROFLUX

A while ago, I pondered this idea of a collective, back in the summer. After being involved in a flurry of projects in that year (4 different ones) and making a fair amount of connections, something clicked in my head.

What if you started a collective?

I rebuffed that initially, thinking "who would want to join up for something like this?" Then I thought it over, looked at other collectives and saw serious potential among the friends and experiences I had in the past year.

Also, I felt that it would be nice to have a creative umbrella for all the upcoming projects I have, and a way to keep an association to those I want to work with/those who want to work with me. It didn't make sense to have 5 different projects or more going without some unifying method, something that could house the different ideas and projects. Sort of like a museum, it has different artists, but all under one place. Sure, they reside in different halls, different wings, but it's all in one place.

So after debating it, I discussed with friends about the idea, and it took me awhile to nail down some details, no thanks to a severe set of distractions early in the year 2013.

But with my mind clear, and my vision clear, now is the time. I'm proud to announce the formation of...

More information, including social media accounts in the coming weeks. Keep your eyes to the skies.

Blog Report: When Larny Wanted to Rock Out (for real this time)

Howdy friends,

I gave myself a few months to think this over. And I think now is the right time to say it.

I know full well that it's prime time to start a collective. But more specifically, I want to get a live backing band going. I've got my reasons for it too:

1. Almost every show has been with live instruments so far
2. I enjoy working with people in music
3. Just rapping over a beat is a cop-out
4. A live band gives more flexibility to arrangements. Songs can be expanded, truncated, re-imagined, etc.
5. The last show was a big reason to get the ball rolling. I was the only guy without an instrument. It was awkward. Good show, but it was off-setting.

However, reality is a bit of a downer in this situation. The problem is that right now, many of the people I want to play with are in a stage where no one's in a centralized location, making coordination of practice and other things, hard, if not impossible.

So in a simple way of saying it, the next generation of the live band (working title is Aces Down 2.0) will not have a static lineup, rather, it will be dynamic and changing. Instead of going through the process of losing someone then blowing it up, it will hopefully work in the fact that people come and go, and pieces will be added and subtracted as the moment calls for it. And before anyone asks, this is a bit different from the untitled project I was working on last year. Not the exact same, but unique enough to avoid confusion.

Another reason why I want to work with a band is because I have a plethora of songs written that quite frankly, would be wasted on the computerized beats method. Not saying beats are bad, but in these cases, live instrumentation gives better energy to the music that's trying to be made. There's a certain anger, a darkness to these songs that I don't think MIDI programming could totally make sense of.

Here's what I'm looking for:

• Guitar: Lead and Bass. 
• Vocalist: Hooks/Choruses and Harmonic Verses.
• Drummer: Able to play mid-tempo jams, can keep a steady beat

So yes, the next wave is going to happen. Hoping this summer or late spring but I have my doubts. Mum's the word.

-mc larny

Winter War Micro-Tour Recap (And More)

Coming off a week where everything happened, the Winter War Micro-Tour was perhaps the most physically exhausting yet rewarding set of shows I've been a part of.

I guess it was an experiment, if I could actually create a show that was reliant on one person, rather than a group of people, and do it over and over again. A sampler of a future life, I guess.

Show #1 at Patrick's in Malden was a warm up, a chance to tweak some things, soundwise and manipulation wise as well. Also, working on stage presence and just focus trying to incorporate the elements of my skill set was a focus. I would say the appreciation I received was great and encouraging. Mainly because I changed my approach.

I stopped trying to be the perfect guy, and instead just went out and existed.

Show #2 at the All Asia was rough to start with. Hoping that a chunk of my friends would be there as moral support kinda didn't happen...so I took the stage, a little nervous, a little afraid.

And what happened was magical. Just entering a zone that for so many nights, I had dreamed about, planned out and mentally prepared myself to step into.

I went for nearly 30 minutes, all rapping. Which scares me, because I think my max was probably 20 minutes, but 30, without a drink next to me, was wild. 

Getting props from the bartender was a huge boost in my confidence as well.

This was fun, very much so. Thanks to everyone who came out to see me, it was great.

The Evolution Of MC Larny: 2013

Well, who else could have imagined this?

366 days prior I was driving to Walpole to begin the new chapter of SWEETDICULOUS.

366 days later...I'm starting a new chapter again, this time, with another previously-declared-dead stage act.

