Pop Vs. The Underground: Community Wins (Jay-Z + Eminem Vs. Kweli + Common Edition)

Choosing to be a great artist is an investment. It’s an investment in time and passion and sweat - all poured into captured performances. Because greatness is achieved in the audience’s reactions and remembrances. You can choose more than one type of audience to invest in as an artist.  It comes with tradeoffs.  Some financial, … Continue reading Pop Vs. The Underground: Community Wins (Jay-Z + Eminem Vs. Kweli + Common Edition)

Sunday Music: Alvvays’ “Very Online Guy”

Today in Canadian indie-pop I can’t get out of my head - Alvvays’ song, “Very Online Guy.”  Somewhere in between the out-of-time synths and shoe-gazingly fuzzed-out guitars, there’s a commentary on life and relationships in the 2020s.  The meta-awareness of what we project, of who we are in private, and how any of us are … Continue reading Sunday Music: Alvvays’ “Very Online Guy”

How To Be Authentically Creative (Essay)

This is a collection of recent posts, lightly edited and merged into essay format, on the topic of Authentic Creativity. It was largely inspired by my LifeDesign+ interview on YouTube with Justin Castelli. Justin’s unique ability is to help people organize and simplify their thinking down to the point of action. It’s on full display … Continue reading How To Be Authentically Creative (Essay)

Sunday Music: Making Angel(s)

Jimi Hendrix’s “Angel” has had multiple lives.  This “making of” video snuck up on me. The demos are so cool to hear. Iteration is a magical part of the artistic process.  As 2023 comes to a close, I’m embracing the processes. Digging in. Unearthing, as part of the work, in stages. Happy to copy some … Continue reading Sunday Music: Making Angel(s)

Mary Oliver’s “Lead” And New Beginnings

Mary Oliver’s poem “Lead” wants you to know something.  About yourself. I can’t tell you what it is.  But it has to do with the broken bits.  It has to do with what you do after you break.  After. Next. On the first day. Even when it's not the first-first one. Because... I don't know, … Continue reading Mary Oliver’s “Lead” And New Beginnings