zero360|music

Weeding in Winter

Feb 5, 2010 muse

Change in Plans

Dec 22, 2009 muse, sojourn

Plans for today were altered late yesterday afternoon. I’m learning to step back and respond vs. react. Yes, I’m disappointed in the fact my plans changed because of mis-communication on the part of someone else. Hey, stuff happens, and for today, I’m very grateful it does.

Just before heading out, I was catching up on email and read a great message from Skip Ewing. Then I watched and listened to “Juliana’s Smile,” totally moved by the compassion of message and the stunning composition by Skip. Sure hope you take time to do so as well.

After a bit of shopping, I came back home for lunch and finished rearranging the A/V components in the living room, a work in progress over the couple of days. To test the sound I popped a CD in, one I’ve not listened to in years. I was also in the process of zapping a cup of coffee with the intent of turning the system off and spending a little time in my home studio, if nothing else, to at least mess around with some rhythm tracks and learn more about Logic. But I got caught up in the beauty of Yo Yo Ma’s exquisite performance with the New York Philharmonic. Could it be this is why my plans changed? The house is quiet, I’ve got a mug of hot coffee in hand and Lord knows I could use some quality quiet time.

The journey through two concertos, one by Antonin Dvorak the other Victor Herbert, was exhilarating, yet relaxing. And, as I read the liner notes on the backstory of the relationship between these composers, and how/when these compositions came to be, I was reminded of how fleeting this type of dedication is in today’s world of music composition.

Once the concertos were over, I end up in my studio, thinking about the tie between Skip’s work and that of two master composers. Though Skip’s piece and video are just over 4 minutes, there is nothing less moving about his work. I needed to spend time today as I did, to be reminded of my own need to dig deeper and be more purposeful with the art I create, and to enjoy the art of the masters much more often.

Virtually Inspired

Aug 14, 2009 muse

This past Thursday evening I was looking forward to the “Writing A Song With Dave Berg” session in the SongU.com (SU) e-Auditorium. Since I was playing the role of TA (teacher’s assistant), I made sure my Mac was ready to record the session, and about 10-minutes before it started I logged in and fired up the “classroom” application. This was my first session with video, I knew Danny [Arena] was working on this piece, and it really works well. I need to find out the application he’s using because the quality and responsiveness was quite good.

Dave Berg is one of the hottest writers in Nashville these days, and it took just a few minutes for me to feel totally at home with his attitude and personality. I mean this guy is the real deal, but he’s as unpretentious and humble as can be, which made his words and wisdom all the more meaningful.

As he shared his back story, it was clear Dave hadn’t done anything like this before, that is, a virtual discussion with songwriters from all over the world. For all his success he kept iterating that he was relentless in grinding out songs and learning what it takes to be a successful songwriter in Nashville. His background is playing in rock bands in Portland, OR, so he didn’t grow up listening to country music.

The main topic was around the back story for Stupid Boy, which he wrote with Deanna Bryant and Sarah Buxton, and worked out pretty well for Keith Urban. Interestingly, they (Dave/Sarah/Deanna) chose that day to write a song from a very personal perspective that they thought would never get cut, aside perhaps on their own CDs. It was great to hear Dave keep harping on the fact that sure we have to learn our craft, and learn it well. But it’s not about formulas and writing what we think people want to hear.

Dave proceeded to play a verse/chorus of Stupid Boy live, jaw dropping! Next time in Nashville seeing Dave will be a top priority, provided he’s in town, of course. He then talked about co-writing and the process, the disappointments, the luck, the vast chasm between the ups and downs… but through it all, we write because we want to, because we have to.

Another point he shared that was key for me is that his publishers never tried to take the edge of his writing. Early on A&R folks would say they loved his songs but they weren’t necessarily marketable in the country market. But his management didn’t give him that feedback, they hedged bets his edgy-ness would pay off, cha-ching.

I “enrolled” at SU in the early years, and hazard to guess learned more about songwriting holistically in this environment than others. I’ve considered dropping my membership when I get discouraged and think the change would be good. Truth is, for all the great training and mentoring and collaboration I’ve gleaned from SU, I’ve not exhausted the resource, it’s more about my own lack of discipline and persistence. There’s no way to put a dollar value on the [virtual] inspiration I got from Dave Berg — and this is what SU is about.

