The Band...finally!

After some trial and much error...I finally have what seems to be a stable band (knock on wood)!! I'm thrilled and breathing a sigh of relief! I'm looking forward to the progress of this group and the entire bonding experience that comes along with band life.

Working with many personalities in close quarters for an extended period, can be quite challenging. I've also discovered that it can be a great motivator...as I listen to the progress of each musician and the creativity that each person brings to the table. I enjoy stepping back and learning from what these great musicians have to offer. I'm humbled over and over again. The collaboration that takes place during writing sessions, always fascinates me. It is magical!

Recently, I discovered something else that this band adds to the mix. We look out for each other...and keep each other in line. The other night we were practicing and I was running the rehearsal like a tyrant. I actually brought in cover songs and had the band play them. Gasp! We aren't a cover band! I had gotten myself into a funk like no other and had started modifying my original band plans. Needless to say, my bandmates informed me that I was in fact, losing my mind. They reminded me that this band doesn't do covers. They reminded me of why I began this project from the beginning. They refused to accept anything less. I could've easily been offended, but they were dead on. I was stunned that they were concerned enough to say something and basically rescue the band from my wrong thinking. That was very cool. I respect them for speaking up and showing that they care about the outcome of this group instead of just walking away.

I'm looking forward to this coming week, as we will be writing some new music and polishing the old. More updates soon!

Frustration

There will always be days that make you want to pull your hair out. Apparently it is my time to feel this way. I am unbelievably frustrated and ready to rip every hair out of my head, but I realize I wouldn't do well with a bald head in the winter. I can laugh and poke fun at my current situation because that is really my only option. Quitting is not on my agenda. Since I last posted, I've had some more changes regarding the line-up for my band. I finally feel like everything is solid and in place, but I'm lacking a drummer that doesn't have drama and actually wants to commit. It seems that many people have become band whores...moving from band to band...just for the sake of a quick jam session or two, with no intention of finding a band to settle down with. I've now gone through three drummers over the past few weeks. I've heard the same words from all of them and I've learned to cringe when I hear "I'm just looking to see what's out there." Ugh!

The other source of my frustration is on the financial side of things. It is so unfortunate that money can be the deciding factor as to whether a band survives or dies before having a chance. While I have excellent gear and talented musicians, I do not have a source of funds that allows me to work at the level I want. I am being held back by money. I find this sad and disgusting. I have sworn that when my band does have success, I will set aside some money to help fund a new band's project. I hate that money crushes dreams. I can't accept that people give up on their dreams because others don't see the value in helping such projects. I think that if we all encouraged each other to follow our dreams instead of careers that are guaranteed money makers, the world would be a better place. Happiness can't be bought, but our society makes it impossible to do anything without funds. I wonder if anyone has ever considered sponsoring a band and nurturing it from the very beginning? I realize the risk involved, but what a wonderful thing it would be to encourage a band and know that you assisted in the success of that group. Not only would you be assisting the dreams of the artists, but you'd be creating the path for new music to come to life. I think that this would be a wonderful use of money. I hope I get the opportunity to do that someday!

Aside from the lack of a permanent drummer & funds, the band sounds great. I've also been spending a great deal of time writing on my own and with the band. I love the collaboration among my bandmates. They surprise me quite often with their ideas. I'm really enjoying the process! I'd like to start recording soon, but this all depends on finding a drummer and selling my soul for a fair price...or winning the lottery! 

Practice #1

The first of three trial practices has occurred with my potential band. For those of you that are not aware of or need refreshed on my band audition methods, I initially checked on credentials, listened to individual auditions, and then pieced a band together from the musicians that best fit my requirements. We are committed to three trial practices to see if we can work well together, grasp the right style and enjoy the process. As of now, no one has a guaranteed spot in the band and after three practices, everyone is free to leave without further obligation. I have chosen to audition the group in this manner, so I might weed out individuals with a poor work ethic, bad attitude, lack of dedication, and opposing musical views. I also want to make sure that I am working with individuals that honestly want to perform my originals and understand the style I am going for. So far, this audition method is working nicely.

Leading up to the first trial practice, emotions were running high! Each musician was given one cover song that demonstrates specific techniques on their instrument, and one original. I was impressed with their attentiveness to details and their desire to "get it right." I received numerous text messages, phone calls and emails regarding the music. Discussions on instrumentation, voicing and structure were taking place daily. The urge to actually jam became overwhelming and some of us were getting a little stir crazy! It is frustrating to play on your own all of the time, when you love the sound of a band and know that the music will sound amazing as a group.

