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So, here begins another chapter in my musical diary. If it was a novel, it would probably be the turning point, towards the end of the middle section. The protagonist finally comes to grips with the fact that he has made a decision that will put him on a different path. But he is resilient in his vision, but knows the journey will be hard and treacherous. Thats how I feel about the music industry these days…. When I was a young man, I thought music was easy. It was what I did, without thought or restraint…. It was like riding a bike or reading, it always felt natural and it didnt feel like work. Now that I am older, and I have been through many channels, within and without the music world, I feel a bit differently about it. But I am trying to get back to what made it so enchanting to me. Listening to the new wave 80’s alternative music that got me through high school helps this. I remember dreaming about being in a band reminiscent of duran duran or Modern English. Hair swooped into my face, base make up, angular shoulder pads and the energy of the synthesizer. I ended up in a hip hop band though, making music through the 90’s, touring non-stop, you know the story. So here I am reclaiming what brought me to the party, all over again. I started with my Casio synthesizer, I didn’t upgrade it, I kept it just the way it is. I also went to my 1940’s Wurlitzer upright, a bit out of tune but functional, and these songs started pouring out. I think I have enough for about 4 albums now, but I will let these fall out of the basket over time, like water from a faucet. Starting with ‘Girl With The Tiger Eyes’ I realized I had a semblance of my youth, bottled up in new romantic forms. I just went from there and what you will be hearing from ‘Playing Games With The Shadow’ is an outpouring of immediate and natural ideas. Here is a picture from one of the first sessions at John Painter’s studio, of myself, John and guitarist Stu G. It was the starting point, and now I am more than halfway in. Meeting Adrian Belew for dinner tomorrow night and we will be talking about getting him onto this album. I am excited because this chapter also sees me with friends…… friends I trust musically and as human beings… I am not going back to the races with the industry, so don’t expect to see me there… but if you look hard enough, you will find me over here, diligently creating out of a need and of pure joy for the craft.
KM