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@thomasstarks-blog
“Your power does not come from luck. Your power comes from you, and what you invest in it every day, in the work and the sweat and the giving a damn. That is what you carry around with you, even as you walk out of your fancy top job for the last time. That is what you carry into the next thing, and there will be a next thing, because you are good and because that’s what you do. That is your capital.” RACHEL SKLAR on JILL ABRAMSON
A Late Resolution on Words...
It appears that I need to blog more.
Currency
I was lost for minute, now I'm back.
Sorry to have left you like that.
Sooo...yes, Michael Profitt and THE INTERVIEW!!
We just had the opportunity to schedule an interview with one of Seattle's premier music photographer's, Mr. Michael Profitt! Vids and pics to come soon! Until then, Here is a way to check him out!
abbigshmail:
The Head and the Heart at the Showbox last night.
THEY WERE AMAZING OMG.
10 Zen's for the Working Musician
There are no guarantee's for what you do and where you are headed, but there are foundations that you MUST walk upon to stay level minded and above reproach to your peers.
1. I am a FORCE of nature and understand my path.
2. I will NOT lie.
3. I WILL follow through with what I have promised to do.
4. I will volunteer my time and knowledge to those who need it.
5. I will develop a relationship with my family (However that is defined).
6. I will not trash a venue and expect that venue to be kind to me afterwards.
7. If someone does not like my work, it's ok.
8. Be nice to photographers and wait staff, ALWAYS.
9. I commit myself to understanding my trade, inside and out, to include writing, performing, licensing, and recording.
10. When I get angry, I must remember that I chose this.
Kick Whitney Monge off The Streets!
        I bet in your daily routine, you go to the same places everyday, sometimes almost clockwork, talk to the same people, and buy the same products, never noticing what's around you. Routine, it's not a negative perspective at all, just how we are sometimes as humans on this rock. I was a victim of routine some 3 years ago in Pike's market of all places. While walking by the now lower moved "Can Can", my routine left my very presence and decided it needed a break, possibly due to the voice heard just feet away from me, WHILE I had had headphones on, yes I HAD headphones on. She was standing there, with a guitar, singing a rendition of a song I thought had already been perfected, "Everything" by Lifehouse. Yes, it was a cover, but she nailed it only the way Miss Whitney Monge could, with power, grace, and style. Did I mention she was in the middle of Pike's market on a busy weekend day in one of the loudest areas and OWNING every note, every tone, every moment. Since meeting her, we have become, like many of our colleagues in this industry, ships passing in the night, and each time, she has impressed upon me the need to keep my game up, top notch, and with hunger. Unlike many others, Whitney has kept her hunger vibrant, alive, and even keeled, and has performed at some of Seattle's most loved venue's such as The Tractor Tavern, Faire Gallery Cafe, and even the Fremont LoveFest, now the NW Lovefest! When an artist of Miss Monge's caliber chooses to keep going, it's not because of ego, or vanity, it's because her blood is lined with a substance almost every other successful person in any industry has, and as long as she breathes, it's flowing. With that being said, in this business, it also takes more than talent. It also takes a keen sense of timing and risk, both of which she is ready to challenge. Miss Monge is literally ready to busk herself straight off the street and into the studio, and this is an EXCITING time for all of us who LOVE her work. Utilizing KickStarter, Whitney is once again proving that she can "Make it happen!" Come hell or high water, she is a sure bet to produce a work that will live in the memory much like a welcoming break of routine, you simply never forget it.
Change is Good!
Hey all,
So we've made a few changes to the blog, including the name, but it's still the same 120% dedication to music, the industry, and tips and tricks to maneuver through this crazy biz! Let us know what ya think and if ya have any ideas, feel free to share, we are EXCITED to continue to grow, and to you whom are about to RAWK, WE SALUTE YOU!Â
Seattle's Working Musician!
WAPPOW! Right in your Social Media Keester!
