Introduction
This report details the key Un/earnings, design processes, and dynamics of leading and managing my band, Ecstatic Union, over the five month period of its inception as a new incarnation of a live electric shamanic folk-rock band. The bulk of the core report focuses on the design process around organizing, preparing, and performing for our first gig in January 2016. The rest of the sections on this page detail the progression of the band around the subjects of booking shows, member dynamics and roles, sonic arrangement, leadership, and band promotion.
Project Specification
Project Scope: Taking the first practical step towards actualizing 'Ecstatic Union' as a professional band by organizing members, rehearsing, playing live shows, and creating income through performances and merchandise sales. The intention of my songs written for the band are meant to invite the listener to experience a deeper relationship with life, love, and purpose through the use of universal metaphor, archetypal symbolism, and imagery based on nature and interconnectivity. My music is essentially focused on the themes of self-empowerment, transformation, and gratitude for the the holistic full-spectrum experience of life and living. With this vision, my intention is to steward Ecstatic Union as a band that plays rocking, catchy, powerful and soul-nourishing music with lyrics that inspire the hearts and minds of listeners to embody their authentic nature.
Project Outcomes: We have played 6 live shows this year and have recently been invited to play our first residency gig (1 show a week for a full month) at an Orange County bar and restaurant called "The Wayfarer". The band is building momentum as we are preparing to release a new album, organize shows at larger venues, print our first band t-shirts, play local venues on Catalina throughout the summer, and prepare to move to Topanga Canyon in early Fall in order to integrate into the larger musical community of Los Angeles to further ourselves professionally.
Project Design: Iv'e used a basic design method of organizing my life on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, utilizing a calendar, white board, and task lists to keep myself focused and track my progress. Given that this project is centered around a band, our design process around making decisions is communal and primarily based on a system of goals articulation, feedback, evaluation, schedule arrangement, and implementation.
Project Scope
I adapted the template for the list below from the critical evaluation section of Simha Bode's capstone OP4.
Essential actions which have made this project successful:
- Organization - An essential ingredient to any successful project, proper organization has allowed the band to coordinate schedules in a well planned and timely manner so that we are prepared for rehearsal and live performances.
- Prioritization - The group effort of prioritizing the refinement of certain dynamic elements of our performance such as unified rhythm, vocal harmonies, and solid arrangement for every instrument has been possibly the greatest contributor to us sounding like a professional group of musicians.
- Leadership - This project simply would not have become manifest if it wasn't for a strong leadership position to be taken on not only by myself but by every member in his/her own way. In short as the core members, I communicate the key points which I feel best represent the direction and embodiment of a given song we are playing so that it is properly represented, Oliver keeps the band on track by providing essential feedback on our overall sound with suggestions on how to proceed, Kasie offers her insight of how to promote and establish the band in its long term vision with emphasis on media, exposure, and creative connections which will help us evolve and expand. During Paul's stint with the group, he helped to encourage discipline and structure to our rehearsals insisting that we play things numerous times until all details were hashed out and refined.
- Flexibility - In some ways the element of flexibility is the most practical component for a band to remain harmonious and healthy. Given that Ecstatic Union's music primarily consists of music I have written and arranged on my own, I have to surrender to the fact that our live performance will not sound identical to what I hear in my mind of create in the studio. By accepting this and simply doing the best that I can myself, I set an example for the rest of the band to do the same, encouraging openness, honest communication, feedback between everyone involved in a given band activity wether its during a band discussion, rehearsal, or performance.
Personal & Professional Outcomes
Personal
My personal outcomes from my engagement with this project are
- A deepened awareness and understanding of myself in my role as a leader
- Refined organization and communication skills
- A clearer sense of personal direction, purpose, and how I want to live my life in the world
- A whole new level of confidence in my abilities musically, practically, and logistically.
- An embodied dedication and commitment towards professionally developing myself as an artist, musician, and band leader
Professional
My professional outcomes from my engagement with this project are
- Financial income generated through live performances, developing my career as a professional musician
- Promotional opportunities for the band including invitations to play live by multiple sources as well as the offer to play our first month-long residency (4 shows in a month) for a Socal venue
- The establishment of Ecstatic Union not only as a competent live band but also as a marketable platform from which to create income through selling merchandise (albums, t shirts, pins, posters)
- Connections with other artists, expanding our network of musical community and field of influence
Context
I spent the ages between 14 & 19 immersed in musical subcultures of Los Angeles and Orange County, going to shows, writing, recording, and organizing my bands, mostly in a rather enthusiastic and undisciplined way. Since then I have mostly disassociated from the musical culture of my generation and popular forms of music, exploring the vast array of musical language all over the world. Only very recently have I begun to reintegrate the part of myself that relishes in the raw expression of live electric music, honoring my gift to play it well and share it with others. With the newly established expression of Ecstatic Union, I am re-entering the musical community in a grounded way, feeling supported by my fellow sonic comrades as well as helping the community to evolve and grow through my interaction with it. There is a growing number of bands and artists in the southern California area (and world) that are choosing to expand beyond the conditions and limitations of post-modernist rock, instead choosing a more affirmative approach to life and the creation of art. Because my musical content and intention is based on regenerative principles, empowerment, and transformation I want to add my form of expression to the growing community of artists working towards building a life for themselves while simultaneously inspiring the hearts and minds of their listeners to cherish life and embody their full potential.
