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Pell Log Excerpts
2015: A New Year
New Orleans-bred, Los Angeles-based Pell is releasing the best music he’s ever made, working with Dave Sitek, and performing around the world. He’s having an insane 2015 so far, and it’s about to get even crazier with the release of his album Limbo and a series of events to celebrate.
Before the release, we get a look inside Pell’s world and the events leading up to his big album. He’s shared with us some unedited excerpts from the journal he keeps while on the road. This is the Pell Log.
THE LONG JOURNEY TO THE CITY OF ANGELS
As I enter a new year, I realize that I have been afforded many great successes in 2014. Although the success has been motivating, at times it has become distracting. I don’t want to find myself giving into praise to the point where it forces my dreams to suffer. I’ve taken a step back today, the second day of the new year, and decided this is the year where “almost” and “should’ve” are replaced by winning and opportunity. I have the ball in my court now, there’s nothing stopping me from achieving something great and becoming the greatest writer, rapper, singer, composer to ever live. I’m constantly reminded of the hard work it’s taken to reach this point and will not take what I’ve been blessed with for granted.
I have been at the studio today and realized I don’t like making music in front of others unless I value their musical opinion. Although it shouldn’t, sometimes it can create uncertainty within what I want for my original ideas. I still have an appetite to learn, which is the only thing that will help me grow, so this will be my time in learning how to work well with others and make something promising.
We finally finished most of the song. I want to focus on my stage set up and do something great for 2015. Although the set up will be just me and Staccs, I want to place new ideas around clouds being apart of the installation. 2015 look out for something special, a better me.
January 3, 2015
I woke up surprisingly joyful. Felt like I was still in a dream. Last night, I was conveniently stuck in traffic due to a wreck on the highway. I was stationed in my car almost four hours waiting to get home. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the ones who were injured because the scene was nothing short of morbid. Although, today has become one of true excitement because I had a full nights sleep. I walked around with PHIPS today, got my haircut, and relaxed while talking about some of his triumphs as well as his goals for his future. Afterwards, I spoke to Brent and Staccs about the Buku show and they insisted on me getting an LED. I’m in total support, however it’s somewhat late to hire a crew, practice with an LED, transport the LED and most of all get it approved by WCP. I went to sleep tired because I left Whops key to the studio in my house all the way on the other side of town.
January 4
I woke up this morning with a very clouded mind. I had been going back and forth between my dad and Chris on whether or not certain things should happen in the rollout of the next album. While both of their opinions are valid, I struggle with evaluating the campaigns as anything because I do not have a strong viewpoint on how I want to release the album outside of a few small ideas.
January 6
I read some interesting James Baldwin quotes today. One that stuck out to me is the paradox of education.
“The paradox of education is precisely this – That as one becomes conscious one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated.”
I spend most of my days not being able to do the simplest of tasks because I’m constantly worried about the opportunity cost. Living in the moment may be the smallest risk of all when it comes to weighing opportunity costs.
My explanation is this:
Whenever you are without hesitation, and confident in your actions, you are living in the moment. It costs you no time to react off impulse. Why don’t we do this more often to squash the countless hours we spend debating whether or not each decision we make is a good one?
Who am I to tell you that I haven’t reached a level of such deep thought that I distract myself from doing the simplest of tasks. The balance is in your brain. Given the fact that our subconscious mind can generate actions, just as our conscious mind can, we shouldn’t always have to use one over the other in order to make a great decision.
What is the good in being a just man in an unjust society? What good is it to have a record player, with no vinyls to spin?
January 7
As much as I would love to say today was eventful, it wasn’t. I really have been having a crisis in my mind everyday that hasn’t gone away. I’m so happy with what I’m doing I just feel the time slipping away more and more the older I get. Obviously it’s a part of growing up, but it’s still something to keep you up at night. I’m living in the moment more and more each day though so i feel like I’m constantly growing.
I’m happy to announce that I’m re-releasing Phantoms In Space tomorrow along with the announcement of supporting Kindness on his tour. I think that we are really going to connect and I will grow throughout the tour from city to city.
I also received a request to perform in Birmingham from David. This is cool because he is willing to throw out some real money.
I bought a book on music theory and the art of playing the piano. I’m trying to get as good as I can with it before I go to Cali and am in the studio on a regular basis. I want to resonate with people through my lyrics so I may as well become knowledgeable on every subject beforehand.
January 9
Today was very successful. I was able to pay a percentage of my school loan off that was really burdening me to this day. I still have yet to pay fully on my outstanding bill at Mississippi State. This isn’t really as important as the fact I wrote a tune today. It felt good because it felt alive. I love that feeling – when something meshes well enough to let me sing it day in and day out. I believe that’s what this song will be. I want to call it Jack Threads. I had a very deep conversation with my father today as well that made me arrive at the conclusion that I’m sensitive about music only when my dad is talking to me about it. This is because I truly do value his opinion, more than most.
January 10
Tomorrow I begin a new life. I have been thoroughly inspired by the opportunities granted to me up to this point. Execution is key moving forward. I’m terrible at lying to myself, but the one thing that I do know is, I’m going to stir up the music game and create change. I’m done wasting countless hours that I will not be able to retrieve. I will have the best album of the year and will learn something from every person I encounter along this lonely and confusing journey. I’m here to create and that’s what I will do. I will create new opportunities for myself and those around me. I will become a better songwriter, making sure to free write whenever I have the chance. I will not subdue myself to distraction – I am on a mission. This mission is to be the greatest. In order to be great, you must not only be the best at your craft, but also the biggest and hardest working. Gone are the days of excuses and worry. These habits will be replaced by confidence and hard work.
As I travel to New York in seven hours, I want myself and anyone who reads this to know that I’m about to be the greatest and will not settle for less. I will dominate my field and will become a name to remember for years to come. I want to be a beacon to others just as those before were for me. Changing lives is what I came in this to do, I will not stray from my mission.
Peace and blessings,
Thanks and Praise to The Most High,
Jared “Pell” Pellerin
January 17
Today I got very fucked up. And this was the last time. I’m done for a long time after this. Says everyone always… TBC
January 24
I really had an interesting day today. I feel like I’m going stir-crazy. The irony of that statement is the fact that I feel as though being this introverted has been my preference. I’m so stuck in thought about things that I “have to do” or “need to learn” that I am actually avoiding real-life communication with those around me.
January 25
I feel way better about everything that I’ve been doing since I got to meet with K. Roosevelt and had an interesting chat with Najja today. I’m very sure that all of my momentum will lead me into something that I can use to my advantage as far as establishing new relationships. I want to make sure that I can live outside of music as well though. I’m going to try my hardest to become knowledgeable about the Public Library here as well as the one in New Orleans so that I can give back.
K. Roose took me to Umami Burger which was delightful. The hamburgers were top notch as well as the fries. I can’t see why anyone would go to any other burger spot in town after eating that. Whew! I would relate it to the first time trying THC wax, it was hard to go back to good ole ‘Mary Jane.’
Attempting to write a verse for something I’m not necessarily inspired by is one of the hardest things ever. I really like the idea of this song I’m working on for a fellow artist, but would love it if he made an enormous amount of changes to the verses. I feel as though there isn’t a pulse living within the song. I want the song to be breathing, moving, making me fiend for more. Those are the truly great songs. I’m also going through the library additions that were given to me. I’m starting to go more in depth with getting to know who Fiona Apple was when she released Tidal in ’96 and who En Vogue, although they do not appear as a group on the playlist, was as a fresh female group of the 90s. I haven’t done as much research as I would like to but I’m slowly growing my knowledge of all things music. There are certain things that I want to get better at on the business side, especially since I’m out in Los Angeles.
I’m going to have to read the book that Chris read about the music industry to help understand how most major labels, publishers, tours, etc work before i am on tour with Kindness. I’m actually a little salty at the fact I didn’t get to read the contract for the tour with Kindness. I’m sure I could’ve asked with ease, but for some reason I had a moment of trust. I will definitely be examining it tomorrow.
I’m also anticipating how I will handle everything with JEA in the morning since they haven’t sent me my contacts or glasses, let alone contacted me to update me on the status. I’m going to have to figure out something tomorrow before I go to Ryans because I definitely don’t want to be blind for the week, let alone tomorrow.
