MAGICAL TOUR IN TAIWAN...AND JAPAN!!!
Magical is the best way I can describe how my recent tour to Taiwan and Japan felt. Here I am once again on a plane returning home. A little worn out but feeling revitalized. I'm already happy in life but I feel I can tackle more and that the future is even brighter. I went all out on this tour. I lived every moment like it was my last breath. No regrets! I'm getting choked up thinking about the new friends I've made, the random encounters in the streets of Osaka, Taipei, Tokyo, Lure, etc that I'll remember forever, and the amazing crowds who I had the privilege of entertaining. (Side note: I'm also wondering why I always get choked up when I'm in the air? I'm watching "Finding Vivian Maier" and it is warming my heart. A must watch. I feel even more inspired). On that note, I have never had more fun playing live than I did this time. Maybe I'm out of my shell. Maybe I don't care to please anymore. Or maybe I just look at it less seriously and more of way to entertain to bring people together. There is a problem though. I've become addicted. I want more. I thought I had hung up my cleats after my 2012 China tour and then this offer to play in Taiwan and japan came out of left field.
And now I want more. And now I will find more. Why can't I be the rock n roll composer? I can rock out at festivals a few times a year as a break from orchestral composing, can't I? Dream big right?!!! You never know where it will get ya!
My trip felt like a dream. There is no doubt I get to see unique parts of new countries and cultures as a touring musician more so than a tourist/visitor. Anyone can travel but not everyone gets to get sucked into whirlwind of an adventure like you do when you tour. And this one all began in Taichung, Taiwan.
DOES SIZE REALLY MATTER?
Before this tour the biggest crowd I had played to was about 400-500 on a handful of occasions. But even those shows weren't as fun as shows I've played to 200 sweaty kids jammed in club and dancing their tails off. Quality over quantity right? Mmmmm maybe. But what if you can get both!? I just did the jump from playing for 500 to 30,000 and then 50,000 the very next night! Man what a rush. I don't care how great an intimate crowd can be. It pales in comparison to the roar of 50,000 strong! I stood at the edge of the stage, pumped my fist in the air, took a deep breath and soaked in the energy of that roar. I still have goose bumps. I still remember the crowds surfers going up and thinking to myself WOW! I use to crowd surf at festivals and now people are crowd surfing to my music!!! And then at the end, the crowd rushed the stage and we truly danced the night away during our encore. I thought the stage was going to cave in! I love you Taichung!!! My heart will always remember you as the first. But...you will not be the last...
WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG!!!
It has all come together. Screw the serious indie bull shit i tried so hard to shove down peoples throats when i was younger. I found my audience. I can compose for orchestra when I want to get serious but when I'm on a stage I'm not a musician. I'm an entertainer. I don't know why it took me so long to figure that out! Something just comes over me. Anyone can play songs. But I now enjoy interacting and getting the crowd involved because I love having a crowd at my fingertips and excited to see what's up my sleeve. I don't even know what's up my sleeve. Its all improv which is scary when I sit back and actually think about it.
JAPAN
I remember walking outside of Osaka at maybe 6ish in the morning one time and stillness around me. The moon was gorgeous and every step echoed of the covered passage ways. I could smell something cooking afar. A smile and a deep breath made for a beautiful memory. And the culture in Japan was beautiful and rich. The people are beautiful in this respectful sorta way. I need more. So what is next? I need to let this soak in. It could be another trip I look back at as simply being a fun adventure but I think it has the potential to be a trip that alters the course of my life when all is said and done. Too many special moments happened on this trip that I'll never forget. Ya know? The ones that seem to be part of your destiny. The ones your gut tells you are happening for a reason.
For now I have a full plate! Both my symphonies are being performed in 2015 in the USA and abroad! Spring will find me in Portugal and Denmark and then summer in Paris. But what does any of it really mean? Who cares what we do. Does it mean anything? Deep down it's funny because I'm that same 14 yr old shy, awkward, scared boy. But why? I guess im still figuring out that part. For now ill excuse myself by saying it's me respecting the moment. But none the less, somehow I have to find time to get back to Osaka for a significant amount of time. There is something cool happening in that city and I need my finger on the pulse!
