CAN'T SPELL HEART WITHOUT ART!!!

Crunch time!!! This Saturday, July 21, 2012 is our CD release party at The Orlando Brewing Company!!!!

I'm super excited about this album, goosebumps excited! It's so great it makes me want to vomit, does that make sense?  Anywhooo we reached out to a couple of our friends whose artwork we enjoy and support to collab with us on artwork for the new album. So what we did is we ordered a ton of Eco friendly recycled CD sleeves and gave them to our local artists to ingeniously create the album cover. We stamped SNAFU on all the covers and told them they have free range in their creativity.

I fully challenged myself because I know nothing about drawing. Every time I would paint or draw I'd get so discouraged that I would walk away from it. I told myself I would do 5 album covers and they are going to be awesome! Self motivation was flowing and I forced myself to draw what ever.  So I just want to share with you my 5 album covers I have done yay! Its front and back and I hope you like and buy ;> These are the font and back sides. I think I did a pretty awesome job and since I started I cant put the pen, colored pencil, crayon, paintbrush down.

This is proof that you can do anything you put your mind to and just let it flow naturally. It's not perfect but its my work that I am proud of. Now I have people asking me to make them logos for their business's. Their stunned to hear that I just started drawing last week and it makes me feel a way that keeps me motivated to continue on another artistic journey. Not only am I a writer, poet, singer, hula hooper, motivator, now I am a true artist too. It still sounds funny when I say it but I conquered my doubt in myself and prospered in it. If I was ambidextrous I would write, sing, and draw at the same time. In no time I will be creating masterpieces!!! FUNK YEAH!!!

I'm excited to see the other artists work and I'll try to get pics of some before they are all gone. Thank you to all the local artists who are supporting us in participation with the album covers. You guys are amazing and I look forward to seeing everyone at the CD release party.

Here's my work!

JULY 21, 2012!!!!! SNAFU CD RELEASE PARTY!!!! RIDE THE PARTY BUS, MEET NEW FRIENDS, JAM TO THE NEW ALBUM LIVE!!! WWW.SNAFUONLINE.COM FOR MORE INFO!!! THANKS FOR ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT, SEE YOU SATURDAY!!!

~ciao.bless.

Bruised but not broken!!!

Its been a while friends and life throws so many curve balls you have to stay quick on your feet and not succumb to defeat. If you give up before your next step that could have been the step you have been waiting for your whole life. We have come to far and to turn back now, that is just blasphemy. Pressing forward with this faith brewing fire within us with passion. Music is our remedy through the insanity.

Honesty sets you free right? Well here's some honesty for you. I quit my job because I lost my mind, the mind "lossage" (<-totally not a word, or is it? hmmm) also made me cut my hair which I have no regret. It was time for a change, and boy what a change indeed. I still haven't found a job I was ready to pack up my life and run home to mommy. No Shame! My main concern was my band and I was ready to quit the band and start over in Boston, only for financial reasons (i hate money). For sure a part of my soul would have been taken from me and the repair would leave a scar that would last forever. My life is my music with my band and some people just don't understand how i feel about my band a little over obsessed but hey if you love like I love then you love hard and forever. Cold weather and snow I hate but I would have to deal, the comfort of home would have kept me warm. Since moms all churchychurchy I don't know how long it would last before I lost my mind in debates with her anyway on the whole religion topic. I love that lady regardless, through it all in GOD I trust. Anyways I felt hopeless in everything, I felt like I could do so much but I can't do anything, and I found myself straying away from a lot of really good people who i adore. I realize that is not the person I am and I'm definitely trying to get back to the AB/Tammy/Tommy/Novel-T/Perxii (whatever you call me, its all me) that everyone loves (bare with me and my transformation it takes time). More importantly getting back to the soul that i know and love but just better. I'm still fighting to stay here in Orlando, right now as I update this I'm back and forth filling out applications.

