Everyone seems to be having a blog these days. By that, I mean my family. . . and as I try my best to keep up with all the blogs and fail to find the gumption to comment regularly, I find myself having my own thoughts on things that I might want to share with the . . . . I was gonna say "world" but what I really mean is the very small circle of people that might actually check in on my little ramblings here.
So, here I am, sleepless at 3:26 in the morning because I had a church gig at 9 in a northern suburb, then worked at Avenue N Guitars for our first Sunday being open ever, then made my way to my favorite local spot, Aberdeen, for a delicious dinner of Steak Frites (it was a long day, I deserved it!) and promptly went home and fell asleep until about an hour-and-a-half ago. There is no YouTube video that is safe from my late-night search for entertainment, mainly guitar players this time.
It actually was a video I saw that planted the seed of public expression in my head this late night. A girl guitar-facing her way through Eric Johnson's smooth shred classic "Cliffs of Dover", an impressive attempt for any fast-fingered female, or male for that matter. This had me seeking out other songs she's done. . . and then I got to one of her songs.
Ash Soular wrote a political song called "Obamanation", and perhaps you can infer by the title that she's not a big fan. . .which is fine. (don't worry, this is not a political blog.) As I watched her performance and read the endless stupid comments people made. . some in favor, some in opposition, and some just crude, sexist crap. . . .I realized that I have troubles taking thematic chances musically. I've never written anything overtly controversial in any way. Even the chord progressions I like are complex, yet slick and most often undetected in context.
I try to figure out what this means. Am I a wuss? Do I not like confrontation? Am I passive aggressive? Do I feel I need my music to be acceptable to everyone? Would I rather be liked by all than only loved by some?
I suppose the challenge is knowing. How are people so sure that they are right, while others disagree 100%? Doesn't that make you question your first thought? Is everyone else just a moron? How do you know if you're the insightful one or the one shaped by your side's propaganda?
You don't. . and that's why it's so tough. Who's to say what really works or what really should be in such a large and complex country.
I think that's enough thought for now. More blogs are to come, but be prepared. . . . I have no plan on what topics will be covered, so who knows what's to come!
~Nick
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Scrap- you've gone to the dark side! I'm now alone in my lack of bloggness. That's ok though. As for your topics in your blog...I think it's probably the easiest to be non-controversial. However, if you end up being untrue to yourself in your music, trying to please the masses, it shows. People can tell when their is no soul in the music. You need to do what you want in your music. Be as controversial or original as you want to be. Even if it's something you've never tried before. Even if it seems too "out there" to ever be popular. Those are usually the songs that break out and end up being immensely popular because they're different.
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