Requiem for Compassion

A Translation from a beautiful Brahms Motet entitled  

Warum ist Licht gegeben (Why Is Light Given):

Why has light been given to the weary of soul,
And life to the troubled hearts? Why?
They who wait for death, and it doesn’t come;
They who dig for it even out of secret places;
Those who almost rejoice and are happy
That they achieve the grave. Why?
And to the man whose way is hidden,
And from whom God himself has been concealed?
Why?

Let us lift up our hearts, together with our hands, to God in heaven.

Behold, we value them as blessed who have endured.
You have heard of the patience of Job,
And the Lord’s conclusion you have seen:
For the Lord is merciful and has compassion!

About two months ago I went to San Francisco. During the visit, I got to see my mom, which was an enormously cathartic experience. I also got to hear an incredible concert put on by the San Francisco Symphony. The program began with some of Brahms' organ preludes and concluded with his requiem. In the middle of the preludes and requiem was his Motet Op. 74, No. 1. I sat there in Davies Symphony Hall feeling instantly alone as the choir first uttered the German word for Why (Warum). I felt cold and held back tears obsessing over the sound of that one word.

Why?

It has been more than a year since my last blog entry. In that time, I have finished grad school, returned to Michigan, begun teaching music and performing it. I'm living the dream that I set into action many years ago. My everyday life, I'm grateful to say, is one where I wake up with freedom to do what I please, enlighten young minds, and make beautiful music. I live.

While I live with the most clarity I've ever had in my life, the world surrounding me devolves into a blurrier place each day.

Warum?

When I hear the first line of Brahm's motet, I think of this country. Our country. It's the iteration of why over and over again that really grips me. At first, and deceptively, Warum sounds bright and promising and wonderful and of great dreams to come. I think of the American Dream. My dream. I think of the life I live everyday. All that is good and possible. But always, the chords that sound afterwords fill me with a deep grief, as Brahms asks, Why again. Perhaps it's the bad that I choose to see where it concerns our country.

Still, I cannot stop asking why to the things I see happening.

Where it concerns race, many Americans are at odds with one another. No doubt it is because of our shared difficulties to navigate our differences. Yet what I continue to wonder is why we rush to judgment and point fingers rather than asking productive questions and extending understanding. If everyone is standing on moral high grounds, are we not again staring each other in the face as equals?

No one is listening.

Why?

There are severe problems in moving forward as a country when laypeople and political pundits alike respond to black deaths by police officers with "what about black on black crime?" I've been asked this questions by countless friends and peers initially wanting to respond, "What about it?" Usually I am more constructive and today I'll stick with that avenue of responding.

Most murders of White Americans (83% of them in 2013) are committed by other White Americans. Black on Black murders surpass our White counterparts' crimes by 7%. To me, I see that murder is an issue, and narrowly a racial one. Equating the deaths committed amongst a category of civilians to deaths between law enforcements and civilians is wrong and disingenuous. Police officers are charged with the responsibility of making split second decisions in order to protect people. It is a hard responsibility, yes. But it is not a handicap. It is simple: for those who have the honor of upholding the law, the standard is higher, as it should be.

I want to be completely open. Mistrust, in my experience, is a legitimate feeling; myself, my family members, friends, and mentors have all experienced varying degrees of foolishness that have caused us to mistrust agents of the law.

Still, us Black Americans are no less responsible for removing productive element of understanding from what could otherwise be a meaningful dialogue. 

There are severe problems in moving forward as a country when Black communities rely on their own versions of rules and regulations to govern themselves. The silence on crime that is rampant in Black communities across this nation is a deafening one. Where has our blindness, deafness, and willful ignorance gotten us? Our children's bodies lie still in premature graves. We fear the places we should feel the safest as we live in the de facto prisons of our homes and neighborhoods. Our silence, and in many cases misplaced priorities, have afforded us nothing but destruction. And moreover, we have been insulated at times from the compassion and protection that the law is meant to show us, as a result of what our culture typifies to others, whether fairly or not.

Let us lift up our hearts together...

 

Can we all acknowledge our ignorance (willful or unintended) and release our collective pride? Let us lift up our hearts together, rather not to ask why but to ask how. How can we heal together and understand one another? We do not have to be seduced into extreme narratives concerning each other and our differences in vocation, in class, nor in race.

For we have here no continuing city,
but we seek the future.

I don't speak German. Were it not for the translations, the text in Brahms' motet were words I would not have otherwise truly understood. It was the sound and spirit of those words, however, to which I was initially listening. That human utterance gave meaning to a word that apart from that performance would have been vague and possibly meaningless. But I listened. I listened first even though I did not understand.

Are you listening?

New Year, New Look... Sorta.

Overhauled my website. Just recorded a new (vocal) cover from Adele's first album; the track is Hometown Glory. I have another recital in March... more tuba to come.

