This series is available exclusively though Bandcamp.com. You can purchase the tracks securely either by Credit Card or through PayPal. Click HERE to hear and download “Moving On”.
]]> http://www.byronzanos.com/2010/02/22/181/feed/ 0 http://www.byronzanos.com/2010/01/20/the-first-song-of-2010/ http://www.byronzanos.com/2010/01/20/the-first-song-of-2010/#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:41:52 +0000 admin http://www.byronzanos.com/?p=167 This track is called “Fall”. It’s something I wrote at a moment where I was questioning who my friends were and how much should really be expected from one. It’s about doubting a person’s sincerity. Often when someone says “break a leg”, what they really mean is “break a leg”. Everybody likes a story. I’m not taking things at face value these days – I’m probing deeper inside of it all. And it seems inside, we’re quite literally full of shit.

This series is available exclusively though Bandcamp.com. Go to http://byronzanos.bandcamp.com/track/fall to download track.

On the 20th of the month, for each month in 2010, I’ll be releasing one new song for download as part of a music series I’m calling “Information Theory.” I’ll also be releasing other ‘unscheduled’ songs as I see fit throughout the year and I wanted to start with one right now. Available right now is a FREE download of “NYC.” I feel like melodically this song lends itself to the Holiday Season and so… here it is, for free – my gift to you. Happy Holidays!

GET MUSIC:byronzanos.bandcamp.com

Why is it called “Information Theory”, or iTheory as I like to call it? Well, think of it as an exercise in communication between you and I. You see, the old model of recording a full record, releasing it, performing it live, and then going back into the studio to do it all over again tends to leave way too much time in between releases. More importantly, those songs are old emotions – by the time you ever hear a song, at least 6 months to a year have passed since I wrote it. So you’re generally not hearing how I feel right at that moment – it’s a used emotion – it’s old news… This stifles my communication with the people who enjoy my music.

With iTheory, I will be recording my music in a more timely, and much more organic form and constantly releasing new material to you. When I have a new song, you’ll have a new song. When I have something to say, you’ll be able to hear it. And with a new website that’s about to be launched, you’ll have more of an opportunity to let me know what you think of the music. So this is the plan… There’s a lot to come in the next year and I thank you in advance for being a part of it. Talk soon… very soon. As for now, enjoy the Holidays and have a Happy New Year.

-B

This series will be available exclusively though Bandcamp.com for the time being so please visit the site and download “NYC”

After arriving at the courthouse and going through a security checkpoint that would make the FAA envious, I am told to sit in a 1000sq foot room with all the other jurors. Suddenly, that sickly feeling comes over me – you know, similar to the one you get in a doctor’s waiting room or in an airport smoking lounge – where you’re afraid to breath? When was my last tetanus shot? The plastic folding chairs were so unbelievably close together it was like having 100 people in my personal space. Add a temperature of around 85 degrees, give the room a powerful morning breath/old lady perfume scent, add 10 or so people coughing during H1N1 Flu season and you could imagine my delight. And we’re not talking sniffling and throat clearing – we’re talking the kind of coughs you only hear in a cancer ward. I was squeezed in between a 150yr old woman and a man who looked like a smelly Salman Rushdie. That being said, Salman Rushdie looks like he might smell a bit funky.

Anyway, a woman comes out and with a tired, monotone voice and a lazy eye, recites the responsibilities and duties of a juror as she probably has a thousand times. Soon after, the lights are dimmed and we are subjected to a 70’s era government commissioned video about jury duty.– haircuts never lie. I couldn’t take it anymore and strolled out of the room where the clerk informed me I had to go back and watch the video. “It’s like a Petri dish in there – are you crazy? Plus, I watch lots of TV – I’ve got the court thing down.” She repeated the order completely not amused and I wasn’t going to argue with the 90 year old woman. After all, she had a cane and she looked pissed.

After the end of the video, we’re given further information, the most relevant of which is that no matter whether we’re chosen to serve on a case or not, we’ll be stuck there until 4:30pm. Damn, I should have brought my computer or a book – at the very least, some recreational drugs… This was going to be a long day.

People start getting called for various cases but I luckily escape the first roll call. Reverend Run of Run DMC is not so lucky – he’s called for the first case. Yes, Rev. Run was coincidentally in the same jury group. He was sitting in the corner with his driver/bodyguard fiercely attacking his Blackberry. I assume he was probably more annoyed than I was. Surprisingly, a lot of people present were not angry to be there. Quite the contrary. These people wanted to be there! It’s paid days off of work – if you hate your job THAT much, jury duty might seem like vacation. I’d say 20% of the people were forced to be there – another 60% couldn’t muster the brain power to come up with a decent excuse, and the last 20% were pleased to be there. These are the people that end up on most juries – that remaining 20%. These are the folks that make up a “jury of our peers” – peers? What? You should have seen the characters in this little room. These are the people who decide who is guilty or innocent? – the people we trust with out lives? I wouldn’t trust most of these idiots with a golf club and a set of Crest WhiteStrips… and at that very moment that I was thinking this thought, I glanced to my left just in time to see Salman Rushdie dig deep into his nose, pick himself a winner, and quickly shovel it into his mouth… Really? Seriously? Are you fucking kidding me?

I spent the rest of my time there in the hallway – told the clerk I’d be right by the door if she needs me but I’m not sitting in there anymore and if she has a problem with that she can have me arrested. Luckily, she didn’t take me up on that offer. Soon after, everyone is released to walk around a bit. It was now 11:05. I figured, if I’m stuck here, I might as well pass the time and talk to some of the “normal” people. They were the ones who looked annoyed. I discussed finance with a business school student, music with a DJ, handgun bullet trajectory with one of the guards, and health reform with an idiot. Looked at my watch – Fack… 11:17!!!

It was after 1pm before I got called to be a juror in a case. Although I can’t discuss it, I would like to say that the prison issue shoes worn by the convicts in orange jumpsuits do look extremely comfortable. The ankle chains, not so much but the shoes looked soft.

It was gonna be a week long trial and I wanted no part of it. So this was my time to come up with a great excuse as to why I am unable to serve as juror. I paid attention to every detail the judge told us about the case. I even took notes on things I could say about the prosecutor, the defendant, the crime… I was ready to be convincingly full of shit! I could do it – I could act. I played the dentist in my high school production of “Little Shop Of Horrors” for god sakes. This should be a walk in the park. I was ready. The judge called me up to be seated. His honor asked his first question – if it would be an inconvenience for me to participate in this trial. I responded, “Well, yeah. I’m kind of busy.” “Ok”, he responded… “You’re dismissed.” That was it… go figure.

Anyway… Everything Byron Zanos will be bigger and better in 2010 – new music, new plans, maybe even a new scarf. I’ll explain in December. As for now, have a fantastic Thanksgiving with your families and friends. Cherish the people in your life that care about you. Hug your dog. (If you don’t have a dog, hug someone else’s).

This year, I’m giving thanks… When you’re done with it, if you could give it back that would be great. There’s only so much “thanks” out there. We wouldn’t want to waste it. I could wipe it down, hit it with some febreeze and give it again next year, you know… recycle the thanks… keep it green and whatnot…

-Byron

In other news, Byron is in the studio mixing his next release. More details shortly!