Not primarily. I think your primary calling is to love the world and those to whom you’re given. Art may be the way you go about doing that. But that may also change. Here’s why I think this is important to grasp: I’ve seen wonderful, gifted women and men run out of steam in one … Read More
Month: May 2016
Stop Signs And The Truths We Get To Tell
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
BOOK REVIEW: Austin Kleon’s “Steal Like An Artist”
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
Think Long Term
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
@ Sea Podcast #2: busbee
The @ Sea Podcast #2, featuring songwriter/producer busbee, is at iTunes now. Mike Busbee (busbee) is a songwriter and producer working in Los Angeles and Nashville. If you’ve listened to pop music at all in the past few years, it’s very likely you’ve heard and enjoyed busbee’s work, as performed by Pink, Rascal Flats, Kelly Clarkson, Garth … Read More
How Hard Is Making Art?
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
Where Do You Find Material?
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
Captain America, Batman And Why I Need Comics
I’m going to see Captain America: Civil War tonight. Why? Because I’m a nerd of sorts? Sure. But also because life is complicated and the lines between right and wrong or good and evil (not to mention between good and best), seem to always be blurred. So, I’m going to this film for the same reason I read … Read More