Vivid Peace and the Advent Of Art

Vivid Peace is growing to include many creative efforts - beyond music into many arts.

Stay tuned: The light is brighter.

Progressive music and the death of tradition

Catchy title, yes?

Actually, this short post is in contrast to the title.

Progressive music is not dead at all. It has just progressed. With sounds like Pink Floyd, Yes, (arguably) The Moody Blues, and so many other musical wonders of the world - it seems logical and even desirable for today's artists to continue the tradition: learn, experiment, make sounds and share them with the world.

Bend the boundaries of what Rock or Progressive or Pop is. Put some blues in your electronic sounds. Put some blues in your pop. Put some pop in your rock (not PopRocks, mind you!)

Listen...

Learn...

Blend...

Defy the edges...

Vivid Peace - A new Journey - and 2012 - Maya The Single

Things have been busy. I have a pair of new albums coming out, the second and third of The Blue Sun Project. The muses this time are Clio and Thalia. Clio will be out this fall, with Thalia coming out in the winter time.

And now: TADA! the new "band" name: Vivid Peace.

I'm leaving my Jimmy Bear Pearson persona behind and starting a new phase to my musical musings.

I've released a single from Clio through TuneCore: 2012 - Maya. This tune is my musical expression of following the Mayan calendar in a rhythmic and hypnotic roundabout, culminating in a gentle fade to the end.

Will 2012 be the end? I don't know. I'll tell you on the 22nd.

Please listen through iTunes, Rhapsody, eMusic and more.

So what is a label, anyway? What makes an artist notable?

Traditional thinking is that a label is a company that fosters, markets, profits from, and identifies with music and musicians.

Isn't CDBaby (or many of the other self-publish and small-volume-publish entities) a label? Considering the income and spread of artists, wouldn't it be considered to be a "big" label?

Is it fair to say that good music is always promoted and that not-good music gets no promotion. No, methinks. Not really. Applying absolutes doesn't work.

Similarly, what is a major label? Is it major because it gets airtime on the repeat-the-same-tunes-every-hour radio stations? Is it major because its artists' tracks are featured on major charts and indexes? Is it major because of gross dollar sales? Is it major because it has artists mentioned on television, Jay Leno (Hi Jay!), or the morning talk shows?

Besides, "big labels" and major radio stations seem to have shifted away from music and towards money. Money is good. Music is better.

(rant off - I'm rambling today.)

Music Icon and Inspiration Michael Joseph Jackson Passes Away

Michael Jackson died June 25, 2009 with a full cardiac arrest.

Michael was not just an icon and a pop figure, he was an outstanding musician and an inspiration to many millions. I, too, have admired you very much and enjoyed so many of your tunes and your videos and dance moves.

He left us with many gifts of song, sight, and music. Like so many greats that have gone before him, it will be hard to think of a world without Michael. Once again, another gifted genius has died well before his time...

Thank you for singing for us, Michael. God speed and rest in peace. Your musical and dance legacy will be an inspiration to many generations.

Good bye, Michael.

My musical Gearhead thought for the day

A good guitar doesn't have to be anything more than what its player wants. That is what makes a good guitar.

A great guitar doesn't have to be anything more than a fully wonderful sensual experience (sight, sound, feel, smell) that invokes deep feelings about music when it is played.

None of the above is directly related to cost - just great guitar luthiery and great tech work.

I have played beat (but well adjusted) clunkers that play much better than off-the-rack-new awesome high-brand guitars.

How YOU feel a bout the instrument is the most important thing in the world (as it pertains to making music or enjoying gear).

Good Stuff - People Who Know People

Contrary to the mood of one my most recent posts, there are encouraging things about the way the music business works.

I built a super-wonderful custom Stratocaster for a local musician. (You can see it here, opens new window.) As is usual, I couldn't let it go without making it be the absolute best that I could... I buried time and the best parts I could find (in my budget) into the guitar.

I put in quite a bit of extras... quite a bit of love... enough to make this one of the best customs I've ever made. Maybe the best...

What's the point of my post? The local musician who emptied his pockets to purchase the guitar from me spent an hour and a half talking with my (gigging musician) son about local venues, and connecting my son with "people who know people." I didn't ask for the help... the musician absolutely gave of his hard work in connecting people to us in a wonderful act of sharing.

Musicians are great people. I'm so glad to be one, but more honored to spend time with musicians and make guitars for them.

As a plug: please listen to my new customer friend's band! You can find them here: Left Outlet - Give them a listen (opens new window).

Cutting Throats Where No Throats Need To Be Cut

A local band recently had an important (small, but important) gig date "replaced" by another band.

Said another way, the venue committed to the local band a spot for a non-paying, but fun, gig. People drove across the state. Gear was hefted about and around. The local band was excited - they've packed the place several times.

At the door, another band was in their slot. No notice to the original band. No notice to any member of anyone... just a "force in" of another band.

Despite the fact that the "forced in" band was not very good, spirits were not lifted for the original, hard-working local band.

So, the point of this post is this: what part of "promote new music and young musicians" is served by venues changing the roster without notice to the band(s) involved?

What part of "promote up-and-coming musicians by encouraging them to play lots of dates" is served by selfish palm-greasing by an establishment which doesn't even PAY the bands that SELL its alcohol?

None.

So, here's my take:

Promote folks who are working hard. Stay with your commitments (venues, managers AND acts). Have honor and real integrity. Promote the future of our music by complaining to management when bands are "forced in" place of other bands (better bands or lesser bands).

Vote with your feet and your pocketbook when venues (large and small) don't promote the cause of live, local, good music.

I'm unhappy for the band that got forced out. I now have a place I won't patronize in Greensboro, not ever again.