The Met Man, Vans, and Tuba

Got to play with Dr. Denson Paul Pollard (Bass/Tenor Trombonist of The Metropolitan Opera) last week. It was pretty bad ass. My new Vans look pretty good too. Love those shoes. 

Disconnect

Just about everyone in the Free World interacts with the internet in some way. It's a normal condition to be available to a slew of acquaintances, friends, and even strangers at the touch of your cell phone. I watched Disconnect (2012), thinking this would be a mediocre survey of the situations our connections with one another brings us. The surprise was not pleasant. Rather, it was a deeply relevant and honest side of the truth about our relationships, both in real life and in cyber space.

The three story lines weave in and out of each other to highlight the dealings with social media, grief, identity theft, marital and familial relationships, and lots of secrets. Paula Patton and Alexander Skarsgard play a troubled married couple trying to cope with death. Jason Bateman is a lawyer, husband, and father of two high school children; a family living the 21st century American Dream. The other story line takes place between a newswoman and a young guy in the internet sex industry.

Visually, I found the movie very interesting because of the muted colors used in the wardrobes and camera filters. It showed how often we can physically be somewhere but not really be present. The soundtrack was always brooding with angst, anxiety, and loneliness. At the start of the movie, I felt like I was falling and that feeling never went away.

This isn't one of those thrillers where you're trying to string dots together. Instead, you see inevitable misfortunes coming that cut deep, in spite of the foresight. It is a powerful movie.

Story Time: A Wild Wolverine Runs into A Bunch of Poisonous Nuts on the Beach

I'm in Miami Beach, it's after 1AM, and I'm starving after a very long and satisfying Orange Bowl. Honestly, I wanted a smoothie. But there was no one making stuff like that so late, which was weird as it was Friday. Bars and small food joints are open til 4 in the morning. I decided to take a quick walk from the hotel to find some eats. There was one Cuban sandwich place that I remembered was good from the last time I was here or there was Burger King. For some strange reason, I liked the idea of Burger King: they sell beer and they're open 24 hours! Heaven, at least until you have to reconcile your decision to eat crap with a very angry stomach the next day.

It didn't look very crowded inside, as I approached the Burger King door. I see an alarming amount (two guys) in red and white athletic gear. And having just come from the Orange Bowl where I got "Go Blue(d)" at, cursed at, and "you're a brave guy to be wearing that shirt," I was a little on edge. Oh, but that's a Yale dri-fit shirt. Why Yale? Whatever. Not a Buckeye fan. Not a big deal. Don't get me wrong, I can take jeering and I can give it back. But I was tired and I wanted to eat. So this was especially welcome relief.

While I'm waiting, must have been for less than a minute, the far door to my right is overflowing with OSU fans. And they were headed my way to meet up with their lone Yale and OSU fans. Okay, so I'm awake now. Here we go, I'm thinking.

OSU guy: "Are you alone?"
Me: Excuse me? Me?
OSU guy: "Yeah, are you by yourself?"
Me: "Yeah..."
OSU guy: "Oh yeah, go ahead."

I'm thinking okay, how nice. He's letting me cut in line, since there are a good 15 of them that have to order.






Me: "Oh okay. Thanks." Pause... "Wait, what? You mean order?"
OSU Lady: "Yeah. Just do it. It's fine...." Then some other words about how terrible the game was and (joking) how this is a once in a lifetime to get free Burger King from your enemy or something.
Me: "Oh, I thought you just meant I could go ahead of you in line."
OSU Guy: No it's fine. Get whatever you want."
Me: "You sure?"
OSU Guy: "Yeah. Get what you want. What do you want?"
Me: pause. "I'll have a whopper..."

After all of that, these guys start chatting me up and vice versa. The guy and his daughters, wife, friends, all their daughters' boyfriends... all these people were with him. I'm asking where they're from (some Ohio, some Tennessee), they're asking me what I do, where I live, etc. Turns out it was one of these girls' 21st birthday. I hugged her(?). I hugged her. Told her she "might have to take a shower after she touched me," since we're mortal enemies and all.

Having traveled with the football team as a Michigan cheerleader, tailgated near opponents as a Michigan student, gone to other schools to visit friends, blah blah blah... These were some (dare I say) really cool people. Nicest fans I've ever come into contact with. Notre Dame fans were the worst rival experience I've had to date (different story but it involves beer cans, being mooned, cursed at, and four year olds). I don't hate ("THE") Ohio State any less. But I do have a much larger respect for their fan base (who dominated the Clemson fans at Sun Life stadium). I previously perceived OSU fans as being a bunch of Walmart fans, frankly. I've been proven wrong to a large degree. I know that every school has asshole fans, even my own. But when you have an archrival, it's like a socially encouraged permission to be a bigot. One learns to hate sports teams/fans on principal and ask questions later. "Are you here by yourself?" was one of the best questions someone has ever asked me.

