I have seen that some people have defined me as an electronic musician. I guess that’s true. …Defined by some definitions. I never really saw it like that, however. I feel like, music is music, and however you create it, you create it. Who needs the definitions?
 
I remember when I was maybe twelve, or just into my teens, I lived in this dumpy furnished one-bedroom apartment with my mother over on 6th Street, in the area of L.A. that later became known as Koreatown. It was the summer. And, as is common with young people on their summer break, there was a lot of lost time.
 
I remember this one moment when I began creating this rhythm on the metal shelfing section of our coffee table. I guess it was set up to keep magazines in or something. I created this rhythm by banging it with my hands. I could just feel the rhythm and the sound and the essence. I knew if there was only some way to record that sound, I would really have something. Of course, that was long before the world where we find ourselves today. Back where recording anything, with any quality, was very expensive. So, it was all lost. But I knew… There I was, just a coffee table and me... It could have been a great something had it been captured.
 
If you ever think about it, really, all music is pretty much the same. Whatever era you find yourself within, there is a constant, a standard, a definition that defines the music. …An expected something that you expected to hear.
 
Most people don’t think about this, however. But, who’s fault is that?
 
Anyway… As my music moved farther away from the traditionally expected, yes, the instruments that make up the realm of electronic music have become part and parcel of my craft.
 
But, let’s step back a little bit. Ever since I first heard, and was thankful flush enough to possess the resources to purchase the first widely embraced 1974 album by the band Tangerine Dream, Pheadra, I have been inspired by their creation. Back then, it truly shook me. It was Satori. It was a revelation. I would put my headphones on and just become emersed into its essence.
 
To this day, that album still holds strong!
 
A few years later, in 1977, the William Freidkin film, Sorcerer, was released. Tangerine Dream provided the soundtrack for that film. Again, it was inspiriting.
 
As I watched that film in the movie theatre, over in Westwood, with my friend, I felt like I possessed a knowledge that no one else knew, based on my understanding of the band. The masses were only introduced to their music via the film. Me, by that point, I knew all about them. Knew, before knowledge was so easy to come by.  
 
Every now and then, when I’m creating music, especially electronic music, there will be a moment when I feel that impact of Tangerine Dream. As I commonly use vintage synthesizers, sometimes I will touch a sound that they previously invoked. That happened to me today.
 
Now, let’s keep in mind… Tangerine Dream is, without a doubt, one of the, if not the, most influential electronic bands of all time. If you don’t believe me, just watch the film Sorcerer. Listen to its soundtrack. Then, keep your ears open when you hear the soundtrack of many of the films of today. What do you hear? Answer: A sound that they pioneered. 
 
Now, I am not, (necessarily), talking about what the band became, with its oh-so-many, ever-changing, members. But, Edgar Willmar Froese, its founding member, revolutionized everything.
 
When I hit those notes today, it reminded me of a moment in my life. It must have been 1988 or 1989. I was invited to a costume party on Halloween. This was the only costume I ever accepted the invitation to.
 
I was invited by this beautiful architect woman, who was ALL into me, at the time. I know, I know… I should have paid her more mind, as she was a great-great human being, and an excellent catch. But, back then, my mind was all over the place and I had so many women on the line. I was deeply in the game and I just did not succumb to her many advances. My mistake!
 
Anyway, I remember she told me this party was hosted by one of the members of Tangerine Dream. She told me this, I guess, to suck me into coming.
 
I guess, I should have been impressed. But, I don’t even know which member of Tangerine Dream he was??? Again, there was and are, so many.

I’ve never been a fame whore or a star struck individual. I grew up in L.A. and famous people were all around me my whole life. No biggy.  But, for whatever reason, I decided to show up. My bro, Vinchenzo in tow.
 
I know she introduced me to the guy. But, the party was blank, like so many parties are. I hate parties!  Though I have memories of the event. I don’t remember the guy at all. This is about all I can say of the saying.
 
Vinchenzo and I had a few drinks, talked to a few sweet young ladies, and bailed. There was this great goth club going on back then, over on Sunset near Western, our home turf, and we both way wanted to be there more than at the party. I mean, hey, it was Halloween. Plus, they loved us at that club. We were the O.G.s
 
But, before I get too far off point…. Which I think I already have…
 
Does it matter how you create what you create as long as you created it? For years my focus of music creation was the guitar. Keyboards came later. But, when they did, what I found was the pathway to the essence of the abstract. Which, as you may have guessed, is more where my mind finds its solace.  
 
So, one can throw definitions all that they want. One can try to find a means to categorize the all and the everything, if they choose to. But, no matter what definition you put on something, if there is no definition intended, does that definition mean anything at all?
 
Most people need to possess structure in their life. That allows them to find some sort of semblance. But, the true meaning of life and things and people and all of that is an illusion. How many times have you thought some thing or some one was one way, only to find out later that you were totally wrong? So, who was wrong? You for casting the definition? Or, that other entity for being what they truly were, definition-less?
 
You can try to categorize things. You can attempt to hold everything and everyone to some sort of a mold. But, that mold is only defined by your own mind. Your mind is not their mind. Your mind is not my mind. Thus, how does your definition of anything or anyone hold any true validity?
 
Understand this, and you are free.