In tune with Paul Biondi – New Year's resolutions, part 1

The celebratory mood of New Year’s Eve fades away like the last sputtering sparks of a Roman Candle on the fourth of July. For a lot of people, goals for losing weight, getting better grades or a better job and eating healthier are in full-swing.

For musicians, what we want is to take our skills to the next level. So now it’s time to ask, how are your musical goals coming along? Good? Not so good?

If making goals is a habit still new to you, search online for your favorite musicians. If they’re still breathing, you’ll find them discussing their plans for 2012 and beyond. You’ll read about professional guitar players studying new music theory material and acquiring new techniques and skills.

Touring artists (with laptop in tow) are studying composition, music production, scoring for film, etc., to get themselves ready for bigger and better things. This approach of always having a goal in mind is not only exciting, but a necessity for staying motivated.

And it’s critical if you’re auditioning for a competitive music program or desirable gig. Besides, musicians who don’t aspire to improve their skills eventually become stuck, frustrated and bored.

So how do we go about creating and completing goals? There are many approaches. To help you get started, I’ve consolidated some practical and easy to follow guidelines that I post on the bulletin board in my studio as a reminder to my students. I would like to share them with you.

It begins with organizing your imagination. Start by articulating what you really want to accomplish. Next, create a plan for how you will make it so.

As you think about your goals and dreams, ask yourself the following questions:

Are they measurable and specific? For example: “I want to play really fast” isn’t measurable and specific; “I want to play Paganini ‘5th Caprice’ at 130 bpm [beats per minute]” is.

Do your goals excite and inspire you? What rewards will these accomplishments bring into your life that will make it worth putting in the work? I once had a student who wanted to learn to play the guitar because every time he was at a party, he found that the guys who played guitar got the attention of all the women in the room. His desire to be “that guy” was a goal that inspired him.

Are you committed to doing everything in your power (within reason) to make it happen? I always say “within reason” because I remember teaching a beginner guitar student with a goal to play his favorite songs within a few of months. He was so determined to meet his goal, that he wore the calluses off his finger tips (yuk) practicing five-plus hours a day.

Concern about his diminishing attention to schoolwork and socializing, his parents and I helped him create a practice schedule that allowed for a more well-rounded approach to meeting his guitar goals.

To get you started, here are some typical goals I see from my students: be able to tune guitar by ear; get a record deal; start a band; play at a battle of the bands; learn to play all the songs on “Dark Side of the Moon”; play at friends’ parties to get a date; transcribe one pop/rock song a week; make a demo; get paid to play; make a living from music.

Look over these goals by other students. Do they all fit the criteria above (are they measurable and inspiring)? Which column would you place them in?

Now it’s time to organize your goals. Take out a sheet of paper and create three columns. Label the columns something like “short” “medium” and “long” or whatever wording you prefer that represents a probable completion time of three months, six months and one year or longer.

Organize your goals by placing them into the appropriate columns.

Next, we’ll look at how to create a plan to make your goals a reality.

This article was printed in the February 23 issue of Entertaining Life, Merrick Life's monthly entertainment issue.

Face the King to play Gramercy Theatre

Remember local band Face the King (who we interviewed a few months ago)? They will be playing a major show at Gramercy Theatre in New York City on Saturday, March 24 as part of a special Gotham Rocks showcase.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m., with music beginning at 7 p.m. Opening the show is Circus Life, followed by The Blackfires, two time Warped Tour veterans Chasing Thrill, Mother, headliners Ghosts of Eden, and Face the King (taking the stage at 9:30 p.m.)

Tickets are going fast and can be purchased from any band member (visit bands on Facebook for more information), or with PayPal HERE. Tickets are $15 in advance, and will not be available at the door. This is an all ages show.

The Gramercy Theatre is located at 127 East 23rd Street in Manhattan. This is a great opportunity to see some of the best unsigned bands from the East Coast, all in one place.

After Dark playing this weekend

Local classic/modern rockers After Dark will be playing at Sunset Grill (4068 Sunrise Highway in Seaford) on Saturday, March 3 starting at 9:30 p.m.

Local band members are ‘Allies’ toward success

Meet Allies, an aptly named group of talented young musicians ready to take the Long Island music scene by storm.

Singer and keyboard player Joe Villafane, 19, hails from Merrick and graduated from Calhoun High School. Guitarist and backing vocalist Ryan Higbie, 19, is a Seaford High School graduate, as are drummer Alex Kaufman, 19, and bassist Sean Banicki, 20.

The band, formerly known as Along the Falls, has changed its name to reflect the recent change in lineup. The members explain that the current incarnation of the band was not what Along the Falls had been known for, and recently settled on its new name.

The four band members are modest and talk more about each other’s strengths than their own – with a few good-natured jabs interspersed, of course.

