Reactions to Reactions

There are many articles and videos circulating of the public’s reactions to Obama’s State of the Union Address.

There are polls out there, like CSB News, who try to gauge public reaction based on those who watched the address. Although, from what I can tell from my own experience and acquaintances, it is usually only supporters, for the most part, who watch such speeches.

Or consider CNN, who spends time assessing Obama’s campaign tone of change. Though it was promised, what can the public really expect? When I hear a president promise such a thing, I hear the character of a man. I hear a man who not only believes change is necessary, but understands, at a fundamental, pragmatic level, how that change can help. What I don’t here, is an absolute certainty that this change will come about. It is not Obama, or any president, who can change an entire political culture. The president’s power is limited to this end.  Perhaps if Obama was a dictator, or true socialist, he’d be able to seize the power needed to force Congress to change. This, of course, is a dangerous thing, even if the public thinks that kind of “power” would bring about positive results. It is Congress that will need to ultimately exemplify and execute that shift. Not Obama.

Here are comments from simple Americans, like us. Obama has been unable to accomplish much of what he’s wanted to see change in his first year in office. But if we don’t want a dictator, socialist “president”, as Obama’s been condemned as before, than I think it fair not to judge his results as if he were that dictator. Again, he does not have the power to snap his fingers and magically wash away the disasters of this recession with one gust of power. He doesn’t have it. I think it hypocritical to dislike him as a power-hungry socialist, then turn around and expect him to produce results as if he were one. In my opinion, if you’d like to blame someone, look to the congressperson you voted into the house or senate. It is in those chambers that post partisan Washington will be realized. We have a president who can lead such a Washington, but is not capable of creating it, nor can any other president. Ultimately, a post partisan Washington begins with us – the voters. With many of the “old white men” sitting in Congress for their countless terms, I think it hard to see that kind of change happen – teach old dogs new tricks.

Just because we haven’t seen an economic turn-around within a time frame we WANT, does that mean he is not genuine? That seems illogical. To Obama’s DISCREDIT, I think he has laid out time frames himself that were unrealistic and misleading. Yet this kind of recovery takes time. It’s been 12 months. Though the recession has been the most difficult in the last two years, it has been in the making for arguably over a decade. A full recovery is not within reach in such a short period of time – unless of course you want a dictator with ultimate power to make a couple swift decisions for a superficial and unsustainable recovery.

Again, the bipartisanship. Yes, many of Obama’s major initiatives have been passed with little Republican support. But does that mean Obama is not a central leading president? Not necessarily – as he’s made decisions and moves that have not pleased his own party. This is pragmatic; a show that we are being led not by a smart player in the political game, but by what a man believes to be right. Should we really be blaming Obama for partisan division? Or might we look to those who don’t want to get on board – not with Obama’s exact plans necessarily – but on board with the new Washington game of honest debate and independent thinking.

What about those litte, pot-bellied people watching Obama present the State of the Union face-to-face? When are they going to be held accountable? When are they going to have to answer the tough questions about the direction of this country? Or are we just going to keep treating them like little, bad ass kids who aren’t able to control their own actions; kids will be kids. It’s those damn parents fault! Er, I mean, the president’s fault!

2010
01/28
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Drift Effect Breaks Up: For my part, here’s why

Drift Effect has called it quits. I cannot speak for the other guys but I can speak for myself. I’m choosing to jot this down because, frankly, I don’t want to give people the same answer several times. We very much appreciate your concern and curiosity and definitely owe you an explanation.

I decided to call it quits with Drift Effect. My quitting was a last straw in a very stressful and trying period for the band that resulted in its dismantling. The five of us have been playing together for almost five years. I can honestly say that I am not the same person I was then and that my perspective on…things… has changed dramatically, irrevocably.

I spent the last five years building my life around THIS band, rather than building music around my life and my artistry. Before the band comes the artist/players. The beauty of most bands is that the artistry and craftsmanship of the individual is shared among several people. Rather than us drifting towards that realization, for me, it has been drifting away.

Or I had been drifting away.

