Embracing the Harmony: Why Your Local Music Scene Matters

In the heart of every community lies a vibrant tapestry of sound, rhythm, and connection—the local music scene. This dynamic network of musicians, venues, and music lovers weaves together to create an atmosphere that enriches our lives and shapes our cultural identity.

Music Unites Us

Music is a universal language that transcends barriers. Within every local music scene, artists from diverse backgrounds come together to share their stories and melodies. Whether it's a solo acoustic act or a lively band performance, each note resonates with the experiences and emotions of our community. It' s in my top ten reasons of why I love being a musician.

Artistic Expression Comes Alive

Supporting local musicians is a testament to fostering artistic expression. By attending live shows and engaging with local talent, we encourage creativity and innovation within our cultural landscape. The stage becomes a canvas for artists to paint their musical visions, and the audience becomes part of the masterpiece. This is one of the reasons why I'm lining up local shows!

Cultivating Community Spirit

Live music events at local venues serve as focal points for community gathering. They provide opportunities for neighbors and friends to bond over shared interests and experiences. These connections strengthen the social fabric of our neighborhoods, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie. I encourage you to get out there wherever you are and participate!

Celebrating Cultural Heritage

Our local music scene preserves and celebrates our unique cultural heritage. From folk tunes to rock anthems, each genre reflects a piece of our collective history. By supporting local musicians, we honor traditions and ensure that our cultural legacy endures for future generations. Sometimes I forget the present is connected to the past and the future, and we only get to live it now in the moment.

Join the Movement

Are you ready to immerse yourself in the rhythm of our local music community? Sign up one email list to stay updated on upcoming shows, exclusive performances, and behind-the-scenes stories. By joining our mailing list, you'll become part of a passionate network dedicated to celebrating music, art, and culture.

Take Action: Sign Up Today! Don't miss out on the next live performance or exciting event in our local music scene. Enter your email below to receive updates and special invites straight to your inbox. Let's continue to support and nurture the heartbeat of our community—where the good times rock and roll!

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Together, let's embrace the harmony of our local music scene and keep the spirit of live music alive in our community. Join us on this musical journey—it's an experience you won't want to miss!

Jason

 

 

Top Five Reasons to See Luna Luna Forgotten Fantasy

Drake brings Andre Heller's iconic Art Park back to life in downtown Los Angeles.

I just couldn't miss the opportunity to go see this amazing secret of carnival art produced by some of the most well know contemporary artists in recent history.  Here's my top five reasons why I'm glad I went.

1.  Keith Haring

His Carousel of classic Haring iconography is worth the visit if you're a fan.  Especially like how his participation is documented.

2. Wedding Chapel

I left my bride at the alter, and the moon stepped in, so I witnessed my friend get married to the moon in sparkly impromtu ceremony! Couln't have worked out better, and it gave us the reason to celebrate until 4am, howling like wolves at the moon.  Definetly worth the Moonpass.

"Bring a friend, or two, or three...and get married for the night"

3.  The Dali Dom

Salvador Dali's artwork adorned mirror ball geodesic dome?  Normally I don't like looking in the mirror, but I felt like all my personalities came together in a surreal sense of inner/outer beauty.  Blow yourself a kiss here.

4.  The Guy on Stilts

Although Luna Luna was mostly "on display" the guy on stilts and a long feathered cap was ready to participate in photos, dance and jest.  Lot's of laughs if your bringing them, he'll play along.

5. My Friends

Bring a friend or two or three.  There were a lot of "dates" and granted this would be great for that too, but groupsenjoy Luna Luna and it's open setting and surreal setting.  You can drop in and relax in the movie theatre, look at the original artworks, and all get married together, for the night.

If you're in LA this spring--definetly recommended.  No large crowds either! 

LUNA LUNA FORGOTTEN FANTASY

Five Reasons Why You Want A Great Social Media Manager On Your Team

 

Five Reasons Why You Want A Great Social Media Manager On Your Team

Reason 1: Strategic Brand Building

"I am all for conversations, but you need to have a message." — Renee Blodgett

The average online attention span is 8 seconds.  1, 2, 3, 

(((wait…is it three seconds?))).. 

4, 5, 6, 7…8. Whew!

