Fun Shows at OKRF
Last weekend of the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival. It was much more fun for me than previous weekends. I'm not sure if that is because of some acupuncture herbs, it was the last, or if I finally adapted to the heat and humidity that was still present this weekend, but that didn't overheat me for the first time. Prolly it's a combination of all three.
The shows were much more fun this weekend, especially today. A bit crazed and goofy as we rearranged all of our songs into bluesy versions, or turned sad songs happy and happy songs sad. We butchered 'em and had an awesome time doing it. I must say it really made me think about how I perform songs.
I love to playing music, but I am moving more and more towards home studio work and less toward live performances. This weekend made me think about it. Not to say, I want to cut out live shows. But I do sorta feel like I need to adjust my thought as to How I perform.
Elvis Presley said, "You have to put on to draw a crowd." This last weekend was the only one where I felt like we actually drew a crowd by putting on a show. Though really I think that was only because people are finally getting to know us at this faire.
We put on some good shows today. They were fun. And I'd like to think every show I do would be as much fun, but I confess, funny is not my favorite thing in the world. I love to laugh. But moreso, I love to feel. I'd rather cry. It's the reason two of my solo CDs are just ballady (Soul of a Harper and A Tribute to Love). But many times, those ballads are just not dynamic enough for live performances. Which is prolly the reason some performers don't perform live like Enya or what not.
Alrighty, I think I'm done rambling for now. Lost my train of thought after a tiring day. I'll be happy to get back home.
Originally published at Marc Gunn .com. Read. Interact. Breathe. It's easy; it's free.
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posted by Marc Gunn @ Monday, May 26, 2008
3 Comments:
Preferring to feel or cry rather than laugh, I can understand. There is something cleansing about crying, and there is a kind of peace in sadness. I know that the best of my poetry, I create from the sad, solemn or dark feelings that many people seem to prefer to avoid. To laugh and enjoy the friendship of others is a pleasure, but it is the powerful and deeply strung emotions that can truly reach into a person and take them by the heart, whether it be sadness or love, anger or passion. There is power in the all the extremes of emotion, just as there is as much beauty in a storm as there is in a sunny day.
I agree with Lithorn. On the other hand: being sad all the time is not a good idea either. Reconsidering on how you want to perform, is not a bad idea, but not performing at all ... I think you really get depressed if you can't be around people to share your music. Not seeing the faces of your audience, not sharing emotions with them ... Mmm, I don't think so.
I don't know, but I get the feeling you want to be taken more serious as an artist and you might think that by acting funny you won't be.
That is in my opinion not true. Remember that the clown really has the hardest job in the circus, but is also most loved. And you also have the sad clown, like what we call "Pierrot". That might be a bit more your image.
Maybe you should split things up a bit more and make it clear: when you perform together with Andrew, you can be funny. You can laugh and people will love you. If you perform solo, you can show the other side of yourself.
People are a bit duallistic. No, you can't laugh all the time and put on a funny face. On the other hand: you can't be sad all the time, cause that will kill you. I know what I talk about.
As a writer I need to get the emotions of my characters. Let me put it this way: I might write funny stuff, but it won't work on command. I do love more to get into the dark side of my characters.
Go recharge your batteries in Ireland and I might get to you later. Let me just say that reading trough some of your posts here make a lot clear to me.
True enough. Sad all the time is no fun. And I do have fun songs. But yes, I do like moving people.
And I can't Wait for Ireland. Recharge indeed!!!
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