Vulnerable

The first photo entry for my weekly Self Portrait Journal.  A 52 week glimpse into the attributes of James Olmos.

Week One - Vulnerable

I am fragile.  Yet, within fragility I am strong.  As I continue to express myself through songwriting, photography, painting and poetry . . . I offer myself up for criticism and judgment.  I also open myself to empowerment.  For there is strength and beauty found in abandonment when you release your passions in silent surrender.

Am I hiding behind this door or am I opening the door?  Do you have eyes to see beyond the shadows behind me?  Are you curious or do you even care about the passions beyond the threshold?

I do not want to be held captive by my fears.  I choose to open the door.  I know I will be broken . . . I know I will heal.

i love you.

James Olmos Music - Newsletter #3

I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music.

Billy Joel

I love this quote by, Billy Joel.  Music is healing in so many ways and on so many levels.  I get excited when I'm able to share my music to support a cause.  This month I had the privilege to offer my songs to support:

Autism Awareness - raises awareness of Autism and donates funds for Autism Society
Compassion Song - offers deep support for children via music and counseling
Artists In The Plus - compilation album supporting independent artists globally via G+
Oso Creek Eco Challenge - Earth Day Arbor Day community awareness of nature

Other News

• New Music Videos - uploaded new music videos - please subscribe
• Live Performance - you're invited as I perform at the Oso Creek Eco Challenge
• I was ZOMBIFIED - check out Byron Rempel's art and get yourself Zombified
• The Song Lounge - I host a show about music, philosophy and awesomeness
• Take One Project - new artists added
• LA Music Examiner - quick mention of me regarding my song contribution

How can I help?

• Sharing is caring - please join me on my social networks and share the musical love

Keep enjoying the moments ~

James

Sex On Fire

Kings of Leon, Sex On Fire video with a twist!

Listen for The Police - Message In A Bottle - mixed in to this cover song.

A James Olmos Music Video  

Please share this video on your social networks. And thanks for watching!

Breath On Me

Please listen to my newest song addition for my "Take One Project".  These recordings are works-in-progress (incomplete, raw, organic) for my next full album.  I'll choose 12 songs from this "Take One Project" and properly record them for my upcoming album.

Get Physical CD's & MP3's from my last album!

New Artwork Collaboration

I'm collaborating with Google Plus Artists and featuring their photos and artwork as the thumbnail picture for my songs.  Each song in the "Take One Project" will feature different artwork from photographers and artists across the globe!

The seventh artist is Willi Bambach.  Bambach is a “sui generis” artist who works with many mediums.  He says, "Inside the shapes we catch a glimpse of hints of intangible worlds, reachable only by abandoning all the usual patterns of thinking."  Please click here to view Bambach's portfolio.

I also collaborated musically with a brilliant guitarist +Mike Majesty.  Mike and his band is also responsible for all additional instruments played on this track, aside from my vocals and acoustic guitar.

For collaborative details please click Willi Bambach's photo

Willi Bambach's work is the thumbnail art for

'Breath On Me'

This song is about the "walls" we build around ourselves to shelter our pains.

She moves me on the water
She takes me cross the sea
Like the thunder in the heavens
She brings me to my knees


She hides me in the shadow
She bleeds in me her pain
With the tears that fall from her eyes
I bathe in her new rain

Chorus 1
Breathe on me your fire
Breathe on me your light
And these walls that kiss the heavens
Will keep us safe tonight

Chorus 2
In this tomb of isolation
No tears to wash me clean
Cause the higher this wall rises
The less I feel the pain

She calms me with a whisper
She moves me with her eyes
Like the midnight sweat from a broken dream
She comes from deep inside

She traps me in the mountains
She keeps me far from love
This journey that was meant for me
Was stolen from above

Bridge
And I will honor your love
Cause our walls are the same
Our eyes they search for sunlight
As we look out past the pain - the pain

Words & Music by +James Olmos & +Mike Majesty
Artwork by +Willi Bambach  bit.ly/UexPdp

Previous Artists: +Astrid MJ. Houchin +Michael Bastia +Sherrie von Sternberg +Billy Wilson +Paulissa Kipp +Suzen JueL

Want More Music!

