Sometimes I listen back to early drafts of the songs I’ve worked on and since revised. I often post them here, because they say a lot about the process.

I realize today as I am listening to some of those that despite our progression as people towards more and more “well-rounded” and oh so effective professionals, we often get it right the first time. The tendency to rub things down and polish them until blemish free is so tempting, so addictive. And oh so boring.

I am going to have to make it a rule to always listen to my early drafts of tracks before sending something to an album… little things, like, for this one song “Silenced”… I had been playing a sort of ragged 16th note jagged edge line while singing. I decided that for the recording it was too “dirty” and also it was hard to play live effectively, so I simplified it. I mean, it’s not bad, but now it’s just not as interesting, compelling, and visceral as the original draft. The mistakes were cool.

This does not excuse laziness! It’s one thing to edit, revise, craft, and then decide you had it right the first time. It’s another to think that everything you do is ready to go. Believe me, I know what this is about: that’s why I don’t have my earlier albums up here. So much carelessness!

I say this because I really don’t admire this anymore. There is a deluge of lazy music out there, people who don’t want to practice, they just want to be rock stars. That’s fine, don’t get me wrong, for them. But I can’t imagine it is very satisfying in the end. And I’m just over hearing “bands” that don’t even try to make “music” because they know they can float on image and charm. Again, my personal preference.

Which brings me to the Jonas Brothers. I mean, maybe it has always been this way, but, um, I am seriously troubled and deeply perplexed by the phenomenon. I have only seen them on awards shows etc., and um, they don’t play their instruments… ?! I mean, it’s really gross that somebody has to stand in the shadows and play guitar while some dudes play rockstar. Don’t get me started on their voices, which are as inspiring as a Wal-Mart parking lot on a rainy day, and as flat.

They are most likely not to blame. They make lots and lots and lots of money, and people really love them. I don’t want to take that away from anyone, and I love that their music brings joy to people. Now that I have writ this I will have to listen to an album 3 times (always a good rule before judging too hard). But I do think it is sad that we don’t value musicians for being able to play music. I prefer to believe that we actually will not be tricked by corporate holograms instead of human spirit.

This is not to say I am a musician who can play music. I’m not. There’s a cellist cliche that you say “I don’t play the cello, the cello plays me…” It’s a learning process, and like anything that you truly care about, the work will never end, it’s the infinite mountain.
So lay off the polish, the sheen, the makeup. Sometimes it’s right the first time. That’s my current deal. It’s not about “tricking” people. Or tricking yourself.