Posts Tagged ‘musician’

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Who Hijacked Reality / #601 So many great artists never get noticed, what a shame..

Monday, October 24th, 2011

 

 

Journal Entry #601

October 24th, 2011

It seems like an impossible task at times; in fact most of the time as the odds are stacked against you. Trying to get your work out in the public eye is a daunting task. Sure I am coming from my perspective here but I can sympathize with so many other artists.

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Gary David Currie

We want so many things to go viral but the truth is that nut shots, stupid accidents, boy singers, cats doing dumb things and people with sob stories especially with missing limbs are the ones that do go viral.

Comment;

-Yeah. Seems what goes viral has to contain a certain formula. Gross, Cute, Shocking, or a Tear Jerker.

Now as a musician and artist I of course want my art heard and seen. Hell I work hard and invest not only time and money but integrity in perfecting my craft so the goal is to get it out there and let people be the judge. The problem is getting it out there. Sorry if I seem like I am whining here but since this is my journal I think I am entitled. I really do feel we have a great product for lack of a better term as artists like to think of their work as something more but really in the end it will be a product but if the people don’t want it then they don’t want it.

The feedback has been great for our latest video and song but again it seems impossible to get it out there.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM5isP5O0hk

“What I Have To Say” by The FREEMAN www.thefreeman.net

I have to admit when I see a Justin Bieber video for a Christmas song get 16 million views in a week I run through a range of emotions but clearly that is what a certain group of people want.

So I will keep trying and putting what we do out there the best we can. I enjoy the process and I am very proud of the finished product but it would be nice to get some recognition and make some money if at all possible. To make a living at what you love to do is the ultimate goal.

So many great works of art will go unseen, unheard and unappreciated while in my opinion so much crap will get noticed. That is just the truth and the way it is.

I guess the thing that really bothers me is that people are not willing to give others a chance. Take Face Book or other social networks for example what harm do you do by just sharing the work of a hard working unknown artist so that they can get some exposure. Imagine yourself in their place. Even worst than that is that most hard working artist will not share and in fact I find them the worst for whatever reason they are justifying this with. They should know above all how hard it is to get out there but very few will help promote another artist unless they are a personal friend. I share all I can even if I don’t like it so others can decide for themselves.

I wanted to bring back that emotion, that integrity, the idea of standing for something back into music which seems to be lacking and has been for a very long time, I wanted to add great musicianship along with this and I feel we have accomplished this.

I wanted to write great songs and I can proudly say that I feel we have. No one is harder on what we do than I am so I will stand proud in the accomplishment of what we have done so far and what we will do next even if I am the only one that hears it.

I thank all that have been supportive and all who have listened to what we offer. To those who have said we will never make it, that we don’t stand a chance or have been negative and there have been many including family members the odds are on your side but the passion is on mine.

To waste a life dreaming about what could have been instead of trying to make it so is not a life I wish to live. To waste a life by not encouraging others to go for their dreams is not a life I wish to live. To be an inspiration, to be someone who does not quit when a goal is realistic, attainable and worthy is a life I wish to be remembered by.

Seek the truth always

Gary David Currie

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Who Hijacked Reality / #581 Shelter for the Scarred

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

 

 

Journal Entry ##581

October 3rd, 2011

Today I am going to promote a couple of up and coming musicians Alex Carl & Morgan Currie. At this point they are the current members of “Shelter for the Scarred”.

Morgan Currie

As you have probably guessed by now Morgan is my son. He is the drummer and continually tries to better his craft. The drummer rarely gets enough credit for the work they do. Being a musician is hard work but then add that your father and brother as well as other members of your extended family all play and you are expected to keep your chops up. Music comes naturally to my family but also requires immense dedication to hone the craft.

Alex and Morgan have been friends since grade school with the usual ups and downs of any good relationship but have remained true in their friendship. Since they have been playing there have been many hopefuls to fill the other spots in the band but so far no one has stuck. This doesn’t stop them though they just keep going.

Alex Carl

I have known Alex for many years. Alex’s dad was his main inspiration to get started and his family has consistently supported his passion to be a musician.  Alex and his dad have built guitars together which has given him an overall appreciation for the instrument itself. He takes pride in his guitars.

I have watched Alex go from the usual I don’t need any help in my music to become a student of the not only the guitar but all that goes into being a great musician. It has been a pleasure to watch both him and Morgan mature over the years.

Alex had asked me at some point if I would help him record some of his songs and recently he finally was ready. He has played some songs for me in the past and each time I could see the improvement. He has also been working hard at his vocals as well. The other day he played a couple of songs for me and I could see that he was ready so I offered to record one for him. It turned out amazing.

