Track #3 - Bright Whites

I'm listening to a radio live stream of one of my favorite musicians while at work right now. And this is what come to mind:

It was September, I remember feeling a little bit of nerves mixed with excitement as I stepped into The State Room, a concert venue in SLC. I was about to meet for the first time, someone I felt like I knew yet I had never met. I think a lot of us feel like this at times with our favorite artists, actors, etc. You spend hours watching/listening to the point where you feel invested.

Talking over sushi, K was just as fun as his music. 

After sushi, my friends and I spent the night listening to K blow the minds of the SLC crowd. 

My friends had never heard of him before, but were fans now. We picked up some merchandise, and K was nice enough to signed them. 

Basically, if you haven't listened to his music, you should. 

K, who performs under the name KISHI BASHI, is a fantastic guy, as well as a fantastic musician. 

(skip to 6:20 to hear Bright Whites)

Track #2 - We Don't Want Your Body

Over the years I've talked with close friends who share physical insecurities. Perhaps its not what they lack, but what others emphasize, that adds to this? Do our own and other's looks suffocate us? 

Last night as I talked with a friend, the concerns weighed heavy. We needed to take a break! In the cover of the night we found the closest park and climbed and swung and laughed; back to a simpler time when life's challenges were choices like chocolate or vanilla, or wanting to stay up thirty more minutes. 

This flashback to innocence was quickly interrupted by topics of a more serious nature. Perhaps in later years these issues will seem just as frivolous  as those from our childhood.

The emphasis on physicality in the world around us has a way of jading or diminishing our perception. 

Sometimes noises from all around us confuse us.

And we just need to take a time out and play.

The drive home this song came on:

Though you might not be able to find a connection with what I just wrote and the lyrics to this song...for me, it just worked. 

Track #1 - House of the Rising Sun

My closest friends know how much music means to me. I've always associated "my music" with the influences of my life.

BOYZ II MEN:
Olympia, Washington.
I was 9 years old.
My uncle who was just a few years older than me exposed me to American music. Until then, I never really listened to music, perhaps a little classical when my parents had it on.

The move to America was the first of many to come, and with each move came a greater appreciation for music. Each track would engrave a love for the people and places that I would rely on to become the person I am today.

We will see how long this lasts, but today I've decided its about time to write down some of these connections between music, people, and places.

It would make sense to choose a Boyz to Men song especially since it was the first album I bought and it was one of my earliest exposure to American music, but I've decided to go with something a little different.

HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN

We played this song in marching band...yeah yeah I know...MARCHING BAND? But it was a great arraignment. I can still hear Erik's trumpet belting the melody. The ability to make music was such an instrumental part of allowing me to fit in, and make friends every time I moved. It was music that introduced me to Jae, Erik, Chris, Shannon, Erica, Trisha, Erin, the list goes on and on. And Mr. C, who has since passed away, is still to this day one of the mentors who have influenced me the most.