If there is fault to be assigned, it should be on me. As DE created music, my “ideas” were geared, not toward what I thought was great, but what I thought people would like. Or what would sell. Or what would get us to that next step. Or what was “Drift Effect”. My perspective was that being in a national touring band was the only way I’d be able to find my livelihood in music. This perspective has caused me to sacrifice much creatively, and in other ways. Eventually, the cost outweighs the benefit and that’s where we have come.

I love those dudes. Always will. They are genuine and incredibly talented. The best I’ve played with.  Yet being in Drift Effect is not the end for me. I find a great deal of freedom in realizing that there are so many other opportunities and ways to work in music; ways that would be much more conducive to me as an artist.

Figured you guys deserved more than the cliche reasons bands break up. Or just call it “creative differences”. That’s my part.

2010
01/26
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$57 Million to Haiti – Yea for Main Stream Media!

Though I would never say this is a bad thing, I ask myself: why now? People around the world have opinions of Americans – good, bad and definitely ugly. Are we lazy? In some ways but never when it comes to getting our money. Are we power-hungry? Who isn’t? Do we care for anyone but ourselves? Apparently we do as this record setting fundraiser shows.

Yet I can’t help but ask why we are able to come together to aid a devestated nation but at other times, neglect them? Are we all just slaves to popular and main stream media? Do our hearts bleed for others only when it’s popular, or trending, or the fad, to do so?

Haiti has been hurting for a very long time, as are other countries and people around the world. And, to be fair, many Americans have been answering that call – through church mission trips and other aid.

Yet there are other Americans who say we should be worrying about ourselves first. That we should get our own affairs in order before we share our resources with the world. I, for one, think that politically and economically created borders separate humanity enough. I don’t want to have my perspective on my fellow man dictated by a line on a map. I don’t want my nationality to determine whether another human being is my brother or sister.

Guaranteed: if one of your immediate family members was suffering in Haiti (pre-earthquake) or in another part of the “third” world, you would lend a helping hand, in any way, without question. You would be one of the people digging and scratching at wreckage for loved ones – resenting those who question your motivations; who ask why things in that country are the way they are and if they “deserve” your aid. You’d spit in the face of those that can’t see beyond justifications for helping or not helping. It’s simple math: me without you equals hell. Prevent that disaster. Black and white. All else is unnecessary garnish.

If you clear away all the bullshit and leave two major elements – you and the person dying – you feel a natural, almost altruistic, inclination to help; to make that other persons life better. However, you realize that in order to help, you must sacrifice something of yourself – time, money, or even risk your own life. So now there is a dilemma. You or the person in need.

And this nagging inclination. It has to be appeased somehow.

Enter the bullshit – the justifications, the blaming, the judgements – anything that will rid you of that inclination to help without actually helping or making that sacrifice.

Essentially, as in all aspects of this world, it comes down to perspective. What an amazing thing to think that a global community is within our grasp – not technologically, economically or politically – but simply in our points of view. To pull that pie out of the sky and act on that perspective – to stop disregarding that idea because it sounds “cheesy” or “hippie”.

Let’s get it done.

2010
01/24
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Feed My Starving Children

I just spent an hour and a half packing boxes of food that will ship to relief organizations in Haiti. The nonprofit doing this work is called Feed My Starving Children.

The facts: we spent roughly one hour actually working. In that hour we packed over 50 boxes, each stuffed with 36 small pouches of a dry mixture of rice, soy, chicken and vegetables. Each pouch contained 12 1-cup meals. The nutrition in one cup is enough to not only sustain a child for a day, but to bring that child back from severe malnutrition. An 8-year-old weighing 19 pounds doubled his weight in 17 days. The total number of meals in all the boxes was over 12,300 – enough to feed 34 children for an entire year EACH! So much for the “What difference can I make” mentality.

This took 90 minutes out of my day. And 34 kids will not only survive because of that 90 minutes but become healthy. Each meal costs roughly 17 cents. How many double cheeseburgers can we get with that?

Because of this catastrophe in Haiti, we have been bombarded by media to give…to help. This is great! Who would have thought that popular culture would have room for helping others? However, in the bombardment, I was feeling a bit disillusioned. As though I was a small drop in an ocean of people that were surely aiding the Red Cross and making contributions. That may be true, and I hope it is, but a small drop has never been capable of more.

