The Brilliance Shines Brightly At Rockwood Hall in the LES
The January temperatures may have dipped below freezing the other evening, but the warmth emanating from Rockwood 2 thawed many hearts as The Brilliance took the stage.
Photo: Alice Teeple
The neoclassical/orchestral pop outfit, founded by childhood friends David Gungor and John Arndt, has seen many guises over its decade-long run. Gungor and Arndt grew up together in Wisconsin, often parting ways geographically, but finding common paths in music. Gungor currently lives in NYC, working at Trinity Grace TriBeCa; Arndt currently lives in Minneapolis (soon France) and works as a composer, film scorer, and producer.
The Brilliance is a uniquely American take on Judeo-Christian liturgical music, expanding the duo’s initial evangelical interpretations into a more urgent, universal message of peace. The Greek word here is agape, or higher love.
The Brilliance walks the walk with their message as well, having recently partnered with World Relief in their initiative to raise awareness for the DACA Dreamers. Their Dreamer Suite exploded on Spotify after a feature on New Music Friday, amassing over half a million monthly listeners and millions of streams as an independent release.
The spirit moves with Gungor and Arndt’s artistry –more importantly, it urges everyone to move toward balance and love. While most of the music world mires itself in repetition and monotone, The Brilliance is beautifully philosophical and melodic. Much like Sufjan Stevens, Arcade Fire, and U2, The Brilliance draws from spiritual allusions, seeking justice and mercy. The band takes cues from later Beatles recordings; their sweeping orchestral arrangements surrounding Gungor’s warm tenor and Arndt’s expressive piano.
Photo: Alice Teeple
Photo: Alice Teeple
Photo: Alice Teeple
Their lyrics are deep and earnest. As William Blake’sJerusalem questioned the environmental and societal morality of the Industrial Revolution two centuries ago, The Brilliance asks humanity to take a grounding breath amidst the chaos. Be it faith in a deity, the universe, or within the Self, we must collectively navigate this planet. The Brilliance also embraces measured optimism. One song, Must Admit, opens with a recording of the haunting chorus of Parisians singing as Notre Dame burned last summer.
The shimmering Oh Dreamer, in particular, gives poetic nods to Marvin Gaye’s seminal album, What’s Going On?
We say long live liberty Pretend equality Let freedom reign Let freedom reign Does the cost of security Bankrupt our humanity? Let freedom reign
The Rockwood concert included a full string section, two backup singers, a guitarist, a bassist, a drummer, and Arndt on piano. (Gungor joked during the show that the crowded personnel was actually heavily stripped down version of the studio recording.)
Photo: Alice Teeple
The room was packed with smiling fans and family, filling the venue with a good old-fashioned sing-along for See The Love. There was barely a dry eye in the house as Gungor snapped his fingers and calmly pulled the room together.
The Brilliance confronts humanitarian and environmental crises and offers a message of hope. World Keeps Spinning acknowledges the point of critical mass as darkness engulfs the collective.
When fear becomes violence I’m drowning in the silence Light and bad, discertainty, and indifference I wanna hear the song of peace Would you sing it over me? Can you help me to speak though I stutter? We’ve got to live for more Than just the end of the world
The sweeping song is an epic collage, fusing together the most stirring elements of Electric Light Orchestra, The Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper, Bach’s Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor, and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, taking the band almost into the realm of prog rock at its bridge…almost. Ambitious, yes, but the postmodern approach pays off. The album is a breath of fresh air.
Check out the beautiful World Keeps Spinning, here.
The Meadows is not the only big multi-day festival coming to Citi Field this summer. Taking place over the course of two days, The Classic East comes to Citi Field on Jul. 29 and 30 with the same lineup as its Jul. 15 and 16 shows at Dodger Stadium: Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, Journey, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Undoubtedly inspired by last year’s Desert Trip festival in Southern California — which included The Beatles’ Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, Bob Dylan and The Who — The Classic East and The Classic West were put together by Live Nation with legendary music manager Irving Azoff. Said Mr. Azoff to the New York Times of these events: “Classic-rock radio listeners have been underserved by current festival lineups.”
Tickets for the full two-day event — no single-day tickets will be sold to the public — go on-sale today, Apr. 7. Prices range from $150 to $950, not including fees.
Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel / Photo: Todd V Wolfson
Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel / Photo: Todd V Wolfson
If you are a fan of rock & roll, you have heard Bobby Whitlock play music. Beyond his long-standing solo career alongside wife CoCo Carmel — who herself has performed with Jon Bon Jovi, Dr. John and Phoebe Snow — Bobby also played and wrote on three of rock’s most iconic albums: George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, Derek & The Dominos’ Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs and The Rolling Stones’ Exile On Main Street. He is also notably a co-founder of Derek & The Dominos, and was the first “friend” in Delaney and Bonnie. While Bobby has a new album in the works, he and CoCo have opted to travel the road for The Sparkly Shoes Tour, which hits B.B. King’s on Jun. 13.
One thing that makes the Sparkly Shoes Tour even more interesting is that each date of the tour features a special guest guitarist. The Jun. 13 show includes Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ricky Byrd, who played in Joan Jett & The Blackhearts for many years; he has also performed alongside Southside Johnny, The Who’s Roger Daltrey, and Mott The Hoople’s Ian Hunter, among others.
Downtown had the pleasure of speaking with both Bobby and Ricky via e-mail. Interestingly, the two have never met in-person, so day of the B.B. King’s show will likely be their first meeting. Bobby and Coco can be visited online at www.bobbywhitlockandcococarmel.com, while Ricky keeps an online home at www.cleangetaway.nyc.
How did you two first meet?
Bobby Whitlock: We have yet to meet face to face, but have talked over the telephone…
Ricky Byrd: I haven’t actually met Bobby or Coco yet. My wife Carol Kaye is their publicist, so that’s my connection. I had seen a post on Facebook from Bobby that they were playing BB’s in June and I remember my pal Godfrey Townsend — who played with them last year — said he wasn’t available this year, so I asked Carol to reach out to them and offer my services. No doubt I’m honored to play with them. I have also agreed to do a short opening acoustic set of songs from my solo CD Lifer and some tunes I wish I had written. (laughs)
Ricky, you’re considered a sideman yet have also put out solo albums. Do you like being thought of as a sideman, though?
RB: Honestly, I have more of a frontman personality. I have been up front singing lead and driving the bus for so long, it’s a natural place for me to be. With that said, the fact that I’m a professional, I understand the concept of playing a supporting role and I have been that guy many, many times as well. At this point I have quite a list of people I have played alongside…everyone from Roger Daltrey to Smokey Robinson, and now Bobby Whitlock and CoCo Carmel
Sometimes I’m lead dog …sometimes you are there to help pull the sled. I just bring my tools and do whatever job is at hand!
BW: We will be playing the Dominos songs that I wrote on the Layla record and some new originals that CoCo and I have written, along with a couple from my upcoming solo record.
On each date of the tour you’re playing with a guest guitarist. Did you have the cities picked out first? Or the guitarist?
BW: We have the dates and cities picked out before we get the guitarist.
How have you and CoCo been able to keep long-standing relationships as both collaborators and a married couple? I mean, few other musical couples have lasted decades…
Whitlock: CoCo and I are friends, lovers, husband and wife, and also musical partners…And we are together 24/7. We are equals in everything that we do. There is no “mine and yours.” It’s all ours. I never tell her what to play or sing. She knows what to do. We have great respect for each other and each other’s abilities. We are both free to be.
Ricky, where was the first gig you ever played in New York City?
RB: Hmm, probably a church dance in Queens. We were too young to play clubs. Eventually I made my way playing upstairs at Max’s Kansas City and other 70’s rock joints in New York City.
RB: Back in the early 80s, I was out there often because Jett lived there. Over the past few years, I’ve played a few gigs in Long Beach, and you could find me at a restaurant or two there occasionally.
BW: Aside from the B.B. King date. which is in the middle of our Sparkly Shoes Tour, I am working on finishing my first solo recording in years. It has some new songs, some of which we are performing on this tour, and the band is great! Darryl Jones on bass, Colin Linden and Nick Tremulis on guitars, Charley Drayton on drums, with Stephen Barber on keyboards along with myself and of course my darling CoCo Carmel singing and playing sax. She also has about six songs that were co-written with me, and her song “Nobody Knows” is on my new solo record. I could not resist doing her song.
