Stop Signs and Red Lights

Behind the Scenes with Don't Miss the Bus!!!

2009-03-02T20:15:00.000-08:00

Greetings Music Friends!

Oh, Wow!!!

A.P.T. here. Today was my Mom's birthday! Happy Birthday Mom!

It looks like she wasn't the only one to get a present tonight though, rather, a gift from the past!

Here's the story...

As the night was winding down, I was checking out my good friend Michelle's blog after she posted a link on her Facebook page. To my surprise, I suddenly remembered that I had one here on Blogger as well chronicling the beginning of my first album, "Stop Signs and Red Lights."

I used this site before I had my website, MySpace and Facebook! It's like a little time capsule that I had buried years ago! I'm really proud of the fact that three years have passed now and I have made so much progress and grown so much since my first blog here!!!

Thanks for reminding me Michelle! Check out her blog too!!!

So, the other great thing is that I am now done with my second album titled "Don't Miss the Bus!!!" Above is the cover photographed by Lindsay B. Vigue and artwork by Jason Silver!!

Please reminisce with me! Check out my old blog here and share my first few steps as a budding songwriter!!!

It's pretty amazing to see where I am today and how far a little hard work and dedication will take you...

Also, here's a video of my last day at SherStudios with Jamie Sherwood, my producer, main musician and friend, and Latanya Farrell- (We have recorded two songs together now and I have written two songs with her as well!!) http://www.latanya.net/.

The video was for my last song in the studio "Well, Well"...Go to www.myspace.com/alexptaylor to hear the final product!!!

And There You Go...

A.P.T.

How It All Started...

2007-06-23T11:44:00.001-07:00

Bio: Alex P. Taylor

Alex P. Taylor, thirty years old, is currently residing in West Hartford, CT, but grew up for the most part in Newington, CT. He graduated from college at Central Connecticut State University a few years ago with a major in Public Relations. Attending quite a few different schools during his youth, he has become quite assimilated with packing up and moving. He has learned the true value of a smile and how that simple gesture can give birth to many new friendships.

He wrote the lyrics to his first song when he was nine, but it wouldn’t be until early summer of 2005 that he would rediscover and truly embrace his passion of songwriting. Going through some old boxes in his basement that summer, he came across a dusty folder of songs he had written as a teenager and decided to share his lyrics with a couple of his good friends.

One of those good friends, Adam Stevenson, he worked with. Adam was a guitar player and after reading through the folder, asked him, “Why aren’t you doing anything with these?” Perhaps it was fear of rejection, maybe he thought it was too late, whatever the reason, the question made Alex think again.

Then tragedy would strike…

One terrible night a few weeks later, he would see his friend Adam, only twenty-one, for the last time. He would die of an accidental drug overdose, and it would be at his funeral that his life would change forever.

His mother, a very strong woman, gave a powerful eulogy to a church full of Adam’s peers. “Now is the time to look at your life," she said. “Let this be a wake up call to all of you…” She stated how Adam no longer had the opportunity to follow his dreams and if there is something in your life that you have wanted to do, make it happen. Do it with Adam in mind…

That night, for the first time in ten years, he sat down and wrote the lyrics to a new song with Adam in mind. It’s was called On My Floor. The next day he feverishly purchased several books about songwriting and soon after, started attending music seminars to find his musical counterpart, someone that would transcribe the music to his melodies and lyrics. After going through several musicians, he would meet Jamie Sherwood of Southington, CT, who would turn out to be a perfect match to his dream.

From Adam’s death, his dreams of becoming a performing songwriter had been reborn. Through tragedy, he found light. Adam’s mother’s words had truly been his wake up call, a wake up call to follow his destiny…

2006-09-07T08:41:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

Thanks for stopping by.... My name is Alex P. Taylor (the P stands Peter). Are you ready to have some fun?!! Alright then... When we meet, the first thing you'll probably say is, "How tall are you?" The answer, 6'4"...

Music and songwriting have always been a huge part of my life. I wrote the lyrics to my first song when I was nine. Growing up, I would always keep a pen and paper close hoping to capture any inspiration that came to me. For a brief period, I had stopped songwriting, until last year, when a close friend of mine passed away becoming the inspiration I had lost and putting my life in a new perspective.

I came to the conclusion that life is too short to not follow my dreams and that I would indulge in my aspirations to share my words and songs that I had been creating for so long. Thus began a new chapter in my life...

