Subject: sources of musical inspiration

Driving.

The open road has always been inspiring to me because you can kinda think of it as a clean slate. Once you're out and moving, the road can lead you anywhere. I tend to spend a lot of time thinking about arrangements while I'm in the car, and I also conceive many of my guitar riffs while I'm driving. I like to hash out lyrics in this environment as well, but I find that it's harder for me to remember lyrics after a drive than it is to remember chord voicings or general guitar riffs. Maybe I should keep a recorder in the car with me to spell out the words.

Mason

For me, these days, it's seeing a live performance. I always feel energized and inspired after seeing live performances, especially orchestra and band. I am always amazed listening to that incedible sonic combination and energy of all those musicians working together to create a musical whole. It doesn't matter whether it's a middle school band, jazz band or professional orchestra...I always feel this energy and excitement and wonderment after the performance.

I guess with so many things going on in every day life it's one of the few times where I can just sit and focus on music without interuption.

The other thing I get inspired by is limitation. I think, at times, the incredible variety and wealth of sonic capabilities with GB/LE can really kill inspiration and creativity for me. I feel more inspred when I think..."ok, i'll limit myself to this instrumentation, this jampack, this size of ensemble." It gives me a basic sonic framework and allows me to think more freely. Otherwise I end up messing with different sounds for hours without producing anything.

I get inspire by everyone and no one… everything and nothing. It depends. ;)

Landscapes both real and imagined are a big driver for me. Otherwise love, observation, history, books, films, the news and stories lurking behind the news...

KK