Recording the album with so much on my mind and soul i feel as though i could have done so much more. There was those should have, would have, could have moments when listening back to the album that is currently done. Overall the album has a feel like none other and I am very proud of the hard work these guys have put into it. We can not be compared to any other band currently or before us. We may have a similar messages to some extent but this movement is on a level of no comparison. Just to think we are on the way to bigger and better, onward and upward. There's no gimmicks or false advertising here, its either your with us or just get out the way as we pass you by on the way to our destiny or as i like to call it THE FUNK YEAH MOON. So much to accomplish with SNAFU there's no way I can leave so send me some positive vibes to stay in Orlando and fulfill all my endeavors, the Universe has my back but none-the-less pray and meditate that all goes according to our souls desires. What I have realized is me judging myself and criticizing myself and not listening to my intuition is where I find major fault. I snapped out of that nightmare quick. Always go with your gut feeling it wont steer you wrong. People expect us to be a certain way as artists and when we don't live up to their expectations its all types of fuckery that comes out of their mouths. Chill out we have our own high expectations and you are entitled to your opinion. Its hard enough doing what we are doing and we will always get reviews that we love, like, dislike, or "hated it". But I'd rather get criticized on being original in our own work than a copycat of the norm. We are a DIY band and we are spreading our good graces throughout the land the bast way we can. Community driven with a divine purpose to connect with each soul.

Through it all I have written more songs, short stories, and poetry. The experience has opened my eyes to what I truly need and what I truly love and the next step is soon to come. Through my struggle my band has faithfully been working hard on getting the album mastered and copywritten (<-spell check). Doing so much like artwork, getting everything ready for the CD release party, booking the venue and other bands and vendors and all of that. As I weep in my corner of financial fuckery, which smells by the way (it smelled bad way before i got there). They have been such an amazing team to do what they do and I am just so grateful for all their hard work and dedication to the band. They never stop and that Jessica is a force to be reckoned with too!

Mark your calendars!!!
CD RELEASE PARTY!!!  JULY 21, 2012 AT THE ORLANDO BREWING COMPANY, DOWNTOWN ORLANDO FLORIDA!!!!!!! FUNK YEAH BABY!!!

We all go through our trials and tribulations, we just have to stay positive and focus even harder on what we aim to achieve in this life. Make sure you can live with yourself once you make your final decisions. The fact that I have no job, no money, a bootleg car with no gas in it, bills piling up, no phone...yes NO PHONE (tragedy!) I still have my soul, my heart, my will, my faith, my family here and beyond, and my determination. You cant put a price on that, and it sure ain't for sale!!!


Blessings to you my friends, I will make a strong effort to update as much as possible. Support your local business, artists, and bands!!! Much Love!



~ciao.bless~
AB Novel-T

We got down...Down-Low!!!

The Down-Low Show was at Tanquerays, the only underground bar downtown and one of my favorite bars in Orlando. You will always find a familiar face in the crowd, and that's always a treat. Our friends came out to support us and we made some new fans! I love singing for my friends, fans, and family. I really don't like the word fan because fans eventually become our friends and I treat my friends like family so you do the math on that. Seeing everyone enjoying our music just puts me at a lost of words sometimes, so grateful to being living out my dreams.




Getting real deep for a moment---> Looking into the crowd and connecting with new souls, makes me connect even further. When I say the people I interact with make me do what I do, I mean it. Energy is transferred between us. When I write I write for you, knowing I have something for you. Your struggle is my struggle. Your happiness is my happiness. So when I'm writing I write from a place where I feel you reside and when I sing I sing from a place where you have double occupancy. We all need an upliftment and we all go through the same thing "the struggle", on different levels of course. We all want to know that we are not alone, there's always someone going through the motions. We all need words of upliftment and we are all human so we get mad at the world and I'm going through the motions just like everyone else. My aim and determination is to let everyone know "Fuck it! Live your life, ALL of it. The good, the bad, the awesome and the insanity. Just don't be consumed by the negativity, the good will always out weigh the bad!"

aaaaaand scene!

We played some new jams that we never played live before and everyone was pretty much diggin it, and it was pretty early too so they weren't just "drunk liking" everything and saying "i love you" every 2.5 seconds. You all know what I'm talking about! Friends singing along to our originals and covers, they make my heart smile and its always awesome randomly getting leghumped! ;) There's always 3 types of people in the crowd, those who stay for the first 2 hours, those who come in for the last 2 hours, and those who stay all night long. Here's how I seen things in my eyes this night. 10-12 crowd was awesome, they we're attentive and drinking and singing along, 12-2 crowd was not as energetic as the crowd before hand (shocking), they were people Ive never seen before which is always fun because this is where I turn into a "Jehovah's Witness" and try converting folks. I want people to genuinely like my band and the music we write and play, only if they are truly moved by us. (I ask people not to be fake because you have to live with yourself being fake and I don't see how people like living like that.) The 10-2 crowd was awesome, the support was on high from them. We appreciate all the love and support and those who doubted us in the beginning and loved us at the end, we thank you for the opportunity to to funk your life up!!!