The first trial practice went better than I had anticipated! I had fairly high expectations and was concerned that maybe I had set them too high. I was not disappointed at all! I actually had to stop singing at one point because the band sounded so good, that I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. During the original song, after the framework was laid, I stepped back and allowed them to be creative with their own ideas. I stood there and observed this talented group of musicians as they worked together to create EXACTLY the sound I had been looking for! Then, they even discovered sounds that I had never imagined for certain sections of the music. I am still stunned by all of this! I had to stop singing yet again, because I was laughing in disbelief at how ridiculously good it sounded. Add numerous jabs and smart ass remarks to the intense session, and you get a clear picture of our first practice.

Songwriting

Lately, I have been asked about my process for writing music. Questions around this subject have come up so much over the past week, that I thought I would talk a bit about the process. The big thing to remember is that there really isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to write music. While there are many forms and styles of music, some of the greatest music has resulted from pushing the limits and trying something new. In music school, I had professors that insisted on a specific formula or process for writing.  I despised this lack of creativity, and nearly failed the class for pushing the boundaries.

When I write music for my band, it happens spontaneously. I don't just say to myself, "I'm going to write a song now." I need to be in the right frame of mind for writing. I tend to ride a weird low when I write. I'm very calm, focused, and aware of my senses and feelings. Many times this "songwriting mode" will happen while I'm driving. I think the quiet time in the car, combined with my brain's focus on the road, opens my mind up to creativity. Sometimes I will just sit at the piano and let my hands fall wherever they want. I will improvise random chunks of music until I stumble onto something. The key for me, is to be able to connect with emotions and just let it come pouring out in music. It is like expressing yourself in a foreign language that happens to have the words that explain exactly what you are trying to get across, when your native language doesn't do justice to your true feelings on the subject. Music has a profound effect on emotions. Consider how music heightens your emotions when you watch a movie. To me, music is what emotions sound like. I approach music from that standpoint. I like my music to be "real." I can hear the "fake" sound of music that was written with a formula in mind or just for the sake of writing a song.

What comes first? Lyrics or music? For me, it usually happens all at once. My music and lyrics are tied together and share the same emotional level. When I write with another person, even if we are just working on the music, my mind is aware of the emotions in the music and I am actually working on the lyrics at the same time. I cannot separate them without making the music sound "fake" or "awkward." In the past, when I have tried to write music with other bands that separate the music from the lyrics, I end up feeling so frustrated that I completely blocked all creativity. I remember being handed lyrics without the vocals and asked to make up something on the spot with what the band had already written. I failed miserably and ended up creating a very detached and generic vocal line. Singing without connecting to the music is not enjoyable for me and doesn't do justice to the music. I think this has become a huge problem with quite a bit of the music on the market today. Part of this is due to the "business." Signed artists are expected to produce enough songs for an album and in many cases, the music is thrown together at the last minute due to the pressure of deadlines. I remember talking to a former, signed artist about their writing experiences and how they would be thrown into a room where they had to write and have music ready to record by that evening. This seems to completely ruin the natural, creative process. I don't think that forcing art allows for the best product. It is obvious that this business will sacrifice quality for quantity.

As for the topic or inspiration for my music, it usually centers around the people or issues in my life. I will write from my perspective and other's perspective. I like to write about situations that we can all relate to or have experienced. Sometimes I need some direction and so I go to a notebook that I keep of random words or phrases that stirs up emotions. That little notebook has been invaluable! It is also a great place to jot down the lyrics or bits of potential songs that just aren't ready to be born yet. I also find that the recorders on my cell phone and computer are great for capturing the musical ideas that happen at the most random times...3 am out of a dead sleep, driving down the highway, hiking through the woods, etc. I have a songwriting friend that actually went into the restroom of a store once when she had a song pop into her head, so that she could record it before she forgot it!

After I have the framework for a song, I present it to my band and explain any specifics that I am looking for in the music. Then, I release it over to their creative talents and let them put pieces of themselves into the mix. This collaboration is one of the most magical moments you can experience. It is amazing how a song comes to life with the band's instrumentation. I love this part of the process! Sometimes the song will take a completely different turn and inspires more lyrics and music. Anything is possible at that point, but you must have people that are motivated to work on originals and enjoy the process. It is difficult and tedious work at times. After spending time working section after section and trying many variations, you eventually have to piece the entire song together and make the final decisions. Sometimes, this can lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings and drama with so many "cooks in the kitchen."

I'm not sure how many songs I have written at this point, but there is a nice stack of music sitting on my piano and many more that are in the process of being written. I try not to force myself to finish writing them. I write when I have the right words to say in combination with the music. If I feel like I'm getting a case of "writer's block," I immediately put the song away and just let it sleep for a bit. I'm sure that I can write under pressure, but for now, it is really nice to write as the music comes. I am grateful that I have the ability to create something out of nothing and potentially bring the enjoyment of music into someone else's life.

