Thursday, December 27, 2007

Making Sense Of Static: 2008...w/ a FU***** BLAST

"From the sky she pulled me down tonight.">

What's up everyone? How is your holiday season shaping up? We're doing great. Still unfortunately behind schedule with the record but it is coming out the early part of 2008.

2007, has been such a crazy year for us. So we want to ask all of you...what was your best moment in 2007? What're you looking forward to in 2008?

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Making Sense Of Statis: Photoshoot

What's up everyone? Enoma Otenki here, just wanted to give you a heads up on what we've been up to.

Last night we finally got to work with Molly Rodriguez and her bf/collaborator Ramzi Stadium of Joon Photography. We've worked with them in the past and it's always a pleasure to work with people we genuinely enjoy. So the night started out at the University of Houston where the band and our fashion guru Terrence met up at our first location. Shortly thereafter, Molly and Ramzi showed up and we after fixing the flaws in our outfits....remember we have to look good...we got to work with the first set of photos.

This particular location caught my eye a few weeks ago when I was walking around campus with some friends. Here's a photo I sent Molly when we were discussing locations.



There are plenty of eyecatching things in that area so I thought it would be the perfect location for the photos. At that location we took tons of photos and we catered to our own vanity and did some wardrobe changes. We're lucky to have Terrence, Ramzi and Molly there because they were able to take a look at what we brought to the photo shoot and pick out the best options for us. Unlike last time we didn't limit the amount of clothes we brought out. Sounds funny but sometimes as a band things that look good on an individual won't fit the overall feel or style of the band. That's not to say there isn't room for personal style but if your styles are too varied you'd end up looking like the Village People.

So with those three as our fashion advisors we set off and took more photos. I'm really excited to see how some of those turned out. We went from that spot to another nearby location and obviously took more and more photos. From UH we traveled to our "secret location" to finish up the photoshoot. We played a few songs for Molly and Ramzi before they left. They seemed like they liked them so that's always a blessing.

We will be getting our cd designed by their company. We're always glad to help them out with any business!! In any case it was a blast. We love Molly, Ramzi, Mike and Terrence. Thanks for your help last night!

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Making Sense Of Static: Valentone In The House

"You say the most beautiful things..."

How is everyone this lovely day? Enoma Otenki here, as always just letting you know what's going on with our record. This Friday, German and Fausto will go into the vocal studio again to record more vocals. We're not stoked on taking so long but it is what is best for the record and we want to give it 150% when we do things now.

As a young band you make a lot of mistakes, burn a lot of bridges and the like. So we've gone through enough growing pains for the time being and it takes time to do things right and on your own. Hopefully you will think it will be worth the wait. We're doing our very best to get it to you soon.

We have our photoshoot with Molly of Valentone Media. If you're in the Houston scene, everyone knows she is the best person to work with. She's really laid back and an amazing photographer. We're lucky to be working with her. This is the first time we're taking press photos with our new bandmate Kris. I'm excited personally because this is one of the few times we really work on our style. As vain as it sounds if a band doesn't look good you won't catch someone's eye. We need great music and great style so we all do our part. That means working out to be healthy, staying up on fashion trends and what not. As a band you must do things to make yourself stand out and be unique. The locations we're choosing haven't been done by any other band in Houston and with Molly as our photographer....needless to say your boys will be looking sharp.

More news coming soon. We also have a big surprise for our Latin fans coming up.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Making Sense Of Static : New Mission

"Back away from the safety of this quiet house...."

Ok, so we have been home for almost two weeks now. Things have been going great. The only set back was not being able to complete vocals up in Baltimore due to German getting very ill. He's doing great now and just yesterday he was in one of our secret studios in Houston recording vocals. He's sounding strong and it shouldn't be long before he finishes the remaining songs.

Once those are done we're moving on to post production. Which includes more programming, mixing, mastering and completing the album artwork. Personally I'm really stoked on the programming, we've never done anything like this on a recording and we're going to do everything that is on the record....live. So all these bells and whistles will be heard during future Otenki shows.

We won't have many seeing as we're just working our cute little butts off to make this record as badass as possible. That requires a lot of money, so if you're looking to support us in anyway please purchase merch from our official online store by clicking here. All our merch is on sale!

Ok so back to the record....there is a lot of good news we can't officially tell you about until we have the final word but there BIG things in the works for us.

So if you see us around...say Hi. We'd love to meet you all.

Take care.

-Enoma Otenki

Monday, November 5, 2007

Absolute Punk

"This is from your biggest fan."



One more thing...we have been mentioned on Absolutepunk's Small Band Round Up yet again. We're definitely happy that out of all the bands that submit news they have selected us twice to mention on their site. Thanks go out to Jamie Pham and Jason Tate of Absolutepunk.

Plus this mentions our new blog. Pretty cool stuff.

-Enoma Otenki

Making Sense Of Static Day 06

"Why can't you learn?"



So here we are about a solid week into recording. Things sound so great. I honestly wish I could let you all hear how the songs have been progressing but we've decided to keep all of that a very closely guarded secret. Not because we're jerks and we're want you all to think this cd is going to save Rock n' Roll...more because we really want to do things right. Unfortunately for us that requires a lot of patience and planning. So I guess the earliest we will debut anything will be new years day. We're planning the launching of the new myspace, releasing the new photos and the new song at midnight on New Year's Day.

To date now both Fausto and I are done with our guitar parts!!! Yay!!!!