Unfortunately, I see people get caught up in an attitude of what they’re responsible, or not responsible, to do for others. Generally, not just in reference to the earthquake in Haiti, I hear people lay blame on the poverty victims themselves for their own circumstances. These people say the victims brought it on themselves. That they should take the power to rise above their own circumstances, like we hard-working Americans do.

Ironically, THIS MAY BE TRUE! Maybe their not “victims” at all but lazy, mooching world sewage.

Perhaps people aren’t responsible for others who are suffering from hunger and disease and unsanitary conditions. Perhaps it’s not fair to feel guilted into helping. Perhaps they should feel wronged when others say they should help.

Know this: whether blame is justly placed at someone’s feet or not bears no consequence on one’s ABILITY to help their fellow man.

There is no logical connection between deciding who’s responsible for certain conditions and deciding whether or not to help.

Imagine the following conversation: Bill-”A million kids will go without a Christmas dinner this year.” Steve-”Oh, so what you’re saying is I’m a horrible person if I don’t give to a food kitchen. It’s not my fault.” Bill-”No, it’s not your fault. But so what? Can you help?”

I hear these conversations!

When a child is dying, and a mother decides to drop him down the toilet of an outhouse rather than bear watching him die – than face the constant reminder of her failure as a mother – who cares who’s responsible for that circumstance. Just help nagate it! Help destroy those circumstances!

No one has ever asked us to judge each other. That is something we have implemented because we are so scared of being wronged without chance of retribution.

But we are asked to take care of each other.

The month-old child that was dropped down the toilet was days from dying of malnutrition and the food I packed tonight brought him into his third year of life and he looks no different than a healthy American kid.

And people complain that the 17 cents came out of their pocket rather than the mother’s? That the 90 minutes was taken out of their day and not out of a Haitian’s day? They pay much more than 17 cents a day in bone, blood and skin and spend 24 hours a day trying to find the next nutrition-promising dirt cake.

The same pouches of food I touched and placed in boxes, will be removed and touched by someone in need of it. Go help. A drop in an ocean has never before been capable of so much.

2010
01/22
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I’m having an “I gotta write this down!!!” moment…

I listen to a lot of music. I read a lot of books. I watch films. My idea of a good time is sitting outside a college dorm at 3:00 am talking about religion, philosophy, history, social injustices and cultural ticks.

I am a musician. All of these things I see through the eyes of an imprisoned freedom-fighter, a caged tiger or a scribe with an incurable case of writer’s block.

There are moments, invaluable and unpredictable moments, when I feel the illusive intimacy of understanding within my grasp.

Alice Walker wrote: “What is always needed in the appreciation of art, or life, is the larger perspective. Connections made, or at least attempted, where none existed before, the straining to encompass in one’s glance the common thread, the unifying theme through immense diversity, a fearlessness of growth, of search, of looking, that enlarges the private and the public world.”*

What we often see in pop culture today is a stampede to control fickle, fleeting entertainment in whatever form chosen by the “artist”. Far too often people lurch after the latest fad in circumstance, forgetting why it is these circumstances initially attracted them. Yet, even now, we can find tucked away in the crevices below and near us, artists who remember what it is they are trying to express and why it is important to express it. Circumstance are simply the chosen notes, written words or angled camera shots. What is expressed by these circumstances, or craft, is what remains constant.

Often what is expressed is simply the nature of our beings. No agenda. Musical groups of our time, and undoubtedly of times past, are in large part considered great simply because they were able to maintain themselves while evolving with their craft. One might hear a song 10 years older than another but still hear the artist’s vision just as it was ten years ago. Perhaps that artist found success yet his natural soul which yearns for peace or love or common ground can STILL be heard; despite, perhaps, being categorized in a different genre.

A writer may find themselves in Harlem traveling from Georgia yet their soul’s experience endures. They are still able to see the pain in disfigured faces and compassion in a poor mother’s embrace even though it may be under a skyscraper rather than in a country home.

