Moving my Blog to Tumblr

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Peace be with you!

Forks in the Road

Musicians are often faced with making decisions between a "sure thing" vs. a "risk". We are frequently faced with forks in the road. Looking back I see how many great opportunities I've turned away just so I could take a risk in following a vision. I'm beginning to realize all these situations are tests of my belief in my self. 

The truth is...

My life could be easier, I could be making more money, I could be experiencing a lot of things that our culture tells me would make me happier, and every time an opportunity arises I am tempted. But for some reason there's just this thing in me that screams bigger than all of that. It's like there's something I have to create, that I have to give birth to in this lifetime. I think we all have this thing that only we ourselves can uniquely create, and we're either doing it or we're not. It kind of sucks, but it's also kind of beautiful that this thing eats away at us unless we're going for it.

I'm choosing to struggle every day for something I believe in. It's scary and it is uncertain. I may have a lot of moments of doubt and inner conflict, but I guess I'll have less regrets in the long run. I have to remind myself I'm on this journey to fulfill a mission greater than I even know and with this understanding I have faith that I can bring peace to myself before my soul leaves this body.

THe important thing is- no matter how scary it gets, do not be afraid! Once we get fear out of the equation, it's a game changer. When we choose against our heart's desire it is usually because we're afraid of missing out on something. But never let fear make decisions for you. Fear is against your heart. Your heart is not afraid, your head is. If your head goes against your heart, you are killing yourself slowly, killing the soul, defeating your own power. 

This blog is about me shutting up, and just sharing some music. Check out this video by my band Generation Maze. 

Wiser thinking

NRA rep Wayne LaPierre- "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun". This was part of the National Rifle Association's response to the CT shooting; a statement supporting the proposal to put armed officers in all schools.

So, let me get this straight- we make guns, the bad guys get the guns...therefore all of us good guys need guns too?! We have to be thinking much HIGHER than this. We are smarter than this. WE ARE WISER than this! The greatest movements in peace were made by non-violent strategies. We must look at our greatest teachers of this- people like Gandhi and Martin Luther King. How would they go about this?

It takes patience, compassion, and a look from many angles at our culture and politics. The solution won't be in just one avenue. It's not just guns, not just mental health, but in both these areas and more. If we take a step back and look at everything that contributes to the violence, put our heads and hearts together, and start moving in a direction of compassionate education, then there is hope.

In an effort to be productive, I suggest we brainstorm. Here's my first thought-

As someone who went through the L.A. public school system I look back and realize how much useless information was stuffed down my throat. I was given tons of busy work and memorized details for tests that I couldn't recall today if my life depended on it. Granted, I did get gems of knowledge and education that served me well, but as an adult I look back and wish there was less busy work, less useless facts, and more emphasis on things that I had to learn the hard way as an adult. It would have served me very well to learn about the mind, about happiness, about wisdom.

The focus of our public education is on mostly intellectual knowledge and little to no education in areas of social interaction, empathy, self analysis, and decision making outside of careers. Maybe we need a little less focus on our minds, and start making room to teach our children to care for their inner selves and for each other.

America would greatly benefit from public school courses in self analysis, social interaction, emotional communication, and open sharing. Perhaps we expect kids to learn these things at home, in their communities, or somewhere else outside of school, but then we are underestimating the depths and complexity of these skills and assuming they are learning things that they are not (at least not to the extent that would make a change). 

Ask yourself- is it more important for the future of humanity to be able to solve an algebraic equation or to solve a human conflict? To have the skills to win a war, or to stop a war before it ever begins? Intellectual knowledge gives us the power to win, but empathy and compassion are aspects of wisdom that give us the knowledge to exist. The latter is a more advanced concept to human survival that our world continuously overlooks or is overshadowed by ego.

Back to Mr. LaPierre's statement, even if putting armed guards in the schools deters some incidents, it doesn't solve the cultural issue. It also doesn't protect movie theaters, malls, and other public places that are getting shot up. We need to get to the core. We need wiser thinking.

