Why I Write Songs

At the most basic level, the reason is that I enjoy pairing words with melodies and music.

However a time did come where that was no longer enough.  Where the frustration of seeking the ever elusive "deal" overpowered the joy of creating.
It was a dark time and I felt like I had to walk away.  So for a long time there was no music, no creativity, and no words.

Music didn't appear to be providing any rewards, and it seemed time to put energy toward pursuits which might reciprocate the energy and effort I was putting forward.  Or at least not leave me feeling empty and disappointed.
So, I was working longer hours. And trying to make home life better for my wife and I. We eventually decided to have children.

And this was all great.  I had convinced myself that I had "retired" from music and that it was time to move on.

Then one day, my songwriting partner James showed up.  And he said to me - "do you really want to go out like this?"  "Don't you want your kids to know about your talent?"

After that conversation, I began to feel a bit of the tug to re-engage with creative pursuits.

But I told myself that this time around, I wouldn't let the business end of things get in the way.  That the pursuit of "the deal" wouldn't be the driving factor, as I had allowed it to eventually become.  I would return to basics, and create for the joy of creating.

As I began to write again, I discovered that I needed to have something to say.  Now, don't take this as some effort on my part to be "high faluting" or superior somehow to others.  But it felt to me, like the "let's party", "ooh Baby, Baby" space was pretty well covered.  And there just wasn't much motivation for me there.  This doesn't mean that I don't write songs in that orbit.

It does mean that I'll tend to write more about issues that resonate with me and that I hope will give people that listen to me something to think a bit about.  Social justice, environment, war, peace and poverty are some of the subjects that you might hear about from me.  And of course there’s always a “love song” or two which make their way into the mix.
So, this time around I believe that I’ll keep writing, as long as I feel that I have something to say.

Stay Peaceful & Positive

Leemanuel

http://www.leemanuelsmusic.com
https://jp.twitter.com/LeemanuelsMusic
https://www.facebook.com/LeemanuelsMusic?ref=hl
 

Six Over 1 - 7: The debut Album from Leemanuel

Wow! It's been a long time since I've talked to you here.  My apologies for the extended absence.

So, what have I been up to?  Why, thanks for asking!  I'm part of a creative team called Inception.  And one of the things that we did recently was help with producing a documentary about the Latino community in Milwaukee.

A lot of behind the camera work and editing.  It was a lot of fun.  But it also consumed a lot of time.  At the same time that all of this was going on, I was still putting together the debut album and trying not to be a derelict Dad and Husband.  And yes, I do have a DAY JOB, so my time has been stretched.

So my debut Album is titled "Six Over 1-7" and a few people have asked me "What's up with the name?"

Well, here's the story:  Back in the day, one of my best friends introduced me to the Dog Track.  Now I didn't know anything about Dogs and betting, but I figured, what the heck, let's go check it out.  After a few visits of watching, I thought I was ready to make my own pick of a race.  The bet I made was for what's called a Quinella Wheel.  You have to pick the 1st place Dog and the 2nd and 3rd place dogs, but the 2nd and 3rd place can cross the finish line in any order.  Now we weren't "high rollers" or anything - so we tried to keep the bets to a minimum and would bail out before the losses would mount too high.  So the Quinella Wheel was a $2 bet back then.

All of my picks were complete long shots.  In fact, when I told my friend what I wanted to bet and asked him to place it, he looked at me like I was unhinged and tried to talk me out of it.
By the time the race had started, he had not yet returned to our table, and I was looking around for him, because from the start the #6 Dog shot of the gate with the lead.  The 1, and 7 were in the pack, but it was still early.

As the race progressed all three of my picks were out front, but my friend still had not returned.  At the halfway point, he arrived at our table, and I'm asking "Did you place the bet!"  He told me he almost didn't, and I told him to take a look at the track, because my picks were leading!

When the race ended, the #6 was in first place, and I honestly don't remember the order of the 1 and the 7 dogs, but my long shot bet had come in.  Over the years this became a running joke for us, and I told him that if I ever did an album, that Six Over 1-7 would be the title.

This time, I'm the long shot.  I don't have a million dollar advertising and marketing campaign in order to convince people that I'm worth their time.  All I have are some songs that I think are great, and hopefully the word of mouth and support from you to make my debut a success.

Six Over 1-7 will be released on January 18th as both a digital download and physical CD.  You'll be able to find it at Apple iTunes, Amazon MP3, Google Music Store and many others.  But you can listen to it right now over at SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/leemanuelsmusic/sets/six-over-1-7

Stay Positive and Peaceful!

Be sure to visit me!
http://www.leemanuelsmusic.com/
http://www.facebook.com/LeemanuelsMusic?
https://twitter.com/LeemanuelsMusic

Album Release

Heyas! -

When I was little, one of my fondest dreams was to get signed to Motown records.
I always wanted to part of the famous Motown family which included Stevie Wonder,
Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Temptations, The Jackson Five, Smokey Robinson,
and so many other incredible artists.

Cutting to the Chase

My wife and I have undertaken the task of having our basement renovated.
It's been feeling like a new construction project, but we're finally at the home stretch.
And of course, now that we have new space, we need to put things in that space.

Freedom Fries anyone?

The sabre rattling continues as it appears that our elite continue to push the U.S. towards war with Iran.

Leemanuel's Book Club

Heyas!

OK, I don't have a book club.  I, mean it's not like I'm Oprah or anything.
But I've just ordered two new books today, and I'm very much looking forward to reading them.

Do You Remember America?

In the Home of the Brave
and the Land of the Free
prisons overflowing
and fear's our closest friend