Music with Xochipilli, Songwriting, Folk and Techno, Bonnie and Clyde

I'm really looking forward to break because I can really focus on my music. My friend/ songwriting partner, Xochipilli and I will be possibly working on a acoustic EP this winter. I originally took a break from music to focus on school, but I would always find myself writing songs. 

Well anyways his genre of music is so different than my folk rock, he's more of techno/ dance artist, which really hard to collaborate with when we wrote our first song, "Bonnie and Clyde" together.  I remember it was suppose to be a dance track, but I spent hours singing the same two lines trying to make it work, but it didn't sound natural it was more artificial. On our break from recording he started playing our song on piano and I started singing in my normal singing range, then he harmonized with me. That moment was so powerful for us. The song ended exposing our music abilities and taking it to the next level.
I'm very proud of this track. (Download it here, its worth your time http://www.mediafire.com/download/ydox96j32yyj8pv/08+Bonnie+and+Clyde+Ft.+Kiki+Reyes+%28Album+Version%29.mp3)

Xochipilli, (as known as Andrew Gutierrez) has a new EP entitled, Human, coming out soon. I was able to help pick out the song order and I got a preview of this album. I can't wait for you guys to hear it.

I know me and my music obsession. 

-KIKI REYES

Ghost Town, The Final Countdown, Spring Semester, Driving School, Thanks

Final work for classes

Walking on the West Campus today, was like walking in a ghost town. Usually, by the afternoon city college is packed with crowds of students walking on opposite directions. Today, it was just me alone in my principles, still I wouldn't of mind having some human contact on my walk. It wasn't until I arrived at library that I realized everyone was here. The beauty of finals.

Spring semester is coming up soon, would say shortly except the fact that Winter Break is very long. I'm looking into 16 units right now, which is pretty intense. I am taking a two more English classes, English 226 (American Literature) and English 222 (Survey of British Literature). I am so eager to begin learning more about Literature; I find it completely fascinating. And of course reading makes your writing improve, so I'll be getting a headstart on reading my English textbooks over break. 

Schedule for Spring

Last weekend, my co-worker took me out on my third driving lesson. My driving is "coming along great," I read this in my student file. Yes, I looked myself up... I just had to. Basically, I'm doing pretty well, I mean I always was a very observant passenger.  Mastering this, will only make me more responsible as an adult. 

If any of you guys are older drivers looking for a place to take lessons, definitely check out Steve Morris Defensive Driving School. Call us @ (805) 965-7979. Our office hours are from Monday-Friday 10am- 5pm (if you wanna call when I'm there I work on Tuesday 1-5pm, Thursday 1-5pm, and Friday 10am- 1:30pm). http://www.stevemorrisdrivingschool.com/

This Animal

I hope you guys have a great Thanksgiving. Remember to be thankful for what you have and who's in your life not just on that day, but everyday. I am grateful for my family, friends, co-workers, and those of you who I will meet next year or next week or possibly tomorrow. I'm also thankful for your interest in my blog. I work hard to bring some real experiences to these posts to make them less boring. Every story, in each blog is 100% the truth. This is my life as Kiki.

-KIKI REYES

P.S:

I covered some Paramore on my Uke. https://soundcloud.com/kikisrey/monster-paramore-cover-kiki

Saturday, Still and Always, Songwriting

A few posts ago I shared a song entitled, "Still and Always." I found the inspiration to write this song through my own experience and my friend's experiences with moving on after a breakup. The question that came to mind is, how does one feel in the aftermath of a breakup? I quickly concluded that many would still be in high hopes of getting back with their significant other; So I moved away from that answer to another question. Does one ever actually lose feelings for someone or do they distract themselves and "still and always" they will be love in them. It's kind of like that saying, "you can't get over someone, you learn to live without them." I honestly wouldn't know because I have yet to be in a serious relationship, but my friends really helped me understand this. So I dedicate this song to them and as well as anyone else who can relate.

