Musical Integrity
If you are going to do anything, say anything, be anything, why would you not uphold integrity to the highest standard? If you’re a creator, a musician, an artist, a performer, you should want to represent what you stand for, boldly and accurately, right?
You have your words, and you have your limbs.
Use them wisely.
ACT I
Watch ‘at musical integrity:
2013 – Late to the Game, So Much Great Music – Year in Music
This is always fun. Here are my 12 favorite artists/album/songs/pieces of music that have helped define 2013 for me.
Another year in Texas, the first full one, I’ve learned a lot. I’ve found I’m good at other things, my interests have changed dramatically, and I bought a violin. I cannot play it well. So, that.
1. Gabriel Kahane makes my list every year. Or every day. Everything, really. I had devoured his Craiglistlieder song cycle, February House musical, and his second album Where Are the Arms, among other gems along the way. I only THIS year listened to his FIRST self-titled album, from 2008. **head.desk.** (more…)
Album Review: Timo Andres’ “Home Stretch”
This is my first time (in)formally reviewing an album. My immediate disclaimer is that I am reviewing this solely from the point-of-view of a music lover. This will not be a scholarly response to one’s music (if the reader expects that.)
moving on…*ahem*
It is with great conviction that I attempt to review (commend and praise) this album in the hopes that others will want to give it a go.
My review’s thesis statement: this album rocks. (more…)
Genre-Labeling + a rant.
By calling yourself a genre-specific musician, are you limiting yourself as a musician?
By describing music with a genre-label, are you setting the music up to be assumed by listeners?
Perhaps the better question is, “Is there a need for genre-distinction?” Perhaps it’s best left at “good music is good music, and bad music is bad music.” I’ll try and address both of these. (And then per the title, a small rant.) (more…)
Luckier and Better For It, After All I Have a Job, Right?
I have a job. This job pays well. There are fleeting moments where I am proud of my job. I work with some folk, some of whom are tremendous musicians, that have been real close friends. They’re affable and mostly intelligent fellows, who always want what we all want: happiness.
I have a job. This job is “technically” in the field to which I intend(ed) to belong: music. Defining one’s self by one’s occupation can be motivating & narcissistic or motivating & centripetal. I suppose I lean to the latter.
I have a job. This job drives me properly bonkers. I concentrate daily to keep my resting heart rate down. I thought I signed up for one thing, and I got another. I have equal complaints and praises for what I do. (more…)
2012 – Everything’s the Same Size in Texas – Year in Music
I did this last year: make a list of 12 songs for each month that really encompassed a part of the year for me. I’m treating this, again, like a journal for myself, but if anyone reads this and has thoughts, please share them.
January was the last month of 2012 that I was in Indiana. Once February hit, I moved to Texas. Here are the songs that had the most impact on me, may it be cerebral or otherwise. (more…)
The Transitional
Over the past 4 or 5 months I’ve observed some of my closest friends go through the ending of relationships. Besides having a “deep” moment by the aid of alcohol (and those are always delightful) there’s no better way to see how someone truly operates than amidst a breakup, specifically one where “love” was involved. (more…)
And we even sang the athem
I usually use this blog to update on compositional ideas, which I intend to do here in the coming sentences. But I have to use this to mark down some emotions too, this time.
But first the musical ideas:
1) I’m going to start recording very soon with a good friend who is a great musician and very technically savvy. I have some new songs I’m really proud of. Musically they’re what I want them to be, and lyrically, I’m at a stage of honesty I prefer to be at. I hope others find my lyrics to be intuitive and not without story. (more…)
A Man’s Will to a Woman – COMPLETE!! **nope, still not true**
I am happy to say that A Man’s Will to a Woman is complete! **nope still not true** Per the changes I mentioned before, I did in fact change the mandolin to a viola, and banjo to cello. Obviously I had to re-write a lot of stuff, but I think this gives this my own unique sound and I really love what I have. I am proud of it. (more…)
Living as a musician
Many good things happening musically. I have the 3rd movement to my piece almost done!! **mad applause!** **chaotic uproar!** **fireworks and confetti and other hootenany-esque parading!!** **overuse of celebratory italics!!**
BUT–I am definitely re-thinking the instrumentation. THAT is a major change, I am aware. (more…)
The Art of Performance: Traditions and Adaptations for the Classical Musician
I often forget that simply discussing music with other musicians brings me great joy. Today I found myself discussing what makes performances successful and worthwhile in our ever-changing society and culture. The focus we found ourselves revolving around was the performance of classical music in a small recital setting, and what turns out to be applicable for other larger classical settings. (more…)
Music should move you intellectually & physically 