Notes and Tones

So tired but can't seem to fall asleep. Listening to this stuff...

2011-11-13T04:22:00.000-05:00

Drawn to it...

2011-08-07T02:08:00.000-04:00

Watched Woody Allen's, "Midnight in Paris" the other night and this song has haunted me for the last three days. Had to purchase it on iTunes. Now I can listen to it on repeat for the next few days 1,000 times until I want to throw up... And nothing's gonna stop me.

Great Book!

2011-08-04T18:38:00.002-04:00

'Live At 305' EP Cover Art

2011-08-04T18:32:00.000-04:00

The Tielman Brothers 1960

2011-06-07T14:16:00.000-04:00

If they were a present-day act, they'd have a job with Cirque du Soleil...

Thank you...

2011-05-26T22:27:00.000-04:00

Dear God, I'm so happy this was made...

2011-04-26T11:33:00.000-04:00

I got a chance to see Jeff do a set at 'Cafe Was' in Los Angeles a few weeks ago.
He seemed more interested in the the 18 year old girls around the piano than the music he was covering. Although, he was kind to me and I enjoyed the night.
Im just really happy this short film was made to capture the beauty and pure essence of Jazz at its finest. Coltrane, Monk, Miles, Goldblum.

Goldblum At Coachella from Jeff Goldblum

mmm... Feels good...

2011-04-26T00:13:00.000-04:00

Solution for those of us with cat allergens...

2011-02-17T04:55:00.000-05:00

What a Bad-Ass....

2010-12-07T23:54:00.000-05:00

Only Marvin Gaye could pull this one off... It seems like he really stretches out and relaxes half-way through the song (in realizing he's completely won over the crowd). Truly amazing.

I Hope This Gets To You

2010-11-29T23:00:00.001-05:00

Wow...

2010-11-12T04:28:00.000-05:00

World... Meet TRIXIE WHITLEY...Dang... Girl's got it... Nuff said.
P.S.- Brian Blade on drums. Hands down the coolest and most liad-back guy I've even met.

Good Old War "Coney Island"

2010-10-28T14:04:00.000-04:00

There's nothing better than well executed three-part harmony...

Elizabeth & The Catapult "You & Me"

2010-10-28T13:55:00.000-04:00

I never thought a light pop tune could smack me in the face. Great chorus.

Elizabeth & The Catapult - You and Me (Radio Edit) by MMMusic

Oren Lavie's "Her Morning Elagance"

2010-09-09T01:52:00.000-04:00

Poor Girl...

2010-09-08T16:03:00.000-04:00

Please tell me this is the work of some mighty-fine special effects...

2010-08-14T00:50:00.000-04:00

Raw...

2010-08-13T17:28:00.000-04:00

I'm not a HUGE fan of the these dudes, but this is fantastic!

The Beauty in Loneliness...

2010-08-03T17:53:00.000-04:00

This drummer is quite the showman...

2010-05-31T20:26:00.000-04:00

Thanks to my Cousin Chuck for passing this one along...

This poor woman has no clue...

2010-05-28T12:36:00.002-04:00

Amos Lee "Colors"

2010-05-19T22:45:00.002-04:00

The Black Keys "Tighten Up"

2010-05-19T22:16:00.001-04:00

The Black Keys "Tighten Up"

The Black Keys | MySpace Music Videos

Another wasted hour...

2010-05-18T15:26:00.002-04:00

Write some lyrics... Get as crazy as ya want....
Check this out! Let Them Sing It

2010-05-07T01:42:00.001-04:00

Pure talent + good songwriting = Brandi Carlile

SUNFEST 2010

2010-05-03T20:23:00.000-04:00

Sunfest was a blast...
Here are some shots from soundcheck...

This thing just ate up an hour of my life...

2010-04-26T22:43:00.000-04:00

Try it yourself...

Another cheap and fresh video...

2010-04-26T19:28:00.000-04:00

Note Pad from Charlie North on Vimeo.

Miike Snow

2010-04-26T19:00:00.002-04:00

Interestingly mixed...

Yes!

2010-04-26T18:45:00.003-04:00

Mission Accomplished...

2010-04-26T17:47:00.000-04:00

Interesting video choice by CC... Its creepy, odd, expressive and based on 40 seconds of collective footage lopped/cut together...
Cheap to make and it captured my attention... I'd say "mission accomplished."

