Jamming In

George Ko talks about early experiences with the piano. George discusses the trajectory into improvisation and recording. George's current piano is talked about. George highlights a good life motto, "It's nice to be nice."

Jacob shares a painful experience that ultimately led to something positive. Jacob maps out a trajectory for the kinds of questions he will ask in season two. 

Jennifer talks about how she grew up as a violinist. She discusses how important the works of an early music teacher were to her. She discusses finding her way amongst elite musical communities. She highlights challenges that classical music faces: Celebration of multi-hundred year bloodlines, wider gender pay gap than other industries, racism, pushback against genre evolutions, grant organisations that don't actually get the money out to artists. She projets what a post-pandemic landscape can look like.

Nick talks about how he fell into music, and how he transitioned into punk rock. He talks about anything he would have changed during the earlier days of Tera Melos. There is discussion about the Disheveled Cuss record. He contends that the biggest way people can support artists right now during Covid-19 is following the orders of Scientists and medical professionals.

Jason discusses his story of how he grew up with music. He talks about his family’s impact on his musical trajectory. Jason discusses the role music has played within the church. There is discussion on the impact Covid 19 has on Church and worship music. Jason discusses why stereotypical watered-down form is found in worship music. Jason proposes implementation of new interactive technologies in worship experiences.

Ari talks about her story falling into music. She discusses the importance of family support as she built up her musicianship. She also talks about the disjunction of being a musician and also working a 9-5. She gives a shout out to DC area native, Aaron Spears who encouraged her to accept the truth about music’s role in her life. Ari talks about how music can influence for positive change. She encourages those interested in music to work hard, believe and to do your best.

With multi-instrumentalists a common dilemma is retaining focus. Given the pandemic that we are living in focus can be even more-so of a challenge. Kyle discusses pragmatic solutions to this as well as other creative blocks that he can run into, such as external validation. Kyle talks about alternative pathways into the dream of music.