Hope Note #7: Filter

In response to SoulPancake's question: "What is your definition of romance?"

This is the romantic portrait of Napoleon climbing the AlpsA quick Google search for "Napoleon Crossing the Alps" can answer the question better than I can. The "romantic" portrait, painted by Jaques David-Louis somewhere between 1801-1805, is epic--conveying a stoic, yet somehow fierce, Bonaparte atop his majestic white war-horse Marengo. Everything in this picture seems to be in motion, as only a master painter could convey: Marengo's eyes show fatigue and distress as he rears back into what seems to be an isolated whirlwind around he and his master. This very same wind sends Napoleon's scarlet cape flourishing around him like a circle of fire, as the dictator points toward a horizon we cannot see--this grand gesture, no doubt, saying "forward!" to the men pushing cannons up the icy slopes in the background. Had Instagram been around back then, he could have easily captioned this picture with "#LikeABoss".

The realist portait, by Paul Delaroche some 50 years later, is much different: no rearing white horse, no isolated whirlwind, no circle of fire. Everyone just looks tired, wet, and cold.

And that's what romance is: a filter. There is a romantic way of viewing the world, of taking in all the color, motion, and passion of the moment. To believe that these things are, in fact, present to begin with and worthwhile. "What is today?" the romantic ponders. Well, today is another opportunity to continue the grand quest--whether that is reaching some life-long dream, finding true love, changing the world or even one life, creating something meaningful that will outlive ourselves. And so our feet hit the floor with a sense of urgency and excitement. the realist portrait of Napoleon Crossing the AlpsWe don't simply listen to music on our commute to work, we soundtrack it with sounds that inspire and energize us. We don't just finish our workout and go on with the day, Instagram a sticky after shot saying #ImAChampion--yet another victory. And we don't dare show up to the one's we love empty handed, because we're living happily ever after. Today is another scene in a hero's journey.

The truth is, it's Tuesday. The gym is not a gladiator's stadium, and your home is not a castle. There are no dragons and damsels, and few pure "happily ever afters". For the most part, life is one long, exhausting, cold, icy slope, and we've all got something to push to the top. But romance is to see more than that--to see color and beauty, meaning and motion.

For Those Who Insist On Believing,

Andre

Hope Note #6: Funny

Comedy makes the truth a little more palatable.

I suppose all artforms have that power.

For those who insist on believing,

Andre 

How The Hopeless Romantics Helped Me Start Recording My Next Project

Here's how it went down...

The Book That Brought Us Together...

Just before moving to NYC, I picked up a book entitled The Relevant Nation which featured 30 leaders, artists, and activists that are making a siginificant mark on society.

Brooklyn-based producer and hopeless romantic Kieran Kelly was among these revolutionaries. He's produced the likes of Sufjan Stevens  and Angus and Julia Stone  (he didn't produce the songs I posted here, I just wanted you to hear what these guys sound like, cause they're awesome). He's produced records that have sold millions worldwide. And if you hadn't googled him, you'd never know, because he's sooo down to earth.

I decided to reach out to him and see if he might be able to help me make some music. We met at a bakery near his recording studio in Astoria, and chatted about music over coffee and pastries. But, for whatever reason I can't remember, we didn't decide to get to work.

We'd check-in in the years that followed, but it wasn't until I reached out to him a few weeks ago that it became obvious that now is the time.

Finding Myself Again...

As I've been slowly realizing just how powerful my voice is, especially in song, I've been feeling a desperate need to make some new records. Records that will tell people about more than the ups and downs of my love life (even though I know how we love nothing more than to hear others whine about their heartaches--why is there still no font for sarcasm?). I wanted to put out something more meaningful for a world that is desperately struggling to stay hopeful. An EP for our times in history, and through another amazing process (that I don't have time to tell you about here) I came across songs that I'd already written that had clearly impacted people's lives in profound ways, but had either not been produced well or produced at all...

Exhibit A (this was long ago, so don't be all judgy judgy):

I Got All Pro-Active and Stuff...

I sent him an e-mail:

Not only was he excited to work with me on making this project happen, he thought to see if his team would be interested in financing the project. Why? Well, the project brings some exciting prospects beyond making interesting musical sounds. I wouldn't even know where to begin. We just know that, as the sound of soul music continues to evolve, the substance of songs like these are an important part of the future of the genre.

