Experience as Music

Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash

I recently found two substacks with common themes, both of which are favorites of mine. They are written by musicians who want more people to listen to what they write, something all composers want, of course. But in this age of social platforms, composers can become their own publishers, with no hindrance between them and their audience. Except, of course, publicity.

Substack does encourage those who like something to share with others. But first, they must find the site. I appreciate the dilemma. Getting started is hard unless you already have a following elsewhere. So I will do here what I can, little though that is.

Both write what might be called “mood music,” not in the pejorative sense of music “to put you in the mood,” but rather they write music to capture the essence of an experience. They highlight what they intend in their own words, and then include a selected poem and photo/artwork that for them expresses the mood they depict musically.

I find it fascinating. The reader interacts with three art forms to see how they correspond with each other and with his/her own experience. It’s a “compare and contrast” exercise that can lead to unexpected insights into aesthetic experience. The outcome will be unique for each person.

The two composers use different instruments and styles of music. That by itself creates opportunities to develop one’s own perceptiveness.

I have only listened to a few pieces from each composer, so I can’t say I have tested the range of what they do. I invite you to check them out for yourself.

Ground Cover by David Swick

Fog Chaser by Fogchaser