Logo work

logo for a space synth pop band. click the photo to see it in all its glory.

Possible final version

click it to see it bigger and better

Concept ARt

Some art I'm doing for a friends album project 'The Wildlife Reserve'...the music has a space synth 80's feel with just enough organic sound to even it out. Anyways...here is one of many sketches I've done so far. It's constantly evolving...they'll be more posted as the project nears its finish. Click the pic to see it big.

Music: Walter Meego

http://www.myspace.com/waltermeego

Another figgin sweet band: MGMT

MGMT. Some more really good psychedelic rock. Really one of the best albums I've ever listened to.  

So freakin catchy: Coconut Records

Another great music project I happened upon one day at work while looking for some inspiration and distraction. Coconut Records has become a favorite of mine. Jason Schwartzman is the dude behind the magic. You might recognize him from The Darjeeling Limited or I Heart Huckabees if you had  seen those great flicks. 

After discovering Coconut on myspace I quickly and too eaily purchased the album on Itunes with one click accuracy. (Itunes. Hate it and love it) 

So much variety on this album. You just have to tap your foot or nod your head in a rhythmic fashion. Listen to the subtle sounds in each song. Some will cause you to grab a partner and waltz, some are stripped acoustic/folk and some linger on the edge of being too poppy but then the perfect guitar tone comes alive to even out the weight and add some timelessness.  

I don't normally go for catchy stuff but...

wait for it...

wait for it...

here it comes...

I was caught. 

Check it out.

Empire of the Sun

-My new favorite band as of today. I totally want to make a video like this, I am inspired. Seriously. 

Take a listen to their myspace.

Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream

My new Banjo

Just got my banjo delivered yesterday. I must say that I am quite excited about this thing. Its awesome. This will fit nicely with the folk songs I've been writing lately. I've definitely have been changing up my musical writing style as of late which is turning out to be pretty awesome. Much more unique. 

Peaceful

sway in the breeze from Ben Millett on Vimeo.

Creatively lazy.

I am somewhat creative. I love art in all its forms. I really love to create art in as many forms as I can but lately I have been so overwhelmed by all these crazy ideas that I have. There are too many projects that I want to complete that I have not completed anything in months. (For the most part)

How can I focus? 

How can I prioritize? 

Hmm. Anyways. 

The First Encounter Service

It went really well. It was fun to serve, to be a part of building something for God and for other people. There was an awesome time of worship, the band we had put together was great. I ended up performing an acoustic solo, a song I wrote that was inspired by the events of my brother becoming deathly ill for a weekend. (He is recovering btw) Boy was I nervous though, didn't think I would be but as soon as I was walking up there I got really nervous...forgot some lyrics but played it out pretty well. It's been like 3 years since I sang and played in front of people. Anyways...I'll keep some updated info about the upcoming Encounter service that will be held on July 1st. 

Echos this empty room.

No emotion

film black and white

embraced by love

so shaken

reason becomes confusion

still visions of laughter

echos this empty room

*written by Matthew Renaud

Beautiful Saviour

Beautiful Saviour

You are my love,

Creator of my heart 

I gave you to hold

I give you my life

forever more

and with this day

only you I will serve

So take my hand 

and lead me

along side your footsteps

so I might live forever

in You.  

**written by my brother Matthew Renaud**

Faded Memories

**Written and should be heard being performed by my brother Matthew. This is one of my favorite songs. **

I wish I could be there,

'cause somehow I can hear, 

your all alone, memories you can't seem to let go.

upon your face, tear drop eyes

looking back on letters of love misplaced

and pretending it was just promises never made.

yeah I see now, 

it's coming back to me,

yeah I see now,

you were everything to me.

missing those softly spoken words,

"I love you" passes me by

without a breath to faded dreams,

what will never be of these unforgotten memories. 

yeah I see now,

it's coming back to me,

yeah I see now, 

you were everything to me. 

the beginning and the end has spoken words to me

somehow this gives me peace

So you Say.

you try to breathe, your heart is bleeds

it sees it needs more than it can be without me

feeling so dry and exposed,

the weight of your words, spreading to your soul

the lies they lead, they seems to leave 

you on your own

what now remains is only this empty mark and trace of what was,

what is, and what will solemnly be faced,

your memories never seemed as black and white, like tonight,

you promised yourself you'd never cry again.

so you said.

you substitute what you thought would only fill

wounds so deep, so empty, so strong they hold you so still,

shell filled illusions of fear and doubt, and stolen emotions

you thought were good as dead,

so you said. 

don't let this be the last on your list of regrets,

it's getting longer as time goes on,

it's getting longer it won't be long 

till it catches up with your heart,

it won't be long till everything is gone 

and your left all alone with a bleeding heart 

and your tears will fall farther than ever before,

the floor never seemed so far from the door,

where will you go from here

Finally got an IPOD

I could never bring myself to spending ~$300 for an Ipod so I took the plunge and got an new but old IPOD Nano off Ebay for $40. I'm pretty happy with it, 2 gigs is enough to hold a grip load of songs and the thing is freakin small and light so that's nice. 

My heart is breaking for someone very close to me

it's okay to be worn out

to throw your hands

and want to leave town

open your mouth

and tell me 

everything

we'll go from there

MAE and The Honorary Title

Once again we went to the MAE show. We've seen them probably twice a year for the last few years. This time The Honorary Title (which is one of my favorite bands) were along for the ride and opened for MAE. Amazing show, the best show I've probably have ever seen.

It was held at the Marquis Theater in Denver. The smallest venue around ended up hosting this huge show. This was cool cause you couldn't be further than fifty feet from the stage.

This time around MAE had this crazy screen behind them that had all these videos that have been cut to each song. Images of space and time travel , stop motion flowers blooming, trees, buildings, random people and there was all this random obscure footage blended together which matched up with the feeling of each song, each part of each song.

It's weird but MAE is deffinatley more than just music. If you have the chance to grab one of their albums, get "The Everglow" and you'll see what I mean. Then if you get the chance to see them live, do it. They have so much fun up there and sound so freakin good.

Some good things.

My brother just broke the news that he and his wife Jennifer are pregnant! I am super excited for them. They have been trying for a long while and it looked as if it was only going to be a miracle to get pregnant because of some issues...they got their miracle! So that is really cool...

Me and Tess were able to go see MAE and Anberlin in concert on Sunday night. Not only was the show awesome as usual (Both bands are my favorite live bands) but we got to see MAE put on an acoustic show for 12 people including us in their dressing room. They were having a toy drive so if you brought some toys you were taken in for the show. Awesome.

I got a raise and slight promotion at work. I am now officially DPA Microphones, Inc. Graphic Designer/Marketing guy. It will be nice to be creative all day long now. The shipping thing was getting really boring for me.

Somebody save the Honky-Tonk

I've needed some sort of change lately. I chopped off most of my hair, it was getting quite long. My usual emo/mullet is gone. I look somewhat clean cut besides the beard I am growing again. It's an anual thing, the beard. Anyways...what I am really writing about is music.

This need for change was met by some old school country music. My buddy Jed has been plugging away while tuned in to Merle Haggard and such. I am hooked. Pandora.com allows you set up a personal radio station. You just type in a band that you like and they will play that band along with lots of other bands with that sort of style. It's like the ultimate un-ending mix-tape.

If you'd like some good music that will get your foot-a-tappin or tears a-rollin...then build a station with Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson. There is nothing like the soothing sounds of a smooth voice, steel guitar, mandolin, and lyrics full of truth, pain, and love. The original.