Kickin’ off 2014

It’s been a busy time behind the scenes for Lorenzo as the calendar shifts from 2013 to 2014. For one, there are plans in the works to shoot a new video for the popular Ignition! studio track and live staple, “Miss Alcohol.” Drummer Aaron Farrier has been in action lending his talents (alongside the ace session and live guitarist Marcus Henderson) to the video genre in a new title called “Bandfuse” to debut on Playstation and Xbox in the coming year. Meanwhile, down in Tampa, our tour bassist, now nicknamed “Patch,” has resumed a regular pattern of acoustic guitar performances, sewing together a few Lorenzo originals with me on lead vocals for a string of select appearances. Oh yeah, and I got a little haircut…More to come. Stay tuned. – Marko

Asbury Park

Most of you know that this leg of the tour started with a note from the minute clinic for laryngitis. The steroids, combined with not talking for 48 hours (the two best days in Aaron’s life) worked perfectly for our show at the Michigan Tavern.

But I think all the catching up with old and new friends finally caught up with me on the Jersey shore. Everyone at The Saint was simply awesome- thanks to Scott, Collin and Nisheet for having us I just wish my voice could’ve held up a little longer. Still we had a blast playing and meeting everybody and can’t wait to come back.

So since I know the show this Saturday in DC will be a party, I’m reinstating my 24 hours of no talking…especially if Aaron wants something. So text me if you need me…

We can’t wait to get there!

Rehearsal – Day 1

Hey folks, 

Aaron here. I know, I don’t post on here very often. Usually its Marko, jabbering at the mouth spouting nonsense and jabberwalky. But here I am, in true Doogie Houser style, with light synthesizer music playing, here to inform you that this weekend’s show in Alexandria, VA will be “An Evening With…” show. That’s right. 4 hours of Lorenzo…well sort of. 

We’ve cleverly divided up the show into three parts. What are those you ask? Well, you’ll have to come and find out. We have literally been inundated with an email asking if we are debuting any new material. The answer to that is yes…if you haven’t seen before, then of course it’s new to you.

We are also working on our own rendition of “Smelly Cat.” We’ll have more on this soon. If you don’t know what this, somehow, the late 90’s passed you by completely. For this…I mourn for you. But that’s okay…no one is perfect. Although some are closer than others.

All for now!

Aaron

My New Red Monkey Hats

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My newest RED MONKEY Hats.

Regardless of where we play, one of the first questions I get when I get offstage is where I got my hat and what kind it is. Well here are the newest in my collection. Click here to learn more about them on the Red Monkey Facebook Page.

The Writing Process – sometimes…”Complicated”

I think one of the most amazing things that I can remember hearing was that one one of my songwriting heroes, Billy Joel, wrote songs for his albums (then CDs) and no more. So literally he would sit down, write 10 songs for the recording, and then wait until the next time he needed new songs – or something to that effect. I have to start 10 to finish one that makes it to the stage.

Now, I’m sure there are as many different ways to write songs as there are songwriters, and honestly, every song develops completely differently. But there are a few commonalities that I have found and this is how they have come together in my latest song, “Complicated.”

I’m not sure who it was who said it, possibly Steve Vai, who said something to the effect of, “Usually the first idea you play when you grab your guitar is the best.” That is true just about every time. I think it is because when you grab your guitar, you aren’t trying. You aren’t thinking. You are just playing with the same excitement you had the first time you picked up a guitar. Then, as you start playing, I think you start writing yourself into corners, you lose your creativity, or you get blocked by second guessing.

The first riff I played one day turned out to be the intro hook to “Complicated.”  So far we have only played the song live but when we record the song, it will become more evident, it is as fun to play as it is to hear. That riff really set the tone and basis for the whole song.

One of the really important things I learned from working with Kevin Churko, especially on the song “Nothin’ Left To Talk About”, is that you keep the best part, the high energy part and don’t be afraid to lose the rest. I still remember as he highlighted the demo portion of that song in ProTools from the end of the song, moving forward seemingly endlessly all the way to the end of the intro where he hit, “delete.” After the only thing left was the intro, he turned around and said, “Ok, I like this part…”

He was right – that was the core of the song and that single worked out pretty well. 

I used that same formula on “Complicated.” The verse uses a variation of that same intro rhythm combined with a word-friendly verse melody. I think it is just as important to have a catchy verse now as it is to have a memorable chorus. People just don’t have the attention span that they used to. Hell, how many songs do you hear now that you are ready to turn off after the first chorus? Even when with songs you like? A Lot!

Then as I got to the chorus, there was a note that I wanted it to start on – it didn’t make sense, but I know that it was right. Once I found it, the rest of the song fell into place.

Aaron and Stu really added a bunch of nice accents and things to listen for when you hear the song live. So at the next Lorenzo show, don’t be afraid when you hear me say, “This next song is a brand new one…this song is Complicated,” Just turn to the person you are with and say, “the first note in the chorus really doesn’t make sense, but somehow it works…”

We just got home and we are already heading back out!

