Henry Nam

Another thing that's come to mind is my struggle with the music world.  I love music and wouldn't know what I'd do without in my life.  However, I'm continually astounded by how little respect that most muscians get.  Granted, there are far more aspiring stars than there are venues to support the scene, but the situation of things have markedly changed the interaction between the performer at the public.  Eh, perhaps "change" is too strong of a word.  

I don't think the music scene has "changed" in its fundamental workings.  But it's just on yet another shift.  However, no one can deny the impact of the Internet and iPods and iTunes.  Back before recordings were available to the mass public, the only way to listen to music was to either make it yourself or actively seek a performance.  I feel, in my most-likely-sheltered-and-idealistic opinion that those were the true lovers of music.  But politics were always a part of it, so it's unfair to claim that large corporations are the sole cause of them today.  A person can study eight years to train to become a doctor and make a good living (provided they get through med school and residency), but a person can dedicate his or her entire life to hone, study, and practice the craft of musicianmanship, writing, or artistry and never be recognized for those efforts.  Strippers are handed more money than a band for a standard restaurant gig (not a a statistic based on any study or fact, just an assumption).  

But my complaints (oh, and it's so easy to complain ... about anything) are not limited to the infrastructure or politics.  It boggles my mind that in a culture that seems to primarily listen to mixes, playlists, or randomized playing, in addition to the space of the internet and dying out of CDs, that musicians are still releasing things in CD-sized albums.  I'm under the impression that where the money is is licensing, not album deals.  But, albums are obviously still making money.  I'll admit that I'm more of an album listener than a mix person, but for whatever reason, I'm feeling less connected with the titles of the music and in a lot of ways, the music itself.  

A lot of the music I listen to these days have lyrics though, and I can't pick up lyrics to save my life.  When I listen, what I hear is the workings of the interweaving of melodies, expansiveness of harmonies, and rhythmic changes.  That's how I connect most of the time.  Very seldom will I know about what is being sung.  But there's something undeniably attractive about the human voice in its incarnations to me.  It's sad because I feel like I lose a lot from not being able to hear lyrics, but for those who put the effort into instrumentation, I will usually be in awe and bliss.

But in all of this talk, it's easy to lose sight of the passion, personal expression, and enjoyment that ideally, people ought to get from music.  Granted, there's plenty of music out there with the sole purpose of serving other means (make money, protest, serve as background, etc), but artistry and entertainment are important to me.  I'll conclude with a moment that stands as what was a poignant reminder that there is still much beauty to be found in music:

During the last jam session at the Country Store, we had two very talented kids performing who apparently lived on the same street but never played together.  One guy asked the audience for permission to just spend a few extra minutes past the end of his time to just jam with the guy.  We all willingly agreed.  The next 3-7 minutes that proceeded cannot be described by me in any way other than cheezy, and I'm sad that I'll never be able to express what happened there to any level of deserving justification.  The bar quieted down, the rhythm section lowered their volume, and the two guitarists, one dressed in golf clothes and the other in a Led Zeppelin t-shirt and jeans proceeded to have what cliche deems a "conversation" through music.  And it truly was.  One would improvise a solo for a few moments, pause, look over at the other with a smile, and receive a response that just made sense.  What was said between them could only be expressed through the notes coming from their playing, but the message left the entire audience, myself included, an absolute awe.

And it was truly, truly beautiful.

Love and Peace,

Nam