[grand/slam]

Headed to downtown Jersey City for Jim Fabros' "Music is My Life". I was blessed to share the "stage" at Grand Banks with some ridiculous talent, while tweeting almost every part of the night. (This twitter thing will become the death of me I swear)

Q and I rocked our first full-band set with Alan. I guess months of living together beat practicing any day. I'll admit I had a few stage-fright jitters at first. "What song is next? When does the hook come in again? How am I going to pay for this tab?" Despite a few rough edges, we kicked off what was to become a pretty memorable night.

The Cancio siblings were up next. Music flows effortlessly through their veins. Laura's "Anna's Song" officially ties with Matt Sia's "Lost" on my list of "Songs You Can Get Married To, Grow Old To, And Make Many Babies With." Even now, my voice is still sore from yelling "MOMO!" (Thank you Jack Daniels and your key to my belligerence.)

I played double-duty, hitting up Nico's drums again for Jay and Pe. I was proud to hear how tight we sounded. We started the groove right transitioning from "TShirt and Sweats" to a spontaneous rendition of Usher's "Nice and Slow". Thankfully, Jay's voice cleared up. Thankfully, this woman (to the left) showed no signs of sexually transmitted diseases.

Ron Verbal and the Scottie Pimpins headined it, killed it, and killed it some more. No video could ever capture their live experience. Hip Hop is alive and well. And it can be found in Jersey City.

This weekend, I was able to spend some much needed time with a good friend, Ashley Clack.

From The Nuyorican, to The Forum, to good old Fusion Ti. The accolades go on and on. Honestly, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have hit up these open mics in the first place. You introduced me to the love-hate relationship that is slam poetry. An artform I hold much respect for to this day.

And you paid dues in dance as well. From Jazz and Tap, to dance crew heavyweights FR3SH and Rhythmology. You have endless potential. Glad to see you're pursuing the dream.

Ashley. Poet. Dancer. Ate.

From Jersey to Chicago. Make us proud. (And tell Fong I found his copies of Buffy The Vampire Slayer at the apartment)

I've been slowly reaching the tail-end to a pretty eventful summer. If this is how it all ends, I can't wait to see what's next.

[next big things]

It's official...

YouTube is dominated by Asians.

HappySlip, AJ Rafael, Gabe Bondoc, Passion, Rin on the Rox. But where's my tristate at? What you got on Jay Legaspi, John-Flor, Alfa, Matt Sia …

But enough of my ebonic swag speak.

I honestly grew up with most of these guys. Drove my first car listening to John-Flor. Broke up with my first girlfriend listening to Jay Legaspi (sorry broham). But today is a new day. Now it's time the eastcoast met the next generation of singer/songwriters. It's been long overdue.

- HelloIMDylan - the youngest, and in my opinion the best guitar player of the bunch. He played Kollaboration at NYU awhile back. He's going places.

- Kat Madamba – Kat gets better every time I see her perform. Her voice was as strong as ever this past Tuesday at Tasty Coco. And she’s artistic to boot. (peep the poster to the right).

- Ryan Bandong – The Baruch kid pretty much came out of nowhere. His covers and poppy tunes earned him instant Youtube credits with AJ Rafael. His friends Napon, Noel and Elise showed us that NY has something to say too.

- Laura Cancio – Hands down, the best female vocalist I’ve ever known. And she doesn’t break a sweat. The more I’m around her, the less talent I realize I have. Plus, she’s the only one who’s as passionate for The Get Up Kids as I am.

- Alan Ray – Despite his many professions…nurse, roommate, barber, martial artist, and panty dropper, Alan actually started off as a musician. I am blessed to share the stage, and a small Newark apartment, with him.

For any of you new musicians, they’ve set the bar right here. And for all you musicians still on your grind , step your game up.

[shoot]

This past weekend ended ... on a Monday. After the smells of a Sunday BBQ, I headed north for a few meetings and a JL Photoshoot in Brooklyn. We choose to shoot on one the hottest days ever, but the nightfall quickly cooled us off. Cindy, our "stylist" helped turn a trio of fashion-ignorant gentlemen into color-coordinated rock gods.

