Adam Watts
Wings, small mind
Lonely bird
Flying toward the sun
Blinded by everything, everyone
Something makes me run away
As You save me from the gloom
I know without You...
(chorus)
I would be a loser, a criminal mind
A sad case and a waste of Your time
A loser, deaf, dumb and blind
But with You I'm alive
Like a stone
Seen and not heard
Being dragged around
Have no home
Every day is a blur
Drowning out the sound of love
But as You save me from the gloom
I know that without You...
Chorus
(bridge)
I try to hide from You
This plank in my eye
But You make a black sky blue
You love me and You sympathize
Chorus
Original Release Date: November 4, 2004
My feet on the ground
Heaven on my mind
Your loving grace inside
Still I fall away from You
Will You carry me
Carry me along
I need You here
I feel You here
Lord I need You now
(chorus)
God of grace, God of love
When I need, You are always enough
God of peace, God of all
I'm so glad You are there when I fall
I sit around watching life go by
Wasting precious time
Lord I need Your hand to guide
Will You carry
Carry me along
I need You here
I feel You here
Lord I need You now
Chorus
(bridge)
Ever by my side
You're never far
You show me there is peace
Behind the scars
In You I put my trust
When I'm in need, when I'm in the dark
Your light's on me, within Your arms I'm free
Chorus
Original Release Date: November 4, 2004
It is a lie if it freezes your soul
You can chase an attractive wind
When it blows
But if you can stay in the light
And let flesh be lonely
Cries become praise for the Lord
(chorus)
We can be kings of meaningless things
Or we can be slaves of love
We can be kings of fallen things
Or we can be slaves of love
Willing slaves of love
Our eyes are wide
And our ears hear it all
Can we filter the whole wide world
Through a small string of thoughts
We're living today on the heels of the failing theory
That we all die, so we should live it up
Chorus
(bridge)
A cry of love, a cry of pain's enough
To leave us trying to find something our hands can touch
To numb the day
A thousand things will not cure weakness
Only a fall to grace, a turn to the face of the Lord
Chorus
Original Release Date: November 4, 2004
You've felt this way before
Unwilling walls are built up
A room without a door
But do you want to give up now
I know you wonder who you'd be
Without that whole thing
Hanging around, poisoned memory
But you can be free
(chorus)
Shut your eyes, jump
Take this beautiful fall
Give it a try, love
And surrender it all
To this beautiful fall
You're closer than you think
Your heart's beneath the surface
There's water here to drink
Your thirst can be your compass
Inside you there's a wound that bleeds
When the past is shaken awake
Turn it around, kill the memory
You can be free
Chorus
This beautiful fall
This beautiful fall
This beautiful...
This beautiful fall
Original Release Date: November 4, 2004
Every word's ringing now
Lovely in my head
Once so lost, now so found
Brought back from the dead
In the fallout of all the wrongs I've done
I can crawl out in the name of the Son
(chorus)
I'll be forgiven now
For everything I've done
I'll be forgiven now
Forgiven now
The rising sun shows me how
To begin again
What weighed a ton and screamed so loud
Simply is forgotten
So I cry out with praises for the One
I am free now in the name of the Son
Chorus
(bridge)
Sad and lonely
Missing something
Looking everywhere
When there is one thing that can save me
And He's always there
Waiting to be called
Chorus
Forgiven now
Forgiven now now now now now
Forven now
Original Release Date: November 4, 2004
I found a way to look like a window
And slam shut like a door
I found a way to laugh and say 'I know'
Give less 'cause less is more
But then I bleed where nobody can see
Yeah, I bleed from internal injuries
Yeah, I bleed where nobody can see
Yeah, I bleed, I just can't seem to listen
(chorus)
Help me I'm...
In critical condition
Help me I'm...
In critical condition
I look away when it's written on my face
Even oceans overflow
This lion's tame when locked inside its cage
Chained up with bottled rage
But then I bleed where nobody can see
Yeah, I bleed from internal injuries
Yeah, I bleed where nobody can see
Yeah, I bleed, I just can't seem to listen
Chorus
(bridge)
I won't let it be the end of me
The earth underneath my feet is crumbling
Will I float, Will I fall
I guess I'll have to learn to trust in You
With all of this
With all of this
Oh, I bleed where nobody can see
Yeah, I bleed from internal injuries
Yeah, I bleed where nobody can see
Oh, I bleed, I bleed, I just can't seem to listen
Chorus
Help me...
Help me...