Midterms, Flu Season, Pier, Cupcakes, Thinkin About You, The Procrastination Song

I can speak for all of us when I say right now we are feeling the pressures of midterms. It's crazy that this month is almost over; Holiday season is beginning soon, then its winter break and then its spring semester...Focusing on the present, I can tell flu season is in effect. I've been noticing so many people sneezing around me and my sweet paranoia resulted in my own sickness as well. Going to work sick is not a joyful time. I recommend taking good care of yourself, getting enough sleep (yes even with the temptations of staying up all night to study) and drinking lots of water.  Then, you can embrace the beautiful weather on your breaks from class.(The picture on the left will be explained in the next paragraph).

Yesterday was my dad's birthday so we decided to go eat dinner at the pier. Being able to see the sunset while literally eating by the ocean was beyond words. So I took a picture (on the left) isn't it completely breath-taking? The best part was that while my family and I were waiting for our food, a man came into the restaurant and played classical guitar next to us. I am completely in love with Spanish style finger picking its very enriching and it makes me so content, that's one way to cheer me up just by that sound. 

He started playing a classical version of "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk, I'm not kidding! It was the most beautiful composition I've ever heard. My sister and I were the only guests who knew the song, other than the waiters who requested him to play it. I looked over at him and he smiled while he was playing I blushed. One of the waiters told me he was playing that by ear because he heard "Get Lucky" on his iPhone.

Anyways the pier is a few blocks away from school, which is pretty convenient if any you guys are stressed from midterms and need a nice walk to relax your mind. It's also quite inspiring for writers who have writer's block. I remember one time my friend, Billy and I got out of class early and decided to have lunch on the pier it was amazing. Also, if you go kayaking I recommend you don't kayak under the pier because its first not allowed and second its very dangerous. I've done it once with my sister and my friend Jack, we all survived. Haha.

So after dinner we brought my dad some cupcakes from Crushcakes Cafe! Originally, there was only one on Anacapa Street by downtown State Street, also near by school, but there's now one in Isla Vista.

 (http://www.crushcakes.com/menus.html) If you have a sweet tooth these cupcakes are sensational. I promise you. I had these for my 16th, 17th, and 18th birthdays. Although they are somewhat pricy they are so worth it! My favorite is the strawberry blush.

On a different note, I brought my ukulele to school. My friend has an amazing singing voice, she and I were practicing a song that we're going to cover its called "Thinking About You" by Frank Ocean.  It's a great song. Also I wrote a new song called "The Procrastination Song" its up on my soundcloud, but its not the best version of it. I need to record it again and make it perfect, I happened to be a perfectionist anyways...

-KIKI REYES

P.S:I covered some more Civil Wars.. https://soundcloud.com/kikisrey/tip-of-my-tongue-the-civil

Dancing, Bashh, Running, Hiking, Typical Weekend

When I was six years old I started dancing for my elementary school dance team; I did that until I was eleven. Within those years I was able to meet one of my favorite dance teachers who unfortunately, due to school budgets, only taught my team for a year. I ran into her a couple years later. I was about 13 when started taking ballet with her dance company (Fusion Dance Company) while taking guitar lessons. And like that Katy Perry song, "I chose guitar over ballet." My sister now dances for Fusion Dance Company with our dance teacher. I'm so proud of her she is such a talented dancer. I myself have considered on and off again to become a dancer again. I even sometimes take classes at her studio just for a nice work out, but I'm thinking right now isn't the time.

My sister had a dance performance this weekend for a showcase entitled, BASSH (poster on the left). I unfortunately wasn't able to go attend the show because it sold out so quickly. What I did attend was the cast party, which was different than your typical party. So basically everyone there was a dancer skilled in different types of dance (Jazz, Contemporary, Swing, Salsa). I literally walked in and everyone was swing dancing, it was like walking into a 1920s club. I really enjoyed it because the meaning of real dancing has been fading away this generation. Next thing you know the music and the mood changes and my dance teacher invites me to salsa on the dance floor. What an experience it was! I'm considering taking some salsa lessons now, well I did meet a salsa instructor.