• Photoshoot Lesson 1: Williamsburg, Brooklyn is way too artsy for me.
• Photoshoot Lesson 2: There's a fine line between smiling with swagger and smiling like a creeper.
• Photoshoot Lesson 3: Smile with your eyes.

Ended the night surprisingly tipsy in Manhattan. Stopped by Continental off St. Marks. 5 shots of anything can set your mind straight. We then proceeded to fill our bellies with some Chicken & Rice. Man have I fallen back in love with this street food. Those halal stand guys are culinary geniuses.

[brotillion]

I am fulfilling the bro stereotype. Vain. Belligerent.

With the help of FLASH and the Pana fam, we decided to do my 21st birthday a bit differently. A roast to end all roasts. A Brotillion of sorts. Both of which, I probably deserved.

We were able to book Pianos Bar in Bloomfield. Just as its namesake, the venue features pianos and house musicians every night. Almost a cabaret-vibe. Definitely a musician's haven.

The night was filled with cheap shots and vulgarity. Everyone from my roommates, to fellow open mic fiends, to even my own flesh and blood had something to say. At first, I didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. How much dirt can one person have, right?

Well thanks to my brother... more than enough.

We had friends from far and wide, from Staten Island, to Arkansas, to even Tokyo.



Despite some embarrassment, we all had a good time. We raised money for FLASH. Poets Ashley and TJ used their eloquence to rip me to shreds. My roommates brought up stories of music, comic books, and drunken escapades. And some, just made some ridiculously well-edited videos.



best. birthday. ever.
-Matt

[r&r]

Cubicle, Music, Cubicle, FLASH, Cubicle, Sleep

That’s been the sick cycle of my summer. So much so that I decided to take off from that 9-5 grind to head to Virginia Beach with some friends. 5 guys on a 5 hour road trip. Insert the gay/bromantic jokes here.

Peabodys – A glorified version of Hooters. Minus the wings. Plus beer pong. We entered the place amidst a dodgeball tournament. Rubber balls, beer bellies, and half-naked women ran rampant.

We embarked on playing a few games of pong, which wound up being the default activity for the entire weekend. Alan got a suck&blow shoot from a bikini clad woman who looked like a guido Olsen Twin. And our server was wearing a fruit-roll-up-two-piece....Skank never tasted so good.

Ocean Front – Despite all the sun burnt tourists and henna tattoos, Atlantic Ave was pretty lively, due in part to the local entertainment. The street was filled with bands, magicians, and even Jesus freaks.

The highlight of the… street was singer/songwriter Kayce, who sang covers of Ben Folds and Death Cab. Her cover of “Still Fighting It” was orgasmic. God bless the female singer/songwriter genre.

Mt. Trashmore – We decided to visit the park on the hottest day ever, which got its name from the trash and clean soil the park was made from. Worked on Alan’s new songs “This Once”, and “Paralyze” with Buddha spitting some verses. I guess music does take you to new heights. (cheap pun intended). Videos coming soon.

The Jewish Mother – Much thanks to Berto for the heads up. We entered to find a Ska-sounding, Hollister-looking band playing on stage to a full-house. The teenage musk and loud bass amps were reminiscent of late Jersey spots like Hamilton St or Bloomfield Ave. The scene sure ain’t what it used to be.

Croatan Beach – Coined by Khloe as “the locals beach”, Croatan Beach was the highlight of the trip. Although we didn’t stay too long (and butchered the name to no end) the beach alone beat any beach on the Jersey shore. (Yes, I’m selling out). Warm water, warmer sand. And no belligerence, which is a common element at most Jersey beaches. A big thanks goes to Khloe for the directions and hospitality

All in all, the VA treated us well. A new meaning to southern comfort.

