"It's about the journey, not the destination."
A saying that I've heard a lot and have taken on myself, in respects to most aspects of life.
I've learned that living each day is the most difficult part of life. But, each day also produces the most minute measures of joy that can give me so much inspiration and motivation to learn and grow more and more each day.
Denis Leary's stand-up always reminds of life's simple pleasures. (Happiness comes in small doses - 2:50) " LIFE SUCKS! GET A F@#$!? HELMET!"
Now, I haven't battled through addiction or lost the love of my life, but I can get a sense for what it must be like to actually walk in another persons shoes.
Art is Bashing (my brains)
My recent conversation with Curt Apwisch, singer and bassist for the band, Hotel War - Columbus, OH, is a prime example of enduring each day. We all go through the daily grind in our own way. Doing our best to 'keep it all together' in search of our dreams, goals, or simply just to get to the weekend.
He might be having a difficult go right now, but I reassured him that his journey will provide him with the tools necessary to reach his next achievement plateau. Unfortunately, we all reach a plateau at some point. The trick for me is to enjoy the success briefly, then move on to push through to the next achievement. Not too high, not too low. Just steady Eddie.
Now, my good friends in Hotel War are living the so-called 'Starving Artist' lifestyle. They do what they have to do to afford them the freedom and independence to imagine, create and explore their musical talents. They have sacrificed for their art, their craft that comes from some source of inner inspiration and desire to tell a story.
Why does a song bird sing?
Maybe it just feels natural. Maybe it's a gift to whomever will listen. Maybe to reach out to its surrounding community.
Just as a bird sings, so do people and instruments, creating a rhythm, beat and a tune that can sound excruciatingly painful, or angelic and peaceful. Anywhere in between there too, depending on who you talk to.
I've seen the lead guitarist of Hotel War, Justin Nash, make his six string instrument transform into a slip 'n slide, when his fingers glide up and down the neck of his guitar, as he searches for the perfect note to pick. This occurs countless times during a song, faster than the blink of an eye.
Mesmerized am I, watching the set move on, as Curt's voice, which is influenced by the likes of Vedder & Morrison, consumes and tackles the grungy spectators with his voracious, self-taught front-man moves. Justin says Curt is really feeling the music when his feet are tapping the stage like an excited Maximus - their dog - tail flicking the kitchen floor when their owner returns home.
One thing I love about Justin after I watch his performance is his self-criticism. He will always ask me my thoughts on their show, as if he knows he is being evaluated by a rock-guru-all-star critic. (Funny thing is, he already knows where the band F'ed up and how it needs to be fixed.) I am always pleased, sweaty, and buzzed - from beer and the band - which makes me a terrible friend sometimes, because I know he wants to hear more, but, honestly I don't know how they put their music together. I can't give them anything tangible to criticize their performance. I can barely whistle and walk.
I'm a friend who is happy to see his best friends smiling in the face of adversity. Having a passion for music and seeing that passion left on stage in the form of blood, sweat and beers. Soldier on my boys. You may never reach the destination in your mind, but the rest of us are sure enjoying the ride and wish you all the best.
I'm working on getting a show together April 25th, somewhere in Cincinnati. Show some support for the boys and come for the passion. And whiskey!
PS ~ the top pic is the band plus one tambourine specialist. Me! My shining moment as the boys were kind enough to even entertain the idea of me coming up to play with them on my favorite song. It was an experience I can only describe as 'Close to orgasmic without the orgasm!'
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