Within the fast paced arena of social media marketing, how much time you have to hook your audience to your brand story is getting even shorter. To earn that extra attention beyond the scroll, and get viewers to invest in your–that’s what a great social media manager does.  Through crafting a focused and compelling brand narrative that speaks emotionally on a personal level, they anchor your headlines to a relationship.  They create campaigns, not confusion.

Reason 2: Targeted Audience Engagement

"Social media is about sociology and psychology more than technology." — Brian Solis

Just like in a marathon, it’s about focus.  Your brand story has a long term goal, and loyalty is something that is earned, step by step, mile by mileg. Relationship building with customers is not just a transaction, it’s commitment and communication.  A great social media manager knows about both. Social Object Theory, a term coined by that defines how and why humans communicate with each other around themes, desires, and interests.  It’s a conversation, not a speech.  It’s a marathon, not a wild goose chase.

Reason 3: Consistent Online Presence

"You cannot buy engagement. You have to build engagement." — Tara-Nicholle Nelson

Reaching your goals takes consistency.  Social media marketers create calendars filled with content ahead of time and post regularly.  They are there, reliable, and present to the conversation that sprouts up around consistent engagement.  Engagament is a result of being there ready to share ideas, hear viewpoints, address concerns, adapt, and respond.

Reason 4: Data Driven Optimization

"There are three objectives for content marketing: reach, engagement, conversion. Define key metrics for each." — Michael Brenner

Data will show you If you’re out there chasing that next wild goose, or if you’re hitting your goals.  Social media managers watch the numbers and adapt accordingly.  They track engagement, streamline content to move within the conversations happening in your space.  They use peak audience times to get the most of the post.  Building social connections is emotional, and logical, but using analytics as a barometer for performance wins the prize.

Reason 5: Adapting to Trends

"Those who cannot change their minds, cannot change anything." —George Bernard Shaw

It is a steady pace that builds brand awareness over time.  It’s also knowing how to stay on course, and how to pivot when the game changes.  Those short term plays can either be leveraged toward your brand’s favor, or dropped as another lost opportunity.  Social media marketers align the long game within the short game, always bending the day to day toward the end goal.  

Conclusion

"A goal without a plan is just a wish."— Unknown

Social media marketers are more than just professionals; they are the quarterbacks of a brand's digital identity. In today's competitive marketplace, a skilled social media marketer empowers your business to shine amidst the competition. The stories we love of champions are made of perseverance.  They are transformative and real.  Great social media marketers show tangible results, results that point to new and lasting opportunities.  

Keep living your dream into existence!

-Jason

Artwalk Ventura Debut: The Origin Story of Twice As Clever

Artwalk Ventura Debut:  The Origin Story of Twice As Clever

How a recording session turned into a gig that turned into band with a big question mark.

I wrote a few songs during the winter and spring of 2021-22 that all have a consistant feel.  They ring with a Rock Americana style that resonated with a pursuit of mine to root out the California aesthetic.  At time of this songwriting, I was wrapping up the releases of "Up in the Sky" and "Leaving On A Train" and because my energy was focused on those singles, these new songs sorta simmered on the back burner.  

I was also deeply inspired at the time working on Navigating Infinity.

In May I was offered a slot to play live for Ventura's well known Artwalk festival and of course I said yes.  I didn't feel right to play as a solo artist though, especailly after working in the studio.  

Twice As Clever was concieved shortly after, and is still in the womb of it's existance.  

Part music, part story, part human, part AI, part community-- Twice As Clever is has an origin story that you can help write, literally online in a collaborative document. 

Like a Grateful Dead Jam, it's rooted in songwriting, storytelling, and open for improvisation.  Will you join us???  Now or never, we're Twice As Clever.

Debut Performance:  Artwalk Ventura Saturday Sept 23rd, 3pm

Follow Twice As Clever Online:

Linktr.ee

Top 3 Reasons Why Continued Education is Crucial

The Top 3 Reasons Why Continued Education is Crucial Right Now

In today's rapidly evolving world, where technology and knowledge are advancing at an unprecedented pace, the importance of continued education cannot be emphasized enough. Gone are the days when education was limited to a specific phase of life. Instead, ongoing learning has become a necessity for personal growth, professional success, and adapting to the changing landscape. In my own experience, after a long hiatus, I started taking classes at Ventura College in 2019. It’s one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made. Here are my top three reasons why continued education is now more important than ever:

1. Keeping Pace (Learning a Different Scale)

Technology is reshaping our world at an astonishing rate. From artificial intelligence and automation to blockchain and augmented reality, innovations are disrupting industries and redefining the skills required to thrive in the job market. Continued education enables individuals to stay up-to-date with these advancements and acquire the necessary skills to remain relevant.  It also provides a foundation from which to pivot, turning personal interests and passions into opportunities.  Dust off that instrument and learn a new song.

