Thoughts About Rogue One (Spoilers)

December 16, 2016Reviews, Star Wars

Rogue One SPOILERS AHEAD…. proceed with caution… As I said with Episode VII, I don’t know if it is possible to underplay the difficulty of making a Star Wars film. The expectations are high and the emotional connection is so deep. With Rogue One, we can add to that the foreknowledge an audience has of … Read More

Where Do You Find Material?

May 10, 2016Creativity, Reviews

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

BOOK REVIEW: “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert

April 28, 2016Creativity, Reviews

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

BOOK REVIEW: “Anything You Want” by Derek Sivers

April 21, 2016Creativity, Reviews

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