From the Inspiration Archives

Merle on Willie on Doing What You Love

Willie has some wisdom about that. He says, “Do what you want to do. In case somebody likes it, then you have to go do it again.” In other words, Sturgill’s doing what he wants to do. That’s the most important thing. No advice from this corner. I’m a fan. I want to see what… Read more »

Branding 101 – Keep it Simple

In an increasingly complex world, they tell simple stories that allow us to mistake their seemingly effortless bluster for assurance—for a confidence that is often built no sturdier than a house of cards but that, in the moment, is impossible to cast aside. From Brandon Harris’s “The Hidden Stars of This Year’s Sundance: Hoaxes, Hucksters,… Read more »

Martin Luther King Jr Day 2016

Sam Cooke’s A Change is Going to Come remains one of the most powerful songs of all time. For myself, it’s near impossible to hear without goosebumps. Those opening vocals…

David Bowie on Music, Life, & John Lennon

So it seemed that authenticity and the natural form of expression wasn’t going to be my forte. In fact, what I found that I was good at doing, and what I really enjoyed the most, was the game of “what if?” What if you combined Brecht-Weill musical drama with rhythm and blues? What happens if… Read more »

2015 Year in Review

A few of my favorite moments captured from behind the lens in 2015.

Brian Koppelman On Being Authentic

What you’re bringing, it matters to you; it’s real and you’re not doing something just to sell me or to get my eyeballs for a second. Brian Koppelman from, The Moment, with Seth Godin Yes, I know that #authentic has become the go to buzzword of the moment for brands, marketers, and anyone with a… Read more »

We are the Bicyclists

By Ben Weaver. Full transcript below. I come up in the bottoms Through the brambles, the streets, and the singletracks The river carries it’s shoulders out through the fields Everytime it rains the crows post on snagwood and swallow stones from the holes in an old lightning bolt’s shoe We’re the new great explorers who… Read more »

Ananda Shankar – Jumping Jack Flash from Master of None Episode 4

I’ve been hooked on Aziz Ansari’s original series Master of None. It’s excellent for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the show’s fresh take on the opening title sequence. Episode 4 titled “Indians on TV” turned me on to the above cover of Jumping Jack Flash by Ananda Shankar. More from… Read more »