Test drive #1

This past week has been very exciting! I have found quite a few "hidden" musicians that share the same views and desires as me. The best part is that they practically live in my backyard. I feel a little like Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" saying, "there's no place like home." I'm shocked. I've been talking with wonderful people/musicians all over the country. I never expected to find them near me. I've looked before, but they were always committed to other projects and not available. Some of the musicians I have stumbled upon have recently moved here, some have just finished up their work with various bands/studios and others currently have bands. It is refreshing to hear that there are musicians that actually care about their level of performing, refuse to use drugs and take practicing seriously. I have found a great support system among them. Many of them have shared very encouraging words and plenty of advice. I appreciate this "mentoring" more than I can say. I'm overwhelmed with how generous these "strangers" have been. 

Aside from networking, I have finally found a terrific line-up for my band. After listening to many amazing auditions, I finally chose a group of guys that have loads of talent, don't use drugs and are just as passionate as I am about music. The audition process isn't over quite yet though! While each person has an amazing set of skills, we need to see if we can work well together. I was anxious to have everyone meet for the first time to see if we could tolerate each other for more than five minutes in the same room. We had a great conversation and it couldn't have gone better! We plan to meet up again to chat and set up some trial practice sessions. We have committed to three sessions with the hope of discovering whether we enjoy this line-up or need to move on. After hearing their individual auditions, I'm incredibly excited at the potential for this collaboration. As long as everyone in this group enjoys this project and respects each other, I think I'm looking at the best situation I could ever hope for. 

Music tastes vary, like tastes in food or cars. Trying to piece together a band is a little like shopping for a car. There are so many options that can change the whole flavor of things. The band that I am about to test drive has seasoned pros, a metal head, progressive influences, classical influences, an age span of roughly 30 years between the youngest and oldest, excellent work ethics and a strong desire to play well. In short, I feel like I am about to drive a luxury car. The only thing left to do is see what the quirks are...and decide if they are deal breakers. I've already discovered one quirk...me. I am not allowing myself to enjoy this process as much as I could be. I have doubts that are based off of my past experiences. I've been attempting to view everything as a business transaction, so that I can avoid the friendships that occur in bands. In a sense, I am partly sabotaging my own efforts. I know that it is important for band members to be friends with each other. I just don't enjoy the "break-up" process...even when leaving on good terms. 

Auditions, Standards and a Trip on the Ego

The process of finding my next band, has been moving along. I am definitely more cautious this time around. I'm trying to stay optimistic about the process, but it is difficult when you receive email after email from people that just want to brag about their abilities. It is disappointing when their sound clips don't live up to their claims. Nevertheless, I have been in touch with some wonderful musicians and this gives me hope that I'm not searching for something that doesn't exist.

I have been very upfront with everyone that has been auditioning. I've explained everything from music, to practice expectations, to touring, to health, to appearance and so on. I'm laying it all out there. I'm to the point that I am not worried about offending anyone. I know what I'm looking for and if people think that I'm being elitist, demanding, or out of line due to my requests, so be it. I'm not a diva. I'm just very aware of what needs to happen to have an excellent band. I feel like it would be almost easy to have an incredible band if I could line up dedicated, talented musicians that take pride in playing well and also want to achieve the highest level of performing. 

Mediocre mentality has become a wide spread disease. I can't understand why people are willing to settle for something that is moderately good, when it could be great. Why do people insist on dragging their feet through the process? Why do people stop working when they've reached the bare minimum? I find it enjoyable to practice because I know it brings me one step closer to performing something that is challenging. It makes me feel good to stretch my abilities. I've sat in on rehearsals for various bands and I am shocked at how much time they waste drinking and such. Their practice sessions are more about partying. I'm not trying to present a "holier than thou" attitude towards this, but these same bands claim to be serious...but their level of playing together says something entirely different. They may very well be great musicians, but since they spend their practices in party mode...they do not play well as a band. They don't listen to each other and only hear what their instrument is doing. Bands that actually play well together, seem to be a dying breed. Whatever happened to bands that sound great in the studio and equally good live? I totally respect the musicians that choose to jam just for the fun of it. It is a great activity/hobby to have! However, those of us that truly make performing our career, dislike it when so called "serious" bands hire us and waste our time.

I think that you can find incredible musicians that are proficient on their instrument, but lack the professional mentality to work in a group. Some people are just meant to play solo. I was talking to a drummer recently, that claims to be "the best drummer in the tri-state area" and "has the set and skills to prove it." I think that the only reason he isn't working with a band, is due to his lack of ability to work well with others. He is abrasive and more concerned with himself than a group. It is important to be confident in your abilities as a musician, but the ego trip will only get you solo gigs. I don't think that any musician has the right to be cocky about their skills. Music is such a personal thing. Every musician has something to offer, a special sound quality, a certain way of leaning on a note...subtle nuances that add up to a unique, one of a kind performer. Each musician has strengths and weaknesses...no matter how long you have performed. Once you feel that you have nothing left to learn, it is over. You can even learn from people that don't play your instrument. I have learned so much about singing from violinists and cellists. I've learned a lot about rhythm from listening to great, tight bands. There is so much to know! People with  over-inflated egos are blind to this, jealous of other musicians, and therefore, incapable of improving their own skills. Eventually, they get left behind in the dust. Being a solo drummer is a tough gig.