Crystal Castles - Empathy from on Vimeo.

This just makes me laugh... Had to share it....

2010-04-24T00:30:00.000-04:00

Man Accomplishes the Impossible: Puts On Flip-Flops

Entertaining But Sad Accurate...

2010-04-20T15:16:00.004-04:00

Home sweet home...

2010-03-28T23:07:00.000-04:00

After spending a few months in and around Florida (playing 39 shows since Jan. 2nd), I'm back up here, based in NY until mid-summer. The game-plan is play 15 shows in April, fly back to FL for SunFest (May 1st), and then right back up to play another 25 shows throughout the northeast. And lemme tell ya- I miss playing with my band terribly already, but (as I've blogged in the past) there's many aspects of playing solo that I thoroughly enjoy as well- I guess I just have to keep reminding myself.
As I rarely watch TV, I flipped on the tube earlier and got immersed in a documentary of Woodstock in '69... So powerful! No pyrotechnics. No laser lights display. No merchandise tents. Just music. Pure, emotional, forceful, beautiful music. Richie Havens and Joe Cocker put on such amazing performances that I felt lucky to watch 40+ years later. Granted, they probably would have gotten poor scores from Simon, Ellen, Randy, and Kara, but their connection with the ocean of participants was awe-inspiring! Today's concert go'ers (with our short little attention spans) expect so much more. Who changed more- The musicians or the listeners? Where did the authenticity go? Is it still out there? Is there even a market for it?

Listen...

2010-01-13T15:09:00.000-05:00

This is quite brilliant...

Outtakes...

2010-01-10T01:25:00.000-05:00

These were some of the pics form the "Crazy Ways" photo shoot that didn't make it into the album booklet... Enjoy.

Tic-Toc...

2009-12-25T01:24:00.003-05:00

I'm anxious... Anxious beyond words. Sitting here on a leather couch in my apartment on Christmas Eve. 9 days until "Crazy Ways" is on shelves. 9 days until the release party. 9 days until I can add a “check ” next to "Make Full Length Album" on the TO DO LIST.

I've shared the album with some journalists and reviews are beginning to circulate. Not shocked by too much of what has been said. Reviews are meant to be critical. That’s the point right?!? I’m actually relieved to find so much positivity. Despite pouring every ounce of effort into the project for the past year, the perfectionist in me can still point out flaws in the album. Wondering things like, “is my point of view was conveyed thoroughly in this track?” Or “Is this compelling enough?” Well, shit. Art is art. Its permanent. Its timeless. It’s got a life of its own- imperfections and all.

This is both a super exciting time, but also a exceptionally nerve-racking one. I took a break from my woes over a nice enjoyable Italian "Goombah" Christmas Eve dinner with some family. I spent most of tonight’s festivities wondering, “what will 2010 hold for my career?” In retrospect, 2009 was spent with two major goals in mind- 1.) Complete "Crazy Ways" and 2.) Play live on a nightly basis. Well, I’m proud to type that I’ve successfully accomplished both. I now have the ability to pick and choose the gig offerings that come about AND (at any time) can freely wander my finger over to the iTunes playlist entitled “Crazy Ways” and click “play.”
Though, as the seconds tic closer to the release of the new album, I grow more and more anxious. What should be (at first glance) a time of rest and tranquility, is more accurately a period spent planning and rounding up the sheep (i.e. tour dates, co-ordination of band members schedules, trying to build fan/friend anticipation, and lining up promotions/distribution/budgeting).

Hopefully one day, I'll be able to have assistance on all those facets. And hopefully one day I'll be able to simplify this process into three concrete steps: "Create music," "Talk about music," and "Play music." A dreamer can dream…

At this point of the blog entry, (thanks to our gift of meta-cognition) a little voice reminds me that everything has value. All the extraneous tasks, self-promotion, and angst, are all part of my musical journey.

I look forward to reading this stream of consciousness in 5 years- and while laughing my ass off, muttering, "You impatient fool."

Merry Christmas to all- and to all a good night!

The Official 'Crazy Ways' Album Release Party!

2009-12-09T23:30:00.000-05:00

He's so Sly...

2009-11-24T11:20:00.002-05:00

After making a really interesting comment regarding "creativity," listen to what Sly says around 2:19 mark of the clip... In talking about his film idea, he suggests the year 2009 out of the blue and then almost predicts a situation very similar to today.
Very cool.

