AUDA403: Senior Project II
Produced by Kristian Flores for Bear-Pacific WEST, Inc.
My name is Kristian Flores (AKA K.Oh!) and I am the creator of “Television.” This project came about the same way most of my projects are developed – by writing a bunch of songs. My process is simple, I am given/ or collect beats from a specific producer, I pick the ones that inspire me the most from said pile and I write my songs. Some songs I have concepts for before I write them (which help me take them in certain directions), but others I write as I go and they develop during the process. Once I have enough songs written, I arrange a track list. Track lists are important to me because I myself am a CD fan. I love when an artist makes a body of work I can listen to from start-to-finish without having to skip anything. I would like my listeners to experience that phenomenon when they listen to my projects, thus, I set out to do just that every time.
Track lists are also great for changing the mood of an album because nobody wants to feel sad 6 songs in a row. Music is life and life is what inspires the music; it is important for a track list to be aware of this concept. After my track list is compiled, I then take it a step further and think of ways to make them blend more smoothly via skits or sound effects. For this specific project, the idea for Television came to me out of the blue. I had spent a few weeks thinking about how to tie these songs together when it finally popped into my head. I was listening to Track 12 of my “beat playlist” CD (these are beats I plan on writing to). Track 12 contained an interesting intro before a beat drop that immediately makes your head bob to the music. The beat producer (gabonano) sampled an old Mexican movie where the character in it is pleading for water because he’s dying of thirst. After listening to the track for my 100th time, I happened to notice the track number – Track 12. In San Diego, if you do not have cable and watch terrestrial (antenna) television, channel 12 is a Mexican channel where one can watch Telenovelas as well as old Mexican movies; shortly after thinking of this I had my “a-hah!” moment. Track 12 quickly became Channel 12 and that paved the way for the rest of the project – Television was born!
The project kicks off with “Kristian’s Intro.” Now that I finally had my concept, I thought deeper about what else I could do to make this project more intertwined than it currently was. The idea came from the last line of the verse, “… music so sick, get the flu soon as you hear it.” After the verse for this song ends, the listener hears a bunch of coughing scattered around everywhere symbolizing sickness. I thought, “why not write a skit at the beginning and end of the song?” So that’s what I did. The premise before the Television is turned on - which ties in Channel 12 - is a little girl finding a book under her bed titled “Kristian’s Intro.” She runs to her mom and asks her to read her the book. When the mom starts reading the book is exactly when the song (rapping) begins. After the song ends and the coughing stops, the little girl complains that she does not feel well. The mom then leaves to get her some medicine, but before she leaves she turns the television set on for her daughter and that’s when the concept kicks in.
Channel 12 has an interesting intro. It contains a sample from some Mexican movie (I am guessing). The dialogue is in Spanish but the character is basically heard begging for water because he is dying of thirst. When the sample ends, the beat drops and the hip-hop picks up. What I did to tie this song further into my concept was add a sound effect before the sample even begins – turning on an old TV. When the song ends, the listener then hears “channel surfing” to symbolize the sick little girl changing channels - Television concept, remember?
Channel 26 is a song I had written a while back. I was holding on to it for another project that never quite came to fruition. The song fit in here so well, though, that I decided to include it. Originally titled “My People,” I wrote it as an anthem for Hispanics who speak English and also understand Spanish; I also made sure all who love hip-hop music could enjoy the song. The hook is written half in Spanish and half in English for said reason. I renamed it Channel 26 for it to fit the concept of this project.
Channel 33 was originally titled “Date Night.” I wanted to write a song about going on a date with the hook explaining the journey there and back, that way, it would tie in well at the end of each verse because to go on a date, one has to drive there and to end the date, one also has to drive home. The beat was romantic enough for me to write about this subject but also heavy enough for it to be a good cruising song. I also dedicated it to my wife because the content in the song is inspired by our relationship. I wrote this song for us (for me) - like I do most of my music - but I am more than sure couples everywhere can relate and enjoy.
Channel 57 is the final song on my project. This song was merely spawned by the beat. Once inspired, I decided to write a story song. I grew up listening and admiring lyrical storytellers such as Ice Cube and Redman; thus, every now and then I follow in their footsteps and get creative by not only writing a song, I write a song that tells a story. This track made me think of a DUI for some reason. A song about a regular DUI is kind of boring/ depressing so I came up with ways to beef it up and the story kind of wrote itself from there. The ending was not preconceived and even surprised me! This song is heavy with sound effects, all used to enhance the story and paint a more colorful picture – something like an episode on television. The song ends with the mother coming home and checking on her daughter who has fallen asleep with the TV still on. She shares some dialogue before turning off the TV marking the end of the project. A few seconds of silence are experienced before an outro beat comes on extending the song by a couple of minutes. Once that is over, the project officially ends.
- Writer: Kristian Flores
- Additional Vocal(s): Auhdrina Flores, April Holliness-Flores, Marquis Parks
- Mix/ Master: Kristian Flores
- Beat: Gabriel Plascencia (gabonano)
- Writer: Kristian Flores
- Mix/ Master: Kristian Flores
- Beat: Gabriel Plascencia (gabonano)
- Writer: Kristian Flores
- Mix/ Master: Kristian Flores
- Beat: Andy Jimenez (Nez)
- Writer: Kristian Flores
- Additional Vocal(s): April Holliness-Flores
- Mix/ Master: Kristian Flores
- Beat: André Elias (DÜNGA BATIDAS)
- Writer: Kristian Flores
- Engineer: Jose Escoto | Marquis Parks
- Mix/ Master: Kristian Flores
- Beat: André Elias (DÜNGA BATIDAS)
- Mix/ Mastered: André Elias (DÜNGA BATIDAS)
- Beat: André Elias (DÜNGA BATIDAS) x Gabriel Plascencia (gabonano)
First, I would like to thank those who have heard the music and/ or now plan on listening to the music. I place a lot of time and effort into what you hear; all I hope for is that people give themselves a chance to enjoy what I create. I’d like to thank all the people who believe in me, all the people who doubt me, and all the people who give me beats and allow me the freedom to do my thing. I would like to thank my instructors at the Art Institute who’ve taught me what I wanted/ needed to learn as well as other stuff I don’t really care for but might be useful in the future. I’d like to thank my wife for being so supportive and believing in me because it helps, it helps a lot. One day I’ll give you everything I’ve promised you, believe me. I’d like to thank the artists who’ve inspired me as well as my fellow competitors who keep me focused. More music will come soon. Do like you do with your Television and stay tuned!
