by Mike Errico | Jan 23, 2015 | Stories, Teaching, The Solo Show
“Hi. I’m Your Songwriting Professor.” “Don’t throw your guitar down the staircase and tell me you’ve written a new song, because the artist in me will agree. The problem is only that there is no criteria by which I can inform or instruct you on that impulse, so that would be an example of something that falls outside the scope of the course. Informally, perhaps over a crisp ginger ale, could we talk about whether the staircase should’ve been carpeted? Or whether it’s a sonic metaphor of 20th-century iconography colliding with the noble architecture of the Federalist style? Could we title it something snappy like, “The Wisdom of the Staircase,” or “Soundtrack to ‘Nude Descending a Staircase’”? Oh, sure. I have all day for stuff like that. I am, after all, the one who assigned a book of blank pages.” Hi. I’m Your Songwriting Professor. BONUS: Last Songs on “Albums” Playlist “The real truth is that I love the last songs on albums, the ones where the agendas and obligations lift like the dampers of the piano, allowing all creative strings to vibrate at once. This is when the artists reveal themselves, tell their inside jokes, and foreshadow their ambitions.” – From “Hi. I’m Your Songwriting...
by Mike Errico | Jan 19, 2015 | Stories, The Solo Show
Thank you for the unbelievable response to “The Solo Show.” I’m overwhelmed by the number of people who’ve written me and shared the stories with friends. The Vince Guaraldi piece hit #7 on Medium’s Most Recommended chart – I don’t know what to say, except thank you, and I’ve barely gotten started. “The Solo Show” is an ongoing story series that is basically my live show, but flipped inside-out: The between-song talking is the focus, and music backs it up via sharable playlists that enhance each storyline. New story every other week. Meaning, one’s on its way. Best, M Mike...
by Mike Errico | Jan 9, 2015 | Stories, The Solo Show
In ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ the Yellow Brick Road arrives at an intersection. One road went to the Emerald City, but what about the other two? Here’s the next piece from “The Solo Show,” my biweekly story collection. If you want to follow it, you can sign the mailing list, or click ‘follow’ at https://medium.com/@mikeerrico Topics will vary wildly, but will always orbit music, and there will be photos and embeddable playlists to enhance each storyline. It’s like my live show, but flipped inside-out: The between-song talking is the focus, and the music backs it up. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I’m insanely excited about it. I hope that’s coming across. Finally (here comes a gentle prod…), if you like where this is going, PLEASE do what you can to push it out to others – share it, tweet it, email the link around. Thank you so much. Now: Check it out! On Tour, Don’t Ask the Lollipop Guild for...
by Mike Errico | Jan 6, 2015 | Stories, The Solo Show
It’s on, folks: Welcome to “The Solo Show,” my biweekly story collection on Cuepoint. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I’m insanely excited about it. Topics will vary wildly, but will always orbit music, and there will be photos and embeddable playlists to enhance each storyline. It’s like my live show, but flipped inside-out: The between-song talking is the focus, and the music backs it up. Please follow me and “The Solo Show” at https://medium.com/@mikeerrico The first pieces are up already. New one drops this Thursday. And if you like where this is going, PLEASE do what you can to push it out to others – share it, tweet it, email the link around. Thank you so much. Mike...
by Mike Errico | Dec 22, 2014 | Stories, The Solo Show
The next installment of “The Solo Show” concerns a trip to a motel and a tradition that is…untraditional. The accompanying playlist features former student Mree, along with Daughter, Cannonball Adderley, Max Richter, The XX, Portishead, Son Lux, and more. The idea is that you’ll click on it and listen as you read. If you like where this is going, PLEASE do what you can to push it out to others – share it, tweet it, Tumblr it, Pinterest it, email the link around to friends. Thanks, and enjoy – M The Solo Show: An Unwritten History of Motel Rooms [photo: Brownpau...
by Mike Errico | Nov 24, 2014 | Books, Stories, The Solo Show, Uncategorized
OK. This is big. The first installment of my essay collection, “The Solo Show,” just went live. They’ll be coming out bi-weekly, and there are many more to follow. The topics are pretty varied, but they always revolve, orbit and return to music, which is where we met. Good ol’ music. Yeah. Many of the stories will have embedded playlists that will enhance the story. Some of the songs will be mine, and some won’t. The idea is that you’ll click on them and listen as you read. It’ll be a full experience. A talking – or, singing – book. If you’ve ever been to my live show, you know that that’s where all this has stemmed from. In fact, it’s you who have given me the courage to take this step forward. You’ve requested stories, asked me to speak, to lecture, and even to teach. I’ve been so grateful, and this is an exciting step forward. Already, I’ve received emails back from early readers asking when I’ll be podcasting the series. Soooo…..I guess the answer is pretty soon…and thanks for asking. OK, so: If you like where this is going, PLEASE do what you can to push it out to others – share it, tweet it, Tumblr it, Pinterest it, email the link around to friends the way your crazy aunt does. You know the one. HERE GOES: The Solo Show: Musical Success, A...
