February, 2008

I love to read and write...

I love to read and write. Like singing and composing songs, reading a great book or writing a letter to a dear friend can take you to the heart of your own experience where you can discover more about who you really are – which is wonderful!
I read a lot, travelling from town to town, on tour.

As much as I like to write (not only songs), actually getting down to it is often a challenge. It’s easier when, in a flash of inspiration, you discover a focal point for expressing something that you feel strongly about and want to share. It’s like that with song writing, too – once you come up with a potent theme, the title, or a key phrase, you’re off and running!

A book I’ve read recently got me to thinking about the song ”Spirit I Am”, on the new record.

My friend, Figge, who co-wrote the song, came up with the chant-like chorus melody. In song writing, the definitive words sometimes come later in the process and you use “fake” lyrics while you’re getting the song together. As Figge told it, he was feeling uptight at not being paid on time for a gig he had done (he’s a fine bass player) and he started singing something like: “ I live for the money I earn”. We laughed about it and I sat down to write an alternative lyric. Often “fake” words contain something that sounds so right you don’t want to replace it. So, I held onto the “I live for …” part of that phrase.

I live for what? And then it came to me in a flash: I live for the Spirit I am! I am, I am, I am! The irony in the transformation from money to Spirit made us laugh again. Figge’s righteous irritation at not getting paid on time ultimately provided me with a vehicle for exploring some topics that run through a lot of the books I’m reading these days.

“Lookin’ in the mirror I’m askin’
Am I the change I long to see?
You know the world is just a picture
Of what’s inside of you and me”
(Verse 2 - “Spirit I Am”)

Anyway, Friends, the new record will be available soon (set for world-wide release this spring) – it’s called, GET ONBOARD. See you at the station!

"Love and do what you will" - St. Augustine

PS. While on tour in Finland we came across a fabulous cd by a vocal group, Rajaton it's called "Maa". After listening to it non stop for days in the car, we were sitting at a restaurant in Turku after a gig adn who should walk in - the members of Rajaton! (Rajaton means boundless..) Check it out!!

Peace,
Eric February 9, 2008