I WILL START WRITING SCRIPT ONCE I’M on TOUR
Tomorrow will be a good time for me to brainstorm on what central ideas/themes I want to be in it.
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Image via Instagram
YOU SHOULD BE HERE TOUR W/ KEHLANI
July 1
How does one emancipate himself from fate? Working hard, only to find your self bereft of what’s been promised doesn’t make the road easy, just more worthwhile. I’ve been working on balancing my time as well as my energy for this upcoming tour. I have been blessed to have this opportunity to perform to all of these wonderful people – I can’t wait to show and prove when the time comes.
Tour is six days away now. I’ve been compressing a lot of my time into finishing my EP which has left me confused whenever I find spare time.
Marcel Proust
James Merrill
July 7
I’m so shocked that tour is finally here, it almost feels as though i’m not actually performing tonight. Ready to touchdown because I know Chicago is a city full of good food that I want to take advantage of before I have to perform. The flight has felt like nothing but floating on clouds.
The show was amazing – this was the perfect way to start tour. Everything feels better than the past three months I spent at home not being on tour. Only thing that is crazy is the lack of sleep, but i’m honestly used to it. I can’t wait to start this exciting adventure with Kehlani and her team. They have accepted Chris, Staccs, Micah, and I with open arms.
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Image via Instagram
NEW YORK
Had to skip some dates because I’ve been enjoying the road with new friends. I also haven’t had a lot of personal time to spend updating the log. Dreams are only the inspiration I use to execute a plan. The plan before tour started was to put on a great show and meet great people. Safe to say my dream is being fulfilled. I have the utmost respect for people who set a goal and work towards accomplishing it. It takes courage and patience. To remember the looks on kids’ faces that I performed for in Toronto damn near brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it. This is the shit I skipped class for. The shit I quit my 9-5’s for. The shit I lost relationships over. I’m so thankful that it is becoming a reality.
Personal side note: The six has some of the most beautiful women I have seen in a concentrated area since college.
Day 12
Having another lapse but solely because I’m battling the hangovers. That being said, bbl.
Day 23 – Off day to Portland
Oh my gosh thank you dear lord for helping the Tame Impala album find it’s way to my phone – that’s right where it belongs. I’m excited. Things have been going great, I honestly feel like the music is getting better the closer it comes to release. I just dropped Vacation (Whole Week) which was named by my good friend Juan.
I literally cannot complain with the reception it’s receiving. I’ve been able to watch it’s real growth which is interesting because I haven’t even really been pushing it super super hard.
Day 26
The saying that good things come to those who work hard is definitely true. Kehlani just got her first Fader cover. She’s a really inspiring person to be around, she really wants to speak for more than herself and make a difference. I’m constantly baffled by how selfless she is when it comes to doing things with her friends while still remaining resilient and aggressive in controlling her own destiny.
We drove down from Vancouver yesterday and are still on the road, set to arrive in Los Angeles sometime this evening. I cannot wait for all the joy that will come from being able to sleep in my own bed.
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Image via Instagram
EUROPEAN TOUR: AUGUST 2015
August 24
I arrived in London feeling great and blessed. I have an indescribable feeling for this rainy city. I will see how the rest of my time here will go.
I arrived here only to meet the greatest of tour guides in Marcus. He works for some of our friends and mentors in the game and is definitely someone who keeps everything ‘as real as possible’ when it pertains to music. He picked us up from the airport and took us to a very nice Jamaican spot called Ochie’s. It was delightful.
August 25
Only slept for about three hours last night because I was distracted by sounds of Friday Night Lights in the next room. I’m excited about the show. I was just asked to do Tim WestWood last night before I went to sleep. I’m shocked that I’m going to meet one of my idols today and I get to freestyle. SHIIIIIZ!
Anyway, we’re on the way to a meeting and I think that I’m going to pass out in the car if we don’t get there soon- Like in thirty seconds soon.
After twenty seconds of sleep, and a brief gaze into my dms, we arrive. I like this neighborhood. It’s full of old architecture and feels like what I’ve seen of London on TV. Finally getting the coffee my sleep deprivation deserved. We chat for a minute about my whereabouts before London.
