tag:grumpykittyboy.com,2005:/blogs/the-unwanted-box-2e355888-0c1d-4aa9-b592-c83e6b0a7467?p=2
The "Unwanted" Box
2021-08-15T14:44:14-04:00
Grumpy Kitty Boy
false
tag:grumpykittyboy.com,2005:Post/6717762
2021-08-15T14:44:14-04:00
2023-10-16T11:01:03-04:00
Grumpy Kitty Boy hosts "World Skip The Beat" on August 16th!
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/569667/dc1719b380f8db2e121dbbc9640a8f0729a2cf71/original/gkboy-recording-for-radio.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.png" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>I'm finally doing radio stints again, fellow grumpies! On August 16 and 23, I will produce and host the two-hour music show <a contents="World Skip The Beat" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://ckut.ca/en/content/world-skip-beat" target="_blank"><strong>World Skip The Beat</strong></a> at CKUT 90.3 FM Montreal.</p>
<p>"World Skip The Beat" is an international music show every Monday 12:00PM-2:00PM EST that aims to demystify "world music" and explore the roots of traditional music around the globe. My prerecorded shows for August 16 and 23 will focus on Southeast Asia (because I am a Southeast Asian native too!) and North America, although today's approach towards exploring "world music" will be different as I will present diverse music from artists within the region.</p>
<p>The playlist for World Skip The Beat's August 16th show is listed below:</p>
<p><strong>12:00PM - 1:00PM</strong></p>
<p>"Ngajat Tampi" - Noraniza Idris<br>"Hope" - Bayu Risa<br>"Better" - Bayu Risa<br>"Opening" - Bob Aves<br>"Crossing Houses" - Bob Aves<br>"Senggot" - Idjah Hadidjah, Jugala Jaipongan<br>"คนดังลืมหลังควาย" (Kon Dang Leum Lang Kwai) - Pumpuang Duangjan<br>"ตั๊กแตนผูกโบว์" (Tak Ka Tan Puk Bow) - Pumpuang Duangjan<br>"หม้ายขันหมาก" (Mai Kan Mak) - Pumpuang Duangjan<br>"Neang Na" - Sam-Ang Sam Ensemble<br>"Khvann Tung" - Sam-Ang Sam Ensemble</p>
<p><strong>1:00PM - 2:00PM</strong></p>
<p>"Bet on Me" - Suboi<br>"Công" - Suboi<br>"Người ta hiểu" - Suboi<br>"Taranta" - Pantayo<br>"V V V (They Lie)" - Pantayo<br>"Bronsé" - Pantayo<br>"Lao Lam Saravan" - Bouthavy Namakhon, Tong Lo Khoun, Khamphan Kikouphan<br>"Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig" - Chris Trinidad, Bo Razon, Raphael Geronimo, David Lechuga<br>"Jocelynang Baliwag" - Chris Trinidad, Raphael Geronimo, David Lechuga, Reggie Padilla<br>"Taal" - Chris Trinidad, Bo Razon, Carlos Caro, David Lechuga, John Calloway, Raquel Berlind<br>"Berhenti Untuk Mencari" - Bayu Risa<br>"Enjut" - Noraniza Idris<br>"Kuasa Cinta" - Noraniza Idris</p>
<p>Watch out for the playlist on August 23rd in another post!</p>
<p>Tune in to World Skip The Beat at August 16th (Monday) 12PM-2PM EST by either:</p>
<p>(1) Listening to the live broadcast feed at <a contents="https://ckut.ca" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://ckut.ca" target="_blank">https://ckut.ca</a>, or<br>(2) Listening in Radio Garden (<a contents="https://radio.garden" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://radio.garden" target="_blank">https://radio.garden</a>): look for CKUT 90.3 FM in the Montreal map.</p>
<p>See yah, fellow grumpies!</p>
Grumpy Kitty Boy
tag:grumpykittyboy.com,2005:Post/6687142
2021-05-07T04:15:00-04:00
2021-07-14T21:29:50-04:00
Stories behind "Show Me The Kibbles" (Part 2 of 2)
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="ZWeATvJfYiY" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZWeATvJfYiY/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZWeATvJfYiY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Hi, fellow grumpies! It's update 2 of 2—more accurately, this is the third one following two "update 1" entries!—and now we're back to get a glimpse behind the fourth wall again. You know that I love writing about stuff, so allow me to tell some stories from the grumpy</p>
<p>It's been a while since my debut EP "Show Me The Kibbles" came out. As always, I scheduled a Facebook live stream on the night of the release and invited people over to celebrate the launch. I've been setting up my "TV show" (as I like to think of it) weeks prior, putting together title screens and overlays for the stream and editing the lyric video for "Dark Skies" from GIF animation loops drawn by visual artist Yuna Kim. I extracted relevant synth stems for my backing tracks and arranged them within my DAW so that I can perform live with them. I even ordered two boxes of cauliflower-crust pizza a couple of hours before showing up live because I don't want to go hungry late past 10PM!</p>
<p>It was exhilarating to finally present creative work I and others in my small team have worked hard for. And yet the weeks of preparation for the live stream were nothing compared to the amount of time that lapsed since I first started production for my first EP project ever. This takes us all the way back to spring of 2019. I remember showing Jason (my then-new student) early synth demo versions of "Blue Eyes" and "Sparrows Fly" during our lessons, and I also contacted Marie-Luise Calvero about doing the mixing and mastering of the upcoming tracks. Buying a new condenser microphone for recording purposes became imperative, and I remember stressing about having it delivered on time since I had to bring it with me to Nebraska for the summer. After premiering a new contemporary classical work ("<a contents="Time moves, straightforward..." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/sa-kanyang-paglayag/time-moves-straightforward" target="_blank">Time moves, straightforward...</a>") during the last week of July in Toronto's Array Space, I hopped immediately on the plane to start a four-week artist residency at the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts. (And yup, this was exactly the flight where I conjured up the lyrics and music of my debut single "Airplane Wings"!).</p>
