Posts tagged music
wonder of birds
Feb 3rd
So.
I just heard another song and it made me think about “couples bands” … like Over the Rhine or Weepies (a post to follow on their new cd) … and going back maybe K’s Choice (brother & sister) … but the song I heard made me want to spend a minute talking about the band Innocence Mission (husband & wife). The song was Wonder of Birds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sXOIrvOMKU&feature=related
Yup.
Innocence Mission is an acquired taste. It certainly isn’t uptempo but oddly it is upbeat (in message).
I tend to call them the best band in the “wistful Alt-pop genre” (I think i made that genre up). They are probably known best for Bright as Yellow which was used in the movie Empire State Records (a great movie … a great song … a great soundtrack).
Bright as Yellow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA4ZfLzy1VM&ob=av2e
Their songs have a … well … I imagine it is like a ‘fragile’ quality. Mostly because they are all sung by Karen Peris (her husband is the other songwriter & guitar player) and she has probably the consummate wistful voice. I have never seen them in concert and I wonder if you can even hear her when she sings live. She sounds like a wistful storyteller … and the songs just seem to wander in a light way … and you get sucked in thinking if you lean closer you get to hear them a little better because they seem to have something important to say. With Christian underpinnings they tend to write hopeful introspective songs but you really have to pay attention. The Innocence Mission have been doing their thing for over 20 years and 10 albums (and their sound hasn’t really evolved much over time … it just is what it is … and it is good).
They have this interesting ability to create songs which thru the lyrics and music arrangements seem to have an emotional level that is, well, comfortable … like sitting in a room filled with a group of friends just talking and laughing.
Can I listen to their music all the time? Nope.
Do I like to listen to it when I am reading (or writing)? Yup.
And maybe what I like best? Wonder of Birds may be the most aptly song name to describe Innocence Mission.
rat girl thoughts
Jan 27th
So.
I wrote about Rat Girl (Kristen Hersh) awhile back … and have been meaning to come back to the book and some quotable/comment-able thoughts from Kristen and her book.
Let me say this upfront.
Rarely have I found so many quotable thoughts from one book.
Anyway.
There is no particular order for these thoughts & quotes. I simply wrote them down as I read Rat Girl. So there is some spontaneous nonlinear thinking to be shared (and several other posts will follow using specific quotes).
With that … it seems appropriate to start with this following quote because I love music and I tend to believe it is one of the few global forms of communication with the ability to cross cultures and actually bend cultures …
“They <songs> don’t commit to linear time – they whiz around all your memories collecting them into a goofy pile that somehow seems less goofy because it’s set to music. Songs are weird. They tell the future and they tell the past but they can’t seem to tell the difference.” - K. Hersh
Well.
I am not sure I have ever heard a better explanation for why music is so powerful, oh, and timeless. Great songs & songwriters have the ability to capture moments & thoughts in a way that they become timeless …’ or maybe better said they become ‘a relevant time’ to the listener.
And there are really two thoughts here.
Some songs inspire timelessness on things you are experiencing now … they just express eternal ‘truth.’
And the some songs are, well, not timeless.
What do I mean?
Well.
Not timeless is easy to describe. They are of a genre and style and wording that may make it a hit today but quickly slips away into that irrelevance space that most tepid shit ends up in.
But timeless? Whew. That stuff speaks to you forever. Because, as Kristen suggests, they live concurrently in the past, present & future in what they say and how they make you feel.
You hear it and it can make you think of something that was. And you ache, or think or just laugh a little.
You hear it and it can make you think of something that is. And you ache, or think or just laugh a little.
You hear it and it cam make you think of something that could be. And you are hopeful, fearful … or just think.
That goofy pile of thoughts is less goofy set to music … and by being less goofy it makes you think … think about something.
And that is what makes a great song great.
It doesn’t have to be great grandiose type thinking … it is just thinking.
Once again … if you ever need to explain to someone what makes music the thing that is universal globally … just pull this quote out.
It is a timeless quote.
Next.
“Play a grown up ‘til you grow up.” – K. Hersh
Ok.
Let’s think about this one a little.
This was written by a 19 year old. Bi polar. Pregnant. Fronting one of the most avante garde bands of the time. And she is often thrown into environments where she was expected to be a grown up … and make grown up decisions (or maybe think like a grown up).
Putting this quote into perspective … all she really wants to do is be a musician … to create and play what was in her head.
What did she do?
Play a grown up.
I like this one for a variety of reasons.
Mainly because it was written by a 19 year old. And one who embraced her originality (which would almost presume she would balk at being “grown up”).
But I also like it because in its simplicity it is a Life truth.
I think a lot of teens understand this (play a grown up). And will do it … that is if they are permitted to and it is nurtured.
All teens contain originality. That is what youth is all about.
Some young people are strong enough to “play grown up” on their own (see Kristen Hersh as an example).
But most young people aren’t strong enough … okay … maybe ‘resilient enough’ is a better way to phrase it. They seek to fit in first and foremost. It’s the safest path. And, therefore, true originality is few and far between (being part of a flock isn’t conducive to originality).
