It's been a big and wild 3 years, giving my life over to what I can only call my Soul's Deepest Desire... ahhhh, the Music! Ahhhh, the life of an Outlaw Dervish! Even outlaws have to pause and reflect from time to time - otherwise we may get into the wrong kind of trouble.
So it is that I am looking back over the last period, re-assessing, re-evaluating and relishing the fullness of aspects of my devotion to creating a life based on my creativity. Many folks in the music industry (and be ye not fooled mateys - this is business at its' most business-like!) have been commenting that there is more freedom and opportunity now than at any other time in this field , at least in the history of music-making and selling in the United States if not beyond. What is meant by this , is that independent artists are in a greater position than ever before - with the advent of playing-field leveling technology - to promote and sell their own craft. The record companies are and have been 'going down in flames', and with their apparent demise, the impact they have had on choosing and defining listeners' tastes has rapidly fallen away. It brings forth to my mind a line from a 'Naughty By Nature' rap - "Hip-Hop Hooray! Ho , Hey, Ho!". In other words, it's due time to celebrate the ability to get somewhere meaningful and potent with one's craft and on the basis of one's own self-ascribed worth and talent. Interestingly, as Obama takes his appointment in the White House, I am aware of certain parallels between the political climate and the climate in the music business.
Our new President has said, "We are the change we've been waiting for...". I choose, now, if not previously, take this on as my own mantle in life, in general, and think it fits amazingly well with where I find my self as an artist. There have been many personal and collective victories and defeats in my efforts over the recent span of my re-vitalized musical career, and there would seem to be no better time to take this phrase on as a sort of personal/collective mantra.
Highlights of recent years would include the following :
playing Grace Cathedral with a group of sacred musicians myself and my girlfriend put together, performing at a variety of festivals here in the Bay Area, and receiving Radio Airplay around the world and locally on DidgHeadRadio.co.uk, SOMA FM - Groove Salad and KPFA's Music of the World with Stephen Kent, have all been amongst the visible 'outward' facing rewards. There have been many truly enjoyable collaborations as well, which have given me so much, in terms of actual moments creating together, and being transported to that place which only music seems to be able to take me. I recall, especially, making sweet sounds with Jason Parmar, Dana Dharma Devi, Ken Becker, Lucia Comnes, Aharon Wheels Bolsta, Alan Tower, Jef Stott and Estas Tonne. These folks all gave me something 'in the present', as well as food to think upon and nourishment following our times spent performing and creating with each other.
With a new , more solid and on-going line-up - I look to the future of Outlaw Dervish with trust and faith in my heart and soul. In my life, in my profession, there is much work to be done... and much 'sacred play' to create. Changes come and go, along with new people and new sounds, and it all seems to want to grow and grow again, and this , to me is the vitality that keeps creativity fresh, and the music interesting. So, too, with the economy at the moment... collapse and crash, as well as the media hype of circumstances therein, have been felt by almost all, if not all of us here in the First World... as well as in many other places here on Planet Earth. In the 'Music Biz' folks are talking about selling less music and a decrease in touring opportunities. Outlaw Dervish has been doing a lot to promote CD and Download sales, and it's been pretty slow and quiet on that front. Nonetheless, I am also aware of a sense of excitement about the potential for a further re-defining of and perhaps even re-creation of the larger economy, as well as the more immediate impact upon possibilities for our burgeoning act.
I believe , and sense , that it is necessary and possible to extend the creativity myself and others apply to our craft, towards the areas of finance and well-being. Along with this , I offer my perception that we might be entering a time where there can be more of a shared use of our resources. Rather than a small percentage of 'topsters' raking it all in and keeping it for themselves - perhaps we are now re-organizing our wealth and seeing the dawn of a more co-operative economy where resources are shared and put to more immediate and sustainable uses. I am no techinician when it comes to such things, but I do have a 'gut' instinct that this direction is at least on the table with the work that Alternative Communities and the Green/Sustainability Movement are providing, where new models of economy are being suggested, and implemented. I offer this here, as a reflection, as much for myself as anyone that might be reading through this... and begin now by taking action on an everyday basis , while continuing conversations with loved ones, co-creators, friends and communities about how to re-structure our lives in this time of great transformation.
With that, I remind myself it's (past) time for lunch, and also to say that I am incredibly excited to see what will be crafted and honed this year, out of the music and feel able, for a time, to re-dedicate myself to,
"...this spinning and inebriated devotion,
that can only happen out beyond the temple walls, and because of them...".
All Blessings, 13 Thank Yous, No Evil, Long Life, Honey in the Heart,
Travis Wernet, aka 'Outlaw Dervish'
No comments:
Post a Comment