During the summer of 2005, I attended a few music conferences to get my feet wet. I visited New York to attend The Billboard Dance Music Summit and in Connecticut, I attended the New England Musicians Expo. At the NEME, I stopped at a seminar hosted by songwriter/producer Bobbi Tammaro, founder of Funkee Boy Music. This is how the ball started rolling.
Stop Signs and Red Lights, my first song, was soon on its way. I remember the day very clearly, it was December 12, 2005- the day that I stepped into a professional recording booth for the first time.

The whole process of being able to transfer your thoughts and emotions and convey them into a musical medium is what I love the most. It's telling your story...and we all have a story to tell. It's how we tell that story that makes us all different. I have found MY way to tell my stories.

The experience of working on this project has been truly educational. Life is about learning and growing as a person, and this past year has been amazing. And the great thing about it is that everyday, I learn something I didn't know the day before. It's challenging, but utterly fufilling at the same time and I wouldn't trade it in for the world. I am following my passion. It may have taken me awhile to realize this, but let this be a lesson to anyone reading...Each day is another opportunity to do what you love to do.

So, with that said, what are you waiting for?

Give 'Em A Listen!!!

2006-05-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

www.myspace.com/alexptaylor

Click on the above...

I am as excited about this as I was when I got my first bike!!!

See ya soon...

a.p.t.

The Current Line Up...

2006-04-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

I have given this much thought (and I often change my mind), but at this moment, I have decided exactly which songs I am setting out to record... I think the flow will be good, balancing out some upbeat and some more serious material. They are all completely different. So, here's my picks...the first three are already done. Nice.

1. Stop Signs and Red Lights
2. 2 Day Bender
3. Twinkles (I Love You)
4. That's So Mean
5. One Pretty Flower
6. My Regret Bed
7. More to Me
8. Great
9. Dear Mom
10. Wax
11. Cringe
12. Cynically Ever After...

I wonder what I will be up to when I get to the last song...
I wonder when that day will be....
I wonder what the full project will sound like...

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

---a.p.t.

No Button for Rewind...

2006-03-09T10:13:00.000-08:00

The next song has been picked...

That's So Mean!!!

Verse 1

Remember back in school
You thought it would be cool
Bang those lockers around
Big fish, little pool

Now you can’t go back and fix
Those words that were unkind
Brut force instead of your mind
No button for rewind…

Chorus

What if what you said
It went right straight to his head?
And what if the result
Would become an insult?

And then that poor kid
Couldn’t get his mind clean
But you didn’t take it back
And that’s why
That’s so mean

What’s coming out your mouth
Is borderline obscene
You don’t really care
And that’s why
That’s so mean!

Verse 2

How about the time
You made that girl cry?
You told her that you’d call her
Of course that was a lie

“Baby, I love you”
Would’ve said anything
Together forever
Now, “Oops, I lost the ring”

Chorus

What if what you said
It went right straight to her head?
And what if the result
Would become an insult?

And then that poor girl
Couldn’t get her mind clean
But you didn’t take it back
And that’s why
That’s so mean

What’s coming out your mouth
Is borderline obscene
You don’t really care
And that’s why
That’s so mean!

Verse 3

Even just last night
Had the opportunity
When Annie called you up
Crying hysterically

Maybe you should have told her
What your eyes had seen
Conflict of interest though
And that’s why
That’s so mean!

Chorus

What if what you said
It went right straight to her head?
And what if the result
Would become an insult?

And then that poor girl
Couldn’t get her mind clean
But you didn’t take it back
And that’s why
That’s so mean

What’s coming out your mouth
Is borderline obscene
You don’t really care
And that’s why
That’s so mean!

© 2005 Alex Taylor

See you at the parade...

a.p.t.

A Special Day That You Were Born...The Planets Lined Up In Full Salute!

2006-03-01T21:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Mom!!! By the time you read this it will be March 2nd, your real birthday!! I am so glad that we got to hang out yesterday for your birthday pre-party...I had a lot of fun!!! It is always such a good feeling to know that you can bring a smile to someone's face, and I think that mission was accomplished yesterday! When I was a kid, you always made my birthday such a special day for me. It is so rewarding now for me to be able to do that for you! Thank you for being so positive and encouraging...you are truly one of a kind! I know that a lot of my writting talents can be contributed to the way you write, always from the heart and very powerful. You have been a great teacher! Thank you, not only for that, but simply for being you! I love you!

Today, I will be recording song #3 at one o'clock...
Twinkles (I Love You). Yesterday, my mom got to hear a rough copy of the song, now you you can read the lyrics... This song has a really different sound!! It compliments the lyrics perfectly. Can't wait for you to hear it!