Merry Christmas Music Wishes

Hoping to listen to a lot of (non-study-or-academic-related) music in the next two months. I've already found some artists I'm really fascinated with but hoping to dig into even more of them.

Everything Miike Snow

Hooked. Plus I need some new electronic blood in my life. I definitely wore out the last Daft Punk album.

Everything Lianne La Havas 

Again, totally hooked.

Arctic Monkeys' latest album

I've heard two songs; one from early work, the other more recent. They're really interesting.

Beyonce's new album 

I need to figure out what all this fuss is about.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor

I've listened to them while studying for exams. But haven't paid much attention to what's going on.

Lady Gaga Artpop 

I mean c'mon. Applause is pretty weird and cool. The rest of the album has to be worth at least one go around. I know. I'm late to the party

A Great Big World 

Say Something gets some serious eye moisture going for me every single time I hear it. Gotta see what these two dudes are about.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Have a Prosperous New Year!

Girl from The Sun

It started with "Summertime Sadness." I didn't know it was a remix but I didn't care. Those lyrics and that voice; I was hooked. Lana del Rey is bringing originality to mainstream music. I love my repetitive, dirty, stupid pop music. But that stuff is like the process food of mainstream music.

Born to Die, del Rey's latest album, is good from beginning to end. Her words are like well-balanced IPA beer. It's got a hoppy bite;  raw, fresh, and a taste you can't easily get out of your mouth - nor would you want to. It is description, storytelling, and straight up wordsmithing the hell out of the English language:

My old man is a tough man. 
But he got a soul as sweet as blood red jam
And he shows me he knows me, every inch of my tar black soul 

Sweet lord, yes.

Her lyrics also remind me of some of rap's better artists. The expletives and seedy situations that feel essential rather than glib and authentic rather than contrived. Musically, she has a mix of classic rap too. Think dirty trash can drum sounds like Beastie Boys and Run DMC. And then there is an unmistakeable sound of The Western Frontier. The music of Aaron Copland would have you imagining Montana and the Dakotas... Expansive skies, rolling plains, mountains. Born to Die is deserted and reverberant. It emotes loneliness, deep, rusty colors, and long shadows of shanty towns at dusk. It's beautiful.

Lana del Rey's voice is my favorite aspect of her music. And, even though it is unique, it is reminiscent of one of my favorite singers of all time: Karen Carpenter. Lana has a chest voice that, when I close my eyes, sounds just like Carpenter. The way they slide to different notes, the way they pronounce words, the timbre too. The semblance is at times chilling. Just listen to the first five words of the album's first song also called "Born to Die." If you can't hear it, you might be crazy. Also listen to "Off to the Races" and "Video Games."

Besides her ghostly offerings, she invokes many other vocal styles: Gwen Stefani, wiry-voiced cabaret singers. And there's even something secretive and devious in a voice del Rey uses often on the album that reminds me of Marilyn Monroe singing "I Wanna Be Loved By You."

The girl has pipes and she's got the style to know how to use them.

Listen. Now.

Wait, What?

I've lived in Arkansas for a little bit over a year now. As far as football is concerned, I expected a world of change once I got here. I heard all about the SEC before I even got here: tradition was a word thrown around a lot, the rabid fandom, the intense competition. Since I've been in SEC country, the reputation preceding my arrival is still more of a fantasy than it is a reality; at least that is the case with the Razorbacks. Though, I sincerely hope Bret Bielema turns it around here. With all that said, it's safe to say I'm not going to be a diehard fan of SEC football. I respect it and I'll cheer on the Hogs. But I'm a B1G Boy. There is something I've learned here, though. Something I greatly desire as a Wolverine, as an all around supporter of the Big Ten Conference.

Consistency.

There is just something so consistent about the top dogs in the SEC. I'm not talking Razorbacks or UK Wildcats. I'm talking Bama, Missouri, Texas A&M... And I'm not even really talking about wins and losses. I'm talking performance on the field and knowing what team is going to show up. Some of the top teams of the SEC have experienced losses, upsetting ones. It's because they get out played, however.  B1G top dogs look like Pomeranians. We don't get out played, we succumb to self-induced hysteria and, dare I say, ineptitude.

Let's do a fun little connect the dots game, starting with my team. The Michigan that I watched play Notre Dame looked tough. Offensive line protected the QB. The quarter back was on point. Defensive line did a wonderful job. That's the last time during this season that I ever saw Michigan play with an offense and a defense that were on the same page. And, I say this cautiously since it seems like the picks thrown at this game were just a sample of the COSTCO sized quantity to be ordered up later in the season.

Michigan v UConn. Obvious disaster. Michigan wins in scathe and shame, only to retroactively be embarrassed when UConn is wrecked by one of college football's lowest achieving teams (Buffalo Towson). In conference play, I offer you the Michigan - Indiana game. Defense lets 47 points go by. FORTY SEVEN POINTS. Was the Defense asleep? I was asleep, literally speaking. Got made fun of for the rest of the night... On the other hand, Devin (Head Case) Gardner breaks a school record? And if you don't like the phrase "head case," I'm dying to be proved wrong. Seriously, I don't even know what I would do if I was wrong. But the fact is he's unpredictable for a reason that no one has been able to resolve.

Indiana terrified Penn State with a win, as Michigan later loses to Penn State in a battle of who could make the worst coaching decisions. Northwestern takes on TOSU* like champs for 7/8 of the football game and then makes The Nuts look like a great football team at the end. TOSU was the same "powerhouse," top 5 school that, through much labor, struggled to lay down Wisconsin.

Northwestern's loss to TOSU was all a big foreshadow to the massive failure against a team named after an animal that dies often from heart attacks (Gophers). Meanwhile, Michigan State is still watching Youtube videos to learn how to get an offensive touchdown. And as I live and breathe, trying to understand our very mixed up world, Minnesota is poised to embarrass the hell out of Nebraska - the supposed sleeping giant of the B1G.

I'm not turning on my people. I never will. I just can't take being called "The Cupcake Big Ten," with literally nothing valid to say back. It would be nice if the stars of this conference played to their potential and not their fears. Just give me some consistency. Stop playing down to the talent (or lack there of) before you. I'm rooting for you. Millions of us are. But what you're doing is not working. Take your scholarships and millions of dollars in salaries and figure this out. We look very small, very sweet, and very uninterested in sitting at the table with the big boys. If you're going to keep living up to this cupcake persona, you're going to get eaten.

*And that's why you shouldn't call yourself THE Ohio State University. It looks really stupid. 

Good Eats In Arkansas

Went out with a friend of mine to a place that made me feel like I wasn't in (Ar)kansas anymore. It is a restaurant-hotel-museum combination. The museum makes it sound a little gimmicky but believe me when I tell you that this is far from any kitschy Applebee's (gross) or wax museum (creepy) you've ever been to. This is a whole new and awesome world.

21c Museum Hotel's newest location is in Bentonville, Arkansas (just north of Fayetteville). This modest chain has two other locations in Cincinnati and Louisville (KY), with an unfinished development in Lexington (KY). When I stepped inside the Bentonville location, I instantly felt transported to a cosmopolitan center of The States. It has an urban feeling; reads like an NYC loft gallery with brick, wood, and huge windows everywhere. The museum permeates throughout the entire space, from the dining room to the showrooms featuring artists' installations to the fitness room used by hotel guests. I won't tell you how it works but there are also lots of penguins; green ones. It's pretty cool.

The Hive (name of the restaurant) has attentive and knowledgable service staff. The server convinced me to order the grilled pork chop entree. I had not a single regret as I finished my last bite. The presentation lacked the over-sophistication one might expect at a nicer restaurant. This was what I loved most about my dining experience. Sometimes a plate will come to the table and be so fancy-looking that you question whether or not you know how to feed yourself. Not the vibe here. Unassuming, totally chill. The pork chop was smoky and tender. The cranberry beans, zucchini, and peaches balanced out the summer taste of the pork's smokiness. It was soooo good.

Altogether, I'll be back. And soon.

The art gives the restaurant more quirk than Zooey Deschanel but without making you feel worn out. It's great. There are some neat surprises during the meal and at the end of it. Plus you can walk off your food baby by seeing some pretty bad ass art. Attire is casual but jeans and a nice shirt is okay too. And make sure to order some bourbon; the selection is nice and the drinks are perfectly strong.

But We Can: Johnny Manziel, Big Business, Ethics

I'm still all sudsy from my last diatribe about Miley Cyrus reactions...

Today, I'm really confused about the Johnny Manziel NCAA case as it pertains to the fairness of rules. In my previous post I questioned the racial relationship between outrage over Miley Cyrus and the lack of it for pretty much every other black female doing the same thing in the pop music industry (pop, hip hop, and rap alike). I think it's difficult to say what's going on. But if anything is clear, it's that there is an acrid insincerity present in how these situations are viewed and handled when it comes to rules societal (or organizational in Manziel's case).

I am amazed at the discussions and consequent decisions surrounding Johnny Manziel's investigation. Cliff notes version: The Texas A&M quarterback was being investigated for signing autographs in exchange for money. The problem is that NCAA rules do not allow athletes to receive money, gifts, or services for any reason associated with that athlete's association with their college team.