So. She reminds us that even those teens who are grown up – are simply acting like it … that is until they actually become a grown up.
Ok. I say all this to make a point.
We adults can either nurture it or destroy it. And destruction is a lot easier than nurturing. Destruction can happen in the smallest word or action.
We adults need to remember this. Not all teens are as strong as Kristen Hersh. Most are more fragile. Does this mean we should pamper our youth? Absolutely not. But be cognizant of repercussions of our actions as we nurture.
Also.
There is a business side to life, yeah, I said life. By business I mean there are rules of the road we all have to follow on how we are supposed to act, what is appropriate or not, all that stuff we need to do and are supposed to do … if we want to get what we want. And this is true regardless of your age. and to make it trickier it all varies depending on the situation.
What do I mean? If you are 19 but put in a situation surrounded by 40 year olds you have one of 2 choices …
(1) act like a 19 year old and get nothing
(2) or act like a 40something and get what you want.
Simple to do? Nope.
But if you don’t even try and act like a grown up and you are 19 in this situation I can promise you one thing, unequivocally, you won’t get shit.
In the end? Play a grown up until you are a grownup.
Another awesome quote in its simplicity.
Next.
This one is mindboggling as she, in her own words, defines passion in life.
“I think you need something in your life that is both beautiful and necessary. A person or a mission or a place. Beautiful might not be pretty and necessary may not be understood, but, still … I think caring, not death, is the passport to heaven.” – K. Hersh
Ok.
I have been tempted to have this quote framed.
And, once again, from the mouth of a 19 year old.
“beautiful may not be pretty and necessary may not be understood.”
Whew.
That is chill bump type stuff.
Not all passion is shared. And what is necessary to you may not be necessary to someone else.
Frankly that thought may be one of the most difficult for people to grasp.
We so often set a ‘standard’ for what is good, acceptable or the ‘best’ for people.
So what happens to the people who don’t ‘fit ‘within the guardrails? They are oddballs … out of the norm or mainstream … and are forced to swim upstream.
Shit. So what about the majority who do go easily within the guardrails? Maybe they never get to see what is beautiful and necessary (what a fucking shame).
Regardless.
This quote is a big thought. A thoughtful thought. And rather that have me define it or explain it I just posted it so everyone could read it … and all I ask is for everyone to think about it.
Because, honestly, I cannot stop thinking about it.
Next.
“If you play too many wimpy chords you’re just asking for wimpy scales. Play colors.” – K. Hersh
This one is awesome for not just for musicians but for anyone in the creative business.
Shit.
This is actually awesome for anyone.
A lot of people are really successful playing it safe. Or doing what others have done. And then there are the few … those who play colors.
I am not suggesting, using her words, that it is bad to be ‘wimpy.’ Because in this case wimpy isn’t bad … it’s just … well … maybe not aspirational. And that’s okay because not everyone does aspirational stuff. And not everyone SHOULD do aspirational stuff. Not everyone s wired for that.
But.
Boy.
“Play colors.”
If you are even closed to being wired this way this simple quote is pretty powerful.
Me?
If I could have one thing in my obituary it would be “we saw colors when he was there.”
Do I believe I deserve that now? Nope.
But that is surely what I am aiming for.
Ok.
This is the last quote I will use from the book.
“Everything about Betty is huge, bigger than life. I’m smaller than life – so unremarkable that I’m practically invisible.” – K. Hersh
So.
I lied.
There was an order in the quotes … at least I that I purposefully put this one last.
For a variety of reasons this one really struck me.
And, no, you don’t need to know who Betty is to think about this and understand it.
But.
Think about this as you read this quote … fact here was one of the most talented songwriters and singers of her generation … and she thought herself unremarkable.
And small.
And it got me thinking.
That word unremarkable.
It’s a big word.
Maybe even an immense word when referring to oneself.
Maybe I like this quote not because I am as talented as Kristen Hersh … but rather because I feel unremarkable.
Not in a bad way. Just that in comparison to some pretty remarkable people I have been fortunate to have known.
Frankly … I tend to believe a lot of people feel the same way. They feel unremarkable. And maybe not invisible but … well … not remarkably visible to the broader world.
And yet I, just as most people I imagine, would like to do something remarkable.
C’mon.
We all want to leave something behind… but how do we do that when we are so small in life.
So few of us actually make an impact … well … a really big impact.
The kind of impact that makes you remarkable.
And I do think the majority of us feel small and insignificant on occasion (if not the majority of the time). I know I do.
And once again that’s not bad. It just is.
But I want to make a difference.
Is it “making people see colors?”
Or implementing the global education initiative?
Or something else?
Heck. I don’t know.
What I do know is Kristen captured the essence of our smallness in a way that was clear and concise and thought provoking.
And it made me want to be sure I at least tried to do something that, in the end, was visible.
So.
You may not like the book (Rat Girl).
And you may not like Kristen Hersh’s music.
But, boy, you gotta like how she takes some really complex thoughts and breaks them down into some really simple words.
