Reasons to keep going...

2012-01-15T19:24:00.000-08:00

Quickly becoming one of myfavorite Christmas traditions is the Christmas Eve Eve house concert at RyanTanner’s house. A small crowd packed his beautiful living room and witnessed awonderful night of soul touching music performed by 4 of the great minds behindThe Lower Lights. For those of you who don’t know Ryan Tanner, Paul Jacobsen,Sarah Sample, and Dominic Moore, imagine sitting in a living room practically eyeto eye and knee to knee with Glen Hansard, Ryan Adams, Patty Griffin, and BruceSpringsteen (“Nebraska” style) while they sing with each other pouring outtheir lives and inspiration like they would to a best friend. It is truly a magnificent sight to behold.

Ryanopened the rounds with his delicate guitar style and immediately drew everysingle person in before the verse even started with a simple yet gripping hum.I was introduced to Ryan’s music via his old band Atherton’s Skyline Motelrelease show up at The Fort Douglas Theatre years ago and have, in turn, giventhis delight to many people. Each one of us has had the same experience: pureawe in the excellence of his voice. It stops your speech. It clears your mind.It makes the troubles of your day to day seem manageable. The best part aboutRyan is how much he would dislike this part of the blog if he knew I waswriting it. He’s got to be hands down one of the most humble people I have evermet and it completely warrants his songs and performance. Humility shinesthrough his music and makes it timeless. Listening to his songs, you may assumethey were written decades ago, cemented into history, carved by time and lovebut they still have a place in the hearts of today. For example, he heard thestory of how this couple lost their child and became a conduit of inspirationand love using his voice and guitar to bring them comfort in an unparalleledtime of grief. (more)

Ryanwent on to introduce the others and was followed by Sarah. I don’t know if it’srelating to her interpretation of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, admiringher passion, or letting the love behind her songs like “Calling Your Name” or "Everytime I Go" change yourheart at least a little that made listening to her so memorable. She has a veryunique voice that is elevated by her songwriting and the support of Paul andRyan singing and playing alongside her. I have seen her live many times andwhether it’s with her full 9 piece band or solo she exudes such a passion thatno matter where you are in life, high or low, she can lift you up. I wouldn’tsay all of her songs are happy, “feel good” songs but they are real and hopeful, that’swhat makes them great.

Eachof these artists are quite funny with their quips and backstories, Dominicespecially. He has a very dry, expertly timed sense of humor that I can relateto. He’ll tell interesting, real stories and his reaction to them, mixed with hisunder the breath comments, make everyone wiggle in their seats with a chuckleand a smile. Multiple times his humility came through as he explained hisinequality to the other performers but I say he belongs 100%. I don’t know himas well as the others since he lives in Arizona but he’s so personable inhis performance that I feel like I’ve known him a long time.

Paulis the spark that opened my world up to many things including this glorious annualevent. I have seen Paul perform many times and if I can help it, I will nevermiss one for as long as he performs. Years ago, before he knew who I was, Iwrote him a series of emails asking advice on many subjects relating to theallusive “music career” that many of us seek and he responded. I know he has abusy life with his family, work, and music endeavors but he still took the timeto answers my questions and give encouragement in the right way. That meanteverything to this young budding musician. Paul has it. Ask anyone. Mostmusicians search their whole life and never find it but he has it. I can’treally explain well what it is but listen to Paul, especially live and you’llfeel it. This night was a great example of what I’m talking about from hisstories to his songs to the moment that his daughter snuck over to the stagearea. He didn’t shun her away nor chastise his wife for not preventing it. No,he smiled to his wife, picked his daughter up and let her listen to the othersperform from one of the most sacred places a child could ask for, leaningagainst her father’s chest. Watching that was only surpassed by hisperformance, especially some long awaited new songs. The imagery and hope thathe portrays is wonderful. He sang a song about his brother’s bat with cancerthat left most of us with a tear in our eyes. He described his brother’s weakened “treetrunk” hands, kissing him on the forehead, and ends each chorus with “We’reall waiting for some amazing grace”. It's the kind of imagery that opens your mind and transports you to a different place.

Ihave never told any of them this but they have set a standard for me as asongwriter, musician, and in many ways, a human being. With every song I write,I go through a subconscious check list. Does it say what I want to say? Does itexpress the emotion the words need to have meaning? Is it enjoyable andrelatable? And one of the most interesting checks is what I call the “Houseparty test”. I take the new song, close my eyes, and imagine performing it atone of Paul and Ryan’s house parties. If it feels out of place because it’s toodisruptive, loud, or weak then I spend some time reworking it. It’s not that Ineed their validation or feel like I belong elbow to elbow with these greatsbut this venue harbors such a creative positive spirit that I would be a foolnot to utilize it in my writing.

I am so happy to witness theseevents and encourage all to attend every show these performers put on. Ipromise you will not be disappointed. See you there.

My new song "Graffiti"

2011-11-13T21:33:00.001-08:00

I'm very excited to have a good live recording of one my newest songs "Graffiti" to post. This song is special to me. Most musicians would admit that they have a special connection to each of their songs and may even compare that connection the bond between parent and child. Though most parents wouldn't admit it, sometimes there's a deeper connection to one child more than another and thus is my announcement of "Graffiti".

Recently, a girl I once dated had come back into my life. In anticipation of her renewed presence, I spent some time imagining a life with her and the love I once felt rushed back into my heart. I was thrilled to have an opportunity of wooing her. No matter how long it took, I was going to make her fall in love with me again. Then... this adventure was derailed thoroughly with the discovery of her long term relationship. I hadn't had much contact with her for a couple years, so it wasn't surprising to have missed that important detail. There hasn't been much sadness in my life harder to deal with more than watching my projected future crumble and slip through my hands. My only option was to use the most powerful tool in belt for dealing with life: songwriting. Though I miss her still and the future I pictured only a distant dream now, I'm glad she and it will forever live on in my new song.

Please give it a listen here and tell me what you think. Thanks everyone.

New website!!!

2011-10-01T14:04:00.000-07:00

Entering the necessary world of online presence, the fall of 2010 found me teaching myself the ever so NOT user friendly Adobe Dreamweaver. 4 months of pure frustration produced a super simple, albeit boring, website that had the info and media I wanted but was nothing to write home about. Well, I discovered this wonderful thing called "Word Press" and in less than 2 weeks I've completely revamped, revitalized, and regenerated my site. With the help of my good friend and website genius, Steve Anderson, I am happy to officially announce this website facelift. Check it out and let me know what you what you think.Thanks.

www.brianbinghammusic.com

I'm now a blogger!

2011-04-04T00:57:00.000-07:00

I'm officially a blogger now. :) I am very excited to start sharing some of my interesting thoughts and whatnot. I hope you enjoy.

...like it's painted on the wall

Reasons to keep going...

My new song "Graffiti"

New website!!!

I'm now a blogger!