Last Word

My City, My Music 02.10

Note: A DJ in Germany decided to feature "With the Eye of a Skeptic..." on his radio show and asked if I would consider contributing an article to a recurring column on his "Next Big Thing" blog - a column called, "My City, My Music." This is a column where musicians discuss the influences of where they live on their music. He said it was alright to stray from that theme, and I certainly did. I hope you find it interesting. - bp

What effect has Indianapolis, Indiana, my home town, had on my music? This is an intriguing question and I don't believe there is a final answer. In fact, the answer will continue to evolve the longer I call Indianapolis my home. While I've found inspiration for certain songs that I have written, in my city and neighborhood experiences, it is ultimately the people that make any city what it is or isn't. So that is where I will turn my attention. Even more specifically, I want to refer to those musicians and songwriters that I have crossed paths with here in Indianapolis.

What I find so interesting in general and in some cases, inspiring, is that every one of them is totally unique in what they do. This may seem obvious to the outside observer, but when one examines the issue deeper, it is a very interesting topic. I have had the pleasure to work with several types of songwriters and musicians - from accordion and mandolin players to guitarists and drummers. Yet even within the same musical field, none of them are the same.

I'll take two guitar players as a brief example: Paul Holdman and Gordon Bonham. I've done multiple recordings and shows with both of them. They are hands down, two of the finest players in the state of Indiana, but each for totally different reasons. Paul and Gordon have each developed a style of playing that is amazing and expressive yet wonderfully different from each other - even though much of the music they play is similar.