My least favorite part, writing about myself. As I say, for me it has always been about the music. I seem to be designed to create music and it has never been intentional.
First and foremost I have always been a songwriter. I enjoy playing instruments and am reasonably competent but not a virtuoso. I can sing, but was not born with the kind of rich, emotionally-packed voice that is so popular these days. I put expression into my performances, but due to the physical structure of my "instrument" it doesn't always come out as obvious as if I had been born with such a voice.
No, I am a musician, but it's really about the songs. As I have said I have always written from inspiriation, musical seeds from somewhere beyond that find fertile ground in the garden of my mind. They take me over and grow steadily until they reach maturity and must be recorded and put out so the empty space in my head can be reclaimed.
Of course, if something comes to me that doesn't grab me by the arm and scream at me, it gets weeded out. I tell it to go away, and it does....
But...who am I? I haven't got a clue. What I'm about may be a different story. For more about my thoughts on subjects other than music, you can always visit the articles under "The posts...in reverse order", for that's where I do that.
For this page though....If you toss me in a vat of acid and dissolve away all the rich detail of my personality, then step back about 20 feet to view me from a distance, a certain framework will start to emerge.
I have been obsessed with getting to the bottom of reality, only to find it to be a bottomless journey. This lends a spiritual element to the songs. The subject matter turns out very universal while the perspectives turn out unique. This I find a happy combination which prevents my expressions from being "run of the mill". As an artist, I do not find value in songs that are "copies" of someones style nor in unoriginal ideas. However, I do believe in the value of building on what has come before, and writing in familiar styles while introducing innovative elements that enhance those styles.
Certain themes are continually emerging in my songs, and often re-emerging in ever more insightful forms. Nature, spirituality and of course, romance (why should I be different...? I am after all, a lover, like many artists) are topics that constantly re-occur. My "down, heavy" tunes always contain an element of hope to balance them, even in pain. My "soaring, happy" tunes (some might say "sappy") always have a sad, despairing undercurrent which keeps them grounded in reality. Never forget where you are.
Anyway, my music is not for everyone! And I think this a good thing. To be popular, you have to get into the common outlook. That's fine if it is natural to you, and then you can be popular with no shame. If I were to try it, it would be intentional, and a sort of con-game. Better to keep my "uncommon view", and try to attract those people who can find these tunes as maybe one more rung on the ladder of their own journey or a little comfort in knowing maybe they are not quite alone in their own "uncommon" perspective.
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