So Close I Can Almost Taste It

What's the deal everybody?!?!?! Went to the studio last night and picked up a mastered down final cd and let me just say ... it's like night and day. I went from an indy sound to a really professional sound!!!! Words cannot describe how tight and bumping this album is!!!! There are literally only a handful of edits left to make, mainly volume issues and a couple words got hazy/fuzzy from being mastered down that can be tightened up. Looks like my timetable was spot on. Should be absolutely 100% completed by this weekend!!!! Somebody asked me yesterday what my favorite track was and I got stumped. They are all very very good and could hold up each on their own. Beacon of Light was the first rap song I ever wrote so there's some sentimental nostalgia there, Keep Holding On is very close to my heart, but I absolutely love love love jamming out to Your Loss. Of course A Monster Mash just gets my head boppin!!! My other two collabos are plain sick thanx to Cruz and Jaden!!! Beyond The Stars is one track that still needs a lil volume work to get it bumpin as well as Stupid Robots first verse, but the chorus sound effect is crazy cool!!!! What an eclectic solid cd this will be ... hopefully classic and timeless!!!


Peace and 1,
JC

Crazy Schedules

Due to crazy scheduling issues I am going to pick up the final version tonight!!! Last night I went to Tony's (my SF beat producer) apartment to chill and hang out since I hadn't been there in over a month. Ive been soooooo busy finalizing my album which took an additional cpl of weeks than had anticipated. It was good to catch up with him and Shinobi. We three and a few additional peeps are working on a project called Tha Glitch. Im very excited about this project. It will be my follow up to Higher Consciousness. The concept of this cd is to have dancy club hip hop tracks vs. HC's concept of bringing fans quality old school banging beats to listen to in ur cars (which is where I listen to most music anyway). We've already recorded The Walrus Effect and im working on 3 other beats ... which is really really exciting and a challenging creative venture. Anyway like I said I rescheduled picking up my final cd until tonight after I hit up the gym. Still on par to have it uploaded this week so by next week it'll be available for digital download. If anybody wants to make a financial contribution to help jump start my venture, please feel free to hit me up via email at jgvacca@gmail.com. Any help wld be greatly appreciated. Printing, copying, and cd case costs are rather pricey and high. Not to mention marketing and advertising costs, as well as copyright and digitizing fees. Up to this point I have been able to finance my music thru my daytime law job, but now it's just not feasible anymore. I'd like to become self sustainable enough to hire a manager and be able to fund my next project with proceeds from this cd. Please please please support local art and artists and spread the name Joe Conscious!!!!


Peace and 1,
JC

Here It Comes!!!

So as an update weeks in the posting ... the album is done!!!!! I got a semi finished project on Sun and have done a bunch of listening to just make sure the volume levels are good and it looks like today after work I will be heading to pick up a final cd!!!!! Words cannot express the joy and fulfilling feelings I am experiencing in this crucial moment in time!!!! I may be biased but this cd rocks!!!! 12 tracks bringing back that old school 90s sound which was infused with conscious soulful and inspiring lyrics and messages!!!! Hope ull wanna blast it over and over again!!!!! I will be finalizing the cd cover, back and booklet this week and shld have Higher Conscious uploaded to Catapult by the end of this week. Apparently it shldnt be longer than a few days before it'll then be sent to I-Tunes for digital sale. Will be planning a cd release/listening party/fundraiser in the next week or 2 for the bay area. Will also be visiting San Diego 9/14-9/17 and am hoping to have a cd release party there as well!!!! Soon to follow a release concert/party in LA, Portland, Seattle, Vegas, Denver and Chicago. Of course when I am in RI for Xmas 12/22-12/30 I will have a cd release/concert there and maybe even Boston and NYC!!!! Obviously all this hinges on the success of the album!!! Please please please have a listen and if u like what u hear spread the word!!!!


