Art for a higher purpose

[jchitty]

Nov 14, 2008, 4:18pm, squids wrote:I dunno......like Bill, I've been doin' it so long I can't really say if it's about art as much as it's about breathin'. Maybe it's a bit of what Deb is sayin', that I'm compelled to write. That said, I went back to school to go into counseling because, like my parents told me, "you can't make a livin' at music, get a real job." Also, I'm good at counseling and while I love writin' and producin', I have big azz issues with my voice and I really dislike the entanglements and narcissism that comes with performing sometimes (that I've seen all too often with musicians)......not you guys, natch! LOLI do live fo those moments of the beautiful cowrite, the perfectly expressed line, the nicely sung lyric, hearing from someone (or getting it signed) that says, "hey, you accomplished the goal there!"It's been a joy to cowrite with ya, chits, as well. Elser, I'm with you on what you said too! And Matt, ditto your last line. Sniffle, I love you too, girl! You're absolutely one of my best co-writing experiences ever, Squiddy, and I'm so proud of 'Burbs....so proud to have it on my TAXI page. You know how I feel about your talent, lyric writing skills, vocals and production....you're the best. Matt...I hope one day your music gets out there front and center as well...you're a talented writer, and you sound like you're dedicated, so I know it's gonna happen for you. Okay, I got a little sappy, so I better quit while I'm ahead.

[ernstinen]

Chits,Your post put my "art" into its timeframe (I aplolgize if I've told this story before ) ---I moved to L.A. in the early 80's to be a "Rock Star!" The only problem was that I was an "artist," and I just COULDN'T do what the other "hair bands" were doing at that time.So I formed my own band, which was a rock/jazz/fusion style. It employed 3-part harmony, and was very unique. We ALMOST got signed to Epic Records around the early 90's, but the main A&R guy (who was the son of the president of Epic) sat down with me for hours. He finally said "Hey, your music sounds like I'm listening through a pane of glass. Don't you listen to the radio?"He obviously didn't get it.SO --- in the mid-90's, I moved my whole studio to a mountain cabin north of LA. No phone, no TV, no nothing. I was burned out on the "pop" scene of LA. I sat in silence for a couple weeks, just listening to the trees and birds.After a few weeks, I started looking at books of impressionistic art, and listened to classical music. This took a while to "sink in."Finally, a month later, I developed a "concept album" and began to work on it. From May to October, I spent all my time on my pop/rock recording. It was a magical time for me. --- The result was a solo record entitled "Listen," which I believe still stands the test of time.Upon moving back to LA, I took film scoring classes at UCLA. But I soon realized that the film scoring "biz" wasn't for me, so I took my orchestration lessons to heart and wrote "Symphony No. 1"Good choice! I followed my muse, as I learned in the mountains.The result has been "art for a higher purpose." --- I've had premieres of my pieces from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles, and have had them recorded by the Bulgarian Philharmonic and the Czech Philharmonic.Granted, I haven't made a lot of $$ doing this, but SOMEONE'S gotta make music for "a higher purpose." I completely believe in following one's muse.Love to all,Ern

[mojobone]

Nov 15, 2008, 7:01pm, lyle wrote:Hi Chits,Well, yes, from Day One I wrote songs hoping that they might outlive me. It's a little embarrassing to admit that--it immediately calls into question the value of my songs, as well as my own honesty--but that has always been the truth for me. There is a certain wild joy I get out of creating something out of nothing, and it makes me feel close to God.Do I feel like God?? Hell no! It's not an ego thing. I'm just saying that an act of creativity is a magical, spiritual endeavor, and it blows me away every time it happens...the very possibility of it amazes me every time. So I do it for the sake of doing it, for the sheer joy and astonishment it brings me. I never until recently tried to sell one, and I've never been able to look at it as strictly business. There's just too much joy in the act for me to worry too much about making it the focus of my income. Any income I make from my songs will be like a hilarious punchline to a cosmic joke--a great, wonderful gift...one that was never expected.If I die and my songs never go further than my daughters' shelves, that's fine. If even one of them ends up being recognized beyond my lifetime, expect my ghost to be cracking a smile. Because, yes, I would like to make a positive impact in the world somehow.Mark, I've never met a bad person who made good music. If your music proves to be your greatest gift to the world, I'll celebrate with you, but don't overlook the positive impact you make by raising that other gift; your children. I mention this only in case you don't feel blessed enough...

[squids]

Nov 16, 2008, 10:54pm, mojobone wrote:@squids: Nov 14, 2008, 4:18pm, squids wrote:I do live fo those moments of the beautiful cowrite, the perfectly expressed line, the nicely sung lyric, hearing from someone (or getting it signed) that says, "hey, you accomplished the goal there!"If it's what you live for, it's what you can't live without; I think you've just defined yourself as an artist with those words. I believe art has an intrinsically higher purpose; it uplifts our character and nourishes our souls. If your calling is music, small wonder if your avocation is counseling, difference is that music is usually done for groups and without speech, counseling is generally for individuals and with verbiage. Having heard your music and read your words, I'm sure you're an effective communicator either way...Mojo.......if I wasn't married....... That said, I'd give an appendage to hop in on a club gig with ya.

[mojobone]

Nov 17, 2008, 11:21am, squids wrote:That said, I'd give an appendage to hop in on a club gig with ya. You'd be welcome, and I'd be thrilled.[tips hat, stifles quip about receiving an appendage]

[will]

I am a songwriter; it is who I am. I can do other things; but I am only one thing: a songwriter. Fear brings us to squelch what we love most? And to instill it in our children (those we love most)? I nearly committed suicide strangling my passion on the altar of survival fear that society perpetuates. Money? Yes; thank you, but how much is my life worth? Who empowered one to tell another that person cannot be? Or what they should be? Yet, these "hangmen" still step up cognizant of some deeply instilled duty ignorant to the responsibilty.Crazy artists of the past? Were they tortured by their passion, or saved by it? Many a doctor, lawyer, and bus exec also suffer . . . is it a shame? . . . are they allowed?Free yourself; be yourself, whoever that is. Healing and Love,Will

[wignelson]

Yeah, Chits, I have a higher calling. I've had one Dewar's already and I'm sure I can get higher. But seriously, I truly believe that I have been given gifts from my Lord that I am obligated to share. I sent you my book, didn't I? Yeah, I'd like to make money from my music, but I'm pretty realistic about the slim possibility of that. But will I stop writing? Certainly not.I (you) write because I (you) can't help it. Artist have no choice but to create art. Craftsmen can choose to do it or not. That's the way I feel about all the formula songs that define genres.Trend setters that came along and offered someone something outside the formulas ("the box") are the true artists throughout time.I'm thinking of Gershwin, Brubeck, Lennon you know, the guys that made the changes in the whirlygig.That is art. Whether or not it is commercial does not matter.Want to know where it comes from? Surprise, it's always been there. Artists are just the poor souls who see it and get frustrated trying to share it. If it doesn't fit into a nice round hole, the majority of people will pass it by. Their loss, Wig