The first instinct we have when attacked is to retaliate. It seems (to the primitive human mind) the clear choice of options in order to defend ourselves in order to survive. Let's look into a deeper layer: is there any possibility that the person who attacked us is someone that we could have empathy for? Is this someone who under a different circumstance, at a different time and place, we could have befriended, or even loved? It's hard to see things this way, but I believe there is often, if not always, a truth in there.

"Good guy" and "bad guy" and guns mentality may put a band aid on the situation, but it's not a long term solution. Let's get wise about who we are and what we really want in the long run. Please consider these thoughts deeply in your heart and share from a place of humblest humanity. 

Interview with USC student Matt Lovett

Matt Lovett: 

A recent New York Times article described Lady Gaga's music as a skeleton on which her image is hung, in other words that her music is a medium through which her image is sold. part of my paper is a discussion of the fact that this is basically what ALL big pop stars are doing. Would you agree or disagree? Any other thoughts on this would be great. 

MATT HAZE: 

Once upon a time, music was in itself a product. People heard a song they connected to on the radio, and bought the record. Selling the music in the form of records and promoting them through live concerts and radio was enough to succeed. This is rarely the case these days. Most major labels have fallen apart for this reason. Nowadays, with so much free file sharing going on, it's extremely difficult to make money selling just the music. The real money isn't in selling the musical product itself anymore, but in attaching the music to something else like a TV show theme, movie placements, commercials, fashion etc. 

For this reason, most popular songs sound like commercials. Hence, the fitting term "commercial music". They are constructed to sell something else besides the art. In the current business model it's vital that an artist's single could be used in conjunction with a product, an event, or TV of some kind. Whenever I'm in the studio working on tracks, producers and managers are saying things like "oh I can hear this in…" and they proceed to mention an event or tv show. Lady Gaga's first single for example "Just Dance" is a club song. It's attached to an event- people going out and dancing. Or Black Eyed Peas "I got a feeling", same thing- in conjunction with night club dancing, or any event at night that would be considered a party. That's a very versatile song because it's non specific, but specific enough in the way it needed to be- very smart business track. Pink's "let's get this party started"- same kind of thing. Katy Perry's new single "Firework" I bet this year will become a popular song on 4th of July. It's basically a social hook. Create a song that always works in a particular social situation, and you got yourself a hit. That's the condition of the music business currently.

Matt Lovett:

Where, if there is any, do you think this pressure to have such an extreme, and extremely sexual,  image comes from? Lady Gaga certainly plays with sexuality in her image, and artists like Katy Perry, Beyonce, and Britney Spears are certainly using sex both in their image and in their subject matter to garner attention and success. Does an artist Gaga or Katy Perry have the ability control her own image? If she did have a choice, do you think they would market themselves in ways that weren't so focused on their body and sexuality?

MATT HAZE:

Unfortunately, females are dealt a card by birth to viewed as visual spectacles, for better or for worse. I think that femininity by nature carries a decorative connotation, whether we like it or not. This can be viewed as a weakness, but it can also be embraced as a strength. It really comes down to the artists' attitudes. I think it's all good as long as it's authentic to their artistic self expression. 

I just watched a tv special about the development of what's allowed to be seen on tv in America over the decades. The trend seems to be that a show will try pushing a boundary just slightly enough to cause controversy, maybe pay some fines or risk being pulled off air, and then for that same reason got so much attention that the ratings went up and money talked, so it became acceptable. In our culture the value of money trumps our cultural values. It continues to progress in the same manner with music. Sex sells. 

But I think given the choice, artists like Beyonce, Britney Spears, and Katy Perry would still do what they do because everyone still wants to feel sexy. They are all very attractive women to begin with, so they will capitalize on what they've got. And being overtly sexual is an easy way to sell. Most of these artists are also in the dance genre, so the stage shows require dancing, dancing requires movement, and it's easier and looks more attractive to dance in less clothing, or at least tight clothing. 