(outro)
I wanna be closer to You, Lord
I wanna be closer to You, Lord
I wanna be closer to You
I wanna be closer to You, Lord
Original Release Date: November 4, 2004
Published by Seven Peaks Music (ASCAP) and Dying Ego Music (ASCAP), administered by Seven Peaks Music (ASCAP).
Bass: Nic Rodriguez
If i could turn this wasteland into gold
If if could journey happily from young to old
I'd smash a thousand dreams i may have had
I'd give up all material things and i'd be glad
If i could only make one choice
I would choose You
If i could give the heartless a little soul
If i could set a spark beneath lovers gone cold
I'd tear at the seams with all i have
Surrneder all my wants, my needs and i'd be glad
If i could only make one choice
I would choose You
I see the world, take what i nedd
Use it all, lose the rest
To be a fool is to put it all
Above the One you know is love
I would not make that mistake
I would choose You
Original Release Date: November 4, 2004
Except:
Bass Nic Rodriguez and Luke Agajanian (on fretless bass outro)
Guitar Solo: Gannin Arnold
Oh Jesus, Lord Jesus
My Jesus come and rescue me
Oh Jesus, yeah, Lord Jesus
My Jesus come and set me free
Oh Jesus, Lord Jesus
My Jesus come and rescue me
Oh Jesus, yeah, Lord Jesus
My Jesus come and set me free
When I'm broken, lost and hurting
You're standing by my side
I wanna sing Your name
When I'm filled with joy and smiling
I know from where it came
I wanna sing Your name
Oh Jesus, Lord Jesus
My Jesus come and rescue me
Oh Jesus, yeah, Lord Jesus
My Jesus come and set me free
When I'm broken, lost and hurting
You're standing by my side
I wanna sing Your name
When I'm filled with joy and smiling
I know from where it came
I wanna sing Your name
Oh Jesus, Lord Jesus
My Jesus come and rescue me
Oh Jesus, yeah, Lord Jesus
My Jesus come and set me free
I wanna sing, sing, sing
Sing, sing, sing Your name
I wanna sing, sing, sing
Sing, sing, sing Your name
Original Release Date: November 4, 2004
Published by Seven Peaks Music (ASCAP) and Dying Ego Music (ASCAP), administered by Seven Peaks Music (ASCAP).
I'm innocent
I'm guilty too
I wanna be
I wanna be with you
Got a hole inside
But I wanna fill you up
Tell me did I leave you too long
Or could it be that I was never gone
(chorus)
All in all you feel like home
I wanna be
I wanna be with you
I'm coming home
I wanna be
I gotta be
I wanna be with you
Your innocence
It pierces through
A blurry mind
And now I can see you
And though I fail sometimes
Don't wanna do you wrong
It took a while but now I'm strong
It's you and me
And it was all along
Chorus
(bridge)
You've seen me run
You've seen me blame
Please close your eyes
This time is not the same
We'll carry on
We'll carry on
Chorus
I wanna be with you
Original Release Date: November 4, 2004
Published by Seven Peaks Music (ASCAP) and Dying Ego Music (ASCAP), administered by Seven Peaks Music (ASCAP).
Hey beautiful lady
How does it feel to know that you got me
Head over my heels
I'm thinking that maybe I could be lost
Do you wanna find me
Forget the cost
(B Section)
Just enjoy me
Enjoying what I see
I see you
You
Hey beautiful lady
Are you for real
I'm hearing your heartbeat
I'm watching as you steal mine
I know that you're pacing
Taking your time
My wonderful lady
Come and be mine, mine, mine
B Section
You... You...
You... You...
Open to me
Let yourself fly on
I know we'll never go wrong
Open to me
Let yourself fly on and on
Fly on
B Section
THE SONG: Good old fashioned love song. I remember picking up the guitar at my old semi-house thing I lived in off Chapman in Orange... I found this finger picking riff and sang the melody and lyric "Hey beautiful lady, how does it feel". Then I sat there and went "I don't normally refer to girls my age as ladies...??" But it just fit, so I kept it and kept going... this is still one of my most popular songs from that era. It's been used in a lot of weddings, which is super-flattering.
THE RECORDING: Big roomy drums in the bridge. I'd leave the little bedroom food open and put a mic in the bathroom and compress the crap out of it on the NUKE setting on a distressor.
The acoustic part is doubled with this cool asian string instrument sample.... gives it this jangly world-music sound (go figure).
Those were pitch shifted bongos making up the percussion loop.