Tags: Dave Berg, SongU

Spectator Sport

Aug 2, 2009 muse

Sometimes a couple of weeks go by when I feel more like a spectator than participant, life on auto-pilot. Good news is auto-pilot helps keep the bus out of the ditch and I’m a fairly tuned-in spectator.

Last night I played a show in the midst of a very busy modern day village (Birkdale). Lots of restaurants and shops and people. Right in front of the stage there is grassy area encased by hedges where folks sat on chairs or blankets or the grass to listen and enjoy the transition from late afternoon sun to moonlit evening. It’s not a very large area, and there’s no broadening it because of the hedges and fencing that’s part of a perimeter surrounding a really cool fountain and pergola covered sitting areas with benches.

Not just any fountain, mind you, but a playground for kids to have an absolute blast while mom and/or dad stand by with towels and snacks. Of course lots of pics and video were being shot — everyone is just hangin’ and relaxin’ and having a good time. Then, at one point, Kevin, our lead picker asks (and I’m paraphrasing), “What’s it say about us that only the kids are running through the fountain?”.

Well, that thought didn’t resonate until later when I got home, unloaded, and sat down to unwind… why were there no grown-ups in the midst of the fountain, getting wet and letting go, too? Heck, it was a real sticky summer night, still 80+ degrees at 9:00 as we were winding down our set (love these early gigs). Truth is, I doubt I would have been getting wet either, but in retrospect, and if the opportunity comes up where I’m there with my kids, I may be more inclined to so after pondering Kevin’s question… the essence of which is, why be a spectator when you can participate?

Serendipitously, on Friday I’d decided to get back to my indie game plan. Now some of this means serious contemplation of what’s next… committing to decisions and living with the outcome of choosing to do something or not, and having no regrets. Which also means dipping into the fairly shallow pool of funds I’ve managed to scrimp and save over the last few months. Seems deciding how to use these bucks is always tough. But decide I must if I’m going to play the game, rather than sit in the stands and watch. It’s all good, and I’m thinking, about to get a whole lot better.

So thanks to Kevin and the big splash those kids were making last night… this ain’t no spectator sport.

Level Rising

May 17, 2009 muse

I’ve just returned from a totally sweet week on HHI (Hilton Head Isle, SC), always a bit of downer coming home to “reality”, but then, reality is what it’s all about, right? As grateful as I am for the escape, for the rest and restoration I so needed, I’m also looking fwd to what comes of it all.

Long walks on the beach brought peace and stirring. Observing the joy of a child’s first encounter with the ocean and watching my youngest daughter catch a wave on a 50 ft. boogie board ride left imprints on my mind. Swimming out to get as close as possible to the 4 -5 dolphin some 100 yards off shore was scary and exhilarating. Perhaps not as scary as sneaking up on a 500+ pound gator for a picture, thankfully it slipped back into the lagoon before I could get any closer. Having enough sense to make up for picking the wrong restaurant early in the week worked out, and all was forgiven.

We beat the weather odds Friday and had the perfect final afternoon on the beach (yes, beach time was the absolute highlight of my week). Not a typical sun clad afternoon, but us in the midst of storm clouds wrapped around the island, enjoying the waves and breeze and never getting rained on for a solid 3 hours.

When we got back to the “hut” I got to thinking that in the midst of the “normal” stuff one does on vacation, I also was very fortunate to stay connected to songwriting and art in general. I skimmed more of a book called “How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci”, blogged and journaled, applied to Horse & Writer, re-learned a couple of my old songs, got a first look at some prospective layouts for my web presence, discovered Robinella while browsing through a gift store, and spent a good bit of time enjoying the evening breeze while sipping a beverage and contemplating… what’s next?

I’ve got more on my plate than I can handle for the next 6 weeks, but I’m going for it. There are also 3-4 half written songs I’ll add to the mix knowing, too, that my life at work could be about to change rather drastically. Sometimes it takes a little faith to “unclog the pen” and get the flow of prose and lyrics and melody flowing again, sometimes it takes alot. Last week was a major blessing to me, and I believe to my family as well. My well was running low, it feels good to have the creativity level rising again.

