This last couple of years have been a blast! I have had the opportunity to make music happen with my friends all over the US, in Canada, the UK, New Zealand and Mexico. With all of the thousands of people who have been to our shows, I want to express my thanks, appreciation and gratitude! Because you love music like we do, you make it possible for us to bring it to you…
With all that touring, it is a sweet feeling when I have the opportunity to play closer to home. Working in Seattle with my band DreamWreck and other artists, recording with my friends, producing artists and working with music and recording clients with my Ben Smith Music Company projects locally is so warming and sustaining. I have lots of friends and music fans who engage with me around shows in Seattle, and it is sharing that intimacy that feels so great.
And yet, the parallels that working locally shares with touring are clear! I have the chance to make music with motivated, talented people. I offer my abilities and feeling while creating a group moment that transcends my own brain. Talk about honoring something bigger than myself, and being “a part of”, playing and listening to music is it!! The buzz in the air, the anticipation and fun of the build up to the show are perfect moments of their own…
When performing in clubs the closeness and the heat of the crowd are visceral. It brings an intimate and personal feeling from the crowd to the musicians and back. The sweat, the way the venues smell, and the instant response is thrilling. And, let’s remember that all great acts started in the local scene, and the clubs and fans that respond and support good bands are the first, most important motivators for music artists. If we can get momentum happening locally, the dream can be fed and sustained.
The struggles that all musicians face to create the chance to be heard, to find a balance between our family life and performing at night and on the road, and to get honest with ourselves about what we really want to do with our lives and our music are real. They aren’t so different from the struggles that all people face with their jobs and lives, we all have to decide what we want to do. I am always inspired to see people who dream and then accomplish their dream. We all deserve to chase our own dream, and my hope is anyone who wants to can engage with other people to find the ways to make our dreams and goals happen!!
In the present, I am so happy to be able to share my music with people locally and internationally, and I salute all of us who perform, who listen and enjoy live music! It’s a big world, let’s join with each other in it!!