I recall I was exploring some new tones with my voice when I recorded this song... throatier than other songs from this period... more raspy... it's a little placement thing... different support... makes for more natural high-end which is useful... 2003 seems like forever ago... a lifetime ago. That little junker house in Orange was great though.... I boarded up the windows after filing them with 4" foam. The place had virtually zero light coming in. You'd walk in the front door and there was the studio. The back bedroom was filled with drums and a speaker cab... and I slept in the tiny bedroom next to my window AC unit. I had this tiny fridge that I'd keep red bulls in. I'd eat Jack in The Box everyday. Yikes! This was the place I was living in when Andy and I co-wrote a song that would change our lives forever... another song with "beautiful" in the title.
:)A
Original Release Date: November 4, 2004
I think I know why all the time
But I'm lost when it comes to you
I turn a blind eye every time you cross my mind
Don't wanna know what I feel for you
You were my days, my nights
My pictures of fate
I wanna travel back in time
I wanna see what I can save
Do you
(chorus)
Sometimes I wanna go back
To where we were
Sometimes I wanna go back
To where we were before
Where we were
I'm always looking for a sign
That could lead me back to you
But I won't go there half the way
Don't wanna lie
Don't wanna get over you
I wanna stay
Oh it feels like yesterday
I wanna travel back in time
I wanna see what I can save
Do you
Chorus
(bridge)
These memories are killing me
I wanna be
I wanna be where you are
Chorus
Original Release Date: November 4, 2004
Published by Seven Peaks Music (ASCAP) and Dying Ego Music (ASCAP), administered by Seven Peaks Music (ASCAP).
I wanna be like You
I swallow everything and spit nothing out
Keeps coming back on me
Forcing me down
So dizzy, sick and twisting
So ugly, sad but true
I can't be left unguided
I can't be without You
Help me seek what's true
(chorus)
I wanna be like You
I wanna be like You
Show me what to do
I wanna be like You
You took my pain away
Grounded a drowning man
Erasing yesterday
Only You can
These hands, they reach for sure things
That soon will come undone
So often disappointing, I am, when I don't look to the Son
Help me seek what's true
Chorus
(bridge)
You let me choose
I break, I bruise
So then I give it back to You
And You set me loose
Chorus
You
I wanna be like You
Original Release Date: November 4, 2004
Published by Seven Peaks Music (ASCAP) and Dying Ego Music (ASCAP), administered by Seven Peaks Music (ASCAP).
I could fall apart
Before I start
In the grip of doubt
I need You, Lord
Will You carry me
Take hold of me
When I can't see
An open door
(pre)
In the dark Your light illuminates love
And Your grace is right beside me
(chorus)
I will not fear 'cause I know You're here
And I pray You'll cover me with Your love
And show me You're enough
I will not fear 'cause I feel You here
Lord, will You come and turn what was fear into love
Will You lead my life and dry my eyes
When the pain inside's a lonely war
Can my worry be a memory
That fades away more and more
In the dark Your light illuminates love
And Your grace is right beside me
Chorus
Pre-Chorus
Chorus
Into love...
Into love...
Into love...
Into love...
Original Release Date: November 4, 2004
Trusting melted snow
When it's always changing is hard
But you'll know why I'm here
Once I'm gone
What's burning below
Miles of pain won't go
So I will
Shame on the child in me
Shame on the liar in me
It's a shame
It's a shame
You've made trust to me seem a crime
Just know I've been with you honestly
The whole time
(chorus)
Is this love
Or are we looking for perfect things to claim
Is this love
Or are we bleeding the blood of all the pain
I guess this is love
The sun won't stay up for long
And you're so afraid
Afraid of the darkness that comes
So what can I do
You can't be alone tonight
So what can I do
I still love you
(chorus)
This is love sometimes
Forget all the perfect things we crave
This is love this time
What's living inside me I can't tame
I guess
I guess this is love
This is love...
Original Release Date: November 4, 2004
Click on cover art to listen/view songs.
Profile
About Adam: Adam Watts' varied work in the music and film industries as a Songwriter / Producer / Mixer has been featured on over 50 Million Albums Sold Worldwide, with over a dozen #1 HITS in multiple genres,...[more]Adam Watts' varied work in the music and film industries as a Songwriter / Producer / Mixer has been featured on over 50 Million Albums Sold Worldwide, with over a dozen #1 HITS in multiple genres, an ASCAP Pop Award, 2 ASCAP Film/TV Awards and 4 Dove Awards.