The best thing about playing cities for the first time is making new friends and we have been very blessed to make some great friends this time out. Every venue wants us back asap so we are happy to return. So as we have our people work on the routing, stay tuned for some inside stories from the guys from the road the last couple of weeks and insights on what we are working on in the downtime…

So although we just got home a little over a week ago, we have already been working on the next round of dates. Look for new dates coming soon in VA, CT, NJ and yes…FL! 

Our first trip to Connecticut

So we figured out our way through the U-turn mess that is New Jersey…WTH? If you don’t like left turns, I get it, but seriously, this U-turn system was definitely thought of by bureaucrats that hated people.

Anyway, for our first show in CT, we played at the All Stars Sports Bar which is more like a concert bar and a hell of a lot more fun to play than a normal sports bar. Great stage, lights and sound system and most importantly, great people. We got to play as long as we wanted so we actually tried out a brand new song named, “Complicated.” Boston and Stanhope, NJ, you may be next to hear it.

There were plenty of jokes, fancy lights and rain…lots and lots of rain. So thank you everyone who braved the monsoon to come out and introduce yourselves, the pleasure was all ours. We have already been asked to come back so we will see you all again very soon. 

To a better, dryer tomorrow…

A visitors guide to the Garden State

Our first show in south Jersey was absolutely a party. Thanks to everyone at the Central – Kristin, Wilomena, Sandy and the whole gang…That will definitely be our new home in Hammonton.

Then we had a couple days off so we decided to visit AC (Atlantic City). I’m the only one who had been there before so the guys were really excited to see the boardwalk and try their luck. Turns out that we have a few Roulette players in the band who now understand the theory of “Free drinks for those who are playing.”

They weren’t the only ones who learned a lesson that day. Someone tried their luck at breaking into our trailer – but thanks to our Tour Manager’s planning and Locksmithing skills, they potential thieves went home empty handed – kinda like our luck at the tables.

Live and learn…

On to Connecticut Thursday night!

Only a few more days

It’s hard to sit still when I know ill playing in some new cities in just a matter of days. I’m trying hard to remember everything I will need to bring but most importantly, I want everyone to know that I’m bringing a few brand new items for the merch bin. The most exciting thing are some big die-cut logo stickers. I’ve got a huge size and then 5″ and 3″ stickers. They look great everywhere! Also – we have the brand new tour t-shirts. I hope you will all like them, I know it’s rude to show up empty handed.

get to know us!!!!!

Lorenzo, a modern rock group blasting out of the Midwest with a sound
that’s equal parts light texture and heavy shade (something akin to
Nickelback, Seether, Daughtry, Theory of a Deadman, etc.), is a band
that gives everything it has on record and in performance, asks nothing
in return and expects only to receive a fair “listen.” On that score, radio
promotion legend Bill Scull was one of the first to lend his ear and his
support, promptly signing bandleader and primary songwriter Marko to
his EO label; then spearheaded the group’s debut release.
“This is the kind of artist every producer dreams of finding,” said Kevin
Churko, a Grammy Award-nominated and Juno-winning producer
known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne, Hinder, Five Finger Death Punch,
etc. “It was actually Emanon Records founder Mike Busch who brought
me in to work with the band. The early demos were really strong. We just
knew we had something special in Lorenzo.”
Sound Bites and Live Shows
Selected as the top independent rock act in the Midwest as part of
Billboard/DiscMakers Independent Music World Series, Lorenzo’s music
has been featured on ESPN college football coverage, CBS’ hit drama
“Shark,” and on episodes of “90210” and “Girlfriends” appearing on The
CW Television Network. Better yet, the group was named “The Official
Band of The Big Show,” a mixed martial arts broadcast seen in more 30
million homes worldwide on Sky Network. In the meantime, Lorenzo “cut
its teeth” live, opening for several major acts, including 3 Doors Down,
Shinedown, Default, Hinder, Stone Temple Pilots and Saving Abel.
Sparks Fly on Ignition!
Named by fans in an online contest, Lorenzo’s latest CD, Ignition, is proof
positive that the band is quickly developing a base of fans eager for
music with a refreshingly different spark, in particular, this spark. So, light
it up!
Seven brand new tracks and four remakes of previously released
Lorenzo originals comprise this package. With help from Kane Churko,
an all-purpose studio professional and a talented songwriter in his own
right (see Blood’s “In This Moment”), Lorenzo has assembled a release
worthy of any major label. From head-banging to soul-searching,
Lorenzo’s songs are imbued with great melodies, high-energy guitars
and heartfelt lyrics. Get it, good.
Final Notes
A Spanish version of the new CD will also be available for overseas
release through Male Dog Entertainment/Gunn Road Records. In other
events, the members of Lorenzo are taping a reality show with David
Markus, producer of “Bill and Guilliana” on the Style Network. Just as
importantly, Marko was recently asked to write a song for the upcoming
movie, “Making Mili,” by John Upchurch.
Lorenzo is powered by drummer Aaron Farrier – an in-demand
percussionist who joins famed Epiphone guitarist Marcus Henderson (a
musician known for his work on the hit video games “Guitar Hero” and
“Halo”) for performances at Guitar Center functions across the country.
Marko is sponsored by Red Monkey Headwear and Aaron Farrier is
endorsed by Aquarian Drumheads, Bosphorus Cymbals and Drumnetics
Accessories.