~ciao.bless~

Cloudy Logic's SNAFU ROCKUMENTARY!

Cloudy Logic is doing a Rock Documentary on SNAFU. This Rockumentary started before I was a part of the band but Cloudy Logic has flattered me and insisted interviewing me to get me in the Rockumentary before they finished productions. It was nerve wrecking for me because this was my first official interview in front of a camera. I'm shy at heart, so I hope I did a good job "playing" relaxed.


I played a reverse role with the owner of Cloudy Logic, Ken Lowrie. Normally he is the one asking the questions but it was my turn to ask him a couple of questions, so we all have an understanding of who Cloudy Logic is and how they crossed paths with SNAFU. Here are the questions I asked Ken via email and his answers.


Novel-T: How did Cloudy Logic come to be?

Ken: Cloudy Logic was "officially" formed in 2004. Although we began creating media content in the late 1990's, and published originally under the name "Cloud 9 Entertainment", which was actually the name of another production company we later found out, so we had to change it. :) We love making movies, music videos, pretty much anything and everything with a camera. What started as a hobby has turned into a career, but it doesn't really feel like that most of the time, because we really love doing this!

Novel-T: How did you meet Snafu?

Ken: As part of one of our final projects at Full Sail University, we had to pitch a treatment for some type of video project to the Producing Class instructors. A few of my classmates had met SNAFU at their CD Release Party that was filmed by the crew over at Orlando Live, and so we decided to approach them with a concept to produce a music video for their track "The Girl". We just needed their buy-in and support, originally we didn't actually plan to shoot it, since the goal of the class project was only to get the instructors to "green light" it. But after we did all the work, we kind of liked it, and so we decided to pursue actually producing it. Cloudy Logic signed on as one of the primary producers behind the project, and things just kind of took off from there.

Novel-T: Why did you choose Snafu for a Rock Documentary?

Ken: Cloudy Logic has had a number of successes in our past shooting and producing documentary style projects. It's fun to capture and tell the story of places and people. Although we kind of wanted to shoot another music video, logistical issues prevented that, so I pitched the idea of the rockumentary to the band, they liked it, and so we got started. Believe it or not, that was back in early 2010! It's been a long road, but we're just about done, and ready to release it. I can't wait, and I know that SNAFU and their fans can't either. A lot has changed since we wrapped principal photography and began the long road down post production lane. They added a new singer, er uh, that would be you; they recorded a new album which should be coming out soon, etc., etc. So we gotta get this out, cause it's getting a bit dated already. LOL!

Novel-T: What's next for Cloudy Logic?

Ken: We're just continuing to make new stuff, although nowadays we try to stick to shorter duration projects, because we can turn them around a lot faster. Of course when the right project comes along, you can be sure we'll jump on board, regardless of the length and/or complexity! So to answer your question, "Yes, something's next, we just aren't sure what it is just yet! :) In the mean time, we're just gonna keep making anything and everything that comes our way."

Novel-T: When do you think the SNAFU Rockumentary will be released?

Ken: We are planning on doing the world premiere on December 3rd, 2011. Stay tuned to us as well as SNAFU on Facebook and/or Twitter for more details. As far as general release, our immediate plans are to run through the film festival circuit with it, so it'll probably be a little while before you can see it on Vimeo or Facebook. Which is all the more reason to come out and watch it on December 3rd!

Novel-T: How can people find out more about Cloudy Logic?

Ken: You can check us out:
On the web: http://www.cloudylogic.com/
On Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/cloudylogic
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cloudylogic
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/cloudylogic

I would like to thank Ken Lowrie for being so generous with his time and for all his hard work that he does and support that he shows for SNAFU! Thank you Ken, we love all of the members that make up the phenomenal Cloudy Logic!!!

Here is a teaser from the SNAFU ROCKUMENTARY!!! Sorry to tease you but hey you will get to see the full Rockumentary soon, so its definitely worth the wait. I hope you guys enjoy this!





~ciao.bless~

WE ARE THE NATION OF NOMINATION!!!

WE ARE THE NATION OF NOMINATION!!!


