This is a true story: Boyfriend rolls through a stop sign. His girlfriend, in the passenger seat, says “Hey! you just ran that stop!” He tells her that, after 5pm, stop signs with white borders should be treated like “Yield” signs. She’d never heard that before. “Oh, yeah,” he tells her, “I learned it from a cop buddy of mine.” A … Read More
This is a liberating book and a joy to read. Kleon clearly loves his work. His interest and curiosity carry the book. At the heart of “Steal Like An Artist” is the idea that “We learn by copying.” Kleon writes, “Even The Beatles started as a cover band. Paul McCartney has said, ‘I emulated Buddy Holly, … Read More
When Frank Tate signed me to a record deal with Five Minute Walk, way back in 1998, he was abundantly clear it wasn’t because I was the best, most marketable artist he’d ever met. In fact, what he said was “The songs are pretty bad, actually. But I believe in you and I think that … Read More
It’s tough. I won’t lie. It’s not easy to be a full-time artist. But it’s not like being a Marine. And it’s not like tarring highways or roofing houses. And it’s not like being a Mom. (not even close) My best friend is the father of 4 kids and is a fireman. His station gets … Read More
I used to look high and low for material. I would search hard to ideas upon which to build songs or stores. I don’t fight as hard anymore. Now I stand still more often, watching and listening. Franz Kafka (pictured above) wrote it like this: “You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at … Read More
Is music in the “Christian marketplace” markedly dishonest? Specifically in the way its writers address the darker aspects of life? More so than music made in the broader, “General market” is? In his a Fuller-curated conversation between Bono and Eugene Peterson, Bono suggests as much. I’m not so sure. Let’s see what Drake has to say about the deeper … Read More
In her book Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert is winsome and charming. She is also transparent and earnest. This feels like a book written by someone who has done hard work, grown and isn’t embarrassed in the least about her process. I didn’t love it. But I did like it and think it’s worth reading. SOME SPECIFICS: … Read More
You know those dramatic stories of artists who smoke and drink and binge an stay up all night and ruin their lives on the way to creating? Yeah… don’t emulate those. On the whole, I think healthy people make healthy art. I think the art you make is an outpouring of who you are. And while … Read More
Full disclosure: I’m a Derek Sivers fan. I think he’s brilliant and I’m super thankful for his work. Truth is, had he not invented CD Baby, I’d likely not have made a living as a performing singer/songwriter. This book is, as it turns out, is a memoir of sorts, tracing the history and philosophy behind … Read More
I’ve been enjoying “The Wilderness,” the newest Explosions In The Sky project. I’ve liked a lot of what they’ve done in the past but, to be honest, always found bands like This Will Destroy You or Hammock more interesting. Until now, that is. If you’re a fan of ambient music at all, “Wilderness” is definitely worth … Read More