I believe that Johnny Manziel's case decision was too soft based on the current NCAA rules. That's the stubborn pragmatist in me. But I truly question the concept that it should even be considered a big deal in the matter of what is right or just. So what if a kid makes 10K in autographs? A lot of people our age have never seen money like that. Manziel may have, since his family isn't doing too shabby. Maybe it's the reason he got off so easy? Needless to say I've never seen a couple grand for signing my name. Reggie Bush hadn't. Terrelle Pryor never had seen money like that. Neither did Chris Webber. And these are young men we're talking about. Kids thrust into a world of fandom and celebrity that is incredibly overwhelming. These athletes are big deals. You stick them in a totally surreal situation and they are to resist the temptation to do better for themselves? And for what? The team?

College sports is so beyond the team.

"The team" could have been a legitimate argument 50 years ago. But teams are brands now. They're franchises, entities, corporations. These players aren't student athletes. They're athletes who go to school. You can tap dance around it however you want but that's the reality of college sports.

I think the entire issue of college athlete compensation needs to be reexamined and adjusted. Entertaining athletic stipends, allowing personal profit, etc. is a slippery slope. But the reality is that colleges make MILLIONS off these players and their images, literally:

That's Denard Robinson, former Michigan quarterback. Did he get money for this?

Nope.



The insincerity is in the message of the NCAA's rules. You cannot profit off of yourself, your hard work, your talents, your image, your name.


But we can.


Schools make tons of money on jersey sales, concessions, seats sold ($294 is average price for Notre Dame football ticket!), pictures, advertisements, twitter hashtags... the list goes on. And the player gets a degree? Degrees are great. I have one. From an awesome school too. But so do millions of other folks. These athletes do what millions of others can't do. Thus, something about this equation is just wrong. Recent laws guarantee players continuance of scholarship for those injured during activities related to their sport. That's about it. Yet it's entirely normal for big profit college sports to recruit students that wouldn't normally be able to get into some of the institutions they play for. That is, if it weren't for their athletic prowess. And while big name schools have made a concerted effort to individually tailor these players' academic paths for success later, the system often leaves these guys (and girls) high and dry. Of course there are plenty of highly qualified athletes that intellectually meet the standards for attending these schools. It's just that not every football and basketball player is a high achieving neurology major or pre-law student. But it is convenient for announcers and schools to highlight these kinds of players often.

So if the real concern is about players being distracted and fear of discord between teammates, then stop selling jerseys with their names on it. Stop putting their pictures on covers for video games and billboards. Stop deifying them. Quit making them celebrities. And if you refuse, get your scruples together and guarantee them something for their work besides a degree. Their work on the fields and courts isn't earning them good grades. But it sure does get them beat up. Guarantee them that all those concussions they get will be taken care of even after they're done playing for a team. The NFL just settled on a $765 Million resolution like this today. How about a graduation package, with real money, as a humble and deserved "thank you" and a head start for the real world?

Manziel-esque "scandals" have repeated over the decades to various degrees. They will continue to repeat. Yet no one has stood up against the Goliath that is the NCAA. The NCAA needs to handle its business before someone handles it for them. Every Goliath falls.

What Does the Future Sound Like?

As I'm getting into teaching more, I've been trying to incorporate technology into my practices. I use speakers, iTunes, video practice aids, Google sharing yada yada... But what about the bigger picture? The further we press on into this lifetime, the more unclear the relationship becomes between music and computer technology.

It started with music recordings, even before iTunes. Buying records. Then tapes, then CDs, all the way to iTunes 99 cent songs. Now most pop artists make their money on tour sales and merchandise than actual albums.

So what about us classical musicians? Most of us have never seen the day when Tubby the Tuba was topping the charts for record sales. Many of us only know what records are because of thrift shops. (Isn't there a song about those?)

Will the momentum of the digital age carry us to a place where it's normal for our performances to sound like this?  Streaming Internet Used to Play a Duet Between Performers

And if so, what kind of help or harm will this do to our fragile state?

The Metropolitan Opera has already ventured into this virtual world by broadcasting live performances at premiere movie theaters across the country. For a fraction of the cost (approximately $20) and all the latest audio advances at your disposal, you can experience world class art almost at the instant it happens. Educational institutions across the nation are now integrating this idea into their music programs. The University of Arkansas does it for every band concert it puts on.

Of course that brings me back to teaching. More and more people, even ones I know, are exploring the idea of providing private lessons via the internet. It started with Youtube and its seemingly endless database of regular people showing and teaching others how to do things such as cook, change oil in a car, tie a bow tie, etc. But now you can learn how to sing, to play guitar. Even still, with faster internet connections, live lessons over Skype and Google Video Chat are becoming common. There are even specialized websites (here too, and article on subject here) dedicated to the study of instruments with professional musicians as internet teachers. Music programs are suffering all over our Nation's school systems. Reasonably, music could be the next technological frontier. It seems extreme but in many states a student can complete high school courses almost entirely online. Of course, there would have to be real people teaching these courses. But what would the cost for that be? Cheaper labor? Higher quality learning? Less effective teaching?

