Much Needed Change

January 19, 2013 by Raul Colon

As a small business owner there are days where I feel I did not get as many things done, as I wanted.

On many of these occasions I later realize I was being too hard on myself. I probably planned more things than what I could complete in one day which is a topic I help my clients with but I need to remind myself often.

Approximately 8 Months ago I decided to move from the southern part of Puerto Rico, where I have lived most of my life, and moved up north to the Metro Area. The decision was ignited when the town of Santa Isabel started preparation for the Turbine Apocalypse. Since I’d rather live away from what I call the kill zone near the Santa Isabel Wind Farm, I started looking at different options in Puerto Rico.

At first I took a look at the West Coast of the Island a place where I know I will live one day. Rincon was attractive, but many factors made us consider the San Juan Metro area.

My Desire to Live Near the Beach

I love visiting the beach and I had always dreamed of one day living close to one. While reading, reviewing, and internalizing the drafts of my friend’s new book (which should be published next Summer), I realized that there was no better time than now.

Thanks to the help of our friend Melvin, we were able to take a look at an apartment in his building. Not only did we like the place, but having a friend on the same floor and ocean view, definitely made us shift towards that apartment. We went to lunch, discussed the pros and cons, and made our decision to move.

The Ever Changing Scenery

With every major change like moving, there are some pros and cons. Having a yard at the previous home was a plus because we could let our dog out at anytime; now I have to walk JuanGa. But the up side to this is that 3 times a day I get some time to recharge and exercise.

A few days ago I felt like my new routine was part of the Movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray. Feeling that way, I understood I needed to change the routine. I grabbed my Bluetooth Headphones and listened to a Soul/Funk/Disco Playlist on Spotify while I walked Juanga through a different route.

As I ended my walk, I realized I become part of the scenery Mother Nature provides as part of her daily unique artwork. The footprints I leave in the sand, how Juanga re-arranges the leaves, while he moves through them, how the wind and waves move the sand are all part of the ever changing environment.

When I got back home from my walk, instead of sitting in my chair while checking emails and writing, my two year old daughter was asking me to play some music for her so she could listen to it via my headsets. I made sure to select songs and genre’s to keep her entertained and see her smile.

What turned out to look like a similar morning was a completely different one!

What are you going to make this day different from others?

If you feel everyday is similar to others, maybe we can exchange ideas. Feel free to contact me directly.

Amanda Palmer Visits Puerto Rico

November 28, 2012 by Raul Colon

The first time I heard of Amanda Palmer I was walking in Old San Juan with Alan Weinkrantz who was visiting team for a 140 Conference meet-up.

He was describing how the 140 Conference brought people from all walks of life.

Short after I saw Amanda Palmer for first time in a video by Alan Weinkrantz during the 140 Conference Boston in 2010.

I was quickly impressed in learning more in how an artist would be able to disconnect itself from Management and a label. After seeing that Amanda had created a solid online infrastructure I understood how she could continue operating by emerging herself in many online communities that allowed her to tap into the vast online ecosystem.

Disrupting the Music Industry as we Know It

Months later via one David Meerman Scott’s Blog I heard of Amanda’s Kick Starter where she was planning to get funding for her new album. That same day I saw my friend and very respected local blogger Alfredo Richner share a post on his perspective on what Amanda was doing and how musicians in the island could follow her lead.

Every time I got to read and learn more of what Amanda Palmer is doing she earned my admiration from the disruptive aspect of it. The success of her Kickstarter proved many naysayers wrong and was a boost of confidence for those that will follow in Amanda’s steps making her a true pioneer.

Finding out of Amanda’s Visit to Puerto Rico

I found through Alfredo a few months ago that there was the possibility of Amanda visiting Puerto Rico for the version of el Independiente 3. Reading Puerto Rico Indie I made me really happy that Alfredo and his partners where reach their goal of bringing Amanda Palmer to la Respuesta.

El Independiente is one of few local events that I anxiously wait for. The first two have created some pretty awesome memories and I had the opportunity to meet some awesome people.

As Amanda Palmer gets ready to visit the island I was very grateful that she retweeted one of my tweets. With so many followers and such an engaged fan base getting retweet from her shows the commitment she has with her fans.

So on Thursday I recommend you to make some time to enjoy some great music with myself an a bunch of more awesome people.