The song is called “LEAVES” it will be released along with a video very soon as I still have to shoot and edit the video for them but I am onfident all who hear it will enjoy it.

Prom

It has been my pleasure to watch these 2 musicians and great human beings develop over the years and it will be my pleasure to help introduce them to the world.

There face book page  I encourage you to like to be in the great things to come;

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.422000821190.212562.636321190#!/pages/Shelter-For-The-Scarred/114349681962024

Stay tuned

Seek the truth always

Gary David Currie

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Who Hijacked Reality / #503 What do you do when you know you got something that people need to hear..

Saturday, July 16th, 2011

 

 

Journal Entry #503

July 16th, 2011

I appreciate all who read this blog or as I call it a journal. I have made this a public display of my thoughts but ultimately i write this for me. I say what I want to say and how I want to say it. I am bound to say something sooner or later that will offend people, that they disagree with but I do hope that there are those that will relate and find a moment of pause or reflection in what I present.

I imagine that we all feel we have something of importance that the world needs to hear, to take notice off. Who knows when that next word, song or piece of art I create will strike a core with humanity. I do know this though if I don’t try I will definitely fail, I will not be heard and I will not be noticed so I will continue.

 Today was an amazing day. I spent the day creating musician with my oldest son Zack. He is in my opinion (and I realize all parents say this) an exceptional music as well as a great person.  We had a blast. We laughed, joked around and created some serious music. We worked on the title track for the new album called “SANDBOX JUNKIES”. 

I remember Zack spending hours up in his room once he got the bug bad practising Van Halen licks over and over again until he could play them to perfection. This was by 15. He is now 21 and has far surpassed just playing Van Halen.  Watching him work with me at building this song was as close to magic as I think I will ever come.  It seems each song we do, each project we tackle we improve and find new areas to explore.

Of course I am going to promote and get excited about our music that is part of why I do it but I feel this time we got it, you know that moment where you say the world really needs to hear this. Our last album was good and I had great expectations but I was also realistic. I knew based on the lyrical content and topics we tackled our audience would be limited. We have taken a different path this time while still being true to who we are.

I guess I will find out in 6 months but It is like when you are watching American Idol if you pay attention you can take a very good guess about who stands a good chance and who doesn’t. You can see the ones who have that “It Factor” and the ones who don’t. I am more than willing to let the world decide and I hope they listen.

If they don’t like it hell I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I follow the same path in what I write. Never be afraid of rejection eventually you will succeed if you keep putting it out there. As my mom  used to say “ The squeaky wheel always get the grease”.

So to answer my own question; when you have something you know people need to hear make sure you say it loud and clear. If it is worthy one way or another it will find its way through.

Seek the truth always

Gary David Currie

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Who Hijacked Reality / #361 Finding what we are good at.

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

 

Journal Entry #361

February 24th, 2011

One of the most difficult challenges we face in life is to find our identity, to find what we can offer this world, to find what we are good at. If you can find this and get paid well for it you have reached a sense of fulfillment.

Every one of us will find something different if we find it at all. We may never have the opportunity in our life to find it or we may not be in a state of mind to recognize it when we do. I don’t know how this works or why some people are better at some things than others; this is one of life’s mysteries. I do however hope that all find this and it is something that is not harmful, For example there might be someone who is very good at killing people and this may be necessary at times but I hope it isn’t.

I found out that I was good at many things early in life. Most things came easy to me and I lost interest fast. My skills were soon discovered in all sorts of areas in the creative vain but I did not excel at any one of them because I was not willing to dedicate myself. I became bored easily.

I soon recognized I had a knack for noticing the truth on matters and sniffing out the bullshit very fast. Others called it pissing people off. I later realized that I was unwittingly challenging peoples comfort zones but I was very good at it. I also continue to excel in the arts but unlike most if I could not get what I wanted done quickly I lost interest. I f I could not complete a painting within the hour I figured I couldn’t do it. Now I have many more talents but the one I realized I loved most was the process of recording music and this became my passion.

Waterfall  1995  Gary David Currie

During this process I later realized I was also a poet for better or worse.  I never like the idea of being a poet it sounded to artsy to me, but basically that is what song writing is so I have embraced the idea.

If I write a poem or a song it is done quickly. I actually hear about 10 to 20 songs a day in my head, can’t help it just happens. That is my talent now whether they are good or not is another story.

I would like to share a poem with you I wrote today;

Some people go to bed;

Praying

Excited

Depressed

Not wanting to live through the night

Not being able to sleep

Worrying about everything

Wishing they were someplace else

Happy

Sad

Fulfilled

Content

In pain

Hopeful

Exhausted

With no bed

Enclosed

Fearful

Lonely

Terrified

What is it you go to bed feeling?

