#forrest conifer

[flowerpolitics]

my wonderful friend, Forrest Conifer, wrote this amazing song, and I sang weird stuff for it!

https://forrestconifer.bandcamp.com/

[intothefunzone-blog]

Just In Case You Were Wondering: Justin K's Atmospheric Acoustic Approach

"Sometimes a song begins with a simple guitar part that gradually changes and expands as I keep playing it over a period of months, other times something pops into my head during the day and I remember to work on it when I have time. Every once in a while an idea isn't even melodic and has more to do with dynamics and interesting changes I could put into a song.As for how much ambiance and layers I decide to add to a recording, it depends, sometimes I think a song is better stripped down, or better in a cloud of various instruments. I try not to go overboard though because it's easy for important parts to get lost in the mix." Justin K's most recent release, an untitled tape on Oakland-based Latchkey Tapes, is an uplifting, orchestral and beautifully composed work. Some songs are minimal, guitar and vocals only bit-pieces with restrained vocals and lyrics dripping emotion and doubt. Others can soar with skillfully layered vocal harmonies, dancing guitars and driving piano. "On this album the songs were recorded in different ways, some on a 4-track, some through a mixer directly into a computer, and one track was even recorded with the web cam mic on my computer. I even like the way that one sounds more than some of the other tracks." Coming down to Santa Barbara on November 20th to play a show featuring other solo artists, he knows that the life of a touring musician isn't limited to being shoved in a fan with a bunch of other people. "I guess I like it better, because I don't have to lug around a bunch of heavy equipment, and I can change parts of the songs whenever I want without having to rehearse with a few other people. It is fun to tour with a band too though, it's just a different experience."

"I once played a generator show at this park next to the water at the Port of Oakland. We had to carry our gear about half a mile, then when we played the wind was blowing so hard that I couldn't hear anything. When we got to listen to the other acts play it sounded really cool though, especially if you were a little ways away because the wind would carry the sound really far and distort it. That was a pretty weird show." Different experiences and interactions with people can influence and inspire us to reach new concepts and ideas that we never thought of before that moment. When asked what person who made music very contrary or dissimilar to his own has influenced him the most, Justin said, "I guess we didn't exactly meet because I am a musician, more we just worked at the same restaurant and hung out a lot, but Jeff Astin from Xiphiidae and Digital Natives has definitely altered the way I thought about music. His approach to sound is really unique and I love his work." Justin K will be playing FUNZONE on Thursday, November 20th with folk-punk singer/songwriter Bobby Meader (Las Vegas, NV) and Santa Barbara locals Katie Murray and Forrest Conifer. "I've never been to a batting cage before so I think I really want to try that at some point while I'm there. Also my friend Sean (Sean performed as Ashan on October 8th, 2014 with Stag Hare, Habits, Bur Gur and Rug) played there a little while ago and said it was awesome, so I think it should live up to it's name." You'll get to take some swings, Mr. K, and we're really excited to hear you play.