RB: I’m currently working on a CD filled with original songs I play at treatment facilities around the U.S. I have been in recovery since 1987 and a huge part of my world is trying to help those fighting addiction just as I was helped. The songs are about addiction, recovery, hope and inspiration. There will be some very special guests, including Bobby, but in the end the message of recovery is the special guest! I’ll be handing the CD out to patients at my groups. Knowing music is a healer, hopefully it will help save a life.
When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
BW: When I am not singing and playing or writing a new song or working on my poetry book, I enjoy whatever comes my way by the way of the creative process. I love walking in our woods with our dogs, and simply strolling down the street in our neighborhood with CoCo. I have a passion for working with wood, namely tree stumps. I call it root art. As a matter of fact, some people came from Japan to our home several years ago and they all were captivated with my artwork. I told them that I call it “root art” and they said that it is a very spiritual art in Japan, as it gives eternal life to the root of the tree.
RB: Watching baseball. Trying to navigate around a 15-year-old daughter. And napping. (laughs)
Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?
BW: I don’t really have a favorite restaurant anywhere, as I prefer CoCo’s cooking at home.
RB: Wo Hop on Mott Street. I’ve been going there since 1974.
Finally, any last words for the kids?
BW: Final word for the children…Listen…Just be still and listen for that still small voice.
RB: If you want to be a music lifer, go out and play the joints to zero people on a Tuesday night. Learn the craft, play every day, make your bones the old-fashioned way, and let rejection roll off your back or you’ll go nuts.
Bob Gruen is not only one of the most famous rock photographers, but one of its most prolific as well. If you’ve seen a photo of John Lennon wearing a “New York City” t-shirt, Bob took it. If you’ve seen a photo of Led Zeppelin standing in front of an airplane with their logo on it, Bob took that one, too. He has captured countless iconic images over the past five decades that we’ve grown accustomed to seeing on posters, shirts and the pages of books.
As a 50-year resident, Bob Gruen’s name is practically synonymous with downtown New York. Thanks to Carol Klenfner’s connection, I had the opportunity to conduct a Q&A with Gruen about his past, present and future, garnering a rare look at the man behind the lens. His work ethic is to be admired, and his “last words” are inspiring to all, not just to photographers. Much of Gruen’s classic work has recently been reissued, but there is a permanent display at Edition Hotel at 5 Madison Ave. [Editor Note: This article originally appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of Downtown Magazine.]
What was your first paying gig as a photographer?
Bob Gruen: I lived with a rock band [Glitterhouse] in the ’60s, and when they got a deal at Atlantic Records, they used my photos for their publicity. Atlantic then hired me to shoot Tommy James and the Shondells, when they were opening at a presidential rally for Hubert Humphrey.
What is it that you like most about living downtown?
BG: There is less traffic, and it’s quieter, because most of the streets are shorter and smaller than uptown, and the buildings are lower, so there’s more sky. But we’re close to everything going on in the city.
When did you first move downtown?
BG: I moved to Sullivan Street in June 1965, and I thought the Feast Of St. Anthony was a great welcome. I’ve lived in the West Village since 1970.
What is it that keeps you living in Manhattan, as opposed to moving to L.A.?
BG: I’m not moving to L.A., because I’d only last a few days there! The sun is nice, but it’s way too spread out, and there is so much traffic, it takes hours to get anywhere, and when you meet someone in L.A., they say, “How are you doing?” In New York they say, “What are you doing?” I like to be doing things.
Is your neighborhood on the verge of becoming another SoHo?
BG: I think the West Village is becoming another SoHo with high-priced shops and luxury condos, but I’m not ready to move.
Do you have a favorite venue in Manhattan for photo shoots? Or at least a favorite for concerts?
BG: I don’t really have favorite venues where I take photos, but I always like to see shows at the Beacon [Theatre], because it’s such a beautiful theater, and the sound is good. Past favorites were Max’s [Kansas City], The Bottom Line, CBGB’s and Don Hill’s, all now gone. But now, I think, for a club, I like Bowery Electric.
To you, is music good these days? Or are the best days of pop and rock behind us?
BG: I usually think the best day is today. You can’t go back, and I find good music all over town.
In October, your book on John Lennon was re-released. How does it compare to the original release?
