Hi friends
In 1999 I went to a dinner with Blondie guitarist Chris Stein. I was 21 years old, he was probably in his 50s. We had a fascinating conversation and at one point Chris said something that sounded shocking to my idealistic 21 year old ears “If I was 15 now and wanted to destroy the system, I dont think Id pick a guitar, Id become a computer hacker - thats where the real subversive kids are now”.
This conversation, my feelings about it at the time, and my reflections now are the subject of my new song “Dinner with Chris Stein”.
Its fascinating to be sharing this song exclusively on Steemit today. There is no way I could have foreseen the shifts in technology and the delivery of music that would come over the next 2 decades. The cultural landscape is almost unrecognizable.
At times, playing music feels like it moves upstream in todays culture. We live in this fast sharing info-overload society, and music asks us to slow down and pause, reflect on who we are. Technology doesnt ask this of us.
But I am called towards both - innovation and expression from the heart. I will not give up my humanness, nor my desire to move into new spaces of connection.
Grateful I can share my psyche, my hopes and my fears on amazing technological platforms that keep changing. Grateful for 3 chords, that have never changed.
Hear the song via @dtube below
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Illustration by Mel Stringer http://www.melstringer.com.au
Follow me for daily videos, songs, thoughts and dreams via @benleemusic
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