Greatness is consistency in expression and the persistence to search for ourselves in others, that common thread weaving us together; by any means, craft or circumstance, necessary. It is knowing that it is not the artist who changes, but the craft of his art that does. It is not the common thread that changes, but our understanding of it that may shift. Their is power here. Yet it is not a domineering power, but is rather something in which to keep a peaceful faith; knowing it will not shake. Though the search will inevitably continue until the end of the human age, that thread is there and has always been there. And we will continue to depend on the expressive constancy in unwavering artists to push us towards it. And may we all seek them out.

*”Saving the Life That Is Your Own: The Importance of Models in the Artist’s Life” from In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens

2009
12/23
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The next Drift Effect record

As we’ve mentioned, we met with the guys of World Record Productions last night. Jeremy Tappero of Attention, James Harley and Brad Gunnarson of Midwest Movement.

We talked about a lot of things. Listened to some of the material they’ve produced and watched Harley rock a mean air-drum kit.

These were very reasonable, talented people. They were up-front about what they thought we needed and what they could do to help us reach our vision. AND THEY CAN DO IT! It was great to have Jeremy there, kind of a player’s coach to use sporting terms. And Harley is no slouch behind the glass.

After the meeting, I got to thinking more about Drift Effect’s next record. We’ve made a few (Drift Effect EP, Be Something, The Center and 2009 Singles) but we’ve never worked with a team like this. On Be Something, we worked with Chris Mara out of Nashville, TN. We were happy with the product but felt we had missed the mark on capturing who exactly we were as players, songwriters and artists.

The material we’ve been working on lately is much nearer to the mark. And my one hope after talking to WRP is that they can hear and internalize that intangible-something about us. Any fan of any group feels an attachment to that intangible something they hear. It’s what makes the music or show an experience. It’s what makes us want to jump off a bridge to save our copy of their record. It makes us feel that the band is somehow speaking for us. The record needs to encapsulate that intangible, that Drift Effect sound which I don’t think ANYONE has really heard yet.

I think these may be the guys to do it. They like to be involved from the seminal stages of a record which means, if they understand the core quality of our music, the outcome will be built entirely around it. It will be the foundational spirit of the music, what gives life to the arrangements and tones and harmony parts and all that mess.

You guys haven’t heard ANYTHING yet.

2009
12/15
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One More Thing…#thisiswar

The progression of this band from 30 Seconds To Mars to A Beautiful Lie and finally to This Is War is extraordinary. I’ve referred to 30 Seconds to Mars as a “prettier” version of Deftones. A Beautiful Lie saw Jared Leto come into his own melodically, as we’ve seen Brandon Boyd of Incubus evolve from records like S.C.I.E.N.C.E. to Light Grenades, with somgs like “Dig” which I think features one of Boyd’s best vocal performances. These type of frontmen are constantly progressing and This Is War is no exception to that progression for 30 Seconds to Mars. The above video is kind of a cool way to see a montage of this progression.

P.S. I’m reminded of what critics said about III, Led Zeppelin’s third record. Or consider what critics said about Pearl Jam releasing Vitalogy. With This Is War, and all the electonica-style instrumentation, hype over their recent lawsuit and anticipation, I can imagine critics exhibiting similar sentiments. Stay strong, Echelon. And don’t take it to heart, 30STM.

2009
12/14
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30 Seconds To Mars – This Is War

This Is War

I am proud to say 30 Seconds To Mars is without doubt my favorite band, for the moment. Players like myself don’t usually enjoy the luxury of latching onto one band for too long. But as many of you may have noticed, when I’m into a certain band I tend to obsess. Here are some of my thoughts on their latest record This Is War.

First of all, I think the record is BOLD. It isn’t often groups brave the world “outside the box”. I don’t think any of the songs are in the three minute range, apart from “100 Suns” – and I think that was cut too short! Their first single, “Kings and Queens” is a nearly 6 minute dramatic rendition of the albums theme, as I hear it currently: we all fight wars of our own, internally, externally and a lot of the time our enemy is ourselves. We continually struggle to understand the world we live in while simultaneously trying to understand who we are in relation to that world and even just in relation to the devil or angel on our shoulder.