That's right. Aces Down is coming back in 2013.

But before I delve into that, I need to get on the topic of some other things that have happened in 2012.

-CONFESSIONS AFTER DARK-
After a solid year of work, Confessions has arrived. 5 songs, available on Bandcamp right this moment. This is the start of the Imperfect Trilogy...uglyside is making headway right now. Should be done in Februrary, ilf all goes according to plan.

-MC LARNY GETS LIVE-
This was the dream coming true. Finally meeting collaborators who just get it, who can work with their own styles of music and merge into mine, to make something awesome happen.

I got lucky that I met Meghan and Tyler both this year, as well as Tom. The 3 of them have been a creative spark in my circuits that has got me yearning for the stage all over again. Playing new songs with them has been some of the most fun I've had in quite some time music wise.

-PROJECT NIGHTMARE DOES IT AGAIN-
5 feature installments, and a spinoff series can't describe how huge Nightmare has been to my creative process. It has been some of the best ways to express my creative sides and by doing that, I've been able to work bits and pieces into my live setup, giving old tracks new life, and new ideas a platform to jump off.

PN 36(5) was an accomplishment. 365 days, and using those as a diary of sorts. Capture emotions, triumphs, failures, all of that into instrumental expression and it becomes so much more than it looks.

Also, Project Nightroid gave me a chance to expand deeper into a more cinematic sound. One that evokes and shows different faces, but they all make sense in the big scheme of things.

OK, that's in the rearview. Let's bring out 2013!

-KEEP IT LIVE-

With the conclusion of college, it's time to go back to work with music and FINALLY get the wheels moving. Expect a lot more chances to see MC Larny live in 2013. January 9th and 13th, the dates of the Winter War Micro-Tour...an open mic and a performance at All Asia in Cambridge. Exciting times.


-THE NEXT WAVE-
Well, the trilogy will end in 2013. Somehow. And there WILL be a CD release at the same time EP #3  comes out. It will all tie in together so keep an eye out for that.

Also, hopefully backwards/forwards will formally begin tracking in 2013 as well. Once EP #3 is out, we're going in to start the next full length LP.

-THE RETURN OF ACES DOWN-

OK...let me explain.

Aces Down was dead. And it was going to stay that way. Until I came to a conclusion in the middle of last year...why not do it again?

It wasn't an easy choice. But I felt that the nature of Aces Down, the collision of musical styles, that was a good idea that ALMOST worked. So hence why it's coming back.

With all the pending instability with collaborators moving farther away from a central location, and being a first-hand victim of how distance affects musical relationships, a collective gives me a chance to work with more people, but also avoid having to shuffle lineups when something happens. It's a fluid nature.

And when you consider a collective that spans different genres, Aces Down makes sense. A lot of sense.

While I will always, and I mean this, ALWAYS have the memories of the first lineup of this band in my mind and heart, there's enough reasoning for me to make this change. Specifically, because of a lot of changes in my life, with the first lead singer and I haven't talked since 2010.

So with that noted, the first lineup is not getting back together. And it's time to reboot the Aces.

The lineup will be revealed soon. But a little word of advice...

It's always wild.

-mc larny

SHOW ALERT: 11/17 Rock For ZUMIX

Attention Boston fans:

We got a show coming up on the 17th, at the All Asia Bar in Cambridge (MBTA accessable via Red Line, Central stop). We go on at 1:20pm.

And why do I keep on saying "we"....because we have a special guest playing with us. From Remember the Grass People, Meghan will be joining us on guitar and vocals. 2 new songs, one of them you may know, the other you totally don't.

PRICE: $10 (going to ZUMIX)
AGES: all (MC Larny is for the children)
LOCATION: All Asia Bar, Cambridge MA
DOORS: 1pm

See you there. Y'all be cool.
-mc larny

Previously On...

When I left this blog in July, a lot of things were up in the air. Bands, EPs, music, life.

Fast-forward to now. It's calming down.

Confessions After Dark dropped this week, finally! It's on Bandcamp.com so do check it out. Also, PN 365 is getting closer and closer. May throw a few curves here and there...watch yourself.

January, it's back to the studio. Recording uglyside. And the final part of the trilogy will come soon after.

SOF 2 is still alive. Look for it soon.

And that's it...WAIT A MINUTE!