Peace and 1,
JC

Another Editing Studio Session

What's the deal everybody?!?!?!! I had another really great editing studio session last night with Mike. I prepped by literally jamming out in my car intricately going thru each track jotting down any timing and volume issues from the first mastered version so when I got to the studio I wld be prepared. Mike had already done some work from the notes I had previously given him including adding the breaths back in. When I tell u that that alone made a huge difference is an understatement!!! That change alone put us back to the phenomenal poetic vibe I was going for. We collectively spent a cpl hours going thru each track tightening up choruses and a few timing issues, reworked "Stupid Robots" so it was audible and fixed the chorus sound effect so it's more robotic like instead of alieny lol. I wound up re-recording "Queers Forever" and now it sounds better intonation wise. Afterwards we blasted a bunch of the tracks for our neighbors who were busy recording music of their own. They had nothing but great things to say!!!! Im once again reinvigorated and absolutely ecstatic for this album again!! Despite it has been a long hard and very frustrating road ... always follow ur dreams ... NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!


Peace and 1,
JC

Grueling Process

What's the deal everybody?!?! So sorry to inform u all that my cd is still not done, but we are definitely getting closer ... real close in fact. I'm hoping to get another mastered copy by this weekend to listen, critique and edit so I can have an absolute final cd by next weekend!!! I really did not anticipate this to be such a grueling process and im sorry to get hopes up only to have to be let down. Trust me, I am working extraordinarily hard to get this project completed. Despite the first mastered version was sub par, it has an amazing foundation! I gave my friend Isaac and his friend Mike a sneak peak listen to the rough draft and it got rave reviews. I truly cannot wait to share it with the world!!!! I will keep u all posted.


Peace and 1,
JC

Mastering Delays

Hey Friends and Fans,

I am sorry to announce that I still have yet to get my finished mastered cd. There's nobody more disappointed than I am. I have been highly anticipating its completion!!! Believe me, as soon as I get it ... you all will know ... you'll prob either hear me scream from rooftops ... or you'll hear me bumping it hardcore everywhere I drive lol!!!! As far as I know I was told Monday that it shouldve been done yesterday and for sure I will get it today, but after being let down both Sun and Mon im gonna wait before announcing lol!!! It would def be a pleasant surprise to break up the monotony of hump day at work, gym and doing laundry!!!


Peace and 1,
JC

Today's The Day!!!!

What's the deal everybody?!?!?!

So yesterday was a lil bit of a dissappointing day as I showed up to the studio to pick up my final mastered cd but unfortunately the computer engineer had an emergency pop up that delayed him in finishing up the album. Instead we spent the first half hour picking out the final recordings for the "Keep Holding On" song since we had accidently neglected to finalize it last week lol ... 12am epiphany I had Thurs night lol!!! I did however get a chance to listen to the entire album and it really does sound amazing or as I say in my "High Ride" track it's "fanfuckintastic"!!!! Today after work I am going to go to the gym and Mike said we should be able to meet up after 7 and do our final exchange. I cant wait to jam out to it in my car!!!! This is a dream come true and no matter what sales are like ... I already consider the album to be a success ... it's honest, intelligent, deep, motivating, inspiring and genuine true hip hop!!!! I hope it connects with people from all walks of life and becomes a trend setter, pointing music back in the right direction!!


Peace and 1,
JC

Done Recording

What's the deal JC followers and fans?!?!?!!

I have finally completed writing and recording my 12 tracks for "Higher Consciousness". I am so very pleased with my final product. I went thru every track, verse and chorus meticulously listening for the best poetic recordings for the ultimate JC sound I was going for on my first album!!!! Mike said he will be working really hard at finalizing mixing and mastering and should have me a final product by Sun afternoon!!! I really just can't express how excited happy and fulfilled I feel at this moment in time!! This has been a dream in the making for 2 years now when I transitioned from poet to poetic rapper!!! I truly cannot wait to share my music with the world and hope that I can give a different perspective, reaching and connecting with people all over, trying to put back some inspiration and motivation into music and esp hip hop!!!! Im gonna take a few days off and enjoy some down time before getting back into very hard work copyrighting, getting cd and booklet mass copied for cd release party, promoting, marketing, selling and the fun part ... which is making some music videos and hopefully getting involved with some sort of US tour!!!


Peace and 1,
JC

Only "Your Loss" To Go!!!

