Summer Time Rolls

Adopted a year after I was born by an elementary school teacher and a black smith. They had my brother 5 years later and a family bloomed. Mom was very religious dragging my brother and I to different churches when possible looking for her perfect fit. My dad was a great man forced into being a closet drinker by those holier than thou types around him. He had a problem for a while. This doesn't make me love them any less or appreciate all they have done for me. To me it's always been about taking the good with the bad. You cannot heal unless you understand how the pendulum swing works in tandem with variable matter moving at a slow vibration. 

I met god but he never had anything to say to me. I chose agnosticism and embrace open-minded thoughts about this world. These days I find myself drinking too much and pondering the fleeting epiphanies of my days here on this ball of clay. 

I've never ever felt like I fit in anywhere. As mom likes to say "you're just being different." It was never on purpose, it just happened. I'm proud of what I do even though I am still a starving artist/musician. Personally I think I'm doing the best work I've ever done. My home town still looks down it's nose on me as the art committee scoffs again. Nudged out of participating in First Friday's Art and Music festivities month after month. Ignored by my peers in the music community for not joining in and jumping on the coattails of those that have gone before me. I do not apologize for going against the grain. Take it or leave it, I am who I am and I do what I do. 

The progress of STEGO's "Void Clear Light" album has been impressive. To cut it in Muscle Shoals is truly an honor and I cannot wait to press it and share it with the world. 

Being adopted may have led me to believe in abandonment but I was graciously chosen by 2 amazing people. I've put great thought into finding my birth mother. She may still live in Birmingham, Alabama. I feel time is slipping away as I reach my late thirties and I wonder if I should have chosen a different path years ago. 

We cannot rewind to go back and change things but we can heal and move forward.

Haunted

Funny things that happen at strange times make you think in depth about coincidence. My drummer, Justin Keef and I tonight on the phone conversing about the new record and it's haunting quality. I attribute it to the crazy year we had in 2012 but is there more to it? I've recently been in a dark place myself as I think about my emotional state. The anniversary of my fathers death seems to overshadow the start of each new year and lately I've felt a solemn lonely feeling. It's almost a feeling of dread with a side of insomnia and bouts of feeling manic. As focus on art and music have really been stealing my attention I've cut many people away from my life. The vindictive games people play tire me and I just as soon as work by myself or with my bandmates. These days the time flies and time well spent is ever so rewarding as I feel I'm truly growing both as a musician and artist. The time I spent amidst the bayou writing has intertwined with the new material with a voodoo so cryptic. I feel my thoughts are fleeting as I've not been to sleep yet and I embrace insomnia yet again.
I have been having these strange dreams when I do sleep. I wonder who she is and what she wants with me. Perhaps another remnant of a repressed memory or someone in my future? I guess I'll have to wait and see.
Be safe my friends and be kind to each other.

All these Great Answers for all these Great Questions

I remember when I was young being on road trips. You'd look out the window and see a distance light across the horizon with a yearning in my gut to know just what it is. Today I think that feeling still lurks in many ways and shapes the creative process. Much has changed since our youth and like a tree we have our scars weathered and worn. Thinking about the ones we've lost a long the way and how our hearts carve themselves into new shapes. Worked over by what we've gone through yet we learn and become wise. The child like innocence is something that diminishes but only if we allow it. I am not a very religious person but I believe that music and art have saved my soul. I still get that feeling of joy when that beautiful moment happens when you stumble upon that idea. Seeing it as a real living breathing form on canvas or disc and being able to see, hear and feel the growth. This journey is not anywhere near an end it really begins again each day and I am humbled by the enormity of it. What would I be if the path had gone another way? I fear that answer and search not for the weight of knowing. As I edge up the ladder to being 40 years old, I see things with such clarity and calm. The simple beauty in a moment has lent it's importance. When I started this blog I didn't intend it to have so much personal reflection but in a way I am glad it does. Be well and remember that life is short so do all you can with the this time. Take the pieces and build them skywards.

Reasons why...

I get a lot of "why do you have so many different projects and bands?" The answer is anything but simple, but I'll try to explain. Even though I write a lot for all my endeavors, I am not wanting just one band to be a "variety" band. I would not want Fly in the Ointment to be electronic or acoustic. I would not want The Antikythera Mechanism to have guitars or anything other than just keyboards. Spineless was truly all over the map and was a versatile unit made of great people with great parts. This is the reason that Stego is so raw sounding, it just is how we sound live down to single guitar and single lead vocal. It's not just a preference but each project; just like pieces of art, have a special vibe and individual idea. I pick the vein and we're off. I'm just glad to write music that is honed down to whatever the projects call for. To be a better song writer everyday is my goal no matter what the inspiration.

Southern Weather

Amidst the cold snap and all the rain I find myself writing and pondering the months ahead. The love of music and the desire to push the limits of what I can play drive me forward. Stego has had a tremendous start to the year with so much radio support and new fans. Many new bands have shown us so much kindness love over the past few months, it's amazing. We trashed our old set list with the exception of a few choice covers and “Comet Scar,” bringing a whole new flavor to the table. It's been exciting. With videos in the works and a new EP being hammered out, the guys I play with continue to reward me for my efforts. I think I am writing the best music of my life right now. Big thanks to Krankit Radio out of Boston and WVNA 105.5 The Big Dog in Muscle Shoals for airing us on their stations. Your support has been so fantastic! We are truly humbled!

Ease over to https://www.facebook.com/cthomaschandler and like my solo artist page. You can find Stego as well here: https://www.facebook.com/StegosaurusRocks

We made it out of the Dark.

2012 was a turbulent year full of darkness with bits of light only penetrating every so often. So much self realization, reflection, and growth. Music and art are quite like therapy.  Without such times of out of the box thinking I'd be lost. We find ourselves in the darkest places at times and survival being what shapes us as human beings.
I've watched my trio Stego shape shift from a project into a full blown band. Justin Keef on drums and Jon Carrasco on bass have become a great rhythm section and the creativity is running over. I have also had a wonderful year writing for the 1st acoustic based album in a decade. To be surrounded by such good people that push you to be all you can be is so amazing.  I am very fortunate.
Many new pieces of artwork are up in the portfolio as I dabble further with 3D and Zbrush.
There is much to do in this new year and I will update as much as possible. Stego is back to writing and a new EP is in the works. It's exciting new material that we cannot wait to share with you.
I hope you all find what you're looking for as we start a new era in all of our lives. Thank you so much for reading and the support!

Happy holidays

I'm always surprised by the way time flies, especially as we get older. Time with family is always fantastic, even with those that look down their nose at you. I always tell myself to remember it's those kind of judgmental types that ruin the whole barrel. Life is short and I've been fortunate to have been blessed with the outlets of not only music, but also art. I believe if there were more who could express themselves this would be a much better world. Be kind to one another we're only here for a short period of time. Be safe.