There are rare moments in time when an industry rises out of literally the ether of expanse and existence, simply to do nothing but assist other industries and even individuals. In a time when we were becoming so engrossed with clocking in, never actually meeting our co workers, never listening to the true nature of what it was we were trying to accomplish in our day to day, comes into light a new kid, and that kid's name is "Social Media." One of the front runners and leaders of this daily growing industry, "WAPPOW"! Right in the thick of it, Jenn Mathews, President of WAPPOW! takes center stage with her ethic of substance before quota. In her own words she says..."I found myself struggling to find those I could really look up to and call on when I was stuck, or to stay on top of industry trends." Now imagine this, a PRESIDENT of a respected organization, having lead the charge with our very FIRST social media engine, "Classmates.com", that's right, CLASSMATES.COM, sends out an open invitation to pick her brain at a local coffee shop! This is just what she does, and it's what WAPPOW! is built upon, a notion that nothing is ordinary, and all is extraordinary. That conferences can be,"...a whole new experience, events that put you in touch with industry experts and connect you with fellow marketers to discuss what's important to you and your business." That's right, you AND your business, all is connected. In essence, if you are looking for that "thing" but cannot quite define it, that push, but find it just slightly out of grasp, or that spark, but cannot seem to find your char cloth for the flint and steel, WAPPOW! is ready, willing, and absolutely able to assist! Â
WAPPOW!
http://wappow.com/
Come join the revolution April 21st, 2011 with "WAPPOW!" in celebration of "Social Media" day!!
 http://wappow.com/Workshops/social-day/
We had a great time last night at the Triple Door in Seattle for Arts Corps! And thanks so much to Dave Matthews for the support! What a night!
http://www.facebook.com/ThomasStarksMusic
WHERE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO VISIT ON YOUR PLANET?
Any place with lots of music.
Open Letter To You, Musician
Dear Musician, How have you been? It’s been a while since we spoke, I do hope you’re well. It seems that the last two years have been rough on you, changes with industry distribution of your work and all. Let me give you some hope. As you know, when you first picked up your instrument, you probably had no idea that it would take you into places you never imagined. Do you remember the first time you walked into a real venue, and saw your name on the “performers” list, do you remember how that felt? Do you recall the fear in your hands and throat, but you did it, didn’t you? And you kept doing it, no matter the odds thrown at you, you just kept at it. Take a good hard look at your outlook now, you’re seasoned in how to talk to promoters and fans, and even your own bandmates. You know this is old hat. Well, surprisingly enough, the industry you have chosen is going through the same thing. It’s scared to come back onto that stage every time it is presented with a new way of presenting you. Do you remember when they put you in vinyl and you wanted to find a better way to make it more accessible to your fans, you chose to go with tapes and CD’s because it was was cost effective and gave your fans more choices. Well the industry listened, and it produced those for you, but then came the digital world, and you and the industry were both afraid of what would happen to the passion you so greatly wanted to express. Would the “cloud” of online distribution compress your very words, or even crash the system all together? Do you remember when Metallica sued Napster as the world watched? It was pretty scary right, I mean, how could you not be afraid of what would happen to your craft? But guess what, Metallica are still making music and Napster is now a viable music download platform. Earlier in my words, I promised you hope, and here it is. You will ALWAYS make music. People will ALWAYS want to be inspired by you. And that guy walking in the street with his headphones on, will ALWAYS find a new way to listen to you. True, the world is changing, but what will always be true is this, you will ALWAYS break a string or two while em-blazing your own history onto the landscape of music. And much like you, the infancy of the industry will also break a few strings making room for you. It’s up to you whether or not you want to break bread with it, growing pains and all. After all, at this point, you’re both in the venue, loading in, and asking the bartender for your two drink tickets and no pay, simply because you love what you do. Warmest Regards, Everyone
The Kardashian Effect and Chris Brown
The Kardashian Effect In My View      Two days ago I was blindly perusing the Twitter world and noticed an influx on Chris Brown tweets. Something about a Good Morning America incident and how he had lost his temper. After reviewing the incident, I took to Twitter to see if I could possibly on any level reach out to Chris Brown and ask him to show his fans that he meant what he said, that this latest LP was “...for his fans and his fans alone.” Here is where it gets interesting, no one person is a fan of one other singular entity, we have multiple likes and dislikes, on multiple levels. There is a song by Mariah Carey called “Obsessed”, in one of the verses, she states, “...You’re a mom and pop, I’m a corporation.” Do you see where I’m going with this? The Chris Brown incident is amateur at best in attempt to boost sales and create a buzz for his recent product, but he DID sell the product. Why am I so critical of him, because slow and steady wins the race. Which brings me to the Kardashians, a slow and steady family empire of calculated risks and multiple agreements between them, thus creating a corporation. Chris Brown, as talented as he is, is handled, The Kardashians however call the shots. On every level, they have been successful at even being unsuccessful, noting the recent prepaid credit card incident. Going back to Twitter, I had noticed something that had caught me and caused me to proceed with this inquiry between the Chris Brown incident and what I assume will be trademarked by some upstart looking to profit, or by the entities themselves, “The Kardashian Effect”. It’s when a Kardashian enters a platform, and dominates it for the positive, no matter what the product, incident, or spin. In short, a person connected to myself and Kourtney Kardashian roughly stated, “...I just got retweeted by a Kardashian!” The Tweeter didn’t even have to mention which one, just that it was A KARDASHIAN. In the world of social media, and in a competitive one at that, there is strength in numbers, and with the Kardashians, there are certainly plenty to go around. As I had referenced Mariah Carey, I bring this to it’s point, specifically to my world, music. Chris Brown is talented, energetic, and wanting of the spotlight, but doesn’t seem to know how to handle those gifts with directed responsibility, and certainly no one seems to hold him accountable. The Kardashians hold each other accountable, thus keeping the flow of creativity and profit in check, knowing every move they make is simply another move on the chess board. Maybe some day Chris Brown could become that major entity and truly turn that corner into existential self awareness, or maybe he won’t, but it’s a clear example to you budding musician, promoter, and producer, as to how you will handle a sudden fall from grace. Will you pretend to be apologetic if you have wronged, or will you actually surround your self with people who hold you accountable, thus propelling you, allowing you to build in numbers of followers who trust you to the ends of the earth and beyond? Do you want someone to someday say, “....______ just said my name!”, or will they say “..._____needs to grow up and take responsibility.” It’s entirely up to you.
