Jason Landry's Blog, page 4
February 1, 2022
Book Review: This is Your Brain on Music
“Music is auditory cheesecake.”Hands down, that is the best quote from this book. At a conference held at MIT, cognitive scientist Steven Pinker stated, and I paraphrase, cheesecake is savory and appealing to your palette, in a similar vein, music is too to certain sections of our brain. I can’t really disagree with him on either example, can you?
The human brain is an extremely intricate and powerful tool that is able to quarterback so many tasks at once that it’s hard for anyone to fully comprehend. Daniel J. Levitin, the author of This is Your Brain on Music, has compiled data from leading scientists an analyzed the ways in which the brain processes music and how we experience sound.
Levitin begins by giving the reader a primer on the elements of music and how they work in unison. Pitch, timbre, key, harmony, loudness, rhythm, meter, and tempo—when they are all working together, the brain senses it, and magic happens. A symphony of neurons creates the sensory experience that we call music.
There were some interesting statements that I pondered over for a bit. Such as, “When we listen to music, we are actually perceiving multiple attributes or “dimensions.” Or how children still in the womb can recognize music and when they hear the song years later, they are usually drawn to it over other like songs. What about people with Alzheimer’s, they might be forgetful, but can remember song lyrics from many years prior due to how our mind places “tags” on important memories from our teenage years.
There seems to be a debate throughout the scientific community between the brain and the mind, whether they are one in the same or two separate things. What they did make perfectly clear is, the brain is not a hard drive per se, it is required to go through an entire computational system in order to identify a song. It requires queues that trigger neurons which form the memories needed to remember. “…Somehow, the cerebellum is able to remember the “settings” it uses for synchronizing to music as we hear it, and it all can recall those settings when we want to sing a song from memory.”
Did you know that it’s increasingly harder to learn a music instrument after the age of 20, rather than before due to the natural synaptic growth of the brain? I did not know this, and it explains so much of why it was harder for me to learn to play the guitar in my 40’s than it is for these young whipper snappers I see all over YouTube. But there is good news. I did find some confirmation pertaining to music lessons and practice. There seems to be something positive to note about the 10,000-hour rule, about mastering a skill whether that be playing music or being an artist or a great golfer. In chapter 7, they gave the example that a professor secretly separated musical students into two groups. Years later, it was the students who practiced the most who ultimately received the highest performance ratings, not necessarily were they the ones in the “more promising” group. So, to all of you late blooming musicians out there, keep practicing—we got this!
Which came first, music or language? Some scientists believe that “music may be the activity that prepared our pre-human ancestors for speech communication and for the very cognitive, representational flexibility necessary to become humans.” If that is the case, then let there be rock! All kidding aside, we owe a great deal to this magical art form.
ConclusionI wanted to put this book down a few times as I felt like you needed a PhD to comprehend many of the facts that are discussed. If you are into cognitive science, neurology, or psychology, this book is definitely for you. If you are into music, or a musician, or a casual reader, you have been forewarned.
Pre-save my new single Scattered Showers
My new LoFi track Scattered Showers will be available on Friday, February 4th. You can pre-save it now on Spotify. Thanks in advance for listening.
Thoughts On Music & Art RSSJanuary 31, 2022
Quote of the Week ~ Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa, Himself, 1967 (Pigtails) by Jerry Schatzberg
“A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open.” ~ Frank ZappaThoughts On Music & Art RSSJanuary 28, 2022
Prince Guitar Solo - While My Guitar Gently Weeps
If there was one moment, one guitar solo, that you could share with someone to show the brilliance of the musician Prince, this right here would be it. Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood, Dhani Harrison & Prince pay tribute to George Harrison at the 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Thoughts On Music & Art RSSJanuary 27, 2022
Synesthesia and Chromesthesia: Seeing Colors through Music
I came across a word when I was reading the book Two Beats Ahead by Panos Panay and R. Michael Hendrix. I became pretty mesmerized by it. Merriam-Webster defines Synesthesia as: a subjective sensation or image of a sense (as of color) other than the one (as of sound) being stimulated. From the Greek, it loosely means a union of the senses or joint perception. Say what?