BG: The new edition of John Lennon: The New York Years has a new cover and 16 new pages with 24 photos not published before.
Do you feel that there are any misconceptions about John? Or is there something you wish more people knew about him?
BG: John was very open about his life; I don’t think there are misconceptions. If people really want to know about John Lennon, they should read the last two interviews he gave — the BBC interview by Andy Peebles and the Playboy interview by David Sheff — both available as books. John expressed himself very clearly and had learned a lot from his five years of raising Sean [Lennon].
Do you have any exhibits in the works? Or any other books?
BG: There is a new permanent installation of 45 of my photos in the Billiard Room [in the Clocktower Restaurant] at the new Edition Hotel on 24th Street. This year, I released a new book of photos of Yoko Ono, See Hear Yoko, and there was a reissue of…TheClash. Photographs by Bob Gruen….My large 500-photo monograph, Rock Seen, is now in its 4th printing. I’m currently working on an autobiography.
Is there anyone you haven’t yet photographed but still hope to?
BG: I’ve met many very interesting people, and I can’t say there is anyone special I can think of I’d like to photograph. But I go out all the time, and I’m always happy to meet new people.
If a person were thinking of getting into photography as a proper hobby, is there a particular camera you’d recommend to start with?
BG: The camera doesn’t matter as long as you’re comfortable with it; they all do mostly the same things. It’s what you do with it that matters.
Is there a photograph or a particular shoot that you’re most proud of? Or see as your biggest accomplishment?
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
BG: I’m busy with my career most of the time, but I like to travel and visit with my family and grandchildren now.
Finally, Bob, any last words for the kids?
BG: I always tell people that if you take a lot of pictures, you’re bound to get a good one, and if you only show the good ones, people will think you’re good. Other than that, learn from the past, look to the future, but live in the present.
James McCartney / Photo courtesy of Grandstand Media & Management
James McCartney / Photo courtesy of Grandstand Media & Management
While James McCartney notably played on the acclaimed Flaming Pie and Driving Rain albums of father Paul — also co-writing two songs on the latter studio release — 2010’s Available Light was his first crack at recording his own solo effort. Since that debut, James has put out two studio albums and one EP. His latest release is 2016’s The Blackberry Train, as helmed by Steve Albini, a man well-known for his work with Nirvana, The Pixies and PJ Harvey.
In support of The Blackberry Train, James will be performing at Rockwood Music Hall on Apr. 5 on the Marshmallow Maiden Tour. James spoke to Downtown about a variety of topics, including his history with New York and how he likes to spend his non-musical time. More info on James McCartney can be found at www.jamesmccartney.com.
Where was the first live gig you ever played in New York? What do you remember about it?
James McCartney: Rockwood? I think. Can’t remember. Atmospheric.
Did you spend a lot of your childhood in New York?
James McCartney: Not really. Went there for Summer holidays.
Do you have a favorite restaurant in our city?
James McCartney: Not really but love all the veggie and vegan ones. Hampton Chutney Co.?
I remember watching you perform on Letterman. Was that performance one of your proudest moments? Or is appearing on television not the biggest deal for you?
James McCartney: Not one of my “proudest” moments but was cool exposure. Love appearing on television, if it’s the right thing to do! Loved being on Letterman though. He’s a cool guy too.
Steve is known to call himself an engineer, not a producer. But does he get involved with the arrangements or craft of the songs?
James McCartney: Not at all, really. The whole point is to do it oneself.
Dhani Harrison appears on your latest album. Have you two always been friends?
James McCartney: Yes. We grew up together, inadvertently.
I know that you played on the Flaming Pie album. Had you recorded anything in a studio before that? Did you play in garage bands growing up?
James McCartney: Demos but not professional recordings which have been released. Didn’t play in garage bands growing up. Wish I had, but also kinda glad I didn’t and was thus different.
Touring aside, what’s coming up for you?
James McCartney: Everything? Yes, everything!
When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?
James McCartney: Doing Art! Yoga. Being in nature. Going to gigs. Traveling. Reading. Learning. Studying. Practicing in my own way. Living.
What was your favorite album of 2016?
James McCartney: None of them? Seriously, I don’t really listen to loads of music, but to give you an answer, A Moon Shaped Pool by Radiohead.
