GAMS

I met Angel about eight years ago. It was brief - an exchange of names, friendly smiles and the obligatory handshake when a musical acquaintance of mine introduced us to each other. I think she was just beginning her career in Dirty Projectors but I wasn’t very familiar with the band at the time but heard some good things about them. After the introduction, my musical acquaintance invited me to join them for a drink at a neighborhood bar that was conveniently located four blocks away from my apartment. I shyly declined and walked home with a bit of regret. At the time, I was in my early twenties - an awkward period where I was extremely self-conscious in social situations that involved interactions with very creative and talented individuals. I’m not sure if much has changed since then, but I’d like to think so.

Last night, I listened to a few Song Exploder episodes while working late in my studio. Although some of the artists featured may not be my cup of tea, I enjoyed hearing songs deconstructed and their processes laid out - struggles and all. This is something that is never really heard or seen in a final composition. One episode included Deradoorian and that brought me back to an earlier stage of my life - when I had been in my first music project. I recall trying to maneuver through the songwriting process to organizing a show to recording songs with friends and of course meeting new people who were also trying to achieve similar goals as me.