It feels like I've been hearing a lot about "finding your voice" as a songwriter and how there is a lot of disposable material in the music industry. I think I've become disillusioned with the glamour of rock n' roll and fallen for the meaningful and thoughtful music - the from the heart stuff. It's so much better.
I don't know a lot, but I think what I was told by a very intelligent man about Nashville was right.
I recently interviewed this man for a project and his responses were great. Maybe I'll post them later. in the meantime, read other interviews that are very....very insightful:
*http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.com/archives/1760
*http://www.colossiansthreesixteen.com/archives/1762
I saw David Bazan, formerly of Pedro the Lion the other night and he was talking about how Nashville is full of "Heartless Experts in an industry that doesn't need them" and I think I agree with him more and more as I watch and read things.
Relevant Magazine interviewed Bazan, read them here:
*http://www.relevantmagazine.com/pc_article.php?id=7263
*http://www.relevantmagazine.com/pc_article.php?id=7268
Another Interview w/ Bazan:
*http://hardtofindafriend.blogspot.com/2006/12/conversation-with-david-bazan.html
____________________
I think you have to start by viewing music as art and not only as entertainment. and when you do that you can see the wonderful things that people have done - even people you don't like. The art that they have given us is timeless.
When you look at Starry Night or Picasso are not amazed? When you listen to "Let it Be" are you not moved?
But I understand.
____________________
I want to find my voice. I think I am. It's harder than one would imagine. I mean, what do I think is important enough to sing about? Right now it isn't much.
I know that my voice is not happy. my voice is aching and regretful. Nostalgic and wanting nothing to do with the future it knows nothing about.
____________________
I've been to many shows since I've been here: Modest Mouse, Ben Kweller, Nada Surf, Spoon, Josh Ritter, They Might Be Giants, David Bazan. They were all amazing.
I have pictures...my computer isn't wanting to deal with them right now though. soon...I will have some good ones up.
____________________
Now go and listen to The Velvet Underground.
or
Visit this site for some Christmas tunes:
*http://hardtofindafriend.blogspot.com/2007/11/merry-christmas-yes-really.html
Monday, November 19
Wednesday, November 7
Are We On a Pilgrimage?
I just finished Don Miller's Through Painted Deserts. Miller is an amazing writer. I'm not a big reader, it's not my thing. but when I find someone that can speak to me thru writing I enjoy it very much. There are times when I read him I feel like he's looking thru me and writing what's in my heart and mind.
Looking back, I can't quite figure out what it was that dragged me along with Don and Paul thru those painted deserts. Like their journey, it started out randomly and probably wouldn't go anywhere. But it did.
We are all on a journey thru life - it never ends. We're always growing and learning and experiencing. Life is a gift. Figuring out what to do with that gift is a monster that looms over every teenager and young adult. You can ignore it, sure, but it's still there. And one day you're done with college or tired of working in a grocery store and you realize that it's time to do something. Maybe not even for yourself, but because everyone expects you to. It's a scary thing. But life is a gift. And gifts should be enjoyed. It's magnificent, it's beautiful.
Yesterday I gutted a pomegranate, the first I've done on my own. I thank my dad for introducing me to them a few years ago. At first I was disgusted by the looks of it. They are one of those things that freaks you out and makes you wonder why in the world God would make a fruit like that. But then you really think about it and realize that God did make that. He designed it and I can picture him sitting at a table drawing up plans for it. What an imagination He has. And this world...this universe that we are in is full of objects and places just like pomegranates - things that you or I could never think of, that we could never design.
Someday I'll tell my children about pomegranates.
Due to an ill bike, I've taken to driving to my classes. It's easier so I haven't really tried to fix my bike seat. I'm wanting to more and more each day, alas, I do not. Still, once i fight for a spot and park I always don my headphones and iPod and listen to music as I walk.
I'm not sure what it is, maybe thinking back about Miller's thoughts or just the words and music in my head, but I'm growing to love life and where I am. I may not have many friends but perhaps growing in my ideas and personal identity is more important now.
I just want to be happy. I want to say at the end of my life that I have done what has made me happy. I want to say that I have enjoyed what I've had and made the most of it and not been bogged down my an idea of happiness that is portrayed thru media as the perfect American life that will never be accomplished.
I know what I think will make me happy. I know my passions and that I could not live without music. Realizing that God has a plan is hard to do. To hand this gift, the gift that He gave, back to him and say I can't handle this as if it's fine china is difficult. Because I want to hold onto it and not let anyone touch it but myself. Even though I know it is more likely that I will mess it up Than Him. Once it's back in his hands that monster doesn't look so big.
*********************************
Current Listens:
A Fine Frenzy
Eric Bachmann
Bill Mallonee
Josh Ritter
Sea Wolf
Elliott Smith
George Winston
Looking back, I can't quite figure out what it was that dragged me along with Don and Paul thru those painted deserts. Like their journey, it started out randomly and probably wouldn't go anywhere. But it did.
We are all on a journey thru life - it never ends. We're always growing and learning and experiencing. Life is a gift. Figuring out what to do with that gift is a monster that looms over every teenager and young adult. You can ignore it, sure, but it's still there. And one day you're done with college or tired of working in a grocery store and you realize that it's time to do something. Maybe not even for yourself, but because everyone expects you to. It's a scary thing. But life is a gift. And gifts should be enjoyed. It's magnificent, it's beautiful.
Yesterday I gutted a pomegranate, the first I've done on my own. I thank my dad for introducing me to them a few years ago. At first I was disgusted by the looks of it. They are one of those things that freaks you out and makes you wonder why in the world God would make a fruit like that. But then you really think about it and realize that God did make that. He designed it and I can picture him sitting at a table drawing up plans for it. What an imagination He has. And this world...this universe that we are in is full of objects and places just like pomegranates - things that you or I could never think of, that we could never design.
Someday I'll tell my children about pomegranates.
Due to an ill bike, I've taken to driving to my classes. It's easier so I haven't really tried to fix my bike seat. I'm wanting to more and more each day, alas, I do not. Still, once i fight for a spot and park I always don my headphones and iPod and listen to music as I walk.
I'm not sure what it is, maybe thinking back about Miller's thoughts or just the words and music in my head, but I'm growing to love life and where I am. I may not have many friends but perhaps growing in my ideas and personal identity is more important now.
I just want to be happy. I want to say at the end of my life that I have done what has made me happy. I want to say that I have enjoyed what I've had and made the most of it and not been bogged down my an idea of happiness that is portrayed thru media as the perfect American life that will never be accomplished.
I know what I think will make me happy. I know my passions and that I could not live without music. Realizing that God has a plan is hard to do. To hand this gift, the gift that He gave, back to him and say I can't handle this as if it's fine china is difficult. Because I want to hold onto it and not let anyone touch it but myself. Even though I know it is more likely that I will mess it up Than Him. Once it's back in his hands that monster doesn't look so big.
*********************************
Current Listens:
A Fine Frenzy
Eric Bachmann
Bill Mallonee
Josh Ritter
Sea Wolf
Elliott Smith
George Winston
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