THE SOUNDTRACK

Some nights, when the mind won't drift towards the sleep we so deeply need, the replay of the day, the replay of our difficulties, and the state of society propel me towards the one form of medicine that never lets me down: singing. This week, I was saddened by the news that a member of the homeless community in my town passed away after consuming tainted drugs. He was severely disabled and always in pain due to his gigantism. His name was Aaron. I would sometimes offer him cash or a kind word when I saw him around town. He stood out, and his suffering stood out to me. It struck me how our city lacks a plan or even plans for a plan to assist the homeless here. They are often viewed as a burden, a hazard, and a danger. They are not seen as someone's son. They are not seen as individuals abandoned by our medical system and government. The ripple of this event set off an emotional nuclear bomb within me, and the only fitting song I could think of to express this difficulty is a powerful medicine song. It's by the Norwegian artist Aurora, who is a truly magical and spiritual lightning rod. I admire her energies that lead her listeners to healing and volcanic releases of energy. Hence, I decided that tonight, my addition to the soundtrack would be this song. Perhaps in it, you can hear my grief for the loss of someone who mattered. Someone who deserved better.

This week finds me reflecting on the many challenging motifs of our times, and how many strong people find themselves depleted, by the grind of the times. The difficulties and lack of real help for people, is breathtaking sometimes. This song is for you today if you are just hanging in. It's by Ingrid Michaelson. "Just Keep Breathing"

I choose love. My Anniversary celebrating love and commitment, caring for others and building community. This little song is by A group from Belfast called "ASH" but this very muffled recording of a piano performance by the amazing Duke Special, Has always resonated to me about my love with Trevor. I don't know what else to do today, except sing. It's all the tools I have for making the world a little brighter.

Written by my best friend when I lived in Amsterdam. in 1997 Stefan Van Maurik and I started this band called Satellite7, with Luc Upson and Chris Kattenburg- together and had many great musical adventures. They went on the become a pretty significant band,  as the line up developed and I moved on, splintering beautifully into many of the creative musical collectives alive still today in Holland. This song reminds me of Steafan's big amazing heart, and the care and support he always offered me.

2013 was the first ever Performance of "The Choir That Rocks Owen Sound", later renamed "Rock The Sound Choir". It was a passion project for me, as I watched many of my students hardly say hello to each other between lessons, I felt the need to create connection for young people through choir. Not stuffy choir. I wanted to ROCK! After I got some of my singers together, their parents quickly chimed in that they wish they had a choir like that. So, In a huge leap of faith, I decided I would make a youth and an adult choir. This video is the result. I am happy to say, that The choir is still alive today and in wonderful hands, directed by the amazing Holly Sled. This video moment was one of the proudest achievements of my life. Bringing all these people together to sing and feel good for a moment. Starring a very tiny Emma Wright and Clancy Francoeur. I'm going to guess Emma was maybe 10 or so here? What a brave thing to lead a choir of a hundred people as a kid, opening song of the night.What a message! It shows that what we think are small acts, can become very big energies. It was one of the great joys of my life to create these opportunities for folks in our community. The songs are "Everybody's Free to Feel Good" by Quentin Tarver" and Queens We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions.