Thanks so much for sharing. Your clients are all so fortunate to have you, someone who has the deep connection to the essence of music who can manage the business side of what you do while keeping that connection central to that work. You're truly lucky to have that at the core of your work/life. And the bump in the road via the label job was your signal to steer you to your current, rightful place.
That nugget of reflection reminded me of this Rilke poem.
Want The Change by Rainer Maria Rilke
Want the change. Be inspired by the flame
where everything shines as it disappears.
The artist, when sketching, loves nothing so much
as the curve of the body as it turns away.
What locks itself in sameness has congealed.
Is it safer to be gray and numb?
What turns hard becomes rigid
and is easily shattered.
Pour yourself out like a fountain.
Flow into the knowledge that what you are seeking
finishes often at the start, and, with ending, begins.
Every happiness is the child of a separation
it did not think it could survive. And Daphne, becoming
a laurel,
dares you to become the wind.
And you touched on suffering, which the Buddhists claim is the universal connection we all share. It's true and through that we can develop true gratitude and compassion, which you obviously bring to your work, relationships and clients. Good on you!
Speaking of fandom, Ann Powers wrote a piece on it that you may have seen. It inspired me to make a post about it
I love the Strays and was lucky enough to see both of their sets at Laurel Cove. Is that how you met Abe? I put together a show for him in Bloomington back in March and he told me he knew you. He has introduced me to his version of gospel and it is the most soul-stirring music I have ever heard. And some of the best rock and roll musicians I’ve ever seen.
I met him there in ‘23 and saw him do a set with the Psych Peas and then snuck under the tape in ‘24 to see that set up close. I love him so much. He has become a dear friend. I’m so glad he has good people looking out for him.
There's no such thing as luck. When I was a senior partner at an executive search firm for 20+ years, I learned you have to make your "luck". It sure ain't gonna fall from the sky or be handed to you.
You worked hard for everything you have, John, that much is obvious.
None of the few songs of theirs I've heard thus far have grabbed me in a big way, but maybe I'll give the new record a few spins and see if anything changes. They're obviously doing something right to inspire a piece like this. It's cool too that faith is such a big part of the music and the organization.
I love the Strays and was lucky enough to see both of their sets at Laurel Cove. Is that how you met Abe? I put together a show for him in Bloomington back in March and he told me he knew you. He has introduced me to his version of gospel and it is the most soul-stirring music I have ever heard. And some of the best rock and roll musicians I’ve ever seen.
I'm Jewish, but I have a deep love and respect for truly great gospel. (I'd rather be beaten with a sock full of quarters than listen to Christmas music.) At its best, gospel captures awe, transcendence, joy, and love. It's also often written in a way that's quite universal, reaching well beyond Christianity to speak to universal themes of spiritual experience.
That's right, well said. I've warmed to (certain) Christmas music as I've aged. I hated it as a young adult - it reminded me of not great times visiting extended family on the holidays. My family isn't really religious, but I married into a Catholic family and we've raised our kids in the faith. It all resonates with the beautiful memories I have of holidays with my own family.
Thanks so much for sharing. Your clients are all so fortunate to have you, someone who has the deep connection to the essence of music who can manage the business side of what you do while keeping that connection central to that work. You're truly lucky to have that at the core of your work/life. And the bump in the road via the label job was your signal to steer you to your current, rightful place.
That nugget of reflection reminded me of this Rilke poem.
Want The Change by Rainer Maria Rilke
Want the change. Be inspired by the flame
where everything shines as it disappears.
The artist, when sketching, loves nothing so much
as the curve of the body as it turns away.
What locks itself in sameness has congealed.
Is it safer to be gray and numb?
What turns hard becomes rigid
and is easily shattered.
Pour yourself out like a fountain.
Flow into the knowledge that what you are seeking
finishes often at the start, and, with ending, begins.
Every happiness is the child of a separation
it did not think it could survive. And Daphne, becoming
a laurel,
dares you to become the wind.
And you touched on suffering, which the Buddhists claim is the universal connection we all share. It's true and through that we can develop true gratitude and compassion, which you obviously bring to your work, relationships and clients. Good on you!
Speaking of fandom, Ann Powers wrote a piece on it that you may have seen. It inspired me to make a post about it
https://bryson66.substack.com/p/ann-powers-on-fandom?r=9ddji&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Thanks so much, that Rilke piece is beautiful. And Ann is a dear friend, looking forward to reading her piece.
I love the Strays and was lucky enough to see both of their sets at Laurel Cove. Is that how you met Abe? I put together a show for him in Bloomington back in March and he told me he knew you. He has introduced me to his version of gospel and it is the most soul-stirring music I have ever heard. And some of the best rock and roll musicians I’ve ever seen.
I met Abe at Laurel Cove ‘24, where he did a Psych Peas set after RCS
I met him there in ‘23 and saw him do a set with the Psych Peas and then snuck under the tape in ‘24 to see that set up close. I love him so much. He has become a dear friend. I’m so glad he has good people looking out for him.
There's no such thing as luck. When I was a senior partner at an executive search firm for 20+ years, I learned you have to make your "luck". It sure ain't gonna fall from the sky or be handed to you.
You worked hard for everything you have, John, that much is obvious.
I know. The larger point is that people do shitty things at work. That was all part of a manipulative strategy by management.
Amazing article …. Thank you for sharing a part of you
Much appreciated.
None of the few songs of theirs I've heard thus far have grabbed me in a big way, but maybe I'll give the new record a few spins and see if anything changes. They're obviously doing something right to inspire a piece like this. It's cool too that faith is such a big part of the music and the organization.
I love the Strays and was lucky enough to see both of their sets at Laurel Cove. Is that how you met Abe? I put together a show for him in Bloomington back in March and he told me he knew you. He has introduced me to his version of gospel and it is the most soul-stirring music I have ever heard. And some of the best rock and roll musicians I’ve ever seen.
I'm Jewish, but I have a deep love and respect for truly great gospel. (I'd rather be beaten with a sock full of quarters than listen to Christmas music.) At its best, gospel captures awe, transcendence, joy, and love. It's also often written in a way that's quite universal, reaching well beyond Christianity to speak to universal themes of spiritual experience.
That's right, well said. I've warmed to (certain) Christmas music as I've aged. I hated it as a young adult - it reminded me of not great times visiting extended family on the holidays. My family isn't really religious, but I married into a Catholic family and we've raised our kids in the faith. It all resonates with the beautiful memories I have of holidays with my own family.
I generally feel the same about Christmas music, but Otis Mark Kozelak album changed my mind about it
https://youtu.be/LxUstqa6P8E