The Power of Performing

So, what is it about performing? It's undeniably a powerful experience to play something you wrote for others. Will they applaud you or laugh you off the stage? Will you capture their attention or will they drift off? These thoughts definitely raced through my mind before I performed for a group of people for the first time. Performing is very rewarding. I think it's just human nature to need praise. Which kind of begs the question: When we create art or a medium do we do it for others or for ourselves? Are we creating while keeping in mind the end result (who will appreciate it), or keeping in mind our own reciprocity with the medium?

I recently found an article in the Pioneer Press about Leo Kottke who has been performing with the guitar for over 40 years! He started playing the violin at age 5, shortly after--the trombone, but when he was 11 he found the guitar and every other instrument took a back seat. While reminiscing over his last 40 years on stage Kottke says, "So, yes, it is a privilege to still play. There is something very humbling in that for me." Leo Kottke played at the State Theater on November 28th. To read the rest of the article, Click Here.



A very intriguing juxtaposition from Kottke is the band, Total Babe, a Minneapolis group compromised of 16 and 17 year-old's who are just in the early stages of their performance career. They are taking the stage at 7th St. Entry Saturday, Dec. 4. Also performing alongside Total Babe are the Red Pens, Communist Daughter, and Porcupine. Lucky for us, somehow they've managed to squeeze all that musical power into a trivial $6!!!

Total Babe's Myspace

Guitar: The American Staple

What is it about guitar that has let it stand the test of time? Why has guitar been the go-to instrument for centuries? Will rock and roll ever see its demise? Guitar and America go together like peanut butter and jelly---you can have one without the other, but it's just not as good. Guitar has that familiarity to it that has let it prevail in American culture for quite some time now. Even though we may become bored of its ubiquity, we still can't help but be enraptured by the rifts of Hendrix, or the solos of Jack White. As long as there's America, there will be rock and roll. Why do we love rock and roll so much? I'm not so sure. But I do know one thing, guitar is tried and true and there's no stopping it. However, that doesn't mean that artists haven't tried to deviate from guitar-driven music! There are many artists who have taken the experimental route, or have even adapted the guitar in their own unique ways. Nevertheless, I'm sure the guitar will remain packed full of nostalgia and longevity. No matter how much our culture changes, the guitar can and will adapt. But why is guitar so good? Want some examples? Well, luckily I've discovered RollingStone's 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time So, here's the top 3:

1. Chuck Berry with Johnny B. Goode


2. Jimi Hendrix with Purple Haze:


3. Cream with Crossroads:


To look at the rest of RollingStone's list: Click Here