Thank you Kristen.
christian music musings
Jan 22nd
It’s Sunday and I thought I would write about church-going music. So let’s begin with a song my mother heard on the radio and a quote from my mother when she heard it:
“did they get kicked out of the church?” – my mother
The song? Flyleaf “Again”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbdCeWoEH1U&ob=av2e
(little lead singer with a huge voice)
My mother doesn’t get half the music I like but she is always interested in hearing things … and always interested in what has changed since … well … Frank Sinatra (to be fair she also likes the Beatles and even David Bowie’s voice).
Anyway.
Writing about contemporary Christian music crossed my and for a several reasons … first was when I skipped through the dial and heard a Flyleaf song I happen to like and decided to point out to my mother that they were a Christian band (which elicited the quote at the beginning) as well as I heard a Switchfoot song under the introduction to an espn gameday football game (oddly … I also heard a Switchfoot song under a radio ad for The Vampire Diaries and Secret Circle).
Well.
That is how mainstream christian bands have become.
Oh. Yeah. They are both christian bands if you didn’t know.
Oh. Yeah. That would mean they play “christian music.”
Uh oh. Bad stigma. Christian music is no good.
Wrong wrong wrong.
I will remind everyone with Switchfoot who really was the first to showcase the new face of christian music.
Maybe the most recent? Skillet. Kind of been chugging along under the mainstream radar and then their 2 recent often played songs Monster (which is disliked) and Awake (which I liked): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aJUnltwsqs&ob=av2e
Just in case you haven’t been paying attention christian based music has gotten better. And in some cases really good. Sure. There is still some of that sappy bad forced lyric stuff out there but there is a new generation of musicians have expanded their christian view to be broader in how they communicate their christian values and beliefs.
As I pointed out to my mother …. there is a whole new generation of ‘enlightened christians’ out there who are seeking shit <music> that is relevant to their own generation.
So.
I admit … maybe even 10 years ago if someone said “you wanna listen to a Christian music cd” I think I would have just asked if someone could have stuck an ice pick in my ear instead. Today? Not so much the ice pick in the ear thing.
Christian music really has evolved with the times (although, I would suggest that what would be considered an ‘atheist’ song, Dear God by XTC – an AWESOME song – probably did more for Christian music than any song before: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk41Gbjljfo ).
Some of the music can be really nice to listen to. Maybe it’s a growth of some sub genres but the Christian sound is keeping pace with mainstream (although I do believe they still tend to be a little formulaic with big multi chord riffs and lyrical chorus overlays).
I guess I attribute the evolution (beyond my thought on Dear God) in my own warped mind that I envisioned some Christian musicians woke up one morning and remembered that Jesus led a quasi normal life. I seriously doubt he walked around his entire life talking in parables (which is why I loved Crash Test Dummies “God shuffled his Feet”:
God shuffled his feet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzNzCiZwk28). I bet he had a life with family and friends and probably talked to them about the new sandals on sale at the corner market store, pimples and how much he hated black olives. I would assume he just talked sometimes (or at least one would hope or his friends would be exasperated trying to figure out the parables in every conversation).
Anyway. Simplistically the change probably occurred because different generations desire different things. So, to stay relevant, some musicians with some new ways of looking at things came along. And the good things for those writing these songs is that the reality is people do want to feel like God exists in the present, and not some antiquated relic that couldn’t possibly understand the issues of today, approached music through their own eyes and ways of looking at things.
Trust me. If God actually did speak to me I would hope he would avoid the ole thee’s and thou’s in trying to communicate something. And a lot of musicians understood the same thing.
And if you listen to today’s contemporary Christian musicians many of the rock songs transcend the intended market and reach the ears of people not completely in sinc with the whole church thing.
Here is the fun thing (at least to me). The christian traditionalists, who I would like to point out are most typically parents, hate it.
Why? People (simplistically) say … it’s rebellion. It’s unholy. It’s … well …different.
I would like to point out here that different musical taste is not in itself an act of rebellion. Each generation distinguishes themselves musically from the generation before. That is a fact. Older generations don’t like it, but each generation does it (Beatles to their parents, jazz to their parents, etc.).
To me music has never about rebelling against my parents or anyone else. I just liked the sound. I just liked how it sounded and inevitably how it spoke to me and the feeling I have. I liked what it represented as to what I thought & felt.
And while I titled this Christian music I do believe labeling “christ-centered music” as christian music is a mistake (but it helped me provide a thread for what I wanted to write about). That label implies a form that is inherently ‘Christian’ (which is false). I asked a christian friend of mine once what is a Christian. I got a nice simple response. A person in love with Christ. So what would it sound like singing? Jeez (I almost typed the ‘other word’). That’s a stupid question. It could sound like anything.
Anyway.
To me there are three types of Christian music.
1. The overt Christian band. Note. This is typically not my type of band.
This band seems to use their music/lyrics to specifically talk about god and such and is quite open about who/what they’re talking about in their lyrics. They preach. They celebrate. They specifically do Christian type messaging. No guessing games here. Let’s call this ‘all Christian all the time’.