Verse 1

Oh, oh my little star
Heading out to see the world
Oh, oh my little star
I love you bigger than the whole wide world

A special day that you were born
The planets lined up in full salute
Oh, oh my little star
The way that you shine
No one can refute

Chorus

Forget all my troubles
You make it easy
Dusting me with your
Amnesia sprinkles

I know you love me
I can tell
Judging on how loud for me
You say "twinkles"

Verse 2

Oh, oh my little star
I was so lucky that night we met
Oh, oh if you go too far
One little thing you should never forget

Our special way to say I love you
When this world that we live becomes too mean
Oh, oh my little star
Just say the word twinkles
And we’ll know what it means

Chorus

Forget all my troubles
You make it easy
Dusting me with your
Amnesia sprinkles

I know you love me
I can tell
Judging on how loud for me
You say
"Twinkles"

Bridge

When I worry
A few more sprinkles
You can say you love me
With the word twinkles

Back to Chorus

End

Oh, oh my little star
Oh, oh "twinkles", "twinkles"
x3

© 2005 Alex Taylor

Things are comming along nicely...I couldn't be any more content.

One last Happy Birthday shout out! Where's that birthday record...?!! Put it on!
Happy Birthday Mom!!! "Twinkles"...I hope you have great day, you deserve it!!!

Keep on keeping on,

a.p.t.

"Make Your Own Kind of Music, Sing Your Own Special Song...

2006-02-22T17:06:00.000-08:00

...make your own kind of music ...even if nobody else sings along." -Mama Cass, The Mamas and the Papas

2 Day Bender is officially done and the reviews have been great! It has even been played a couple of times at The Half Door, my favorite watering hole and that was really exciting, seeing that a bar is the perfect place to play this type of song. I can't wait for everyone to hear it...

Song #3 and my website's launch date are set tentatively for March 2nd. That Thursday is also my mother's birthday... I know I'm a little early, but, Happy Birthday Niecey!!!

The picture above is what the recording booth looks like at the Funkee Boy studio! Now you can all see where I am belting out my tunes...

Bobbi has a really great sound put together for my next song! This one is gonna be pop/dance. The name of the song will be posted upon completion, so stay tuned!! Lisa, we will be playing it on April 29th, your big day!!!

Now, I want to get everyone familiar with the lyrics for 2 Day Bender...so you can all sing along!!!

Verse 1

Yes my friend, it’s finally here
Another week of work has come and gone
Our weekend tradition is about to start
How did Monday through Friday ever get this long?

Start early in the morning, so we’re nice and fresh
Talking about how we almost told off our boss
And of course remember about the times we did
Pour out a little liquor for the jobs we lost

Saturday mornings haven’t been this fun
Since those cartoon marathons when I was a kid
Come Monday hangover, we’ll be laughing out loud
About all the stupid things that we said and did

Began years ago as a restart button
Throwing Saturdays and Sundays in the blender
A nice stretch drinking of forty-eight hours
That’s what we like to call our big 2 day bender

Chorus

Five minutes ago, it was two p.m.
Now I think it might be about eight-thirty
Lights down low, I’m looking round the bar
Another shot of whiskey got me talking dirty

Connection between my mouth and my brain
Filter’s gone, I don’t know what I’m saying
Sure I already said some personal things
Keep in mind, with you, I’m only playing

Tell your girlfriend I was kidding around
Never my intention to offend her
Just a fuzzy blur in a couple of days
Only forty-eight hours in a 2 day bender

Verse 2

Wake up Sunday morning, roll off of the couch
Another watering hole down the street
Feels like every weekend is my 21st birthday
So gather up the troops, this is where we’ll meet

Trying to have fun and stay out of trouble
But some peace and quiet drone buzzes, “Settle down!”
Oblige him for a second, then I start to talk louder
‘Cause count ‘em up, ten of my friends around

A couple shots later, now I’m feeling delicious
What’s left of my worries are starting to ease
There’d be trouble for this bar if they lost their keys
Close to last call, no one wants to leave

Won a few bets, got some extra cash
So tell your friend Debbie got that twenty to lend her
Gotta write it down, I might forget
Only one hour left in my 2 day bender

Chorus

Five minutes ago, it was two p.m.
Now I think it might be about twelve-thirty
Lights down low, I’m looking round the bar
Another shot of whiskey got me talking dirty

Connection between my mouth and my brain
Filter’s gone, I don’t know what I’m saying
Sure I already said some personal things
Keep in mind, with you, I’m only playing

Tell your girlfriend I was kidding around
Never my intention to offend her
Just a fuzzy blur in a couple of days
Only forty-eight hours in a
2 day bender

© 2005 Alex Taylor

One last quote from The Mamas and The Papas before I go...
"It may be rough going, just to
do your thing...the hardest thing to do... but you've gotta..."