Matt Lovett:

In your opinion, are female artists required to sell sexuality in order to achieve success? Is this simply a trend the markets showcase or is this some business plan by labels and other industry heads?

MATT HAZE:

Image is so important for music because people identify themselves socially in large part by the music they listen to. I first noticed this in junior high school. One of the most notable things about my first day of junior high was how students all of a sudden (in contrast to my previous elementary school experience) had distinct group images and cliques. I saw a group of kids in one area wearing tie-dye shirts and band shirts with long hair and jeans, and another group of kids wearing baggy clothes, the skaters, and another group of studious kids wearing the most practical clothing that their parents probably still picked out for them. Along with these visual images came a corresponding genre of music that complemented their image and attitude. 

The clique with band shirts and long hair listened to Led Zeppelin and Metallica or Nirvana. The baggy clothed kids listened to gangster rap. The skaters listened to grunge rock, punk and ska. The studious kids were too occupied with homework so didn't care much about music yet or their image. Either way, it all made a statement. They all wanted to feel like they belonged somewhere, that they fit in. And by finding that, they at least though they were finding themselves. 

This is truly the effect of music in popular culture. It assists people in defining themselves, in their attitude, values, and fashion. In a society that is increasingly placing more value on appearance, we grow up with the illusion that our appearance defines who we are. This places musical artists in the position to reinforce an existing image or create a new image. Pushing the boundaries in sexual imagery is one tactic artists use to create new social cultures. 

Divas, Devos, and the illusions within

Divas, Devos, and the illusions within 

a critical look at personalities in the music industry
by Matt Haze

Man oh man I have to speak up. There's just too much B.S. that goes on with artists in the music industry. The combination of insecurities and inflated egos are the common recipe I notice many artists are carrying. It destroys the fabric of what music is about and the energy that drew us to the craft in the first place. Principles that I hold dear to my heart are at stake and I have to speak out because I want desperately for the professional life of artists and the musicians who support them to be more positive, productive, and powerful. 

Here's the truth-

Many artists (especially more established or "successful" ones) are very insecure, but carry an inflated self image. This is what makes a diva or "devo" (as I'll call the male counterpart). This is the worst combination of traits in a creative environment because the BIG ego keeps the insecurities locked down in a dungeon, never to be addressed. The weaknesses/insecurities become excuses to find problems everywhere outside of themselves rather than looking inward. The self image that the artist carries is threatened by the possibility of any weakness. The mind creates this illusion to hide it's weaknesses in effort to convince one's self of their validation. It's not authentic. People end up lying to themselves, and it affects everyone who has to work with them. It's unfair to the sidemen and sound guys who have to put up with it. It's disrespectful, selfish, and it's an abuse of power. 

A recent encounter

I will try to be vague as to not affect a particular person's public image, but… I recently experienced working for an artist who is established, and very talented…who looks for problems everywhere, and ends up creating even more problems than actually exist. This is an individual who is focused completely on the negative with non stop banter about the sound, the room, the musicians, the arrangements. They would occasionally say  in between rants in a quieter tone "this is hard work". Yes it was VERY hard work, but the only thing that made it hard was the person saying it was hard. They thought "hard work" and that's exactly what it became for a large group of people trying to put together a great show. 

I have experienced divas and devos in the past, but this was the creme de la creme. I've seen different versions and levels of these traits, but this one was madness! I can see where it comes from, and that it doesn't need to be that way. It's a matter of attitude.The focus on what's "wrong" just attracts and even creates more "wrong". They get so fixated on trying to fix what's wrong, that it's impossible for what's "right" to shine through. 

Furthermore, something that really rubbed me the wrong way- this person's image is that of romance and love. Almost every song title has the word love in it. On stage and in public, it's all about LOVE. But behind the curtain what I experienced was anything but. I try to distance myself from taking things personally, but it's still no excuse for a person to act that way. It's so frustrating to see artists putting on a smile and expressing one thing in a show, but everyone behind the scenes sees what's really underneath. It's a facade.