Personally I think their stuff is often too preachy and difficult to listen to if you don’t have that faith (even though some of the music is well written and the singers have interesting voices).
Professionally I believe they struggle because there is some restrain on the authenticity and freedom to create great music. True creativity means truly expressing what is in your heart/soul. It means allowing freedom into the music which means you don’t feel the inexplicable need to resolve each song by singing “Jesus Saves” (or “I love god”) in every refrain.
Anyway.
What helps you out is they call themselves Christian so you can avoid it if you want.
How up front they want to be with that is up to them, whether it’s in all their songs or just some of them. But If I purchased a CD from a band who labeled themselves as a “Christian” band though I’d expect to be hearing about Christ somewhere in those lyrics.
2. The ‘not as overt’ bands. In other words (not mine but a Christian’s description) “the band that crosses more into the mainstream/secular world” and “taking the medicine to the sick.” (oh my)
They don’t hide their faith, but they don’t spell it out in their lyrics all the time. And some of these bands kick ass. Flyleaf. Switchfoot. POD.
These are the kinds of bands that people frequently ask about because they can’t tell by listening to the music. Switchfoot’s “Meant to Live:” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp6Qh-wT3ys&ob=av2n is probably the song (if they weren’t a Christian band) I would use as the anthem for my Global Generation idea (although I do suggest a POD song in Global Generation 3). Meant to Live is a song U2 would have been proud writing and singing. Interestingly (and I would imagine many people would argue with me) I would put many Country music groups in this section.
3. Then there are the mainstream bands that have (some) Christian members. Their lyrics might be about anything without mentioning Christ specifically. However, I suspect their beliefs sneak out in places throughout their lyrics, whether they mean for them to or not. Think Mutemath, Evanescence, Lifehouse, The Fray. These are bands that have some faith and weave in their beliefs within their songs but don’t dedicate their full portfolio to the message. Think about Evanescence.
Oh. And 12 Stones. Remember them?
Bet ya don’t.
Okay. Remember Evanescence “Bring me to Life”? (AWESOME song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YxaaGgTQYM&ob=av2e). The guy who sings along with Amy Lee is the lead singer of a band called 12 Stones (a christian band … and the songwriters of Evanescence just didn’t like to be called a Christian band but suggested their songs communicated a positive faith message).
Anyway.
Why do I think the first group has such a challenge (beyond the obvious thought that some people just don’t want to hear it)? Think creatively here.
Christian artists, who are overt, have a challenge. They want to meet what they call the The Great Commission (“go and make disciples”) but it’s difficult to do in a single song (let alone an entire cd).
Think of it this way. If I wanted to write a song about my girlfriend Bunny, then decide to write an entire cd about her (even if her specialty was talking in metaphors … or parables … I always struggle to figure out the difference …) and then I decided to make sure I used her name in every song on the cd it would mean I have an entire cd filled with Bunny references. Well. Figure Christian artists try and do that every cd but with god/JC/Him. And that is bad for anyone (whether you believe you have JC on your side or not).
But.
In the end, if you turn on the radio try and be open-minded. There really is no such thing as just one type Christian song anymore and some of it is really really good.
So. Here are some bands (they go from harder to softer Christian music):
Skillet
Switchfoot
Paramore
the Letter Black (a new band I think will cross over)
POD
Flyleaf (if you see them in concert you would never imagine in a zillion years they were Christian)
Mutemath
Mae
Lifehouse
Leigh Nash (ex lead singer of Sixpence Nonethericher)
Robbie Seay band
Ginny Owens
Eisley
Matt Kearney
Some of my favorite Christian songs (beyond ‘I can Imagine’ which I can imagine – pun intended – is difficult for anyone to dislike):
- Switchfoot “Meant to Live.” This is the song that probably put Christian music on the mainstream charts. Awesome song. Well written and big anthemic feel. “Dare you to Move” would be a close second: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOTcr9wKC-o&ob=av2e
- Rebecca St. James “Beautiful Stranger” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgH40uV-nEc ) The first time I heard it was with the video and its impact was HUGE. As a stand-alone song it is awesome also. But with video it’s amazing. Ok. And as for a full on Christian song … God of Wonders is a beautifully crafted and beautifully sung song.
- P.O.D. “Goodbye for Now.” Powerful rap rock San Diego band. Boom is another awesome song. Alive and Youth of a Nation are also good. I actually use one of their newer songs as the anthem for the Global Generation. Oh. The opening riffs on Boom and Alive rank up with two of the best openings to a rock song as you can get. They kick you in the gut from note one.
- Jennifer Knapp “A little More” (its fun a nice folksy song).
- Ginny Owens “If you want me To.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GocT5SAQPNM&feature=related One of the most heartfelt songs of all time. Don’t listen to it if you have just broken up with someone. “Someone Searching” is the next song of her you should listen to. Another beautiful heartfelt song. Lastly. If you ever want your teen to listen to something so they know that you unconditionally love them, consider playing “Without Condition” for them. Yes. It is about God but at its core it will share the thought of love without condition. Which is appealing to anyone regardless of faith.
