I know people who could be described differently as being visually-oriented, kinetic, tactile. or, like me, auditory. Friends of mine who are excellent teachers understand these differences in the way people experience the world around them and strive to present information to reach different types of students. Some of my choral conductor friends are wonderful at instructing choirs to put their bodies into singing, and different gestures help communicate concepts that translate into the phrasing or nuance they want.
One thing I love about musical theater and opera, as well as musical films, is that they involve more of the senses. There’s singing, often dancing, visual art in the sets, lighting, and costumes, and there can be poetry and great literature in the dialogue. There are movie theaters now where they even pipe scents into the theater and spray you with mist and puffs of air to enhance the experience, and the film is in 3D. On a recent trip to Mexico, Paco and I experienced the Van Gogh virtual tour where we donned headsets that put us into some of the master’s paintings. We could look around in all directions and feel like we were in his world. It was spectacular!
I know a lot of people weren’t fans of the dancing in the In Memoriam segment of the Oscars, but I thought it was lovely, being a lover of ritual, liturgy, and mixed media. It was interesting to me that, for the first time in my memory, there were no outbursts of applause when certain names came up and silence for others. Friends who were in the room said it definitely had an air of solemnity to it.
Music videos are a way that I can take my songs to another level. We put a lot of thought into the images we marry with the music. Paco often cautions against being too literal. We really try not to impose meaning onto the song that might impede the listener’s ability to make their own connections. Part of the magic of art is the way it acts as a catalyst for people to set their own imaginations in motion and get in touch with their emotions. On the other hand, sometimes I really want the visual images to clarify what I am trying to communicate in the song. The balance that we reach is where the magic happens.
Here's the Big News!
You may recall that my duet with Melissa Manchester, “You Can’t Hide the Light,” won numerous awards, both as a song and as a music video. I was honored that Melissa talked about it in this recent interview with Steve Ryan on Backstage Pass. I think one reason that video was so successful is that the dancers, and the way it was filmed, created just such a platform for the imaginations of the viewers. In addition to winning “Best Music in a Short Film” in the Paris International Short Film Festival, we won “Best Music Video” in the prestigious Pasadena International Film Festival (PIFF), which was named one of the top 100 festivals in the world out of more than 10,000 by Film Freeway. Well, we just got word that our music video for my song, “While You are Right in Front of Me” is an Official Selection in the PIFF this year! If you are in Southern California, I hope you will consider joining us at the Laemmle Theaters in North Hollywood on Tuesday, April 9 at 3:40 pm. We’re the first film in Block 23 so don’t be late. I know that it being in the afternoon on a weekday eliminates several of you from being able to attend, but if can make it it would be fantastic to share this experience with you. Tickets will be available via the Laemmle website in a few days. Do let me know if you will be there.
“While You are Right in Front of Me” was written during the pandemic. People often talk of songs being part of the soundtrack of their lives and that is exactly what this song is for me. Coming after we cared for my Mom and Stepdad in their transition from this world and me getting laid off of a job after 11 years, it was an expression of the clarity those experiences brought me. Life is short and the more we can focus on what truly matters for us, the better. For me, that is love in all its forms and rich relationships with everyone in my life. Music is my way of making sense of everything and translating my complex thoughts into art that might resonate with others in some way. On a certain level, saying one piece of art is better than another is arbitrary and subjective. But, being recognized by my peers feels validating and lets me know I am succeeding in connecting with people through song. So, too, do the wonderful surprise donations I receive from time to time in the Tip Jar on my website. I’m grateful to Gwen Young and Foster Bertomen, Marge Walsh, Kris Lansing, Alex Ortega, Gabrielle Lynch, Dianne and Kenny Ramirez, Gayla Turner and Kim Lewis, Betsy Brown, Deb Blount, and a few people who wish to remain anonymous. Your kind contributions always seem to come at times when I am frustrated, or doubting whether all this time and expense is worth it. Thank you for allowing me to share my musical creations with you. Some will connect with you, and some may not. I am deeply grateful that you give them a listen. More is coming very soon.