[warriors and b-lines]

two warriors in st. marks

it was quite the throwback to say the least. i grabbed the mic to share hosting duties with jd for the final two warriors showcase at je bon. matt sia and jay legaspi opened the night, with a couple friends roasting the two warriors along the way. classic TW pieces in my eyes are group piece scenes from a date and harry's famous spam. i really hate to see them go. with mark working at columbia and harry traveling the world, i'm guessing the duo will be on hiatus for awhile. best of luck to you both.

it was a pleasure to see some old and familiar faces from the summer of 2007. booking a slew of shows and open mic nights, i felt like i wanted to manage the world back then. i felt immortal. it was that summer where i first acquainted myself with new york city. as a kid from white suburban new jersey, my only real perception of new york was times square and the bennys who flooded our beaches every summer. today, what i took from that summer was good friends, good food, and a love-hate relationship with the path trains.

one east studios

i spent the first half of my weekend back at one east to punch in the final drum tracks for jay. the agenda for the day was the new track soldier on and fan favorite protective. soldier on is more of an uplifting piece. an optimistic, roll-with-the-punches sort of tune. protective is the official theme song for any designated driver. leave it up to jay to write a cute song about drunk crushes, and make it a track girls could swoon over.

it was a marathon of a day, but after a 1-hour energy shot and a sweaty drum throne, we eventually got the final tracks out by the end of the night. it's been a pleasure to work with paul and john valencia of glad hearts. one valuable lesson i've learned is how to muffle a snarehead using a metrocard (which we also used for maggie and absence back at melody lanes in bk). it gets the job done.

saturday also marked my first visit to shake shack. with one east only a stone's throw away from madison square park, the guys and i decided to stop by on the (much shorter) b-line. although not the full shake shack experience, i did get messy with a cone of chocolate custard. gotta stick to that good old new york diet.

[my ny]

friday - brooklyn

after a brief pitstop at good burger near union square, danny and i headed to his place near the marcy avenue stop in brooklyn. danny's planning on moving to tokyo, and he wanted me to take a few books off his hands.

out of all the books i borrowed, i've been eating up seth godin's tribes. i've been reading it religiously on the morning commute to work. godin's writing is clever and very straight-forward. other titles i borrowed were blink by malcolm gladwell and how to win friends and influence people by dale carnegie. i'll get to them i swear.

saturday - studio day #1

i took the train to manhattan and headed to one east studios, home to acts such as earl greyhound, the beastie boys and david lee roth. we punched in the final piano-driven tracks.

jay's new song easy was, well.. epic to say the least, while the retake of you're not enough for my friend has remained an earworm in my head for days. we're definitely growing as artists. i can't wait until we drop this album to the masses.

we ate at pacquitos (28th st between lexington and 3rd) for dinner. scarfed down a maria burrito and called it a night.

sunday - studio day #2

the agenda for sunday was the guitar-driven tracks. friendzone has grown a cult-youtube following. the band has been shooting ideas with hydroponikz for a potential music video (*crosses fingers*). picture perfect, which will be uploaded this week, is shaping up to be the next big hit in my opinion. yup, i'm totally calling that right now.

we grabbed lunch at rickshaws dumplings (off 23rd between 5th and 6th) and ended the night new york burger co.

a weekend in the studio has become my junk food haven. bring on the calories and creativity.

monday - alexa chung

flash was able to score tickets to see it's on with alexa chung live monday morning. more than anything, it was the first time i ever took the staten island ferry into manhattan (see casey, i give credit where credit is due.)

the guests were diddy (formerly known as p.diddy, puff daddy, puff diddy?) and jamie lynn seigler of sopranos fame. both were about 5 feet away from us. both were about 5 feet away from the only asians in the entire room.

afterwards, we caught a quick bite at gray's papaya, discovered soho, and finally headed to royal crown back at the island for dinner.

music and food are essential for the diet of life, and i'm a glutton for good times.

[soldiering on]

We came, we saw, we conquered...

...and the end has never tasted so…bitter.

Weeks of blogTV, rehearsals, and songwriting was well worth the wait. It was our first show as a full-band in over a year, and I'll admit it was more nostalgia than anything. I've been playing with John and Jay ever since I was 17, and I felt I've grown so much since then. I still have a lot more to go. A lot more to deliver.

A packed house off Bleecker St can really put things in perspective.