"Someone may say they don't like the material, but if they say they don't like what your saying then, I'd say they have some serious questions to ask themselves," he says with a slight chuckle over breakfast in a colorful Astoria diner, "that's what I wanna' be a part of...hope...and light!" I can't even begin to tell you how exhilirating and releiving it is to find someone who shares a common vision with you from the start. 

Then Something Miraculous(ish) Happened...

He said he could produce this project quickly and affordably--in about a month, for a few thousand dollars, and we should start right away. "start right away" was fine by me. thousand? that's the word that catches me every time. Making music costs thousands of dollars. 

Either I would have to pay for it out of pocket, I'd have to crowd-fund, or I'd need an investor. Option A would leave me hungry. Option B would be exhausting and incredibly risky. Option C seemed impossible.

My pastor gave me some of the greatest advice I've recieved this year as we ate lunch at one of Harlem's favorite new restaurants. "Andre, you don't have the money to do this. So don't have the money." She was telling me not to throw my grocery money at this project. Because she knows me well, and knew that is exactly what I was willing to do.

"Just ask God to give you the money," she said.

So I did.

Every day.

And I asked all of the hopeless romantics that pray to pray with me...

And now I'm reviewing the contract to record my next EP professionally, without personal cost to me. 

I'll keep you posted on what happens from here...

Hope Note #5: Does it Hurt a Little?

It's okay if it does.

If hope is a flame, then passion is the wind to fuel it.

Not the type of passion that moves us to say, “I want that really badly”,

but the type of passion that makes us willing to make sacrifices.

After all, passion comes from a Latin word meaning “to suffer”.  

Check out this article from James Rhodes, Find What You Love and Let it Kill You.

Hope Note #4: Failure

Failure means you've been doing something essential

...trying.

Hope Note #3: Quest.

Don't you want something?

There must be some wind at your back. 

Some dream, some goal, some burden.

There must be something beckoning you toward the horizon.

Calling you to some new world yet to be confirmed.

If only you could demand that you wake up to your dreams.

If only tantrums were enough.

If only destiny paid any attention to the entitled.

No. The only way there is The Quest.

Step after step. 

Beginning with this one.

Hope Note #2: Good Friday

On this "good" Friday, I reflect on two things: First, the fact that AFTER sharing the Passover meal, the 12 disciples say, "NOW we believe..."

After nearly 3 years of walking with Jesus, seeing His miracles, receiving His teaching, and even performing similar works as Him, under His guidance. Some of them even saw Him transfigured, speaking with Moses and Elijah. All of that apparently wasn't convincing enough. And just before we can get excited about "Now we believe..." every one of them abandon Him in His most painful hour.

Yet Jesus was eager to share this last meal--this new covenant, kingdom-initiating meal--with those who weren't sure what they believed about Him. With those who obviously didn't really get Him, or the kingdom He was trying to build, or doubted Him, or those who had even been demonically inspired to betray Him. 

Have we forgotten the types of people that Jesus is eager to table with? Apparently the guest list is not limited to those with all of their theological ducks is a row, or to those who are 100% certain of their beliefs, or those who can watch and pray for an hour. It's apparently not limited to those who would never betray a friend, or cut off a man's ear, or steal from a small non-profit organization whose only goal is to make earth more like heaven. It's apparently not limited to those with impressive occupational or religious resumes, or those who have never belonged to anarchist groups. 

This day is a time of celebration, because we acknowledge that God has also invited us to table. But it is also a time of repentance, as we reflect on the many ways we have excluded others from hearing God's invitation to the table. Are we better than any of these men whom abandoned God thousands of years ago? How quickly we forget that only God's kindness has called us into His company--gorging ourselves on bread and wine, while we tell other sinners they are not welcome to join us! Why must they pass all kinds of tests that WE didn't before they can receive God's grace? 

It's a good Friday, because God is eagerly inviting people to eat with Him, and the guest list is scandalous.

Hope Note #1: Springter

We should not be surprised that the first few days of Spring feel a lot like the last days of winter. 
Such is life.
As hope emerges through despair,
As joy emerging through grief,
As a smile slowly emerges through tears,
It is spring because the sun is now staring directly at the equator,
Not because it is already warm.
Would you expect a pot of water to boil the second it's touched by fire?
Don't you see? I'm talking to you about the essence of being hopelessly hopeful.
Though surrounded by chaos, I still believe that goodness is inevitably emerging,
and so rejoice that it is Spring long before I can comfortably stop wearing songs.

#ForThoseWhoInsistOnBelieving