Aren't blogs dead at this point?

Alright ... I give up this thing. It is 2014. Aren't blogs dead at this point? Isn't it all about twitter and facebook?

I am still not sure whether I should start twitter account. I spend enought time staring at a screen already. But let's say from now on you can follow me on my ... :

Facebook page > https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deexs/194672691906
Official web > http://www.deexs.com/

RIP blogger

.:V:.

Where are the days?

::: Recording diary - entry #3 :::

It's so exhausting. Where are the days when I was able to lock myself in the basement and work on music for days in a row? With the upcoming February I have become increasingly aware of how it's almost impossible to devote myself to music when I have to slave 8 hours a day + spend some time with keeping myself in shape + meet my friends ... and so day after day, week after week ... year after year ... is gone. In April it will be 5 years since we released Bitter Tomorrows. 5 years! I can hardly believe it! I think if I ever make a little more complex recording again, it will be about time and its relativity ... and how living in a concrete jungle can crush a man. But that is a topic for another time.

(ukulele being mastered)

In the last days I honed a couple of already almost-finished songs and also I threw myself on the ukulele recording, at last! Soon I should be done with live instruments, ready to focus only on midi matters and on the final sound of the new record. It's the hardest work actually ... but I enjoy it the most and that's important!

The first ever Deexs music video ...

... is here! ... In the pre-Xmas rush me and a couple of my friends found some time and got together to shoot some shots of me walking in Prokop valley in Prague ... just me walking in a shitty weather. There's no deeper meaning to the video. The song tells a short story about an astronaut who is going to fly through a black hole. Since we didn't have both the resources and time to come up with some special effects or better script, we decided to do it as simple as possible. You can notice the more the end of the music video is approaching the more miserably looking I am (should be). It's because I am about to enter the black hole, right? :) Other than that there is nothing to search for in the music video.

I would say the music itself is much more important. I hope it is good enough to capture someone's attention and evoke curiosity about the rest of the album I am working on hard these days. Well, after we had shot everything we needed I sent the complete material to my brother in Canada who edited the whole thing. He also added many filters, effects, etc. It is thanks to him the music video is watchable. Otherwise it would have been unusable and unpresentable. So ... if you like the song/video spread the word and share it with your friends. Thanks.

That is all for now, I guess. Currently I am working on three ukulele songs and two guitar ballads. Sometime later in January or February I will hopefully meet Baky to record some more bass guitar parts. I will leave this for next time. 

.:V:.

Album cover & song titles

The album will most probably be available at the turn of February/March 2014 and will contain 10 new songs. The first "single"should be released already around this Christmas! The song titles are (in alphabetical order):

- Awesun (Towards the Saints)
- Departure
- An Endless Night
- In Circles So Cold
- Into the Unknown
- Jasmine
- Mayhem
- Naughty
- No Longer Afraid
- Space Romance

Shaping up

::: Recording diary - entry #2 :::

Another month is gone. November was quite a fruitful one. 5 songs more or less done. The songs with "heavy" production are in the final stage of post-production. Now I am going to focus on more intimate guitar and ukulele tunes. I am quite curious how it all will fit together. On one hand the album will contain production-rich tracks with lots of instruments, on the other hand I am about to record some simple melancholic ballads with a minimum of extra sounds and instruments. I'm a bit afraid the new album could eventually be quite schizophrenic. All I know is that I've had enough of the complexity. Doing everything on your own takes a lot of time and effort ... and the results are never warranted. I have a feeling I've done what I could. I certainly don't want to repeat myself musically. I'm excited to move on to the intimate part of the album. February/March 2014 now looks as a reasonable date for recording closure. At the beginning of the next year I'd like to take a few days off to polish everything.

In addition to the recording I also managed one small acoustic performance in November. After nearly 4 years I appeared on stage again. It was also the first time my new songs were introduced to a handful of present people. It was rather kind of a public rehearsal. I would like to schedule some more live gigs, starting probably by the upcoming spring.

Last but not least in the past weeks I managed to collect a few of my friends and together we tried to take some new promo pictures and maybe even some video. It should appear as time goes on on my web profiles (especially FB). A little preview already today (see the photo - taken by Hanz Blok). 

INTO THE UNKNOWN

Alright! It's time for some update. I've been - once again - quite quiet lately. Well, it took me more than a year to re-appear. Frankly, I was and still am not sure whether I want to continue writing this blog. In this world of Twitter and Facebook this seems to be rather an outdated way of communication.

But as I am too lazy to start a new Twitter account and I find writing longer texts on FB painful, I have decided to give this place one last try. 

Hard to believe when I say I am still working on the new material. Yeah, it has taken me ages already ... but this time it is really beginning to shape up. Some songs are almost finished and others are to be recorded soon. 