As a songwriter for Walt Disney Music Publishing for 10 years, Watts has written and produced songs for projects including High School Musical (1, 2, & 3), Hannah Montana (all seasons), Camp Rock (1 & 2), The Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, Disneyland's 50th Anniversary Celebration, Brave, and many more.
Watts diverse skillset has led him to work in multiple genres and with artists including Demi Lovato, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, Jeremy Camp, Switchfoot, Jonas Brothers, Plain White Ts, Colton Dixon (American Idol), and many more. He is also a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, having released ten self-produced solo albums.
Now published by Reservoir Media, Watts' most recent project was the Netflix original film "A Week Away", the first faith-based feature-length musical. Watts wrote, produced and mixed the film's many original songs (and the reimagined classic cover songs), as well as the soundtrack. The film won the Dove Award for Inspiration Film of the Year in 2021.
Watts is also an author and fine artist. His book "The Human of Being Art: A Holistic Approach to Being an Artist and Creating Art" has led to his teaching his unique approach to arts education at multiple Universities throughout Southern California. He is currently developing this approach into a full-fledged arts education and content creation entity, Broken City Artists.
Now the father of two sons, currently Watts is currently working on a series of children's multi-media franchise, "The Adventures of Owie & Raffy" featuring wondrously strange animal characters who are seeking to overcome their deepest insecurities, find self-acceptance, friendship, and a place to truly belong.
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Adam Watts Songwriter, Producer, Solo Artist, Visual Artist, Author
I'm mostly self-taught and/or learned through hundreds of small moments of being mentored by those I've worked with over the years. That said, I'm highly trained as a drummer (with extensive drum-line experience), private drum lessons (with Dave Weckl, Evan Stone, Chad Wackerman and many others), 1 year of community college (studying mostly music).
Music Releases: Solo Albums: "The Devil & The Light" (2021), When a Heart Wakes Up (2018), The Hero and the Pain (2016), Haterfakers-Single (2015), Way Out (2014), Life on Earth (2013), Fallborn (2012), Murder Yesterday (2010), Sleeping Fire (2006), The Noise Inside (2004).
Current Experience: Songwriter, Producer, Solo Artist, Visual Artist, Author, Educator, Signed to Reservoir Media Publishing,...[more]Songwriter, Producer, Solo Artist, Visual Artist, Author, Educator, Signed to Reservoir Media Publishing, Adjunct Professor (Cal Baptist University) [collapse]
Previous Experience: Songwriter/Producer with over 50 Million Albums Sold Worldwide, BEC/Tooth & Nail (EMI) Recording Artist,...[more]Songwriter/Producer with over 50 Million Albums Sold Worldwide, BEC/Tooth & Nail (EMI) Recording Artist, Walt Disney Music Publishing songwriter. Extensive experience in rock, pop, alternative, CCM, TV, Film and Animation projects. 4x Dove Award Winner, 3x ASCAP Songwriting Award Winner. [collapse]
Goals:
Immediate: Finish Following Fireflies pitch video
Within 1 Year: Land a production partner for Following Fireflies
Within 3 Years: Release Following Fireflies film and books
Within 5 Years: Share my HOLISTIC APPROACH with millions
Artist Q&A
1) List your creative interests/artistic mediums (in order of passion).Music
Visual Arts (fine art, design, photography, film)
Leatherwork
Carpentry
Knife-making
Music
Visual Arts (fine art, design, photography, film)
Leatherwork
Carpentry
Knife-making
Martial Arts
2) Do you consider yourself to be an artist? If not, why? If so, why?
Yes. It's an important part of how I express myself in life. It's right near the top of my short list of things I consider to be deeply important and essential in my life (both creating my own art and experiencing the art of others).
3) At what age did you begin your journey as an artist/musician? How did it come about?
Music took hold around age 10 or 11... but I was interested in drawing and writing stories when I was maybe 7 years old. When I discovered the drums around age 10 I was hooked! I focused like CRAZY on being the best drummer I could be in the years that followed. I was obsessive about it! I started writing music with a keyboard and began recording when I was about 15 years old and by the time I was 19 I'd discovered that singing and writing/recording my own songs was going to be my life's work... it felt like the ultimate way I could express myself. I started playing bass, guitar and programming synths. Recording, producing and mixing was always a big part of what inspired me. I wanted to be able to go from initial idea all the way to the final product and see my vision through to the end. From day 1 recording and composing were really one united process. To this day that approach informs how I approach creating songs (and how I teach!).
