There’s a movie called ‘Begin Again’. It’s another musical film by John Carney, the director of Once. Like many films of this type, it’s a bit predictable but still fun. Or is it just me? Anyway, the leading lady, Greta, is a songwriter with a rockstar boyfriend (none other than Maroon 5’s lead vocalist, Adam Levine). But fame leads him astray, and they break up. Feeling down, she heads to a bar with a friend to lift her spirits. There, at an open mic, her friend pushes her to sing. She catches the eye of Dan, a washed-up producer, and together they begin to craft an album. That’s the story of this film 🎬.
This producer, strapped for cash, gathers various sessions on a pay-later basis – ugh, the reason why musicians often struggle – and embarks on street recordings across New York 🎤. Dan, the producer, has a somewhat distant relationship with his daughter, Violet. Greta wishes to mend their bond, so she invites Violet to join a rooftop recording at the Empire State Building, asking her to play guitar as a hobby. As they gather on the rooftop, the musicians start jamming on ‘Tell me if you wanna go home’. After the verse, Greta gestures to Violet, who sits quietly, to play her guitar. Slowly, she stands, plugs in, and layers her guitar melody over the jam. I can’t help but love everyone in this scene! 🎸
There was a time when my friends and I would gather in a practice room, pretending to make music, and jam all day. Our skills were mediocre at best, each of us quite insignificant. Yet, sometimes when we jammed, the rhythm of the drums, the guitar, and bass strokes perfectly overlaid, with vocals flowing like a painting. In those moments, everything around us moved in slow motion, as if time was about to stop. Although it wasn’t a frequent occurrence, those moments, which seemed to redeem all the struggles of our awkward musical attempts, remain etched in my mind like a vivid picture.
Being outside the space where musicians resonate, then stepping in and layering your guitar sound over the groove created by various sessions — how exhilarating must that have been! Thump, thump, your heart pounding louder than the drums, feeling the sound not just in your ears but through your entire body. And the resonating musicians and companions. For her, at that moment, ‘Joe Satriani’ or ‘Randy Rhoads’ probably seemed no more enviable. She might never be able to put down the guitar. That’s what a band does to you 🎶.
In this era of digital transformation, everyone is in a rush to secure an untact platform as contactless business interactions become the new norm. While I don’t disagree, it leaves a huge void in my heart. The virtual reality and metaverse projects of game changers, competing fiercely amid the pandemic, maintaining physical distance — is this really the best for us? 🤔
Even if the world changes like that, I hope the thrill of hearing instruments being tuned before a live performance in the same space doesn’t disappear. The only way humanity, doomed to live unhappily more than other creatures by the original sin of being able to think, can find happiness is by feeling each other’s warmth and being comforted by togetherness. 🤝
Will there be a chance to enjoy a small concert this fall? 🍂
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