SHOW ALERT: 11/17 at the All Asia Bar in Cambridge as a part of the Rock for ZUMIX fundraiser. And get ready for the surprises to come.

-mc larny

blog report: since we last spoke...

howdy,

a decent amount of time has passed since I've blogged about music. here goes.

PROJECT NIGHTROID: July 2012. Set in stone.

CONFESSIONS AFTER DARK - BACK TO SQUARE 2: Ugh. Demo project files lost in a freak moment has pushed things backwards a bit, so I guess it's a chance to re-examine the project in full. Lyrics are being re-written right now to make the over-arching themes work so much better in context.

THE OTHER EPs: One at a time. More focused, better product in the end.

BACKWARDS/FORWARDS - WE GOT A STORY  DONE: It took a year, but finally, this album's grand scheme is ready. Career spanning story, that is perhaps bits and pieces of 8 Mile, Rocky and some other things.

SUMMER 2012: Uh...IDK, my bff Jill? Seriously, everything got flipped on it's head at the end of May. Still dragging myself out of the crash and proceeding to limp back home. What happens next is anyone's guess.

Release schedule (as of now):
JULY - Project Nightroid -A Tribute to Metroid

2012: Confessions After Dark/Uglyside of Beautiful (we may bundle both together for a physical package after both are done)

2013:
Project Nightmare 365
Backwards/Forwards

So there. Stay tuned for future performance announcements.

-mc larny

Musical Manifesto

For about 2 years now, I've been in a phase of sonic experimentation, a phase that has been one of the more eye-opening experiences in my career.

Since I started making music, I've been in this bubble of what music should sound like, trying to stay within the right "genre". As I've met more and more people, been involved in more and more projects, and heard more and more songs, I realized something about 1 year ago.

The entire notion of musical genres is stupid. It's stupid to believe that one artist cannot expand their barriers to encompass multiple genres and do it right. It's stupid to close yourself to one genre in an attempt to galvanize fans into saying "i'll never sell out". it's stupid to allow conventions to kill ideas that you come up with.

I learned this when over the past year, I met so many different musicians and saw an abundance of styles that I felt as if, being closed off to genres that are outside the "hip-hop" comfort zone no longer works.

I personally, want to work outside of the genre I'm in, I want to make music with the rockers,  the indie acoustic people, anyone.

In a way, I'm still a hip-hop artist, and I always will be, I won't ever become something I'm not (a straight singer, per se), but when it comes to music I make, anything's fair game, genre wise.

I feel as if the way hip-hop is no longer as awesome as it once was is because it's become the same cycle of MCs, producers, DJs that work in the industry that innovation no longer exists. Collab verse by Drake, hook by Skylar Grey, beat by Alex da Kid, cut, copy, print.

[bleep] that!

For me, I'm always wanting to work with the people that I admire, the friends who I know will go just as hard as I will in regards to music.

So with that said, get ready. It's time to get with the outside world.

-mc larny

Silencia Q & A, Or At Least A Hypothetical One

Silencia by MC Larny

Q: What is this?

A: Silencia was a mood song, something that gained a ton of steam in a very short period of time (half a day)

Q: Who made the beat? I love it/hate it/think I can do better

A: I did, obviously.

Q: Why did you make it, exactly? What lead to it?

A: I was lounging around, and I started to just make this beat, and as the hours wore on, I had something really solid. Really good. Initially thinking this was a simple instrumental, I started writing lyrics for it and before I knew it, it all came down and just had a song there, on my laptop itching to be recorded.


Q: I get that, so about the recording thing...

A: Well, let's be honest. Haven't recorded anything in 3 years. 3 years. I've been itching to really get my rap game back on track and so far, I've come close. Did 1 show where I rapped 1 track, another where I rapped 3 tracks.... the itch came back. And if I get a creative itch, I'm going to scratch it. Believe it.

Q: OK, so on to the song...any lyrics laid down?

A: Not yet. But soon, very soon.

Q: What's the meaning of it all?

A: It's not going to be on any album, it'll be a single. Maybe it will be remixed for other uses... we'll see.

blog report: summer of fate

hey everyone,

so for those who have been reading the Facebook page and Twitter feed in the past week, you heard the rumblings, the announcements...

that "remix project" isn't so secret now. it's featuring me, and SWEETDICULOUS and it's not what you expect, from either of us.

no promises to make at this point, but I can say this is probably one of the more insane things I've ever done or tried to do in 6 years.

next post: more background on how this crazy idea came to be...

in the meanwhile, project nightmare X is rolling along nicely. by mid-august, the 8 Robot Masters will be on Bandcamp, for your listening pleasure. so stay tuned...as always.