Other than that, I've also come to the realization that I want to live near a body of water. The sea preferably, although this kiddie pool we still have at the apartment could suffice..

..I kid.

I spent the 4th of July at Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Despite a few rough edges around the city, the Inner Harbor is probably one of the most underrated cities the country. From Philipps seafood, seeing an old man in a barong, eating Baltimore calamari (yes, I'm a sell-out), to even riding a duck tour (yes, I'm a tourist to boot), the family vacation was very rewarding.

I also got the chance to visit NY's South Street Seaport with FLASH Eboard. It's been awhile since I've seen that part of Manhattan at night.

I wish they knew how humbled I am to work with all of them. We're not only working, but bonding. It's almost as if Casey and I became the surrogate FLASH mom and dad this summer.

I got my blessings, and I'll count them well.

To end this ridiculously massive entry, here's a clip from the jam session at Christine's bonfire from Sunday. My life needs more spontaneity like this.

-

[china, man]

Just got back to the Jersey. Unfortunately, I couldn't post any blogs during my trip (damn you communism). Here are a few notes..

• I smell like jetlag.
  
  
• I got a farmer's tan.
  
  
• I've eaten eel, sea cucumber, donkey, and hare
  
  
• Late night Tsingtao beer runs to 7-11 is bringing my tolerance back. Yes, they have 7-11. Yes, they serve beer at 7-11.
  
  
• You know you travel a lot when you memorize your passport number.
  
  
• All Asians look Chinese in China.
  
  
• I’ve learned the art of haggling.
  
  
• The tea at Chinese tea shops looks like marijuana.
  
  
• We’ve enhanced Chinese-American relations through the game of Beer Pong and Kings… among other things.
  
  
• I’ve come to remember one word in Mandarin. “Rutto” …which means “Nipple”

One more reflection I wanted to point out is a quote from a Chinese avante-garde artist I met at 798 in Beijing...

"How big the world is depends on how big your heart is."

This probably sums up the reason why I travel. Not merely to get away, but to get out there. The world economy is going global and maybe I should be. "A Filipino globalist" has a good ring to it, huh?

One way to start is China. I met Seton Hall alumn Ted Leung in Shanghai who proposed the idea of the "globalist". A similar mentality I want to bring to FLASH. Globalism in the sense of immersing ourselves in different cultures and communities.

There's a lot of potential in China...capital, resources, labor. In the global economy, they are the next big thing (pun intended). I've always told my eboard that the new FLASH should start trends instead of following them. The end result? I want communities both on and off-campus to see us as an investment.

Upon my arrival I've been greeted by new gigs and Hooters wings. God Bless the U.S.A.
-Matt

[jo koy, pacquiao, and cotillion crashers]

Let me recap on this pro-pnoy weekend..

FRIDAY - Opening for Jo Koy at Temple University
After a good three hours in Jersey traffic, we finally made it down to Phillie. The place was pretty packed, and we went on stage right when we entered the building. For the typical 3-song set I think we did alright. Got my drumstick signed by the man..



The event made me realize how much respect I have for Mr. Koy. Funny, yes. Successful, even more so. But to be so down-to-earth for a bunch of college kids? Mad respect for you sir. (And yes, your new material is the shit. Good luck with your new show)

SATURDAY - Pacquiao vs. Hatton
Picture this. About 20 or so friends and family packed in a NJ basement. Beer, food, and the smell of bonfires. Round 1, TWO KNOCK DOWNS! Round 2, TKO!

Dear United Kingdom. I'm terribly sorry. I guess the better island won.

SUNDAY - FLASH Barrio Fiesta "Cotillion Crashers"
Throughout all the challenges and hair-pulling. Barrio wound up being a success. Everyone complimented Q and I on the script and writing. Next stop, PS. Mahal Kita!

Man, I'm beat just thinking about it all. I guess it's this Pana resiliency.

[matt sia @ sidewalk cafe nyc]

It's great to be playing in Manhattan again. Haven't felt this alive in my music since the first couple Jay shows.

The day started off with my final advertising project, meeting up with the roommates, then off to the Lower East Side to Sidewalk Cafe.