I hope you all find what you are good at, what you love to do and if you haven’t found it I encourage you to keep looking.  I encourage you to try new things or to take that chance you have been putting off. We are all good at something keep following your gut and you will find it.

Seek the truth always

Gary David Currie

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Who Hijacked Reality / #353 Music, the perfect analogy for the concept of god.

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

 

Journal Entry #353

February 17th, 2011

The challenge in discussing religion / faith / gods is to try and find a different way each time to basically say the same thing. It always seems to boil down to reason vs. Faith as there to this moment in my opinion no verifiable or credible evidence for the existence of the gods of man. What we are looking at is why a person believes in their chosen god even though the evidence clearly if we are to accept the idea of reason demonstrates that there probably is no god.

I recently through a discussion saw the analogy of music as a great example to demonstrate the differences. As a musician, songwriter, artist and many other titles in this related area I feel I have as many others do firsthand experience and a little more knowledge than the average person in this area.

My basic problem with the faithful is that they dispute reason / logic when it does not fit it with their beliefs and generally will not acknowledge that they use it all the time but stop where it becomes a deterrent to their god. Have you ever heard the phrase “everything happens for a reason”. Well I agree with this but the difference is if I know the reason I assign it if I do not I say I don’t know. Others will fill in the blank with what feels good to them to explain it even though it cannot be verified.

This for me sums up the faithful position; as said to me by a Christian.

In regards to “directing” the flow of conversation, we are equally guilty. Keep in mind, that you assume just as much as anyone that you are “right” in your beliefs.  Because your beliefs cannot “handle” our beliefs, you label them as fantasy, etc.,  You resort to the “science” and proof excuse. 

They see reason as a negative. To say that I resort to science and proof as an excuse is absurd. To say I cannot handle their beliefs is also absurd. What they really mean is I will not join in on the delusion of pretending something is true when it cannot be verified. I base if I am right or not on things that can be proven or not proven not what I want to be true. I get a little sick and tired of people expecting me to just believe in something they have no proof for and I tried to demonstrate the absolute flaws in this faith based argument by claiming I was Jesus but this still did not get the message across. . See the previous 3 posts as a reference.

http://thefreeman.net/journal/?p=3502 Who Hijacked Reality / #350 What if I am Jesus? How will you know?

http://thefreeman.net/journal/?p=3516  Who Hijacked Reality / #351 Just have a little faith I am Jesus.

http://thefreeman.net/journal/?p=3526  Who Hijacked Reality / #352 My claim of being Jesus and why I did it, could it be true?

Now to present the music analogy;

I posted this after the discussion below it; The Christian I was talking to owns a music store and is what I consider an expert in the area of digital recording thus my reference to his business being based on logic.

Gary David Currie

I think this will sum up my position and yours. Music is a great analogy.We have established that there are patterns in music but at a certain point there is a mystery or soul as you call it to the playing.

……

Here is the difference between you and I in my opinion and the basis for what we talk about and the wall we hit all the time. I am more than willing to let it remain a mystery until we figure it out one day and that will not diminish the beauty of it for me.You on the other hand have assigned the mystery a value and decided that you know what it is without a doubt.

Christian……..

‎1. My business is based on logic? I don’t know about that… there are plenty of illogical elements in any small business! Opening a small business in the first place is arguably not “logical”!

Is it logical that a 60 year old condenser …microphone is considered awesome and far more desirable than most new ones?

Many instruments are not particularly “logical” in their construction or playing techniques required….

Many things are subjective preferences, instead of “logical”.

2. God created us to “enjoy” each other, to be close to Him, to worship…. God gave us the ability to learn, to be creative, to choose.

God did not create the “method” the disprove Himself — he gave you the option to reject him. You are choosing to reject God, by limiting the criteria that you choose to accept. You are following an outlook that DOES NOT permit the existence of God.

Gary David Currie……

SO you say I say different. You reject my evidence and go on faith. Of course things are based on logic.

Music is all patterns and that is logic. computers are patterns again logic..

You have no basis but your assumption from the bible for …your last statement.

You contradict yourself if god created me then I am following what he created.

Christian…..

• What you are talking about in music is “structure” / “order”

Predictability is actually NOT exciting in music, is it?

”The “rebel”, the “trend-setter”, the unique / signature (shocking / unexpected) elements are actually what take the “…logical” 12 – tones in our scale and make it something EXCITING! Dynamics / interesting sounds.

What you are describing is Elevator Music.

—————–

<if god created me then I am following what he created.>

Gary, now you are abandoning responsibility and blaming God.