"If You Want Me to Stay"

waiting...

2009-11-08T23:38:00.003-05:00

The clock in Grand Central Station- both a symbol for the time I’ve spent in the Northeast as well as the time I’ve spent waiting for the release date of “Crazy Ways.”

My single, “Crazy Ways” was released a little more than two weeks ago and I can’t be more surprised and elated with its success. Thank you so much!

I’m halfway through all my northeast dates for the month of November. Already, I’ve gotten to meet so many new faces and play so many cool new venues, that my departure at the end of the month will be a tough one. Can’t believe it’s been eight years since I’ve gotten a chance to soak up this part of the country. Way too long!

See ya soon,
Griff

Download An Acoustic Version of My New Single "Crazy Ways"

2009-10-05T23:19:00.003-04:00

Howdy,
So.... if you sign up to receive my newsletter and/or request to be a member of the Street Team below, you'll automatically be redirected to a page where you can download a free mp3 of my tune "Crazy Ways." This is a stripped down version of the album cut, but its got a whole different vibe.
Hope you enjoy,
Griff

Thanks Ya'll

2009-09-06T01:47:00.002-04:00

Had a great birthday thank you all of you! I'm 26 and my quarter-life crisis is over!
2 months until "Crazy Ways" touches down. The countdown is in full-effect.

My Muse...

2009-08-23T21:23:00.004-04:00

I feel like all I talk (and write) about lately is the new album.

By October 1st, all music will be tracked, mixed, and mastered.
The rest of October will be spent aligning all the album artwork, and November will be spent lining up the packaging and distribution. By January of 09 I plan on holding a shrink-wrapped copy of the work in my hands (as well as getting it to all of you as quickly as possible).

In efforts to bring you closer to my in-studio inspiration.... (Just wait until the climax of the tune)

To Infinity And Beyond!

2009-07-23T20:19:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, I sat down to lunch the with a good friend and we began catching up about the trivial nothingness of our lives. Somehow (over our Offerdahl’s over-priced rice plates) we stumbled upon the topic of the 2012 Doomsday prophecy. It got me thinking… and then it got me twittering. I couldn’t shake the idea that one day, life as we know it, would cease to exist.

When I got back to my apartment later that night, I meandered my way onto Google. I wanted credible and scientific evidence that would help rest my nerves regarding the polar shift of December 21st 2012.

I found a video posted on YouTube that depicting an interview with a Theoretical Physicist by the name of Dr. Michio Kaku. What I found, didn't calm my fears of the Apocalypse, but it did bring me to a “string theory” of other topics.

Clearly, this man is not a whack-job” of any sorts- however, he touches on topics such as “invisibility,” “time travel,” “life on other planets,” and “other dimensions.” Pretty amzing.

I’m not a fan of Sci-Fi movies at all, but this shit is really cool!

For more information on the best-selling novelist and professor click the link below.
http://mkaku.org/home/

Progress...

2009-07-15T23:02:00.005-04:00

So...All the tunes for the new album are laid out... Still don't have a clue about song order, but at least we've got all tracks on a working pallet.

The sessions have been shipped to studios all over the world in order to get the specific sounds of certain players. For example, the drums for "Lift Me Up" were recorded in Tokyo, background vocals in "Let Go" and "Once in a While" were done in NY, some of the bass tracks performed in a Vermont hotel room, and currently (as I type) some secondary guitars are being tracked in Nashville by my good friend and talented guitarist Johnny Shortridge. Just wait until you hear the incredible (and edible) sonic tones that guy gets out of his amps. This album is keeping "yousendit.com" in business!

The majority of my work lately has been at DTM studios in Hollywood, FL- sometimes I feel as though I should just set up a cot right by the mixing board so I can save gas money...

Its nuts to think I was just breaking ground on the album about a year and a half ago. I started out thinking, "Eh, I'll just make another EP of a few tunes to get out there on iTunes...ya know..light productions." Little did I know I was 19 months away from where I am today- neck deep in tracks and open pro-tools sessions.

This album showcases the work and artistry from Grammy nominees (Dan Geary), Grammy winners (Charles Dye), vocal legends (Vanese Thomas), and up-and-coming talented producers (Dave Torre, Josip Vilicic). I'm proud of it and can't wait until you're jammin' out to it on your iPods.