So, off I go to continue my search for the ideal drummer for this new chapter in my rock band adventures. I am cautiously optimistic that the people I have lined up, will be THE group that will be able to accomplish some amazing things. I'm holding my breath though. I have taken every step to make sure that I end up with the right people, but life happens. I have doubts due to my past experiences. However, I will refuse to hold back and destroy my own creativity. Bitterness is a very dangerous thing. I plan to jump into this experience and give my best. If it doesn't work out...I'll remind myself of what I've learned, drink another round of Starbucks, and move onto the next chapter.

The Cost of Happiness

As I continue my search for a serious band, I am reminded of what this endeavor has already cost me. I do a reality check with myself often and question whether I have the stamina/desire to continue on. I most definitely do! Giving up at this point is a ridiculous thought that pops into my head on difficult days, but I quickly laugh it off. I think it is normal and healthy to question anything that is consuming your life in every way imaginable. I absolutely love working with a band, but I don't think people realize how difficult and unglamorous this career can be. Like everything that is displayed on the pages of magazines, television, computers, etc...the visions of grandeur lead people to believe so many lies.

My desire to perform rock has cost me more than I ever thought it would. My social life has taken quite a dive. I'm incredibly busy...even without a band. I practice and write every day for hours. I spend time searching for the right musicians, scanning their bios and listening to sound clips. I study and listen to the most successful rock musicians in history. I research the legal and financial aspects of the industry. It is a full time job that doesn't provide a paycheck at this point. I teach private music lessons and play the piano for various ensembles to keep myself afloat. Holding a "normal" job, doesn't allow me the flexibility to travel to rehearsals/gigs and if I accept such a position, I am sealing the deal and essentially saying that I am done with rock. My life would be so much easier if I had a standard "society says it is normal" job, but I would hate my life. There are enough miserable people in the world that have followed society's rules and lies. I refuse to give up my life so that society will be comfortable and pleased with my choices. Having my own business has given me an edge when it comes to staying accountable. I understand that if I don't work hard, I will not have success and it will be my fault. I am able to run a band as a business and keep everyone on task. It is important to set goals and hold to them. I don't enjoy the relaxed attitudes of previous bands that have requested that I learn to relax and have fun. I DO have fun...when we have achieved a decent level of playing. Sounding awful, dreaming about being good "someday" and doing drugs is simply NOT fun for me. I take pride in doing a great job and staying healthy. I work first, relax later. I feel like it would be so easy to have an incredible band in record time if I could just locate like-minded individuals. I am beginning to think that the calibre of musician I desire, is busy hanging out with the unicorns, snipes and leprechauns with the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

The snobbish colleagues of my classical music days have ditched me without remorse. They don't seem to understand my change in genre, but treat me as if I am now inferior. Some of them still think that after I finish with my little bout of "insanity" and come to my senses, I will return to professional flute playing or opera. They just don't understand and how could they? They are miserable themselves. I have found that the only people that truly understand my journey, are those that have gone through a great deal of effort to achieve THEIR goals. Living your life according to what others want you to do, makes your life miserable. It always seems easier to do what others expect of you. However, it is wrong for anyone to impose their ideas and expectations onto another person. People may have the best of intentions, but we all have the right to discover our lives for ourselves. Changing our minds and making mistakes is okay! 

Aside from the hefty financial cost of my sound equipment, I have paid dearly with people. My sister refuses to speak to me. She would roll her eyes at the mere mention of a band. She informed me that I should give up and get a real career that is responsible, so that I may save for retirement. However, she is living society's dream for her life and in terms of finances, I do just as well as she does. The only difference is that I am actually happy with my life. I have seen how she struggles with her desire to be happy and the desire to achieve a certain status. It is sad to watch and unfortunately, it seems to be the standard. As for my friends, the majority are very supportive and encourage me to keep pushing on. There is one friend that encouraged me initially, but later revealed that jealousy was taking hold once I started to have some success. I was hurt and stunned by this, since I had been there to watch this friend have great success in music as well. I can only assume that this is another case of unfulfilled dreams that are the result of settling for what was available at the moment. I understand this, since I used to be in the same sinking boat.

In a perfect world, I would like to see everyone encourage and support each other in pursuing the things that they want...and allowing each other to make mistakes without ridicule. In a perfect world, I would like to find a drug-free, talented, dedicated, success driven, goal oriented band...and maybe a unicorn too!