-mc larny

Show #11

Speaking to you guys on 3/31, Thursday morning, and getting ready for a big time show rehearsal. SO excited.

If you can make it.... come to All Asia in Cambridge MA, Sunday at 3PM. 7 bucks. All ages. Get ready.

-mc larny

how 2 = 1

anyone remember hearing about this project called "Reconfigured Memories"?

and anyone else remember hearing about a new album called "Over The Edge, Under The Knife"?

Reconfigured Memories

It's something that I've been asking myself for the past 3 months. What if...what if you went back to a few select songs you made while you were inexperienced and did them over again with your new experience and lessons? You know, improve upon past songs?

I've considered it. And you know what? I'm doing it. As fond as the memories are of recording a few tracks in the early years, it should be noted that it's not easy...nah, it's downright impossible to hear myself again.

So for the sake of improvement and also saving a few good songs from being lost forever.... it's time to go back and re-do a couple of earlier songs, and also bring out some rarities.

I know I want to do Modern Day Madness again, same goes for Chillin' Like A Villain and When It's Over.... and lucky me, I have a notebook of tracks I wrote, never recorded that are up for grabs too. Maybe this is a chance to...oh, i don't know....bring some friends along for the ride?

Hopefully. Because I can't sing, and When It's Over was heavy on the singing...

No date yet, BTW. This could take awhile.... but I will tell you this...it's started.

31 Days of Madness

In anticipation of Project Nightmare 3...31 days of madness all thought the month. So here's how it breaks down:

• New clips ranging from :30 to 1:30 every day
• New full length tracks on the weekends (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday)

Get it? Great. We kick off tonight. Stay tuned.

-mc larny

Why Look Back? Let’s Look Forward…

Dang. So here we are at approx, 5 years since MC Larny started up.

5 years. Not like it’s a huge achievement. But rather, a checkpoint. A way of knowing where we’ve gone, and where are we going next.

We’ve gone thru, 3 albums, an EP, 2 mixtapes, a few shows here and there, multiple collabs with friends and peers, a few bands, 2 hiatus periods, and a ton of notebooks. Seems like a lot, when you take all the people, memories, and events that are wedged in-between April 2005 and April 2010.

It’s scary to look back and see how much things have either stayed the same, or changed radically. And yet, here we are, looking backwards to see where we’ve been…and now, it’s time to look forwards.

Let’s cut to the chase: Four projects are being worked on, a new Project Nightmare installment (May 18), 2 new EP’s (TBA 2010) and now…”Project 4”.

Project 4 is…

A new full-length album. Something that I’ve been working at for months. A concept album.

It’s called “The Imperfect Dialogue”.

Expect it (and this here is an estimate) very late 2010. 2011 even.

Maybe even “When it’s done”.

There will be lots more info in the coming months. Enjoy the wait.

-mc larny

Blog Report 3/13/2010: Shedding Some Light

Howdy,

Quick question…who here remembers the last Blog Report? Anyone…anyone…Bueller?

Played-out jokes aside, if I recall, the last post was focusing around the 4 projects currently in the works, with promises of updates.

Well, hold on tight, because for 3 of the 4 projects, it’s time to let the world know what’s really going on.

Behind door #1…Project Nightmare 2.0: It’s Just A Game

• Following the format of the 1st Project Nightmare installment, PN 2.0 is yet another mixtape of instrumentals, distributed freely.
• The theme for this installment is video games.
• Coming late May 2010 on Bandcamp.com

But wait'…there’s more! Door #2… the uglyside of beautiful

• A fresh new EP with a few new songs. Nothing too out of the ordinary.
• Production is 65-75% done.
• Coming Summer 2010 (release formats TBD)

And the last project behind door #3 is… the beautifulside of ugly

• The twin sister/brother to the uglyside of beautiful. Only this one’s more…personal. And deconstructed.
• Currently in writing mode. Instrumentation is being ironed out.
• Coming Summer 2010 (release formats TBD)

Oh yeah, about Project 4… well, I really want to wait and keep you guessing on it. Because I don’t like saying things I can’t live up to…and this is a little project I really want to get out in the best way.