I also went for a run with my friend on West beach, by school. It seem like the temperature was heating up on that run and we didn't drink enough water before; so lesson learned. Always drink two bottles of water before running! Fortunately, we stopped under a shady palm tree to stretch and relax. It turned out I am still quite flexible from my dancing days (To the right my handstand on a palm tree, excuse my sickle feet).

Again, I was able to run at my old jr. high to walk my dog and I ran into our graphic designer from our blogging site; She was walking her dog as well. Since my sister was here my family and I went hiking. We up tunnel trail to Inspiration Point (On the left: my older sister, Jasmine and I)This probably the hundredth time we've done this, okay I'm over exaggerating haha. We do hike a lot. A few summers ago I used to hike four times a week and run during the days I didn't hike. It was intense. Anyways, my family and I really love hiking because it all about becoming aware of your natural surroundings and keeping your mind off things. Since, I've been working out lately it wasn't challenging at all.   

Hopefully I'm not to sore tomorrow from all the exercise I've done. Its a great lifestyle you know? (on the right: That's where SBCC should be by the tiny cruise ship)
 
I hope you guys had a fabulous weekend, time to get back into focus. Let's make Monday a great day! That was meant to be enthusiastic :)

- KIKI REYES

PS. Random fact today 4 years ago Paramore released their Brand New Eyes Album...

Radioactive, Cover, Imagine Dragons, Friday

Here's a video of me covering a Imagine Dragons song.... "Radioactive"

I promise I'll post more videos of me playing guitar. :)

-KIKI REYES

Hope your having a fabulous Friday!

Stressing, Music, Paramore, Zedd, More Stressing, Paradise

I have to admit I was sort of stressing a couple days ago and I had to take a moment. It was not like those snickers commercials where they're like need a moment? Eat a snickers. It was sort of serious I was feeling overwhelmed from  TOO much pressure; so instead I took a step back and thought about where I wanted to be in a year. After I came to a conclusion, I ran to my guitar and sang my heart out.  I seriously don't know where I'd be without music and I'm so content that many people can relate to this passion of playing or listening to music. (Left: me and my guitar Photocredit: https://www.facebook.com/cejaephotography)

Speaking of music my favorite song at the moment is my "Stay the Night" by Zedd featuring Hayley Williams. If your a fan of the alternative rock band Paramore (my Paramore vinyl on the right)  than you'll like this song. If your into the mainstream techno movement that's happening in this time period you'll like this song. The music video to this song is the most artistic and unusual video I've ever seen! It features two talented contemporary dancers as well as the artists themselves. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-gyZ35074k)

Anyways, I'm feeling much better like I can achieve anything, cliche right? For those of you who are feeling the pressure and stressed out of your minds you should go to the "Stress Management" workshop on December 5th  in the CAI Lab 2 in the LRC from 1:00 -1:50 p.m. I know December is many weeks away but time goes by so quickly! I think we've been in school for about five weeks already thats insane! The day after my little meltdown everything went well and I decided I wanted to make amends with people I've stopped talking to because: one) most of them were a huge part of my life two) because I'm going to be transferring soon and who knows when I'll ever seen them again.

Today was pretty good too. I got my midterm back and I was pretty happy with my score. I was able to take a nice walk around campus with my friends I just met the beginning of this semester. It's amazing how you can meet someone here and feel so connected to them right away. So literally we walked in a circle around campus, while walking I was thinking I can go to school in paradise. Its like what my friends and I say to each other when we seen tourists, "We live where they vacation."
(Left: The Garden on the East Campus; Right: My friends Skylar, Theresa, and I)


I'm happy to share Santa Barbara with everyone as long as they admire it and take care of it as us natives do. :)

