Introducing: Tales from the Zeeborhood Episode 1 - Teddy Chan

Hey friends! Long time no update! Shortly after unveiling the new website, I had a catastrophic computer failure and my laptop died. After a month, I got word that the computer was not able to be repaired, but I should be able to hopefully recover my data. I bought a new machine and I was cautiously optimistic that I'd be able to simply take my data (which is essentially the last 4 years of my audio, writing, and photo work) and put it on my new laptop. Guess what? It didn't work. Well, not easily, so I am currently exploring data recovery solutions that are affordable for me. It's not looking hopeful at the moment, but I am very open to suggestion, if you have any. I am grateful for my computer savvy friends who are helping me navigate the whole process. Now that's all out of the way, it's time to get to why it's taken me so long to finally release this first episode of Tales from the Zeeborhood. Simply put: depression and the fear of rejection.

Longer story (because you know I like to talk a lot) it never felt like the right time. For some reason or another, it just never felt right, or so I told myself. I am (I originally wrote was) afraid of finally showing this new side of me and Electric Zee. Afraid that people won't like what I have to offer, but torn with having to do it my way, because it's my art & heart, you know?

It's really hard to separate creating art and creating entertainment for money. For nearly 30 years, I've walked a thin line between being palatable for a radio audience and being true to my weirdo little art fart self. It's tough. I've been open about my physical and mental health issues throughout my career and work, so I don't feel the need to really rehash that, but please know these two factors played heavily in the decision to delay pretty much every step of Electric Zee's conception. Upon reflection, I realize now, over a year later, that I wasn't ready to face the person I was when I recorded this episode. I was coming up on a year of unemployment, feeling rushed to release something, anything, with the hopes of making some sort of money to support myself. I was sad, anxious, and absolutely terrified.

Thankfully, I chose an absolutely stellar (and patient!) first guest: Mr. Teddy Chan, who I'll tell you more about in a little bit.

One more thing: if you watch the video of this first episode, you will see some artistic renderings of what I hoped to express as what Electric Zee was and is: an outer space place.  Extra terrestrial radio.  Lo-Fi sci-fi DIY pirate radio talk shows for the post apocalyptic void.  I've always loved Science Fiction and at the time of EZ's creation, I was very much feeling like an alien with no home. So I imagined what a galactic radio station with no limitations could look like. A space where everyone was welcomed to join in and experience music and culture together, regardless of where in the Zeeborverse you were.

Just two aliens, palling around.

Because I couldn't draw these ideas out, I made a foolhardy decision to play with some free AI art to help get the ideas of what the virtual "Zeeborhood" would look like out of my head, now that I no longer had the ability to broadcast on the FM airwaves. If you've followed my work for a while, you'll know the Zeeborhood developed on the airwaves of WNBZ, when I was a co-owner/operator of that FM radio station for six years.

I sincerely regret using AI art, especially since I wasn't aware of it's environmental impact at the time. That being said, it was a tool to get the images of what I wanted both the Zeeborhood and Electric Zee to be and I do think it turned out pretty cool, especially since I lack all ability to draw or paint. I am not sure if I will be continuing this whole space vibe, but it was very much where I was at at the time, so it's important for me to remember that time in my life. Now, Tales From the Zeeborverse Episode 1: Teddy Chan

The one and only, Teddy Chan!

I'd like to say I am grateful I had already uploaded the whole episode to YouTube almost a year before my computer died. If I hadn't done that, I wouldn't have been able to share with you such a interesting and heartfelt episode like this inaugural episode with local small business owner and my pal, Teddy Chan. If you've been in the Champlain Center Mall over the last nearly 30 years, you've likely eaten the delicious food of the Chan Family, at China Cafe. I was very grateful to have an opportunity to sit for a while with Teddy and get the scoop on not only China Cafe, but the backstory of one the small business staples in Plattsburgh, NY. Please enjoy this unfiltered interview where we touch on many things, including on the grit and determination it takes to be a small business owner in today's world.

Tales from the Zeeborhood Episode 1: Teddy Chan