Friday
Jun202008
running down a dream
Friday, June 20, 2008 at 01:24AM
I've never been an athletic dude, not by anybody's possible perception. I signed up for last week's race to help raise money for a good cause and to try to get in better shape.
Well, I've kept up running though the race is over. I'm really enjoying it and plan on sticking with it for a while. The weirdest thing is that it's making me a music lover all over again.
Until two weeks ago I haven't had a working tape player, let alone CD player in a car in seven years. At work I constantly have my head between a pair of speakers, but it's always making music, never listening for fun. By the time I'm done with a day at the studio, or soundcheck and a show, the last thing I want to do is listen to music. (NPR baby!)
But leaving my house behind, putting in my in-ears and cranking up the ipod has been incredible. (Thank you Westone for greatly improving my sonic experience, on the stage and elsewhere...)
It's probably because I'm slow, but I can get through a 10 song record on my normal neighborhood routes. Some of my favorites so far have been:
Tom Petty - Wildflowers
Finn Brothers - Everyone is Here
The Choir - O, How the Mighty Have Fallen
The Finn Brothers would be Neil and, um, his brother. Neil was, of course, the main force in Crowded House and is one of my all time favorite songwriters. And his guitar work just fascinates me. Cason just gave me this record and I can't get enough of it. There's a song on there about two brothers in bunk beds talking late into the night because they're scared of the dark. They sing it in harmony. It should be cheesy, but it's just kind of awesome. And it made me want to call my brother and tell him I love him.
My brother's on vacation in Hawaii right now, as a jealous side note.
I had an amazing moment a few nights ago listening to that Choir record. It's their latest and my good friend, and sonic hero, Shane Wilson mixed it. The Choir were one of my favorite bands in high school. They're pretty much two guys, best friends, who've spent the last 25 years together making music. Steve is a drummer and he writes the words, Derri plays guitar and sings. I've since gotten to work with them a handful of times and become at least "hey man, how are you?" friends with them. This makes me feel somehow cool and terribly not cool at the same time, if that makes any sense.
But I was running through my neighborhood listening to these old friends sing new songs about who they are and what they've been through. All the while their voices take me back to high school and the sounds remind me of Shane and his very current genius. And then I run past Randall's house, who has become my song collaborator, just like Steve and Derri. After that I hit the stretch I drive to take Ella to pre-school, which makes me think of my beautiful, hilarious daughters. The moon was out, the sky was clear, a light breeze was blowing and these sounds and sentiments were washing over me.
I can so often get my head so deep into music making that I never just enjoy what music does. How it takes these fragments of who we were, who we are and who we hope to be and lets them dance together in a new way.
And if I have to be the neighborhood's huffing, puffing, balding dude in the too-short shorts to keep that dance going, well, I might just need to get a headband, too.
Well, I've kept up running though the race is over. I'm really enjoying it and plan on sticking with it for a while. The weirdest thing is that it's making me a music lover all over again.
Until two weeks ago I haven't had a working tape player, let alone CD player in a car in seven years. At work I constantly have my head between a pair of speakers, but it's always making music, never listening for fun. By the time I'm done with a day at the studio, or soundcheck and a show, the last thing I want to do is listen to music. (NPR baby!)
But leaving my house behind, putting in my in-ears and cranking up the ipod has been incredible. (Thank you Westone for greatly improving my sonic experience, on the stage and elsewhere...)
It's probably because I'm slow, but I can get through a 10 song record on my normal neighborhood routes. Some of my favorites so far have been:
Tom Petty - Wildflowers
Finn Brothers - Everyone is Here
The Choir - O, How the Mighty Have Fallen
The Finn Brothers would be Neil and, um, his brother. Neil was, of course, the main force in Crowded House and is one of my all time favorite songwriters. And his guitar work just fascinates me. Cason just gave me this record and I can't get enough of it. There's a song on there about two brothers in bunk beds talking late into the night because they're scared of the dark. They sing it in harmony. It should be cheesy, but it's just kind of awesome. And it made me want to call my brother and tell him I love him.
My brother's on vacation in Hawaii right now, as a jealous side note.