Although its been costly ($$$) journey, I'd be a fool to write that I didn't learn a thing or two. From dealing with studio players to choosing the right arrangements to long distance writing sessions, its all been extremely valuable to my development as an artist.

Furthermore, aside from the many tedious processes (i.e. layering harmonies,writing out lead sheets, executing acoustic guitar tracks, stretching my vocals to the limit, lining up drums and bass, and mixing) there is no way to describe the astonishing feeling that I'm overcome by when a final mix is finished.

"Crazy Ways" is slated to hit the streets in Winter of 2010 and we've got some great ideas for the albums packaging and artwork.
I've began preparing the liner notes for the album and I'm not at all shocked that there are roughly 500 people I've thanked... SO FAR...

Thank you for your love and support.

-Griff

To Uke Or Not To Uke...

2009-07-05T23:47:00.002-04:00

Lately, I've been drawn to the ukulele (pricing them online, listening to its beautifully delicate register, and enjoying the way it looks in the arms of 200+ lbs dudes).
Its just so simple. Its the way I want my life to be. If I had to pick 4 words to describe the "uke" they'd be: cunning, feathery, hammock-like, and youthful. In the past 24 hours I've sat through hundreds of ukulele performances on YouTube- some awe-inspiring, and some rather (well...) shitty. But all performances somehow possess the 4 defining words above.

If Harry Houdini played a musical instrument, then it was probably the ukulele. Hell, if it weren't for this dandy construction, the state of Hawaii wouldn't exist, the late creepy "Tiny" Tim would have never graced a Television set, and if we googled "ukuleleworld.com" we see "this page cannot be displayed."

A ukulele purchase is eminent for me. But I don't just want any 4 stringed box of love, I want a specific "uke." I want one that has a story behind it. I wanna tell a crowd while on stage that "this here ukulele was used to beat a grown man to his death!" Or "this here ukulele was fashioned from an authentic Native-American war canoe!"

More so than a lusting for a new trinket, the "uke" search has turned me on to a few great artists. Be sure to check out Rachel Goodrich, Jake Shimabukuro, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, and Ingrid Michaelson.

I've already written a song for my ukulele...

"You can stand under my ukulele (ele ele eh eh eh)
Under my ukulele (ele ele eh eh eh)"

Help to Stop Commercial Whaling Y'all!

2009-06-24T09:53:00.002-04:00

Tracy

2009-06-10T19:48:00.002-04:00

I've always been a fan of Tracy Morgan's outrageous comedy. His blend of timing, improvisation, and absurdity always leave me gasping for air.
About two years ago (sometime around Christmas) I had the pleasure of meeting Tracy Morgan in NYC at Club BED. It was around 2am and I found myself at the urinal breaking the seal after a few too many Redbull n’ Vodkas. The other men in line at the urinals were quietly doing their business when (out of the blue) I hear a guy yell from behind me, “I NEED SOME GUM! Does anybody have some GUM?! Chicklets? Bazooka? I need GUM! Stat!” I looked over my right shoulder to find (a quite intoxicated) Tracy Morgan, running around the restroom haphazardly. Instantaneously, I knew who it was after watching years of SNL. So of course being the big fan that I am, I reached into my pocket, pulled out a pack of trident, and gave the whole thing to him. “Wooooowww” he replied in a boisterous tone. He then entered my comfort zone, whispering in my ear, “I don’t care what they say about whitey’s- you’re alright kid.”
Take a minute to watch some of Tracy in "Totally Awesome." The best part about this clip is the outtakes- each one a little more "out there" than the last.
Enjoy...

Mixing....

2009-06-06T15:44:00.003-04:00

Sitting here on a lush velvet olive green couch at Ranch Labs working on the mix for a tune called “Above All.” Yeah, I think I’m about due for a blog....

I’ve been having an affair with Twitter. By the time I get in bed at night with my blog, my brain is already spent. My blog says, “Come ‘on honey, let’s have some fun,” and I reply with “Sorry bloggy- I’m just tired…” All the while, I know damn well that my lack of motivation is all thanks to Miss Twitter. That hussy!

So... Bloggy, I hope you understand and can forgive me for my electrical infidelity. Thanks for allowing me to log in- I’m glad you don’t hold a grudge.

Have a great day,

Griff

How Stuff Works

2009-05-12T12:00:00.001-04:00

Please take some time to check this out my friends...

