To Tell a Story

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Must a story be written in prose, meter or rhyme, when so much narrative seeks to be unveiled from strings?

Of course not, but I do find many people are prone to think certain instruments as background or solely meant for accompaniment. I encourage these thinkers to discover how much emotion pureness can deliver. Often times as well, it's other instruments and voices that accompany a string, brass, woodwind or percussion instrument. If you're a skeptic, close your eyes and really listen next time you hear an instrumental song.

A little Strings 101 ...

There are three groups of string instruments:

Harps - the strings are contained within a frame
Lutes - the strings are supported by a neck and a bout ("gourd")
Zithers - the strings are mounted on a body

There are also three playing styles:

Plucked - like a guitar or harp
Bowed - like a violin or cello
Struck - like the piano or hammered dulcimer

I'm writing this post in hope to help more stories be told. Of course, strings are not the only method to tell a meaningful story. Everyone has their own voice, be it in the form of a musical instrument, hand, or spoken exclamation.

In college I took soprano saxophone lessons as well a voice class. I was actually a member of the university choir for two years to add to my 4 years of high school choir. I've also written my fair share of poetry. However, the piano, since my discovery at the age of 5, is the outlet that I can best tell a story.

Who knows, I may actually record while I'm singing along sometime. Only tomorrow will tell. Heck, I just released an electronica album ... but the accompaniment is not the piano. ;)

Courage

Several people on Twitter really inspired me today. Check out those I'm following to see a few of them.

"Remember that when you leave this earth you can taken nothing of what you have received, but only what you have a given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage." ~ Saint Francis of Assisi

New Free Music Downloads and Thanks from the RMP

More music has been added to the Reconstruction Music Project and we're starting to see some good momentum with visits, plays and downloads! Check it out. More music is coming soon...

A big THANKS to Siona at www.gaia.com who is going to help spread the word about the RMP! We have placed a link to the Gaia community on the RMP site.

A big THANKS to John at www.magnatune.com for also helping to spread the word via his blog!

A big THANKS to Christian at Musikpirat for sharing and discussing the RMP!

www.reconstructionmusic.org

RMP on Facebook: facebook.com/reconmusic

RMP on Twitter: twitter.com/reconmusic

The Reconstruction Music Project

I launched a special project today that has been on my heart a long time. This was inspired by fans as well as the meaning behind my latest contemporary piano album, Reconstruction. The following are details...

Everyone faces tough times at one point or another. Regardless of the cause, we need to support each other. In response and with what I have available to me, I have created the Reconstruction Music Project (RMP) and provided a full album’s worth of my music for free. I have also left the door open to other musicians who wish to freely share some of their work.

RMP website: www.reconstructionmusic.org

Why?! The recent economic issues have changed and disrupted many lives. We continue to see aches and terrible tragedies caused by dire circumstances on local and world news. Personally, I've received email from fans of all ages hurting, be it finances, disease, divorce, the loss of a loved one, or otherwise. I have close friends and family who have lost their jobs. People from several countries have contacted me and are unable to purchase music because they don't have a credit card or any disposable income. The bottom line is many people are looking for a light in the darkness. My hope is that this project will help provide stress relief and a sense of strength and renewal.

The RMP provides legal high quality mp3 track downloads to listen to and take with you anywhere. The tracks I submitted are a mix from all my work. There are a few new tracks for existing fans to get something new (my UK buddy allMeadow and I worked on these tracks). Links are also provided if you wish to license tracks, purchase full albums or sheet music, or donate to help keep the RMP up and thriving.

I look forward to receiving and featuring tracks from other artists of all genres through this project. I’d like to give a big THANK YOU to all the artists who have already generously contributed tracks. There is something new for everyone.

Let's keep our heads up and stay switched on. I encourage you to follow your passion, whatever it may be. We can reconstruct and keep moving forward. We'll get through tough times if we pull together, get creative and give where we can.

Please inform your friends, family, other musicians, etc. The more people and artists we share this with, the more power and meaning behind the project.

THANK YOU to my friend allMeadow for building the RMP site. Your heart is BIG!



Rob Costlow (and allMeadow)
www.reconstructionmusic.org

p.s. Be sure to follow the RMP on Facebook and Twitter to get updates on new music submissions and more!

RMP on Facebook | RMP on Twitter

Going Mental

Thanks to Jason at the Mental Nomad Podcast for featuring music from Switch On in episode #142.

Check out his site.

Time

"The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time." ~ Abraham Lincoln

Spring of Life

Thanks to Steve at the Lifespring Podcast for featuring my music in show #192.