I had an amazing moment a few nights ago listening to that Choir record. It's their latest and my good friend, and sonic hero, Shane Wilson mixed it. The Choir were one of my favorite bands in high school. They're pretty much two guys, best friends, who've spent the last 25 years together making music. Steve is a drummer and he writes the words, Derri plays guitar and sings. I've since gotten to work with them a handful of times and become at least "hey man, how are you?" friends with them. This makes me feel somehow cool and terribly not cool at the same time, if that makes any sense.
But I was running through my neighborhood listening to these old friends sing new songs about who they are and what they've been through. All the while their voices take me back to high school and the sounds remind me of Shane and his very current genius. And then I run past Randall's house, who has become my song collaborator, just like Steve and Derri. After that I hit the stretch I drive to take Ella to pre-school, which makes me think of my beautiful, hilarious daughters. The moon was out, the sky was clear, a light breeze was blowing and these sounds and sentiments were washing over me.
I can so often get my head so deep into music making that I never just enjoy what music does. How it takes these fragments of who we were, who we are and who we hope to be and lets them dance together in a new way.
And if I have to be the neighborhood's huffing, puffing, balding dude in the too-short shorts to keep that dance going, well, I might just need to get a headband, too.
Reader Comments (9)
"I might just need to get a headband" - I think I see your next album cover materializing.
I love that Finn song ---"All the mud in this town, all the dirt in this world, none of it sticks on you"... great album.
Dude, that's pretty much how I feel about knowing you. ;-)
I'm running a 5k tomorrow and haven't really done any running in a couple weeks. Hope I'm not setting myself up for EPIC FAIL. Maybe I'll get a headband.
I'm totally with you on the "running so I can listen to music" train. It is definitely one of the reasons I run, because it's so rare otherwise to get opportunities where you don't have to concentrate on anything other than the music. I'm doing Atlanta's big 10K in a couple of weeks (The Peachtree Road Race) and I am nowhere near ready.
....and I love that you love the new Choir album. It's a great album. Maybe one day you'll get to collaborate with them. They are such great producers in addition to being great musicians.
Ah music recommendations- my bread and butter.:) I'll have to check those albums out Andy thanks (with the exception of Wildflowers which I've already heard)! You almost make me want to run again- almost. :)
I'm glad you brought up The Choir. I actually thought about posting this before, but it usually would have been way off-topic. I would love to see a tribute album put out, especially some remakes of their older stuff.
Songs like "To Cover You", "To Bid Farewell", "Sad Face", "Cars, etc."...
Andy, I'd really like to hear you do a version of "Clouds". I think your voice/style would fit it well.
A couple of lines for those who aren't familiar...
The love remains as pure
That poisoned seas will ne'er dilute
The love remains aflame
That many waters can not quench
The blood remains as rich
That poor sinners drink like wine
The blood remains as warm
That paints black skies with fire
Ella is in pre-school already! man.
great post. i love to run too and it always does me right no matter what kind of day i'm having. listening to the ipod is absolutely vital for me while running or i'll just get bored and stop.
Neil Finn is great.
have you heard the new Coldplay? it's pretty great i think. some really special moments especially during the last song.
I'm glad you're rediscovering some musical loves of yours. I listen to too much music too frequently. It quickly turns into background noise. I have to stop for a while to start enjoying it again and remember what made me excited about it.
Um, so update your tour dates please. My heart broke the other day (head downcast and Charlie Brown Christmas Special music playing). I called about the Caedmon's show at my old church in Va Beach and they said it was cancelled. Again, I can't express my emotional turmoil upon hearing this. I just politely said "thank you...bye" then came the chocolate ice cream and Gone With the Wind...(jk)
Oh, and the RAT pedal is just what the Dr. Ordered. It's gritty and wonderful for my setup. I wanted to thank you in person but I mean...no show...I'm still going through the ranks to get the Liberty folks to give you a shout.
"O, How the Mighty Have Fallen" is absolutely amazing. It's so great to listen to a rock record that's so beautiful.
Glad to know others are out there enjoying as much as I am!