Yet the beauty of this record, musically and compositionally, is how the mood, or tone, of each tune is integrally maintained; despite the sometimes long tracking. Leto’s melodies carry you through the minutes with minimal musical clutter. Their past records, 30 Seconds To Mars and A Beautiful Lie, oftentimes depend on driving guitar tones while on This Is War, it seems the band, or musical accompaniment, was simply there to give a vibey backdrop to Leto’s vocals – a compositional technique many bands never rise to as it slays egos and degenerates spotlight sharing albeit for the sake of the song or sound.

Let me give you a quick diatribe on how I came to be attached to this group, and may even begin to consider myself an honorary member of Echelon. When Chevelle released Vena Sera, I was pensive about the record as the sound was different than their previous records, ones I had obsessed over. “I Get It” was all over the radio and every time it aired I cranked it up, no matter where I was. The drop into the chorus was arousing! I had heard “The Kill” before and thought it a good son. With “I Get It”, I found myself treating the two songs as my favorites on the radio. And slowly, I began to transfer my obsession to 30 Seconds to Mars as I searched videos and songs on YouTube. 30 Seconds to Mars is the first band whose songs I purchased online simply because I had to have them NOW!. With the release of This Is War, the transition is complete and I can’t get enough.

My favorite song is “Hurricane“. “Kings and Queens” is good, but there is something about “Hurricane” that I can’t get over. I have no idea what it is, but it’s perfect. And if you’re wondering what my stance is on Kanye West’s involvement on it, let me be up front about it.

LEAVE HIM OUT!

I first heard the track with West and thought the vibe was great. But I was distracted from the best part of the song – Leto’s melody. There was simply too much going on in the song and, as I mentioned before, the song length can sometimes deter a listener from putting in the extra effort to find all the goodness in a tune. Of course, I wouldn’t settle for passing up on ANYTHING these dudes recorded, so I found the version without Kanye and “Hurricane” is beyond a doubt the best track on the record. Like “The Fantasy” off A Beautiful Lie, there are several melodic hooks arranged whimsically throughout the track which keeps my ear attuned through all six minutes and begging for more. It’s the kind of song that builds a sky, ground and air around you. You simply don’t want to leave that place. The song embodies song-aspects performed, composed and arranged at the highest level. There is not one characteristic of this song I would like to see changed, and that includes adding West back in.

It’s commendable that this band has included fans from Echelon in the tracking and duplication of this record. I’ve never heard of or seen this done with other bands. I’m sure other bands would love to do something like this but for some reason those ideas never come to fruition. Now I know this band works hard for their vision: to make a record which is more than just tracks but an experience. The instrumentation on This Is War is far from typical for a band of this genre and they showed no fear in utilizing it to accomplish their overall vision. There are few groups who see beyond the business to realize an artistic vision such as this.

I commend Jared and Shannon Leto and Tomo on a beautiful experience. Thank you for resurrecting the hope that music, and more importantly in this day and age, bands, can create something visionary while maintaining quality songwriting, instrumentation and performances.

2009
12/12
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Right is Might: Obama’s Plan and Address

Politics is a touchy subject with people. The subject seems to drag out the worst in people’s characters as we ALL get caught up in pushing the “right” perspective and allowing others the chance to agree with us, or be our sworn enemy.

I should also mention that I have been an Obama supporter since the beginning of his campaign. I’ve been told that I’ve drank the kool-aid but I trust his character and make no apologies. I have kept a daily log/journal of his activities as reported on his sites and in major news outlets since the day before the election in the hopes that my son, of mixed race, may one day have a first-hand account of this man’s time in office.

That being said, I’d still like to briefly comment on President Obama’s plan for Afghanistan and his address at West Point tonight. I will add a second post when I have the transcript in front of me.

Unfortunately, Obama is dealing with a disgruntled public; tired of our presences in Iraq. When Obama’s current Veteran’s Affairs secretary advised then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to send more troops into Iraq to get the job done in a timely and cost-effective manner, he was ridiculed and ignored. Now, we’ve been in Iraq for too long, at the cost of our troops lives and livelihoods, when we could have gone in swinging and gone out after a quick KO.