Go do your thing!!!

a.p.t.

Photograph by Todd Fairchild

Yes My Friend, It's Finally Here!!!

2006-02-16T12:18:00.000-08:00

Hey, Hey, Hey!!!
Time for a little sneak peek!

Last night, I got back the pictures from the photo shoot with Todd and Marybeth Fairchild and immediately got in touch with J, who is working on my website. Here is the first look at one of the pics that will be on the site...

Some of you may recognize where the car is from, but if you don't, you will when you see it!!! It got a little paint job though...

I am really excited for this Monday... I get the final copy of 2 Day Bender!! Just wait, you haven't seen or heard anything yet!

See you all soon...

a.p.t

And one more update...

Smile or Die!!!
It's my motto for life, now you can wear it... Coming soon to fine department stores near you!!!

This Valentine's Day...Take a Deep Look Inside Your Heart!

2006-02-14T09:52:00.000-08:00

I hope you all find what you are looking for...

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

With Love,

a.p.t.

Cause Count 'em Up, Ten of my Friends Around...

2006-02-06T13:16:00.000-08:00

What Up Everybody!!!

I just got a lot of new email addresses...So for those of you who are just checking this out, if you scroll down to the first blog at the bottom, this will all make a lot more sense. Stop Signs and Red Lights is the name of my first song that I had produced and thus became the name of this blog...
I am chronicling, through this blog, the steps along the way as I work on a complete album.
Currently, I am on song two. So, now that we are kinda caught up...

Alright kids, today is the day I've been waiting for! I went into the studio at about 2 p.m. and layed the framework vocals down for the song 2 Day Bender! I can't help but imagine it being a great spring break song! Compared to Stop Signs and Red Lights, this song is just pure fun. It was fun to write, sing, and live... Basically, it is one fun weekend getting crzunk wrapped up in a song. So stay tuned! It should be done by February 20th...

Here's a couple lines from 2 Day Bender...

"...Trying to have fun and stay out of trouble...
But some peace and quiet drone buzzes settle down..
...Oblige him for a second then I start to talk louder...
cause count 'em up, ten of my friends around!!!"

That's you guys!!!

In the meantime, I am trying to decide what will be song #3... I am leaning towards one called "My Regret Bed"... although "That's So Mean" is close in the running. I hope everybody is doing well and I'm sure we'll hang out soon...
Maybe for a 2 day bender!!!

a.p.t.

Lights, Camera, Action...

2006-02-04T11:18:00.000-08:00

Today was awesome! I went on a photo shoot for my website's photo gallery. Much thanks and appreciation to Todd and Marybeth Fairchild!!!
At seven a.m., we were out in the middle of traffic and on the railroad tracks getting some great shots. A lot of fun!!!

I can't wait to see the shots from the flashing light tower!!! Good times!! My roommate, A, deserves a special award for getting her ass out of bed that early. I can't wait to see how these pictures come out... The pieces are all coming together. It will be nice to look back at this someday and remember all the effort that went into this project.

I also want to wish Alessandra, a.k.a. Choula, a very happy birthday!! I will never forget our days at Abercrombie and Fitch folding jeans and how two weeks into knowing each other, we hopped on a plane to Miami!! We have had some wild times!!! "Chaos and Commotion", what a pair!!!
You are definitely one of the most craziest, fun, adventurous individuals I have ever met in my life... I am truly lucky that our paths crossed so long ago. The day we met my definition of fun changed...and it hasn't been the same ever since! Happy Birthday!!! I love you!!! Here's a little blast from the past...last year in New Haven at NEAT!!

Oh yeah, one more thing I forgot to mention...Don't forget to check out The Real World Key West starting February 28! Click here for the latest update. There's even a girl named Paula on the show this year from Meriden, CT!!!!
Connecticut is blowing up!!!

a.p.t.

Dude! Oprah is Pisssssed!!! and A Little Friendly Competition...

2006-01-27T09:19:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you've probably heard about this on the news already. The guy, James Frey,that supposedly wrote a memoir, but instead altered alot of the events that took place in his life. Basically, that made A Million Little Pieces a work of fiction... I'll tell you what, the last person I would ever want dissapointed in me, well, beside my mother, would be Oprah. That guy conned Oprah! Yikes.

