“We can never know what to want, because, living only one life, we can neither compare it with our previous lives nor perfect it in our lives to come.” 

         – Milan Kundera 

I’ve been thinking a lot about this line from one of my favorite novels, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, lately. In creating artwork of any kind, for personal pleasure or public consumption, there is a certain amount of letting go that must take place. What we hear/see/think/feel will never perfectly be expressed outwardly the way we experience it internally. And if we aren’t careful, we can lose focus on our reason for creating altogether.

In the writing, recording, re-writing, re-recording, etc of this new project, In Transit, I have been faced with new questions and challenges to my approach and purpose for making this music and sharing it with you all. The desire to perfect these songs comes dangerously close at times to a desire to compare these songs with those that have even the faintest connection with my own.

But this process has taught me a lot about myself as a listener as much as a songwriter. What I look for in others is not always what I want from myself. Some of the songs I am most proud of but was quickest to reject initially don’t sound wrong but different than what my listening self is used to. I may never know for sure what I want from myself as a songwriter, but I am committed to live the one life I have and embrace the imperfections of the present.

This week should bring closure to the recording of the In Transit project and I am growing more and more excited about the rough edges, loose straps, and general realism I have for too long worked to “correct” with these songs. To my NYC friends and family, I have a couple really nice nights of music coming up. First this Wednesday the 27th I’m at ZirZamin on Houston St. and next Tuesday March 5th I make my first musical venture into the depths of Brooklyn at Two Moon Art House and Cafe. 

Thank you all for your continued love and support. Look out for some concrete In Transit dates and sounds in next month’s letter!

Cheers

Jake