So WHAT is there to get from this??!!! For a minute there you thought I was just going to rant and complain, but NO, I want to find solutions. And I'm open to hearing yours. 

#1 reflect and work on yourself musically, but also personally. Admit and address your weaknesses and insecurities. Reflect on how you are with yourself and with other people. Let go of your ego and ask for criticism. Dig into your past, make peace with anything that troubles you. Read books, go to seminars like landmark forum (www.landmarkforum.com), PSI (www.psiseminars.com) or other similar intensive workshops where you get really deep into knowing your self. You may think you don't have blocks or insecurities, but WE ALL DO. It makes us stronger to be become aware of them, admit them, work through them. It doesn't mean there's something wrong with you. As humans we always have room to grow. We choose how far and in what direction. 

#2: don't let yourself fall into the trap of "just being a singer". Learn your SH** - I mean learn what quarter notes, 8th notes, and whole steps and half steps are. Learn the difference between major, minor, augmented and diminished scales are. Hang around instrumentalists and ASK QUESTIONS!! You may never intellectually understand as much as a jazz pianist, but develop enough language so that when you're rehearsing for your grammy performance you won't waste your limited rehearsal time and YOUR MONEY trying to explain what you want from the musicians. Time is money, and both are limited when it comes to show preparation. The musicians will respect you more, and all of your lives will be far more powerful, positive, and productive. 

#3: own up to your mistakes. It doesn't make you weak!! It makes you strong to be able to admit your mistakes, and others will respect you for it. Also don't forget to give credit where it is deserved. 

#4: Positive reinforcement is ten fold more powerful than negative reinforcement. It's a waste of time and energy to tell people what you don't want them to do. It's much more efficient and inspiring to tell them what you do like that they're doing. A magical thing begins to happen- they will do more of that!! it's an amazing phenomenon. I've just started exploring this strategy lately thanks to my good friend April Malina, and it works wonders. 

This all being said, I have to tip my hat to some wonderful and gracious band leaders and artists I have worked with lately. Whether you got all your Sh*& together or not, it's about whether you are honest, and strive to achieve what you want through positivity. Jacob Luttrell, Celeste Prince, Nikhil Korula, Andree Belle, Katia Moraes, Mario Costa. You guys rock, I appreciate you very much!! There are many others I've worked with over the years but I'm just naming a few I've worked with lately. 

Although divas and devos in the music biz are the focus of this blog, this goes way beyond artists. So much of what goes wrong in the world stems from unresolved complexes in people's minds. So many wars were born from the seed of perceptions, egos and insecurities. We have been swimming in that ocean for so long. It's what we know until we learn to float and rise above…until we are enabled to see we have the power to rise above at will. Open your mind to the possibility that there are things about yourself that you don't know that you don't know. That will open the door to new realms and possibility of what you can be. It will make you better, and if you are better, the world will be better…trust me ;)

If You Wanna Make The World

A Better Place

Take A Look At Yourself, And

Then Make A Change

-Michael Jackson

54 Hours

54 Hours

Fifty four hours it took to get from L.A. to Berlin. Yikes! Starting with a 3 hour delay on the first leg of the trip due to weather in Newark, New Jersey. By the time Jess and I got to Newark, our connection to Berlin was long gone, so Continental re-routed us on a later flight through London. However, by the time we got to London's Heathrow International, many flights were cancelled due to extreme weather conditions, including our flight to Berlin. 

We began scrambling on Facebook to find a place to stay for the evening after being told by an airline representative that they wouldn't put us up in a hotel. We waited in the slowest moving line on earth with another 150 people. The line took 3 hours or so and we got our flight booked for the following afternoon. 