But then there was a term that connected that even further through music, it’s called Chromesthesia. Synesthetes, or people with this type of trait, are able to see colors or shapes when they experience sound or play music.
[image error]This isn’t some psychedelic acid trip or some Absinthe induced dream state where you are seeing fairies. Remember the scene in Almost Famous when young William was on the phone telling his mother that he won’t be back for graduation. Penny Lane and her friend start talking to him, and she yells, “Your aura…..your aura is purple.” She may have had this trait, but more than likely it was the drugs talking.
Synesthesia and Chromesthesia are neurological traits, kind of like having perfect pitch, for example. This topic took me down a rabbit hole of further reading and exploration. Specifically about colors.
I began to think about my childhood. First I was thinking about why the Fisher-Price magnetic alphabet were all different colors. Or why did they create a puzzle map of the United States with different color pieces? You know, when I first flew on a plane when I was very young, that was the first thing that struck me—when we flew over a different state, why wasn’t it a different color like the puzzle? Sounds silly, but when you’re a kid, you take things more literally. What about the old xylophone where each metal bar was color coded. I know they were trying to differentiate the individual notes, but I wonder when Fisher-Price was creating all of these objects they were in some way triggering something in our adolescent brains that would cause this process of Synesthesia and Chromesthesia to occur as we developed. I have no idea, but these are the things that go through my head.
I’ve heard of musicians referring to music as colors and shapes, they even mentioned a few artists with this talent in the book that I mentioned above. Then there are other musicians that use it as a figure of speech, as John Mayer did during a clinic at Berklee College of Music in 2008 about chord shapes, he said, “it’s mostly colors and shapes now”.
My interest in music and how the brain perceives it prompted me to pick up the book This Is Your Brain On Music by Daniel J. Levitin. I hope that it brings some clarity to some of the thoughts that I have presented today as well as learn some more facts that I can share with you in the future.
Jason Landry is a musician, artist, and radio DJ. He creates electronic music and writes about music and art. www.jasonlandry.com
Thoughts On Music & Art RSSJanuary 25, 2022
Book Review - Two Beats Ahead
“Creativity is the big bang.” ~ T Bone Burnett
(Preface)
I met Panos once at a lunchtime talk five years ago at Berklee College of Music. He was the head of their BerkleeICE program (Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship). I was excited to hear and read about his projects through Berklee as they were forward thinking and innovative. In fact, he was one of the first voices that I can recall discussing blockchain technology specifically for use in the music industry, and I thought that would be a real game changer.
The book Two Beats Ahead is not only a primer about the music business and the ways that innovations occur, but it can be looked at as a simple guidebook for life. It brings together ideas and thoughts from today’s music producers, entrepreneurs, and musicians. The interviews and short anecdotes connect the reader with the theme of each chapter, some conveniently titled after popular music terms like “demoing”, “producing”, and “remixing”, and by the end of each chapter they give you some songs to listen to and ponder.
Some of the lessons that they touch on in the book include the act of listening, experimentation, the importance of collaborating, creating a partnership with producers, creating something new vs. innovating, the use of your senses and how they perceive things, and how to pivot in order to change.
The one story that struck a chord with me was how using your senses help you perceive things. A great example from chapter eight was when Yoko Sen was in the hospital for a few months and heard medical devices chiming. She could tell that some of them were pinging a C note, where others were a high-pitched F sharp. The two clashed in her mind almost liked the infamous “devil’s interval” (listen to the song Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath for reference) and for some nurses caused them stress. Yoko thought, can you imagine if this is the last thing that you hear before you die? Her idea or sense was to come up with different sounds or soundscapes for the medical devices and medical facilities that would be more soothing. She never set out to become an entrepreneur, it was just something that she had to do.