<p>I worked on various artistic projects during my time there, but Grumpy Kitty Boy's EP was on top of my list. With my new microphone in tow, I recorded lead vocal tracks for six songs at the Center's music studio. ("Train Tracks" was a later addition in the final track list). I had worked as much as I could to finish instrumental tracks prior to the residency. Marie-Luise and I started working remotely on "Dark Skies" during August, but circumstances caused her to pause work. We didn't resume work until July of 2020 during the pandemic—at this point, I just wrapped up my collaboration with Rojh Baquiran of The North Hit Project (Philippines) for the release of my debut single. As Marie-Luise's husband Sebastián Gómez Mancheno took care of its mastering, it became easier for us to pick up where we left off.</p>
<p>It wasn't that easy though with the visual side of things. Yuna Kim was working tirelessly on sketching the <a contents="animated music video" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOd120Q_VEU" target="_blank">animated music video</a> of "Airplane Wings" from July until October of 2020. I remember that she only took a one- or two-week break before coming back onboard for doing all the artwork assets of the EP all the way until February of 2021. I had since decided that "Show Me The Kibbles" is a proper title for a debut EP, and we had to work on album artwork that combines her iconic GKBoy illustration with photos from an October photo shoot with Prince Requino. Two lyric videos need to be completed before the release date (as well as stuff that you'll have to find out later on). It was a back-breaking time with constant emails and such.</p>
<p>While it was my idea to have looping GIF animations for lyric videos, Yuna thought about capitalizing on the idea of "circles" for "Blue Eyes." She told me that the music gave her the feeling that things are going on and on in circles, which was quite enlightening once you add that to the story of "Blue Eyes." Features in media outlets like <a contents="Tinnitist" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://tinnitist.com/2021/02/09/grumpy-kitty-boy-stares-into-blue-eyes-in-latest-single-video/" target="_blank">Tinnitist</a>, <a contents="Canadian Beats" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://canadianbeats.ca/2021/02/15/interview-grumpy-kitty-boy/" target="_blank">Canadian Beats</a>, and others have written about the background behind the song, and Yuna's commentary added more dimension to thoughts about powerlessness and how we easily spiral down into never-ending daily grinds. (But also, if I may add, I really love Raccoon's looping walking animation!). The animations for "Dark Skies" are a different story—I had to pitch specific images to work on, and some of them I even relayed on the spot! "Dark Skies" is a jam-packed song in terms of imagery, and my favourite loop among all of them was the one where Grumpy Kitty Boy looks at a big keyhole, unable to come out but also not wanting to come out at the same time.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="GBs3PNjUxyw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/GBs3PNjUxyw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GBs3PNjUxyw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>And "Show Me The Kibbles" is finally out! Listen to all six songs from the grumpy! Hopefully, I'll write more in depth about each of the six songs in the near future. In the meantime, I'll divulge some bits of trivia with this EP:</p>
<ul> <li>"Niagara Falls" is the earliest song written among all the songs in the EP. I wrote it as a love song during end of August 2018, five days before the "surprise" breakup. </li> <li>"Train Tracks" is the latest song written, having gone to Winnipeg by train and writing a song about it on September 2019. I didn't originally plan to include this song in the EP! </li> <li>"Sparrows Fly" was written during a friend's visit to Toronto. I showed him around the city, and the places we visited became useful imagery as I sat down to write a song one Sunday morning while my friend went to church. </li> <li>"The Smalls" is named after the Smalls Trail, one of the hiking trails around the Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts (Saratoga, WY). Inspiration came from meeting a lone stag looking out the void on my hurried descent from a mountain, as darkness slowly engulfed the mountainside during sunset. (You would never, ever want to be out on back country unequipped when darkness falls!).</li>
</ul>
<p>Thanks for supporting the grumpy! And don't forget to buy music to support me financially—buy all six songs of "Show Me The Kibbles!"</p>
Grumpy Kitty Boy
tag:grumpykittyboy.com,2005:Post/6687167
2021-01-29T14:30:00-05:00
2021-07-14T21:50:07-04:00
Quick write: "Blue Eyes" is out—unveiling my upcoming debut EP
