Alexander's Real Time Band: Blog

Valentine's Day was an eye opener for me. The holiday itself is usually a non event as far as I am concerned (even though I am a hopeless romantic:-) but, this year, it just happened to be the day that about 30 or so Portland musicians and songwriters got together and volunteered their time and talents to support Artichoke Music (the music store) and Artichoke Backgate Stage (the performance venue behind the store). The event was called Give your Heart to Artichoke. And so we did.  
I never cease to be amazed how vibrant, diverse, inclusive and supportive the music community is in this town. Both the musicians and the audiences give their all to support the scene here. That doesn't happen everywhere and we are blessed to have that kind of community here in Portland.  
Another example of this is the new radio station KZME.FM scheduled to begin broadcasting this year.  KZME will feature only local/regional music. Imagine a station that plays only the music created [...]

I guess it's only natural that the custom of New Year's resolutions has earned iconic stature in our culture. 'In with the new out with the old', as they say. And what better time than the start of a new year (and decade). But wait! Some of the old might be worth keeping.

About 10 years ago I was finally able to distill the priorities in my life into 3 categories: Health, Family and Music. What a relief! Now the resolutions are simple.

1. Take good care of myself (physically and spiritually)

2. Treat every moment with my loved ones as though it might be the last time I get to be with them (it might).

3. Respect the gift of music that I have been given and share it with as many folks as possible.

And so it has been for a few New Years now. The details change but the general spirit of my resolutions are the same.

I am now adding one more to the list: SIMPLIFY. Time to start getting rid of some STUFF. This is the year I take a hard look at the excesss and waste in my life. Not just [...]

I was at an Ani Difranco show in Seattle last month when I saw some tee shirts for sale in her merch booth that had the words "Capitalism is the Devils wet Dream" printed on them. The irony of the fact that these tee shirts were for sale for $25 bucks each was not lost on me.

When it comes to consumerism and capitalism in this country (to quote Joni Mitchell) 'everyone is a victim and nobody's hands are clean'. That certainly includes me (how many guitars do you actually need?).

But if you have to buy this Christmas season, please buy local. That way you help keep the folks around you employed rather than puffing up the profit margins of some big corporation that doesn't give a damn about you or your community. Support local music. Support local venues. And most of all have a Happy, Healthy Holiday season.