Ten minutes into the wait I realized how long this was going to take and I could see the misery and frustration on everyone's face around me. I felt the same, so I figured there's only one way I can personally cope with this situation and make light of it. I busted out my miniature guitar. I started playing and singing whatever I felt like- covers, a lot of improvisation, and a few blues tunes with lyrics I made up on the spot about waiting in a stupid line. A few people tapped their toes quietly, some pretended I wasn't there at all (which is funny because there was nothing else happening), while others seemed to be playing an instrument in their head jamming along with me. I got a few gestures of appreciation. One guy said "you're all we got" which was nice. Considering how miserable everyone in that line was, it was amazing I got any recognition. But that wasn't what was important. It was nice to help ease the pain for others with some grooves and humor. That's a magical thing about music. However, at the end of the day, I admit, I just needed to keep myself sane and that was the only way I knew how to. 

It was a great outlet turning frustration into flowing positive energy. It taught me that just about any situation can become funny if you are honest about what's going on, and turn it into a song. Somehow hearing the situation you're in, in that moment the feeling transforms into an understanding and acceptance- I suppose because it makes it feel less personal and more communal. When people are in it together and they can relate to others about what they're feeling, hear others say what's on your mind, it distributes the energy and diminishes the perceived size of the issue. I'm glad I could play a role in opening that up. 

A funny thing that happened in line (LOL) - I heard a guy behind me talking on his cell phone, and thought to myself "what language is he speaking? it's so strange." I've spent quite a bit of time in Europe and can recognize a lot of languages, so it's rare I hear something I've never heard before. The closest thing I could relate it to was Norwegian, which has certain characteristics that are very distinct like uniquely contorted vowels and a punchy consonant rhythm that seems to interrupt themselves or frolic around a grassy hill top. It was so strange that I couldn't recognize any grammatical structure, or words that would have reminded me of German or Italian, or French, or Spanish, or Dutch. Then I heard the word "snow". Soon thereafter came almost a full sentence I understood like "it's snowing a lot up there", followed by more gibberish to my ears. After the third phrase I recognized I began to wonder what was going on here. Was this guy mixing in a few English phrases or was I imagining things in my travel delirium? After some very acute listening, I began to develop "Spidey ears" and was able to decipher the code as yes indeed…an incredibly fascinating breed of English. 

I know there are some thick dialects in Ireland and Scotland, and I would normally recognize those accents, but this one was deep bayou style Irish as it turned out. It reminded me of Brad Pitt in the movie "Snatch". Anyway, it was really funny. 

So, at that point we were totally exhausted and hungry! Still in the airport, we went upstairs to a restaurant where we were cheerfully greeted by a table of fellow stranded travelers who we had chatted with a bit in line. A Super friendly threesome- a girl from Ireland, a guy from Scotland (he's actually Chinese with a Scottish dialect! awesomeness), and an very tall Slovich guy. We had a nice dinner and chat. The Irish girl, Pamela, was kind enough to give us a little package with a toothbrush and red socks. Yay! Before going separate ways, the Slovich guy, Peter, told us that he was able to get a hotel because he was in transit, so Jess and I went to a counter and asked another representative if we could get a hotel for the night. We explained the situation and that we had been traveling already for over 30 hours. Thankfully, the nice rep from Bmi airlines hooked it up. We stayed the night near the airport and flew out the following afternoon. 

When we arrived in Berlin, my luggage came through, but not Jess's, so we spent a few more hours trying to track that down (at which point I pulled out my guitar again and sang Christmas songs. I tried to get some strangers who were also waiting for lost baggage to sing along with me, but they declined with a smile and a laugh but requested I keep going, so I did.

We hopped on a bus with our awesome friend Sebastian and walked a few blocks in the snow to his apartment. The three of us took a stroll down the street to a cozy, warm, little restaurant where we ate a delicious dinner. Pork and rosemary potatoes doused in mushroom sauce to end a fifty four hour trip from Los Angeles. We finally made it!