Hi, My Name Is

by **4NorthTL** » Jan 5th, '12, 15:13

Tom. I'm new to these boards, and am anxiously awaiting that 20th post to be approved so I can be more active. On a side note, props to the moderators for this screening process (although it's frustrating as of right now) Keeps out the trolls, and we all know how they've ruined many a quality forum.

Anyways, I'm 29 years old, and STILL an aspiring songwriter. I've been writing songs since I was about 12 years old. I used to focus more on the Grunge/Rock type lyrics when I was younger. I was a drummer in countless bands that never made it because of creative differences. My bandmates always wanted to play death metal, and I wanted to play something with a little more meaning. I wasn't opposed to being edgy, and having a hardcore sound, but I was wanting more to follow in the footsteps of a band such as Tool.

My forte has always been lyrics, but I used to struggle to keep a song under 7 minutes because I had so much to say. Therefore I turned to hip-hop lyrics, because you can say the same thing in half the time. I started writing songs, and started recording songs, even though I never had any aspirations of being a rapper. Lyrics on their own don't stand a chance though, people have to actually hear them in the song to get the full effect.

I've never sent off a demo to anyone, ever, because I always feel like I'm missing that one song. I know that the odds of anyone ever actually coming across your demo is slim to none, so if that "one" song is not on the CD, I feel like I could be throwing away a winning lottery ticket.

Eminem is in my fab 5, along with John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, Neil Young and Neil Peart, as artists who've inspired me the most. Tupac, The Roots, Thom Yorke, Tori Amos and Outkast would round out the top 10 in no particular order.

I am a veteran of The USN. I have struggled with OCD, Tourettes (a mild form of it) and extreme panic disorder, hence the name 4 North.

Name a prescription drug, and I've been prescribed it. I am originally from Redwood City, CA, but have spent time, and/or lived in 48 of the 50 U.S. states, as well as a few other countries.

My goal as a songwriter is not to obtain fame, or to get rich, although that would be an added bonus, but to help people through their struggles. People who struggle with OCD (not the cute kind that people relate to being very clean and organized) and Panic Attacks. People don't understand what it's like to suffer from a mental disorder if they've never had one themselves. Everything appears to be fine on the outside, but the inside is broken. So I aim to change but one life with my music, as Eminem has changed mine, and allowed mine to even continue after the worst night of my life several years ago. The final straw had fallen, and Em removed that straw, and every other straw in sight, and the Camel's back has never been stronger.

Anyways, peace. Hope to make some new friends on here, and have some good conversation about everything under the sun.