On the one hand, the accessibility of all this is great. As internet connections move toward a ubiquitous reality, those who may not have geographical access to certain educational opportunities can increase their knowledge.

Music should be enjoyed by everyone. I believe that.

But as this digital force becomes more permanent, what is the trade off? Is the reaction an era of music with a distinct sound created by the lack of human connections? Does it feel colder or less connected?Don't get me wrong, talking with my mom over Skype is great since we live thousands of miles apart. But it's not the same as a hug. This concept is likely true when involving music in many of its facets (teaching, learning, performing). Yet brilliant musicians have seemed to achieve an element of humanity and authenticity using the very thing that simultaneously unites and divides us:


This is the Youtube Symphony's Grand Finale performance. It launched a project in which musicians auditioned by submitting videos. They eventually met in Sydney Australia to perform and rehearse together, lead by one of classical musics well-respected conductors, Michael Tilson Thomas (San Fransisco Symphony).

A more extreme example involves a project called Virtual Choir. It is the brainchild of Eric Whitacre (composer). He uses voices from around the world to create a completely original performance experience. Whitacre combines visual technology with masterful sound mixing with his own compositions.

An extremely, crazy, ridiculous example comes from the Coachella Festival in April 2012. Tupac Shakur, one of raps greatest artists, is resurrected. The hologram was made presumably using samples of the rappers voice but it was also programmed to interact with the other (living) rappers on stage for this "live" performance. The figures spent on this haunting project still remain secret but are estimated in the mid six-figure range:











We have to decide. What does the future sound like?

Miley Cyrus... I Don't Understand

Summer is basically over. I've been working a lot to get ready for school; teaching, practicing, reading... Then I hear from all these people I see everyday about Miley Cyrus. I had no idea what was so bad but I knew to be expecting something bad when I got to seeing it. So I watched it this morning...

Warning: This is a soapbox.



So I don't get it. That is, what is all this shock for? The video for her song is pretty scandalous to begin with. Then Robin Thicke (who I think is great) performs a song largely famous because it features topless women running around a video set for 5 minutes. Then to top it all off, the surprise appearance from 2 Chainz has about 20 girls on stage "twerking" (we called it popping in my day) in booty tight red jeans.

So why all the hate on Miley?

Is it because she used to be sweet? Is it only cool in the music video you watch but when it's live it's suddenly not? Is it because she's a white girl and her "disgusting actions" are something to only be expected and accepted from young black girls in rap videos and MTV VMA performances?  I'm not really sure what the answer to any of that is. But I have to wonder. I think everyone crying shock and disappointment ought to wonder. It is awfully disingenuous to be in shock about Miley Cyrus' performance if you've ever watched 5 minutes of MTV. The last Real World season I saw had a cast member offering a guy cast mate sexual favors on the 2nd episode. Besides this woman's or man's lack of tact or respect, MTV did little to make a viewers imagination work very hard. And that's because on some level, MTV has always been about what's new, what's edgy, what's salacious. MTV isn't PBS. Do you remember the show MTV show Undressed? How about Master P's Back That Thing Up? Come on, people! Nick Cannon has stuff to say, yet he's married to one of pop music's sex symbols... And she decided to get all sexed up long after her 20s. Just sayin. Brooklyn Decker is "too old for this sh*t" but she made her living posing seminude in magazines and on the covers of them.

I'm not saying that Cyrus' performance was some amazing piece of art. It wasn't. I'm not even saying it sounded good. Frankly, she's never been that great of a performer. But for Saturday Football tailgates and college parties, sure, she can bump through my speakers any day. For entertainment, she'll do. That's all it is. I just don't understand where this sudden and hard moral line has come from, both from celebrities and regular people alike. I mean, have you heard the words to Miley's song? It's about partying. What the hell else was a 20s something pop singer talking about when she said "we can love who we want to"?

Don't act brand new. You're not too old. You're not shocked. You're not even that confused. You're playing dumb.

The rules have to be the same for everyone. If it's really that bad, then good for you. Stop watching MTV. Otherwise, take your wishy washy morals somewhere else. Watch a music video at 4 in the morning. You'll wish that Miley Cyrus was the most "shocking" thing you saw.

Drive Baby, Drive

Doing a classic Michigander thing: Going Up North. Can't wait to get on a jet ski and relax away the next five days. Stuck on Brahms, Dionne Warwick, and Stars (coincidentally their album named North). Weird mix but it's doin it for me. 

Collard Greens: From Southern Cooking to Mainstream?

I was raised on collard greens, among other things. I just thought they tasted good. My mom cooked them because they were cheap. Now folks are saying that they're really good for you. Who would've thought?