<p>Fellow grumpies! This is a big day for us! </p>
<p>My newest single Blue Eyes is finally out! I want to thank you people who were supportive since Day 1 and who continue to support the grumpy even today. I'm really happy that this baby grumpy finally saw the light of day. </p>
<p>Some specific links to follow: </p>
<p>Purchase a copy of Blue Eyes on <a contents="Bandcamp" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://grumpykittyboy.bandcamp.com/track/blue-eyes-4" target="_blank">Bandcamp</a>! Support the grumpy on his journey towards being grumpier! 😹 For less than the price of a Tim Hortons cuppa, you can help me produce more future grumpies. </p>
<p>A simple, loopy YouTube lyric video accompanies this release! Looping animations are done by visual artist Yuna Kim, with editing by moi! Check it out!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="ZWeATvJfYiY" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZWeATvJfYiY/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZWeATvJfYiY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I'm listing down track credits and acknowledgements below:</p>
<p><span class="font_regular">BLUE EYES <br>Grumpy Kitty Boy </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Music and lyrics by <a contents="Juro Kim Feliz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://jurokimfeliz.com/" target="_blank">Juro Kim Feliz</a> <br>Recorded at the <a contents="Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.khncenterforthearts.org/" target="_blank">Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts</a> (Nebraska City, NE) during an artist residency in July-August 2019 <br>Produced by Juro Kim Feliz <br>Mixing by <a contents="Marie-Luise Calvero" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.marieluisecalvero.com/" target="_blank">Marie-Luise Calvero</a> at mu-waves (Freiburg, Germany) <br>Mastering by <a contents="Sebastián Gómez Mancheno" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://vimeo.com/sebasgomezm" target="_blank">Sebastián Gómez Mancheno</a> at mu-waves (Freiburg, Germany) </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Cover art by <a contents="Yuna Kim" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/__yunakim2126/" target="_blank">Yuna Kim</a> <br>Photography by <a contents="Prince Requino" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/princerequino/" target="_blank">Prince Requino</a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Performers: <br>Grumpy Kitty Boy - vocals, keyboards, programming </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Special thanks to the following: <a contents="Carolyn Fe" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://carolyn-fe.com" target="_blank">Carolyn Fe</a> ("Bad Puppy Mummy"), "Raccoon," <a contents="Eric Alper" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.thatericalper.com/" target="_blank">Eric Alper</a>, Holly McAdams Olson, Sara Ammon, Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts (Nebraska City, NE).</span></p>
<hr><p>We're not done yet! <strong>Blue Eyes</strong> paves the way for Grumpy Kitty Boy's debut EP <strong>Show Me The Kibbles</strong>, a mishmash of six (6) songs that introduces us to glimpses of his life and character. A digital songbook (in PDF format) will accompany this EP release, followed by a limited CD edition of the EP during late spring! Watch out for <strong>Show Me The Kibbles</strong> on February 26—available soon on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms! </p>
<p>Stay grumpy safe, y'all! </p>
<p>Juro (Grumpy Kitty Boy)</p>
Grumpy Kitty Boy
tag:grumpykittyboy.com,2005:Post/6687170
2021-01-18T00:00:00-05:00
2021-07-13T23:56:38-04:00
"Blue Eyes"—my newest single coming soon! (Part 1.5 of 2)
<p>Following my last post It's A New Grumpy Season for 2021! (Part 1 of 2), I initiated a six-day #ArtworkReveal series in <a contents="Facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/grumpykittyboy" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/grumpy.kitty.boy" target="_blank">Instagram</a> last week (well actually there was a bonus day too) to unveil bits and pieces of the cover artwork for new music. Now that we're done "playing games" (LOL), I'm ready to unveil my upcoming release!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/569667/0a0bb62728bea397c683e7d259cd29c4147861ef/original/blue-eyes-3000x3000.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>"Blue Eyes" is my latest, upcoming single following my first Grumpy Kitty Boy music release ever last July 2020! This dreamy, enigmatic statement of a song will be out on January 29 (#NewMusicFriday!) and will be available on my <a contents="Bandcamp" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://grumpykittyboy.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Bandcamp</a> online store along with digital streaming platforms—Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud, YouTube Music, Deezer, TIDAL, Amazon, etc. A YouTube lyric video will also accompany this release, with animations by visual artist Yuna Kim. (<em>An official animated music video might come out in the future...ooops shhhhh!</em> 🤫)</p>
<p>I will add all links in my <a contents="little landing page" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://snd.click/ridwe" target="_blank">little landing page</a> once release goes out on January 29. Set a reminder in your grumpy calendar, and don't forget to join my mailing list to hear more future grumpies! 🎉</p>