Fausto tracking lead guitar parts for "Arizona Song" that's not the real title but we're not giving those away yet!

This record has honestly taken on a life of its own. None of us could even predict how much of an influence being away from our comfort zone would play. While we are definitely missing our friends and loved ones this is the best for us because we're able to really step out of ourselves and focus 200% on the record. Paul's been a great guy to work with. He has an ear for awesome guitar parts...which definitely pushed me as far as being a master of my craft. He's able to draw things out of you, that you had no idea was there. Plus, not only is he funny but he paid for lunch today! Haha, thanks dude. We are very fortunate to be working with him and Bryan. Bryan's been awesome to us and definitely is bringing a lot to the table as far as helping us strengthen our vocal melodies, phrasing and all the intricacies of recording vocals. We couldn't ask for more open minded and hilarious people to record with.

I'm personally blown away by how much we've grown. This record is going to kill it and I really hope that everyone is as excited about it as I am. It's going to be huge but we can't do it without your support. Thank you to everyone.

We're closing in on our trip to Baltimore. Remember if you want to support us please purchase some merch from Otenki's Online Merch Store. That is all remember you can always hit us up via AIM at : Enoma Otenki or on myspace.

Take care and thanks to Rain City Ambience...in particular Kelly Mason. She's so nice and inviting...plus it doesn't hurt that she's pretty good looking too ♥

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Making Sense Of Static Day 04

"Holla at ya boy! I gets money."



Ok so we're on Day 04 of recording and things are going well. Day 02 was reserved for mixing drums and Day 03 was reserved for bass. Things are progressing nicely. Unfortunately due to our work schedules (yes, we do still have part time jobs) this is Kris' last day with us. I'm going to spend part of today making sure he gets to the airport safely. Thanks to him our drums sound really fierce. I personally couldn't be happier about his parts.

So last night was insane. Baltimore definitely knows how to treat some Texas boys. We had a blast last night in Fells Point and we have to give a shout out to our girls holding it down at the Hooters Inner Harbor. You girls rock!

So today we've start guitars and vocals today. This is how we're going to finish the rest of the record so we're not wearing German out by singing 8-9 hours a day. Once guitars are vocals are done we start the production work, and by that I mean all the bells and whistles are going to be added. Voice overs, guest vocals, programming, effects...everything. We're excited to get started on that. That's pretty much it. If you want to say hello on AIM here's my screen name: Enoma Otenki

Hit me up anytime. I'd be happy to talk to any of you.

-Enoma Otenki



Click Here To Purchase Otenki Merchandise

Monday, October 29, 2007

Making Sense Of Static Day 01

"We're at the point."



What's going on guys? So after some interesting adventures we have finally arrived in Baltimore,MD to record with our producer Paul Leavitt. We're really excited to get started. As I'm writing this we're sitting in Valencia Recording Studio watching Paul set up the drum mics and playing on myspace. Things are progressing nicely.

Since there hasn't been much of an update on tracking I'll just post some pics.



"Sneaky" Josh testing out the toys in the studio.



German serenading the audience of 2.





Kris Otenki aka The New Guy



Hanging out at Lenny's Deli in Baltimore.



Myself in front of all the toys I get to use.

That's enough for right now, we'll keep you all posted. Take care everyone. Remember to hit us up on myspace @ myspace.com/otenki

And if you guys want to support us please purchase some merch online @ Otenki's District Lines Store

-Enoma Otenki

PS: Here are some albums you need to purchase.

01) Jimmy Eat World - "Chase This Light"
02) Anberlin- "Cities"
03) National Product - "LUNA"
04) My American Heart - "Hiding Inside The Horrible Weather"
05) Armor For Sleep -"Smile For Them"
06) The Juliana Theory - "Emotion Is Dead"

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Making Sense Of Static : T-Minus 6 Days

Hello to anyone who reads these blogs. Enoma Otenki here and I'm just giving you guys an idea of what we've been up to.

Alright first things' first, we haven't broken up. I've ran into a few people who've asked that question and it honestly couldn't be further from the truth. In fact we're better than ever and we can't wait to get out there and really push what we're working on. What are we working on you ask?

We are FINALLY going to release a new EP sometime in the spring/summer of 2008. Starting on October 29th, Otenki will be in Baltimore, Maryland working with Paul Leavitt (All Time Low, Over It, Darkest Hour, and Senses Fail) on our new EP. So far we have about 13-15 songs and we'll start demoing and cutting them down ASAP. We honestly, couldn't be more excited to work with Paul. We'll do our best to update you all with photo blogs and sending you all comments to let you know how we're doing. The EP will be mastered by Troy Glessner (Anberlin, and Self Against City) of Spectre Studio. It really is an honor to be working with these gentlemen on something that is long overdue.

Right now we don't have a title for the EP but for the time being we are calling it, "Making Sense Of Static". We'll have new artwork and photos courtesy of Valentone Media (we love you Mike and Molly). You can expect to see us everywhere as we get closer to the drop date. The EP will be available on iTunes, Rhapsody, and Y!Music.

This is going to be our most ambitious effort. As things finalize we ask for some patience because releasing an album on your own is very expensive and requires lots of time. We'll do our very best to keep on schedule and we're working really hard to make these songs as great as we can. We hope you all stick around and see what we're working on.

We've already cut a few demos, sent them to Paul and bought all our tickets to Baltimore. In 6 days we're going to start recording. I'm really excited.