Anyway.
Here is where the rubber hits the road.
Heart.
One thing I do know … artists with a Christian vision have a passion to minister to a world that they believe needs help.
I believe the best of the best are realistic about their impact but are also very open about their passion for the ‘lost’ in the world and their desire to help even one.
It is easy to slam something we don’t understand.
There are a lot of good musicians who have a strong faith.
And incorporate it into their songs. Some songs. Maybe not all their songs.
Adam young. Better known as Owl City. He’s a devout Christian who takes his faith as seriously as his music. Evanescence. Speaks out often about faith. Paramore. Once again. Christian. Mutemath. But all desire to be known as musicians who have faith and incorporate the message within.
Not Christian bands who can play music. The list goes on and on.
Anyway.
There is a lot of good music out there so ignore the ‘label’ (genre title) and just listen up. You never know what you are missing.
somebody i used to song
Jan 20th
Ok.
How good is this song? (pretty damn good)
Somebody That I used to Know: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY
This is my next projected “addictive song.’
I heard it on the radio and had no clue who it was … it is a quirky catchy kind of alternative-pop song. Really interesting sound with a chorus using a woman’s voice. I will admit though … this song is much much better on radio than watching the video. I promise you … it is addictive in the car.
Anyway.
The singer is an Australian named Gotye … oh … and apparently this song was featured on Gossip Girl (sorry … didn’t see).
Somebody That I Used to Know is a song by Australian (and Belgian?) singer/songwriter Gotye from his third cd Making Mirrors. The woman in the song (and video) is a New Zealand singer named Kimbra. And while the song is good … the addition of Kimbra’s voice, which complements Gotye perfectly, kind of makes the song really special.
The chorus is really really nice and for a typical song about past relationships it seems to have more emotion than most.
The song was written by Gotye and is personal … writing about experiences he has had with relationships. Just because I was curious (because this is his 3rd cd)I checked around to see if there were any other good songs to share.
Here is a nice one:
Eyes wide open: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyVJsg0XIIk&feature=relmfu
Just heard this song maybe last week for the first time. I think it is gonna go up the charts with bullet.
fearless work
Jan 19th
Creativity is a tricky thing.
Having been involved in the creativity business in some form for over 20 years I recognize that the best of the creative best are … well … part insecure … and part fearless.
And it’s the fearless part that I am going to write about because I saw this quote somewhere.
“I seek fearless work that challenges me”
- choreographer Martha Graham
This is good stuff.
This is the kind of stuff not for the faint of heart.
And, frankly, this is the kind of stuff for few people.
Because this quote is indicative of someone whose heart lies in doing fearless work.
Oh.
Fearless work means being fearless of failure.
Fearless work does NOT mean doing something wacky just for wacky sake.
Oh. But that is the first thing people who condone fearless work bring up.
You hear words like “stupid” or “what were they thinking” or “I could have told them it wouldn’t work <or be popular or be liked>.”
In my mind those are words of people who fear work that looks fearless. This fear can be disguised as a variety of things … discomfort in something new … misunderstanding … lack of ability to recognize something.
Whatever.
This is about people who actually DO the fearless work. Because people who seek to do fearless work recognize several things:
- how difficult it is (even though it may seem simple to the creators)
- how unpopular it may be
- when to stop being unpopular (the guard rails in fearless creativity)
in fact. I am going to use someone else who pursued fearless work to make the point. Kristen Hersh. The Rat Girl. One of the founding members of The Throwing Muses.
A teen I may add (just to make another point that teens can often be wiser beyond their years).
Here is what she said about the difficulty of pursuing fearless work:
“do you know how hard it is to not know how to sound like other bands? There aren’t any lessons to teach you how to do this and no one can help us figure out what <to play>. It’s hard to learn something that no one can teach you.” – Kristen Hersh
Actually.
I wish I could share this with anyone who is critical of any original idea so they could think about the fact someone is doing something that was self taught … because here was no one to teach).
Sometimes doing fearless work is difficult because you are forging your own path. There are no lessons. There are no rules. There are no guardrails. In fact. The real difficulty is knowing when to put up your own guard rails. Knowing when to stop innovating and just be … well .. creative with fearless work.
Kristen, as a 19 year old teen, pursued fearless work and did some amazing stuff (along with her fellow teen and musical genius in her own right … Tonya Donnelly).
Anyway. I think the fearless ones tend to hear and see things the rest of us don’t. In simplistic terms it is only popular in their own heads.
And unfortunately for the fearless there is only a minority who truly understands what they are doing:
(Kristen Hersh) … “but we play unpopular music.”
(producer) …
“that’s exactly what you play because you’re inventing something. You’re gonna be hugely influential.”
I do believe the best of the fearless best recognize that what they do is unpopular to the majority.
They may not like it. They may not embrace it. But they understand it. And fight their way through it.
Because it is a fact.
