Why we do, what we do?

This is an impromptu blog. Today I've been thinking a lot about why I am a musician and what I try to say and do with music. The question I've been contemplating is 'WHAT SORT OF MUSICIAN DO I WANT TO BE'?  I think it's pretty important.

I didn't start out playing with any of this in mind. I started drums basically because my brother became a musician, formed a band and the band rehearsed at my parents' house. I saw that big drum kit setup and couldn't help but want to play the thing - simple as that. I played in some (aweful) bands in high school and by the end of it I somehow decided I wanted to study music at college for a year, and after college I somehow got into uni to study music. Up until 4th year of university I didn't 'get it'. Music that is. I wasn't a musician, I was a drummer and a pretty shit one at that. My time wasn't great, my touch was terrible and my listening skills were rank. I wasn't even that into music, certainly not in the way I am now.

But sometime in April 2009 I feel I started to 'get it' a bit more. I went to a masterclass and then a gig and I was inspired in a way I had never been before. It was like when that spoilt brat in Gran Torino looks under the dust sheet in Clint Eastwood's garage to find that shiny, untouched, green sports car that oozes nostalgia, beauty and reminds people of when high quality, mass-manufacturing was an industry not only reserved for the tiger economies.

I'm not going to bother to tell the story of April 09, it'd sound pretentious and wanky. However, since that day i've really seen music and drumming in a new light. Here's my outlook:

I play drums because I love music. When I sit down on a drum kit on a stage I feel empowered and comfortable, I feel like I can speak clearly to people. I think that when people watch me play they might be able to see and hear some of what's going on in my head, and I definitely feel that some of personality comes across when I play. I'm not up my own ass though. I know there are bags of people of there who are so much better than I ever could be. That said I truly believe that every musician can have their own voice, and there are people who claim to really enjoy my playing ahead of other drummers - both musicians and non-musicians. Unless all these people are liars (possible to be fair) then maybe something I do on the drums gives other people pleasure in way some other drummers don't. Maybe.

On the flip side of that I know there are things I do on the drums that a lot of people don't like - again both musicians and non-musicians. There are also things I cannot do on the drums that people would like to heae. Some of these things I can remedy and some I cannot - the ones I can't will probably shape me more as a musician than anything else.

People's imperfections say more about them than anything else; take my favourite mixed-martial artist for example. George Saint-Pierre is a role model for me and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world...I think the reason I like him so much is that he isn't as naturally gifted as Anderson Silva when it comes to boxing. Nor is he as naturally giften at Royce Gracie at Jui-Jitsu. Nor does he have the chin of Chris Levin (he once got knocked out by Matt Serra in a freak defeat that he later avenged in pretty epic style).  But he is incredibly intelligent and he is incredibly good at athletics. This has made his the fighter he is - he is the perfect strategist (He doesn't have the best chin in the world so he fights in a way that keeps him out of high risk positions where opponents could expose this) and the most explosive mixed-martial-artist around...no-one has the plyometric power he does. What makes him argueably the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet is the way he was made the most of his strengths and addressed his weaknesses as best he can.

So yeh in regards to music - I got some good things and some bad things going on. And I guess we all do - no matter where we are in the hierarchy. And in my own regards to music I think I want to 'say something, and say it as clearly and as well as I can'. That means using creativity and technique together create the best music I can. I'm not overly arty - but a bit of arty farty crap doesn't hurt now and again, so long as you can back it up with the goods (ie good music - whatever that is).

In my work as a musician I encounter lots of other musicians who have varying attitudes to music. We're not all in it for the same reason, that is a given. I've come across a lot of people who's attitudes are quite different to mine - and I've learned loads from them. In fact the fact they disagree with my approach or feelings about music has made me grow as a musician and question my own opinions. That said there are a few polar extremes I still don't get:

1 - The Scientist


The Stereotype
The person that has all the chops and sees music as a competitive sport. They want to be fastest, strongest meanest. They often love the term 'technical' e.g 'technical drumming'.

What I don't like about this
Chops mean nowt without musiciality - without intent and good contect chops can be totally rank. Also i feel that technique is a means to an end and that music isn't borne out of a need to showcase technique, in fact I feel technique is born out of the need of the player to play the music he wants to be able to play.

What I like about this
People who spend a lot of time on the chops side tend to respect their instrument and they have the ability to not be limited by their technique - provided they are not guided by it.

2 - The Creative Hippy


The Stereotype
The person who is perhaps only interested in the creative side of music. Trying to not conform to the existing parameters of music

What I don't like about this
Being creative is awesome but it's not a sin to be influenced by other music. Sometimes the creative hippies arn't exactly technically solid either - and sadly in my eyes the execution and presentation of the ideas and concepts in a piece of music are as important as the idea. Just as you can't polish a turd, you've got to make sure a fine piece of art isn't easily mistaken for a turd due to it's poor presentation! Additionally just because something is innovative it doesn't make it good

What I Like About this
Creativity is important and most of my favourite artists have made their own mark in music by doing something different from their contemporaries.

3 - The Scene-ster


The Stereotype
Not sure this needs much of an introduction but everyone knows someone who makes music to be part of a scene and are often more worried about image and being cool than the music itself. Perhaps the person will make and perform  music in a particular way to appeal to that scene.