Check out his site.

Vision

"The test of a man's vision is what is takes to discourage him." ~ Anonymous

Switch On: Official Release and Story Behind the Album

The new remix album, Switch On, from allMeadow and me is finally complete! By complete, I mean tracks mastered and in the process of being distributed to digital music networks such as iTunes, Magnatune, and Amazon. The official release to all networks should be between early and mid October. However, for those who want it now, the album is currently available on thesixtyone.com (you'll need a user account to download).

Switch On is the result of a collaboration with allMeadow, an artist based in Bristol (United Kingdom). He mixed the tracks, incorporated a ton of creative elements, and performed all the bass guitar parts. What else would you expect from a person located in the drum and bass capital of the world?! Strangely enough, allMeadow and I have never met in person. However, a web cam, mic and today's other great technology enabled us to produce a professional full-length album. Oceans cannot stop our creative spirits. We're kind of star-crossed musicians. :) We met online back in 2005 via mutual creative interests. We're both very proud of this effort and hope it is enjoyed by music lovers around the world. Kudos to allMeadow and his genius mixing mind!

Songs from all my contemporary piano albums were used to create the remixes. 7 of the 10 tracks are brand new. We included and remastered 3 tracks from my 2006 remix EP, Return. We felt they had to be added to the album flow as they fit so well with the concept. The very first track, "Air Cooled," is from a previously unreleased song I composed the parts for almost a decade ago. I'm quite happy to have it complete.

The music is intentionally quite different from my solo contemporary piano work (please note, I do plan to release more solo work). The album is filled with various tempos and instrumentation. The goal was to create a unique product than could serve many purposes, be it experimentation, entertainment, inspiration, or otherwise. The motive of the album is to stimulate and help drive a general sense of productivity. Hence, why the album is named Switch On.

Thanks SO much for your support! Enjoy the tracks. Be sure to listen with decent headphones or on your preferred musical device. Most built-in computer speakers are lame. ;)

Listen and download

Do Something

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." ~ Benjamin FraDnklin

Soar

"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar." ~ Helen Keller

Attitude

I recently had a long recollection of a specific period of my life back in college. I believe it's because I am in a very different mindset today and was reflecting how I got here. This was a time before I met my wife. I was still growing up (as always) and dealing with the ups and downs of dating, studying, and figuring out my place in the world. If I could go back I would not change the people I met or the challenges I faced, but I would have changed my attitude. For quite some time I struggled with a lack of confidence, mental strength, and patience. This happens when you let negativity get the best of you. Whether it's something of the past, present or just a pest, be better and bigger than it. Don't let it overtake you. Don't take its attitude. Look forward and make use of the positive around you. Change your attitude. Until you do, things will not improve and you will not grow.

Forever an Infant

Each new day, project and innovation begins with infancy. Thought, care and nourishment are key ingredients to successfully moving to the next step of accomplishment. Accomplishment is starting something; knowing that if you finish or not, at least you began. Not everything gets finished and most great things are a work in progress; most often ourselves. Putting in the work and time is what counts. It's part of life education, always living and learning. I desire to forever be an everlearning infant. Regardless, it's what I am whether I chose to accept it or not.

"If life were measured by accomplishments, most of us would die in infancy." ~ A. P. Gouthey

EQ is not QC

The equalizer options on most mp3 et al players these days don't necessarily mean best quality control and sound. Audio and mastering engineers are around for a reason and well-produced music is "ready to go" once on your portable music player, computer, or CD player.

I've received a few pieces of interesting feedback regarding distortion on my albums. I can assure you that there is no distortion on the master recordings. I discussed this with my engineer (Dusk Bennett) to shed some light for fans (and pondering fans) and here is the result...

From Dusk: "A lot of consumer grade playback devices (unfortunately) cannot handle samples that approach the theoretical limit of digital audio (0dBfs - that's decibels full scale) and will start to clip the samples with a resultant digital distortion that's not pretty. Buying a good CD player now is not a POS purchase. It takes some research and an understanding of the DAC's (device for converting a digital code to an analog signal) they implement in them.

One thing I have noticed with iTunes and other software playback driven systems is that the equalizer features do not work right. If you are listening to hot program material with ANY EQ engaged it can distort the audio. Essentially these programs do not account for full scale material (by appropriately reducing the program level a few dB to compensate for the EQ curves) so the curves force the audio device into distortion. I would suggest making sure you do not have this feature engaged when you use your playback software. I stopped using the EQ feature on my iPod the minute I turned it on because I realized what was happening.