Back to reality, I just wanted to mention that I am currently in a contest with my girl Jill from work. It started on January 20th and ends on March 2oth. Who will have six pack abs by then? The winner recieves a night of dinner and drinks at Max's Downtown in Hartford. I am determined to win!!! Good luck Jill!!!

It's Been a Long Time...I Shouldn't Have Left You...

2006-01-25T00:08:00.000-08:00

With out a dope beat to step to...

I guess I am feeling a little sentimental right now... I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunities I have had in my life. And, I am still able to do the things that I love to do and see the people that I love to see. With that said, as you all may know, I have lost a couple of close friends of mine over the years. Those that I can not see anymore are the subject of this blog.

Nichole, aka Crazy Nikki, aka Hurricane Nikki,
I think of you often. You are always in my thoughts and heart. I will always remember how it felt to laugh so hard that my stomach hurt with you. You were an amazing friend. I miss you like the desert misses the rain. Click on Nichole's name for the official report from the associated press.

Adam,
You were so young, just 21. I can't imagine how it would be if I were to have been shut of from growing at that young of an age. So many life lessons that I still had to have learned and so many things I wish that you could have still done... God bless you always. You were such a good friend. Click on his name for a link to his online guestbook...

Aaliyah,
Thanks for the title to this blog entry. I just watched your video for Rock the Boat... I wonder if you knew that those moments would be the last the camera would have captured for you. What a great life you had to pursue your dream as a performer. How sad....but, I applaud your life and achievements. Click on Aaliyah's name to see those achievements.

I feel compelled to talk about these amazing individuals because their memories live on in me. Life is so completly volatile and fragile and precious. There are so many great things that we take for granted. Let this be a reminder to me and everyone else... Yesterday is history, tommorow is a mystery, and today, is a gift...that's why it's called the present.

Smile, you are alive!!! You have so many opportunities in front of you...

a.p.t.

Kidnapped Your Teddy Bear...

2006-01-18T15:41:00.000-08:00

These are, by the way, the words to Stop Signs and Red Lights...I am working with my friend J right now and will soon have a website running that will be able to play it for everyone! In the meantime...

Stop Signs and Red Lights

Verse 1

Watching the shadows on my wall
As another car drives by
Scared of the tree outside my window
So scared I could just die

Hang on to a yellow flashlight
Until the daylight breaks
Barricade the closet door
Whatever it would take

Driving along in my car
These memories impair
Why didn’t anyone ever try to help
The little boy that was so scared?

Chorus

At stop signs and red lights
You remember the fright
Under your covers
Nowhere else for you to hide

Watch out for the monsters
You still remember what they did
Kidnapped your teddy bear
Was so tough to be a kid

Verse 2

Once again I’m ten years old
Riding back home on the bus
25 cents in a big glass jar
For every time I’d cuss

With a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
That I refused to eat
Always a fight right after school
With the bully from down the street

Driving along in my car
These memories impair
Why didn’t anyone ever try to help
The little boy that was so scared?

Repeat Chorus

Bridge

Look at me,
I’m asking now...
How can you fight back
When you don’t know how?

Answer me,
I’m asking now...
How can you fight back
When you don’t know how?

Back to Chorus

© 2005 Alex Taylor
alexptay@yahoo.com

OK, Here We Go!!!

2006-01-18T12:20:00.000-08:00

Hello all!!!

My name is Alex P. Taylor.

I'm coming to you from West Hartford, CT. I graduated from Central Connecticut State University, Communications B.A., with a minor in journalism. I just turned thirty, which by the way, is the new twenty!....nice intro aside... Where do I begin...?
After losing a very close friend of mine in July, I suddenly started to realize that I had not been pursuing my dreams to their fullest potential.
Maybe it was fear of rejection, maybe I thought it was too late...for whatever the reason, I thought I couldn't do what had been my wildest dream in life.
Then I realized, what do I have to lose?
Then I asked, what might I gain?
And then... I took action.
I have decided to chronicle my steps along the way as an emerging performing songwriter. The name of the blog "Stop Signs and Red Lights" is actually the name of the first single that I have already recorded! What an exciting day that was! I wrote the lyrics, worked with producer Bobbi Tammaro from FUNKEE BOY MUSIC, and got into the recording booth!
I am currently getting ready to go back to the studio and record the next single, 2 Day Bender!!
Along the way, during this whole process, I have learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of. The one thing that I can say to anyone with a dream is follow it!! And never doubt yourself!!!
So, stay tuned! Save this web address, check in every now and then, leave a comment...This is gonna be a fun ride!!!

a.p.t.