All the truly influential fearless creators didn’t have it easy early on. They were creating something … inventing something.
In their fearless work they were paving the way for people to think differently, see differently … just experience something different. Yeah, I know, that is what being influential is all about. But that doesn’t make it any easier.
Fearless work is often unpopular initially.
But there is a difference between bad unpopular and influential unpopular.
Good fearless is about understanding the guardrails.
Oh. Yeah. Those guard rails.
So how do the fearless know when to stop innovating?
“when you start to suck, stop” – Kristen Hersh
Sounds simple … but I believe the best of the fearless best have an internal quality control. In the mind’s of the ‘less mature’ innovative thinking maybe the guard rails are less defined. But. In the best of the fearless best they have that inner barometer to recognize what sucks and what doesn’t suck.
Oh.
And before we start putting too much weight on ‘less mature’ and associating it with age I would like to remind you that Kristen said this last quote when she was 19 (oh, these smart teens as I like to remind those wise stodgy adults).
Like I just said.
The best of the fearless best have an inner barometer. They are born with it. They are born with the guardrails.
But this doesn’t mean there isn’t fear.
Even the fearless creative people have fear.
Everyone has fear (lest we forget).
“We fear the idea of something more than the thing itself.” Steve Chandler
Fearless work means loving the idea of something more than fearing the thing itself. I imagine that thought encapsulates most good things in life. But in this case those who pursue fearless work have overcome their fear in pursuit of what is good fearless work.
Martha Graham.
Kristen Hersh.
A number of other people whose quotes I just didn’t use.
All pursued fearless work.
And created beautiful things.
And influenced how the rest of us looked at things and listened to things.
As for you & i?
All we can do is …
Act.
Do.
Create.
And seek our own version of fearless work.
And in the end maybe we are lucky enough to positively influence people.
And, at its best, maybe we actually be influential.
mutemath
Jan 11th
“For us, we just try to keep it simple. We’re obviously a band; that’s really all we ever wanted to be from the very beginning without catering to any particular genre or political or religious agenda. We just want to make music with no barriers. ”—Paul Meany (Mutemath lead singer)
This is an odd band with a distinct sound.
The first time I heard Mutemath I found their music & sound really unique. Let me try this (maybe the best I can do) … I tend to want to call them a techno jam band.
What do I mean?
Well. On their Armistice cd that song (armistice) is a nice quirky innovative song … short with different aspects … but live? Whoa. Huge. Fascinating. It takes it to an entirely different level (the sign of a live jam band) … here is the live version (which is NOTHING like the 3 minute something cd version):
Armistice (live): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWp_JHn-I88&feature=related
So. Where did i first hear of Mutemath? okay … I admit … it was the Twilight soundtrack … I heard Spotlight:
Spotlight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry6GAwDCI2I
An awesome song.
Frenetic but solid in its foundation.
And., well … that summaries Mutemath. A shitload of their songs are frenetic but they have this solid thematic backbone that makes them … well … listenable.
And then when I saw them on Palladium I instantly fell in love with their live show and their music. That was what set this band apart to me.. There seems like there is nothing else out there that was similar. It’s really hard to put a label on them or to pin them down into describing their sound. The instrumentation is sometimes odd and they mix some nice down-tempo with a solid bass beat while others very heavily electronic. And there seems some jazz influence which I hesitate to claim it’s because of their New Orleans background but you have to assume it influenced what they did in some way).
I guess if you listen to them I would suggests that Mutemath seems to throw a lot of different music styles at you in creating their songs. For example … go to their Armistice cd … you have some choices (but skip tracks 1 & 2). Listen to track 3 & 4 back to back. 2 different sounds. Exactly the same if you listen to tracks 10 & 11 back to back (add in track 9 which is a really nice interesting song and it completes the range).
Mutemath seem to have a quirky knack for jamming a bunch of different sounds together and just making it sound good by combining it with their lead singer’s (Paul Meany) distinct voice and delivery. Oh. And their drummer is awesome.
In the end? They’ve both got some really cool guitar riffs, some groove-oriented frenetic drums, and a ton of multi-instrumental pacing switches (which some people find uncomfortable but the oddness creates some interesting music).
Chaos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTV0Aa4lC04&feature=related
Also. I find them even more interesting because they split with their original label while they debated being labeled in the music market as a ‘Christian band.’ The band suggests that although all the band members are Christians, they want their music to be positioned for mainstream exposure, without the ‘Christian’ label.
(good for them I say)
Someone describes them this way … “The four piece (originating from New Orleans) has scattered influences that are apparent without being obvious, and touch on everything from DJ Shadow styled beats, moments of beauty and grandeur a la Bjork, and vocals that pay legitimate homage to Police-era Sting.”
Bottom line?
Their live show looks awesome …. it has this random energy that creates a slightly dizzying energy.
What more can I say?
Ok.