“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.” -Dorothy Parker

2. The Gig is Global, The Stage is Local

The job market is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by globalization, automation, and changing economic landscapes. Many traditional jobs are being replaced by automation, while new job opportunities are emerging in previously unexplored sectors. Continued education plays a vital role in helping us to adapt to these shifts and seize new career opportunities. Your new job is not a job, it’s a lifestyle.  

In my experience, my continued education led to a new social media marketing job, where I use my creativity helping clients with content creation and public relations. It’s also been helpful in understanding the importance of my “personal brand.”  It now makes sense to weave my art and my music into my work.  And I can do it anywhere on the planet.

3. Personal and Professional Growth (New Songs)

Education should not be viewed solely as a means to secure a job or advance one's career. It's about personal growth, intellectual curiosity, and a deeper understanding of the world. Continued education offers opportunities to broaden one's horizons, explore new interests, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

In today's ever-changing world, continued education is not just an option but a necessity. By embracing lifelong learning, we open up new areas of thought, we unlock our true potential, and shape a brighter future for ourselves and the world around us.  Exercise that cranium!  Stretch your fingers (and the rest of your body) and stay inspired.

Whose Prince? SCOTUS Decision in Warhol vs. Goldsmith Case

Whose Prince? SCOTUS Decision in Warhol vs. Goldsmith Case sets Precedent for the Future of Copyright

When the commercial aspect of making art trumps the cultural aspect, who wins?

“When you sit down to write something, there should be no guidelines. The main idea is not supposed to be, ‘How many different ways can we sell it?’ That’s so far away from the true spirit of what music is.” -Prince

As an artist, I’ve been investigating the minutia of copyright law in the U.S. for the entirety of my career. It’s extremely important, and exhaustingly complex. The recent SCOTUS ruling in the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. v. Goldsmith case adds to the complexity of copyright protections by interpreting “fair use” in terms of economics. In doing so, the decision could have a major dampening effect on contemporary art, especially art that builds upon other works ie. memes, parody and other interpretive modes of creativity.

And yes, I want the freedom to create in all these modes, and I also want the ability to properly share and attribute with ease. I'm inspired, so I’m transforming the art that was at the center of this ruling in a new mint for this blog post. I’ve turned it upside down and called it “Whose Prince?" because the visual simplicity conveys meaning more succinctly than I can write.

HaHa! It’s a paradox for me personally. I want my work to be protected too. If it’s stolen or used without my consent I want recourse within the societal structures we’ve built. On the other hand, I want the ability to create from what is available to me without having to worry about a lawsuit looming over my shoulder.

Ultimately–what I’ve concluded is summed up by the words of Prince: “When you sit down to write something, there should be no guidelines. The main idea is not supposed to be, ‘How many different ways can we sell it?’ That’s so far away from the true spirit of what music is.” I’ll add….”or what the true spirit of any medium of creation is really.” 

At some point we’re all looking for a way out, a new perspective. We want to hear a guitar solo that cuts to the heart, see a photograph that captures the essence of the moment, open a soup can that feeds a cultural movement. I don’t want to feel the shadow of “the man” when I’m in that space.

One more thing...I’ve recently been super inspired by creating visual art with AI. Where does that go with copyright? Who knows at this point. I will say this. I write the prompts, I make the aesthetic decisions. I guide the variations. I mint them. Buy one. Sweep the floor. They’re signed. 

Have fun out there. Stay inspired.

Navigating Infinity @ H Gallery

 

Saturday May 20th 2023

The first public showing of Navigating Infinity

at

H Gallery Studios

and online at the

Future Primitive VR Gallery

Be a part of the Art

Invest

(we're going to Art Basel Miami 2023)

contact (805) 765-1892

Read the Press Release