SNAFU played the Deland Music Festival last year and we have been on the move ever since. On the road promoting, rippin stages every chance we get, recording a new album, and supporting our community. Our hard work has not gone unnoticed and I'm glad we made such an impact to even be nominated for the Songwriters Showcase of America Music Awards as "Band of the Year". Check this out too even our badass bassist Steve Taylor is up for a nomination for "Musician of the Year". GO STEVE! WHOOPWHOOP!


If you would like to support SNAFU please click on this link http://www.ssa.cc/ and follow the prompts to cast your votes for SNAFU as Band of the Year and for Steve Taylor as Musician of the Year. We appreciate all the support our friends, family, and fans have given us and we will keep this SNAFU LOVE FIRE BURNING!!!


We are most gracious for the nomination and there's some kickass bands we're up against too. We head back out to Deland on Nov.5th to get on stage and set our souls on fire and let the natives smell the funk we're bringing. We'll be basking in the ambiance at THE ABBEY http://www.abbeydeland.com/ located at 117 N Woodland Blvd, Deland, FL 32720 at 11pm. Last year I had so much fun in Deland, we gave out hot cocoa and download cards to all the festy goers hoping they would come out and support us and alot of them kept their word. We love you for that Deland, that made me feel warmer than the hot cocoa I served! I'm definitely looking forward to playing there again, and hopefully see some familiar faces and gain some more awesome new fans.

Before we funk up Deland we will also be funkin' up Tanqueray's located in downtown Orlando
100 S. Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32801 on Nov.4th so come out and get funk'd up with us we play from 10-2:30. We love Tanqs!!!



Thank you again for the love and support, we appreciate it tremendously!



These lovely pictures were taken by the lovely Jackie Ihnenfeld of Ihnenfeld Photography http://www.ihnenfeldphotography.com/. Thank you for the great pics Jackie! We love you!

~ciao.bless~

F! THE MAN FEST II

This years F! THE MAN FEST II was held in the back lot of The Milk Bar www.facebook.com/themilkbar this bar is cozy, fun, and always has great prices for beers and a super wide selection to choose from too. It was an awesome turn out and very entertaining for everyone. F! THE MAN FEST is a celebration of local culture, passion over profit. We support our community, all those who DIY (do it yourself) and of course Snafu is a proud representative of the DIY epidemic. Come and join our communities www.snafuonline.com/,
www.myspace.com/snafutheband, www.facebook.com/snafuband, www.twitter.com/snafuband.



THIS MOVEMENT WAS CREATED STRICTLY TO CELEBRATE LOCAL & INDIE CULTURE, AND A BIG MIDDLE FINGER TO CORPORATISM, CONSUMERISM, AND "THE MAN"!


Awesome performances by SKIP THE ARTIST http://www.skiptheartist.com/ He is just amazing and he is a true form of what an artist should be. THE BLOODY JUG BAND http://www.bloodyjugband.com/ This was my first time seeing this band and I can truly appreciate the musicianship, they put on a great show. The 20 PENNY CIRCUS http://www.20pennycircus.com/ These guys are insane! They left me with questions unanswered like they said would happen. Their face paint was more than enough to turn me on but the fire poi and fire hoops had me going bonkers. They were just full of surprises, and i liked it. Then these local cats called SNAFU http://www.snafuonline.com/ did their thang and blahblahblahblah hahaha. We love our community and they showed up for us and we played our hearts out for them in appreciation.

I was dressed by Vintage Vintage Shop http://www.vintagevintageshop.com/ my friend Jenni hooked me up and it was cool enough outside to throw on some bad ass boots with the outfit. I felt like a million bucks because of VintageVintage, especially now that my hair is back red again too.









We support our friends!!! The marketplace was filled with local handmade crafts from HAPPY HULA HOOPS http://www.happyhulahoops.com/ which I'm so proud to be a part of, so let me know if you need a custom hoop made for you or a loved one. ENSEMBLE PIECES www.facebook.com/ensemblepeices, awesome jewelry, clothes, hats, bags, and incredible nicknack's you're bound to love. JOYAS JEWEL ARTS www.facebook.com/joyasjewelsarts had awesome beautiful jewelry. FISH OUT OF WATER SUSHI TRUCK www.facebook.com/fishoutofwater was so unbelievably good, I'm drooling just thinking about it. SPOOKY BLACK CAT CAFE https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spookys-Black-Cat-Cafe-and-Milk-District-Marketplace/167057239977635 was all around deliciousness! ORANGE BLOSSOM PILSNER http://www.orangeblossompilsner.com/ quenched my thirst so good with the OBP2. You cant go wrong with an 11% alc beer, for my fellow drinkers out there, you know what I'm talking about!

