Cassette Recordings, Vol I [ALBUM] By Jacobthewilliam

CASSETTE RECORDINGS VOL1

Growing up, I used to carry with me a portable tape recorder everywhere I went with the intention of capturing ideas as they came flying by. I was always a believer that artistic ideas - visually and autitorally - cannot be forcefully developed into existance, but rather - these things exist somewhere between time and space, within another dimension that we as humans cannot yet conceptualize but all know it’s there. It exists. somewhere. Some people call this God. Others call it ————— And as creators, it is our job to recognize this resting place or “pocket” of intuitive knowledge…inventions… songs. Whenever we find resting place, as I like to all it, this is when true zen and euphoria or “being in the element” is figuratively breached.

Above everything else, I was somehow born with the burning desire to capture the sounds of daily activity, the awe-inspiring overtones of nature, or the cadence involved in communication between people - either speaking publicly amidst a group of peers, or speaking solely in secrecy to a soulmate. I wanted to capture this elation. Pain. Want. Persuasion and debate. The choice of words one uses in attempt to convince an absolute stranger or life-long lover to congress. Or, in other words, To.. “know what it feels like”

In addition to how individuals have their own characteristics, beliefs, and morals - from which their upbringing and environment plays a role... we must not undermine the importance of idol-ship to an adolescent coming of age. Aside from the well known folk singers and folk hero's in the American tradition, the man who fundamentally became the link between the voice of everyday folk and the masses. Because he too understood the importance of documenting the verbal cues of stories told into a time-capsule which could be sealed away and later re-opened and further enjoyed with future generations.

As Alan Lomax - with tape machine in-hand- hunted his material, my approach was to allow this material to actually materialize around me anywhere I could go. Essentially documenting my journey of life. With an end goal to capture every auditory nuance in the universe.

I was sorta on my way in doing so when i began to notice it becoming increasingly difficult to find/get ahold of brand new blank cassette tapes! Only a few stores ever did carry them. And I used to buy a pack of 2 for $5... then they became 2 for $10 if I was lucky enough to find them, that is.

So.... I managed to compile a modest 20 or so tapes (SO FAR!! I AINT DONE YET!!) . Indeed, My romanticized Lomax-like-musicologist escapades of discoveries are a bit underwhelming in comparison. And they now live quietly alone inside of a few cardboard time capsules (boxes) in the closet. Presently, whenever those melancholy types of days come by... when Im feeling reflective or jus plainly uninspired... it arouses me to open up those boxes and sort through A&B sides of unlabeled cassettes I’ve managed record. It brings me back to that moment in time. That I cherish so much. That I am so thankful for.

I've recently began the long awaited process of transferring all those tapes into digital audio files. It has been such a tremendous experience I don't want it to ever end! So I'm kinda taking my time with it and trying to be selective about the things I believe are legitimately worth sharing or, more-so, worth investing the time to active listening. Certainly this will include all the musical ideas - complete or not - but most certainly any and all music made among gatherings of friends.

Here, i am releasing the first volume of songs. It means a lot to me because its friends (or strangers) playing together, and enjoying it! On every track is myself, solo, or accompanied with one or several different friends, in different situations or different environments. Hopefully you'll be able to pick up on it. Feel free to ask me anything. Whatever you'd like. Wheew, that was long ... I bet I lost most of you LOL. Oh well, fuk it.! Enjoy....