Interventions
There were 3 interventions which manifested as fundamental transition points during this project.
Blake's Departure
After our performance at the Whisky a GO GO in February, it was clear to myself and the other members of the Ecstatic Union that Blake's presence as the 2nd guitar was no longer contributing in an essential way. For the majority of time during our first two performances, he would not face the audience, his guitar work felt a bit apathetic, and ultimately didn't want to give as much effort as the rest of us to develop the group in a more professional direction. At the same time blake had begun a two-piece band called 'Dear Daisy' with his girlfriend, Rosemary. Most of his efforts were focused on his relationship, Dear Daisy, and working his restaurant job. Ecstatic Union became the last priority and I could feel it. Rather than continuing to try to make him feel comfortable and needed in the group when it was clear that he didn't care about remaining in the band, I decided to relieve him of his responsibility and take on guitar solos myself.Though challenging to do, I sensed that his lack of presence and enthusiasm was only draining the band and holding us back from reaching our true potential, making the decision to let him go an ultimately satisfying and empowering experience.
The Drummer Transition part 1 - Paul
Initially, Paul entered the band as a temporary drummer to fill in for shows until we found someone who could commit long term. During this time, I created a post on Ecstatic Union's Facebook page stating that we were in need of a committed drummer. My old friend Eric responded the following day and expressed interest in joining the band upon his return to the US from travels in Europe. He planned to arrive in April and so Paul agreed to play drums with us until Eric was ready to take his place. After three shows with Paul on the kit, powerful chemistry in jamming and rehearsal, I expressed to him that my preference would be for him to be our full-time drummer but respecting his boundary around not committing and knowing that he had his own music that he wanted to pursue, I make a strong effort towards asking him to stay. After our third show, played at the 'Locker Room' on Catalina, we were invited to play once again at the Wayfarer at the end of April which Paul said he would like to play as a farewell show, even though Eric had returned by this time. Paul expressed that he wanted to spend less time coming to the island in order to practice for shows as he wanted to find a job on the mainland and begin stepping back from his role as the drummer for Ecstatic Union. Note: Paul was also helping to mix my new album during this time, a process which we were coming to the end of. Around two weeks before the show, Paul said he was more body than previously anticipated and asked if Eric could play the show instead. At this point since I believed Eric would become a committed drummer for the group, I agreed that this would be the most practical decision.
The Drummer Transition Part 2 - Eric
We played our first show with Eric as a 3 piece at the Locker Room Bar (Kasie had to work), Ecstatic Union's 2nd concert at the venue. Eric is an experienced drummer and so it didn't take long for him to learn the songs, both by listening to recordings of the songs as well as rehearsing them at my home in Laguna and during three separate trips to Catalina. Though Eric plays the parts well, our performance dynamic is very different from me and Paul's and after two shows with Eric, it was clear to my heart that I missed Paul's presence, support, and power on the kit. Though Eric's chemistry with the band has improved since our last show at La Cave, we recently learned that in August, Eric will be departing from the west coast to pursue a music therapy program at NYU in New York City, and unless we find someone to take his place before then, Ecstatic Union will once again be drummer-less.
Political/Patrix Effects
“Musical innovation is full of danger to the State, for when modes of music change, the laws of the State always change with them." - Plato
The "Patrix" is a term coined by Gaia University meaning "the patriarchal matrix" or the matrix of patriarchal belief and action in which most of the power structures and communities of the world operate within. One of our goals as Gaia associates is to help dismantle the Patrix. Most mainstream music in the world today is essentially controlled by and in service of the patrix, focusing primarily on themes which either encourage little self-reflection or are focused purely on base emotions, feeding listeners with McDonalds grade music. Music which empowers people to think for themselves, contemplate existence, or feel connected to the universe, has immense power and I feel by its very being, is helping to dismantle the patrix.
Common feedback we receive from fans of our music is how uplifted and free it makes them feel. I believe that my music in Ecstatic Union can help to be a catalyst for cultural transformation in an effort to direct listeners' attention toward a more loving, empowered, and regenerative relationship with life.
