I think it’s an important thing for artists, such as myself in this case, to regularly be in touch with folks by doing live performances. It’s easy to want to just hang out and create in my own little world for long spells of time, but that’s a bit too introverted I’ve finally decided:)
So hopefully you’ll be able to see more of me if you so choose before too much longer here! Thanks again for your interest in what I do..
I suppose the closest way to describe the personal side of what happens when writing a song and recording it is you are attempting to turn yourself inside out. That’s what it feels like anyway:)
Sometimes I like getting totally away from my music endeavors. A few days off allows me to come back into it with renewed excitement and fresh creativity.
My younger brother Tom and his wife finally made it out to visit me in California one summer. I had been living in Marin County just north of San Francisco for several years, and wanted them to see what a different world it was there from my home state Michigan.
I had a few activities planned that I wanted to share. One involved a “nature hike” that I thought would really be memorable that I wanted to do with my brother. I decided it would be great for Tom and I to head out alone for the morning; it had been too many years since we had been able to do anything like that together!
So I drove over to where he was staying and picked him up and said we were going somewhere really cool, but didn’t say exactly where we were going. Off we headed in my car towards Muir Woods, which is a dramatic setting of ancient redwood trees with hiking paths strewn all throughout the forest there.
Depending on the time of year it could be foggy and a bit cold and damp there; which is the way it was as when we arrived to start our hike. We knew the “big trees” were there, but it was a bit frustrating not being able to look up and see just how big they actually were.
About forty five minutes into our walk things began to shift; the fog was starting to lift some and new silhouettes were gradually appearing above us. Then all of a sudden golden-white shafts of sunlight began to burst through from above. The beautiful rays were eventually shooting through the enormous tree branches all around us; it was absolutely mesmerizing!
We were standing there heads tilted upward in total awe like two little kids seeing magic being performed as we took it all in. “What fantastic timing!” I thought, as we smiled at each other..
The rest of the hike was full of sweet natural light showering us with unique, inspiring, visual surprises; like a Sunbeam Serenade.
“Wow…” is all we could both say repeatedly as we drove off from our incredible forest experience; “now that was something!”
I enjoy creating, working with arrangements, expressing, and listening to music because I get a chance to travel with it. It always takes me away to a place that is other worldly in a sense, but actually very real for me. That’s the draw I suppose; the freedom my work allows me to experience.
February 24th, 2010 by Jim Chappell | 1 Comment | Filed in Latest
I’m in the middle of creating a workshop on musical improvisation; will be sharing it soon:) It’s fun getting all of the info together based on my experiences; the challenge is to have it be practical, understandable, and easy to use..
February 23rd, 2010 by Jim Chappell | 1 Comment | Filed in Latest
Getting the itch to do more live shows this year; that should be fun:) Maybe not a lot at first, but I’m assuming that will build over time. (I took a break after having a baby- well sort of you could say:)
February 22nd, 2010 by Jim Chappell | 8 Comments | Filed in Latest
I was lucky enough as a kid to have some unspoiled nature around to explore. We lived right across the street from an undeveloped woodland area. I used to sneak off regularly so I could visit what was known as “the creek.”
The “creek” was actually more of an elaborate marshy pond of some sort that flowed via a small stream into the nearby lake. It was full of wildlife: mallard ducks, frogs, large fish, minnows, brilliant orange-colored dragonflies, crayfish, muskrats, tadpoles, little bugs that could run along on top of the water, and various colorful birds that loved frequenting the setting.
I spent many hours there at the water’s edge just taking it all in. It was fascinating and calming for me at the same time. The creek actually became my sanctuary over time. I went regularly to comfort myself, listen, and watch. It was like entering another world for me.
I remember going there one warm summer’s night during a full moon; it was a serene, beautiful, and far more mystical place than in the daytime. My favorite place had changed itself into something even more peaceful and intriguing. It was as if there was a completely different group of creatures playing in the silver hush. And those were the different array of water fairies called sprites, nymphs, selkies, sirens, alvins and whatever else they have been named over time!
Water Spirits will hopefully take you on a little moonlit journey to this very special world I was able to be a part of…
I’m wanting to get out and do more shows..that’s one of my New Year’s resolutions:) It’s more my nature to stay with the composing and recording and sort of insulate myself from the rest of it, but I do have a lot of fun once I’m out and about!
So check back as hopefully there will be some regular concert dates to be aware of if you’re interested..
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