Playing For Change

2009-05-08T17:02:00.000-04:00

Peace Through Music Film Clip: Playing for Change from Playing For Change on Vimeo.

Thank You!

2009-05-01T23:55:00.002-04:00

Sunfest was awesome. The band and I had a blast!
Just wanted to say a quick thank you for all of you that came out to support one of the bigger shows of the year.
Yeee-hawww!!!
Keep on keepin' on...
-Griff

The Station

2009-04-22T01:35:00.004-04:00

This is way to long to twitter. All relationships are built on communication. Work relationships, friends, family, other loved ones- even pets! It all hinges on communication. Yes, we all know this, but its all to often we overlook the even more common thread of "wants"... What do I want? I've given my life a lot of thought tonight. I want one thing- and thats love. Not entirely in the romantic sense, but "love" is the greatest motivation for any relationship or career path. There's nothing more pure than love. I want so badly to wake up one morning and feel as though my music has made a dent in other's lives, but more importantly, I can only control myself. I want to write and perform music because I love to do it- and frankly, I couldn't see myself doing anything else.

Sometimes I feel as though I've sabotaged every other thing in my life entirely other than music. And thats not to say I haven't sabotaged some of my own performances, but love is what keeps me headed down a road of uncertainty.

Reading the passage below always seems to comfort me.

The Station by Robert J. Hastings

Tucked away in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision in which we see ourselves on a long journey that spans an entire continent. We're traveling by train and, from the windows, we drink in the passing scenes of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of cattle grazing in distant pastures, of smoke pouring from power plants, of row upon row of cotton and corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of city skylines and village hills.
But uppermost in our conscious minds is our final destination--for at a certain hour and on a given day, our train will finally pull into the Station with bells ringing, flags waving, and band playing. And once that day comes, so many wonderful dreams will come true. So restlessly, we pace the aisles and count the miles, peering ahead, waiting, waiting, waiting for the Station.

"Yes, when we reach the Station, that will be it!" we promise ourselves. "When we're eighteen...win that promotion...put that last kid through college...buy that 450SL Mercedes-Benz...have a nest egg for retirement!"
From that day on we will live happily ever after.
Sooner or later, however, we must realize there is no Station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all. The journey is the joy. The Station is an illusion--it constantly outdistances us. Yesterday's a memory, tomorrow's a dream. Yesterday belongs to history, tomorrow belongs to God. Yesterday's a fading sunset, tomorrow's a faint sunrise. Only today is there light enough to love and live.

So, gently close the door on yesterday and throw the key away. It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather the regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today.
"Relish the moment " is a good motto. So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, swim more rivers, climb more mountains, kiss more babies, count the stars. Laugh more and cry less. Go barefoot oftener. Eat more ice cream. Ride more merry-go-rounds. Watch more sunsets. Life must be lived as we go along. The Station will come soon enough.

Thank God for plastic…

2009-03-22T01:31:00.005-04:00

Way back when I was in 4th grade (at the Rippowan Cisqua School), I found myself sitting in a red plastic “time out” chair in the corner of Mrs. Chappele’s English class, simply due to the youthful act of ‘passing notes.’ I was to sit there for five whole excruciating long minutes before I could be excused and allowed to return to my desk. I knew the routine. I’d been there before, but of course, not on a regular basis.

After I got over the embarrassing first minute of being laughed and sneered at by my fellow classmates, I became kind of bored. Granted, I was never some trouble-making little peanut, but I saw a pair of scissors located next to the classroom computer only inches from where I sat.

As Mrs. Chappele continued to teach her lesson, I started fidgeting with the scissors. There were a group of rubber computer chords zip-tied together that caught my eye... I thought, “Would anyone even realize if I just snipped one of these cords? Certainly nothing would REALLY happen, and the mystery of the dead computer monitor would begin - where only I would hold the answer”… The classroom 1990’s era Mac was in the powered off position and I thought, “nobody would even know.”

I began to slip one steel sheer of the orange-handled arts and craft scissors underneath one of the wires amidst a mass of others held together by the zip-tie. Never did it cross my mind that if I were to actually cut through one of these cords that anything major would happen. After all, the computer was turned off…
It had been well over five minutes and Mrs. Chappele continued on with her lesson in front of the class. She had forgotten about me, despite being only fifteen feet away from the blackboard. I tenderly squeezed down on the scissors as they cut through the first layer of rubber computer chord with ease. Just then, a HUGE purple spark illuminated the class room, accompanied by the noise of loud “zap” that filled the ears of everyone in the room! I had cut right through the cord, and with the scissors still in hand, found that everyone’s attention was right on me - sitting isolated and exposed in the “time out” chair, by the classroom computer.

