Left to Right: Matt Larabie, Rob Purcell, Me, Jeff Quinn, Bryn Besse. 

Above are some of the goons who made this album possible! We took this right after the first main recording session.  See below for more credits. 

This EP was a ton of fun to create. I learned a lot from the process and the people involved.  It would honestly not have been what it is without their creative input and great attitudes. All are stellar musicians and I would recommend working with each one of them if any of you gets the chance. 

I would like to thank Andrew Mullin, my study advisor, again. He has been one of the greatest teachers I have had while at Humber. Thanks to his course I took in 3rd year, I was able to stay more organized and prepared for my sessions. 

I think the biggest thing in the creation of this EP that proved useful was the skill of time management. In around 4 weeks between February and March, I needed to plan and complete 8 or so extra 'over-dub' sessions. I was forced to figure out what I wanted and how to make it work. For a couple of the sessions I didn't know exactly what to play, but I knew the just of what I needed to do. It seems like such a simple concept but I knew of others who really struggled with time management for various reasons be it fear, prioritizing other projects or just other parts of life such as work. 

My time at Humber is now done aside from my graduation ceremony and I have stepped into the great wide open. Not sure how the future will look at this point musically. For now, I'm continuing to write music with some friends and just enjoy music for what it is. I hope you all get to do the same! 

Alright! Here it is. My EP which I've spent a chunk of time over last 10 months working on. Take a listen and let me know what you think! 

Hey all,

   I want to give you an update so you know my promise of new music this year isn't an empty one. I've been hard at work crafting and recording a couple of songs, and figuring out my musical direction. I've been fortunate enough to be finishing off a great degree that forces you to record some music in a state-of-the-art recording studio... ergo, my project. The song that I'm currently finishing off has elements of John Mayer and Tom Petty. I have another recording session tomorrow to finish off some final pieces and then it will be going for its first mix next week!  

Sorry for the poor quality photo - my phone camera  lens is cracked and so this is what I get for now. Its a photo of what my microphone setup was like on a guitar overdub session  I did this past week. I've found the blend of sounds gives me, and the mixing engineer a number of options on how to get the sound we want. 

I also put up a sample of one of the songs I'm working on so you can get a taste. Check out the MUSIC page. 

Until next time - here are some other artists I've been checking out over the last while: 

Israel and New Breed - modern gospel music
Bon Iver - Ambient ? 
Blake Mills - Folk Rock 

Yep, its about time. New music coming 2016. Promise. 

Hey Friends - the school year is nearing the end already! Just over a month left. 

I apologize for not posting. Behind the scenes, I've been learning a lot. I've been exposed to many different musicians; local and international; modern and classic. I have been writing a bit here and there... some instrumental jazz, some more accessible tunes with lyrics. 

I hope to be recording a few songs this summer as I get time to digest the concepts and thoughts I have been taking in. 

Troy Haws and Kathy Stacy at                      I was given a great piece of advise by a fantastic teacher. He told me that 
Craig-Derroche Castle                                   I should be exposing myself/ listening to unfamiliar music even if I think I  
December 28, 2013.                                      might not like  it. That way I will know if I really do like it or don't and why, or  
                                                                   I might find a new artist! Do you fill your ipod/MP3 player with familiar music  
                                                                  or new music? 

                                                                   Troy 
                                                                   

Hey Friends, family and anyone else who fits into another category... 


   Thought I would give you an update on music and life. These last few months have been a slice of humble pie. There are a lot of really talented musicians which is both inspiring and demoralizing. I've been through the process of wanting to give up because I thought "what is the point?" 

    Since then, I've been able to work through some of my ego, face some realities and continue to move forward. I realize that my musicianship isn't the best comparing to all my juno winning teachers or other students. But here I am, I've got a style and a perspective that is unique. Besides, I wouldn't be at Humber if the professors who auditioned me didn't think I was capable. 

    The cool thing is that, God willing, I have a lot of time to develop my musical voice through songwriting, performance, arranging and everything else musical. I'm accepting where I am, enjoying it for what it is, and looking towards what inspires me. 

   Today I listened to some songs I wrote and recorded a rough copy of previously. A few months ago, I couldn't listen to them without my ego critiquing. Today, I see they've got potential, and it makes me excited. It makes me want to keep going and improving - but from the best place possible - where its a joyful pursuit of excellence focusing on where I get to aim for and achieve. 

No demos today, but I will aim for something musical to share by the end of the year. 

Troy 

     

Hi Everyone,

  Just saying a quick hi. 

     I made it to Toronto in good shape and started school on Tuesday like most of Canada. 

    I'll slow down to last week for a second. It was orientation for first year students. I went out and got to see all 13 music department heads almost all of whom have won at least 1 Juno award. Each one came to the front and gave some advice. Now I don't remember any persons's particular words. What I do know is that each person confirmed why I am in Toronto and specifically at Humber. That was cool. 

    First day of class kicked my butt... which is exactly why I came here. I've said before, anything good in life is worth working hard for. Now I'm here, and I'll find out just how hard I can work at this. 

  I hope to be posting more photos as I bought my first smart phone last week... Nexus 4 for any who are curious. 

  Later

-Troy 

Hey Friends,

   In two weeks I will be hitting the road to El Dorado. But actually Toronto. In the mean time I will be performing with Shanna Dance on Friday at Vista 18. This will be my last public show before I head out. So unless you've hired Ten Strings and a Bow for your wedding, that'll be it. 

Troy 

Well, it did happen. The project is... pretty much finished. 


The 'It could happen' Cd release was a success. I had a lot of fun and it sounded like you all did too. 


What did the project as a whole take? A lot of patience, perseverance, a bottle or two of craft brewed beer, humility to ask for help, a lot of hours and a lot of people who pitched in. 




Here are some of the people who helped out: 

Bethea Penny helped interpret my bantering and created the fantastic artwork and design for the album. Check out her work at http://www.baetli.com/ . 

Alias Powell Engineered, mixed, mastered and helped me produce the album. He is also in a new soul band called "The Cantrelles". 

Erin Dwyer, Amanda Paterson and Bruce Hurn trudged through chart mistakes and played on both the album and the CD release. 

I had Damian Graham play drums and percussion on the album and Kelby Macnayr play for the CD release. Both are fantastic drummers. 

Ross Macdonald played bass on the album and Rob Johnson played for the Cd release. Both are great bassists. 

Kathy Stacy played Cello on "The First Waltz". I work with her in a group called "Ten Strings and a Bow". She teaches piano and cello through Christ Church Cathedral School in downtown Victoria. 

Brian Mackay created the posters from the show. Check out his site: http://www.thenumbered.co/ .

Also, I should definitely acknowledge the support of my parents, brothers and friends far and wide. 

What did I learn? 
-Communicate a lot because assuming makes an.... you know the saying . 
-Triple check your charts, and especially your sharps and flats when you are transposing
-Making an album takes A LOT of time, so plan to take more time than you think you need, if possible. 
-Its not easy to break into the music business. Be prepared for the long haul. 
In the words of Bon Scott of ACDC:
         "Its a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll." 

The advice that I got from someone I respect after the show was this: just keep repeating the process... so once again, I'll keep dreaming... and maybe, just maybe... it'll happen to me. 

Troy