Purpose & Process
My process for organizing this project began after our friends' in another band, Purple Mountains Majesties, invited us to open a show for them at a local Orange County venue in Costa Mesa called the Wayfarer. At this point I resided in my hometown of Avalon on Catalina Island with my bandmates Oliver (bass) and Blake (2nd guitar). The three of us were playing primarily as a 3 piece acoustic act up until we were invited to play this show which was scheduled for January 30th. We wanted to play this show as a fully live band complete with a drummer and amplified instruments. It was late December and we had a little over a month to prepare. At this same time I was completing the recording process of my 2nd full-length album and felt like it was the perfect time to start manifesting songs from the record as a live band so we would be ready to perform by the time the album is released later this year.
The next step was to find a drummer and ask Kasie (now my girlfriend and creative partner) to play keyboards and sing harmonies, which she agreed to do. My friend Paul Olsen whom helped produce my first album, SunDog, happened to be moving back to Laguna Beach after a year in Seattle and during a new years celebration visit to Catalina, after we learned that he had become very proficient on the drum kit over the past several months, we asked if he would play with us at the upcoming gig. He agreed and the five of us began to coordinate a timeframe for rehearsals, which is an extra challenge when three of the core members live on an island and the two others on the mainland.
Carving out a two week block of time, we organized our schedules, sent Paul's drum kit to Catalina, arranged our equipment, and the magic began. We used my mothers' vacant art studio at our family home for a rehearsal space, mostly practicing twice a day but sometimes once depending on energy levels. After around 10 rehearsals and a coherent 10 song set, we felt confident with our abilities, sounded very cohesive, and ready to hit the stage. Though we were excited, at the same time, we were all a bit nervous as none of us had played live in a full band outfit for years. Translating sound from once space to another can be quite a challenge according to the shapes and sizes of the rooms as well.
On the night of the show when our set time arrived, we approached the stage, set up our equipment and did a short 'line check'. With the lights set and audience waiting, I introduced the band, gave the signal to Paul for the 4/4 count-in, and the music began. Our performance went incredibly well. I felt totally unified with the entire group and had an amazing time. It felt like in between every song I remembered myself for a moment as an individual and when the next song began, I became absorbed into the being of the band as whole. We received praise from friends, family, and new fans and before leaving the venue, was approached by the event organizer who payed us and with great enthusiasm and gratitude, invited us to play again. Receiving his contact info, he mentioned a show in April he wanted us to play at. This night symbolized a fundamental transition for myself as a professional musician as well as for Ecstatic Union's career in that we now felt confidently equipped to perform as a live band, give a great show, and have a fun time doing it.
We have played five more shows at various venues since our first performance. Ecstatic Union was invited to play at the Whisky a GO GO on hollywood blvd nearly a week after the first Wayfarer gig. We’ve played two shows at my uncle Mark’s bar, 'The Locker Room', on Catalina, another performance at the Wayfarer, and a restaurant & bar in Costa Mesa called ‘La Cave’. Our rehearsals for these concerts were organized in a similar way to the first except for the fact that we also began practicing at my home in Laguna Beach before mainland shows. Two primary factors also played a part in a key transition of the next rehearsals which were:
- My mother re-inhabited the art studio where we were previously practicing so we moved our rehearsals to a shipping container located at Pebbly Beach (also on Catalina) where we would practice for our next shows at the Locker Room.
- We let go of Blake as our 2nd guitarist becoming a four piece band inserted of five. Details of this can be found in the ‘interventions’ section of this OP.
Outcomes to The Field
The key outcomes to the field from Ecstatic Union's first five months are:
- Adding diversity of content and theme in song writing and artistic presence to the growing local music community of southern California
- Becoming another form of support to other artists whom are already established by acting as an 'opener' for them at shows, promoting their bands through social media when publishing content informing fans of upcoming shows with them.
- Offering work and exposure to fellow artists (through asking for their assistance) who help us by taking photos (of Ecstatic Union) while performing live and commissioning designers to create flyers for our shows
- Uniting a community of friends and artists through our live performances where we can come together and celebrate life through music while inspiring each other towards the expression of everyone's unique gifts
Conclusion
The first five months of Ecstatic Union's inception was incredibly enriching, fun, humbling, and rewarding. I have gained invaluable reflections and insights through my experiences of band leadership, helping me to become a better communicator, musician, and friend. When looking in retrospect over the focuses of my previous output packets up until this one, they follow a somewhat unintentional yet very practically aligned progression which has lead me to this point. I began with my first two project OPs (2 & 3) reflecting on my first full-length album, the 4th on the first incarnation of my band after that album, the next (capstone OP2) on an inward journey, capstone OP3 on my 2nd record, and this one which is the fruit from all the OPs which have come before it. Seeing this as my final project output packet with Gaia University, I am grateful to find that even though I didn't intentionally design my entire pathway to turn out as it has from the beginning, I am now exactly where I want to be, playing my music and creating a career for myself through it while bringing benefit to others through sharing it as an offering of love, empowerment, and inspiration.
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Jennifer English Morgan
19 October 2016, 18:42
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