To make a long story short - the new album "INTO THE UNKNOWN" will be realeased song by song during this winter ... and this is my recording diary where I will try to keep the handful of possibly interested folks informed.

::: Recording Diary - entry #1 :::

Okay, at this time I have cca 3 songs more or less done. The rest, about 6-7 songs, are either still semifinished or not in-process at all. I stay positive and believe I will meet the winter deadline (I need some deadline to work efficiently). It seems I could release first single sometime around Christmas time. So far the new material sounds "fresh". I try to mix electronic music with live instruments. The new songs will mostly be guitar- and ukulele-based, with midi sounds to create the right atmosphere. I am also going to use some movie samples as well as some orchestral instruments (film music has been a big influence on me in recent years). The focal point/theme of the new album is universe so you can expect some mysterious, mostly melancholic ditties. 

.:V:.

Climbing up the sinusoid.

Up and down, up and down, and so on. Life seems to be going this way all the time ... exactly as one of my older songs, "Living in the rain", says. I always imagine a sinusoid and then I try to place myself somewhere on its line. 

Last autumn I left my country for Belgium, hoping to bring some new energy, inspiration and maybe even a bit of happiness to my life. I was undeceived. Even though I had some great moments and met some very nice people there it was not what I was really looking for. I felt like surviving ... not really living. Then, one night, I had a really vivid dream that was trying to tell me to pack all my stuff and go somewhere else once again. After a few days of pondering I decided to obey the dream. 

I found myself back on my native soil. For the first time in Prague. And then everything gained in speed. New flat, new job, new life. And here I am, slowly climbing up the virtual line ... and hopefully it will stay like that for a while.

First month in Prague was full of drinking, getting to know this place, meeting both old and new friends. It was a busy month. Now when everything is slowly settling down I have time to work on music again ... and I'm making some progress here. These days there is quite a lot going on in my head as regards music.

First, I have picked 8 songs (out of cca 12-13) to be recorded for the new album. 6 out of 8 songs already have their drum parts +/- done. Soon I will start with guitars, vocals, etc. Then it'll be time for post-production which is always the most difficult part - putting all the additional sounds and instruments together + polishing final sound. Good news Mic has offered me his help ... so although the upcoming record will rather be a solo album there should hopefully be some people involved.

Second, after I finish the upcoming record I'd like to continue in recording single songs, mostly piano based. Initially I wanted to use these songs for the album but in the end I decided not to do it as they have different feeling/atmosphere/mood/call it what you want. But here I'm talking about quite a distant future.

Third, I would also like to start playing live again. I miss it a lot. But forming a new band seems to be a very painful and slow process. 

So you can see I have many plans. There is a lot to work on. But the most important thing is I'm living again ... not only surviving.

Cheers.

.:V:.

Deexs feat. Michael Stipe (R.E.M.)

After its last year's release the song "Evening" has got some recognition and thus I was approached by R.E.M.'s lead singer Michael Stipe who offered me a little cooperation. Check out our facebook profile to listen to a demo version of the original Deexs song with Michael's vocals. More hot news to follow shortly!

One small step for a man ...

The first step is always the hardest one. Yesterday I took my guitar, turned all my musical software and devices on, and finally started working on the new material. First fragments have been sketched. Even though most of the new songs are based on acoustic guitar I feel like experimenting with electronic elements, bringing Deexs closer to deeper and darker waters. No, it doesn't have to be necessarily as depressive as the last record. My idea deals more with exploring the outer world, the unknown, as well as inner sides of the human soul. Does it sound too sublime? I think lately I have been watching too many BBC documentaries about our place in space and the limits of human beings. That's why. 

Anyway, I don't expect it to be a short process. My plan is to finish everything by the end of this year but as I know myself, and I don't want to put myself under any pressure, it can easily be even in 2013. Does it really matter? No. I'm doing it all just for fun. Somebody practices yoga, somebody smokes weed, I make music. It helps me to clear my mind and get through all sorts of harsh times.

Expect some new updates on the recording (hopefully) soon.

In the meantime watch some of Hayao Miyazaki's movies. The guy is an accomplished artist ... and so is his composer, Joe Hisaishi.

.:V:.

2012 at the door.

2012 at the door. I've been pretty quiet lately, I have to admit. My prediction from the last entry was correct. It's been tough here so far, indeed. Things don't always go as planned. But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, am I right?

Normally I don't bother myself with things like new year's resolution but this year I've got a few. If circumstances make it possible I would like to finally complete all the new material that has been lying in my drawers for some time. It's time to move on (musically) but I can't do that before I finish this.

I've just launched a new Deexs website that can give you a clue what the new material could be about. That and this blog should keep you informed about my future progress. I hope to get my fingers on strings and keys soon.