<p>Streaming music is fine, but the real deal actually happens when you directly support artists (like me) by buying their stuff! I have my Grumpy Kitty Boy official online store on Bandcamp, where you can buy my music—and upcoming merch too! 😲—and help me make more future grumpies and kitty treats. I can't emphasize this more enough, <strong>as I will have more items coming out on Bandcamp very soon</strong>. Check the grumpy on Bandcamp <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://grumpykittyboy.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>
<p>Take the time also to follow me in all music and social media platforms you're part of: <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/5qJkv2UI40rqBLynDsojCr" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a contents="Apple Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/grumpy-kitty-boy/1517169710" target="_blank">Apple Music</a>, <a contents="Soundcloud" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/grumpykittyboy" target="_blank">Soundcloud</a>, <a contents="Deezer" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/97029272" target="_blank">Deezer</a>, <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLysBYemoMSa4jPCXuF6aNA" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, as well as <a contents="Facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/grumpykittyboy" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/grumpy.kitty.boy" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. FOLLOW THEM ALL! 🤣</p>
<p>Again, Grumpy Kitty Boy's newest single "Blue Eyes" comes out on January 29!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/569667/da4804874ba0a967b7ea5fad84ed3255320d1d49/original/blue-eyes-pre-save-landing-page.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>As a final note, notice this announcement's title—"Part 1.5 of 2!" Wait for the real "Part 2," as I'm just getting started. 😼 Stay grumpy and updated, fellow grumpies!</p>
Grumpy Kitty Boy
tag:grumpykittyboy.com,2005:Post/6687178
2021-01-08T01:25:00-05:00
2021-07-14T21:51:08-04:00
It's A New Grumpy Season for 2021! (Part 1 of 2)
<p>Hi there, fellow grumpies! </p>
<p>It's been a while since I wrote something here in <strong>The "Unwanted" Box</strong>! The past year was really crazy with lots of goings-on and stuff that kept me awake late nights. 😴 I owe you not only a big, crazy recap for 2020, but also upcoming news for the first half of 2021 (check out part 2 soon)! Join me for today's grumpy ride! 🚲🛴 </p>
<p>Since releasing the debut single <strong>Airplane Wings</strong> in July 2020, I initially reported on a <a contents="Grumpy Kitty Boy' feature with Tinnitist" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://grumpykittyboy.com/2020/08/17/airplane-wings-featured-in-tinnitist/" target="_blank">Grumpy Kitty Boy' feature with Tinnitist</a>. It didn't stop there—we got features and interviews from other media outlets too! Check the list below:</p>
<ol> <li>
<a contents="Five Questions with Grumpy Kitty Boy" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://canadianbeats.ca/2020/08/21/five-questions-with-grumpy-kitty-boy/" target="_blank"><strong>Five Questions with Grumpy Kitty Boy</strong></a> in Canadian Beats<br> </li> <li> <p><strong>Airplane Wings</strong> in Cashbox Magazine Canada, Record World Magazine, and Business Mirror Philippines </p>
<p>Cashbox Canada: <a contents="Grumpy Kitty Boy Gets Authentic &amp; Reflective in Debut Single, “Airplane Wings”" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://cashboxcanada.ca/reviews-album/grumpy-kitty-boy-gets-authentic-reflective-debut-single-airplane-wings/4091" target="_blank">Grumpy Kitty Boy Gets Authentic & Reflective in Debut Single, “Airplane Wings”</a><br> Record World Magazine: <a contents="GRUMPY KITTY BOY Gets Authentic &amp; Reflective in Debut Single, “Airplane Wings”" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://recordworldmagazine.com/blog/grumpy-kitty-boy-gets-authentic-reflective-in-debut-single-airplane-wings/" target="_blank">GRUMPY KITTY BOY Gets Authentic & Reflective in Debut Single, “Airplane Wings”</a><br> Business Mirror PH: <a contents="Filipino-Canadian Grumpy Kitty Boy releases debut single" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/08/15/filipino-canadian-grumpy-kitty-boy-releases-debut-single/" target="_blank">Filipino-Canadian Grumpy Kitty Boy releases debut single</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a contents="20 Questions with Grumpy Kitty Boy" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://tinnitist.com/2020/10/06/20-questions-with-grumpy-kitty-boy/" target="_blank"><strong>20 Questions with Grumpy Kitty Boy</strong></a> in Tinnitist<br> <br> (I had to answer all twenty questions! I enjoyed them though—I recommend reading everything to get to know me more. 😸)</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Airplane Wings</strong> in Cashbox Canada's <strong>Top 20 Pick Hits (September 2020)</strong></p>
<p>It was an honour to be part of the curated Top 20 picks for September, alongside having a feature article as well! 😻 Tune in to <a contents="Cashbox Radio" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://cashboxradio.ca/" target="_blank">Cashbox Radio</a> and listen to "radio the way it used to be."</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Airplane Wings</strong> in "Gems From the Ark" Spotify playlist </p>
<p>The music blog <a contents="The Ark of Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://thearkofmusic.com/" target="_blank">The Ark of Music</a> was kind enough to include the debut single in their Spotify playlist named "Gems from the Ark" that caters to a subset of their main audiences. (I got word from them that "Grumpy Kitty Boy is too cute not to share!" 🤣 I guess I should stay cute and grumpy all the time!).</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Airplane Wings</strong> at PopCanRadio </p>
<p>Recording radio liners is actually fun too! 😹 <br> Tip: Record during midnight—the perfect time to record—so that everyone around is just quiet and asleep. 😴 <br> Another tip: Tune in to <a contents="PopCanRadio" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://popcanradio.ca/" target="_blank">PopCanRadio</a> to hear "Canada's best music." 😜</p> </li>
</ol>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="t6TL1LaQZp4" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/t6TL1LaQZp4/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t6TL1LaQZp4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Even as we're getting coverage from media outlets, visual artist Yuna Kim and I worked behind the scenes for months to produce <strong>Grumpy Kitty Boy</strong>'s first animated music video ever! After creating the first storyboards, Yuna worked tirelessly for three (3) months to get all pencil sketch animations done on time for the scheduled music video release. On my part, I received a radio advertising grant from <a contents="The Scope at Ryerson (CJRU 1280 AM)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.thescopeatryerson.ca/" target="_blank">The Scope at Ryerson (CJRU 1280 AM)</a> under the "<a contents="ReStart Initiative" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://members.ncra.ca/restart-initiative/" target="_blank">ReStart Initiative</a>" of the NCRA/ANREC for the upcoming music video release. I also started a GoFundMe campaign to tap on the generosity of fellow grumpies like you and cover additional production costs for the video project.</p>
<p>Yuna and I finally unveiled the <strong>Airplane Wings</strong> animated music video on YouTube last November 13, 2020! (It was a Friday the 13th, so yeah I dared defying the odds! 😼).</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="gOd120Q_VEU" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/gOd120Q_VEU/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gOd120Q_VEU?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>The fun part of the release was that I also did a Facebook live stream named "<a contents="Fly Fly Grumpy" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/114517083252895/videos/850580232364350" target="_blank">Fly Fly Grumpy</a>" to kick off the YouTube premiere and celebrate the occasion. Along with Grumpy Kitty Boy original songs, I also performed a couple of covers including "Brooklyn" (The Midnight) and "Heaven Knows" (Rick Price) with my usual grumpy keyboard. I loved the turnout of that online event!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/569667/e1940db82c954158ba52f5b3ac83da41a57235ef/original/20201113-224908-hdr-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>We got additional coverage for the music video release, including being part of "Zach's Picks of the Week" of Canadian Beat's "Weekly Beatdown" (Episode 93)! Watch the full episode <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIpyFsuS_IU" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="J8HhsNIZjgQ" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/J8HhsNIZjgQ/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J8HhsNIZjgQ?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>The animated music video also got live stream and radio play on November 19th in the radio program "Musikahan, Kantahan, at Kwentuhan" of DXCP Radyo Totoo (585 AM), based in General Santos City, Philippines. Shoutout to Ma. Eden Bringier and Marie-Luise Calvero for programming <strong>Airplane Wings</strong>!</p>
<p>Whew! That was a long bumpy ride, but we finally made it to the year 2021! The global pandemic of 2020 has been difficult for all of us, and yet there are also silver linings especially when we were forced to figure out how to run our daily lives within the confines of our living spaces. The year 2020 has been very productive for Grumpy Kitty Boy, and I look forward to what 2021 is bringing us this time! </p>
<p>If you still haven't checked out my debut single <strong>Airplane Wings</strong>, now's the time to do so! Buy a copy of the track to support the grumpy.</p>
<p>Also available in Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Deezer, TIDAL, etc. Links all <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://snd.click/8uv" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>
<p>Watch out for Part 2 of this big update! Keep staying grumpy, and a Happy (grumpy) New Year to y'all! 😾 </p>
<p>Cheers, </p>
<p>Juro (Grumpy Kitty Boy)</p>
Grumpy Kitty Boy
tag:grumpykittyboy.com,2005:Post/6687198
2020-08-17T18:45:00-04:00
2021-07-14T01:36:33-04:00
"Airplane Wings" featured in Tinnitist!