As you could imagine it's a really frustrating time to be a mix engineer now. There are no QC standards implemented across the board, the FCC has thrown up their hands with controlling digital audio levels, and the consumers expect all of our hard work to get piped down to a low res mp3 file destined to be played back on a $100 playback system. I suppose until the consumers get fed up with it the status quo will continue (you go Dusk!).

Tip: I believe if you turn the master volume down (about 1/2 to 3/4) on the iPod (or iTunes) this gets around the EQ curve issue. It appears the EQ algorithm is a "post fader" EQ which is a really odd implementation to be honest. Of course the trade off is less volume. In that instance you would need a preamp to recover the signal loss. Since most preamps (stereos) have EQ's anyways, this pretty much renders the EQ feature as useless IMHO."

Buy albums you know are well produced and don't use the EQ when listening to these albums on certain devices. It works. Test it out. Try it with my albums. :) In the end it's up to you on the sound you want, but distortion should be held responsible by the FCC and makers of the electronic devices you buy.

My Dad, the IndyCar Racer?

My dad is living proof that it's never too late to try anything. Earlier this week we headed out to the the Indianapolis Speedway and my dad hitched a ride with Arie Luyendyk Jr. for 3 laps around the track at 180 mph. WOW. I could barely keep up when filming. :) It was a great experience for him and example for me.



(if video is not displaying, click here)

"I have never had a policy. I have simply tried to do what seemed best each day, as each day came." ~ Abraham Lincoln

I love this quote from Lincoln. Each day is a new beginning. A fresh start to do something new, experience, and make progress.

On an unrelated note (however, a couple of the songs would couple well with IndyCar racing), allMeadow and I are nearing completion of our remix album. It's going to have a really diverse mix of melodies and tempos. Stay tuned...

Bringing Home Baby ... #2

I'm beyond thrilled to introduce Eleanor (Ellie) Carol Costlow. Eleanor arrived on May 8. Big sister (Madeline) is SO excited and proud. She has been helping out so much as each day has become busier.

The second time around was a bit easier for my wife and I to digest. No worries on how to change a diaper, what to do when she cries, or confusion with the umbilical cord. Nerves were much calmer, the mood light, and just thinking about the absolute miracle of childbirth. We even caught a couple movies at the hospital.

We are enjoying each day and look forward to continually nurturing and sharing in many adventures with our children. I can certainly say so many melodies are running through my mind these days. I'll have my daughters critique the tunes before releasing my next album. :)

"I don't know who my grandfather was; I'm much more concerned to know what his grandson will be." ~ Abraham Lincoln

A simple but powerful statement. In line with Lincoln's thoughts, I'm concerned on how I influence my family and how they will influence others. A daily challenge of putting other people first, being a good example and making positive choices. I'm so thankful for my children. Parenthood has greatly amplified my personal mission and goals. Parent or not, children should be a great inspiration to all adults. As it has been said many times before, children are our future here on Earth.

Podkids Australia

Thanks to Paul at the Podkids Australia Podcast for featuring my music in episode #20. Paul was one of the first educators in Australia to create a podcast.

Check out his site.

Podantics

Thanks to Scott at the Podantics Podcast for featuring my music in his upcoming Passages project.

Check out his site. The project sounds quite interesting and will feature performances by the hosts of: The AndyCast, Life On Tap, The Love Long and Prosper Podcast, The Truth Seekers Podcast, etc.

Four Tones

Thanks to the Four Tones Podcast (from the UK) for featuring my music in today's show.

Check it out here.

Switch On!

During my workout today, I had a bit of a revelation. I questioned myself if I'm really "switched on." That is, do I let trivial things get me down? Do I focus too often on what can't be changed instead of what can?

I believe these a pretty common negatives with people. Personally, I need to make sure I'm always switched on to see what I should be focusing on and help eliminate darkness in my life.

"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up." ~ Anne Lamott

That's right...don't give up.

Lasting Inspiration

Below is a photo of my physical music collection and old college stereo. I was staring and reminiscing about them the other night. These tunes (aside from the few random children albums for my daughter) have been the biggest inspiration to me. Most of my influences are from 80s and 90s artists. I must also state when very young I quite enjoyed my older brother's vinyls and 8-tracks for Chuck Mangione, Journey, Doobie Brothers, and Christopher Cross (can't forget"Sailing"). :)

"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent" ~ Victor Hugo

New Remix Album Coming Soon

I'm pleased to announce that I'll be working again with allMeadow on a new album. This will be a full-length downtempo/electronica remix album. We will be using samples from my current work and new riffs we both create.

allMeadow is based in the UK and we'll be collaborating via the Web and video. Gotta love the Internet. Given, I will definitely make it over to the UK in the future. However, I have my second child on the way and many other projects on my plate. So, doing what I can to get some more music out there.