Tags: faith, fill the well, HHI, robinella

Poetic Adjustment

May 1, 2009 muse

Over the last couple of years I’ve begun to read books for enjoyment and inspiration, a discipline over the last 15+ years limited to technical stuff for work, not generally a conduit to artistic creativity. But as I got through the first couple of phases of experience as a songwriter, and got more familiar with writers themselves, one theme emerged time and again — to write quality works, one should be an avid reader.

For me this was like being really hungry but the only thing on the menu is liver, no thanks! But I want to be a better writer, and as I more and more of my peers are avid readers, I realized it was time to get on with the process. So I joined an online book club, borrowed books, hit the library, etc, and though I’m by no means a prolific reader, I now regularly draw inspiration from reading.

Which gets me to a book I just started, “Poetry As Spiritual Practice“, by Robert McDowell. Poetry was a stumbling block in college English, I’ve tried reading it in the past, I just have trouble “getting it”. Reading excerpts by and discussions with successful writers who allude to Whitman, Dickinson, Longfellow, Frost, etc. and curiosity lead me to this book. I want/need to go where the poetry might take me, hopefully I’m ready.

Tags: McDowell, poetry

Dry

Mar 22, 2009 muse

It’s amazing and uncomfortable how I go from oasis to drought. I’ve had a few pretty good weeks on the dream trail, met some writers/performers both live and online with lots to say. And I continue to be inspired by artist friends who are relentless and passionate about their work. As I read through perspectives and check out the day to day activities of indie artists, I sense a deep undercurrent making the waters trickier to navigate, though many [thankfully] are up to the challenge.

Friday night I caught Kim McLean and Mark Elliot at the Muse, it was quiet, but the songs and vibe were good, and I came home with a couple of new ideas. Decided yesterday to work with my main co-writer to put together a couple of sets of covers and our own material and work hard at setting up stools in coffee shops for 2-3 hours shifts just to get heard, even if the pay is what ends up in the tip jar.

I try to spend a good bit of time on Sundays taking the day as it come, nothing too structured. I may doodle on a drawing pad or take some pictures, or object write a hook idea or jam mindlessly in between sipping a cup of coffee. I’m looking forward to this afternoon, after church and lunch, hopeful for some creative precipitation to start refilling the well.

I’ve been here before… I’ll be here again.

Tags: creativity, well runs dry, write

Listen

Feb 6, 2009 muse

I sometimes need to remind myself how daily chores (including mundane tasks at my day job) go by faster, and generally more productively, when I’m “budded up” listening to music… it’s so easy to get head down at something and realize, shoot, I could have been taking in the riches of melody and meter, ingesting art, perhaps even subliminally growing my craft as a song writer.

Last Tuesday night it snowed, a quite infrequent occurrence in this neck of the woods, at least our locale, but it was cool to watch the wind whip some sky dust on to the earth. When I went to bed it was still coming down, and though inaudible, it was as if I could “hear” the snow piling up outside our bedroom. Thank God for imagery.

Just before writing this entry, I was listening to a CD from yesteryear as I reclined on an easy chair. The house was empty and I’d had a pretty long week, so it was nice to degauss and get my head ready for the weekend. As I was about to doze, the last song ended. The “quiet” sounds of the house took over, with the fish tank pump adding a little Feng Shui to the calm.

More often than not, I’ve a tough time listening to my own intuition… oh, how cheesy, but true. Not just for what steps to take in life, but when and what to write about. I tend to shy away from feelings drilling a hole in my heart (or left temple), partially because I am really trying to be more positive, but truth is, I swim daily in the dark waters of angst, at work and every time I turn on NPR or CNN. Time to start pouring this stuff out into the blender and letting the song chips fall where they may.

If it “sounds” like I’m rambling, you’re right, but hey, it’s a quick read, at least you don’t have to “listen” to me.

Tags: lips sealed, shhh, two ears

Stew

Jan 10, 2009 muse, sojourn

The swirl of the new year is settling, I mean we’re almost half way through January and this is my first post for 2009. I don’t make resolutions, but do plan keep my threads centered on music and writing (and art) this year. Not to say there won’t be a rant laced in here and there, but I have a goal this year to get over the feeling I don’t have the goods for the indie music mix and do much more to develop and promote my work.

This past week was interesting in a variety of ways. I’ve been reviewing and editing my “day job” scenario, hence my LinkedIn profile, which I’ve drastically changed to a more “corporate” view [without totally losing my identity], I’ve also found some really cool groups that mix technology and music/art mindsets.

I try to read through discussions at least once daily, and I was going through a rather long thread last Sunday about some conference I know nothing about and the last comment was from Paul Cullen — the name caused me to pause and jog my memory. I checked out his LinkedIn profile and sure enough it turns out Paul and I knew each other back in the early ‘80 in Ft. Myers, FL while attending Edison Community College. We are both bassists/guitarists, roughly the same age, and working at being indie artists. While my career has some pretty cool bright spots (like performing with Marian McPartland in college and a 90 minute set with Branford Marsalis at a Blues club in Ft. Myers), Paul spent a couple of years with Bad Co. in the early ’90’s. We’ve exchanged several emails and contact information. Paul travels to Charlotte a couple of times a year, so I hope to see him soon.

I’ve recently established a great co-writing relationship with a writer (Allen Szyrwiel) that’s just on fire and way talented. He’s inspiring me to step up my game, and we get along like kid brothers which makes it all that much more fun. We’ve finished one song, have a 2nd in the hopper, and hope to crank out a few more in ‘09.

NSAI Charlotte is as busy than ever! I spent a few hours this week updating/maintaining our website (Wordpress blog) with information on upcoming Q1 workshops (Hugh Prestwood and Craig Bickhardt), adjusting to the new version of WP, and some general housekeeping. It feels really good to give something back to the songwriting community, I know I’ve been blessed by past coordinators and all the great members of our chapter.

The one thing I haven’t done near enough this week is write or practice. But I’ve set my goals, already attended one SongU feedback session and selecting my self-paced course for this month, as well I’m cleaning clutter in my studio over the next 7 days to ensure my creative environment is ready for work.

The ingredients are in the pot, time to add water, stir and make “stew“.

Tags: Nashville, NSAI, Paul Cullen, songwriting

Every Note Counts

Oct 24, 2008 muse

We’re all crawling through a tempest these days, or so it seems. Personally, I must admit I didn’t see the uncertainties many folks face today coming, at least not to the depths upon us. But… this is certainly not the first time, and unless Louis Armstrong is called upon to sound the alarm before the advent of our next generations, this piece of history, sadly, will repeat itself.

Through it all, I’m grateful for many things, not the least of which being creative outlets, and in the last couple of weeks I’m trying to make more music by taking less for granted and pushing myself a little harder. Heck, there is no shortage of emotions, so why not try to channel them and get them laid down for posterity. Sure, every song or piece can’t be a gem, but each note counts, and I need to realize that I need to take advantage of every hour I get to play music.

Since taking a creative writing class almost two years ago, I’ve been cruising blogs and sites about writing, novels and such. No, I’m not thinking about writing a novel, but I’m studying that mindset. One payoff has been that I’m allowing myself to take more time and be more satisfied with what I create, and only trying to create until I feel the fountain waning and in need of replenishment. This means more chunks of time (chapters) are needed to get a project done, but that’s OK — as long as I don’t short change the music or song, then every note counts.

There are so many opportunities to create and share, and at some point I really believe I’ll get the goods into some market, somewhere. Whether or not tangible success is achieved, I need to practice, write, and play for the sake of the art and song. I’m way blessed to have the tools and resources, and some level of gifting, it’s the discipline that can be a struggle. Yep, sometimes I just don’t feel like picking up a guitar, or firing up a mic or DAW, but once I do that all changes, and even if all I do is tweak a mix, rewrite a line, or learn another writer/artist’s song, I’m making music and doing what I was created to do.

In the morning I’ll write for the first time with a writer I admire lots. Tomorrow evening I’ll have the opportunity to hang with some pretty darn good musicians and writers and hopefully help someone else enjoy the escape — as long as every note counts, I know I will.

Tags: persitence, small things count, trials, trying