I can’t wait to see Amanda Palmer and the other artists performing live.

More info on the Event here!

Ignacio’s Science School of Rock

October 15, 2012 by Raul Colon

My struggle with music is trying to find more time to listen to more albums, more songs, and more artists.

I find relaxation in music and I use it to trigger emotions from helping me wake me up to focusing on the task at hand.

Music as an Educational Tool

Looking back I see how music has educated me in many ways. It gives me a better understanding of other cultures. It also reminds me about local and global social issues.

While being part of the audience and community of Pecha Kucha #12 at Seriously Creative, I was able to meet Ignacio Peña, a Musician who happens to also be a passionate Educator.

After his presentation, I thanked him for what he was doing. Ignacio was nice enough to put me in contact with Yolanda Korff and Simon Carillo, who have collaborated to create an event where a Rock Concert meets Science.

A School of Rock with a Higher Purpose

In the movie School Of Rock, we saw how Jack Black taught kids lessons by making by getting them in touch with their musical side. He accomplished breaking physical stereotypes and even making kids less shy.

Ignacio does this in real life by creating a completely different environment to teach Science to kids (most don’t even realize they are being taught).

When entering the venue the stage makes you get feel you are entering a rock concert. I personally started getting curious and was excited about what Ignacio had in store for us.

It Does Not Look Like a Classroom

At first glance it doesn’t look like anything is going to be taught. I am fan of disruptive things. Especially when they surprise people by changing the perception of how things should be done.

Making your Audience Part of your Community

When the event started they involved the audience into the experience by allowing video and pictures to be taken without restrictions. This creates the right tone of a place where kids and adults can be digitally share their experience while learning.

The show captivated our daughter’s attention to the point where she was looking forward at the musicians, the visuals, effects, and other things going on and would not look elsewhere. After finishing the concert our daughter let us knows it was a good concert by giving it the “Bueno” stamp.

Introduction to the Heroes of Science

Ignacio presented many scientists via the visuals to the students that they probably had never heard of before the concert. I had the opportunity to interview one of the students through her mom and via Facebook and she really enjoyed seeing Stephen Hawking and what he had to say.

I will be publishing that interview tomorrow over at our parenting blog Papaheroes.com.

Thanks to Ignacio, Yolanda, Simon, and the rest of the team!

After the concert I thanked Yolanda and Ignacio for such a great event and the invitation.

If you are involved in the education of any child as a parent, teacher, or any other key role it might be a good idea to have those children experience a Science Rock Concert with the quality of Ignacio’s experience and event.

At a time where we need more scientists, I am happy that musicians and the rest of the great people involved in this project, have made a great effort of bringing science and the importance of protecting our mother earth in such a fun way.

Short Unedited Video of the Experience

I was trying to take video while not obstruct the view of the students!

La Musica y El Independiente 2

September 27, 2012 by Raul Colon

Last April my colleague blogger friend from Puerto Rico Alfredo Richner (from Puerto Rico Indie) invited me to the first of a series of events that he was going to create.

El Independiente is a músical collaboration of Independent Music Bands from outside of Puerto Rico playing with the local ones.

In the second version of el Independiente, Alfredo and his partners from Frecuencias Alternas Jose Pepe Pesante and Ezequiel Rodriguez, Rubén Arroyo from Mala Vida, Buena Musica curated a group of 4 independent musical entities.

Out of the 4 I became a fan of Alex Andwandter when this past July I read an interview via Puerto Rico Indie and quickly added him to my Spotify playlist.

When I arrived Hacienda (Puerto Rico’s) version of the IRS had stopped at La Respuesta to verify if all paperwork and permits where up to date. Sadly Hacienda decided to stop with musical ambassadors from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Chile proving once again that culture and arts is not a priority for our current government.

Once paperwork was squared away the door opened and the last tweaks where being made to make up for the time lost dealing with the unexpected visitors.

As I entered into la respuesta I bumped into Zuleyka ( @dr_zu) who was taking care of the door. I really don’t think anyone can be as sweet, strict, and patient at the same time while welcoming guests with a smile. I personally admire the patience Zuleyka had throughout the night; my patience would have worn down minutes after seeing some individuals attempting not to pay the very cover charge of $10.

Las Acevedo

Las Acevedo (@las_acevedo), twin sisters from the sister island Dominican Republican, started the night @Lucymfel identified a few charactertics of why I instantly enjoyed their music. I listened to them for the first time and I had to stop bandcamp to enjoy more of their work.

Juan Cirerol

The second performer was Juan Cirerol (@juancirerol )from Mexico. Juan’ lyrics full with the energy he displayed on stage had a mix of social awareness and criticism.

La Macha Colón y Los Okapi

It was getting late and I ended up wanting to leave just before la Macha Colón and los Okapi took the stage. When Macha got on stage I recognized her from earlier where she was dancing and emitting great energy enjoying the music that was being played before she took the stage.

MachaColon-PedroLugo-RadioHuelga La Musica y El Independiente 2 — Macha Colon Y Los Okapi @ El Independiente 2 | photo by Pedro Lugo

Even on my two visits to Austin during SXSW I have never seen any band like Macha Colón and los Okapi. Since I like weird and I know I am also weird I was captured by her performance and decided I had to stay to watch her burlesque, dramatic, with a mix of Diva and Drag Queen Extravangance kind of show.

Macha’s music was fun but just watching her perform and mix a bunch of elements to keep the public entertained was something I really enjoyed and hope seeing la Macha Colón again.

Macha finished and set the tone for the last artist of the night Alex Anwandter ( @alexanwandter) that many where waiting for. Alex got up on stage and started singings to one of the songs I have played on spotify multiple times, I was captured by his energy and his dancing that I can’t recall which song it was.

Alex Anwandter

Some of Alex’s dancing was similar to the voguing style of Benny Ninja. After watching one of his other videos the day after the Independiente I realized he might have been voguin.

IMG_1023-1024x682 La Musica y El Independiente 2 — Alex Anwandter @ El Independiente 2 | photo by Alfredo Richner

I had already enjoyed his music but the fact that I saw him perform live made me become a bigger fan.

I left at about Alex’s 4 song. I thanked Alfredo for the invitation and I have to congratulate the complete team for a job well done.

I am also happy that two sponsors stepped up to the Plate the including Filler snacks and Buye.

Given the support they gave such an awesome event I have to make sure I give Filler Snacks that are vegan.

I can’t wait for the next Independiente.

What indie bands would you like to see?

Reaching a Bigger Audience

May 24, 2012 by Raul Colon

Being a fan of music I tend to write posts on my favorite artists. I enjoy listening to different types of music and there is nothing I enjoy more than finding new talent and voices I can listen to.

Thanks to the efforts of my friends at Frecuencias Alternas and Puerto Rico Indie, which consistently help me, curate my musical playlists on Spotify (Special thanks to Pepe Pesante for giving me a quick 101 on Spotify months ago). By reading their blog and listening to the weekly Frecuencias Alternas Radio show I am able to sit back at least once a week and get their point of view on the latest in Indie music.

Google + Found Noah’s Music

More than a week ago I was looking at Google + and saw someone share Noah Guthrie’s video where he played and sang his own version of ” I’m Sexy and I know it”.

I like the original version by LMFAO but listening to Noah’s version made me enjoy it even more. Listening to him talk at the beginning of the video I got the feeling that it was some type of parody. When I heard him start singing I had to replay the video multiple times because his voice completely surprised me.

I searched for @only1noah on twitter and decided that I would ask him where I could support his music. I also subscribed to his YouTube channel in which I found the following video where Noah is thanking everyone that made the video go Viral.

Leveraging the Eco System

By leveraging the power of the Online Eco System, Noah published this video where he is thanking his fans. He also does a great job at updating us on what is next and what we should expect from him. Mentioning an online concert on May 29th, 2012 where he will be playing online so his fans, which can be anywhere, listen in and support his efforts by donating or better said tipping him.

Looking at how Noah has shared his talent and is managing his presence online I feel many of us can learn from Noah. If you are a musician and are trying to make it online there is even more reason to have Noah on your radar.

As I started reading Small Town Rules from @BeckyMcCray I have to say that the start of the book relates a lot with what Noah and what many of us are doing today to compete in highly competitive industries.

I will go into more detail once I finish the book and create a more formal review on the book.

If you enjoyed Noah’s work, download his song for free but even better yet try to support him with a small donation. Every dollar counts!