What's the deal everybody?!?!?! So yesterday I had a 9 hour music studio session where i re-recorded a couple of verses, a new song called "High Ride" (I am gonna try putting up on youtube tonight), and picked out the final cuts for the other 4 tracks the computer engineer and I hadnt gotten to last week. Im going back into the studio tomorrow night to record my last song called "Your Loss" (fingers crossed ... hopefully ill finish writing it tonight)!! So far with only minor editing the album has shaped up to be pretty amazing!!! I really cant wait to hear the final product after it's been mixed and mastered ... which shld be by this next upcoming weekend!!!!! Still on par for a labor day weekend cd release party in SF!!!! I will be finalizing plans and sending out FB event invites by end of this week, early next week!!!! Keep an eye out on youtube!!!


Peace and 1,
JC

Almost Done Writing/Recording!!

What's the deal everybody?!?!?! So very exciting news ... yesterday I had a 6 hour music studio session where myself and the computer sound engineer finalized roughly 7 tracks ready to be mastered!!! This Sun will be my last day of recording. I am almost done with my 11th song "High Ride" and the next couple of days I will be finishing up "Your Loss" ... the last track I need to write!!!! On Sun I will re-record 2-3 verses that need minor tweaking, I will record my last two songs and will finalize the last 5 tracks of the album ... still untitled officially ... but very much leaning towards "Higher Consciousness". This is a very exciting time for me ... altho im starting to realize this is just the beginning!!! I have a long business, marketing and promoting road ahead of me!!! Guess I shld start looking for a booking manager, accountant, and online/media manager too ... as if being an artist isnt hard enough lol!!!! But the fantastic news is really im on track time frame wise to have my album out for Labor Day weekend!!!!! Keep an eye out for a "High Ride" youtube video coming tonight or tomorrow!!!


Peace and 1,
JC

Weekend Recording Sessions

What's the deal everybody?!?!?! This was a very productive musical weekend ... going into the studio Sat and Sun. Sat I sat down with a computer sound engineer and picked the final cuts for "Beacon Of Light", "Try", and "Beyond The Stars" (however BTS im still working on a sound effect for the chorus. Sun was an awesome day ... filled primarily with recording two collabo choruses for "Battles & Wars" by Cruz and "Why Oh Why" with Jaden (Troll Doll) Perry! The reggae guy flaked and backed out via email ten mins before he was supposed to be in the studio ... which was a major disappointment ... but I aint sweating it cuz Jaden killed it!!!! The deuche also helped me and inspired me for some content for my last song I have to write "Your Loss". At hard tonight and tomorrow finishing up "High Ride With JC". Still expecting to finalize all recording by this upcoming Sun!!!! It'll take a week for mastering and then hopefully i'll be on par for a labor day release ... tentatively going to be held at The Stud!!!!


Peace and 1,
JC

Stupid Robots

What's the deal everybody?!?!?!! So I have a brand new rap track called "Stupid Robots" on youtube ... go check it out ... then let me know what u think!!!!!! It's my take on the effect technology has on human interaction, global economy and employment. Also by the request of a friend of mine, I put up four new youtube videos of some spoken word poetry that was written at the end of 2011. Unfortunately ive been so focused on my hip hop album ive neglected my roots but i'll get back there. Once I really start working on my second album im sure ill get more into a poetry writing mood. I usually draw topics and inspiration for songs from my poetry. Poetry is like my version of freestyling/stream of consciousness. The poems are called: "Up Shits Creek", "The Future Looks Bleak", "Gone In The Wrong Direction", and "Home Of The Brave". Not gonna lie they are dark pessimistic kick in the ass poems with raw unadulterated activating lyrics. Im very angry and frustrated with the system and these are me speaking out about shit!!!! And please give me feedback and spread Joe Conscious!!!!! Carpe Diem!!!!!


Peace and 1,
JC

Sunday Musical Fun Day

Yesterday was quite the fun filled day of music. I went in to the recording studio and recorded 4 more songs, which is 2/3 of the way done with my first album!!!!!! Over all it was a success. Then I went into the city for a block party performance which was small but awesome nonetheless. Followed by a ShowOff/Meow Mix a capella poetry performance and then a performance at Truck for Ice Queen Sundays!!! All went pretty well although the audience at Ice Queen was a lil distractingly loud but I managed to only stumble a lil bit on the 2nd verse. I was proud for keeping my composure and pushing thru the mistakes ... proves to myself im growing as a performer as well!!! Now it's crunch time if I want to get my cd out by next month. Im thinking 2 songs this week and 2 songs next week!!!! The nice thing is I have 2-3 cushion weeks just in case where I can also be finalizing adlibs and fixing any vocals not up to par. God this is getting exciting!!!!!


Peace and 1,
Joe Conscious

The Forge Studios

Hey everybody!!!! So I have some stellar news ... I shld have my first album out sometime in Aug!!!! I am currently recording with The Forge Studios. I recorded 4 songs this past Sun, will record 4 more this Sun, and hopefully finish writing the last 4 songs in the next few weeks. Just so y'all know I have been working really hard! Actually I just finished the first verse and chorus to "Stupid Robots" and working on the first verse and chorus to "Together Forever" as well.

Also still working with Tony and Shinobi for Tha Glitch project! In fact I was in his studio last night recording the chorus to a new beat he labeled "Dreamstate". It's this really raw grungy gansta beat that shld have an interesting contrast of heavy rap verses mixed with a lil soultry r&b style chorus! Im thinking it might be called something like "Maybe My Destiny's To Be Lonely".

Last night was fun! After the studio I went to Deco for a lil karoke and performed Mr. Big's To Be With You and actually freestyled some lyrics to this crazy cool beat another hip hop mc was rapping to. I got some really good surprising feedback.


Peace and 1,
JC

The Walrus Effect

Last night I had a recording session with DJ Monte Carlo for THA GLITCH project we are working together on with Shinobi. DJ MC came up with this dope dope beat he called the Walrus Effect. Shinobi had previously recorded a poetic verse for it already and I finished writing and recorded my verse last night!!!! Let me just say I have grown so much in my lyrical ability ... this new song my flow is absolutely sick ... I mean disgustingly good!!!!! Cant wait for him to edit in the next few days and I'll try to put up a link for y'all to hear it.


Peace and 1,
Joe Conscious

Crazy Pride Week Events!!!!!

First off Saturday, June 16th was "Higher Consciousness" which featured me, Joe Conscious, doing a half hour of performing poetry and hip hop music at Faetopia. This was a hugely intimate yet successful show. I had about 20 of my friends acquaintances and fans show up some of which saw me for the very first time. I performed 4 a capella poems that were mostly gay themed as well as 4 rap tracks. I got tremendous positive feedback from this performance. I was told my stage presence had vastly improved to where I was opening my eyes smiling and interacting with the audience while staying in the zone!

Then last Tuesday, June 19th I went to the Supper Club to do a radio/tv podcast interview with Bernadette where I had about 10 mins of interview and a lil a capella poetry and music thrown in there too. It was hugely successful and as soon as I get the youtube link I will post for all of u to watch.

Last but certainly not least ... was Pride this past Sunday, June 24th. I performed a lil poetry clip and 2 rap tracks on the Faerie Freedom Village stage! This was by far my best performance to date!!!!! I think it was a combination of it being Pride and my first one in fact in SF as well as the amazing energy of the totally attentive crowd. Wasnt necessarily my largest audience but there were a good 50 people at least. Tonight im going into the studio to start recording 2 tracks: one for my first JC album the other is a verse for one of my new producer's beats that im collaborating with Shinobi on for "Tha Glitch" project.

Until next time...


Peace and 1,
Joe Conscious

Why Oh Why

Sorry I havent posted in a while but my life has just been crazy busy and ive been out there performing and perfecting my stage presence while also promoting and marketing Joe Conscious. Just this past Saturday I participated in "Faetopia". I had a half hour slot called "Higher Consciousness" that was a mix of poetry and hip hop. Tho it was a smaller crowd I was proud of my performance. It was also awesome that the people that did show up were true new fans many of which saw me perform for the very first time. I had several people come up to me afterwards and give me praise. Words cant even express how humbled and gratified I was to even be a part of such a magical event. And im even more excited about this Sunday performing at SF Gay Pride on the Faerie Freedom Village stage at 1:40-1:50. I will perform one a capella poem along with 2 hip hop songs. This will be one of my biggest opportunities to perform! I found a new producer named Tony who was one of the special people that came to support me on Sat and he is helping me record my first album while also working on a project with me and another producer/poet on a follow up album. Up on youtube now is "Why Oh Why" which is a beat that was produced by Brandon West out of LA and it has some reggae flavor to it with very politically controversial lyrics. Also ive been working on my last four songs for the album one of which "Your Loss" is shaping up to be a collaboration with a local singer who I am collaborating on for one of his songs as well "I Getz No Sleep". Then there's "Together Forever" which will talk about gay rights and equality as well as "Take A High Ride With JC" which promises to be a different type of a pot song. All of those beats are Brandon West's. The last track "Stupid Robots" is a beat by Relik who was the first producer out of San Diego I bought beats from (including Beacon of Light, Try, UCD, Battles & Wars). Sadly I have not been working on any new poetry but I still have been performing some of the classics. "Higher Consciousness" really brought me back to my roots performing my first ever piece of writing "Believe In Me" and the classic favorite "Attention Grabber" along with "Egomaniacal Man Vs. Mind" and "Baldy Bean" which pay homage to gay pride! Please feel free to give me feedback on any of my work!!!!!!!!! Peace and 1

Monster Mash

Check out a new dancey club style poetic hip hop rap track on youtube called "Monster Mash".

Free Love

Check out my new a capella soul/rock/country song called "Free Love".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS0G-3augWo&feature=share

The Joe Conscious Revolution Has Begun

Numbers are just numbers to me
Numbers become numbers when there's a silent b
I refuse to be ruled by money
It seems so funny
How the world has become a business
And people are diminished to statistics
Is this a popularity contest
Who's success is truly best
Perhaps if you're a doctor or a lawyer
I feel proud to be a voyeur
Someone socially commentating while experiencing life
Using music to soothe the pain and strife
And maybe in the process even help
Someone other than just myself
Fuck the almighty dollar
Or being a scholar
So far educations earned me debt
Without a degree there's supposedly nothing left
Well I am still a human being
Have no intention in ever believing
All the greedy's bullshit and lies
And I will no longer compromise
My heart or my soul
I'm proud to be an individual
Not better than anyone nor worse
Passing judgment is God's curse
Screw the status quo
The one thing I do know
Is I know nothing
Except feelings like hatred and loving
I have a powerful voice
But it's ultimately my choice
To use it
Not for amusement
But to actually say something with value and meaning
That isn't demeaning or for scheming reasons
Like being famous or rich
It took me a while to find my nitch
Which is being a gay white poetic rapper
An attention grabber
For the minorities and underdogs
I don't care about records or scores
All I ask is to take action and listen
Break out of your shells and prisons
America is a shortsighted caste system
Unapologetic and not easily forgiving
I want to inspire and empower people
With words fight the forces of evil
Stop following the leader and be one
Let it be known the Joe Conscious revolution has begun!


Peace and 1
Joe Conscious

12/13/11

Addicted To 420

Wake and bake is great
When my brain function isn’t at stake
Over time the damage done will eventually heal
Wish I could just learn to better cope with how I feel
My lungs must be blackened and shot
Weed unmotivates me into an absent minded fog
Definitely shouldn’t be an unprofessional jerk
Getting all blitzed or stoned before or during work
Need to get back into exercising and writing
Instead of constantly lighting or igniting
To deal with the harsh reality of things
Plus smoke is terrible for anyone who sings
Simply got to stop toking marijuana
Though I know I really don’t wanna
It is good for my overall health
Perhaps I’ll actually acquire some wealth
Since I’m not wasting away money
The amount I’ve spent on pot is not even funny
However tough this endeavor may be
Life’s stresses won’t get the best of me
With the will that I have to survive
And wanting my music career to thrive
Being sober should help give me the drive
To not be so lazy and get high all the time
Mostly I dabble when I’m bored or floored
But I’ve got to cut the umbilical chord
Never thought I’d become addicted
Without it I’m extremely moody and vindictive
Extra drastic sporadic and spastic
A super sarcastic bastard
In the past I’ve tried gradually quitting
Yet the bad habit keeps persisting
Before I would lie and hide the fact I was afraid
Felt I was well above having to go to NA
Now I realize I do need some support and help
The hardest person admitting this problem to was myself