You are doing what you want, that is your choice. You seem to think that God can only exist IF He disallows choice and intervenes in human affairs directly, constantly, incessantly….

This product is called LOGIC STUDIO  not FAITH STUDIO, I wonder why..

Gary David Currie…..

Not at all it is still all patterns no matter what you do with them..

I am not blaming god for anything I don’t believe in god that is you.

This is all based on the idea that you have not yet acknowledged  as true or false in your beliefs and we can go from there.

Is god all powerful, omnipotent or not?

Christian……‎

1. Gary, I think you’re still missing the point about music! Patterns aren’t “exciting”, unexpected things are. Just because you have a knowledge of musical theory, doesn’t make you interesting as a performer or composer.

More “logic” does not produce more compelling music.

2. Have you ever blamed God for anything?

3. Is God all powerful / omnipotent? Are we heading into the “Omnipotence Paradox” here? This has been answered in many different ways by people that have given it much thought. God is simply too far beyond us to be completely quantified by human observation and knowledge.

Gary David Currie…….

 ‎1. I am not missing the point. Maybe patterns are not exciting to you but they might be to someone else. Even if it is unexpected it is still a combination of patterns that are put together as a performer. how you feel about it will not …change this as your feelings are a combination of patterns as well. We all just like the mystery in it but once understood that is what it is.

2. yes when I believed in god but when I realized how silly this actually is has not happened since. I have also blamed the universe and chance and luck and of course they are all only concepts that I have no control over.

3. you still have not answered the question directly yes or no, being ambiguous on the matter or avoiding it by stating that god is beyond or understanding will not change if he is or not. If he is he who cannot be wrong I would think that you would say he is all powerful.

Your answer is simply ridiculous as you have created a concept of god that requires us to acknowledge him as something so much greater than us without any evidence what so ever. I can apply this to anything we do not understand and if you believe it to be true then in your eyes it will appear this way.

I think you avoid this because either answer produces a false god and you just want to keep your god on that pedestal.

Christian…..‎

1. You seem to be switching terminology/intention here (or using some words in a very broad sense). Of course there is an order / structure to music. What I am writing is that “within musical form”, that there isn’t a “logical” hit, appealing song computer that puts to shame the best human decisions. I guess you are trying to take the “soul” out of music.

 God is himself “creative” and fashioned “creative beings” — that is presumably why we have such a passion for the arts. God put Adam to work rather quickly.

2. Thanks for your answer. (I do mean that sincerely)

3. Gary, I will be happy to answer your question when it is put within the context of some stated “problem”. I assume you are trying to get into the “logical” paradox of “create a rock too big too lift”. That has been discussed so many times by people willing to waste time on it.

In the interest of answering the question, perhaps my favourite response is:

God the father can make a rock too heavy for Jesus (God the Son, manifested in the flesh) to lift.

4. No pedestal is sufficient for God, hence — no idols or graven images are allowed. ;)

Gary David Currie…….

Well isn’t this the perfect analogy for our discussion.

Thanks for the bible story

You see I believe soul is an expression of all the patterns of music and human but still understandable if one wants to take the time to do it. You will not take the time to understand it and call it soul. I love the soul in music but it is not a mystery just like god is not a mystery.

Once again we are back to the main problem which is that all you believe is based on the bible and so you will reference it and I believe in reality and count the bible as a story book written by man. Your proof is the bible which is circular logic and you will not accept anything I offer.

You quote god like he is real but really have no proof that he is.

You think I am trying to take the soul out of music and I say you can’t learn music with only soul and that soul comes from so many things other than music that are all patterns. We actually think in patterns… Where is the soul in math?

                     

ROCK GOD

So how far can we take this analogy? Can we consider the various great musicians such as Beethoven, Mozart, Hendrix and anyone else to be different gods? Just because we do not understand something right now do we have the right to just create an answer and call it true?

I love music it is my passion and there are moments of creativity that I have no immediate explanation for but I will not assign it something not knowing. If we learn by reason in the first place it will stand to reason that this process will continue on even when it appears magical. It may appear that one is playing by feel or that one has soul but there is a reasonable explanation for this if one wants to explore and find it.

I right now just chose to enjoy the process while understanding that the mystery is not attributed to let’s say the guiding hand of Jimi Hendrix. I am not channelling any unseen force. I have no idea why some people are just natural musicians and others can’t play or sing a tune to save their life but I am confident that no god divinely chose to inspire them and not others.

The mystery is only mystery until we find the answer that is true and sometimes the idea is to just enjoy the mystery and not complicate it.

It always boils down to what is true and what is not and how we determine this. I choose reason they choose what makes them feel good.

Seek the truth always

Gary David Currie

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