 Return to Lonely Goat Features Archives SUMMER INSPIRATION AND THE ROAD TO SELF-DISCOVERY Inspiration seems to be so elusive these days with the technology boom and teen pop-stars I often wonder what happened to art and its appreciation. A good friend once said to me that the only time you're really at your best is when you've finally bottomed out. This following story is about inspiration, dreams and figuring out who I am, was, or could be. On Saturday the Second of June I went to see a 6-piece band at the Pour House named T.H.H.E. Mood Cultivation Project. I was feeling edgy and introspective due to a recent change in my life. Immediately my sprits were lifted as I came to the main entrance of the Pour House, a local Raleigh nightspot. At the entrance sat an intimidating, 350-pound plus bouncer named Tiny. He was definitely more intellectual than one might immediately assume. We said our pleasantries and I was on my way inside not sure what I might encounter as I walked through a narrow run-down alley that resembled some sort of fallout shelter after a good bombing. The red brick walls were bare and stripped and held a doorway at the end where red light and music filtered out. The doorway opened into a deeply lit, comfortable, den-like room with a rounded corner bar and the murmuring chitchat of the regular stool occupants. The room was immense and lofty. It resembled some type of artist penthouse on the lower east side of Manhattan. There were various colorful vintage couches lining the walls, which made for comfortable nooks and crannies, available for people feeling less social or perhaps consumed by the tightly woven group with which they kept company. My mood conducted me toward the darkest, quietist couch in the upper left-hand corner and I calmly sipped my beer as I sifted through my papers as if some important mission was yet to be accomplished. No sooner than I had arranged my materials, a smiling bearded man, who looked as though he possessed the wisdom of a true artist, sat beside me and we began to chat. His name was Chris Kempf and he had traveled with the band from Greensboro. He had brought his wife as well as two other companions. How lucky was I to meet him? I was going to be writing a review of the band. He offered some whisky from his flask, as I explained to him what I was doing and why I was there. He smiled the whole time and said he would introduce me to the band, get me a play list and answer any questions I had. Chris had actually written a similar article before for Lonely Goat. His article was titled "Getting Winston Salem in The Mood," in it he compared T.H.H.E. Mood Cultivation Project's lead guitarist to Eric Clapton. A lofty idea indeed, I thought, but politely kept my comments to myself. He went on to explain that the guitar player was only 18 years old. I sipped my beer. I would soon eat my words as this turned out to be more of an experience than a mere hobby or assignment. The guitarist would soon exceed my expectations. A lull in conversation gave me an opportunity to gaze about the room and notice the calm, green painted brick walls and the wrought iron overlook on the second floor. The various details and paintings made the bar not only comfortable, but also original. Literally minutes later the band shuffled in smiling and laughing as though life could get no better. I sat there enjoying the chaos for a blink until Chris beckoned me to his side and began introducing me. The lead singer/harmonica player's name was Joey Johnson. George Smith played mandolin & guitar. There were two percussionists, Kelly played the tom-toms and a guy named "Roo" was on the set. Thier energetic bass player, Joel, would soon back the band with funky free-flowing baselines that lifted people out of their seats. Pleasantries and enthusiastic encouragement exchanged, I took my seat and waited for them to play, praying for a good show. I'd hate to give a bad review to good people. The band quickly put my worries to rest. The bassist began by playing a wild bass-line that swerved into sliding rhythmic guitar riffs. Even before I could fully absorb the gravity of the music, Josh a.k.a. "Zeke", the eighteen year old lead guitarist, broke into one of the grooviest most expressive guitar solo's I've ever heard, aside from Lenny Kravitz live. It was as if the notes were already there as his fingers played naturally and fluidly, meanwhile, the drummer sliced up the quickening tempo with help from the melodic tom-toms. Each song was amazing but this song, "flower power", was outstanding. The bass and lead guitarist brought the band to an inspirational crescendo in the middle of the song and began walking double time maintaining the energy. Meanwhile the mandolin player stepped up the melody by weaving riffs in and out of the vibrant drum beats. Joey Johnson, the vocalist, provided the raw emotion. His wailing, gruff, yet melodic, voice projected and blended words together in an animalistic way. He screamed about freedom and being mistreated. James Brown meet Jerry Garcia. Another song, perhaps more soulful than the last, was titled "Mood Swing." This song had a slower tempo but made up for what it lacked in speed with thick layers of haunting lyrics and violent harmonica interludes that screamed to be felt not heard. The bass player roamed up and down the bass-line while the guitarist slide between high and low frets occasionally adding interesting, on-time, improvisations. The percussionist's played back to back solo's after the third chorus so as not to overheat the melodic engine that could. They complimented and kept time with the breakaway enthusiasm of the music. This band could really communicate. They constantly kept things new and exciting by taking instrumental adventures. Transitions remained smooth and consistent as if they communicated telepathically through their instruments. It was time for a break. During the intermission I was able to interview the band and it only gets better. They came from a small town in Mount Airy, North Carolina where one of the leading professions was "working for a textile company," but it was "music that brought them together." It turns out that Josh, the guitarist, has music in his blood and his uncle, Freddie "Cat" Stevens plays professional piano. I asked the drummer "Roo" if he could describe their style of music. He smiled and said, "We love our tough southern roots but we want to remain original," Indeed gentlemen. What have I learned from this experience and why did it inspire me? I learned that it's never too late to fulfill or pursue your dreams. I learned that no matter how jaded you become with the daily grind new opportunities will present themselves if you keep an open mind and encourage your talents. College is certainly a time of discovery for most people. Some people love music, some people love to write, fortunately I love both. Music is such a powerful medium, at the movies it makes us cry, at the circus it makes us laugh, but on Saturday the second of June it inspired. P.S. If you had ever wondered what The "T.H.H.E." in the Mood Cultivation Project stood for; well you'll just have to see them to find out. |