Courtesy of Details Magazine

Move Over Kale: Why Major Chefs Are Adding Collard Greens To Their Menus: The Daily Details: Blog : Details

Against the Grain

I have a new Dallas Green cover (of City and Colour) on my website. The music is an original arrangement written and played by me; all vocals performed by myself as well. I'm not the best audio mixer... You might want some headphones or computer speakers.

Looking to record some music with tuba soon. Any pianists in town for some baroque fun?

Against the Grain Cover

Dallas Green has an awesome voice, sick writing skills too. Wish I could see him in concert but haven't had the chance yet. The original song:

Buddy Holly, A Torah, and Four Vampires Walk Into a Room...

On the recommendation of one of my very best friends (Brandon Murray), I listened to Vampire

Weekend for the first time in my life. Their new album, Modern Vampires of the City, is an aural collage so awesomely constructed of old things from many parts of the world. It is a masterpiece. It uses  music and religious concepts to create an entirely unique sound, vibe, and experience for the listener. To be clear, it is not a religious work, for those of you who are not familiar with Vampire Weekend. I've separated all these different sounds into separate talking points on this blog. But the truth is that these concepts all appear in endlessly exciting combinations throughout the album. It's almost overstimulating to listen to.

Some of the song titles are reference the Torah (Old Testament) with names like Don't Lie and Ya Hey (a play on the Hebrew title for God, Yahweh), while others have more subtle religious allusions (e.g. Everlasting Arms, Unbelievers, and Worship You). Given that the lead singer Ezra Koenig identifies strongly with the Jewish faith, it is not so surprising.

What I found more surprising was the musical and textual content of the album. In songs like Obvious Bicycle and Young Lion there are some strong similarities between the vocals and chant associated with ascetic ritual of some religions. In these songs the vocal lines stretch out syllables in slow melismatic contours. Combined with a lot of reverb and (sometimes) subtle choral accompaniment, suddenly you feel like you're in a great cathedral, temple, or synagogue. It's beautiful. Textually, Ya Hey is full of religious allusion, "Zion doesn't love you... Babylon don't love you." "I am that I am" is repeated in the chorus numerous times; this is a verse from Exodus 3:14 that Moses spoke to God. In the second verse, Ezra addresses God directly (is he supposed to be Moses?):

Oh, good God

The faithless they don't love you

The zealous hearts don't love you

And that's not gonna change

There's more stuff like like this all throughout the album. Clearly I find it fascinating but I won't go on being a geek. 

Well except for this: A blatant Baroque aesthetic shows up on the third track entitled Step. Pachelbel's famous Canon in D sequence serves as the harmonic foundation of the song even though Step transposes the sequence so that it is in B flat Major. The song is accompanied by choral voices (as are many in the album) and a harpsichord. There are also several songs heavily coated in the 50s rock tradition. Elements that put you in the mind of Buddy Holly and the Crickets (Peggy Sue). And of course, I mean the sound is more similar instrumentally than it is in vocal style. Diane Young and Finger Back are great examples of Vampire Weekend's eloquent stylistic quotations. There are some cool jazzy bass lines that you can find hidden in Hudson. And there are some songs hinting at drinking song/Gaelic folk, reggae, and something that just reminds me of Michael Jackson (like PYT Michael, not Thriller Michael).

Super cool.

This is a supreme example of artistry to me. Now, I've gotta go back to see what I've missed from these guys' past projects.

CauliMash

I haven't been this excited about something I made in a long time. Seth is on a quest for low/no carb food. Since I don't eat bread or potatoes very much in the first place, it makes things pretty easy for me. He suggested cauliflower as an alternative to mashed potatoes. I was skeptical because I think cauliflower smells like fart. But then I remembered that apples were cousins to potatoes, possibly avoiding gross smells and weird texture. Turns out I was right. The recipe below is what I came up with just today and it was delicious.

What You'll Need:

• A Blender
• 1 Head of Cauliflower
• 1 peeled and cored Fuji Apple (I only used about 80% of it and ate the rest)
• 1-2 Cups of water
• 1 Clove of finely chopped Garlic
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 2 tsp of unsalted butter
• appx. 1 Tbsp of light cream cheese
• 1/2 cup of milk
• Parsley Leaves

What To Do:

1. Cut the head of cauliflower into snack-sized pieces
2. Cut the apple into small chunks
3. Put the cauliflower and apple pieces in a medium sauce pan with the water
4. Steam for 20 minutes or until the cauliflower is easily broken with a fork
5. Empty water from pan
6. Add butter and cream cheese
7. Further break the apple and cauliflower into smaller pieces
8. Mix in the remaining ingredients (salt, pepper, garlic)
9. Move the contents of the pan into the blender
10. Add Milk
11. Blend or puree until the consistency is smooth
12. Pour contents of blender back into the sauce pan
13. Garnish with parsley
14. Enjoy

Like I said, it was quite good. You can eat it with anything you'd eat mashed potatoes with. I really like baked chicken and green beans. I wish I had a picture but we ate it all.

