A 'Kismet' wedding (for Grae and Bayet)

Grae is one of my Aikido senseis.  I haven't attended the sessions for a time now with the daunting and gruesome tasks abound my current job.  He is also one of those dependable people I can talk sense to - a fellow board member of Artist Ko as well.

He rang some time in July (or was it June) for a couple of very momentous favor.

First he invited me to his wedding slated in September.  Then he asked if I could sing 'Kismet' on that day for him and his bride.  Oh really?

Amidst my very hectic schedule, I admittedly got so flattered that I couldn't say no... more so to a very good friend.

If you haven't heard this song yet, turned out to be very appropriate I realized.  I'm a wedding singer now (hahaha and I must admit it was fun).


Kismet by Zafra

So here I am, staring at the "stars" feeling like I'm falling in love too :) too bad I don't have the video.

Spending that time again / With the mem'ries from June to September
Downtime, your heart is breaking / Like glass it shattered
Then one day he came along / He started painting colors
But he doesn't know that you cared

'Kismet My Version' is a videoke contest

I want to look back to wonderful memories such as this and say ."I've done something outrageous."  And 22 Tango Records thought of this.  Well it's Cattski's... her mind at work.  She seems to never run out of things to think about.  I think this videoke event is a really good idea


Have fun making your own videos.


Here's the mechanics (drafted by Cattski and reposted from Squidoo):

1) If you're...

A girl...


A boy...


If you're both (uhm that didn't sound right...hahaha!) or if you want to sing with a partner, sing the duet version.


2) Use your web cam, phone cam or any type of video device and FILM YOURSELF (or ask someone to do it for you) while you sing Kismet with the VIDEOKE/MINUS ONE YouTube vids below. Make sure you have a working pair of computer speakers so the accompaniment will be picked up by your PC's microphone! (This has been done before by a lot of people, I'm sure you can figure this out). Be creative. Come up with your own style, apply gimmicks etc, you're free to do whatever you want, but please we beg you, don't go naked!

3) Upload your own Kismet video on YouTube, Facebook and send a link or PM Cattski on Facebook via www.facebook.com/cattski.espina, www.facebook.com/CATTSKI, or you can email the YouTube link to cattskiespina@yahoo.com. You may also tweet her.

4) Deadline of submission is December 11. The winner gets an entire Kismet Merchandise (CD, shirt and journal) and will sing his, her or their version of Kismet together with the band (Zafra or Cattski) on December 12 for the KISMET MY VERSION LIVE at the Outpost.

Cheers!

We love surprises don't we?

I didn't expect this to happen.  Great crowd.  Cattski knows.  One good fateful evening.  Thanks Goth.

Kismet Stills and Lines

So the success was kismetical.  Of course I'm talking about the launch of Kismet singles in Handuraw.  And it's just the beginning of more good things to come.  It never ends.

For starters, 22 Tango Records, Cattski's indie label thought of this.  I'd like to call it 'Stills and Lines'.

Artists are kids

After the Kismet launch, I found myself committed in an interesting talk with three attractive and beautiful ladies about how it's like to be in a relationship with an artist?  I enjoyed this.

And so we went on, I somewhat disagreed on a few opinions, acquiesced on some.  It's interesting to note how the ladies' view artists - that while they're not boring people, they easily get bored.  Hmmm... everybody does.

Artists are generally playful.  It's what they are.  Creativity requires no restrictions and boredom is an ailment when obstructions come.

In my opinion, it is important to accept them that way.  Boredom shouldn't be an excuse.  They are artists and in any situation one must "play" with them to keep the spark going.  Teach them to "play" with you too.

I'm not sure if I'm saying this right but artists are kids.  Not afraid to explore possibilities.  Always curious.  The downside is that most of them are unmindful of responsibilities and commitment.  Most of them have misplaced pride.

But between an artist and other professionals (lawyers, accountants, etc. which are trained skeptics in schools), I'd choose the former.  Because creative people are far more fun than skeptics.

Live bleeds and video drama tricks

For those not familiar with studio recording jargon, the word "bleed" means another musical instrument has been recorded in another musical instrument's pick up microphone.  Get it? No? Never mind.  Of course you can't hear the bleeds because Paul Canada did a splendid job on the mix down.

And I must tell you, no love relationships were caught in this music video (wink wink).  But if you insist, blame it on Kaloy Uypuanco for doing a really good job (on the video okay?).  But mind you we were all just characters acting like recording artists...errr... yeah we were all just acting.  The rest are all  video tweaks and tricks.

Enjoy!

The Kismet Singles

It's not everyday that musician/artists get the chance to share ideas with visionaries like Ysai Perez (executive producer), and Cattski Espina (22 Tango Records label manager/proprietor). The experience of collaborating with these creative people felt more like a privilege.

I am also grateful and proud to have worked with people that helped this project move. Thanks to my bandmates - Jay Young and Marc Nadela, the ballad mates Jude Gitamondoc (the piano man), Miches Bianan, Junel Codilla, and last but not the least Cattski's musicians - Cedric Fernandez and Eimer Tabasa.

Of course I also am thankful for the very important back end people starting with Lucille Umali for the fantastic fuschia pink-ish album cover art; Paul, Mic-mic, and Jad for the great mix downs and masters; and The Outpost people for their patience during the ambush rehearsals having played Kismet over and over and over again (hope it didn't get any of those ears bleed).

I had the most fun with The Kismet Singles this year. This is an album with wonderful and priceless memories. From the time I wrote the lyrics (more than 2 years ago), to its early high pitched chord caught in video, to blogs and reposts and tweets and retweets, the brainstorm sessions, and now with the merch (shirt and journal)... it's amazing to finally see where it's going and how things could work perfectly...

...kismetically.

Lyrics to KISMET

The record will be out soon. Thank you for the inspiration.

KISMET words and music by C.D. Zafra

Spending that time again

With the memories from June to September

Downtime, your heart is breaking

Like glass it shattered

Then one day he came along

He started painting colors

But he doesn't know that you cared

There you are staring at the stars

You're falling in love again

You don't care if it's so much to bear

'Coz you're falling in love

Falling in love again

He thinks of you tonight

You said you don't feel the same

But somehow he's getting in

Your heart is but denying

There's so many possibilities

You got cynical

But deep inside you knew

There you are staring at the stars

You're falling in love again

You don't care if it's so much to bear

'Coz you're falling in love

Falling in love again

And then you look back now

The pain is lost again

Your hopes are shining like the sun

And the memories changed

It's now but rearranged

'Cause something good is happening

And you don't wanna let it go

There you are staring at the stars

You don't care if it's so much to bear

'Coz you're falling in love, falling in love again

There you are staring at the stars

You're falling in love again

You don't care if it's so much to bear

'Coz you're falling in love, falling in love again

Falling in love again

Falling in love again

Falling in love again

Falling in love again

ZAFRA version recorded and mixed at Backyard Project Studio by Kerryl Gonzaga Demeterio

CATTSKI version recorded and mixed at 1032 Recording Studio by Jan-Daryl Bantug

Produced by Ian Zafra

Exec. Producer Ysai Perez

(c) 2009 by ICO Music

(p) 2009 by ICO Music Publishing Inc.