jck

I've been writing some new music. It's been awhile since I've felt that I have anything important enough to say or felt to put down to music. Lyrics to me are a vital component to the writing process. I'm tired of music like Kesha or Lady GaGa that is just so pop it's lyrics lose out in the quest to make the hook so strong. I want substance. I want depth. "brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack" is not depth. It's stupidity.

If you like Kesha, I'm sorry. I should clarify this - I'm sorry you like Kesha, not for what I said about her - lol. I got the opportunity to see Glenn Hansard and Marketa Irglova perform at Ravinia here in Chicago last summer. It was brilliant. It was inspiring. Everything about their performance oozed artist - the stories of the songs, the songs themselves, their musicianship. Everything was wonderful.

Kesha is a manufactured pop-whore.

So while I look to artists (real artists) for musical inspiration, my own music doesn't just sound like my influences. A mentor of mine once said that "a good artist uses the reference but is not chained to it." I use my influences, but don't feel the need to copy them. I want to create something uniquely my own. Thought I know that there is nothing new under the sun, I can put my own perspective into my songs. My own spin on things. My own passions. Glenn is great with passion.




Pearl Jam is one of the best rock bands ever. I hate it when people complain that they're "not as good" as they were and that the've been on a steady downward spiral since their first record.

Lies. Dirty-dirty lies.

They're great. If you don't believe me - keep it to yourself.




Chris Cornell's cover of "Billie Jean" is a brilliant interpretation. Genius. A friend of mine said that there are some songs you just don't touch and this is one of them. I disagree. If you cover a song - DON'T make it sound like the original. Why be derivative? Make it yours. Own it. Be it. Re-invent the song for you and your audience....




Speaking of making a song your own...




Scottish band Clor is a fav of mine - killer music and great vocalist. I especially love how he doesn't try to hide his accent in the music like some overseas bands tend to....




So - I'm gonna stop talking and get back to some music making....
JCK