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I am a Los Angeles-based twentysomething. I have a profession, and I have a secret life in music, and this blog isn't about any of that. I like Blogger because I can't read what you're thinking.

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Wednesday, November 18   >>

THIS IS AN OPEN CALL FOR ALL MUSICIANS TO RIP THEIR POCKETS

I bought Stevie Wonder's Live at Last: A Wonder Summer's Night DVD last weekend and had a little screening of it at my house that would have probably gone better if I watched it by myself. More on that in a bit.

In the middle of the set, Stevie and his crew cover Chick Corea's "Spain." This is part one, and part two if you'd like to top it off (trust me, you will want to):



The performance got my wheels turning. What I really wanted to do at that point was turn off the DVD, despite how amazing it is, and write a pop song with that rhythmic foundation of jazz. It was a tall order, but if it weren't for this performance, I wouldn't have entertained the idea of getting out of that musical pocket/comfort zone and started writing from a different perspective.

So, if you haven't already, cut the cord from that musical comfort zone of, not genre, but pocket. We are all guilty of falling into rhythmic tendencies that we've made out of habit from our tastes, but, hell, try out a new pocket. Why not even try a rhythmic pocket from a band or style of music you hate?

Start lightly -- simply get out of emphasizing 2 and 4 for an entire day. Sounds easy, but it's a train wreck of a hassle.

I'm also trying this thing where I listen to a record before I play. A lot of people do this (some religiously), but I never had until recently only because I didn't want to ever be directly influenced by a moment in song. I like the spontaneity of "the moment" because it's as pure as it gets. I've learned that a song catalyzing your creativity isn't so bad after all.

Eventually, feeling challenged and intimidated by what you haven't tapped into within the musical universe becomes commonplace and you'll be a wreck every time you play. Fear is a great motivator. QUOTE THAT SHIT.

Or you can just suck a dick and forget I even said any of this and be complicit in being a comfortable musician who will never develop. That's fine, too, but I really don't want you to read my blog anymore. Actually, fuck you. I hope a power chord murders you one day.

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Oh, I'm kidding.

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No, I'm not.

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Yesterday was a big day for me.

It's time to start another band.