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." *

.:V:.


(* Oprah Winfrey)

Back to where it all began.

So my favorite season is finally here! Pleasant temperatures, cool breeze with the scent of falling leaves, spectacular countryside with amazing colours, everything is slowly falling asleep and getting ready for another tough winter. This is the time I find most inspiring.

I wish I could spend it somewhere seated within the peacefulness of the colorful mountains. The everyday haste of people’s perpetual hunt for that special, shining career has made me sick. It seems so meaningless to me and the saddest thing is that I’m just as much a part of it as everyone else. Sometimes I think I am a coward but I am not able to do anything about it. It’s a constant struggle within me. But I’m not ready to give up just yet. Just keep one foot in front of the other.

Last month I was fortunate to grab some time and regroup. I was thinking about recording some new music but was having difficultly finding where to begin. Then it hit me. It was my hometown that had lost its sparkle. I was stifled there with no room to breathe. It was then that I knew what I had to do. I needed to go back to only place I had ever really felt content. The place where I wrote most of my recent songs. The place where I knew I could start fresh.

So here I am, living once more in the West. I don’t expect things to be easy now. On the contrary, it‘s going to be a very tough period of my life. No pain, no gain, I say! It will still be a part of that sick hunt for „better tomorrows“ but maybe this will show me the path I need to take  next? What’s next for my life? We’ll see.

Gasthof Kröne Film

The new "mini-soundtrack" for a promotional video of the German "Kröne" restaurant is now available. You can watch the video below, you can listen to the full-length songs in the left menu, or you can download the songs at the official Deexs website.

 

Hast du deine Lederhosen voll mit Sauerkraut?

Ok, it’s time to come up with some update on what’s happening in Deexs. 

At the end of June me and my brother took a trip to a village neighbouring Baden Baden (Germany). My brother was shooting a new promotional video there. I assisted him. After returning home I was entrusted with composing music for the video. These days we are working on final adjustments.

Coming weeks will determine everything. The future of Deexs will probably depend on where I am going to end up this fall and what I am going to do … and, of course, whether we (the band) are going to come to joint notions of what the Deexs‘ future should be like.

Recently I have dusted my instruments and obtained some new music software. The whole process of composing music for my brother’s video has been a brand new experience for me. I learnt some new tricks and I hope to use them on my new songs. I feel I have energy and determination to carry on with the „studio work“. I have accumulated a lot of new material in my drawers and I have a pretty clear idea of how it should sound. Now I just need to make it happen. Music is the only thing that has never let me down … and I have been missing it out for last two years. It’s time to do something about it.

Soon I will provide you with a little preview of my „mini-soundtrack“ I am just getting through for my brother.

Till then … cheers.

.:V:.   

Deexs (r)evolution

An endless night

We have new instruments. We have new songs. Soon we will have new shows. The only thing we don't have is time. But time is relative, right? 

Through that last dark cloud is a dying star. And soon enough, it will die. And when it explodes, it will be reborn. You will bloom and Deexs will live.

(photo by Lyle Crump)

KitchenAid (!new video!)

It's been almost one year since I teamed up with my brother and together we made a short videoclip. Now we are back with a new production. This time we spent a day in the kitchen, shooting and recording various objects and sounds. It took us a lot of energy and diligence but we're quite happy about its result - a commercial for one of the local restaurants. There may be some official release party where the video will be presented but you can watch it already now without any further waiting. Let us know what you think about it. Any feedback is welcome.

..: CLICK HERE to watch the video :..

(btw: Deexs news will follow shortly!)

A cup of tea and thick socks

Maybe you ask "why in English this time?". No, I don't want to be "cool" (or naive?) and turn this blog and its perspectives into something what it's not. I have the same reasons as in the case of my lyrics. I just want everybody to understand me. Of course, 90% of possible readers of this blog most probably come from the very same country as I do. But still, I have a few close friends (and maybe even some random listeners) from abroad. Who knows if they ever read any of these posts ... anyway, I decided to continue in English. It can be a way how to improve my English skills and ... you can (talking to non-native speakers of EN) maybe improve those of yours as well. But let's talk about something Deexs-related.

I am very excited about the upcoming fall months. I like my 15-20°C and fresh cold wind. This summer has been a big obstruction in being musically productive. I can not concentrate when I am sweaty or I can barely breath. A cup of tea, thick socks, and sleepy fall atmosphere is the best for my Muses.

We still haven't managed to get together as a full band. It is a bit sad. So today I can speak only for myself again. I keep working on the new material. Especially last few autumny days helped me a lot. I think now I have a clear vision and around 10 more or less pre-prepared songs in a drawer. These days I am working primarily on the lyrics. One thing is for sure. Don't expect new Deexs to be the same as/or even similar to Bitter Tomorrows or so. I found new inspiration. A little advice for you can be this blog's new look.

