The Most Remarkable Oddity

A Space Oddity, a White Duke, a Disco King AND a Goblin King, a Rebel², a Thursday’s Child, an Earthling, an insane lad, an Outsider, a Young American afraid of Americans… he was made of Stardust and has now become a Black Star.

When I talk about influences, I talk a lot of bands in terms of lyrical content and style… but when it comes to attitude, David Bowie has left quite the mark in my life and is one of 3 artists that served as inspiration to choose to be an indie writer and do what I want on my own terms.

Some people say they have range… no one comes close to David Bowie in terms of variety. That he was amazing in so many genres and styles is as amazing as it is bizarre. That he always managed to make it sound Bowie is just a testament to not only talent but soul. He always did whatever he wanted, didn’t feel the need to apologize for anything and as an artist truly and deeply challenged fans to broaden their horizons.

My first real in depth experience with Bowie was with Labyrinth. To this day, it’s a sentimental favorite, one of those movies and soundtracks that just makes me smile and the better option of hairstyle when pitted against Axl Rose in Welcome to the Jungle.

Another massive appeal of Bowie was that even being a true legend, he always seemed casual in his confidence and never cocky to the point of being distasteful. I’m not saying he was humble, by any means. I’m just saying he had class… and plenty of it. Seriously, who else can get away with a potential gay scandal in the 80’s and smile on his way to making another album that just baffles the mind. No one. That’s because when you use the phrase “the stuff of legend”, you see why Bowie was such a legend. The fact that he survived the 70’s is a mystery in and of itself and again, the stuff of legend. That he always challenged himself intensely is the same.

Although always a Bowie fan, it wasn’t until ‘97’s Earthling that I really clicked with him. That album blew me away. When I think of it more, the amazing thing is that he was 50 when he released such an intense album. True, Outsider was darker, but Earthling had so much electronic grit to it, that I couldn’t help but love it. And yes, the cover had a lot to do with that impulse purchase. Wearing a tattered Union Jack coat, the juxtaposition between how he looked and the placid English countryside caught my imagination as he so often has and will continue doing so.

As I dug deeper into his discography, I was amazed time after time and almost regretted having taken 16 years to really appreciate Bowie. I can sum it up thusly, it’s impossible for me to pick a favorite Bowie album. He was a musical chameleon that will never be replicated. He could make you rock with epic tracks like Rebel Rebel, make your imagination soar with Space Oddity, break your heart with Where are we now, make you think with The Man who sold the world or inspire you to throw caution to the wind with Heroes.

He didn’t care what he was supposed to do and it didn’t matter what was in style, because he was style. Throughout his life he was as much a music icon as he was a fashion icon and he had a magnificent talent for looking impeccable even when he was at his oddest.

Apart from the chameleon qualities, what I think was most amazing was how he used his signature instrument. One of the most unique voices in rock, he always got the most of his voice and as his voice evolved, so did his style and music… and never feeling as if he was half assing it or as if he was losing it. A lot of singers have their voice quit on them because they force it… but with Bowie, nothing ever felt forced. Ever.

Today we celebrate a legacy. Millions will listen to his music. Many will see his film appearances and a wave of gratitude will soar across the world.

As for David, my deepest thanks for the influence to follow my path, the inspiration to dance with all my muses, for music that will be with me as long as I live, and for being a hero, though for more than just one day.

Peace, love, and stardust

Audible inspiration: Blind Melon

I was truly shattered when Shannon Hoon died, actually much more than when Kurt Cobain died. That has everything to do with my personal views on the way each died and the level to which I connected with each band. Sure, I loved Nirvana like the next grunge kid. The thing is that with Blind Melon I was exposed to some of the most beautiful writing this side of sunshine.

Shannon Hoon was a truly gifted guy who seemed like a ton of fun and reminded me of Elbow’s Guy Garvey in the sense that he wrote earnest lyrics about every day things you could relate to, except in a fashion all his own.

Seemingly ripped from the 60’s or 70’s, Blind Melon gave us two wonderful albums before Shannon passed and to this day I consistently listen to both for musicianship, beauty, fun and lyrics that still strike a chord with me.

You always got the impression Shannon wrote his lyrics in one go, maybe on a series of napkins before he forgot about what he was going to say. He seemed like such a fun guy and hey, I won’t judge anyone who thinks heaven is a party in a field with everyone dressed as a bee.

Even to this day, certain tracks can make me smile against my will. Though the deep thoughtful transcendental moments are also there. Sometimes psychedelic, their music was truly a wonderful medium to travel to places far and hidden while always keeping a Cheshire smile nearby.

Another deep influence in my writing, I was disappointed that Shannon died because after their album Soup, I couldn’t wait for what else they could come up with since as an encore, Soup is the better album and a true 90’s classic if not as popular as their debut.

Still, rain or shine, Mr. Hoon makes his presence felt in my writing and my characters. And yeah, I do like to watch puddles gather rain.

Peace, love and maki rolls.

JD

Audible inspiration: Ani DiFranco

A true righteous babe to the bone, Ani DiFranco is not only a great singer and an epic lyricist, she also happens to be one of my favorite guitarists. As a music lover of many tastes, I’m not even sure how I came by Miss DiFranco in my life and simply know that the first time I listen it stuck and I needed to listen to as much of her as possible.