The Savvy Musician

I feel like I'm about a century behind everyone. But in case you're even more behind the times than I am, check out this website. For any musician with big dreams, Savvy Musician is helpful, encouraging, and forward looking. Thanks to a friend, I've seen the light. I'm into it. Thanks, Kiki.

Doin' It Right

This album is what I need. For one, its release gives me hope that Daft Punk will come back to The United States at some point. When I discovered them about 6 years ago (late, I know), they were doing their final appearance in The States. Of course, with me being in a freshman in college in Michigan and the concert happening in Las Vegas, I did not go. Now, there is a sliver of hope that they will be back. I do hope it happens.

In the 60s I wasn't a thought. In the 70s and early 80s, I was a hope and dream, maybe. This new Daft Punk album is taking me back in time to groovy days and phone parties. Or at least, that's what I imagine was the case back then.

The music on this project is a fun reminder of the past, hence "Random Access Memories." It does not forsake today's connotations of "dance music," as there are plenty of electronic manipulations of instruments, voices, and effects. It does however possess a decided mood of what dance music was circa the 60s and 70s. It's smooth, organic, and beautiful. You can dance, take a ride, lay out on a beach somewhere... It makes so much sense.

The whole album is my favorite. But here is one called Touch and their latest single Get Lucky.

Get it now.

Touch feat Paul Williams

Get Lucky feat. Pharell Williams*

*He's producing the soundtrack to the sequel of Despicable Me 2. Can't wait to hear it. If you haven't seen the first movie or heard the soundtrack to it, it's worth it. 

40 Yard Fake and Acid Dreams

Summertime is (almost) officially here. For me, it's been here since May 11.

THANK GOD.

Lots of driving, hanging out with friends, catching up with sports (moment of silence for The Red Wings), drinking, eating... It's been great.

Of particular note was the trip Seth and I took to Paris. We flew to London first, staying long enough to eat a little something, taxi through the city, and then hastily catch the next train to Paris. We went through "The Chunnel," which I slept almost the whole way through. I assume it was pretty boring, given the whole dark tunnel part.

Once we woke up, Paris was in our midst. It was graffiti-laden and beautiful. Also very dangerous. If people feel like they'll die in New York City traffic, then go to Paris once and you'll appreciate your life in an instant. The driving there is CRAZY. Like I saw three accidents crazy. And I was only there for a week. Besides constantly dodging death, we had a swell time. The city is like a living museum. Everywhere you go is old. Even convenience stores and bars are edifices with hundreds of years of history.

My favorite part of Paris: The Food (and drink).

Breakfast: Paul's. It's a chain but it's fresh and delicious. The ham in the omelet I had was incredible.
Lunch: Just about anywhere is great. You can grab a sidewalk spot, some coffee, and people watch for hours. I will say, ketchup is really different over there. Should you get french fries, be warned.
Dinner: Chez Fernand. Great wine list. Many options. Fresh vegetables. Very kind. My favorite place above all places.

Least favorite part of Paris: The Eifel Tower.

It's a 40 yard fake: Good from far. Far from good.

Don't misunderstand me. The view from it is incredible. And again, looking at it from afar is very nice, especially at nighttime. But up close it is brown. Like dirty brown. And apparently, Parisians feel the same way. Got some great pictures from up top. And since Seth is terrified of heights, we didn't stay long. Sorry, not sorry.

All I ever heard about France and Americans was that they don't like us.  I think that as long as you make an effort to indulge the French culture, they'll meet you part of the way. Either we were really lucky or my French was so bad to the point of charm. Regardless of the reason, our experience was enjoyable and without any major complications (besides getting lost a lot, which I happen to enjoy).

-----------------------------------

Two days ago, Seth and I got back from Las Vegas for his cousin Corey's bachelor party (also for his soon-to-be cousin's bachelorette party). This was my second stint in Vegas. Four days of Hangover worthy fun in the sun, dancing in the dark, and a lot of stuff in between.

The highlight of this trip was Kaskade. He is an electronic music phenom.

Getting there was long.
Once we got inside it was hot.
We waited for two hours.
My feet hurt.
Then it started and it all made sense.

WHAT A SHOW! There were lasers, ballerinas, whacky colors on an enormous screen, flashing lights, disco balls, cold steam guns... I felt like I had been transported to a time when LSD was flowing and free love was the law. The music, of course, was awesome. Kaskade does this things where he starts new loops on up beats and using the craziest subdivisions. It's jarring and exciting and fascinating. It's improv taken to a new level that I've never heard, at least not in person. So cool.

That night/morning, I didn't sleep for nearly 24 hours. A plane ride back to Michigan at 6 in the morning makes sleeping useless when you're done carousing at 4AM with packing left to do.
It's been a great three weeks of summer so far. Now I've got to be productive. Looking for the motivation...