Obama seems to be following THAT advise in a political climate that has been disenfranchised by the former administration. We’ve forgotten why it is we are at war to begin with as the attempted branding of the Iraqi mission has deluded our reasons for being there. Tonight, in his address, Obama has re-focused our cause. And instead of blindly preaching freedom, we are talking about squashing a extremist sect of Islam, who has given the Muslim faith and culture a horrible, and false, name, who we want to protect ourselves from.

Senator John McCain (R-Az) stated after Obama’s address, that he does not agree with Obama’s timetable of getting out of the region. Obama is going out on a limb as he may have to tell us one day that we’ll be there past July of 2011 due to changing circumstances on the ground. However, I know that I work harder to get something done when I have a deadline. Joe Mauer even gave the Twins a deadline to get his contract extension done! I find it humorous to hear Republicans say they want to leave the campaign open-ended despite its potential costs (of all things). Yet this shows Obama’s conviction and trust in his Veteran’s Secretary and former four-star general’s perspective that we’ll be able to get in and get the job done quickly with the proper resources for that kind of task and goal.

Loosely paraphrased, Obama said that though circumstances in this age may change, our beliefs do not. Right is Might. That shows a faith in our moral and ethical code. This country defines and differentiates itself by that model. And even though we can’t always see how that faith can save us, we know it will. This thinking manifests itself in all forms of our daily lives. How can giving a dollar to the homeless guy help us? But we hand over the money because of the faith that, somehow, the world will be better. We’ve been terrorized and have grown to see a culture spinning beyond our control which has caused us to grip even harder on life, when all we need to do is have faith that the morals and ethics, which were once easy to quote and live by before, will save us now. It won’t be our limited ability to control the world. If control is our saving grace, God is dead (religion and politics, baby!).

Of course, despite others’ attitude that supporting or not supporting a war plan is somehow directly correlated to supporting the PEOPLE that are fighting, I speak for everyone when saying I fully support our troops and their families and hope for all of their safe returns.

2009
12/02
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#JoeMauerMVP #JoeMauerMVP #JoeMauerMVP

As you read this, you may be wondering why I’m typing this the day after it happened – and by “it” I mean Joe Mauer’s near-unanimous reception of the 2009 American League MVP award.

As with anything worth discussing, I think it prudent to take the time to properly formulate thoughts. If I’d have posted this immediately after 1:00 pm yesterday, it may have read something like this: “Freakin’ awesome!!! owensdoowerigndowdn!!!!!! OWEINGWDODKMDMCIDDLKPOINVPW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

That simply doesn’t suffice.

First of all, I should mention, being from Saint Paul, that I find it INCREDIBLY difficult to think of Joe Mauer as an athletic superstar. From my perspective, Mauer has the disadvantage of being a real, tangible person rather than a branded image living only in televised baseball games and generic ad spots. I should also mention that those of us who attended Highland Park Senior High School, Cretin Derham Hall was THE DEVIL! We’ve forever dubbed it “Cheatin’” Derham, mostly because we hated that they were better in every sport (except for maybe basketball). Now I can say that one of the reasons they were better was because they had a future AL MVP playing on their football and baseball teams.

I’ve had the privilege of listening to Nate, our bass player, tell stories of playing little league ball with Mauer, and how every time a grounder was hit towards third, Nate would wince BEFORE taking the rifle shot to first from Mauer.

Thusly, you can understand how it may be difficult to think of Mauer in the same light as a Kobe Bryant, Drew Brees, Mark Texeira or even Justin Morneau! And somehow, I feel like I’m cheating him because of this.

However, this “disadvantage” allows for what is more likely a much better and more gratifying perspective on all that has become Joe Mauer in major league baseball. The raw, natural talents can be your neighbors and best friends and become national beacons for what is noble and admirable. Every time I see horrifying stories of cheats and liars, crooks and self-indulgent asses – I can think back on the humble face of Minnesota-nice at a Metrodome news conference and MLB.com interview thanking everyone he’d seemingly ever known for winning the 2009 AL MVP award. Mauer can be, among other people, an example that character and integrity can lead to more success than cheating and lying in this twisted world.

Now I simply congratulate the best in the game and wish him every success in the future – and the will and nerve to maintain his character.

Curious.About.27/28? Click.Away!

2009
11/25
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