The Dreaded Categorization
“So what kind of music do you do?” Oh if I had a dime for every time that question was asked of me. I don’t know. In fact I have no $&^%in’ clue. I have tried to categorize it. I really have. Radio, music stores (there are a few left), record companies, promoters, distributors all want to know the answer to that question. Audiences do to. Even though the audience is the most open to not having strict categorizations they ask me that question more than all of the others combined. So everybody wants an answer, in words, of what kind of music I do.
Ok, it is a fair question. I personally regard it as unfair because I don’t know how to answer. “Oh its kind of a house, hip hop, new age, neo-classical, instrumental, pop thing. With ambient overtones and shades of polka.” “Earthy tones with a great finish and touches of cherry and limestone”. Describing wine is easier.
So where do I belong (other than in the home). For better or for worse I seem to fall into the New Age category. Predominantly piano at this stage of my career New Age is the only category where I fit. Classical? Neo-classical, Modern classical? Those might work but frankly classical is the kiss of death for a modern composer that is not trying to get played by the local orchestra. Besides I’m not dead yet.
And puleez no “serious composer” label. I am not serious about anything, especially music. Art is play. I play and some little voice tells me what to play and voila art happens. That same little voice has not told me to do anything that would land me in jail… yet. But don’t think I don’t see the similarity. It is all in what the voice says not the voice itself. Who knows what it will say tomorrow?
So New Age it is, I guess. I do like crystals. They’re pretty. Don’t know if they will balance my Chakras but hey if they do I can undoubtedly use the balancing. And if the goddesses allow me to sell a gazillion copies of my next record I promise to name my next child Sky or Ambrosia or Isis or something.
G
http://emptinessdances.com
