YOUR MUSIC GURU

September Update

2020-09-30T14:53:00.005-07:00

I just recently engulfed myself in a music challenge for myself: to create a song a day in 30 days. I'm currently in the midsts of the challenge. I'm doing this because I've done this the past two years and it was most definitely some of best learning experiences I've ever had. It got me out of musical ruts and forced me to think outside of the box. The journey was also inherently therapeutic. I explored new dimensions of emotions and looking at life. Sure, I've had my off days and produced "crap" songs; but then on others I was filled with so much fulfillment, joy, and love.

I will begin to post more regularly once this challenge is over. I'll be sure to share some insight and lessons learned from my 30 DAY CHALLENGE. And then it's time to put most of my focus in getting my album ready for launch at the beginning of the year.

To whoever is reading this now. THANK YOU for taking the time be a part of this.

YMG

Eyes Closed, Open Mind

2020-08-31T20:21:00.004-07:00

Virtually every day for nearly 9 years I have been dreaming of creating and releasing my first EP/Album. I have missed every deadline I have set for myself. I feel I cannot truly be free and move on to the next chapter of my life until this is finally released into the world. I have, however, made the most progress this year than anytime before. I'm so close to where I want to be. I can't give in. I'm putting this out to the world that on January 1st, 2021 I will finally release my first album:

EYES CLOSED, OPEN MIND

New Music Friday

2020-07-31T23:43:00.004-07:00

NOTE: I realize I haven't posted this month. It was my intention to post at least a few times a month. I know this month will only be once but I won't make that a habit. I'll be building this up and continue to expand through a myriad of ways. Thank you for your continued support.

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY

Chances are you've heard the term. And if you haven't before then you just did. This is a relatively recent change to the music industry. For a long time new music used to come out on Tuesdays. There's more music being released more than ever and that means there's a lot good and bad to sift through-or not at all if you're lazy or don't care about music. Some people are so self-assured that there is no more "good" music these days or that "back in my day music used to be good." Nostalgia can be a good thing, but many people still believe that there's hardly any good music out today-or at least not a lot that many can relate with. These people are stuck in their own bubble of self-absorbed elitism and laziness.

Most people don't want to go through the effort to find new good music. Get out of your comfort zone and expand your horizons by listening to something novel and fun. Make it a new routine or tradition. Get together with friends or loved ones and put some time aside and learn to listen and feel again-in whole new ways.

Lately I've begun to make New Music Friday something to look forward to; wether it's by myself or with friends or family. Find a nice cozy spot, prepare a snack and something to drink, kick back and listen to some new music and allow yourself to feel, listen, and reflect on these new creations. Really feel the extend of the power of music. People literally get creative ideas in their head, make a song out of it, work with producers and engineers to masterfully construct it into reality, and eventually this gets mixed and mastered to be released so someone like YOU can feel a unique way or inspire you to feel alive or to make life better for you or those around you. So spark some more joy, creativity, and fun in your life by making NEW MUSIC FRIDAY a new routine to look forward to.

Music is a tool. Music is fuel. Music is LIFE

The Future of Music Festivals (Post Covid-19)

2020-06-21T14:37:00.000-07:00

This year isn't going the way that I anticipated. I envisioned myself experiencing multiple music festivals this year. I've had such transformative experiences at countless festivals-from The Vans Warped Tour, Ozzfest, Lightning in a Bottle, and many others. My experiences at festivals have been some of the most memorable, immersive, and life-changing times in my life-from connecting with friends and strangers in new ways to living a multi-sensory adventure of music through a creatively-fueled environment full of wonder. However, amid the waves of pandemic sweeping across the whole world we have seen virtually all festivals postpone or cancel until next year.

Coachella and Stagecoach have been rescheduled for October, and now it has again been postponed until April 2021-and even that is still up in the air since there is no general consensus on how to deal with this issue. Will vaccines be mandatory for being allowed entrance into an event? Will people be allowed in if they sign a waiver? How will social distancing be enforced? How will this impact the social climate of music festivals in the future?

