New song

When I have recorded songs in the past by myself I have used my keyboard to sequence all the parts and then played a lead on top of the prerecorded parts. Yesterday I tried something different. I thought up this song and decided I would record everything live. First I recorded the piano track. I started with it for two reasons, one, I could have something to reference how long each section was going to be and two, I knew piano was going to be easiest to play as it is my primary instrument. Then I recorded the drums, vocals, bass, guitar, and hand drum in that order. I used Garage band and my Zoom h4 recorder for microphones.

Here is the song. Hope you like it.

http://soundcloud.com/robert-c-monroe/love-is-a-choice

30th like video

Check out this new video in celebration of our 30th like on facebook. Like our facebook page and you could be mentioned in a video as well. This is a loose interpretation of Brahms Op. 118 No. 2. I took the original bass line and melody of the A and B sections, put it over 4/4 and improvised over the chord changes of both. If you like this sort of classical transformation say so in the comments and I will make a new video for each new comment. Stay tuned for more BFH gigs.

Loved playing tonight at The Lounge. Come out when it happens again. Check out this video. JAZZ JAZZ JAZZ

Great show last night!

What a fabulous show last night. Thanks to everyone who came. Here is a video to check out in the meantime before our next show. Also if we get a hundred likes on facebook we will make black forrest ham sandwiches for everyone at our next headlining show. We love all of you. Peace and music.

Creating music

Creating something new is a misnomer. No I am not one of those people who are like "nothing is new under the sun." "the last great piece of music was written 5 years ago, 20 years ago, 50 years ago, 100 years ago." I think that this is just pessimism and ageism. But, the music of Robert Monroe vs. Black Forrest Ham does show how creating something new is not the most useful phrase sometimes.

Take this video of an original of ours called "Two Man Funk Machine". We use many conventions to create something recognizable and instantly palatable while breaking some conventions to sustain interest.  It is a lot like cooking. You don't find a different type of chicken if you want to make an original chicken dumpling recipe. You use the ingredients that people have used for thousands upon thousands of years but you maybe add some cayenne pepper or take away another ingredient and viola, you have a "new" Recipe.

I think all people in all creative careers can benefit from realizing you don't have to start by tearing down the foundation of everything you do. Build on your knowledge base and create from the vantage point that millions of humans who have come before have given you.

With that said come hear some creative New music Friday at the yacht club 9:00PM. There is free beer right at 9 so make sure you show up before it runs out.

Friday Yacht Club 9PM Be There

We are at the beginning of a new week and only 4 days away from our next show. Friday May 11th will be a date to mark on your calendars. We are playing at the Yacht Club starting at 9PM. There will be free beer when we start. After we are done Uniphonics will play and then OSG. Come out for a great party.

BFH is ready to play

Hey all,

This is a blog dedicated to keeping you up to date with the latest Black Forrest Ham news. First, a little about ourselves. Robert Monroe vs. Black Forrest Ham is a two man party. With Forrest Heusinkveld's dynamic drumming/rapping and Robert Monroe's continually inspired keyboard playing/rock vocals you are in for a tight organic experience. See for yourself in the above video. Then contact us at This Email.