Of drummer Alex, Ryan says, “He’s not a normal drummer, he’s a serious percussionist.” The percussion major at Nassau Community College then rattles off at least six instruments he plays, and adds that he’d like to learn more about his instruments.

Ryan began playing bass in seventh grade, and taught himself guitar in early high school. He credits his skill as a vocalist to Seaford High School teacher Yvonne Bendzlowicz, saying, “I had no idea I had a voice until I worked with her.”

Joe has been singing since fourth grade, has studied with voice teachers and participated in Calhoun’s On Tour program.

Sean has been playing bass for six years, though he pragmatically notes that when he began working, the time he had available to play quickly dwindled. Of course, he was playing alone.

Now, playing as a band, the members agree that the band is a top priority, and they always make time for their rigorous rehearsal schedule.

When questioned about the chemistry of the band, Joe explains that the members do not consider each other friends, but rather brothers. “Families are forever,” he declares, and they consider themselves family.

Seeing the band together, it’s difficult to believe they aren’t related by blood. The comfortable, easygoing relationship among the four is obvious, with a palpable connection that shows in their interactions.

The band describes itself as alternative rock, but Ryan is quick to clarify. “We don’t really feel a label is necessary. It’s all about expression.” With influences including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam and Brand New, the members draw from multiple sources of inspiration to create a sound distinctly their own.

Again, the band’s overall message of unity and equality shows through in the effortless way in which they mesh the different aspects each member brings.

And it’s not only the band members who are “allies.” Joe stresses that the band tries to break down the traditional boundaries between a band and its fans. “We’re all just people, so they’re not our fans...they’re our friends.” Alex agrees, saying, “We support them because they support us.”

“Without fans,” Joe says, “we’re just four guys sitting around playing to each other.”

Earlier this month the band participated in The Break contest at Ollie’s Point in Amityville, and the RockYoFaceCase at Stony Brook University. They are also working on their upcoming extended play (EP) album, recorded at Rogue Studios in Hicksville, with mastering done in a home studio. The album is being self-produced by the band, and co-produced by Long Island native Sal Bossio, of Envy on the Coast.

They’re proud of their work so far, and looking forward to the release of the EP. Their music is genuine, and they stick to a fluid method of songwriting, which they describe as “organic.”

The members agree that the parts they write individually often work together as if they were planned – when they weren’t. And if it doesn’t work, they move on. “You can tell if it’s not genuine,” they nod.

Joe says that this incarnation has brought out a certain maturity in all of them, which goes with the overall evolution they describe, individually and as a group. “I used to try to write in metaphor,” he says. “The upcoming EP is a heart-on-my-sleeve record.”

When asked what they plan next, a number of answers were offered, all with one theme – positivity. “You’re wasting energy by thinking negatively,” Ryan says.

More information on Allies can be found at www.facebook.com/AlliesMusic, and the band can be reached at AlliesMusic516@gmail.com. This year the band anticipates new and exciting opportunities, and their fans look forward to seeing what they can accomplish.

– I.M.

This article was published in "Entertaining Life," the monthly entertainment issue of Merrick Life, Bellmore Life and The Wantagh-Seaford Citizen on February 22 and 23, 2012.

Jones Beach 2012 schedule

The first several shows for Nikon at Jones Beach Theater's summer 2012 schedule have been announced. The theater is located on Ocean Parkway, just east of the Wantagh Parkway. So far, the schedule is:

May 26-27 – Jones Beach Air Show

June 8 and 10 – Neil Diamond Greatest Hits

June 9 – An Evening With Yanni Under The Stars

June 12-13 – Dave Matthew Band

June 22 – Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band

June 27 – Iron Maiden and Alice Cooper

For tickets and more information, visit Jones Beach or Ticketmaster.

Jeff Beck at The Paramount postponed

The Jeff Beck performances scheduled for March 16 and 17 have been postponed due to a delay in his recording schedule. Already purchased tickets will be honored for the later (not yet announced) date, or can be refunded at point of purchase.

Visit The Paramount online for more information.

Rolling Stones insider appearing in Great Neck

As a teenager, Bill German met and befriended the Rolling Stones and became their official historian for the next twenty years. His recent book, Under Their Thumb chronicles the ups and downs he experienced while working with the band – including experiences touring with the band, staying in members' homes and witnessing shows and recording sessions. The book includes humorous stories and never before seen photos of the band.

On Sunday, March 25 at 4 p.m., German will be appearing at the Great Neck Arts Center (113 Middle Neck Road, Great Neck) for a special meet and greet and presentation. At intermission, Long Island's own Rolling Stones cover band Streetfighter will perform. This event is being sponsored by Brandywine Senior Living at The Savoy.

Admission is $10 per person, open to all ages. A cash bar will be available. All funds raised go to support the School for the Arts, Scholarship Program and Outreach Program. To reserve your seats, contact Ronni at ronni@greatneckarts.org or call 516-829-2570.