I'm on a campaign to rediscover inspiration. As with any mature relationship, I have reached a point of boredom and floundering drive. How do I fix this relationship ?!Do you remember the feelings of early childhood arousal ? Such as holding hands for the first time with someone in 6th grade ? First slow dance? Countless moments of unbearable excitement. Now fast forward to your umpteenth dinner date with your #??th girlfriend as an adult. Boring. Sure, every new situation has little surprises, but like any dope, you build up a tolerance that never starts back at zero.
Here I am now, well into a decade long career as a full time musician and producer. I've performed for audiences of 5,000 +, produced and played on countless fun records, and my own music has even been heard internationally on TV and in advertising. Now what ?
Sadly, I don't know how to listen to music anymore...much like a tired old Husband. My music wife is constantly pushing and nagging, all for the better, but I have a deafened ear that tries to finish her sentences. She goes on and on about all of our hopes and dreams, but I've been promoted, demoted, transferred, off to war, and up and down the highway so many times that I've forgotten. I'd rather watch sports with a bunch of dudes than be around her. I've completely forgotten about our first dates, going to second base, and sneaking my arm around her at the movies. I've forgotten about flyering a town for my first gig in college, and about listening to an entire record with no computer on with no cell phone in sight. It has all become demystified. My Music Wife now runs around town with no clothes on. No more mysteries, no more romance. She has become too easy, and I am the regular "lucky" man.
So how do I spark new romance in an old relationship ? Revert to plan A:
Act like a 6th grader.
In 6th grade I woke up to music, listened to music on the bus, snuck it into school, shared it during lunch, bought it, sold it, traded it, stole it, listened to it on the bus going home, after school, doing homework, and at night while I was sleeping. I was obsessed when I really think about it, like a music pervert.
Music in 6th grade, however, was a mystery with all of its clothes on. I had no idea how records were made, or how electric guitar sounds were accomplished. I had never put my tongue in its mouth.
The only answer I can come up with is that I need to drastically change my habits and push myself out of this lazy old man comfort zone with diminishing returns. I've got to think like a virgin again.
My music wife is as bored with me as I with her but we are still married. Barring a nasty and horrifying divorce, we have both made this agreement. When I finish this note, I'm gonna fire up Pandora Radio, click on the Guns & Roses station and recklessly play guitar along to whatever songs come down the line. With zero regard for what comes through my hands, I will play obnoxiously loud and try to impress her with a new lick or two. I will listen to what she has to say, nurture her undying faith in me, and try to spend more time with her tomorrow. Curiously Listening .
