Wow, You're In The Band?

Otenki and producer James Paul Wisner at KDS Studios in Orlando, Florida
Photo: Samantha Webb

Ok so it’s like 5 AM as I am writing this. I’ve been up for a few hours so you’ll have to forgive me..who ever reads this. Does anyone read this? Maybe I shouldn’t worry about that right now.

Anyway late last month my band OTENKI, went into the studio with James Paul Wisner again and tracked a new song that will be released sometime this summer. Now while we’ve already worked with James before this time it was different. Vastly different. I couldn’t be happier with that.

I’m not sure what changed but according to James we did. We were much more focused this time around, we all performed like champs and did what it took to make the song we recorded great. I didn’t feel this change, I just did my job. We just did our jobs. I think what made this experience different was just the way James reacted to us. He seemed really pleased with us. He was so impressed with the work we did that he agreed to send our music to an indie/major label. He said we had come a long way as a band.

For someone like him who has worked with huge bands like Paramore and Destine, and bands I grew up loving like Dashboard Confessional, Further Seems Forever, My American Heart…for him to say that to us made me swell with pride. James asked us to really think about the new direction of the new record. He wants to be  more so involved in the process and that just speaks volumes to me.

I don’t want to let him down. I don’t want to let my family and friends down. I want to give them something to be proud of.

I know we can do it.

Lunch with my show wife @keeleykills. Good times with a great girl. #lucky (Taken with Instagram at Down House)

My musical hero. Love @jimmyeatworld. #futures #jimmyeatworld #iphone (Taken with instagram)

I wonder where this year will take us. You can either improve or get left behind. #cryptic #new #instadeep #horizon #iphone #passion #music #endings (Taken with instagram)

Yeah buddy. #rum #friends #buzzed #onit #instadrunk (Taken with instagram)

My brother Ali and I at my birthday dinner. He’s the best person I know. So proud of his accomplishments. No clue how I got so lucky to have an amazing family. #proud #family #blessed (Taken with instagram)

Just about says it all.