Peace and 1
Joe Conscious

11/23/11

Vulture Culture

All we do is take take take
No room for error or mistake
When fate is at stake
The only two options are make or break
Bad timing leaves me late
Unable to seize the day
Missed opportunity fills my temple with hate
Which can easily be misdirected
Look at all the folks who’ve been affected
By powerful words
Even a healing heart hurts
The pain will help you gain
Understanding that it has to rain
To appreciate the true value of the sun
Thank god for the ability to run
It’s a fun form of meditation
But my only hesitation
Is learn to crawl and walk first
Don’t jump over important growth spurts
There’s a natural progression
Especially experiencing oppression
Can lead to having more compassion
Communities joining forces to take action
Stop nagging and rehashing
Disciplining with verbal lashing
It simply isn’t effective communication
And there’s no immunization
For being taught that bad habit
Dag nabbit I’ve had it
Capitalism is just so evil
Why is our national symbol a bald eagle
Because I happen to think a preying vulture
Might be a better metaphor for America’s consumer culture


Peace and 1
Joe Conscious

11/22/11

Swift Kick In The Ass

So much to say but very little time,
Usually only get 3 minutes to rhyme,
Which means I’ve got to be direct and concise,
Avoid tangents giving emotional or judgmental advice,
Honestly I’m not really the biggest fan,
Of Americans’ short attention spans,
Who made the rule that a song,
Automatically gets boring if it’s too long,
Two refuting examples worth giving a mention,
Are “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Stairway To Heaven”,
The lengths are quite drastic,
But even today they’re both considered classics,
Why are we unbelievably greedy and impatient,
Gullibly naïve lazy and complacent,
It’s interesting how Bush ran absolutely wild,
Yet Obama sucks cause he can’t solve the problems GW pig piled,
I find it rather silly,
How this country defers responsibility,
Living in a false virtual reality,
With this spoiled sense of entitlement mentality,
Our children are becoming casualties,
To miseducation and exaggerated fallacies,
Magical stories filled with this fairytale fantasy of finding bliss,
The truth is hidden to the point it almost doesn’t exist,
Everything’s sugar coated and just peachy,
Comedy’s turned to satire all tongue and cheeky,
While having morals and values has u pegged as corny or cheesy,
Believe me it aint easy trying to please these ignorant wanna be deities,
I’m challenging listeners to raise their bar,
Maybe then spitting raps with lyrical content becomes par,
Or is that idea too far even beyond the stars,
Like producing non gas guzzling cars,
Products that actually are built and meant to last,
Recyclable instead of wastefully thrown away in the trash,
Can society get back to the gold standard and using cash,
Wish the whole notion of credit was just a thing of the past,
Cuz collectors come at u fast,
And interest is the biggest bitch that gets the last laugh,
Perhaps we need like Red from “That 70’s Show” always said, “A swift kick in the ass”!


Peace and 1
Joe Conscious

11/16/11

Up Shit’s Creek

Is anyone else tired of this fucked up corrupt system,
That’s definitely resisting listening to wisdom,
Even police lack common sense and intelligence,
Issuing an excessive amount of tickets in negligence,
Again passing this country’s financial woes onto the people,
I swear our government is disgustingly evil,
Despite the middle class being collectively pissed,
We insist on doing what’s in the rich’s best interest,
No regulation’s required for authority,
Voting is no longer the voice of the majority,
It seems to me popularity beats quality,
Bush rigging the second election still really bothers me
Laws are filled with hypocrisy,
Capitalism’s absolutely ruining democracy,
Further dividing instead of uniting us,
Consumed by fear so we’re lacking the guts,
And the ability to trust,
That judges will rule and do what’s fair and just,
Everybody’s hidden agenda involves gaining a competitive edge,
Dig deep enough and you’ll find dirt u can use as leverage,
Blackmail’s totally cool and in fact’s the new fad,
Just anxiously await for the next celebrity mishap,
Who in Hollywood isn’t cheating beating or stealing,
Which politicians aren’t soliciting or illegally scheming and back-end dealing,
My fists are clenching with this wrenching feeling,
There’s a slim chance of recovery unless we begin mending and healing,
After years of discrimination and oppression,
I thought the recession would be a disguised blessing,
Forcing people to re-evaluate living within their means,
Unfortunately instead we fell for wall streets greed,
Don’t believe that repercussions have peaked,
It appears the whole globes pretty much up shit’s creek!


Peace and 1,
Joe Conscious

11/14/11