June and the beginning of summer bring warmer temperatures. So warm, in fact, that the intense heat wave we’ve had here at SPM NE has us sheltering in the AC of the studio where we’ve been spending the month thinking about Improvisation. How do artists think about those moments of uncertainty and unexpected opportunity? Do some artists embrace it only when it results in something great, or do they make it a core part of their creative process?

This episode, we’re joined by recording artists Howard Givens, Craig Padilla and Eric Jensen (otherwise known as Massergy) for a discussion about improvisation, spontaneity, “happy accidents,” the space between the notes – and what all of that teaches them about themselves as artists and humans.

Listen in on this Interview Edition:

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00:00 – Intro

00:42 – Welcome / VO

03:09 – Introductions

04:10 – Improv / Spontaneity in the creative process: Craig Padilla

05:50 – Improv / Spontaneity in the creative process: Eric Jensen

10:30  – Improv / Spontaneity in the creative process: Howard Givens

17:50 – “Happy Accidents” and mistakes leading to new ideas

22:22 – Inspiration from film and acting (h/t to Kubrik)

24:04 – Create for yourself, not results (h/t to Rick Rubin)

27:10 – Improvisation’s “elastic” structure

29:05 – “The blank canvas” (music vs visual)

32:57 – The spiritual aspect of collaboration in the flow state

37:48 – Creating music in nature (watch out for owls)

41:58 – What makes a piece finished?

47:29 – In the ear of the listener

53:35 – The gift of Craig’s Holiday house performances (and the limitations)

59:34 – What has improvisation taught you?

01:05:15 – Lightening Round 1: Name a track – Craig (Howard Givens & Craig Padilla: A Step Achieved)

01:06:55 – Lightening Round 1: Name a track – Eric (Massergy: Fire Opal)

01:08:38 – Lightening Round 1: Name a track – Howard (Brain Laughter: The Other Side (of Night))

01:13:14 – What it teaches us about being human

01:17:51 – Lightning Round 2: Name one thing that inspires (gear or not) – Howard: Everything

01:20:50 – Lightning Round 2: Name one thing that inspires (gear or not) – Craig: Modular synths

01:22:42 – Lightning Round 2: Name one thing that inspires (gear or not) – Eric: The process itself

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More from Howard Givens:

More from Craig Padilla:

More from Massergy:

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