The biggest question remains "in which formation will Deexs continue?". Unfortunately this matter is still pretty foggy. I just know that I need and want to go on. One year in Belgium was a musical "underflow". Although I wrote some new songs I am very happy about, now it's time to give them some elegant coats. Forthcoming fall and winter seasons could be a suitable time for that.

Thank you if you kept reading this blog entry until this line. Stay tuned for more information.

.:V:.

Roztávání

Ještě jsme se s klukama nestihli ani pořádně sejít a eventuálně promyslet co dál s hudbou, nicméně to mi nebránilo v tom, abych doma oprášil nástroje a začal trošku dělat něco s tím, co jsem za poslední cca rok dal dokupy. Deexs pomalu roztává z více jako roční hibernace ...

S akustikou na věčné časy (a do věčných lovišť)

Už ani nevím kolikrát jsem odložil napsání tohoto vstupu. V podstatě pro něj nemám žádnej větší důvod. Vše se má stále při starým. Jedna věc mě ale zarazila. Při nedávný návštěvě své domoviny jsem se při pivu sešel s Pepasem a oba jsme se shodli, že rok po tom (ano, už je to rok – neuvěřitelný!) co jsme ve sklepě dodělali Bitter Tomorrows, jsme ohledně pocitů z této „desky“ značně zhořkli. Musím přiznat, že když se vzpomínkama vracím do minulýho dubna, spíš mě nepříjemně mrazí po zádech. Celá to doba byla „divná“. Ne, nechci říct, že jsem/jsme nějak dospěli a vyzráli. Blbost. Ale přece jen …

Asi před dvěma měsící jsem něšťastně zlomil mou akustiku. Bylo to snad znamení, abych se na ní vyprd a zaměřil se víc na piáno? (hodně lidí mi tak radilo) Jelikož situace jinak nedovolila, učinil jsem tak. Jenže teď jsem byl naskok zpět z Belgie a doma jsem měl opět možnost si prohrábnout struny a připomenout si nový riffy, který jsem za poslední dobu poskládal.

Pár nových písní je, co se z mý strany týče, dá se říct téměř dokončeno. Dávám si načas s texty, aby to nebyly jen prvoplánovitý emotivní výlevy. Slyšeli jste něco z „nový vlny severoamerickýho folku“ (aspoň já osobně tomu tak říkám)? Přesně tam hledám převážně inspiraci. Ne, nehodlám se vzdát akustiky. Naopak!

Těžko říct, kdy se natrvalo vrátím do ČR. Těžko říct, v jakým složení bude Deexs pokračovat. Už teď mám ale jednu představu. Rád bych Deexs obohatil o co nejvíc nástrojů, aby se tak výsledná hudba stala rozmanitější a zajímavější…

… Proto apeluji na lidi, co by měli zájem se jakkoliv zapojit. Především smyčce a i nějaká holčina s pěkným zpěvem by se mi líbila na doprovodný vokály pro novej materiál. Nebojte se ozvat nebo klidně dát nějaký tipy!

Závěrem dvě hudební doporučení. Mluvil jsem tu už o severoamerickým folku. Za zmínku ale stojej i dva nový počiny z Islandu, kterých se momentálně nemůžu nabažit. Jedním je kapela Seabear (obě její desky) a druhým je novotina od zpěváka Sigur Rós, který sólo vystupuje pod názvem Jónsi a jeho nová deska Go.

Fast from the past - REVEALED

Zdravíme Vás poprvé v roce 2010. Snad bude pro Deexs hudebně plodným. Začněme hned zhurta.

Jak bylo už minule avizováno, těsně po Vánocích jsme se poprvé po půl roce sešli s klukama a ještě toho večera jsme odehráli jeden "speciální" koncert, na kterém zazněly i písně, které běžně nehrajeme. Kvalita naší performance odpovídala naší půlroční pauze, ale bylo moc fajn se zase sejít a trošku si zahrát.

Dnes bych tu ale hlavně chtěl konečně představit, co vše se skrývá za projektem FAST FROM THE PAST ...

Videoklip, režírovaný mým bráchou a ohudebněný mým já, měl premiéru na velkém plátně kina Centrál v Hradci Králové dne 30.12. minulého roku. Vše to byl takový malý abstraktní experiment, jehož výsledek máte nyní možnost posoudit sami!

Pro shlédnutí videa následujte > TENTO < link ...

Pro stáhnutí "rozšířené verze" (delší než video verze) titulní písně ve formátu mp3 klikněte > ZDE < ...