Why You Need Music & How It Will Help You Fight Robots
We need to do things that have no other purpose than to make us feel and connect with one another.
10.16.2019
I woke up to realize, through various social media posts, today is the birthday of Bobby Weir, the rhythm guitarist for the Grateful Dead. The “kid”, who was only 16 when he helped to form the Dead in 1965, turned 72 today. Wow man, Bobby sure ain’t no kid anymore! Thinking about age, it’s interesting how you hit a point where age evolves to become a thing that reminds you not to waste time. Like a stat number pinned to you, except this stat has a nebulous countdown affixed. Yet, I’d be willing to wager Mr. Weir can confidently look back on his 72 years without much concern he sat idle too long at any point in his life. Well done, Bob! You’ve certainly done well. But I’m not here to talk about Bobby, at least not entirely.
It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I’ve been a Deadhead most of my life. And on days like today, when a musician who has impacted my life celebrates their birthday, I cannot help but play their music and reminisce. Especially when they are getting up there in age. Especially when it’s a member of the Dead.
Today I decided to bust out a live performance from 10/29/77, unarguably one of the best years for Grateful Dead performances. As I listen to this particular recording of this show, I get drawn in instantly by the crowd energy and how the band matches that energy from the first note onward to the last. It just moves me in a way only bested if I were physically there. This got me thinking about that thing, when you are at a show and the music envelopes you on a primal level. It’s those moments in a show when the artist shoots a tractor beam into your heart and, in that moment, nothing else matters. Its also when the entire crowd seems to be on the same level of excitement with one another and the band notices and reciprocates that energy right back out through the speakers. I just love nights like that.
I’m confident I am not talking to myself here; I’m not alone in recognizing these aspects of a great live show. So, conceptually, what is it that’s actually happening and why is it important? Well, I think its humanity being experienced in a very intense and comprehensive way. Its all the good times, the bad times and sad times grouped, condensed and blasted through the senses all at once. And if it’s really good, it’s a group experience making the entire room vibrate with exhilaration. This is when humans are having a uniquely human experience.
It’s worth the reminder to note that we live in a society that has evolved to favor efficiency. And let’s be real, there’s nothing efficient about human emotion. So as we all navigate our way each day through this big amorphous economic hive machine, we need to make a point to fit our humanity into the schedule! Otherwise, what’s the point?! We need to do things that have no other purpose than to make us feel and connect with one another. That is exactly what music does today more than ever; it rehumanizes us and helps to pull our skulls out of the rat race cyclone whirling around our faces. When I play guitar alone I get something out of it. When I play guitar with other musicians I get everything out of it! When I listen to a band on my headphones, I experience joy and relief. But when I see that band live, I get lifted man! I can share in my joy with fellow fans and we can throw all of that positivity to the stage and get that power thrown right back at us through the music! It’s an exercise as old as time and part of what makes us who we are.
Here’s my message: don’t ignore the DNA permeating your entire body. All through life we get messages about “goofing off” or “wasting time” when it comes to making music. Constantly it gets bumped down the priority list. The problem is we only get so many trips around the sun and ya just can’t buy back time. Go see that band tonight. Sit down at your piano for 15 minutes. Look for reasons to jam with your friend instead of reasons why you can’t. Squeeze the juice out of every moment. The soul-sucking robots of commerce can wait.
We created The Music Range to be a constant opportunity to practice and make music. It’s a place that exists so there is no excuse to forgo the healthy human urges to create. The Music Range is here to provide people with a place to make music without the worry of disturbing the neighbors and the fam. Hell, you don’t even need to worry whether or not we’re open because we literally never ever close! Seriously! The Music Range is truly open 24-hours every single day of the year. This is so you can book a time that is most convenient for you. We get it that life jam-packs your schedules full of obligations. We want this to be as easy as you want it to be. We’re here to help keep the music alive.
Come to a place where we value security, comfort and quality. You deserve it.
TMR❤️’s you.