Ben Romans
songwriter*artist

nomadic

theclickfive.com
myspace.com/theclick5

I Support:

Attempt Two...

February 17, 2008

Since when did bands become a battlefield? A weapon for social ladder climbing? A means of leverage?

No one owns anyone, or owes anyone anything.

Quit fighting and start promoting. Abandon the ship if you don't want the ship to sail. The ship wants you aboard, but only if you're aboard to sail.

I miss the tour. I miss Damone. I miss Atomic Tom. I miss touring with bands that I love. I miss everyone that was there for the right reason. I miss the fans. I miss the late night drives. I miss the old friends. I miss the community. I miss my bandmate's musicianship. I miss my bandmate's wit and companionship.

Band's challenged each other to grow. It was real. Now it's gone. I want it again.

Thank you for making that week possible. I miss it.

III

Most people don't know this, but I have been a nomad since September. Our lease was up right before we left for a tour, so we put our belongings in storage, and headed out on the road. While it was liberating to no longer worry about unnecessary rent while touring, I now return to... return to...the next chapter.

Some good things have come of this odd lifestyle. I am constantly driven to set up the next "event", because going home to chill out isn't an option, minus the holiday, which was WONDERFUL seeing my family.

This unexpected nomadic period of my life has pleasantly resulted in trips all over the world, and endless spree of projects and opportunities. The uncomfortable situations and anxiety that come with this lifestyle fuel the drive and the creativity almost more than the early stages of my band, when I was living off of tuna sandwiches and baby carrots.

In this "segment" I have embarked upon a stellar trip to London, ended up in the woods writing and painting, made a bizzare holiday musical, wrote country songs in Nashville, wrote art songs in New York, played some great shows with friends, got to write with a lot of friends. Then the band we toured... shortly, but sweetly. Then one van went to Boston, one went to Brooklyn. I took the van to Brooklyn. I am the luckiest person alive to have such hospitable friends. The timeline kept spinning and I scored my friend's short film, my friends threw me a wonderful birthday celeration, and recently Kyle invited me to record in a cathedral in Charleston, South Carolina... where I turned back into my old mad composer self and was surrounded in a mess of string arrangements all night long. I saw sunrises. The pay off was well worth it. Now I'm in Atlanta. Tomorrow I'm in LA.

I never know what's next. Maybe this is what it is to "live in the moment". I could complain about it (and I have done my fair share of complaining about how joining a band with a marketing flaw can make you go broke... just ask Luke White- but that's another blog.. or book), but then I look at everything accomplished, and know that it's meant to be... for now, at least. Perhaps I'll melt down and get a place in Brooklyn amongst my friends when the time is right and the time may be soon... but the time will tell.

Comments

Michelle said: Sometimes being a nomad is the best way to do things. It can be stressful, but rewarding in the end. You never really know where life is going to take you, but at the same time, the journey to get there can be equally as awesome as the destination.

Becca said: Ben, I don't really know what to say...I don't know that there is anything I could say to make you feel better. I have never been in the position you are in now but I empathize with you, you are in my prayers and in my thoughts...I wish I could relate to you. That I could tell you I know where you are coming from, I wish I could say that I have been there before but I can't say any of those things. I hope ur doing well and I sincerely hope that you are in a good place spiritually, mentally, and healthy. As long as you are aboard the ship, I am always going to be on it.

Allison said: Yay it worked! I feel the exact same way as Becca. I honestly don't know what to say. This is going to have me thinking for a long time now. Whether the nomadic lifestyle ends up being something you like or not, know that we're going to be here supporting you and wishing you the best. And by the way, to Chapter I, that's so true. It's really angering me how so many artists seem to have forgotten all about the music. That's why I love The One Love so much. I hope that your future is filled with as many and more good times as the past.

ruby said: I'm sure that people would love to board the ship, if the ship will provide information on what we, as passengers need to expect when we go onboard. If passengers of the ship don't know where the ship is heading, then how will the passengers want to board the ship in the first place? If the ship sinks, then what would the passengers do? End up waiting for a rescue boat or feel that it's too late and end up sinking with the ship?

Becky said: I'm almost jealous in a way, that you get to lead a nomadic life. I mean, I'm sure from touring and such you're a bit tired of always travelling, but being able to be anywhere you want at anytime and just spend the time with friends? That's got to be great. There have been so many times when I've just wanted to get up and go. Where? I don't know, but just go. No one to tell you where you have to be and when, no one to tell you what you can and can't do. In a way, it's almost an opportunity to find yourself, or another side of yourself that you may have forgotten about. I completely agree with the first part of what you said, too. Maybe I'm way off here, but this is how I interpreted it. It really used to get to me, how much you could just tell someone was using a band for whatever reason just by looking at them interact with them. I believe strongly in that the good wins in the end and always comes out on top. Unfortunately you might have to wait longer, but one day all those people using bands are going to grow too old to be doing it. It is then, that they become prostitutes.

Elizabeth said: Ben, I'm so sorry that you are feeling like this. i wish i knew what to say to make you feel better... i would give you a huge hug right now if i could. you are amazing... i look up to you so much. You are so right about artists not being in it for the music anymore. It's nice to know that there are 5 special guys that are though... =) and its also nice to know that there is the one love... it really is such a nice organization. I appreciate everything you are doing Ben. You are very talented and very special. I'll always be on that ship, as long as you are on it... you can count on that. I really hope things brighten up for you soon... i hope you feel better. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

kate said: As someone who is a full-time college student with a full-time job, I am somewhat jealous of this lifestyle. I wish I had the time to explore the world. The first part of this blog hit me hard. Perhaps I interpreted it wrong, but I am pretty sure I didn't. I work in the music industry, and I have gotten to know several artists, and time after time again, they all get hurt in some way or another because people consistently use them, just to say they "know" them, or have hooked up with them, ect. When are people going to realize that the musicians they idolize are actually..*gasp*...human. They're real people just like the rest of us. They have flaws. They have problems. Many people are under the assumption bands owe them things, simply because they're fans...and it isnt the case. With that said, everything eventually comes to an end. Maybe, Ben, this unexpected period in your life will just lead to a new chapter. There is so much out there, so many opportunites for someone as talented as yourself. Look at all you have accomplished in the past few months. While the suitation is not ideal, something will come along. Until then, enjoy what you have going for you. You've had opportunites that most people will never get in their lifetime, and only you know if you have made the best of what you've been given.

Lindsay said: Aw, I'm sorry to hear about this Ben. I wish I knew what to say to make you happy. Everything you do is amazing and know that we will all be here for you! Don't give up just yet. I will keep you and the rest of the guys in my prayers. I hope everything works out for you guys. You guys are like the 5 nicest people I've ever met. I know you will succeed in whatever you do. Everything will work out in the end. I'll always be a fan of you!

Melanie said: Ben Lindsay can read my mind and wrote what I wanted to say! You know what I think would make you feel better or at least make you laugh a lot...you should read the pm that is titled Hello =D . It's 88+pgs of fun lol <3

Gennine said: I actually agree with what everyone else has said so far. I think that you should embrace this as a positive opportunity, and you might create something so beautiful, whether musically or artistically, that you never imagined. Enjoy your show at the Roxy, surround yourself with good people, I'm sure I and all of the fans and boardies will be praying for you...don't give up hope that something amazing might be right around the corner, and you haven't even realized it yet. Peace, and God Bless!

Sarah W said: Ben, you are so incredibly thoughtful and insightful. I love reading your blog. You know, I'm really pretty jealous of you right now. I've led a very comfortable life, and I feel like I won't ever experience anything different. Then again, after a while as a nomad, I think I would begin to miss the cozy life I lived before. Who knows? God bless.

Lana Lane said: That sounds like an amazing way to live especially if you have such nice friends. I've moved to a new country each new year, over the last four years and I didn't have any friends in those places to begin with -- and it's taken me that long to find my dream job! Atleast you have that bit sorted. PS--How high do you have to be to actually say/write "Peace.Love.Rock and Roll"? PPS--You guys should do a collaboration with AIR...How completely weird would that be?

Jade said: i envy you.

Jaclyn said: Dear Mr. Romans, It's difficult to appreciate good fortune. Life is simple and complex, extremely contradicting, which explains why we as human beings are contradicting. It's not intentionally, just human nature. We compensate with material things for emotions and contradictions we cannot fix. Then again I believe you already knew that. There is so much in life desired and yet just out reach. Despite it all you have to believe it's obtainable, despite the dream. Because once you surrender to mediocrity what can you live for? How can you seize the day and live life as much as you can give? Even if it means disappointment. Hang on. I refuse to believe the truly talented can go unappreciated. Maybe that's fool hearty, even so, stay true. Don't lose sight. When faced with problem people say, "don't take it to heart." It sounds to me like you're a philosophical man by nature, so a teacher in your own right. How else, I ask you, will you learn? By learning we understand and once we understand we teach because the truly unselfish share their stories and their lessons. How else will you create a legacy for yourself, that you can look back on and be proud of, if you don't take it to heart. When obstacles are overcome we value the experience more and thus our story becomes a legacy and we become teachers in life. So continue teaching, continue inspiring. They're listening and we are too.

brooke said: i know what your going through been there done that even though im only 16.I've been moving all over the U.S.A and ive traveled all over except havent been to Alaska or Hawaii but going soon though.Except you have your friends with you and thats always a blessing. At least you have some company. BUt being alone is a great thing too. I hope everything goes great for you and TC5. I will always support the click five ^_^. you guys and your music mean alot to me.

Marissa said: Wow Ben. When you talk, you talk. That's one reason why I idolize you, your mind is so full of curiosity; it's amazing. Good luck to wherever your life leads you on; you're still young.

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