Sound check coming up soon!!!!
Tim Westwood is a character, man. Great to meet a true vet in the game, but time is of the essence and it’s show time. Nostalgia runs heavy – I swore this would happen in December even before the show was booked. Tonight, we’ll be the Phantoms In Space.
August 26
There was nothing but “positive vibes” in attendance last night. Everyone who was there had an amazing time and was able to actually be moved by what was happening on-stage. Thankful for the memories, but hopeful for the future.
I’m reminded of the humbling times I had when I first started performing. There weren’t that many people in the audience and I didn’t know who I was as an entertainer. There was a struggle at first, but now at 4 AM in London I lie awake thinking of how beautiful the result is.
August 27
What’s rest, but a friend that’s gone on hiatus. If there was a way I could call her to come back in my life I would, but then again, sacrifice is the crux of my success.
Iceland here we come!
Wait… Vikings don’t still exist, do they? (serious inquiry contrived from a first glance at the landscape)
Take your favorite volcano of all time…. I’m going to stop that joke there.
Moss-covered molten rock seems to be “in” here. I’m just getting used to it myself as we ride to the Blue Lagoon. BLUE LAGOON IS TOO LIT RN OMG. PHONE ABOUT TO DIE.
*phone cuts back on*
I’m here at this gymnasium across from Iceland’s National Soccer Stadium and it’s incredible to see how many kids are out here to watch Rae Sremmurd and us perform. I’m literally in awe of how people from the Deepest Dirtiest South of the US (Mississippi) can make “hits heard round the world” and become global favorites. I’m aware it’s happened before, just being a part of it is surreal.
The performance is about to start but my life just got saved – I didn’t eat the peanuts. They were in the gravy for the chicken the venue catered. I’m very allergic. Thanks for asking, Chris! Yes Lawd.
Show went Gwen Stafani!!
Now back on another plane to head back to London for Reading and Leeds Fest!
Sober Life.
August 28
Okay, I’m going to have to start this log with the first of a series of misfortunes.
It all started when we arrived at the Hertz car rental in London Heathrow Airport. Everything was nice and dandy at first because we decided to fly from Iceland to London four hours before it was time to get to Reading. This way we would have ample time to get showered/nap/etc. In short, were hacked by the rental company when they said they couldn’t let us rent a car that was Automatic unless we were 25 or over, going against our accepted reservation for one. Let me clarify, this would mean us driving stick with the steering wheel on the right side of the car. Not to mention we would be driving on the left side of the road. UK smh. Staccs and I talked Chris into thinking he could possibly wing it the entire way to Reading and that we could even make it to Leeds the following day.
Chris gave the car a start and proceeded to hit the clutch and shift into first, “CURPLANK!” the car abruptly jumped and sputtered to a halt. So we try again, same result. Staccs even tries it a few times and almost gets us out the garage, but similar result. So, here we are stuck in this car worried about how we are going to make it to Reading without having to cancel the rental reservation and if we can catch the train that leaves the soonest.
We had recently just invited some of our friends from two nights ago to come to Reading and Leeds because we had extra passes. We decided to call one of them who was initially taking the train to Reading to see if she would be able to drive us. She said yes and that she would be there in an Hr +1/2, but she wouldn’t be able to drive from Reading to Leeds the next day. Two hours elapse and she hasn’t gotten here yet. Staccs is calling his family to get a new rental car plug because one of his family members lives in London and Chris’ hair is falling out.
Just as Chris is about to cancel our reservation and we are about to go look for a train, LONDON COMES TO THE RESCUE. As soon as she gets behind the wheel we get to Reading in all of 30 minutes.
Show was crazy but kids seemed very very young. Which only concerns me because they are all having a little too good of a time if you catch my drift.
Message to the Kids:
Follow your dreams and don’t be a follower. Drugs aren’t cool. Being someone who does them doesn’t make you cool. Be careful with your body and don’t sacrifice a lifetime of problems just for a good night. I have learned a bunch on this tour, but the main thing is that there is beauty in working hard to achieve goals. The moment you see these goals come into fruition you find a bit of purpose in your life and everything starts to come full circle. Never stop working and always, always, always, float on!
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