I've had a couple days to let it sink in so...

The National was great. It is really that simple. They were great at playing their instruments, they were great at playing the songs, they were great at involving the audience, they were great at everything. I had such high expectations for them and they met every one of them. I was talking to my brother Josh the next day and he took the words out of my mouth when I was trying to explain how good they were. He said that they could be playing all day every day and I would never get tired of watching them... Exactly!!! I'm all in with these guys. Such professionals, such showmen, such entertainers. I want to see them again, and again, and again for good measure. If you get the chance to catch one of their shows, you are fortunate. Have fun on the 17th Grace. I can't wait to hear what you think. That's all...

The excitement is building

I am hours away from seeing one of my all time favorite bands play. It might sound super lame but I feel like a kid again. The band is, as some of you may know, The National. They are playing at Uptown Theatre in Kansas City, which is my favorite concert venue I have been to. My expectations are so high right now that I shouldn't expect them to be met...but I do. I have no doubt that they will deliver one of the best shows I have ever seen. I am anxious to see what their setlist will consist of. I wonder how many songs from their older albums will be played. I wonder what it will be like to hear Conversation 16 live. This is better than Christmas for me. I can't wait to let you know how it was. Till then, that's all I have to say about it...

Song Topics

I have been thinking a lot about what makes songs last in people's hearts and minds. I DJed a wedding last night and had a unique opportunity to pick music for a couple who is just starting on the journey of their lives together. I can't even remember the last wedding reception that I went to but it has been awhile. Anyways, I think that the reception was the catalyst for my thought process over the last day or so. I want to write lyrics that matter. So I am gonna start a running list that people are more than welcome to add to if they like. So here we go...

Wow, I was going to delete this whole post after trying to make these lists. I really thought that I felt strongly about what content the lyrics of my songs should contain. Then, looking back at the lists of things NOT to write about, I could think of situations in which I should write about all of them.

I guess the conclusion that I come to on this one is the same one that I have been using all along. Songs are snapshots of my life. If the song is sad, or about heartbreak and loss, that's how I was feeling when I wrote it. If they are full of hope and clarity, that's how I felt when I wrote it. I want to make sure that I don't accidentally pigeon hole myself by creating too many rules. I will just keep riding life's wave and use whatever material she leaves available for me.

So, I guess that my thoughts on topic...

The insanity of Kansas City Chiefs fans

So the Kansas City Chiefs won their home/season opener last night against a formidable opponent in the form of the San Diego Chargers. It was actually a really fun game to watch...until the chiefs actually won. Just at the bar alone I had probably a hand full of people come up to stating that it feels good to be in first place in the division...after week 1. Then, I get on Facebook and my news feed is littered with crazy fans talking about Super Bowl pipe dreams...after week 1. My question is this? Why do people throw so much emotion and concentrated time into sports team? I mean, I love sports and there are a few teams that I specifically follow, but at the end of the day, my life really isn't affected if they win or lose. It is an interesting phenomenon across the globe. Overseas it is all about Futball but the same principle applies. I don't have any answers, I just found myself interested in the concept. so..that's all I have to say about it. You?

Nickel Creek

I was listening to nickel creek today in my car. It has been awhile since I listened to them and I can't believe I almost forgot how incredibly amazing they are. If you haven't listened to them before, get your hands on some as soon as you can. That's all I got to say about that...

Sleep is good, but being awake is better

I was watching a special on T.V. about the musician Drake the other day. He had a quote that was something to the effect of, "when you're on tour you get so exhausted that you find yourself catching a few hours of sleep every night just to get back to "tired"." While I am not a rapper selling out venues across the country and dealing with screaming fans every night, I think I am buying what he is selling with that statement. I can't remember not being tired. I imagine it's wonderful. Sleep is a rare commodity these days. It's the most coveted part of my day. The problem lies in the fact that, lately, even when I do sleep, I don't seem to sleep well. I will wake up from a 7 hour night of sleep and feel exhausted. So now that this post is done, and I've said all I want to say on the topic...I'm gonna try to take a nap...

Upcoming concerts I am excited about going to...

The National- Sept. 29th @ Uptown Theatre
Fun.- Oct. 14th @ The Bottleneck
Sufjan Stevens- Oct. 17th @ Uptown Theatre
Wolf Parade- Nov. 19th @ The Granada

Needless to say, I am extremely excited about all of these shows. If you are going to any of them, let me know and we can discuss them after the fact. Cool.

My life...right now...

So this is my first blog...I guess a good starting point is to let you know what I am doing (in life) right now. I am currently studying psychology at the University of Central Missouri. After changing my major 4 times and taking about 3 years off cumulatively, I couldn't be more excited to be studying in this field. I have three very educated, engaging professors this year that are really stimulating my mind and making think about things in a different perspective. I have always been a natural observer of people and I am excited to be able to learn about the reasons why people do what they do and act how they act. Hopefully, A year from now, I will have my undergraduate degree and ready to take the next step. What is the next step for me?...Great question. I do plan on continuing my education in psychology, however, my first and truest passion is songwriting. I hope to put myself in a city where I can hopefully establish myself as a working musician/performer. Not to say that I can't continue my education while that is happening, but I haven't gotten to that point yet so it remains to be seen. All I know is that my next step is to get up tomorrow and get myself to the classroom. I have always been prone to hasty decisions, however, responsibility and being a "grown up" are ideas that are starting to sink in...I hope. :) Anyways, I think that this is a good start. Feel free to say hello anytime and comment on the blogs to come. Just a warning, there is bound to be a majority of them about music and psychology. My brain is overwhelmed with both right now.


Take care of each other,

Gabe