-KIKI REYES

P.S: Yesterday I was able to meet my fellow co-bloggers.
These people have some very unique personalities and you should make sure to tune into their lives as well: http://www.sbcc.edu/socialnetworks/studentstories/

Procrastination, Evening Walks and Runs, Running Playlist, Songwriting

 
 So I've been trying so hard not to procrastinate.  I have a bunch of reading due on tomorrow and it seemed kind of  impossible to have it all done by then- its about 100 pages of reading I need to get done from different subjects (Creative Writing, American Lit, History 101, Sociology). Its a challenge I was willing to accept, and I managed to get half of that reading done. I also have an essay due by 9pm tomorrow morning, lucky I finished it earlier today (my Essay on the right... its a draft). I guess moving away from procrastination really makes you less stress. ...C'est La Vie!  

With my extra time, I was able to go on a walk and a run every evening this week. Its so relaxing. Especially with the fall weather is present now, not to hot not to cold, its perfection. I could feel the cold air brush gently through my skin like a whispers being told cautiously in ones ear. That's my poetic description of how amazing it was. I take my dog for a nice run at my old Jr.High and later in the evening I walk to the grocery store, than I get back to homework.
(On a Walk at my Jr High W/ Cookie on Left and a sunset on the right) 

Also good music= good run. My running play consists of a lot of alternative/Indie music such as:
1. "Reptilia" - The Strokes
2. "Perfect"- Flyleaf
3. "A Certain Romance"- Arctic Monkeys
4. "Radioactive" Imagine Dragons
5. "Stay the Night (feat. Hayley Williams of Paramore)" - Zedd
6. "Something Good Can Work"- Two Door Cinema Club
7. "Supersoaker"- Kings of Leon

Anyways my songwriting is taking off again. It seems to be during fall when I write my favorite songs. I recently wrote a song called "Still and Always," I was inspired about past events that occurred and as well as my friend's experiences. The best thing about writing a song is that it doesn't always have to be about a person, it could be a general thing or something that should of occurred. It can be pure imagination. Here is my song your interested in listening: https://soundcloud.com/kikisrey/still-and-always-original-kiki
those of you who aren't maybe my running playlist will interest you. :)

Monday is the start of a new week hopefully I wont embarrass myself too much tomorrow.

-KIKI REYES

Awkward 19 /A Preview of my Songwriting Life

I  just celebrated my 19th birthday last week and my friends were able to persuade me to do something that evening. I had been indecisive for weeks saying I didn't want anything then saying we should do something, so I'm glad I have friends who make me realize that you only turn 19 once and its really an awkward age to turn, so why not celebrate my awkwardness? (Picture below my friends, Billy and Alexia and I)

It was an incredible day, but I had work (I work at a driving school as a secretary). I had many phone calls that had to be answered, appointments to be set up, and I couldn't get the day off because the other employee was sick and my boss went fishing. Well, I mean he's at the office every day of the week so I didn't mind it, I guess I was not meant to have the morning off. A few people called me that morning including my grandma from mexico and my teacher from my old high school. I received one of my favorite albums as a gift from my best friend. Its a vinyl record, I have been listening to it a lot its  been inspiring me with my own music.

Lately I have been noticing a change in my songwriting, luckily my genre is always the same. I recently wrote a new song called "Dearest Stranger" it was inspired by the song "Girl With The Red Balloon" by The Civil Wars, which is off the album I got for my birthday(On left). I will record it once I have some time. I also wrote another song called "One-Sided Love" which is a sarcastic song played on my ukulele. Everything on Uke sounds happy, which is why I love to play it because after many years of writing serious ballads I think exposing myself to writing happy music is very challenging.

I remember I was watching VH1 a few years ago and they interviewed Jason Mraz. He said in this interviewed something I would never forget. He said he likes writing happy songs because no one really does and its challenging. That man is a genius.

-Kiki Reyes
P.S Here's the link for my music page: https://www.facebook.com/kikisrey