I didn’t make this list … it was created by The Good and the Bad and the Unknown blog (http://goodbadunknown.blogspot.com/ ) which if you like music is an AWESOME site:
Here are the 11 Best Songs by Mutemath:
1. Chaos
2. Goodbye
3. No Response
4. Control
5. Break The Same
6. Stall Out
7. Burden
8. You Are Mine
9. Spotlight
10. Typical
11. The Nerve
An odd quirky band? Yes.
A good band? Yup.
Listen to them.
Worth every minute.
weaver at the loom
Jan 6th
Ok. 
This is a music post and weaver at the loom is a group … well kind of … I think they used to be a group but there is only one surviving original member … co-lead singer and pianist Dan Smith.
I don’t know what to call this music … emo-trance-pop?
Maybe a less ethereal Owl City?
All I know is I like it.
You Can’t Evade Them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXZG13v5YOo
We are Wild Animals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMLEBHk7WGQ
And here is there myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/weaverattheloom
Frankly it is next to impossible to find out much about the band so I cannot say shit.
Just doing my part to share some new nd different music.
Enjoy.
christmas songs
Dec 25th
So.
Getting gifts at Christmas is awesome but it is still always about the music to create the Christmas spirit. With that I started thinking about my top 5 Christmas songs (of which I would like to point out because I am typing this on a tropical island that it is a little weird to hear Nat King Cole & the Christmas song at a beach bar with the sun shining, the waves shifting in the background and sunburned Minnesotans sitting across the bar).
Anyway.
I began with 5 but the list kept growing.
I am sure I have missed some awesome songs.
It is a mix of traditional and non traditional. But here are the ones I would request to get me in the Christmas spirit.
Numero uno.
No doubt.
Any Christmas anywhere … I will never get tired of this song:
Nat King Cole and The Christmas Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__kQ1PCP6B0
Ok.
I have no clue what chestnuts are and no idea whether roasting them over an open fore is a good idea or not … but dammit … if I had chestnuts I would roast them.
No Christmas is complete without this song.
A classic (most young people have no idea who Dean Martin was and almost everyone forgets he actually sang in between cocktails).
Dean Martin singing Let it Snow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN7LW0Y00kE
And then Amy Grant.
I am not a huge Amy fan in general but I would have to say she is my top female xmas singer … I think she could sing any Christmas song and … well .. it would sound like it was meant for Christmas.
Amy Grant and Grown up Christmas List: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmF2rsDHOZc&ob=av2e
And another Aimee.
Aimee Mann Christmastime: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOL0ZlMMwAo&feature=related
I almost picked Calling on Mary which sounds languid and nice … but kind of has that infamous Aimee ironically truthful realistically darkish side to the holidays …
I heard the sidewalk Santa say:
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas
Salvation’s coming cheap today
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas
Next.
My first memory of a non classic contemporary Christmas song. And it still sounds great today.
Waitresses Christmas wrapping … a classic … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARq6uYSsUq0&feature=related
Next.
Beautiful voice. Beautiful Christmas song. Sappy but good stuff.
Carpenters singing Merry Christmas Darling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSHevB1QZOM
Next.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Yikes. There are a bunch of great renditions to this song. Maybe my favorite? Vonda Shepard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O5DYlJSnCs
Next.
How The Grinch stole Christmas is probably the best Xmas cartoon of all time (maybe Charlie Brown close behind) …. but this song … awesome … The Grinch song:
Original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzXKWKaxt3c
But.
It may be Hip Heavy Lip’s version that introduced this song to an entirely new generation (NEVER get tired of this): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRGSCnQ2OuM
Next.
Pretty much anything Leigh Nash sings sounds good but holiday songs … well … she should do an entire cd sometime …
This is Sixpence none the Richer with Carol Of The Bells http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb1tRCqZpxI&feature=related
Next.
Whew. Incredibly sad and thoughtful and … well … heartfelt … which (the latter) is what I expect Christmas is really all about.
Robert Downey singing The River: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etfxRJdoUwo
Next.
The one people probably haven’t heard ….
Glasvegas singing A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like A Kiss)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW4b2_Xpwbs
next.
For a slightly different sound and it sounds fun in the traditional xmas music mix … Sally Shapiro sings kind of a techno Christmas song … Anorak Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHC1RaLEQSM
Next.
Cocteau Twins are an acquired taste in general … and their sound is always up & down (to me). but. They nailed this one. Frosty The Snowman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e874vKfYfuU
Next.
Just a nice one. And heather Nova’s voice is a nice contrast to the more traditional Amy Grant and Leigh Nash and Karen carpenter. ‘Always Christmas by Heather Nova http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wgd4-ngo0g
Next.
Christmas (baby please come home) by Death Cab for Cutie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Yxq4QEkUE
I love Ben Gibbard’s voice. And I love this version of the song. Whoda thunk one of the best emo bands of all time would crank out a good holiday song.
Next.
A good modern one. Surprisingly good. Surprisingly little played.
Sleigh ride by KT Tunstall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t8rgWkRwIk
Next.
Listen The Snow Is Falling by Thea Gilmore http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01fsYd0oa6s
(had to include this one)
Its just nice. And you never hear. And most people have no clue who Thea is.