4) What drives you toward a career in the arts?
I couldn't imagine doing anything else! #1 is self-expression and how that is tied to connecting with others. From there, I love the challenge of making creativity into a career. I couldn't imagine having a career that was separate from music/art and creativity, so I set out to do whatever I could to make that happen. Early on I had a lot to prove and I was driven to prove to myself and everyone else that I could be successful and make great music. I love music in all genres and enjoy the challenge of delivering great work on a deadline in the context of a professional situation... whether that's for artists or bands, films, or even advertising. My solo music has always been the core of what I do (I have ten solo albums). The most core and important of my core skills are ones I cultivated while making my own music, for myself. I realized later that this approach mean that I learned how to make feelings into music, and that's been a really key skill to bring to professional situations.
5) List your top three long term goals. (roughly 2 years, 5 years and 10+ years)
2 years: Release "Following Fireflies" (my Animated Rock Opera Feature Film and book series!). Also: globally launch my "Holistic approach to the Arts" online and in-person (BROKEN CITY ARTISTS).
5 years: Release the "Following Fireflies" sequel! Continue to build my teachings into being a universally recognized approach to the arts.
10 years: To be healthy and happy (along with my kids, wife and family!), creating a system do that the Holistic Approach can be a well oiled machine with many teachers and artists applying and teaching the approach. That "Following Fireflies" would be an iconic franchise that stands beside the great stories that resonate with both children and adults.
6) List your top three short term goals.
1) Land a multi-million-dollar production company partner for "Following Fireflies" and begin production.
2) Integrate this "Holistic Approach to the Arts" into the music culture at CBU.
3) Continue to meaningfully integrate work life and family life.
7) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how much do you value artistic/creative/personal growth?
10. Always trying to grow!
8) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how much do you value becoming famous/well known?
6.5. It's something that could be cool to a degree, especially if it's helpful in achieving my other goals... but I see more downsides than upsides associated with achieving a lot of fame.
9) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how much do you value being respected by your peers?
7.5. It feels good (and validating) to be respected. It also helps to have that respect as you navigate a career, it opens doors... but it's not something I'm overly fixated on. I've found that the respect comes if I just put my head down and try to do good work while trying to be a good guy while doing it.
10) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how much do you value being respected as an artist by the general public?
5. It'd be nice, but in order to be respected by the general public you'd need a lot of fame and I'm not sure I'd want that... I don't think I would enjoy the stress that would come along with broad fame.
11) Hypothetically speaking, if you were making a comfortable living through your work as an artist (i.e. paying the bills etc.), from that point, would you value becoming more wealthy, more or less than progressing artistically?
This is a tough one. I think the two can be tied together if you approach it in just the right way… but it's difficult! I've found that stressing about finances really takes away from the ability to let go and create great art, so I put a lot of effort into making a comfortable living so that I can put a lot of effort into progressing artistically at the same time. The early years, when I was living at home with my parents, was a key time for really having the time to get my artistic fundamentals in place. It's very hard to balance once you have a family and bills. In my life, I've worked hard to find a lot of income from my music career which has, in a way, freed me up to create my artistic work without worrying if THAT more artistic work has to pay the bills.
12) Would you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert? Why? (For the purposes of this question, we'll define these terms as whether you gain energy and feel most comfortable when you're alone, or with others).
I'm more of an introvert with some extroverted tendencies temp ending on the situation. Mostly I've had to adapt and figure out how to externalize myself. I can get burnt out after spending a lot of time in large groups. I need to recharge by spending some time alone (or with people I'm extremely comfortable with).
13) How important is spirituality in your life? What role do your beliefs play in your process and your work as an artist?
Very important. I think about God, meaning, morals and ethics quite a lot. I feel a deep responsibility to use my talents to do some good whenever and however possible. That can be direct or indirect, but my spiritual beliefs are always playing a role in how I approach my solo work and my career; always trying to making meaningful work if at all possible. It's not always easy, especially in a career context.
14) List your top 5 influences and/or inspirations in your life (artistically and/or otherwise) and a short reason why for each.
I gotta do more than 5!!
1) Jesus - He is the model for how to be... even though this is a cliche' answer it's true.
2) My parents - I've been blessed to have parents that have always done their best to put their kids first and love us to the best of their abilities. Grateful for that.
3) Sting - early on, Sting's music was a big influence on my songwriting and singing. His combination of great, thoughtful lyrics and intensely emotional and musical rich music matched my own desire to make music that was interesting, menanigful, emotional, musically challenging, and enjoyable on a lot of levels.