We plan to have the album ready for release by summer. It will be available in both digital and physical format.

This project also supports the new genre labeling of my music. With the release of Reconstruction, my music is now referred to as "Contemporary Piano." New Age is not the best genre to describe the music, so I changed things up. Many services that sell my music will soon be labeling all albums with a new genre that best fit the style. There will still be a few services that will use New Age as the genre. Just think of it as "general/contemporary" New Age. :)

Be Yourself

A friend shared some very good advice with me this week. It's something I already strive for, but just needed to engrave it in my mind with the right words.

Be influenced, but make what you do yours. Be the best YOU.

"Success has a simple formula: do your best, and people may like it." ~ Sam Ewing

You can't be the best YOU by trying to be like someone else.

Trucker Tom Return

Thanks to Tom at the Trucker Tom Podcast for once again featuring my music in his latest episode 1004.

Check out his site.

Nerd is the Word

Thanks to The Word Nerds Podcast for featuring my music in episode #115.

Check out the site.

25 More Random Things

I’ve read so many more of these lists on Facebook, I decided to make one more. I needed to get in a second exercise before I do it again in 10 or 20 years. It's been therapeutic.

1. I’ve lived in Indianapolis, Los Angeles and San Diego (and one summer in Maine as well as Chicago). I also regularly spend time in Wisconsin with family.
2. I highlighted my hair once when I lived in L.A. The one and only time that will ever happen.
3. As a kid I inherited giant tinker toys from my brothers. I used to turn them into instruments and microphone stands and lip synch/air jam to tunes on the radio.
4. During college I worked as a pot washer and then a waiter at a sorority. One of the best jobs ever. Great food (every meal) and it’s where I met my wife.
5. I have a Masters in Kinesiology. I focused on Sports Marketing and Management. To get a bit more out of it, I received special permission to take several classes in the business school and elsewhere.
6. I became friends with one of my very best friends in graduate school. The ironic thing is we worked together at the sorority when I was an undergrad. Things change when you attempt to really get to know somebody.
7. I’ve worked for 4 dot-coms. All still up and successful (phew!). It’s been a roller coaster ride.
8. Grad school is what led me to working on the Web. AOL was just getting very popular and I had my first laptop. The Web in turn allowed me to create a business I could manage on the side for my music and have some balance.
9. In college I earned money in the summers mostly by washing windows (homes), working retail (Gap, Gap Kids), being a counselor at a sports and performing arts camp (Maine), and being a lifeguard. Many days I’d work 2 jobs.
10. I recorded my first piano album the spring of 1998. It was demo album called “Broad Uncertainty.” I’ve since improved upon, renamed and rerecorded many of the songs.
11. My favorite quote is from Eleanor Roosevelt - “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
12. My favorite Atari games were Berserk and Frogger. I remember spending $50 of my own money to buy Berserk! My favorite arcade game was Karate Champ.
13. When not on Atari, I played outside all the time as kid. Usually until dusk. I remember falling from a tree one day and catching my underarm on the last limb. Yikes.
14. My movie star crush is Ashley Judd. My wife’s is Clive Owen.
15. I try my best not to judge others. We learn from both success and mistakes. If you’re passionate about something, go for it. If your gut isn’t in it, take a different path.
16. My nickname with friends in high school was Norm. Others called me Robbie. (Mitzi, if you’re reading this, you know this well).
17. My wife and I keep a map and put pins in all the places we’ve traveled to. Makes for some good memories when we take a look at it. And, encourages us to go make more.
18. I drink a Naked juice (so good for you) just about every morning when I wake up.
19. I wrecked my first car when I was 16. It was the day after I got my license and I was picking up a date. I hit a fire hydrant on my driver’s side door when entering the driveway. Explaining more is still too embarrassing.
20. With the exception of Twizzlers, I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. I love breads and cheese.
21. I’ve had six surgeries. Two knee, and one for carpal tunnel syndrome, hernia, sinus and a tonsillectomy.
22. I’ve worked from home the past 6+ years. I hope to keep it this way. I know it wouldn’t work for everyone, but it works for me. I get so much more done each day and I get to spend more time with my family.
23. Being a dad is an amazing, unexplainable joy. I’ve grown immensely (I think). :)
24. I’ve been punched in the face one time. I believe I was 10. It hurt…bad. Not a good way to resolve a dispute.
25. In college, one of my elementary school crushes (who really made it clear she didn’t like me at the time), tried to pick me up. About 13 years too late, I was already taken. :)

25 Things

Last night I was challenged by a Facebook contact of mine to share 25 things people may not know about me. I accepted. Thought I’d share on my blog as well. Part of the rules were to post a note with my “25″ and tag 10 people to do the same.

