A look into the future...
Jul 21, 2010 07:19 PM
Hello Everyone,
I finally have a moment to expatiate and fill you in on what's really going on in my world. My personal life has been a real challenge for quite some time. With my divorce I've experienced a drastic vicissitude that has caused me to reflect on the life I lead as a bandleader and touring musician.
My daughters Zola and Ceylon have been and will continue to be my main focus in life. I think about them constantly, even while I'm on stage playing difficult passages within the music. Sometimes they really help keep me calm so I don't rush! Othertimes I day dream a bit and struggle to remain focused on the precision syncopation I am in the middle of like tonight in Cambridge during the Sinister Footwear passage in Wild Love. I could've played that a little better!
I have been away from my girls for a very long time on this tour. I cannot wait to see them again, especially at this fork in the road. I cannot express this feeling properly in words.
I am grateful to have the opportunity to do what I do. I thank all of you here on dweezilzappaworld for making it possible as well. It does come with a price though. (I'm certainly not complaining about it) I am responsible for keeping 12 people employed year round, responsible for continuing the expansion of this Zappa Plays Zappa project we all know and love by learning new music, maintaining what we've already learned, mixing studio tracks, DVD tracks, DVD editing, and dozens of other time consuming things. I love the creative aspect behind all of these things. However, I do look forward to striking a better balance for myself and for my daughters especially as they get a little older. They need me and I want to be there for them as much as I possibly can.
Tonight marked the beginning of the home stretch for us. It was show number 37 for this tour. Every night we try to go out there and do our best to explore the duality of this incredible music. What do I mean by that?
One of the most brilliant elements of Frank's composing style is his ability to create musical structures that have a strict foundation of composed themes and interludes as well as creating space for spontaneous composition within the overall arrangement. As a musician the duality of both disciplines makes this the most enjoyable gig in the world to play.
Yes it's like training for the olympics but when you have a chance to try to reach your goal on a nightly basis you're fueled by pure inspiration. I love the freedom in the improv and I love the challenge of executing the strict parts.
I know my playing has improved by leaps and bounds since starting this project. I know it will also improve my own compositional skills as well. I am really looking forward to blocking out some time to write some new music of my own. Mainly just to see what it will sound like now.
Anyway, This tour has been great for all of us. There is an obvious growth period for the band as it continues to evolve. I look forward to completing this tour and preparing even more new material and surprises for the next one.
Thanks again to everyone who has supported us through these past 5 years. It means a lot ot all of us.
See you on the road.
DZ
I had no idea... my sympathy 4 this drastic change.
Like I mentioned, I work as a coach and can highly recommend "Return to love" by Marianne Williamson 4 building a pleasant relationship with oneself and making (emotionally) smarter decisions in the future. YOU GO!
"You can't keep the waves from rolling in, but you can learn 2 surf."
Finally...for months have had trouble activating the site! Today it decided to work! Yea! Dweezil, so much I want to say, I may be wordy...You've been referring to your personal challenges this past year...Often thought, when I would attend a performance, about how difficult it must be to produce this tribute to your Dad, while being husband & father. The first time I saw you perform, you brought Zola (then 2) out on stage to introduce her. I was already in awe of your musical performance, really appreciating the effort you had put into learning your father's music! But when you brought her out, I could feel what a down to earth & sincere person you were. It really made me feel emotional, as I thought, "They are my family. I wish Zola could meet her little cousins & you could know the family, who was so close to your Dad when he was younger." Then, I saw you, in concert, a month after my Mom died, & all I could think of was, when your parents die, you grasp to find a way to keep them alive within yourself. There you were, on stage, keeping him alive & with you & also, for thousands of his fans. You, your family & his fans lost him, way to early, and you found a way to keep him alive, as though he is still with you every day! It amazed me, as I had just gone through struggling to hold on to my own Mom. I think ZPZ is an incredible accomplishment & tribute! But also, you've been talking about how hard it is to be away from the girls...finding the balance won't be easy, but remember, their milestones are only going to happen once, don't miss them all, you can't get them back! ZPZ came out of the love you had for your Dad. There is no doubt, it is hard to find balance for both things that you love the most in life! See you 9/19 at the dedication & concert! I sent for my VIP ticket & we'll have family & friends there for the big day!
I would love to hear Dweezil play Frankenstein..
Isn't it amazing how the little buggers completely consume every bit of your being ? lol As a fan of yours for (almost) 25 years now, I want to wish you happiness and hope you can find the balance that you wish for in your personal and professional lives.
I need to dig up some pictures of the two of us from a St Patrick's Day radio appearence with Kevin Matthews from 1994. It was a pretty cool appearence. You sat in with the band and did 'Peaches' and then (in very short notice) jammed on Frankenstein with Dave Urich.
Dweezil, I'm glad I've found this site. I am a big Frank (and Dweezil) fan and luckily got to see FZ many times live. I've seen your ZPZ shows as often as I could over the past few years (I live in France and UK) and was at Brighton a couple of weeks back for your show. (Saw Frank there too many moons ago!) Great gig!!! Sorry about the idiot who gave you a hard time at the end - he was a jerk! You handled him with good grace and diplomacy. Not all us Brits are as rude and stupid as he was!!! I'm really looking forward to the London Roundhouse event in early November and will be travelling from France for the weekend specially. What a great idea to showcase Frank's work then and have such an interactive program! Have a great time with your family, re-charge those batteries and see you in November! cheers, Tom