4) Jeff Buckley - an incredible singer and virtuosic performer with unbelievable depth.There's a magic in his work that's hard to define.
5) This is a tie between singer-songwriter (and Soundgarden band member) Chris Cornell (especially his solo album "Euphoria Mourning") and the film composer Thomas Newman (who's created some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard!).
6) Jordan B. Peterson - such a brilliant person. Inspiring.
15) On average, do you seek instant gratification, or the payoff of hard work over time? Explain.
Probably something closer to instant gratification. But I understand the value of hard work and how that pays off over time, so I work hard to align my instant gratification with my long terms goals so both can be happening simultaneously! Music is great for this, I can get those small bits of satisfaction in the process while working toward the larger goal of the full song, album or project in the greater context of a career. Managing these things all at once is really the biggest challenge!
16) How do you feel you learn best?
A combination of internalizing concepts, understanding and applying them, while also just getting my hands dirty and learning as I go (experientially). This is also how I tend to teach: a combination of those two approaches.
17) On average, do you prefer inventing/creating your own techniques or learning proven techniques (explain)?
I really enjoying being inventive and discovering my own ways of doing things... knowing that often that means I'll be stumbling upon classic ways of doing things. But I also really value learning the proper ays to do things. So a blend of both for sure.
18) When it comes to your artistry, what are you most confident about? Also, least confident about?
MOST: I'm most confident in my instincts and tastes... and my ability to find a way to express those in ways that are at a high objective quality.
LEAST: My ability to know precisely what's going on harmonically (from a technical perspective) with more complex music, just by ear. I'll often have to take some time to poke around and figure it out. I tend to hear music as feelings, rhythms and sonic textures first before I hear the harmonic technicalities... this has been both a blessing and a curse!
19) Describe your dream scenario for your career as an artist. Be specific!
I'v been blessed to make a few dreams come true with music, but I'd like to take it further and own my own media and education company with a very broad reach. To be able to develop and educate artists as well as create, market and distribute music, films and other multi-media on a global scale.
20) Do you tend to envy other artists or feel competitive with them, or are you supportive of others?
When I was younger I could sometimes fall into some envy (with other singer-songwriters especially) or a competitive mindset. But I've always been genuinely supportive of other artists... my friends especially... and more so now than ever.
21) On average how much time per day (or week) do you currently spend working on your craft?
I'm always thinking about it. The amount of time varies. Usually throughout my life, it's been daily for many hours.
22) What brings you the most joy in both life in general and as an artist?
My family... my two hilarious and awesome kids Rowan and River... and the deep joy of expressing myself the deeper moments with my own solo music especially... But I think some of the most consistent joy I've had with art has been when working with my friends/partners on music in the context of my career.
23) What makes you most frustrated both personally and as an artist?
I get frustrated when I'm not understood by other people... and this extends out to my work: When I'm unable to achieve my vision in the moment I have it... to get out what I know I know I'm capable of... I find that if I just keep pushing I can get there (or at least close)... but it can be REALLY frustrating!!
24) Do you see yourself as more of a leader or someone who is comfortable in a supportive position? If it depends, explain.
More of a leader. I work best with those who like to jump onboard as I lead. That said, when someone has a great idea I'm happy to support it and them.
25) On average, As you grow and progress as a person and an artist, is it more important that you have fun, or do you believe in a "no pain no gain" process? Explain.
I'm probably a bit more of a "no pain, no gain" guy... but more and more I see the value in enjoying the process as much as possible as well. I try to work hard, but I need to feel like it's worth it and like there are little moments to celebrate and enjoy along the way, even when it's hard work.
26) What are you 3 favorite movies/films of all time? And Why?
hmm difficult... but probably:
1) Shawshank Redemption - amazing story of friendship and struggle, amazing score, acting and cinematography...
2) Forrest Gump - amazing story of how having a lot of heart and perseverance can make up for a lack of talent or intelligence... plus amazing score, great acting, and cinematography...
3) Braveheart - amazing story of love, standing up for your beliefs and against injustice, pushing through struggle for the greater good.... plus another amazing score, acting and cinematography...
All of these stand up as timeless classics IMO.
27) What are your 3 favorite artists of all time? And why?
1) Thomas Newman - film composer - unbelievable music.
2) Sting - His legacy of music with The Police and as a solo artist makes for a really iconic mix of originality heart, musicality and intelligence.