An awkward moment with Luc Reynaud...
  Have you ever had a friend call you to rap about a few idle things and it turns into a full on session about life, business, and awkward moments? Then suddenly you learn so much more about your own life and what it is you really stand for, and what you know you should never tolerate? After just a half hour with Luc Reynaud of “Luc and The Lovingtons”, I came away with something better than what I had.    See, Luc is not just any guy in a band, Luc is a visionary. He and I are teaching artists for an organization in Seattle, and he called to talk to me about what the game plan would be for the curriculum we were developing for the kids we teach. As we were talking we began to “Talk”...not just about the program, but about what lead us to it. Luc Reynaud is a writer, musician, and all around force of nature. It’s rare that I’m inspired enough to really get deep with my conversations to anyone, as with most writers, we are guarded in more ways than is seen to the human eye. Truly we can appear to reveal, only to live in metaphor, and what we say isn’t always what we mean. But Luc says this to me as we were talking about my own social idiosyncrasies, “Sometimes I like to just let the awkward moments in life happen, we all need that sometimes...”.    This statement came from a man who literally did the “Kid n Play” at his last show at the Crocodile in Seattle. If you missed it, I tell you the truth, there ARE dance sequences in the performance. And musicians, writers, performers, I tell you this, you NEED to feel awkward sometimes, in order to remember what it is you know you were built for, and why you do what you do. Take away the fame, the fortune, and the glamour, and what you have left is your writing, your talent, and your ability to be raw. As Luc said, “If you’re just raw...I mean just raw and honest, it’s so much better.” So I implore you, if you need a fix of something real and without care of critique, Luc and the Lovingtons can truly provide that and more! Come see them at the Crocodile March 10th, 2011 as they join with Hot Bodies In Motion for a Benefit for “Team Up for NonProfits.” You just might learn something about being awkward, and being ok with it.
http://www.lucandthelovingtons.com/
http://thecrocodile.com/index.html
What if...
   What if we took every plane in the world and equally divided them between every nation, would we have enough pilots? What if we integrated all of our resources from the most useful to the least and decided they were all of value, would we be able to logically choose if a banana is as important as fossil and electric fuels? What if we closed our eyes and saw only dark, and the only way to see would be by the assistance of someone else, would anyone come to aide?    The truth is, we are already in this type of scenario. Granted planes, trains, and automobiles are not being dolled out to every country, but it seems disaster and tragedy are. We have seemingly shifted into a stage of financial confusion and global meltdown. But it also seems we are in a very unique time in our world, we have a chance to fix it. And we can start at the lowest levels, where the mind meets the philosophies of common decency and equal and fair trade. All it takes is time and dedication to community. I am no saint by any means, but neither were those who came before me, who had the chance to instill in me the hope that I could succeed at what I put my mind too, no matter the odds, and truly these odds have been great.    I have spent the majority of my own life trying to cope with an event in my adolescence that has affected almost every choice I made up until just a few years ago. I found myself in community service of those who needed it, and the voids in my own life began to fill. True, it may not be ideal for everyone the path I chose to take, but in service to your country, community, and even neighborhood, we can take back what was lost. I bear physical scars on my own body due to the mishandling of those whom would care for me as a youth, and in understanding their financial, emotional, and physical limitations, I have learned forgiveness and courage. In that process, it has allowed me to move into a space of vocal support for agencies and programs such as “Seattle Arts Corps”.    As a teaching artist, I am afforded the opportunity to grasp onto the positive lessons I have learned and attempt to instill a sense of care for one’s own goals and aspirations. It also teaches me to be an active part of change for the better, one chord at a time. As I said before, my chosen service may not be what you may choose, but I assure you, there IS a place for you somewhere, no matter how little or how much you have or own. To those receiving it, it’s simply a matter of “Time.” You give of your time, and what you get back cannot be simply described with words, it has to been seen.    In performing community service, who knows, we may just get that shot at having a runway in every nation, a school in every town, and a belief that what we have is never truly ours, but is simply in our care for the next generation and it is our duty to make sure they are equipped to handle what may come their way.