Most of lessons that Panay and Hendrix try to instill upon the reader can be applied to everyday life. What I deduce from this book is that the authors were looking to provide a motivating and inspirational platform centered around the topic of innovation while taking the reader on a journey through the music industry and beyond, quite possibly to create a greater YOU. Many of the conversations that they had with the individuals in each chapter were inspired, and the background stories and factual information that they compiled they were kind enough to share links to in the Prelude.
Conclusion
I’ve read a number of books like this for individuals interested in business, investing, and who have a desire to be entrepreneurs, but not specifically from a music business standpoint or geared toward musicians. It was unique and would be an ideal read for any new musicians starting out, especially those who do not have the business accoutrement. The lessons and stories in the book Two Beats Ahead are educational and well worth reading.
Jason Landry is a musician, artist, and radio DJ. He creates electronic music and writes about music and art. www.jasonlandry.com
Thoughts On Music & Art RSSJanuary 24, 2022
Quote of the Week ~ Keith Richards
"You can build a wall to stop people, but eventually, the music, it'll cross that wall. That's the beautiful thing about music––there's no defense against it." ~ Keith Richards from the book Zen GuitarThoughts On Music & Art RSS
January 21, 2022
David Bowie - Modern Love
The consummate showman, David Bowie was an inspiration to many musicians. Not only inspiration, but influence to artists including Madonna and Lady Gaga. “Modern Love” was the first song by Bowie that captured my attention. I’m not sure if it was the uptempo beat of the song, or if it was him running down the stage in his yellow suit in slow motion in the video that played on repeat on MTV. It also happened to be one of the first records that I ever owned, thanks to my mother winning a copy from a local radio station back in the day.
Modern Love is the opening track on his album Let’s Dance, which included a special appearance by one of my favorite guitar players of all time, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Other noted tracks on this album that spent major time on the airwaves were “China Girl” and “Let’s Dance”.
Thoughts On Music & Art RSSJanuary 20, 2022
50 Blues Guitar Players and the Songs that Define their Sound
The root of almost all rock and roll music stems from the blues. Whether you listen to this genre of music or not, that is something that must be understood. The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, the list goes on and on—were all inspired by early blues music.
I’ve been a fan of the blues for a long time. For a number of years, I hosted a radio show called Blues Power where I would play two hours of blues music every week, and most of it was blues guitar based music. I’ve also had the privilege of meeting and or interviewing some of the artists on my list--It was humbling to say the least.
I’ve gone through and chosen for you my Top 50 blues guitar players and the songs that define their sound. For someone who wants to get into the blues, this is a great jumping off point. If you already appreciate it as much as I do, I’m certain you’ll agree with me on many of the artists and songs that I have selected.
NOTE: This list is in alphabetical order by first name.
Albert Collins – I Aint Drunk
Albert King – Crosscut Saw
Ana Popovic – U Complete Me
B.B. King – The Thrill Is Gone
Billy F. Gibbons – Missin’ Yo’ Kissin’
Bonnie Raitt – Love Me Like A Man
Buddy Guy – Damn Right, I’ve Got The Blues
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – Long Distance Woman
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown – Okie Dokie Stomp
Coco Montoya – Back in a Cadillac
Doyle Bramhall II – Green Light Girl
Earl Hooker – Wah Wah Blues
Elmore James – Talk To Me Baby
Eric Clapton - Layla
Eric Gales – Whatcha Gon’ Do
Freddie King – Going Down
Gary Clark Jr – Next Door Neighbor Blues (LIVE)
Gary Hoey – Boxcar Blues
Gary Moore – Still Got The Blues
Hound Dog Taylor – Kansas City
Hubert Sumlin – Pickin’
Jimi Hendrix – Bold As Love
Jimmie Vaughan – Dengue Woman Blues
Joanne Shaw Taylor – In The Mood
Joe Bonamassa – I Gave Up Everything For You, ‘Cept The Blues
John Mayer – Out Of My Mind
Jonny Lang – A Quitter Never Wins (LIVE)
Josh Smith – First Hand Look (At Down And Out)
JW Jones – Moanin’ At Midnight (LIVE)
Keb Mo – The Worst Is Yet To Come
Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Heat Of The Sun
Kirk Fletcher – Blues For Antone
Lightning Hopkins – Once A Gambler
Magic Sam – I Need You So Bad
Marcus King - Boone
Matt Schofield – Don’t Know What I’d Do
Mike Bloomfield - Really
Mike Zito – Crazy Legs
Muddy Waters – Good Morning Little School Girl
Otis Rush – You’re Breaking My Heart
Robert Cray – Side Dish
Robert Johnson – Stop Breakin’ Down Blues
Ronnie Earl - Skyman
Rory Gallagher – Don’t Start Me Talkin’
Roy Buchanan – John’s Blues
Shuggie Otis – Gospel Groove
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Pride and Joy
Tinsley Ellis – Kiss Of Death
Tommy Castro – The Devil You Know
Walter Trout – The Sky Is Fallin’ Down
For those of you who really want to dive deep into blues guitar music, I have put together this HUGE Spotify playlist called Best of the Blues.
