computron pack-rat

Today I made a plan: I'd finally get around to transferring all of the files off my old computers onto my newest one. What an undertaking... It's now 10PM and I'm still dragging files on and off a memory stick I purchased earlier this afternoon. I am amazed at how much I still hoard in a technological sense! I've been working hard at purging many of my physical possessions so that I'm left with items that will help further my music career (guitars etc), but now I can see a whole other challenge before me. Which files to keep? What photos to delete? It's no fun at all. But I suppose that's the standard. Is it ever fun purging things from our lives? I kinda doubt it... Nonetheless, it's something that must be done.

-J04L

renew

Tonight I'm sitting in a hauntingly silent recording studio nestled in the heart of the prairies. I find myself pondering the hypocritical quandary that is Joal Kamps. There are swelling gusts of wind passing across the rolling Albertan landscapes, howling as they dance around unfinished joints and window frames. The clouds forming to the West look like a wall of darkness. The people from in town say a storm is coming.

Wash me white as snow.

-J04L

recording/painting sessions

Tonight I find myself doing some painting at MuzikHaus. The control room is looking a little warmer with the new tone I'm throwing down (not literally... I'm being VERY careful not to spill). Life is good; I've got energy, some Lazy Mutt, and whole a lot more to be thankful for. Blessings.

-J04L

Shot At The Dark

Shot at the Dark - Joal Kamps from Shot at the Dark on Vimeo.

The way our world tilts and whirls has been studied for centuries, to find that our world is not flat, and our planet is not the center of the universe. This sought after information not only proved many believers and unbelievers wrong or right, but it didn’t bring us any closer as to why our paths in life cross the way they do.

Meeting someone as energetic and motivated as Joal Kamps does not always happen for some people. This man with a guitar strapped to his body, and a smile that opens the door of laughter, is on a mission. A new EP with stories of travelling and nostalgia, have swept across many people’s ears, desks, personal mp3 players, car stereos, and bike trips around the world. His messages have slowly made this world much much smaller, in that in one point in time, both sides of our world may have this man’s voice ringing through our environments.

When meeting with Joal Kamps, a hand shake could never tell the whole persona of his character. The stories unraveled, and knee slaps soon followed, and it was not long until the session was over. It was then that the message of music was revealed, in that it has no boundaries like that of a central planet, or timelines like that of a flat world, it is the stories that the lyrics narrate that make our lifetimes eternal. It shows in that with a song no longer than that of a cup of coffee, or a trip on a merry go round, that time can easily stand still, something of which science can never prove.

Shot at the Dark is proud to present our friend, Joal Kamps.


Excerpt taken from: calgaryisawesome.com

springtime tour

I'm beginning to work on a Springtime Tour that will see me playing dates across AB and SASK from April 14 - May 1, 2010. Katelyn Steinwand will be accompanying me on the tour as another act. More info to come...

-J04L

If I were and Opa - LIVE

Joal Kamps from Big Sky Sessions on Vimeo.

Did a live video with BIG SKY SESSIONS several weeks ago. Hope you enjoy!

-J04L

reflection in/and the surface of a black bevy

I'm sipping on an americano right now, reflecting on the week passed and all that I'm trying to accomplish this week. Lots of interesting stories to say the least... In brief:

- Someone tried to steal my car at 3:45 AM last Wednesday.
- Performed a concert at my old High School.
- Had some adventures in Canmore with a Dutch relative and made some new friends.
- Finalized more lyrics for the new album. Stoked.
- Shot a couple live songs with my buddy Brock (Shot At The Dark).
- Had the song 'Amsterdamned' selected for a music compilation CD.
- Registered 'Sojourner Music' and am currently drafting investors letters.
- Consumed a little more coffee than usual.

Yes indeed, it's been an interesting couple of weeks. Life goes on though, and despite all of the ups and downs - especially when it seems like most everything is a down - life continues; it's not out of control, and it has a purpose and direction. It is well with my soul.

-J04L

get stoked folks

Last week I hit the studio in Three Hills and laid down 11 tracks: Amsterdamned, Dry Bones, Embers, Heart of Stone, Learning to Pray, Lighthouse, Old Soul, P.O.W., Strung Out Heartstrings, Wasting, and Take My World Apart. Now I will say these are all working titles, so don't be surprised if things change upon release... I'm very excited with how pre-production has been going and I can hardly wait to start the recording process Feb 1st. Keep your ears to the ground.

-J04L

start the scratch tracks

Well Christmas came and went and now I've some more time to myself. The second week of January marks the official beginnings of the production process for my new full-length album. I'll be heading up to Three Hills to see Mark Troyer at the Muzik Haus - where we'll start recording scratch tracks and narrowing down the final selection of songs for the album. I'm really excited about the new material that I've come up with since the release of 'the RED ep' and I hope you're all looking forward to hearing it as well. Happy belated holidays folks.