Next.
Oh yeah.
O Holy Night by Josh Groban (his voice sounds pretentious at times … but … for the holidays? … his voice was made for songs like this ..) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFln-AlC46M
And lastly.
Just cant leave this one off my ist.
So This is Christmas by John Lennon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cJOm72QDDA&feature=related
How could this not make anyone’s list?
That’s it for my list. 19 songs (if I counted correctly)
I have more but these are songs I like to hear in order to get me in the melancholy state and upbeat state and in general … the Christmas state.
Thinking about the past.
Remembering friends and family (here and gone).
Reconnecting.
Seeing the joy in a child’s face …. Ok … anyone’s face.
Ok.
To make it an even 20.
Just for a smile. Listen to Guster sing “¿Donde Esta Santa Claus?”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOganSDZyLM
Merry Christmas.
on the ocean r&b
Dec 25th
So.
Just got back from 1st vacation in awhile. Decided on some warmth and sun and tropics. Anyway. Almost no place in the world seems to understand how music plays a part in the overall vibe of being on some island in the middle of the ocean.
That said. let’s go back to 2009 for a minute (mainly because I overlooked this song).
Ok.
Let’s face it (part 1).
I am an old white guy so the black r&b stations are typically not high on my music rotation. So maybe I needed to go somewhere else to hear it.
Let’s face it (part 2).
But. A great r&b groove is a great r&b groove … and timeless.
This song just oozes out of the speakers.
Beautiful Music.
A beautiful voice.
This song, On the Ocean, I am sure was big but me, being a clueless white guy, just missed it.
But hey … I am the guy who thought Donnel Jones’ “U know what’s Up” was the greatest r&b song I had ever heard only to find out it had been out for over a year (and it is still a great song and maybe the highlight of CrazyBeautiful … okay .. La Siempre was the musical highlight of that movie).
Anyway. I am rambling.
Maybe in this genre I am always a couple of years behind.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm … maybe I am just a couple years behind in everything.
Oops.
That is another post for another day.
Here is the song.
On the ocean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA1T6KwJyko&ob=av2n
And just because I was curious ‘cause I had never heard of K’Jon.
A couple more nice songs:
After the Club: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MakTTT0eAHE&feature=related
Fly Away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkDbhtPVQ7c
Better late than never is my motto.
Enjoy.
Pete Murray
Nov 21st
Smoky voice.
Acoustic guitar.
Storytelling songs.
Unhurried style.
No clue why this guy never made it big.
I have had this cd sitting in my amazon basket for years. And I had kept forgetting to move it into the “buy” section … until last week.
The cd is called Feeler (and it is really good). Many of his songs have that old Springsteen-like blue collar rock groove. Songs build from acoustic & rhythm guitar and drums often adding in a funky electric piano and organ. It all creates a bigger anthemic feeling folk/rock storytelling cd. The cd is chockfull of classic rock’n’roll sounds lay the foundation throughout (like ‘Bail Me Out’). But listen to ‘So Beautiful’ (an ode to a lost lover) and t is almost the quintessential singer/songwriter performance of lingering regret, pain, anger, bitterness and the sweet memories. He sings in a way that makes all his lyrics seem honest and heartfelt.
Couple of songs:
So Beautiful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLxe-Y_CZtw
Bail me Out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddrqTroCZGw&feature=relmfu
Anyway.
He also has a new cd out Blue Sky Blue.
It’s a little bit different than Feeler … but good. Oh. And he intentionally made it different.
“When I first signed my record deal I had a goal, I wanted to do three big albums. I knew if I could do that I would have established myself as someone who had a good fan base to play to. I achieved that but after I took a good break I knew I just wanted to make an album that was even better, an evolution from what I had done.”
This new cd is the first Murray has recorded with a big-name producer (producer has worked with Beck, Foo Fighters, Elliott Smith and Badly Drawn Boy). Its also his first album recorded in the US, his first with a different band, and the first to move away from his traditional acoustic sound and take a more “groove-driven approach” to many of the songs.
The album was recorded at Los Angeles studio Sunset Sound (which I have actually been to and which has been the recording location for artists from The Doors and Led Zeppelin to Beck and Arctic Monkeys). As a trivia point he is the most commercially successful Australian singer-songwriter of the past 10 years (albums Feeler, See the Sun and Summer At Eureka).
But Feeler is an extraordinary debut cd. And I should have picked it up earlier. The first thing that will grab you is his smoky textured voice. It has the enviously powerful singer songwriter combination of “conviction, grace and road weary aspects of emotion and truth” (I stole those words from some review).
His voice is perfect to deliver his songs ranging from something as simple as an overlay to acoustic guitar to a heavier sound with jagged electric guitars and some catchy riffs.
His musical direction has always been to keep it as stripped back as possible and let the words and the vocals tell the story … up until this newest cd.
Anyway. Pick up Feeler. It is good. Very good.
And if you want a different Pete Murray pick up Blue Sky Blue. It is different. But good.
