This I Believe

I believe in the constant rise and fall of man. The sudden obstacle can lead you off course. But the returning light while lead you back. It is the evaluation of obstacle from light that defines progress. If everything is perceived as an obstacle then your goals will never be achieved. You will spend too much time wasting time. The constant fear will steer you in the wrong direction. If everything is perceived as light then your goals will lead to vanity. You will spend too much time over-indulging time. The constant hope will lead you to disaster and unexpected change. It is only in the preparation for both obstacle and light will you make constant progress. When you are faced with an obstacle you cannot avoid it. If it is avoided, it will only present itself later on. You must overcome it. This act will bring you new knowledge concerning the integrity of success. When you are faced with light you must embrace it. If it is embraced, it will shine over you and all you care for. Do not deny its warmth. This act will bring you hope and happiness and appreciation for everything that is beautiful and loving. You are blessed to circle; love live while preparing for the worst.

The Major Record Label's Modest Proposal

Does talent matter? No! The very suggestion makes me sick.
The music world has changed significantly over the years and there is no longer a need for any talented musicians. People are not listening to your art; most people are too stupid to even understand art. The people want a certain aesthetic. But you talent musicians DO NOT HAVE IT. To the world today, the only aesthetic appreciated is a pretty face, a sexy body, and provocative dance moves. If none of these apply to you as a performer then FUCK OFF! because we do not need you.
If you are a lead singer, forget everything you know about live performance. You do not have to worry about your voice any more. We have the technology to make it look like you are singing; all you need to do is move your lips in sync with the music. This will allow you to focus on your provocative dance moves because that is all anyone really wants to see anyway. Now that you do not have to worry about singing, you must perfect your wardrobe. Men, you must look muscular, but sensitive at all times. People get paid more when they sell themselves. Women, tits and ass. Lead singers are the eye candy, if you do not present yourself in a sexual manor no one will care about your career. Sex sells.
If you are a song writer, put down your pen. We can hire people to write songs for you. It is not that we do not appreciate your poetic genius; it is just that the songs you write WILL NOT SELL. No one wants to hear about inner turmoil or true love; they want to hear about street gangs and the sleazy club scene. If you want to write your own songs go to some dead-end independent label.
If you are not the lead singer, you are now part of the backing band. You just need to show up and try to stay out of the singers spot light. We understand you may have helped bring the band to the top, but no one will remember your names anyway. Your band will have a one-hit wonder, at best, and then your lead singer will leave the band for a solo career. You are expendable, be thankful you are even presented with this opportunity.
Now, how can you suggest that talent matters?

"Tell Huxley...'he was right'..."-Darth Vader's dying words

I was watching a commercial the other day promoting a long lasting energy drink and to my bewilderment I saw Huxley’s prediction of the future fulfilled. Normally when one is asked to contemplate activities associated with energy drinks one would picture physical activity such as sports or exploring the great outdoors. But when the creators of this commercial thought of energy another type of physical activity came to mind. A man sits behind his desk in his office and drinks his glorious energy drink and then announces to his secretary, with a terribly short skirt if I may add; “Now I’m ready!” It does not leave much to the imagination now does it?
We live in a beautiful society in which sex and drug use is the new past-time. Now I do not deny my natural desire for attraction and ecstasy, the drug not the sensation, but a society must draw a line dividing material appropriate for an audience of all ages and soft-core pornography. But there is no possible end because, much like myself, people enjoy attraction and ecstasy, the drug not the sensation. I watch sitcoms, I watch dramas, I watch sports, and I watch kid shows, all of which have some sort of reference to sex and drug. Yes, that is correct, even kid shows; have you ever watched SpongeBob Squarepants? What is entertainment without this excellent and exciting mix?
Huxley predicted a society full of lust, drug use, and naivety. And I pose the question: is this not the obvious outcome of today’s society.

An Argument for the Resurrection of the Analog Age

This new digital age has marked the begining of the end for passionate studio performance. With the development of Midi devices and techniques music is going to take a tragic leap into the deepest wards of the abyss.
Now one may argue that Midi devices are extremely useful and I must confess that I agree. Imagine the possibilities of using a simple keyboard plugged into the interface of a computer-based studio. With this keyboard any instrument’s sound is at your finger tips. Imagine using a keyboard to record a violin, or a trumpet, or even a glockenspiel. And it is also true that the sound quality will be close to perfect. There will be no room noise from a microphone incorrectly leveled and no weakness in tone or pitch. It also makes production affordable. The studio no longer has the need for studio musician which means there is less money wasted on paying these musicians. From a financial and sound quality stand point Midi is saving the world.
However, Midi eliminates the most important part of playing music: THE FEELING. Each note played can be interpreted differently. And the only person who can understand the passion and significance of each note is the musician himself. Just like writing or sculpting or painting or even filming, music depends solely on emotion. Since it is, to my knowledge, true that machine do not have the ability to feel, it is then impossible for them to create music in its truest form. The notes may have exceptional pitch and tone, but it still lacks a closeness to the song. Everyone must admit that, at least, once in his life he has been brought to tears by a musical performance, of any genre, which was beautiful and passionate. When has a Mac computer shown you beauty or passion?
Music performed by a musician who loves his music is the only true musical experience. Instead of trying to benefit from saved time or money consider this: do I want my music to be convenient or do I want my music to be beautiful?

In an effort to better my technique and brighten my idealistic future I have spent many late nights recording and mixing for my close friends and bandmates. For the select few of my readers who are familiar with the recording process they know that it can be quite draining. But why do I, and these select few, do it? We do it to get the music that we love heard. No matter how much work it is and no matter how many hours it drains from my life I still feel obligated to get each song done. In the long run I consider it fulfilling; after all, it is brightening my idealistic future.
But on a slightly bitter note, I would like to point the irony of my previous paragraph. I say that recording is brightening my future but here I am at quarter to eleven on a Sunday night racing to finish my homework for school that starts too early tomorrow morning. If you call me a procrastinator I will not be insulted. My only reaction may be an overly dramatic look of self loathing on my face.

Aging

I must agree with Tim O’Brien when he says that people never change throughout the course of their lives. Though some things might be different due to age or experience but by an overall view, people are always the same.
I too can relate to looking at old photographs and feeling a connection to the child I was then and the child I still am. In old photographs I am a timid little child afraid of people I do not know to well. I was even timid around people in my family and the people I call friends. Shyness never fades away. Sure my mother no longer combs my hair or picks out cute little outfits for me, but I have the same childish smile. My hair is darker and I am much taller, but I still sing to myself in the shower. Some things never change. I still like to be held and comforted. Nervousness still makes my stomach ache. I still keep to my self.
I believe that when I am forty I will still be this way. I will ask my wife to hold me and comfort me. I will learn more songs to sing in the shower. And I will still be hesitant to meet new people. I am not afraid to deny this. These characteristics have gotten me through my first seventeen years of life and I think they will stick with me for another seventeen or thirty-four years.
Though we might change physical, our childish emotional and psychological characteristics are always somewhere in our minds.