Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Soul Story: John Moses, Musician

Your City. Your Life. Your Adventure. A place can make your soul want to dedicate more than what is usual to make your existence a passion, and others wanting to be a part of it. For John Moses his passion came from a place of home. Music is his heart and creating for people in his home of Texas, being influenced by ones closest to him proves a Soul Story of influential vibes. 

Check out his Soul Story:

What drew your Soul to music?  
   -My father introduced me to music. He has been a musician all his life. When I was young I was always at his band practices. Our family grew up playing as a worship band till I eventually ventured into my own music.

When did you know?  
   -I knew l was meant to create music after I realized how much I enjoyed the art behind creating music and the joy it brought others when they heard my original work. Besides my son, nothing makes me happier than composing a melody with the lyrics colliding sweetly. 

The first tune you learned?  
    -The first tune I learned was the Jurassic Park theme song on the piano. 

If 3 songs could represent who you are what would they be and why?  
   1. Wheel by John Mayer - I feel like song is speaking right through me. Life is a circle, and when it goes south, it will come right back up again. It is a simple concept that maintains my happiness. 
   2. Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson - I live every moment of my life looking in the mirror and always will. How can I be better and what do I need to do to continue to make my life a happy life.  
   3. Doing It Wrong - Drake - Until recently, I found myself continuously in unwanted relationships.They were built on circumstances versus "love". The lyrics in this song was my thought process for a long time and it is a constant reminder on why I rather wait till the right time.

Right before the curtain rises, what goes through your mind?  
   -I leave my mind completely blank. I allow the moment to happen and embrace the joy. 

Is San Antonio, or another place, the root of why you sing? Why there?  
 -I started singing when I was young. My grandpa is a pastor of a church in Weslaco,Texas and that is where it all began. It was fun and I was horrible. But I did it pure heartedly. 

What is your fondest memory of music and what song brings it home to you?  
   -When I was young my friend Robert took me to a Third Day concert. There was a moment when the lights went out in the climax of there version of "Hallelujah",  my heart stopped. When the music came back on full blast I was mesmerized. 

What are your main impulses to write music? 
   -It varies on melody and lyrics. Some things I have and a melody pops into my head. I think about the mood it puts me in, then develop lyrics to support the mood. Sometimes I think of lyrics and develop a sound to encompass my words. It is such a wonderful feeling when it starts coming together. 

In which way does writing and reading about music change the way it is perceived by the public in San Antonio?  
   -When I am writing my music it is as if I am purging an emotion. I attempt to couple that with vague enough lyrics that will give the listener a chance join in the moment. The perception of the song can be taken multiple ways by the people in San Antonio.  The response is the beautiful part of it all. 

What does your Soul ride on?  
   -My soul rides on the challenges of success and the maintenance of happiness. 

What are you currently grooving to? 
   -I am currently grooving to 311- Amber
Without Exception...our fellow rider of San Antonio has got the Soul the city can vibe to.

Adventure on peeps.
Jess B 

*John Moses' "Without Exceptions" is available worldwide and on Spotify*

Check out John Moses in various venues in the San Antonio Area and check out his music on YouTube and Facebook at:
https://www.youtube.com/user/johnmosesmusic
and
https://www.facebook.com/johnmosesmusic?fref=ts
Instagram: #
johnmosesmusic



Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Da na. Da na. Da na...Whoa.

I say. I think me and my fellow Weekenders were spared this weekend and breathless from the adventure. I mean c'mon you know you had a time in your life where you experienced that near ending moment when everything FLASHED before your eyes. 
JUST. LIKE. THAT. 
It was insane!!!!! (OK i am exaggerating, a bit)
But leave it to Texas to make EVERYTHING Bigger and Better.

Of course being downtown has its perks and one of them is being closest to everything that happens in good ol' Bexar County.

FIRST FRIDAYS on South Alamo. Tell me fun from Country to Bachata had to happen with Breweries to Boozy Ice Cream. I mean it was crazy fun from the Acoustic vibes of John Moses to the Bachata  and salsa fun at Azuca with the trumpet sounds of Orquesta Tropicante . IT WAS GREAT!!!!! (Check these musicians out)
Every first Friday of the month (when weather is good, which is always) the Southtown neighborhood of SATX has Art museums, open mic, dancing, great food and drink deals, local artisans and vendors with great items on display and for sale. This neighborhood is one of the coolest places to be in the city. 
We listened to the soulful artists at Rosella Coffee that were amazing to check out like John Moses and Sierra Lynn . Swung around the corner to Azuca and The House Boozy Ice cream (my faves), And THEN worked our way around to Blue Star Brewery checked out the Fab painting artists and Riverwalk and nightcapped at Tucker's Kozy Korner for "Soul Spot"
And that was just Friday.

Saturday: You should definitely try if you are into eating FRESH & INTERESTINGLY. Just a good evening at home we created an indoor picnic (blankets and all, plus it was blazing outside) and made our own Farm-2-Table Picnic. It was incredible what everyone brought when challenged. With only fresh ingredients used from local farmers, markets, and sources no more than 30 miles away food was prepped healthy and tasty. Even local beer was on the menu like Freetail Brewery and their great Bat Outta Helles. :)  From stuffed figs with honey to homemade pesto squash and BBQ pork avocados, WE feasted.
And of Course SUNDAY , when you are suppose to rest...we couldn't help ourselves but to go to Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Road Show with "Jaws on the Water"! Dancing sharks, wake-boarders doing tricks,a  great classic film (Jaws), and your coolest buds at Texas Ski Ranch in New Braunfels. 
Oh, and the Bboys at The Paintyard were dope with hip hop and soul for a great Sunday Funday. You gotta check out Sam, he knows his stuff and looking for new artists for a festival coming up soon!

Lets just say this week is playing catch up and I am ready for the next shindig in the city!

Adventure on peeps. 
IG: @paparazziJ