I would like to call this "drum therapy". There's a formula to it all really...

New Matt Sia song + Beer + A paid gig + Good company =
(just see the end product below)

We headed to Pommes Frites with the rest of the guys. Never thought Mexican Ketchup and Sweet Mango Chutney would hit the spot so well. Ended the night crashing at Matt Sia's.

God bless us. Everyone.
-Matt

["the lord doesn't call us to be sucessful, he calls us to be faithful."]

A priest's sermon really got to me a few days ago. Instead of the typical catholic ceremonies, my family and I stayed-in on Good Friday to watch the Passion of the Christ.

And no this isn't a preachy entry. just an internal revelation.

Bare with me..

I realized that Jesus Christ was a man.

Laugh all you want but for my 10 some odd years in the New Jersey Catholic School system my mind was clouded by glorifications. Lavish stories of a man who became a model for the biggest religion in the western world. This man's life built nations. This man's life engulfed wars.

And all of this was meant to happen. It was foretold by prophecies and visions. A past with actions leading up to that very moment.

Throughout the course of the film my brother and I wound up quoting another Jim Caviezel classic (arguably) ... Frequency. and like JC's (both Jim Cavaziel and our good Lord) passion, the story connects a son to his father. Connecting two people through their past for a better future.

Which leads me to this blog entry.

I have issues.

Now I know we all have our skeletons, inner demons, or what have you. But I got issues. Issues developed from past experiences. A combination of actions and events leading up to this point. Making me who I am today.

I realized life isn't just about the success stories. It isn't about this college degree I'm striving for. Achievements in my own ethnic community. My passion for music.

It's all about being faithful. Not just spiritually or just in the relationship sense. It's trusting that despite these times that we're in, whatever life deals for us, that everything is going to be just fine. Trusting that no matter what you gain or lose, everything happens for a purpose.

Cause you see, you can't spell trust without us.

You and me. Me and myself. It's a two way street.

And despite my issues...

I realize that I have nothing to worry about at all.
-Matt

[pride.]

Many of you can agree that pride is synonymous with Filipino culture. You go to back to the homeland and ask someone where they're from they immediately say "Pampanga, Bagiuo, Cebu.."

And now that carries on right here in the states. You see facebook groups and instant messenger screen names blasting titles ranging from "Pinoy Pride" to "fly...cutie...pnai..huni... xoxo" and so forth.

But all joking aside, you must ask yourself: What exactly should we be proud of? Is my Tita's siomai? Is it your dance troupe? Is it Manny Pacuqiao? Is it the passion our ancestors possessed to resist colonial rule? What are we as Filipinos supposed to be proud of?

We're not asking to just be proud of your heritage. We're asking you to define what you should be proud of and why.

A great way to start is this weekend...Right here we have over 90 member schools ranging from New England to the Commonwealth of Virginia. District roll calls left and right. Speakers hailing from both coasts.

Here, pride is synonymous for home. Where you come from. Your roots. Your past. What you represent.

Now, home isn't necessarily where your district is, your school....America or the even the Philippines.

Home... is wherever your heart is.

So take a step back. Look to your schools, your respective communities and the motherland. Listen to them. Learn from them.

Be proud guys. Show 'em what you got.
-Matt

[dance dance revolutionaries.]

this gave me goosebumps.

[change leader.]

After leaving a Consumer Behavior class, I decided to take a VALS Program test, a marketing and consulting tool that categorizes your consumer behaviors. Here’s what I got...

"Your primary VALS type is Experiencer, and your secondary type is Innovator. The primary VALS type represents your dominant approach to life. The secondary classification represents a particular emphasis you give to your dominant approach."

Innovators

Innovators are successful, sophisticated, take-charge people with high self-esteem. Because they have such abundant resources, they exhibit all three primary motivations in varying degrees. They are change leaders and are the most receptive to new ideas and technologies. Innovators are very active consumers, and their purchases reflect cultivated tastes for upscale, niche products and services.

Image is important to Innovators, not as evidence of status or power but as an expression of their taste, independence, and personality. Innovators are among the established and emerging leaders in business and government, yet they continue to seek challenges. Their lives are characterized by variety. Their possessions and recreation reflect a cultivated taste for the finer things in life.