3) Jeff Buckley and Chris Cornell - it's s tie - both incredible and unique voices with great songwriting.
28) What are your 3 favorite songs of all time? And why?
This is hard. But I'll pick the first few that come to mind... for some reason they're all kind of ballads and ones I heard early in life... I love so many songs of so many vibes and styles from so many decades and eras... but these are like a heart-hug... and these are songs that I love that I also think are truly great, objectively.
1) With or Without You (U2) - haunting, beautiful, aching and timeless song about the tension that so often exists in a romantic relationship... the push and pull. Love how it builds too.
2) Imagine (John Lennon) - Even though some of the lyrics rub me wrong, overall this song is just nearly perfect and so emotional, vulnerable and beautiful while also being somewhat raw.
3) Fix You (Coldplay) - achingly beautiful and timeless song about empathy and love. This one builds much like my first song... just keeps getting bigger and more cathartic as it goes.
4) Mad About You (Sting) - honorable mention! This is probably the song that made me feel like I had to write songs... and it's such a vivid storytelling song with such a cool almost mysterious melancholic feeling throughout.
29) What emotions do you feel you most often feel the need to express through your artistic creativity?
Probably the feeling of intense struggle between the heart, mind, and soul/spirit. The feeling of tension between those parts of self. Do we feel about our thoughts? Or think about our feelings? Chicken or the egg.... and what is this SOUL part???? The consciousness that seems to exist outside of emotion and thought... the part of us that just IS.... so much of life is in navigating all of this.... and for me, songwriting is where I can hash all this out.
30) Is there one or more styles/genres of music that you despise/hate/can't stand?
There are none that I hate or despise.I tend to have a singer-songwriter core that emanates from folk and blues (meaning: good honest lyrics and melody are at the core) and then my tastes go outward into all other styles... so maybe the further music gets from those styles (the less like "songs" in that classic sense) the less interested I tend to get.... but there isn't a style of music I don't like. I've heard great songs in literally EVERY genre.
31) On a spectrum between 1 and 20, do you consider yourself more interested in technical perfection (1), or more interested in overall feel (20)? (For example, if it's an equal blend of the two you would answer "10") Explain.
10. It's the equal balance between the two that for me, really hits the spot!!
32) Have your parents been supportive of your artistry?
Absolutely. Very grateful for that. I likely wouldn't have been successful without their support.
33) Do you find that you prefer short bursts of learning/working with consistent breaks, or longer, focused times?
Longer, focused times for the most part.
34) What are your thoughts or opinions on counseling/therapy/psychology?
Love it. It's been valuable to me in my life.
35) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how do you personally rate the importance of the arts as entertainment or escapism? (as opposed to as a way to go deeper into ones thoughts and feelings). Explain.
7.5.... entertainment and escapism isn't art's greatest use IMO, but it's still a valid use for it! It's important to be able to unwind, be entertained, have fun, and/or be transported into the imagination and take a break from "real life". That process can sometimes actually lead to deeper things.... realizations... catharsis.... rejuvenation.
36) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how do you personally rate the importance of the arts as a means of personal expression, communication and meaning?
9 or 10. It can often transcend other forms of expression.... but it's no replacement for interacting with people 1-on-1 in a vulnerable way.
37) Are you technically savvy with regards to computers etc.? (What programs are you familiar with? i.e. Protools, Logic, Garage Band, Photoshop etc.). Do you enjoy this technical/engineering side of music? Explain.
Though I tend to resist learning new technology, once I do, I become fast and fluent on it. I'm very proficient in Protools and fairly good with Photoshop and Premiere Pro. I love applying technical knowledge to creating great music. The gear is nothing without its purpose which is to make music worth hearing!!
38) What do you feel is the best thing about you as a person? The least best thing?
The good: I try my best to be a good person... and if I make a mistake I try to correct it. I aim to be approachable and considerate to others. I aim to find the right balance of confidence and humility. I aim to be reliable and loyal. I try to do great work regardless of my mood. I want to do meaningful work that's not just about me, but about spreading goodness around. I seek to be truly fair with people in creative collaborations and in business.
The bad: I can be reactive and defensive when I'm criticized. In my desire to be understood I can also be stubborn. I can be rigid when I have a strong vision for something, which can be frustrating for others. Sometimes I can get overly perfectionistic (mostly with myself). I can tend toward being a workaholic and forget to pour into relationships enough. Sometimes all of these characteristics can add up to me not focusing enough on my own mental and physical health.
