A Re-Launch / Novum Incarnationis for The Trying

July 4th, 2006 - I released the Born In Winter demo at a summer party at friend's house (we were still in high school). I had worked so hard on it that year. I had started my first job the year prior, with the motivation to make money so I could purchase music equipment. A guitar, a bass, a computer, an 8-track, and one high school music theory class later - I was ready to make...something.

I was more focused, as a musician, than in any other time in my life - which did not mean a whole lot, but it was very exciting. I was really getting out of the only-listen-to-metal phase of my life and was becoming incredibly enamored with Nine Inch Nails, Mindless Self Indulgence, At the Drive-In, and The Mars Volta. I became focused on using those bands, along with my metal influences, as my framework.

What resulted was a 4-track release entitled "Born In Winter" that was received extremely positively. But most everyone who is reading this, knows this. And that's kind of a problem.

Fast forward through 6 years and 10 other releases (ranging from Scraps, 2007 to Capitalism Is Sexy, 2012). I had released a lot of stuff I was proud of, and a handful of stuff that I wasn't - and I found myself unhappy. Not just with The Trying; but with life. This post isn't going to be a vent - that's what the music is for. But the result of the frustration and unhappiness lead to accepting that my identity as an artist and a musician needed to become a larger part of my life. The Trying is the main vehicle in which I can do that.

In summer of 2012, I began writing new material, with a new purpose. With a renewed eagerness. With the mentality that this group of songs had to change my life in a substantial way.

"You're witnessing the beginning of the end of a life
You're witnessing a suicide pact tonight
I know I have to die
If I ever hope to be alive"

I was more focused, more open, and more detail-oriented on this new batch of songs than any other time since the creation of Born In Winter. However, pushing myself to my potential as a writer and producer was only the first step. In the larger context of my life, writing and recording good songs is important, foundational - but utterly useless by itself. My goal is to treat The Trying with the respect it deserves. The comfort that it has provided me; the solace; the outlet; the life-saving entity that has been and still is - the potential that it has; that's what needs to start being used.

I don't expect anyone to believe me - you have no reason to. But, I'm not scared enough to put this part of my life in a neglected "some day" / "what if" / "I would love to" state anymore.

I thank everyone who has been supportive of me in the past. I appreciate it, even if at this point I feel undeserving of it. If I can just hold your attention for a little while longer...