Jason Landry is a musician, artist, and radio DJ. He creates electronic music and writes about music and art. www.jasonlandry.com
Thoughts On Music & Art RSSJanuary 18, 2022
Book Review - Kraftwerk: Future Music From Germany
Kraftwerk: Future Music from Germany“In our society, everything is in motion. Music is a flowing art form.” ~ Ralf Hütter
by Uwe Schütte
Formed in Düsseldorf, Germany by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider, Kraftwerk created Industrial electronic music. It’s like conceptual art for the ears. As if they were robots or robotic in nature, they crossed the boundaries of art & technology, and in one way or another, laid the foundation for many bands since their beginnings, over fifty years ago.
The author took a deep dive into the history of this band and “looked at Kraftwerk not as just a band but rather a cultural phenomenon, as an art project and concept translated into a multimedia combination of sound and image, graphic design and performance.”
Each album was dissected and analyzed in detail as to how it fit into the cultural spectrum as well as the historical elements that were happening simultaneously around them, including their stance on nuclear energy, transportation, robots, and identity. We watched them evolve through their early performances in galleries and at happenings, through lineup changes, and watched how they moved from analog to digital technology and inspiring audiences throughout the world. They were always in motion, pushing forward, even when they weren’t riding their bikes.
As the most popular band to come out of Germany, they seemed to be looking for their own identity, one that had a light grip as German by nature, but with tentacles extending outward beyond their own borders. “Kraftwerk were articulating the mood of Germany’s post war generation––it was time to reclaim German culture from the dark shadows of recent history and move forward.”
They created “Music with no guitars at all, no indebtedness to the blues, no appeal to any of the basic motivations behind so much pop music such as who to love, and essentially no front man for the audience to identify with.” After the success of their song ‘Autobahn’, they “became Germany’s Andy Warhol.”
Think of their music like being created on an assembly line, akin to Warhol mass producing prints as a way of becoming mechanical, like a camera. They were highly inspired by Warhol, even working out of a studio that they named Kling Klang, similar to Warhol’s Factory in NYC.
Kraftwerk saw their music as electronic and “as ethnic music from the German industrial area - industrielle Volksmusic.” Their sentiment reminded me of the German photographers Bernd & Hilla Becher who photographed industrial objects including water towers and factories specifically for their sculptural properties, almost as if they were cataloging them. This goes to show how important the industrial nature of their environment was, and how artists were inspired by it in such different ways.
The author makes a comparison that Hütter and Schneider would someday be lumped into the same category as Lennon and McCartney and Jagger and Richards. I can see that, but I would rather look at them as artists in the same context as Warhol or artists Gilbert & George, who they also were influenced by.
Conclusion
“Kraftwerk is not a band. It is a concept.” Schneider
Kraftwerk were on the cutting edge of a new genre of music way before anyone could totally grasp it. It was if they were looking to create a new language --machine made music for the future. If you’re into Kraftwerk, electronic music, or the history of music, Kraftwerk: Future Music from Germany would be a great read.
Thoughts On Music & Art RSS