<p>I'm grumpy HAPPY (whut?) to share good news to y'all fellow grumpies! Tinnitist, "Canada's most-read music site," has issued a showcase feature on Grumpy Kitty Boy's debut single "Airplane Wings!" There's more to come alongside this showcase soon.</p>
<p>An excerpt of the feature goes as follows:</p>
<p><em>Grumpy Kitty Boy soars to new heights with his single and video for Airplane Wings — showcasing today on Tinnitist. </em></p>
<p><em>The synth-pop alter ego of award-nominated, internationally esteemed Canadian artist Juro Kim Feliz, Grumpy Kitty Boy uses Airplane Wings to encourage listeners to live authentically and examine their relationships — even at the risk of loss.</em></p>
<p>Check the rest of the feature, including a LYRIC VIDEO of "Airplane Wings," <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://tinnitist.com/2020/08/17/grumpy-kitty-boy-takes-flight-with-airplane-wings-single/" target="_blank">HERE</a>!</p>
<p>Thanks Darryl for sharing the grumpy! Additional acknowledgements go to <a contents="Yuna Kim" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/__yunakim2126/" target="_blank">Yuna Kim</a> for the cover art of "Airplane Wings," and <a contents="Prince Requino" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/princerequino/" target="_blank">Prince Requino</a> for the photography.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/569667/db72c4e0cbe411eb5db74a31e6812a2ee9e82b12/original/screen-shot-2020-08-17-at-5-40-05-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
Grumpy Kitty Boy
tag:grumpykittyboy.com,2005:Post/6687219
2020-08-05T13:50:00-04:00
2021-07-14T01:39:29-04:00
Weekend Rain
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/569667/274e870153a64ff8e0c947a420c650fb9ddf663a/original/weekend-rain.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Someone drops a grain of salt; <br>Massive ocean waves jolt crowds awake! <br>Wide-eyed stray cats rejoice. </p>
<p>White people clubs make white noise... <br>Swirls of pea soup in hot, melting pots; <br>Speck of dust remains untouched. </p>
<p>Sun and stars rotate in skies, <br>Lightning sparks bequeath fiery exploits; <br>Tired fingers in silence. </p>
<p>Rain fell throughout the weekend; <br>Steel hearts crashed into icebergs, sank down… <br>Look up and see Leo scream. </p>
<p>Ah! Why do birds fly with wings? <br>My flabby arms stretched out in a rush, <br>Do cows jump over the moon? </p>
<p>Brown paws hold an offering; <br>Crickets lay still, cicadas shush down, <br>Why does silence hurt the ears? </p>
<p>I gaze out into lush fields; <br>Selfless flowers in dazzling beauty, <br>Velvety dreams stay unreal. </p>
<p>//jkf (Grumpy Kitty Boy)</p>
Grumpy Kitty Boy
tag:grumpykittyboy.com,2005:Post/6687227
2020-08-04T16:30:00-04:00
2021-07-14T01:57:36-04:00
Antidote
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/569667/9fdf2158219afa98e6d26a5b9634f2d7ab8d6d54/original/20200804-1615392.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>I’m nothing but a machine, <br>Hearing other’s pain but not my own; <br>Why should I catch up with y'all? </p>
<p>Frogs croak in the dead of night— <br>I won’t wait for you to understand, <br>Thoughts disappear in a flash. </p>
<p>Riding my ‘unwanted' box, <br>I float in waters beyond your reach— <br>How can I land on the moon? </p>
<p>Cities moving like clockwork; <br>Video chats keep minds in order. <br>I’m nothing but a machine. </p>
<p>//jkf (Grumpy Kitty Boy)</p>
Grumpy Kitty Boy
tag:grumpykittyboy.com,2005:Post/6687231
2020-07-10T21:00:00-04:00
2021-07-14T02:06:58-04:00
"Airplane Wings" is now available on Bandcamp and digital platforms!
