I love music because it can't be conquered.  No one will ever get to the end of music, solve it or master it, although it can be dumbed down.
 
I love music because it is only occasionally black and white.  It deigns to be black and white only because it represents all colors, and black and white technically qualify as colors.  Music has no more desire to be black or white than it does chartreuse.
 
I love music because no one should make it because they feel required to.  I don't mean musicians don't have a responsibility to make it; rather, I mean anyone who isn't making it because they love to, probably shouldn't be.  Music is there to be made, or not, just as you please.  It is the opposite of bills, jogging, taxes, health insurance and laundry.
 
I love music because it's such an easy way to get happy.
 
Music is good for you.  What some people do to music can be bad for you, but music itself is good and does not require moderation.  It is good for weekdays, the weekend, holidays, Sundays, cloudy days, sunny days, fast days, slow days, work or play, alone or with friends, home or traveling, relaxed or serious, weddings and funerals and Tuesdays, year-round.  And it is especially good for boredom.
 
I love music because it is free and unregulated, and anyone can make it.
 
I love music because it is never offended by incompetence.  It's very patient with my pitiful efforts. 
 
I love music because it's like food:  after you've made it, you can enjoy it.  Also like food, music can be complex or simple and still be delicious.  It’s also better than food:  once you've made it, it can’t be used up.
 
I love music because no one can spoil it.  It can be insulted and abused, adulterated and prostituted, but music is never harmed for good.  It still exists in its pure form, ready and willing for somebody more humble to visit.
 
I love music because it is not of this earth.  It has its own dimension.  We hear ourselves in music, but we also hear something else, something we can't quite wrap our minds around.  It is beyond us.
 
I love music because it is better than I am.  It is more beautiful, cleverer, stronger, truer and more creative, and I have to respect that.
 
But most of all, I love how music makes no sense.  Life is terrible when it is made up only of things that make sense.  In this way, music is both an escape from real life and a glimpse of what life is really all about.  Music is impractical and pointless and absolutely vital to existence.  The ultimate observer of this was, of course, Oscar Wilde, that master of the bon mot, who in the introduction to his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray declared, "All art is quite useless." 
 
Music would never make the traditional list of basic human needs:  food, shelter, clothing.  But just see how long you could get along without it.
 
Saturday, November 6
The Fretful Porcupine at Somerville Theatre, Davis Square, Somerville, MA.  These guys are the real deal:  seasoned musicians, serious professionals, well-dressed, worth checking out.  And they’d be great to hang with too, if they’d ever shut up about it.  Supporting my good friends Eddie From Ohio.
 
Sunday, November 7
The Fretful Porcupine at Infinity Hall, Norfolk, CT.  Supporting Eddie From Ohio.
 
Friday, November 12
Benefit for SOURCE, Studio 3, 2601 2nd Ave. S, Minneapolis, MN.  Here we go, Minneapolitans.  This show is many things:  a collaboration with my friend Ben Rosenbush (aka The Brighton), an amazing, as-yet-undiscovered songwriter, singer and cellist; a benefit for Source Minnesota, an organization that fights human trafficking in the Twin Cities; and my swan song to you, as we head back East after two years among your lovely selves.  The lovely and talented heatherlyn supports.  We're putting this show on ourselves -- you can buy tickets directly from us here.  Don’t miss this one.
 
Saturday, November 13
Crossings at Carnagie, 320 East Ave., Zumbrota, MN.  My debut at this classy venue, one of the best at keeping live music live.  With Ben Rosenbush.
 
Sunday, November 28
Solo show at Club Passim, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA.  Is it cool if I throw myself a welcome-back party?  Commemorating my recent move to Cambridge, the evening will feature debut performances of a handful of new songs I’ve written, a state-of-the-art loop pedal I’ve recently conquered, and many, many requests.  It’s Thanksgiving Sunday – you’ve eaten the dinner, you’ve eaten the leftovers, you’ve seen whatever good movies are showing, and you’re looking for some good music.  We’ll be here – come join us.  My first ever solo performance at the club where I cut my teeth and broke my first strings.
 
Happy, happy Thanksgiving – much gratitude for you all.
 
Cheers,
 
Jake

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