The Art of Creation

I'm not going to be melodramatic: I have not always felt a desire to make music. I enjoyed playing Alto Saxophone in grade school and middle school, but it was always a side hobby, not something I was seriously interested in. In the early years of high school, I thought I was really interested in it, and signed up for a music theory class. The class didn't run, and I ended up not pursuing it any further.

Recently though, I've found the time and the creative energy to make music, and it has been an incredibly gratifying experience. The key to this has been my computer. Using music production software has freed me from my somewhat-lacking technical skill with the guitar and has allowed me to translate the music straight from my head. I've been using it for about a month now, and although I have only finished two songs since then, that has more to do with my own sort-of-perfectionist nature than a lack of creation. I have plenty more on the way, but if you'd like to hear what I have so far, check out my Soundcloud. 

What I've Been Listening To

In an attempt to keep up with my blogging, I've decided to do an easy, monthly blog simply detailing what I've been listening to in the past month. No criteria as far as how many acts I want to post about, just whatever has really captured me as of right now.

First up for the past month is, of course, my man billy woods. His album Dour Candy, produced by blockhead, dropped in July and it has become a daily listen for me ever since. Expect to see this guy on this list pretty consistently, especially with his collaboration with Elucid, Armand Hammer, dropping a mixtape  real soon and an album later on this year. 

Number 2 is another rap album GNK by YC the Cynic. Very moody and grimy, YC and Frank Drake deliver a really interesting bunch of sounds and rhymes here. I still haven't totally wrapped my head around what YC is saying just yet, but until then Frank's production and YC's flow and delivery are keeping me plenty interested. 

And finally, and perhaps most importantly, I have been OBSESSED with the single that Arcade Fire just dropped, Reflektor. It's dancey as hell, while still keeping the trademark, heart-aching melancholy sound and lyrics that makes Arcade Fire so damn great. I pre-ordered the album purely off this single and cannot wait to hear it. 

And that's basically it as far as music that has really ensnared me over the past month. If you have any recommendations, leave a comment or hit me up on Twitter (@jsonc_). I'm always looking for new stuff to listen to, so don't be shy.