by Matt Baamonde.

Matt Baamonde

I guess he was referencing the Will Smith / Snoop Dog song of the same name, or the Kanye West/Paul Wall “Drive Slow” lyric, but right now that idea is rattling around in my head. It’s time to ‘pump my brakes’, slow down, and get the lay of the land. Things are about to seriously change and I don’t want to go hurtling off a cliff.

I began this column with the whole exciting, intimidating world of Berklee waiting to be discovered. Two years later I find myself in my final year (I took a year of Gen Ed classes before attending Berklee) and prepping for the last two semesters before attempting to enter the real music industry.

I have been immersed in studying, practicing, and in general college life. Now, it has hit me that there is a big transition approaching, filled with banks wanting to be paid back, decisions to be made on my career path, changes to anticipate in my living situation, and a great deal more. The life of school-year following school-year is nearing its end…

This is crunch time and that means it’s time for me to try to a get a clear view of where my life is going. I know a lot of Berklee alums have made it. I just need to figure out how they did it.

The 150 Massachusetts Ave. dorm is full of fresh new faces replacing old friends that have graduated or moved out. My roommate and I are situated in the same room we’ve been in for three straight years now and have immediately jumped right back into the familiar routines of class, homework, projects, band practice, and music, music, music.

My roommate, though a year older, is only a junior this year. He still has two years left before the real world looms.

All my core classes are completed. This year's schedule is mainly comprised of my major requirements, such as Scoring to Visuals, (think commercial/movie soundtracks,) Sound Processing Applications, (effects, mixing,) and Writing for Large Ensemble (charts for big bands). These classes will hone my skills and help prepare me for a career of writing music, as a freelance musician for any type of commercial media.

On top of that, I’m taking basic required courses such as History of Western Music, (which is essentially a survey history/lecture class,) Conducting 1, (that’s right, baton and everything!) I’m taking Health and Wellness, (which is essentially general education credits on mental/emotional/physical well being,) and Jazz Blues guitar for my final lab credit. Finally, I’m starting Basic Keyboarding and by the end of the year should really be able to call myself a multi-instrumentalist, although I was pretty good on the cello in High School and can thump out an okay bass line).

Part of my goal for this semester is to perform much more and to make many more public appearances. I have a list of projects I want to accomplish before I leave Berklee, that I think everyone should try at least once. They include: a) performing in a café show, b) performing on the BPC stage, c) recording a single at the Berklee studios, and other similar goals.

I’m still working with Jessica Mellott, and currently working with a Music Production and Engineering (MP&E) student on creating a mock-single for her. We are writing a three song demo and then booking studio time to record them and will use the best song as her single. We also plan to perform in a local coffee shop and possibly do a café show.

I’m also aiming to get in shape and eating healthier. Gotta look good on stage!. My friends and I are all frequenting the YMCA near Northeastern University on Huntington Avenue. Berklee does not have its own gym, but student discounts are available at local fitness centers, including: the local YMCA, the Tennis and Racquet Club, and the Simmons University gym.

This year also marks the official opening of Café 939, the new Berklee restaurant and nightclub that opened next door to the 921 Uchida Building, across the street from the Prudential Center, on Boylston Street. It is completely open to the public and features weekly performances from major acts. I definitely plan to visit when I have time.

Immediately, the most important things are to get with my school counselors, involve my parents, and figure out what I plan to do, both short and long term. There are so many ways to get into the music industry, but most seem very difficult to get a break into, and making money seems even harder. Do I start a band and try to make it big? How would I survive and pay back my loans? I could teach music and pay the bills, I suppose, but what if we have to hit the road? Do I try to get hired in some capacity by a company as a writer? Should I move to a music-epicenter like Nashville, Los Angeles or New York City?

I am afraid of getting stuck in a comfortable job, too. I definitely want to write and play as an artist and don’t want to settle for a "normal" job. But who knows? Maybe I would like the job… Maybe, I should go to school for a Master’s Degree.

Maybe, somebody reading this needs a hot shredder and songwriter to complete his or her well-financed, already signed band! Or maybe someone at ESPN needs some hot instrumental tracks to back their highlight sports clips. Might as well ask…I’m ready, world!

This is all getting real… all too real and very soon. So, I am pumping my brakes, trying to get my bearings and find a path, and then I fully intend to stomp on the gas until I get somewhere.

I am really looking for ideas and responses from some the readers out there. What are your thoughts about Berklee? Fears? Questions? What have I not addressed that you would like me to talk about? Do you have questions about the Berklee area? Faculty to student relations? Male/female relationships? Performances? Auditions? Parties?

Please, email me and ask and I will respond to each and every one and possibly update the FAQ page!

This is going to be a great year! I just have to make sure I don’t end up on skid row during the aftermath...…

All the best,

-Matt
(Baazar)