Finally, James, any last words for the kids?
James McCartney: Be strong, wise, stay true to yourselves, learn, have fun, enjoy, be peaceful, listen to your heart, be open-minded. Play, write, don’t think about it all too much, but keep at it! Play, play, play — write, write, write!
Steve Hackett first came into prominence as the guitarist of the legendary rock band Genesis, whom he played with until 1977. Prior to leaving Genesis, Steve had released his first solo album, Voyage Of The Acolyte, in 1975. His solo career has continued steadily ever since, aside from the mid-1980s, when Steve co-founded the short-lived supergroup GTR. His newest release is The Night Siren, which will hit stores next month via Inside Out Music.
In support of The Night Siren, Steve is embarking on a on a U.S. tour which includes a Feb. 23 stop at Westbury’s NYCB Theater and a Feb. 25 gig at Manhattan’s PlayStation Theater. Downtown caught up with Steve by phone to learn more about The Night Siren, his early days in New York, and what lies ahead for him. More on all things Steve Hackett can be found at www.hackettsongs.com.
I was wondering what you remember about the first time you ever played in New York City.
Steve Hackett: Wow, god, the first time in New York City. I think I remember we played Avery Fisher Hall, and I believe Leonard Bernstein was rehearsing with the New York Philharmonic, I think it was. We were supposed to get in earlier to set up everything and I think rehearsal overran for him. “Great, Leonard Bernstein”…But it did mean things were a bit fraught for us, and one of the other bands that were at the show, Strings & Things, I think they had a problem with an amp, so I lent them mine. Our road manager said, “I don’t wanna worry you, Steve, but your amp’s just blown up.” (laughs) This is the big New York debut and my amp’s just blown up and I already had flu and I was dead nervous about screwing up in New York, so I think I was pretty damn nervous, as was the rest of the band. So I think we didn’t turn in the greatest of performances, but it was to be one of many over time and luckily New York did eventually get what with Genesis was all about. I’ve had wonderful times in New York ever since.
When was the first time on tour or for travel that you actually got to relax in New York and not just play a gig and leave. Do you remember that?
SH: Oh goodness me. Well, I think funny enough the first time through, we couldn’t get that many shows and then we were in New York for a long time. In fact I think to recall that we spent time on both coasts. You’ve got to remember it’s a young struggling band and there aren’t too many things…so I did get to sit quite a bit in New York at that time. Of course one of the early times we were through we heard that John Lennon had said that we were one of the bands he was listening to. I think he was talking to Scott Muni at WNEW, so that was hugely important for us as a young struggling band…But we still couldn’t get a gig anyway, it didn’t make any difference.
For your upcoming show in New York at the PlayStation Theater. What’s to be expected? Are you playing songs from throughout your career and catalog?
SH: Well, what I do these days is I play two sets. It’s a bit like there’s two bands in one. I play a set of solo material and I will pick stuff from the new album, and then we take a break then we come back and we do Genesis stuff…I think I’m doing at least one track from each of the Genesis albums that I made…
So that means nothing from GTR?
SH: Nothing from GTR so far. People have been saying that to me, “Why don’t you do ‘When The Heart Rules The Mind?” So down the line I will probably do that, you know.
So you’ll be playing some material from The Night Siren, which comes out a month or so after your show in New York…
SH: Yeah. Funny enough we just had the first band rehearsal today, and we were rehearsed two of the songs from that album. I have to say, even though we didn’t know every note and it was not perfect, this run for today, even though we’ve all been in individual rehearsal separately, it still sounded extraordinarily-powerful. I’m thrilled that it makes very good live material, that also was the test.
Do you have a favorite song to play live? I ask that because some people had 40 and 50 year careers may say, “You know every song is like my child, I don’t have a favorite.” Other people might go, “Nope, I love my new album…”
SH: Well, I think all of them. Yeah, I think I’m probably in a more…I wouldn’t do these numbers if I did not love them, I think they’ve all got something to say. I think they are all beautiful in one way or another. Some of them are more bombast, some of them more lyrical, but I love them all, you know they’re all my grandchildren. (laughs)
How do you feel about looking at being looked at as one of the forefathers of prog-rock? Is that a tag that you’re comfortable with?