I support my friends because they do awesome things for our community and everyone should know of their talents. Quinton Sheer is a dear friend of mine and a total music junkie, oh and he's a lawyer so he thinks he's so sexy now! His podcast airs Tuesday nights from 8-10pm so tune-in next time on his website http://www.qshouse.com/ and if you need an awesome lawyer check him here as well https://www.facebook.com/#!/QEntertainmentLaw. Another good friend and music genius Ben Gardner from http://www.orlandobands.com/ came to show his support as well and I love seeing his sexy face in the crowd! I put my spotlight on these guys and their hard work. I'm a proud supporter and leghumper of these guys!

Cloudy Logic was in the audience too! They are doing a Rockumentary on us, Ill have a new blog up all about them. In the mean time in between time check them out at www.facebook.com/cloudylogic and http://www.cloudylogic.com/. These guys are local and super awesome!

I really enjoyed everyones company from 20 Penny creating a "high5zone" (which was genius!) to the free beers from OBP which got me krunk to get on stage and throw that soulfunk down on ya! Cant forget the awesome live art and music, familiar faces, new friends, and all the awesome conversations. I cant forget the little 3 year old trying to hula hoop, she was too cute! This movement was enjoyable and filled with smiles, super duper "hi5s", positive words, and creativity.

THIS MOVEMENT WAS STRICTLY CREATED TO CELEBRATE LOCAL & INDIE CULTURE, AND A BIG MIDDLE FINGER TO CORPORATISM, CONSUMERISM, AND "THE MAN"!

SNAFU IS A PROUD REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DIY MOVEMENT AND I HOPE WE HAVE INSPIRED OTHERS TO DO THE SAME AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS. THE COUNTRY HAS FAILED IN THIS ASPECT AND ITS OUR RIGHT TO START AND CONTINUE THE PROCESS OF UPLIFTMENT THROUGH SUPPORTING OUR HOMEGROWN LOCALS! BE THE CHANGE!

F! THE MAN WE HAVE OUR OWN PLAN!!!

~ciao.bless~

Recording!

Recording awesome! ;-/

Anyone who has ever recorded will tell you theres nothing fun about doing the same thing over and over and over until you get it right. It's annoying that's what it is. But with every career chosen theres a struggle but none-the-less I love my job. The thing about me is if I don't get it right when I'm all amped about it. "YEAH LETS DO THIS AAAAAAHHHHHH" Pumped up! Then the results are lets do it again and then again becomes again, and then it makes me think of a movie set when they're like "scene 1 take 4" in my head I'm like "song 1 take 1,2,3,4,,14,17,55" I tend to over exaggerate sometimes but you catch my drift right?

Phil is always trying to comfort me and tell me its normal. Which I know because its not my first rodeo in the studio but putting together an album is a whole different method than doing a single or singing hook for a friend, and the fact that we don't use protools, what I'm normally use to seeing. Phil's always there for moral support because he sees me getting frustrated with myself like "wtf!". Then in my head I'm like "stop talking to me Phil" I'm just stubborn that's all. There's one song every time I come out the booth I get the note right, when I'm in the booth yeah not so much! I analyze myself so hardcore! I don't like small confined spaces so that's one problem I have and the fact that the first 30 minutes in a recording studio is my nervous stage so i have to warm myself up to calm myself down and then i sound like myself(who the hell wants to wait around til i get good?) and last but not least every singers thing I hate the sound of my voice. Ive heard it all before "why do u sing then?" Listen I love to sing and I know I have a voice but I just don't like to hear it recorded and played back, especially if i fuck up on a song and everyones like "that was good" ;-/ I'm my own worst critic I am seriously.

I was sick for a whole month so recording was such a challenge, coughing up a storm and it was just not nice, it was rude and out of order that's what it was. Coughing so hard has put a strain on my vocal chords, but the show must go on!

Here's a pic of me at recording sucking up some halls after i almost passed out in the booth from coughing so hard, that cough was fierce!!!



Its an awesome experience and there are no boundaries, only understanding, knowledge, and improvement for the future. I cant wait for the world to get this album.