<p><em>"Airplane wings fly to Nebraska. Words emerge out of endless blue skies. Paws touch solid ground as miles stretch across cornfields. Melodies and piano strings finally fill in the grumpy silences."</em></p>
<p>The long wait is over! Grumpy Kitty Boy releases the debut single Airplane Wings on Bandcamp and all digital streaming platforms! Click on this landing page <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://snd.click/8uv" target="_blank">HERE</a> to check all of them.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/569667/f1fabe7c0f817b5d14eebe6b655dd071eee9ce01/original/digital-streaming-landing-page.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>You guess it. Spotify, you say? Soundcloud? Apple Music? Deezer? YouTube Music? Amazon Music? TIDAL? Napster? Yes, yes, and yes! You can choose your favourite platform to stream it, and make sure to save it in your playlists!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/569667/3a07c3243cb4ecdc3bb61d5ce47f0ef0355036cb/original/bandcamp-release-thumbnail-with-call-to-action.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>You can stream it for free, but do you see that "Buy Digital Track" part on Bandcamp? You can also buy and download your own copy of the single for $1 CAD instead. Why not do it? And you can definitely pitch in more extra donations to support the grumpy! (Don't send kibbles, as always.)</p>
<p>You can also buy it as a gift to someone in Bandcamp—maybe someone you know needs to hear it. And while you're at it, click "Follow" to hear more about future grumpy music releases! </p>
<p>Besides that noticeable "unwanted" box he lives in, Bandcamp is Grumpy Kitty Boy's home for all music sales and future merchandise! (Yes, merch! Let me know what kind of Grumpy Kitty Boy trinkets you want in the future.)</p>
<p>But it doesn't stop there! Grumpy Kitty Boy also has a Bandcamp fan profile! Go <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bandcamp.com/grumpykittyboy" target="_blank">HERE</a> to see my growing collection of music from fellow artists around. (You'll also see some hiphop tracks I used to spin during my radio days). Don't forget to click "Follow" as well! </p>
<p>Again now, click <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://snd.click/8uv" target="_blank">HERE</a> to check out "Airplane Wings" in all available platforms. Buy it on Bandcamp as well; make sure to click "Follow" there to hear more about future releases!</p>
<hr><p>A little insight of this debut single release: </p>
<p>A 2019 plane ride to Nebraska became the birthplace of the debut single <strong>Airplane Wings</strong>. Writing the lyrics first, fleeting thoughts took off from staring at blue skies amidst examining personal feelings of being distant, detached, unwanted, and left out.</p>
<p>Written during an artist residency at the <a contents="Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.khncenterforthearts.org/" target="_blank">Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts</a>, Grumpy Kitty Boy offers a first glimpse of grumpy living in this debut single release.</p>
<p>Credits: </p>
<p>Music and lyrics by <a contents="Juro Kim Feliz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://jurokimfeliz.com/" target="_blank">Juro Kim Feliz</a> (Philippines/Canada). <br>All instrumental and vocal tracks produced by Grumpy Kitty Boy (Canada). <br>Mixing by Rojh Baquiran (<a contents="The North Hit Project" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://baquiranrojh.wixsite.com/thenorthhitproject" target="_blank">The North Hit Project</a>, Philippines). <br>Mastering by Sebastián Gómez Mancheno (Ecuador/Germany). </p>
<p>Released by No Kibbles Records <br>℗© 2020 Juro Kim Feliz. All rights reserved. </p>
<p>Cover artwork by <a contents="Yuna Kim" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/__yunakim2126/" target="_blank">Yuna Kim</a> (South Korea/United States).</p>
Grumpy Kitty Boy
tag:grumpykittyboy.com,2005:Post/6687233
2020-06-12T15:55:00-04:00
2021-07-14T02:21:23-04:00
Grumpy Kitty Boy's debut single release coming soon!
<p><em>This entry was originally posted in my website blog. Just like Grumpy Kitty Boy, it finally has a home now. - JKF</em></p>
<p><em>The past weeks had been a tough time for many of our communities. Since the outrage over George Floyd's unjust death, the Earth's rotation suddenly went fast like a blur. A massive call against racism and police brutality swept many places, and radical initiatives like defunding or even abolishing the police force now simmers within mainstream public discourse. Things that used to be considered "too radical" suddenly became the collective heartbeat of those who suffered under oppressive conditions. </em></p>
<p><em>I've said much, much more in my personal social media since then. Let it be said here that my heart goes out to y'all. Black lives do matter, and not all lives will matter if black lives don't. #NoToRacism #SupportBlackLives</em></p>
<p><em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/569667/a156fa01097f7caa102af7915951a21ea75d3c45/original/album-cover-airplane-wings.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></em></p>
<p>I hate to start off this blog entry in such a way, but this has to be said. And now... </p>
<p>I'm very stoked to finally reach this point! I started this singer-songwriter project named Grumpy Kitty Boy (originally Grumpy Kitty) way back two years ago to process a lot of emotions as I expand the complex space I inhabit as an artist. <strong>And so I announce GKBoy's very first single release: AIRPLANE WINGS</strong>, coming out in Bandcamp and all digital platforms on <strong>Friday, July 10 9pm</strong> (Toronto) | <strong>Saturday, July 11 9am</strong> (Manila)!</p>
<p>Liner notes appear as follows: </p>
<p><em>"Airplane wings fly to Nebraska. Words emerge out of endless blue skies. Paws touch solid ground as miles stretch across cornfields. Melodies and piano strings finally fill in the grumpy silences." </em></p>