SH: I don’t mind that. I think that whatever we were doing back in the day, mixing genres…practically every style was welcome, including comedy and pantomime, as well as the most serious thing. I’m happy to have been a part of that, we didn’t call it “progressive” at the time…That’s a retrospective catch-all phrase, because we feel that it was okay to do a three-minute single like “I Know What I Like,” and that would be considered to be probably bad form by most progressive bands. But we did the long-form stuff, we did the short stuff, we like to mix it. There were a lot of different include, there was big band, there was classical music, there was aspects of Jazz, there was certainly rock and pop…
Do you listen to any prog-rock in general these days? Are there any bands that you’re interested in?
SH: I think the funny thing is that once a band reaches a certain stature, people no longer say they are progressive. People don’t talk about The Beatles as a progressive band, yet they set the bar for the rest of us. What they were doing was all of a sudden Magical Mystery Tour, you have those aspects of progressive stuff, of course Abbey Road with all those things linked together, vignettes, it’s very progressive. I think there was a progressive aspect that Queen had, and Muse, and Elbow, with their diverse work. You’re doing an excerpt of Chopin and then you’re doing something else that sounds like Prince, like Muse do, that sounds progressive to me.
Is there anything that you haven’t yet accomplished in your career, you’re still hoping to?
SH: Yeah, I haven’t made it as an actor in Hollywood yet. Just kidding. (laughs) I think maybe film work, and I don’t mean acting. I mean music for film, or rather I was hoping that something that I’d done already might be considered by a filmmaker to be dramatic. Something like “El Niño” for instance, off the new Night Siren album…
The film world has been a huge influence for me and many many musicians. I would say Genesis, some of the Disney stuff, the effect on The Beatles…Although I’ve done stuff for film and had a lot of stuff used with documentaries and what have you. Yeah, it’d be lovely to go and score something for sci-fi. That genre, I loved it when I was kid and I still love it now of course, I never outgrow it. I still go and have an imaginary spaceship out the back, and it goes like this… (sings an melody) (laughs) You know that kind of feeling.
Music, I think, has that ability to move you both emotionally and physically, and you feel as if your feet is off the ground. That’s what music does for me. I love slow melodies and fast moving rhythms underneath slow melodies, which I think allow the possibility of iconic melody.
That’s very interesting. So you know if I can put words in your mouth, you revisit Genesis when you perform live, but you are in no way hoping for a reunion. Like that chapter of your life is behind you you’re kind of saying.
SH: I think that it’s extremely unlikely that there will be a Genesis reunion. We’ve tried to put together the band before. There seems to be insufficient common ground or enough, you know, goodwill to be able to do it.
Sure…
SH: I think I have always been up for it, I certainly wouldn’t stand in the way of it, but I suspect the perception is different from fans to the way the band functions. I know that they’re comfortable with the three-piece, or certainly were, you know when you’ve got a five man team, it’s different. But you know it might happen one day, but somehow I doubt it. I think the power play aspect is what runs parallel with it and the thing is I honor the music. I’m free of the politics when I do this stuff. I’m not trying to knock anyone off their perch, I’m not a competitive musician. I’m trying to do music for the people who were disenfranchised and feel that way, feel that Genesis was something precious and personal at first when it was perhaps more experimental, and I do love some of those early albums. I think I think they have some extraordinary material and some great chord sequences as well.
So when you’re not busy with music or sci-fi, what do you like to do for fun?
SH: I like to travel. I’ve just come back from Cambodia and Thailand on a tour of temples and seeing the bridge over the River Kwai and taking a train over it and seeing living history really. Some of the monumental achievements of the ancients…The temple complex in Cambodia was absolutely extraordinary. There were three temples that look like they’re straight out of either the Tomb Raider or Indiana Jones, and it’s glorious stuff in the heart of the jungle. It’s true adventure. So I love doing that, my wife loves to travel. That’s what we do, we do that and we often pick up instruments in these places and make friends everywhere and we get influenced by everywhere that we visit and everyone we speak to.
So finally Steve, any last word for the kids?
SH: For the kids, you say?
Yes.
SH: My god, I think anyone who’s a musician is a kid. There’s only one lesson, which is to love it, because if you love it that will get you over all the difficulties. Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot make a living at music, you will if you are passionate enough.
