Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The Baby’s Being Made


This past weekend, I hosted The Addy Awards, which honor graphic design and advertising organizations and individuals. It was a fun experience, and I really enjoyed the opportunity to briefly experience a TOTALLY foreign world. I was rocking a tuxedo and enjoyed doing the thing-thing with Moonlight Bride (who were the house band), and meeting a number of new people. Good times, dear friends.

Last week, I was truly HONORED to have Ms. Rachel Kelly from the band As Isaac lay some vocals on one of my tracks for the EP. We’d been going back and forth trying to find a break in each other’s schedules for a while, but the stars finally aligned and we were able to link up and record.

I sent her a rough demo of the piece, which deals with rape, a while back. Over that span of time, we only briefly discussed what I wanted her contribution to sound like. I’ve been a fan of hers since I heard her sing last year, so I didn’t want to stifle her in any way, and I was really confident that whatever she did would be amazing. Friends, I was RIGHT!

We hit the record button and just let her get comfortable on the track, and she pretty much knocked it out of the park on the first take. I had to hide my face because I was smiling so broadly and I didn’t want her to see it. Butch Ross, who is a phenomenal musician that I’ve been laying vocals with turned around after her first take and said that it sounds like something from The Color Purple, which is amazing. Rachel truly helped me take the piece to another emotional level.

I’m anticipating putting the final touches on that track and another one this week. After that, it’s off to begin the mixing process. The baby’s being made. Honestly, making this project a reality has really been a unique and affirming experience. I’ve poured so much of myself into each aspect of the work, and it’s kind of given me a different perspective on what I do, what I want to do, who I am as a man and an artist, etc. I can’t wait for you guys to hear everything.


Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Maximum Tuneage

On Monday, Your Friendly Neighborhood Christian had the chance to kick out the jams on WUTC 88.1 for an hour. It was tremendous fun and definitely reminded me of my Tampa days.

We got a phone call about halfway through the show from a guy wondering when my usual slot was. I had to tell him that it was just a one-shot gig, but I was really pleased that he was enjoying the tunes.

I got a CD of the show, so I‘ll probably throw it online in the future at some point. That way, you can be rocking out and getting your two-step on whenever you’d like!

Switching gears, I’m nearing the end of the recording process for my record. My goal is that we’ll be done with vocals within the next week. It’s looking quite likely, but we shall see how it shakes out.

Well, that’s all I’ve got to tell you fine folks on this Wu-Tang Wednesday. Stay healthy, stay well, and I’ll be in touch before too long.


Saturday, February 16, 2013

In Conversation

Here's a little treat for you boys and girls. Hopefully this will give you some food for thought and inspire some dialogue in your daily and social media lives. Enjoy!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013


In my last post, I talked about my photo shoot for the EP that I’m currently recording. We shot in a number of different rooms in the abandoned church, and each one had its own distinct feel and personality. Well, I am absolutely elated to say that I received the images late Sunday night, and I LOVE them! I think we’ve got a number of great options for the cover.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the process of putting this record together. Everything has come about organically, which feels like an indication that the timing is right in my life to bring it to fruition.  

Here are some of the pictures we got. HUGE shout out to Nicole Vickers of Phyllo Photography for blessing me!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

February, February


Welcome to Black History Month, the month of commercial love, and the month of MANIFEST: The No Ordinary Love Poetry Show! This Saturday, we’ll be rocking out in the name of love at The Camp House (1427 Williams St). Bring yourselves, someone you care about, someone you plan to mack on, etc. and have some fun with us. We’re going to art you so HARD! Admission is $8, but $3 for college students with valid IDs. Also, if you attended last Friday’s Wide Open Floor and say so at the door, I’ll knock a little somethin’ somethin’ off the cover.

In other news, I mentioned before that I’m working on a poetry EP. It really feels like a first impression of sorts because this project will involve all the different aspects of me. I’ve produced, written, and arranged all of the music, all of the poems are original (and the lion’s share are new babies), etc.


This past Sunday, I met with a wonderful photographer named Nicole Vickers. She is the force behind Phyllo Photography, and I highly recommend her. I took her to this abandoned church to shoot a few shots for the cover and interior of the EP. The experience was so surreal. I initially just thought that we’d get some outdoor shots, but when we explored around the buildings, we noticed that a lot of the glass had been busted out and that the doors were all open. Horror movie scenario, anyone?

We journeyed inside the chapel, and there were so many cool/creep things. It really looked like everyone just took off from the church and left everything behind. The organ is still up, there are a number of new things that never got installed, etc.

I can’t wait to see the pictures. I’m anticipating having them in my Dropbox within the next week, so after I get to peruse, they will be up on all of the things Christian J. Collier-related.


What’s been interesting about working on this project is that it’s been a very organic process. Last summer, I started making a number of tracks with the idea of producing a full length featuring some of my poetic brothers and sisters. However, things didn’t line up and I moved on to some other projects.

At the end of last year, I started listening back to some of the clips I’d made, and decided to flesh some of them out. Shortly thereafter, it kind of hit me to see what I could do with about 5 or 6 of them poetically, and if I was satisfied, to commit to making an EP. Needless to say, things have turned out pretty well in my humble opinion.

So far, the feedback has been REALLY positive. I’m very fortunate to have been able to play a few things here and there for friends and my mother (none of them are yes people, so their feedback is brutally honest and EXACTLY what I want).


So, dear friends, if things bode well, I’ll wrap up laying vocals within the next week. I’m really trying to get this thing done and out EVERYWHERE by April, so we shall see. If things aren’t right though, I have no problem taking the time to iron out what needs to be saped up. You only get one chance to make a first impression, right?

Well, stay cool, listen to the new Pillowfight self-titled record, and I’ll see you guys on Saturday night!!! Muah, muah, muah!