My Journey to Music: Connecting Through Rhythm and Rhyme
Music has always been the only thing that truly connected me with people. It’s an integral part of who I am, a medium through which I express my emotions, find solace, and build meaningful relationships. My journey into the world of music was less about a career choice and more about a personal fulfillment that no other path could bring.
The Early Influence
Music has been a constant presence in my life since the very beginning. It started with my family, who were all deeply involved in the arts. When I was just three or four years old, my family friend, Tompall, who played guitar, had me on his lap, teaching me how to strum.
From a young age, I grew up in a home where music was not just a hobby but a way of life. My parents dated musicians and singers, and both my great-uncle and great-uncle, my grandma, and even a stepfather played guitar. The violin, in particular, held a special place in my heart. I vaguely recall a time when my mother, who came from a highly religious family, agreed to let me take up the violin. The reason was that the musical styles associated with the instrument were typically driven by melody rather than by rhythm, which was aligned with our religious beliefs. It was a combination of familial support and a deep personal fascination that led me to the violin.
The Awakening in High School
High school was a pivotal time for me. The Mennonite community I grew up in typically pulled students out after 8th grade, but I managed to stay in school. It was here that I encountered the punk music that would change my life. I was exposed to their music by a group of punks who wanted to upset me, but instead, it resonated with me on a deep level. Their rawness and authenticity were unlike anything I had experienced before. This exposure to punk music was a turning point, and it led me to pick up the guitar and dive into hardcore punk.
Music wasn’t just a form of expression for me; it became a coping mechanism, a way to destress, and a way to find joy in a world that often seemed dark. I watched Pete Seeger at the Hollywood Bowl in 1963, and the power of music to unite and connect a large audience was a profound moment for me. Seeger’s ability to get 6000 people to sing together, bridging the gap between melody and harmony, was a reminder of the profound impact music could have on people.
The Role in My Life
Since then, music has been not just a career but a lifestyle. It’s been a way to make connections, a coping mechanism, and a source of deep fulfillment. Music has been my escape, my therapy, and my joy in a sometimes cumbersome world. It’s given me a sense of purpose and a way to share my emotions with others.
I often think about the countless verbs that describe what I do—“write,” “play,” “sing,” “compose,” “perform.” But when it comes down to it, the verb that best describes my relationship with music is “connect.” Like Beethoven and Chuck Berry, I see music as a form of communication, a way to bridge gaps and build bridges.
Music has the power to reach hearts and minds, to inspire and heal. For me, it’s more than just a career; it’s a calling. And in this calling, I find joy, purpose, and a sense of belonging.