<p>I'll write a little more insight about this. I first wrote the lyrics in a plane ride from Toronto to Nebraska, where I'm scheduled to do an artist residency with the <a contents="Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.khncenterforthearts.org/" target="_blank">Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts</a>. Even at that point, I already wanted to own my creative drive for the next four weeks of laidback productivity. I also just premiered Time moves, straightforward... with the <a contents="Art Song Collaborative Project" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.artsongcp.com/" target="_blank">Art Song Collaborative Project</a> a day before the artist residency, and it was a good time to decidedly conclude a year of too much labour just to pay the bills.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/569667/e193416317b8413ae0f770617be7e2a41b56bd1d/original/20190804-184551-hdr-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Writing the lyrics took off from staring at the blue sky, which then led to musings about personal feelings of being ignored and left out. That of course, even while consciously making the decision of putting myself away from people as a coping mechanism. Before long, I completely wrote lyrics of a song I never entirely heard in my head yet. It was only after settling down in the KHN Center that the music came out. </p>
<p>I'm amazed at the fact that romanticizing distance never left me since I started processing my fascination (and disdain) of it more than 12 years ago. After all, I always felt that one can never cross the impenetrable boundary between one's "self" and the "other," just like chasing the rainbow or the horizon line. That reality rings true all the more when one decides to uproot oneself from the homeland and live thousands of kilometres away from the old life. That didn't feel very much different when you decide to detach from communities you're in close proximity with (after saying "enough is enough"). It is a painful reality, but I also have to honour my sense of self and be myself. </p>
<p>On another weird note, this tension on OPM (Original Pilipino Music) vs CanCon (Canadian Content) is quite amazing. Both of them essentially negate each other, as their existence depends on polarized markets that draw boundaries between what is original "Filipino" and original "Canadian" content. They are also polarized in that nation-state agenda capitalizes on their markets to validate their legitimacy (i.e. the Philippine music scene won't be "Filipino" without OPM, Canadian music scenes are heavily cultivated and moulded by arts councils and artists who identify as "Canadian," etc.) </p>
<p>Why am I bringing it up? It's fun to take a dab at this paradox. Is GKBoy OPM (created by a Filipino artist outside the Philippines) or CanCon (created in Canada by a non-Canadian)? Where does he belong? I envision a weird conversation following this line of thought.</p>
<p>ANYWAY! Now that this release is coming out soon, I'm very much happy to thank the following for this release: </p>
<ul> <li>Print media/visual artist <a contents="Yuna Kim" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/__yunakim2126/" target="_blank">Yuna Kim</a> for the awesome artistry and willingness to be part of this project. I met Yuna in the Nebraska residency, and collaborating with her was very much unplanned but turned out great! She also did artwork for GKBoy's social media presence (visit GKBoy in <a contents="Facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/grumpykittyboy" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/grumpy.kitty.boy/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLysBYemoMSa4jPCXuF6aNA" target="_blank">YouTube</a>!), and we plan to collaborate more on GKBoy stuff. She has her Instagram page too, filled with her amazing sketch animations. </li> <li>Rojh Baquiran (<a contents="The North Hit Project" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheNorthHitProject" target="_blank">The North Hit Project</a> - Plaridel, Bulacan, PH) for the mixing, and <a contents="Sebastián Gómez Mancheno" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://vimeo.com/user45500873" target="_blank">Sebastián Gómez Mancheno</a> (Freiburg, Germany) for the mastering! </li> <li>
<a contents="Marie-Luise Calvero" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.marieluisecalvero.com/" target="_blank">Marie-Luise Calvero</a>, just for supporting this whole project all the way basically. (She's also involved in future Grumpy Kitty Boy projects). She also has an <a contents="Instagram art page" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/strokestoomany/" target="_blank">Instagram art page</a> worth visiting and supporting! </li> <li>
<a contents="Carolyn Fe" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://carolynfe.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Carolyn Fe</a> for some invaluable advice on this release! I have been doing a lot of DIY learning over many things related to this project, and some conversations with Carolyn Fe have been helpful in knowing things I rather wouldn't know by myself.</li>
</ul>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/569667/af938df612a190329dfaf4dcc26c48236e877981/original/yuna-and-i.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><strong>Watch out for the release of "Airplane Wings" on Bandcamp and digital streaming platforms on July 10 (Toronto time) | July 11 (Manila time)!</strong></p>
<p>Track credits: </p>
<p>Music and lyrics by Juro Kim Feliz (Philippines/Canada) <br>All instrumental and vocal tracks produced by Grumpy Kitty Boy (Canada) <br>Mixing by Rojh Baquiran (The North Hit Project, Philippines) <br>Mastering by Sebastián Gómez Mancheno (Ecuador/Germany) </p>
<p>Released by No Kibbles Records <br>℗© 2020 Juro Kim Feliz. All rights reserved. </p>
<p>Cover artwork courtesy of Yuna Kim (South Korea/United States)</p>
Grumpy Kitty Boy