You and Music? Check the Connection (Music)

 As we all wander along life's path, surrounded by increasing uncertainties, one thing should become more and more clear: our self-knowledge.  For example, I have a good grasp on my relationship with martial arts, with writing, and with music. I know my musical tastes, I am very familiar with what sounds I like, and I stay open-minded for new tunes that come my way. But, my connection with music received a wake-up call recently, as I watched an iPhone app stream real-time lyrics while an old familiar song played  blasted through my headphones. The combination of the app and the headphones helped me experience a greater depth to this track than I knew before and a greater depth of incongruity between the lyrics I sing and the real lyrics to the song. Yes, that's right, you heard it here first; I admit it:

I have been singing the wrong words to many songs I thought I knew.  

Somewhere, somehow, I lost touch with my direct connection with music. Since then, I have been selling myself short as far as musical experiences are concerned; like passively listening to background noise. Now, I once again want to hear the subtleties and nuances that make music an 'art' form. I want to lust after the words to a new song I just heard. I want to re-learn the actual words to my favorite songs; especially those I sing regularly!. In other words, I want to  re-connect with music. I liken my disjointed state of affairs with music, to Henry David Thoreau's depiction of the men of his day and their 'relationship' with reading (this was only 150 years ago!):

"Most men have learned to read to serve a paltry convenience, as they have learned to cipher in order to keep accounts and not be cheated in trade; but of reading as a noble intellectual exercise they know little or nothing; yet this only is reading, in a high sense, not that which lulls us as a luxury and suffers the nobler faculties to sleep the while, but what we have to stand on tiptoe to read and devote our most alert and wakeful hours to."

 I want to snap out of it, wake up from my lulled sleep, and stand on tiptoe again to feel and devour my music......

So, be warned: Your relationship with music may also be lulled to sleep; like mine was. This trance can overtake you without warning, on any given day. It could have occurred last week, earlier today, or it may be happening now....

The only way to avoid this tragic calamity or to cure the malady  if you have fallen victim, is to have a sincere, deep-felt connection with a sampling of today's music. In other words, not just any music will do; an online viewing of a concert doesn't count, either. You must go to the venue, get involved, and experience the musical moment.

In the Los Angeles area, these are the only shows that qualify for prevention/cure:

THIS WEEK:

Behrouz and DJ Kam      

At King King this Friday (4/23); arrive early (discount before 11) and tell 'em Kung Fu Kev sent ya (contact for list). Attendance to this event is vital to ensure your link with music stays healthy.

(These two DJ's are well known for helping others re-kindle their flame with music.)

NEXT WEEK:

Fischerspooner is an art pop performance project created and helmed by Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner that makes music, dance, fashion, film and photography. Their work fuses fine art and pop culture, as in their renowned outsider pop shows bursting with stage effects presented in both art galleries and traditional concert halls. Their full-length albums of music include #1, a punked-up digital party record trussed with conceptual lyrics; and Odyssey, a rich emotional fantasia with a deep, expansive sound. Fischerspooner’s third album Entertainment, a sophisticated pop epic bubbling with hooks was releases in May, 2009.

Fischerspooner 

At My House, next Thursday (4/29); this event is expected to sell out, as well. 

So presale, early arrival, and listing are all highly recommended (contact Kev).

(This is another duo known to clear the audience's mind by blowing you away. Perfect for prevention AND restoration.)

Videos from Fischerspooner

Emerge		Just Let Go
Never Win		We Are Electric

Until the next Kickin' it with Kung Fu Kev....

I wish you luck on your ventures, both reputable and foul. My hopes are that you preserve your divine connection with music by attending at least one show and that you attend BOTH shows if you need to restore your sacred link. Anyways, all the best, see you when the sick beats start....