the magic of instrumentals

last night, i went to a late show at the sweedish american music hall. composer jean-michel blais was playing a set. 

perched atop a raised platform, his piano said little but managed to command my attention.

this is what he has to say on that matter:

“really, i think that, in silence, there’s something i find magnificent. and that’s what art is. that’s how i see it in my heart... sometimes, when there are no words, instrumental music is one way to give an answer or to lead us on to something else.”
— jean-michel blais

research shows music positive effects on the damaged brain. and blais’ music certainly does it for me. here’s one of my favorites.

below is a 360 degree videos from blais’ apartment, which is a good reminder that you don’t need a large audience or fancy gadgets to be an artist.

a quick note on president trump's comments on TBI

i was riding the bus when i read that tresident trump, in response to 34 service members receiving a TBI, said: “i heard they had headaches and a couple of other things, but i can report that it’s not very serious.” 

i closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

not. very. serious. 

that phrase cut deep. yes, it was untrue. but it was also dangerous.

i won’t regurgitate information that is available on the internet. however, i do understand Traumatic Brain injury (TBI). 

and statements like this, especially when directed towards this specific subset of individuals, creates a narrative that minimizes the suffering of millions.

yes, the wounds of war are both visible and invisible. this is a fact. however, we cannot value one over the other. lives depend on it.

words matter.