-J04L

new site complete

The new website is finally done and I'm stoked to have it all done with for now. There is some pretty cool stuff to check out - especially the option to 'Partner' with me on the new album. Check it out!

-J04L

new website approaches

Yes, finally, an updated website is on the way. I'm stoked to have it up and running and there will be lots of cool things to check out - especially partnering on the new full length album!

I hope everyone in my hometown, Calgary, is liking this weather better than me. The winter has really been getting my goat the past couple of years. Hopefully this will be a mild one.

-J04L

dry bones

The past month has been an interesting time for me. I've spent lots of time in reflection and have been having many realizations about the lifestyle that I had been living for the last 5 years. It's been a very rough road at times, filled with ups and downs, and yet somehow, I've been seen through it all.

I was able to shoot this video right before I took off to Holland this past Summer, and there is almost a hauntingly prophetic quality to it. I hope you're able to reflect upon it.

-J04L

busy time of year

I figured I'd throw out a quick update if I ever want this blogging thing to become a reality. A lot of things have been happening this past while and time management and organization have never been my strong points. Seems there's something in the air... driving me wild - and all over the place at the same time! I was out in Victoria a couple weekends ago, and then up in Edmonton last week.

I've finished off a few work commitments for the next while so I'll be sitting down this week(end) and actually begin recording the scratch tracks needed for pre-production. I'm quite excited to do this cause the new songs are KILLER.

Amsterdamned Video

This past Summer I had the pleasure of touring in Europe for my first time. Late one night, while I was in the Netherlands, I was walking around Leiden Centraal and I stumbled across an 'antikraak' pad that was filled with paintings and other artwork. My curiosity got the best of me and I wandered into the building to see if the space was inhabited.  I was immediately greeted by a man who introduced himself as "Justus the painter".  He gave me a brief tour through his antikraak gallery and we ended up chatting into the wee hours of the morning, talking of life, love, music, and song.

I was so inspired while I was there that I decided to film a live performance.  I ended up shooting a video for the song 'Amsterdamned' - a song that talks about the traveling lifestyle, the struggles therein, and the self-reflection that almost always ensues.

Justus Donker is a talented painter currently based out of Leiden, Netherlands.  He was recently featured in an article in the Leiden University newspaper.  Check out his his website and admire his works - I know I certainly enjoyed them.

-J04L

fabulous fun at the farm

Last night I performed at Festival at the Farm - and it was a blast! This was my second year performing, and it actually marked the second festival this Summer where I played on a flatbed truck stage. Very exciting stuff. There's something about rocking out in the back of a truck that just gets the Albertan blood pumping. The whole atmosphere of the event was super chill and I'm really looking forward to next year!

Some of my great musically talented friends performed at the festival as well - and as usual rocked it. Lauren Mann and Katelyn Steinwand are two local gals that you should definitely check out - and listen to their music as well. (Hahaha - see what I did there?)

To finish off this post I'll leave you with a quote from last night:

"Life without music and art? Uh... fail."

-J04L

'Hollandbound' 2009

This past summer during the months of June and July I flew to the Netherlands with my younger brother, Jonah.  We shared all sorts of exciting experiences: hitchhiking, meeting all sorts of new people, pseudo-physical altercations, the most epic soccer games ever, an incredible wedding in the forests of Belgium, and a host of other adventures.

This time spent traveling also marked my first official performance in Europe - at Opwekking Festival - which turned into a 18 date tour through the Netherlands and Belgium, called the 'Hollandbound Tour'.  I've compiled a brief series of clips from some of the footage we shot during the trip.  Many of my good Dutch and Belgian friends are featured throughout the video; who can guess them all?



I plan to be back in Europe again next year for more tour dates - this time hitting a few extra countries along the way. If you know of events or festivals that would make a good fit, fire me an e-mail.

Shout-outs to all of my favorite Dutchies! I love you and miss you all!

-J04L

25 songs!?

So last night my good buddy Jon Purschke and I sat down to review the possible songs for the full length.  By the time we finished, several hours had passed and I had a chicken-scrawled list of 25 songs to choose from... How did this happen?

Just so you know, we're looking at putting 12 songs on the new full length - and it's gonna turn out to be quite the eclectic record.  I'm very excited and getting ready to begin on pre-production in a month or so from now.

-J04L

a functioning blog ...finally.

Yes indeed I've finally got a functioning blog up and running.  I know that it really shouldn't have taken me so long, but it's here, it's functioning, and I'm pretty happy with the layout.  I'll be releasing an updated version of my official website in the coming weeks as well, so keep posted.  There is so much happening right now and I'm really excited to share some of the most recent developments with you.

For now, however, you can kick back and take it easy.  I suggest listening to some of the soothing tunes off  my newest release: 'the RED ep' on myspace, and leave a comment if you have anything to say.

I look forward to hearing from you all.

Much love,

-J04L