We cool? Yeah.

That’s all for me…see you next time.

-MC Larny

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P.S. WE STILL NEED A VOCALIST! http://mclarnyrocks.blogspot.com/2010/03/mc-larny-needs-your-help.html

MC Larny NEEDS YOUR HELP!

*ahem*

So the new EP, "the beautifulside of ugly" is in production right now. And it turns out, I need some help.

I wrote this song called October Sky (not based on the movie, FYI) and I composed this part that sounds really good...just not if it was rapped out.

So here's the idea: I need a really talented female singer (who knows what they're doing) to sing this part. Here's the lyrics with the part highlighted (copyright MC Larny...no biting)

Watch this empire crumble underneath it’s own weight

Trying to prevent the inevitable, fighting a war against fate

It’s the end of a dream, dying in my hands

A lifetime of hope that slips like time’s sands

I knew today would eliminate tomorrow by design

I could’ve prevented this, but I was delusional, at the time

With all that’s transpired, I just want to expire with my disgrace

Fade out without a doubt in my mind, I’m not going to see the end of this race

(chorus)

And this ghost of you haunts me, underneath the October sky

I can still see this all, in the back of my eye

I wish you would leave, believe that I don’t care for you

But my lips can’t be trusted, and these careless whispers are untrue

The silence is deafening, and I am without my sanity

My reflection distorted, no honesty, just the picture of vanity

A picture of everything that could’ve been, should’ve been

The fact that I threw this away on a whim, for something where victory is so slim

This reflection lies to me, at the moment I need that truth, that proof

That where I’m going does not include us, just myself in solitude

The disconnection is so abrupt and sudden, it could be rude

But I have to, for myself this time

(chorus 2) x2

Where have you run to, where have you gone?

My fears have come true, we won’t be together for long

Standing over the mess I’ve created, I hate it

Every inch, every second, I look back and I flinch

It was never supposed to end like this, I whisper to a chorus of ambience

And then, this decision all makes sense

This city is so beautiful, especially in the night

It looks so much more wonderful, when it’s burning so bright

As I see everything I care about leave my life in minutes of ignition that loses control

A ghost rises from the ashes, that has become a parasite, feeding off my soul

And now the memories are the poison, I fear I can’t find a remedy

When the October sky hangs overhead, I hear the ghastly melody

(Chorus 3)

And this ghost of you haunts me [Where have you run to…]underneath this October sky

I can still see this all [where have you gone…] in the back of my eye

I wish you would leave [My fears have come true….] believe that I can’t care for you

But my lips can’t be trusted [we won’t be together for long] and these careless whispers are untrue

Sounds good? Then here's what I need:

1. Record a demo version of just the highlighted parts. Do it the way you feel would be "best" for the song.
2. Sound quality isn't an issue. If I can hear you, then good.
3. Email it to "m.c.larny at gmail.com". Subject Line: October Sky Demo. Have a return address included, and if you have a MySpace or another website to display your music, include that in the email.
4. If it sounds like what I'm thinking works, I'll contact you and you'll be invited to record.

So...let's hear what you got. Good luck to all of you (or in this case, any of you).
-MC Larny

Project Nightmare Follow-Up Blog Post

Hey guys and gals, MC Larny here. Hope you enjoyed and downloaded the new mixtape called Project Nightmare: Shut Up Make Music.

If you did, then awesome. Deeply appreciate it. And yes, I mean that.

Now on to other things….and that is regarding the mixtape. I feel as if that was merely a “teaser trailer” to a larger project. I’m not sure if this will happen anytime soon, but I want to do Project Nightmare 2. One thing: it has to be different. Somehow, it has to be something else, something that I’ve never done before.

R & B songs? Acoustic songs? Songs with live instruments? A mashup EP? A mixtape with nothing but Auto-Tune vocals?

Honestly, I do want to do something involving a second installment in Project Nightmare. I like the name, and c’mon, who else doesn’t do mixtape series? Some guys drop 1 a month! Of course, quality dropoff is quite likely, but that’s the risks of the game.

In all seriousness, most likely Project Nightmare 2 is going to happen sometime in the future. Not now, and most likely not by the end of the 2nd quarter of 2010.

And it will be different, that is a promise.

-MC Larny