39) Do you feel it's important to finish everything you start, or do you tend to leave work unfinished for some reason? Explain.
I try to finish everything unless I realize it's not going anywhere, then I'll abandon it as soon as I'm sure it's a dead-end... I try not to waste time if it feels like it's going nowhere.... but I try to make sure I'm not just wanting to give up because I'm frustrated.
40) Describe the most recent piece of art you created. How do you feel about it?
The most recent thing was an image in photoshop which was a compilation of a photo from the "Following Fireflies" Stop Motion set and the compositing of a photo I took of a cloudy sunset sky which I then laid filters over. I'm pretty happy with it.
41) Do you plan to make music your full-time career? Do you have a "Plan B" in terms of a career choice? If so, what is it?
Yeah... music and art.... creativity of any kind. That's plan A-Z.
42) Define success in the most personal and complete way possible. i.e. What is success to you?
I want to make great work (artistically) that means something not only to me, but to other people.... and I want to make a good living making music/art. BUT, none of this means much without focusing on having a healthy balance of loving my family and friends and being healthy mentally and physically; that's the foundation of true success. Being wealthy and respected means nothing without health, loving relationships, and a strong spiritual center.
43) List some of the things you'd like to get out of an educational/mentor-protege' program? Explain.
This... that... AND the other!
When we can learn from those who have experience beyond ours, we can accelerate the time it takes to fulfill our potential... which means we can get where we're going faster and more efficiently! Mentors can be incredibly helpful in saving us some of the pain and frustration of feeling lost and/or stuck.
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The Big Five Aspects Scale - Adam's results:
Agreeableness: 15% (Compassion: 72%, Politeness: 1%) Agreeableness[more]Agreeableness (the primary dimension of care for others). Compassion (the tendency to empathically experience the emotion of others) and Politeness (the proclivity to abide by interpersonal norms) for Agreeableness. [collapse]
Conscientiousness: 78% (Industriousness: 96%, Orderliness: 30%) Conscientiousness[more]Conscientiousness (associated with duty, precision and responsibility). Industriousness (the ability to engage in sustained, goal-directed effort) and Orderliness (the tendency to schedule, organize and systematize) for Conscientiousness. [collapse]
Extraversion: 84% (Enthusiasm: 30%, Assertiveness: 98%) Extraversion[more]Extraversion (associated with positive emotion). Enthusiasm (spontaneous joy and engagement) and Assertiveness (social dominance, often verbal in nature) for Extraversion. [collapse]
Neuroticism: 74% (Withdrawal: 57%, Volatility: 84%) Neuroticism[more]Neuroticism (negative emotion). Withdrawal (the tendency to avoid in the face of uncertainty) and Volatility (the tendency to become irritable and upset when things go wrong) for Neuroticism. [collapse]
Openness to Experience: 97% (Intellect: 96%, Openness: 93%) Openness[more]Openness (interest in ideas and aesthetics). Openness (creativity and aesthetic sensitivity) and Intellect (interest in abstract concepts and ideas) for Openness to Experience. [collapse]
Enneagram Personality Assessment - Adam's Results:
Type 1: The Reformer
(Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic.) The[more]The Rational, Idealistic Type: Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic [collapse]
Type 2: The Helper
(Generous, Demonstrative, People-Pleasing, and Possessive.) The[more]The Caring, Interpersonal Type: Demonstrative, Generous, People-Pleasing, and Possessive [collapse]
Type 3: The Achiever
(Adaptable, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious.) The[more]The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type: Adaptive, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious [collapse]
Type 4: The Individualist
(Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed, and Temperamental.) The[more]The Sensitive, Withdrawn Type: Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed, and Temperamental [collapse]
Type 5: The Investigator
(Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive, and Isolated.) The[more]The Intense, Cerebral Type: Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive, and Isolated [collapse]
Type 6: The Loyalist
(Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and Suspicious.) The[more]The Committed, Security-Oriented Type: Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and Suspicious [collapse]
Type 7: The Enthusiast
(Spontaneous, Versatile, Acquisitive, and Scattered.) The[more]The Busy, Fun-Loving Type: Spontaneous, Versatile, Distractible, and Scattered [collapse]
Type 8: The Challenger
(Self-Confident, Decisive, Willfull, and Confrontational.) The[more]The Powerful, Dominating Type: Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and Confrontational [collapse]
Type 9: The Peacemaker
(Receptive, Reassuring, Complacent, and Resigned.) The[more]The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type: Receptive, Reassuring, Agreeable, and Complacent [collapse]