It was as if my tiny world had been put on pause. There was dead silence for about ten seconds (what then seemed like eternity). Mrs. Chappele’s first concern must have been my safety. As soon as the thought had settled, she rushed over to check and see if I was ok. All twenty or so kids in the class remained silent - their eyes fixed upon me in pure shock. Of course, I still had the scissors in my hand, completely scared to death, and in disbelief of the immense purple spark that filled the classroom.

I was in the principal’s office within ten minutes of the act. My Mom got a call from Mrs. Lambert (the school principal) and I knew my action of merely snipping one little computer chord, had landed me in deep doo-doo. I can remember Mrs. Lambert asking me, “Griffin, what on earth ever possessed you to take scissors to electrical wiring?” I’m not sure with what I answered, but can remember the tears rolling down my face. Looking back on in all, I now realize that if the scissors weren’t coated with a plastic handle, I could have been seriously injured. The moral of my story is (first and foremost), think before you pass a note, and secondly.. thank God for plastic!

A few years back I hung out at a party with a few people I hadn’t seen since elementary school. After getting through the normal “Hey, how’ve you been” dialogue, I was asked, “Remember when you cut the computer cord?” For a brief moment, I basked in the glory that one of my single juvenile actions had etched its way in the minds of my former classmates’ childhood. In essence, my solitary ignorant performance had defined a whole chunk of mental real estate in the life of a former classmate. As soon as that celebrated moment of splendor had sunk in, my former classmate added, “WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!”

Billy Preston

2009-03-16T21:13:00.002-04:00

Billy Preston (at his best) with Ray Charles backing on piano.
Simply amazing!

And we're all worried about the economy???

2009-03-12T00:03:00.002-04:00

How insignificant are the woes of our everday life???

What if Bigfoot found a haunted UFO on the bottom of Loch Ness?

2009-03-11T17:09:00.004-04:00

I’m in Starbucks and I thought I’d blog a bit… Last night I flipped between A&E and the History Channel… Can’t understand why paranormal activities, unknown phenomena, and Cryptozoology, interest me so damn much! If UFO hunters, Monsterquest, Paranormal State, or History’s Mysteries happen to be on the boob-tube, my ass in glued!

Thanks to a bit of education, I have the ability to play it cool and appear skeptical, although, creeping from beneath my frontal lobe, there’s a little child in me that wants (so badly) to believe in UFO’s, bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, etc. A section of my brain still feels like a young whipper-snapper peeking through the keyhole in effort to catch Santa on Christmas Eve, all the while, another part of me feels like a complete buffoon for being so entertained by television programs that are built on the same principles as the National Enquirer.

Ironically, all this is coming from someone with a BA in Psych- that’s 6 credits shy of a grad degree. Harrumph!!! I know-I know- I’m a bit of a contradiction, but still, there’s a glimmer of hope wishing upon a star that there’s still something lurking deep in the woods, at the bottom of the sea, or deep in space.

Hmm… So are ghosts simply our mind playing tricks on us? Are UFO’s all government projects? Are all Bigfoot sightings rogue Black Bears? Are people just looking for attention? As Mr. Brett Dennen says, “Its enough to make you go crazy.” There’s gotta be something Science can wrap itself around eventually- right?

Let’s take a step away from my trivial fascinations….Generally speaking, I’m very open to the unknown. Xenophobia is like a disease that makes me ill. I’m the guy that welcomes your differences and characteristics, then questions if I’m the weird one for being different than you!
In my days, I’ve found that ignorance is the comfy blanket keeping people from safe from new (sometimes threatening) ideas. In other words, new information (if challenging) is often sadly rejected.

Every day is a new learning experience. As cliché as that may be, it so too true not to explicate (blab) about. I wish more people (especially in the music BUSINESS) could open themselves up a bit. It seems, everyone’s way is the “RIGHT way.”

So my thesis you ask? Well, I know there’s nothing truly individual or unique with my words- Socrates expressed it best, “One thing only I know is that I know nothing”…