Experiencers

Experiencers are motivated by self-expression. As young, enthusiastic, and impulsive consumers, Experiencers quickly become enthusiastic about new possibilities but are equally quick to cool. They seek variety and excitement, savoring the new, the offbeat, and the risky. Their energy finds an outlet in exercise, sports, outdoor recreation, and social activities.

Experiencers are avid consumers and spend a comparatively high proportion of their income on fashion, entertainment, and socializing. Their purchases reflect the emphasis they place on looking good and having "cool" stuff.

...Looks like a learned a little something in business school.

[20Five]

After being tagged almost 25 times, I finally gave in...

1. My idea of a good night is drinking a couple beers and watching the History Channel.
2. I plan to visit every major Asian capital city before I die. I’m half-way there.
3. I supposedly bang anything.
4. I eat shit like you for breakfast.
5. I tend to quote my brother a lot. I wish I had his command. He was always the more articulate one between the two of us.
6. I have a feeling that the world is going to end. Someone please prove me wrong.
7. I love how my apartment number became the name of my clique of friends.
8. I’ve met this girl who drives me crazy. Literally and figuratively.
9. I named my left arm “The West” and my right arm “The East.” I call my hugs “Manifest Destiny."
10. Every time I look in the mirror in the morning, I feel like I’m slowly turning into my dad.
11. I was a fan of good “emo” music, before it was trendy. The scene sure isn’t what it used to be.
12. Some strands of my facial hair grow in dark red.
13. I lived in Bangkok, Thailand for the first years of my adolescent life. I was a diplobaby.
14. I’ve driven the same 1994 Nissan Altima since high school. Her name’s Eugenia. She’s a trooper.
15. My best friend and I are complete opposites. I can’t believe we’ve gotten along for so long. Thanks for the memories, asshole.
16. I get my sense of rhythm, and work ethic, from my mom.
17. My first expense once I get a job after college….is buying an English Bulldog. I’d name him “Pogi”.
18. I tend to use the phrase “touch base” quite a lot. No, I don’t play baseball. No, that is not a sexual reference.
19. My life runs on Gmail, and Dr. Pepper.
20. I realized no matter where I go in the world, everything still looks like Jersey.
21. My sister picked 75% of my current wardrobe. She is the reason why I am remotely attractive.
22. I made a bet that I wouldn’t hang out with Asians in college. I now owe Bryan Fong $50.
23. I’ve become everything I used to make fun of as a kid. I work in a cubicle.
24. My biggest pet peeve is name-dropping. Get off the bandwagon and make a name for yourself.
25. The three things I want to be in life are an entrepreneur, an academic, and an entertainer. In other words… I want to own the world, know the world, and show the world what I’m made of.

[back in the game]

a random gchat message from a good friend sparked me to post this update on life....

3:11 PM Amanda Yu: I am feeling good, Matthew. I am feeling good.

Are you feeling good?

3:13 PM me: i feel great amanda

Amanda Yu: Really?

me: high five

Amanda Yu: -high five- !

me: well comfortable

raise the roof

no?

3:14 PM ok then

life is good, all the time. all the time...life is good

[resolutions]

2008 was a pretty eventful year. 2009 is shaping to be just the same. I know no one ever sticks to these things, but hey, why not give it a shot.

1. Play more music. I miss it more than anything. More Jamming. More Writing. Now.
   
   
2. Learn to cook, cause I’m getting sick of ramen and take-out. Plus, I don’t want Fong to show me up anymore.
   
   
3. Workout again, or at least do something more active throughout the week. This newfound beer belly’s beginning to plague me.
   
   
4. Read more. I recently purchased America is in the Heart by Carlos Bulosan and I'm eating up. Maybe this is a new trend.
   
   
5. Find new places to eat in Manhattan cause chicken & rice is getting old. There, I said it.
   
   
6. And finally, relax. I tend to put too much on my plate. I realize down-time is the best time....especially with the right people.
   

These will happen in the '09. I swear.
-Matt