Witty, irreverent, rebellious, brutally honest, and melodic... wow her lyrics by themselves are a treat and I’d say she’s a female Dylan except I’d rather not compare her to anyone else. She plays, walks, strums and writes to her own beat. She’s influenced quite a few poems I’ve written and is often a choice when I want to strive from melancholic to quiet but forceful.

Many times I’m listening to Ani and pick up on a lyric I’d forgotten and have to stop what I’m doing and smile at her brilliance. With an ample vocabulary and true valor as a woman, she makes feminism sexy, attractive and empowering without being bitchy. Her career has been self made and her rules only obey one law, honesty to oneself... and as a writer that is definitely something I can agree with her on.

So by all means, take a stroll through DiFranco lane and please be sure to focus on all the elements of her music, because if not, you’ll miss out. She is proof of what one woman can achieve with a guitar and her soul.

Peace, love and maki rolls.

JD

Audible inspiration: Alice in Chains

Although a great many authors influence me, music also plays a key element in what I write and how I write it. Alice in Chains was always a band I loved and still love to this day, and as a child of the 90’s I was saddened if not relieved by Layne Staley’s passing in 2002. It was just such a long struggle with addiction and he basically disintegrated one fix at a time. Still, the legacy lives on and Alice in Chains’s last album definitely shows the band still rocks very hard.

Throughout my tenure as a fan, I’ve loved the hard rock they’ve made although resonate much more with their acoustic material. Now that’s not to say I don’t listen to ‘Them Bones’ and don’t want to bust a big air, it just means that songs like ‘Brother’, ‘Nutshell’, ‘Rotten Apple’, ‘I Stay Away’ and ‘no Excuses’ resonate with me at a much deeper level.

To be honest, I think anyone who has a drug problem should listen and really read into the lyrics of Layne Staley and maybe watch Requiem for a Dream to think twice before continuing down that path. Layne knew he was going to die... he knew what he was doing was stupid... he hated himself for it... still, he couldn’t stop.

That sense of pain makes some of their work truly some of the most memorable music because Layne was a singer that sang like he sang... he didn’t seem to be imitating anyone, he wasn’t channeling any singer from the 70’s, he wasn’t showing his influences. He was on his own path and although short lived, it created some memorable songs that will be with me forever. And it’s another reason why Alice is such a big influence in the sequel to Only Human.

To Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez, Sean Kinney and William Duvall, I salute them for also following their own path and showing us that even if the Devil Put Dinosaurs here, rocking hard is often the only choice to cope.

Peace, love and maki rolls.

JD 

Audible inspiration: Queens of the Stoneage

If you need the definition of Swag, look no further than Queens of the Stoneage. Equal parts stoner rock, punk rock, blues and psychedelia, Queens pulls no punches when they rock out with their socks out, equally comfortable talking about cocaine as they are about vampires, time or counterfeits. They have a unique groove that is all thanks to its leader and single constant member, Joshua Homme.

As if style wasn’t enough to get you by these days, talent and a live show that will trump anything you’ve ever seen, Queens of the Stoneage is an excellent display of a band’s band that is also accessible to the public in both content and music. Wildly innovative, Josh Homme is one of rock’s current greatest guitarists belting out funky riffs and grooves that will make you want to write as much as you will want to shake your rumpshaker.

Queens is at times silly, at times dark and at all times awesome, consistently putting out albums that rival for album of the year and with the highest points in their catalogue for Songs of the Deaf and their recent Like Clockwork. Given the moniker the Ginger Elvis, Josh Homme sings with a croon all his own juxtaposing smooth vocals with dark lyrics and gritty music. If you haven’t checked them out, dive right in. The water is fine... and dark... and inviting.

Cheers,

JD

Audible inspiration: Nine Inch Nails

Dark music does tend to stir the soul and Trent Reznor has spent over two decades bringing the dark to my ears pushing through the flesh of my soul with his Nine Inch Nails. Consistently thought provoking, industrial music grew to what it once became riding on the shoulders of its proverbial Prince of Darkness.

From melancholy, to anger, to sex and the exploration of the darkest corners of our soul, Nine Inch Nails has allowed me to delve deep into my shadow. From Pretty Hate Machine to Hesitation Marks and all the halos in between, this music inspires me to embrace my rage, explore my sexuality and accept that some parts of me would gladly pummel someone if I gave it free rein and that darkness is a part of us.

There are so many dark masterpieces to enjoy that it’s no wonder I’m feeding off extensively off Nine Inch Nails for the sequel to Only Human. Although my first book was dark, the second will be quite darker. Maybe it’s a case of Empire Strikes Back syndrome, although the reasoning behind it is that I need to go as deep and dark as I can in the story, because that’s where Nathaniel and company need to go. As humans, some people think we’re capable of living in the light constantly and that we are supposed to shut out the darkness. I am of another school of thought.

I propose understanding our dark tendencies to always be aware of what stirs inside to be mindful and have a chance at control. All pure light is impossible when it comes to humans because even the purest light casts a shadow. So here’s to our darkness.

JD