What I don't like about this
Most things - to me good music speaks to a large demographic of people and reaches across boundaries. Maybe i'm being cheesy, naive and a bit of a dick though. But yeh - the idea music is made to speak to a specific type of person isn't one that I agree with it. Additionally the idea you have to dress, look or act in a certain way to make your music believable or appealing makes me want to spew my guts out.

What I Like About This
N/A


I guess at the end of the day everyone gets their own thing from music, including the people I disagree with. And the people that pay to hear music do so for different reasons so my opinion counts for sod-all...APART FROM my prejudices and opinions have helped me realise what kind of musician I want to become. And that is super-important if we are to learn and develop in a way that suits us best. So maybe next time you contemplate what kind of musician you are, or want to be maybe you'd be better thinking about the things you don't want to be. Add that to your strengths and weaknesses, and how you think you can best combine the two - any maybe you'll come to the same conclusion as me: I don't know, and I don't care I'll just keep learning, keep loving music, and keep on doing my thing.

R

When life give you lemons - man up!

Work
What I've been up to lately


It's been a while since my last blog since which I've had some pretty major ups and downs but all in all it's been a good start to the new year. 




2010

Looking back - 2010 has been quite a year. It was the first year I've worked full time as a musician, and it was the year I graduated from uni too (no coincidence these came together). It's been a pretty amazing journey so far and despite some recent hiccups I'm glad I've chosen music as my profession. Looking the last 8 months there are a lot of things that make me smile, here's a few things:


- Going to New York City and being lucky enough to perform, as well as catch some of my favorite players play intimate gigs. That trip changed my life - if it wasn't for that I'm not sure I'd still be doing music. Before I went I was extremely close to selling all my music gear and starting again, really I was!

- Playing in Hungary with Homework. I heard some amazing music and the people I were just so lovely. I want to go back so bad. There was some seriously good banter and some good stories from that trip too. None of which I can mention on here!

- Getting the Carrie Mac gig. I owe a certain guitarist a lot for putting my name forward. Cheers Pal. Not only have I had a pretty awesome musical journey so far, I've made some damn good friends, and met some awesome musicians. Playing to 10,000 people at the SECC was pretty special, and racking up a food bill of over £1250 in 5 days between 5 of us on tour was pretty cool too!

- The Discordian Trio reunited! The Discords were on hold for a year while Craig was honing his Jazz chops in the states, and it felt so good to play with these guys again. We've been doing our thing for a couple of years now and we've grown and developed so much in that time - I'm constantly getting pushed and inspired by them. We've properly cut our teeth together in the jazz world (and still very much are still doing so). Currently working on a new album, watch this space

- there are so many more that I won't bore anyone with but when I think about it a lot has happened: from musicals to free-jazz; high-profile r&b sessions to playing taking a ceilidh gig in Ireland and coming within minutes of missing my flight to Turkey; sold-out pop arenas to a dance/rock gig to an empty room; late night recording sessions that turned into a crazy party leading to a stupid bet involving me eating dog food... and pretty much everything in between. 



2011


So on to 2011 - well it's been a strange start to the year. I was due to be doing some touring in Jan and Feb, and had cleared my diary to do so, but unfortunately due to circumstances beyond everyone's control the tour didn't happen for the band. No one's fault really, but it certainly made me sit up and realise that I had to get some work for the next couple of months. 


Thankfully I've rolled with the punch and a lot of positives have come out of it. I've got enough work coming in to keep the wolf from the door and i'm using the free time to try and get myself in order - back running and training for the martial arts, as well as being involved with a lot of music projects. My diary is also filling up pretty rapidly between March and October so it's all good. 


Musicy things which I'm looking forward to in 2011 in no particular order:

• My solo album - it's taking an age but i'm getting there
• The debut Homework album - it's almost finished should be done by the end of the month
• The 2nd Discordian trio album - just started writing for it
• The 'as yet unnamed' big band which is tip top secret at the moment
• Carrie Mac - think this is going to be a big year, watch this space
• Zack Moir Collective - new recordings are on the agenda as is some more writing - giggity
• Stu Goodall Band - we're reworking some stuff, and Stu's got some big plans for 2011. Can't wait already
• Flux Velociraptor - again recordings on the horizon

Listening Post

Some things I like at the moment:

Coltrane  'A Love Supreme' - I know it's a total classic and a bit of a cliche to even mention it but it kind of passed me by a bit 'til now. I can't say anything more than this is better than I can even appreciate. Truly tremendous. 

Miles Davis 'On The Corner' - Cheers to Craig MacFadyen for getting me listening

Norman MacKay's Ceilidh Experience 'Kitchen Criminal'  - totally pumping trad. So good. 

Mario Caribe ' Hands On

Oz Noy 'Oz Live

Play

Stuff that doesn't have anything to do with music

• Looks like GSP and Anderson Silva will finally fight this year to see who is the best pound-for-pound mixed martial artist in the world. Oh boy, I can't wait. I have to admit though, given GSP is my role model, I hope he wins or I might be in a bad mood for a long time. 
• What's been happening in Egypt -  totally inspiring that (mainly) peaceful protest can be so effective. Here's hoping people get the democracy that they want.
• I'm pretty sure  got a 'cheese hangover' last week - don't mix your cheeses folks...

R