I forsee two polar extremes on the scale for the new "normal." Some people will go to festivals wearing a face mask (or on the high-end, a Micrashell) for the majority of the experience. On the other extreme will be people foregoing the hassle of a face-mask because they value connections and communal festival experiences rather than choosing to live in a perpetual state of fear or dread. Countless people are still going to want to hug, dance, and mosh with friends and strangers. And of course there will be people who will play a balancing act with the two polar opposites of this new way of living. Who is right? Are we risking the health of people going? What is the appropriate measure we should be taking? There's no easy answer to this.

I'm longing for the opportunity again to gather with my friends at music festivals where we can connect, embrace, and create experiences that will incite massive change in the consciousness of humans. Festivals have such tremendous power of sparking radically positive change in the hearts and minds of humanity. It brings people together in novel and memorable ways that inspire growth, creativity, and community in more ways than people initially realize. I don't want a future where concerts and festivals are confined to the limits of "social-distancing," which inevitably leads to an influx of fear, hostility, and disconnection. Will this further the divide with people, or will this somehow instill a stronger bond for connection and festival experiences? Now, more than ever, people are yearning for human connection and live music. I feel it won't be a seamless transition to the new "normal." There will be opposition and disinformation. Not everyone will have the right answers initially. There will be major setbacks. The live music experience will be altered in some ways because of this pandemic. But I'm holding my head up high for everyone to pull through and to make live music even more of a powerfully immersive experience than it already has been. We will have to learn to be patient with this transition and do our best to adapt.

What do you believe is the future of live music?

Earworm #1 - "Outer Wilds" - Andrew Prahlow

2020-06-08T19:17:00.001-07:00

NOTE: This is going to be a continual series of musical explorations investigating Earworms and their effect on human consciousness.

An EARWORM is a "piece of music that continually repeats through a person's mind after it is no longer playing."

Chances are you've experienced a wide-variety of earworms. Last Christmas I noticed a multitude of Christmas songs that got stuck in my head for much of the day-and the effects lasted for weeks. Sometimes it can be joyful, and at times it can be a nuisance. Distractions can help, but sometimes a fast remedy is to actually listen to the song stuck inside your mind.

With the right song, presence, and a healthy mindset an earworm can work wonders to one's joy, creativity, and well-being. So do your best to get the right songs in your mind by being more mindful.

This song "Outer Wilds" by Andrew Prahlow has been an earworm for me from time to time (and especially now). I practiced playing along to the song on my guitar for a bit, and then the song played in the back of my mind throughout the whole day. I felt a surge of peace and creativity hovering around me from this effect.

The banjo melody is simple, but incredibly catchy in it's ability to spark comfort, bliss, and nostalgia that is glistened with mystery and adventure. This song makes me think of exploration, camping with friends in the wilderness, and reconnecting to our child-like wonder. It almost has a lullaby vibe interconnected with folk roots from outer space.

What do you feel when you listen to this? Share your thoughts below.

And if you get the chance be sure to check out the video game to experience this music as an interactive adventure.

Thank You For Finding Me

2020-06-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

Music. It's the one thing that I know best. I consume a ridiculous amount of music day to day. I am consistently listening to new and old music to continuously expand my musical horizons. I also play multiple instruments and building my way up to one day become a composer for film, television, & video games. I feel I have an innate sense in finding the the perfect music to match any visual, mood, or multi-media creation.

The purpose of this blog is to share my gifts of music with humanity. Music used in the right time and mindset can create magical tools of self-improvement for happiness, fulfillment, motivation, and so much more.

Many people get stuck in a minuscule bubble of music and that is all they will ever know. Some people are completely self-assured that hip-hop, polka, or classic-rock is the greatest thing ever. Unique genres of music can have transformative effects on one's psyche. Time and time again I've felt these as epiphanies or even spiritual experiences. I've found ways to use music to amplify my happiness and gratitude for life, as well as trigger my motivation to work out harder or create music in newfound ways. Music may be the one panacea to unite humanity and to ensure the brightest future possible.

This blog will be a continuous music experiment with the aim of providing people with the tools to use music to level-up one's life. I'll provide music hacks, song analyses, new playlists, and many more surprises.

Feel free to connect with any question or suggestions in mind.

The Healing Power of Music