I encourage anyone reading this blog post to do this, whether personally or to share with others. This was a really great exercise for me. Some of this info I haven’t thought about in ages. It was great to reflect, inspire myself and hopefully others.

1. I only remember two things from when I was under the age of 5. One, standing in my crib one night. The second, laying on a hospital table being pinned down. I couldn’t pee and I had to be fixed. Oh, the pain! :)
2. When she was told she only had six months, my mom overcame ovarian cancer for 4 1/2 years. As a child, the extra time with her greatly contributed to and changed my life.
3. I ran track in high school (skipped my junior year) - 300M Hurdles (and a lame attempt at long jump). I wasn’t superb, but I did grow and have fun.
4. I went to a private school for grades 5-12. No jeans, collared shirts, discipline.
5. I tried out for Sister Act 2. I passed the music audition. I stunk at acting at the time, oh well. Why didn’t they just let me play piano and keep my mouth shut!? :)
6. My family only has one car and Honda is our choice (to conserve and save on gas).
7. I love to take photos. I want to keep improving my photography.
8. I started off college majoring in music. I felt it was sucking the creativity out of me, so I changed majors. Hence, my first album Sophomore Jinx.
9. I dislike conflict and enjoy seeing other people happy…both professionally and personally.
10. I want to start yoga, but been too self conscious (I’m not very flexible). I’m determined to get over it.
11. I tell everyone I get the chance to follow their passion. Everyone has a talent, whatever “it” may be. Use it.
12. My immediate family is somehow mesmerized by giving cards to each other on birthdays. We all pass them around to read each occasion.
13. I absolutely despise when people tail me. You’ll know it’s me when you see my classic thumbs up and smirk (versus the alternative) when they pass me.
14. I have 10 beautiful nieces and nephews (and one on the way) that range in age from a few months old to 27. Yah, the older ones are like siblings.
15. I played Little League Baseball for 7 years (ages 5-12). I was pretty good. I often wonder what would have happened if I stuck with it. I don’t want the feeling again, which is why I do my best to go with my gut.
16. I never went to prom. My school didn’t have dances at the time. I was asked by a girl from another school and turned her down (not due to her, but I was too timid). Ironically, I love to dance now and made up for it in college and beyond.
17. My wife and I got engaged in Rome.
18. I love pretty much anything on the History Channel, Food Network or TLC. However, time spent is moderated. :)
19. If I could have joined The Police for one day as the fourth member on keys, I would have done anything to get there.
20. In high school I was obsessed with JCrew. One reason, because I didn’t get to wear their clothes due to being the youngest and having hand-me-downs. Another, my mom dressed me preppy when I was very young. Due to that, the clothes always seemed to best capture who I was… my “look.” I buy more than half my clothes there today.
21. When I start something I have to finish it. My paternal grandfather used to tell me that all the time. I think he enjoyed some of my longer projects. I used to woodwork with him as a kid.
22. My family comes first. That’s the only thing that will stop me from what I started. :)
23. My maternal grandfather was a painter (of houses), but he sang and played harmonica very well. Think that’s where much of my influence sprung when I was young.
24. Two of my brothers are step brothers. They’ve been in my family since I was 12, so they’re blood now. All five of my brothers are different, but they all make me laugh (and poke fun at me).
25. Spiders freak me out.

Talent

“Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.” ~ Henry Van Dyke

“Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sun-dial in the shade?” ~ Benjamin Franklin

The quotes above inspired me this evening. Thought I’d pass on the inspiration. :) Whatever you do in life, focus on the positive, what you have access to, and what you can do with your talents. Keep patient and sow the seeds you can. With this approach, always know you're doing a great thing and making a positive impact.

Ping.fm

I've fully set up ping.fm. Lovin' it. Great service so far. If you haven't heard of it... You can send updates to all your networks at the same time. This includes status updates, micro-blogging and blogs. There are over 30 available networks to select from at the moment. This will make posting updates much easier as life gets busier.

Please Support the Arts

US citizens, please support the arts. Help bring a Secretary of Arts to DC. Sign the petition - www.petitiononline.com/esnyc/petition.html. We've never had anyone in such a position. We need this.