60+ songs are available for listening on my website!  More artists and photographers are welcome to support this project!  All current songs and future songs require artwork.

You can always contact me via my website www.jamesolmos.com or Google Plus and view the collection of collaborative works here.

James Olmos Music - Newsletter #02

FEBRUARY IS AN EXCITING MONTH FOR ME

WATCH as I'm putting on my recording cap, positioning microphones and firing up my Studio One recording software.  Yes - My 2013 album is in motion!

Are you excited as I am?  I look forward to sharing this musical journey with you.  I'll post studio action shots on my blogs and social networks.  And if you have a backstage pass on my website then you'll get to hear some sample sounds, comment and offer suggestions on the forum board, watch short recording session videos and be the first to hear the finished product!

What's New?

• iTunes - now available
• Buy My Physical CD - old school style
• Take One Project - new artists added
• Album Song Choices - backstage exclusive LISTEN
• Google Plus Hangouts - new shows added
• Fly Again - new song, work-in-progress

Coming Soon!

• Photo Shoot - by Emily Arnold
• The Song Lounge - Hosts Tim Behrens & James Olmos a Hangout On Air
• Zombies - by +byron rempel
• Music collaboration - +Anacron's saxophone on "In A Moment"
• Music collaboration - +Tim Behrens' vocals & keyboard on "I Hurt"

How can I help?

• SHARE my MUSIC and WEBSITE with friends and family
• SHARE my VIDEOS on your social networks
• SHARE my social network POSTS - it only takes one fun click

Keep enjoying the moments ~

James

Live like you were dying?

Live like you were dying  . . . I never liked that saying.  It just seems so morbid.  Live for today is another term we often hear that is suppose to encourage us to value life.

We like to create reasons to endure this life instead of understanding that life is simply, breath. To live like you're dying is to live anxiously and desperately.  Our journey towards death begins at conception and concludes after our last breath.  In contrast to eternity which began before breath and does not expire.

Yet life does not begin with our own breath, it begins with the breath of our mother and father . . . some say it begins with God.  We inhale before we exhale.  We take in life before we give life.

Why ponder on reasons to exist?  Why search for the purpose of our breath?  Why seek the creator when we've already been found?

Live.

I draw songs from breath.  I don't search for the song; the song finds me.  The song existed before me and I only need to have ears to hear it.  My muse is everything outside my skin and everything inside my spirit, soul and body.

Why do I stand where I stand and breath?  To live.

From Seattle March 2012

Shatter Me

Please listen to my newest song addition for my "Take One Project".  These recordings are works-in-progress (incomplete, raw, organic) for my next full album.  I'll choose 12 songs from this "Take One Project" and properly record them for my upcoming album.

Physical CD's are NOW available from my website!

Did You Know . . .

I'm collaborating with Google Plus Artists and featuring their photos and artwork as the thumbnail picture for my songs.  Each song in the "Take One Project" will feature different artwork from photographers and artists across the globe!

The sixth artist is Suzen Juel.  Suzen is a musician and artist who works with many mediums.  All her works speak deeply and passionately.  Please click here to view Suzen's portfolio.

For collaborative details please click Suzen Juel's photo

Suzen Juel's work is the thumbnail art for

'SHATTER ME'

https://soundcloud.com/jamesolmos/shatter-me

Color me
Paint me bright upon your skin so fair
I realize

I feel again
In the motion of your song I fall
Through your pain

Chorus
And I've been waiting for my soul to cry
Bitter kisses on my heart
You've come closer than my yesterday
Won't you free my pain
Won't you free my pain

Stay with me
Hold me like you feel at home
With my soul

Cry with me
Scream your pain into my body
And shatter me

Words & Music by James Olmos
Painting by Suzen Juel

Previous Artists: +Astrid MJ. Houchin +Michael Bastia +Sherrie von Sternberg +Billy Wilson +Paulissa Kipp

Want More Music!

50 songs are available for listening on my website!  More artists and photographers are welcome to support this project!  All current songs and future songs require artwork.

You can always contact me via my website www.jamesolmos.com or Google Plus and view the collection of collaborative works here.