Thomas Starks
http://www.artscorps.org/index.html
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arts-Corps/50654600097
Trail Blazin!!
  This past year has been a year full of surprises, achievements and solid results to hard work done. Among those achievements this year, I am proud to announce a new partnership two years in the making with Behringer, manufacturer of a wide range of professional audio equipment such as mixing consoles, compressors, and guitar amplifiers.     As one of their representing artists, I have joined the ranks of such greats as, Gannin Arnols, Blake Lewis, and KJ Sawka. With this new turn, I want to thank all of you for being so very supportive in the last year. It has been a wild west kind of run, and it only gets better. Some new goals have arisen, and new heights to reach.     We will be enhancing the Facebook fan page and also creating a brand new OFFICIAL Thomas Starks website. It’s an honor and a privilege to be affiliated with Behringer and their hard working staff globally. And it’s not so far off that we both started the same way, with one note and a belief that anything is possible if you keep at it and simply do your best. 2011 stands to be a banner year. I hope you will all continue to support local music and the arts in any way you can, it is so very appreciated!
Thomas Starks
http://www.behringer.com/EN/
http://www.behringer.com/en/artists/guitarists/thomas-starks/
Building a Legacy
It’s a strange thing when one starts contemplating legacy. What you will leave behind to be remembered by, and what is even worth remembering. In the decades and millenniums to come, what will they find that will tell the stories that are happening now? What is it that creates the need to worry of it? It never dawned on me that I would ever reach that point, in the midst of the mire and journey, that I would begin to look back not on the trauma I have survived, but on the lessons I have learned. On Jan 29th, 2010, a milestone in my music career was made. But that milestone was made not by myself alone, but by the friends, fans, and supporters that believed enough in me to speak out and get me to the mountain. That high plain was 102.5 KZOK, on the Bob Rivers Show. I knew that day, that it was up to me to prove why I had been chosen to perform that day in studio in Seattle Wa. I have been performing on a professional level for going on 7 years now, and this was the day that every long term performer gets, that make it or break it moment, and Bob and crew weren’t going to just give it to me, I had to earn it. The funny thing is, they allowed me the room to do just that. As I entered the booth to set up, I felt as though I were an alley cat, and they were the humans watching from afar, wondering if I were approachable, and if I would scurry off, afraid and weary of the opportunity, but I knew my goal, and it wasn’t to impress, but to digest. I was taking it all in, reading the movements of these seasoned pros, listening to the banter and feeling the heat in my hands. As Bob began to speak to me, I listened with respect and care, not to miss anything, but it was one thing he said in jest, that at the time, I had no idea how prolific it would be. He said, and I quote...”Early on you’ll take anything...eventually you’ll snub us...”. We all laughed, but I made a promise that day that I would not forget my roots, and because of Bob Rivers and crew, I have been afforded many more opportunities. One in particular is Oct 28th 2010, at the King Kat Theatre. Hosted by Ted Walker, I intend to keep that promise, and will honor Bob and his crew by performing. Normally I do as much as I can to impart what I know about my own life, in hopes that it will touch another’s journey. So I will say this, as you watch the road before you, never forget who gave you the fuel to keep going, and always remember that what you build in life requires more than one material. In laymen's terms, I may have written the songs, but it takes people like you, the fans, you the friends, and especially you, the ones who can give us as musicians and artists the opportunity to continue doing what we do naturally. In doing that, we are all artists in our own way. So Bob and crew, if I haven’t already said it enough, I thank you, and honor your service to Seattle, Washington state, and my own career as well, and no, I will never snub you, there will always be music to write, and an outlet needed to let it play, for that I am eternally grateful and thank you for being a part of my own legacy, see you at the King Kat. TS
http://www.reverbnation.com/thomasstarks
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bob-Rivers-Show/95917624167
