Andy's Rooftop Recs

First Monday of the month, new Hum Love playlist on Spotify and Apple

Fourth of July and fireworks are a big deal where I grew up in Minnesota. One of the years when I was in high school and fully into music, a couple friends and I went to the big festivities in the next town over.

After walking around trying to look cool for a while we got word that there was a rooftop party happening with a bunch of older, much cooler, much more experienced musicians in town.

We found our way up to the rooftop and got in a conversation with guitar player Andy. We hung on every stylish, effortless, trendsetting word. We asked him what music we should be listening to and he gave us: The Shins, Jon Brion, The Merrymakers, Jellyfish. My whole world opened up.

A good recommendation when you’re desperate for a good recommendation can be a life changer.

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple

Tape Mentality

Digital can sound the same as analog. I’ve done the A/B tests along with many other well trained sets of ears. No one knows.

So why would anyone bother recording to tape ever again?

Because it changes your mind. Tape is an attitude, a mentality, an approach. So it changes the room (and the sound) before you ever hit record.

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple

Is There Gonna Be An Easy Part?

We don’t ask this but we usually hope so.

And of course there are easy parts…lunch, driving to the studio, sitting on the bus or plane, replying to some emails, signing some merch, putting the guitar back in the case.

But I think what we really mean is, ‘I hope this current hard part suddenly gets easy’. Probably not happening.

That’s why it’s important to appreciate the easy parts.

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple

Qualified

If you’re a surgeon or an astronaut it’s important to get qualified prior to doing surgery or flying into space.

But for artists and creators, you get qualified WHILE you’re doing the thing you want to be qualified in. It’s why ‘I’m a musician’ can mean so many crazy things. But the good part about it is you don’t have to wait for a certificate or a test to pass. You qualify for qualifying right now.

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple

They Want A Great Time

Most people want a great time way more than they want great musicians.

Yes, it helps to have great musicians in order to arrive at a good time…but by no means is it necessary. Why do (some) bad bands draw a big crowd? Because they understand this concept.

People want a show, a thrill, a chorus, a lead singer, a vibe, a story, some attitude, an arc, something worth talking about.

Why are people gonna be glad they saw your show?

And whatever your answer is, rehearse it, grow it, feed into it, make it the main thing.

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple

Making Phases

Three phases…I’m not sure they always go in order and there’s plenty of overlap along the way…

Making it…starting out you wanna make it. Make it big. To the top. Toppermost of the poppermost. It’s all about hype and glitz and leather boots and wearing sunglasses inside and being so cool it hurts. It’s all about being somebody everywhere you go…and you go everywhere.

Making something great…the realization that you’d trade all the cool in the world for a great song, a great offering that will lift you and the world around you. Magic is cooler than cool. Whatever it takes to make the people laugh and cry and pump their fist. Take the sunglasses off, let the people see into your soul.

Making…creativity is the gift. The feeling you get when you make the thing, that’s what music is for. Starting with nothing and ending up with something. Creation. A miracle. And making with others is a binding force that lasts forever…connecting with others through creativity…in real time.

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple