Do It All

Can you have it all and do what you want? Yes, you can! Of course, it all depends on what you think is important. If you think money and fame are what it’s all about, and if you happen to get that, well, the more power to you. But if you have a more balanced view of what’s important… then…

Eric is the golden boy, blessed with the ability to do whatever he wants, and so he does. Me? I am the jack-of-all trades cursed with the ability to do everything but to be great at nothing. When I read this over the other day Eric wanted to be the jack-of-all-trades, and I guess that would make me the golden boy, but we have to build the myth, tell the story somehow. Anyway, Heinlein said specialization was for insects. We are human beings and should be a part of the entire universe of experience. And, together, as The Blue Monsters, we make music. Music is our love, and we get our incomes elsewhere, so musically we both do whatever we want.

There is something to be said about not having to pander to the tastes of an audience. I play for Eric and Eric plays for me and we both play for the music. And “the music” is an entity, a living breathing thing, a force to serve, something to give yourself to and in return it gives your life joy and meaning and value. We are trying to create something which has meaning to us. The music is a reflection of our lives, and it goes beyond money and ability. After struggling with the beasts of our own limitations, we come to a land where honesty and integrity are paramount, where we are responsible to life and music as a reflection of that life.

Don’t misunderstand me about the audience. They are really important. Other people change the moment when you put a song out, when you strip yourself naked (so to speak) before them. Because those are your words and your emotions.

Well, maybe I do get carried away… but that’s how I feel when I play. And I believe that’s what people come for, to see a bit of my soul poured out before them on stage, so they can kill it or fulfill it. But it’s only fair because of what the audience can give me. But we don’t do it for the money, and even if we only play for beer, we don’t play for beer… well, not me, because I never drink and drive…