pavomag.com

In addition to being a writer and editor, I am a songwriter.  I have two bands that are currently active:  Teen Getaway and Delicate Cutters.  I have been writing songs since I was about ten.  I had my first garage band when I was fourteen, my first band that actually played shows and recorded albums at fifteen.  I have found that wherever I am in life, music has been what keeps me sane. 

I guess, in keeping with the theme of this issue, that I could sort of describe music as my sanctuary, huh?  I mean, I never feel more MYSELF than when I am playing a show.  That is a very deep and abstract self.  I am connected to myself through writing, learning, walking, baking, and being with my loved ones, but that ineffible, abstract self that is constant and singular is performer Janet. 

I used to be very prolific.  When I say that, I mean that I wrote about a song a day for years.  I have a canvas bag that is filled completely with songs.  Probably 1000s of them.  If I had the courage, I woudl start trying to hock some of the old ones to Nashville or something... (maybe one day I will be so bold - or maybe I am too attached to them, who knows?)  But in the last few years, I have slooooowwwweeeddd waaaaaayyyyyyyyy doowwwwwnnnnnn.   If I am lucky, I write a song in a month.  What's changed?

• I got married.
• I got a full time job (which I quit for an even MORE full-time job that demands a great deal of my creativity.)
• I started working on other projects (a novel, for instance.)
• I STOPPED picking up my guitar.  Totally lost touch with it.  I only pick it up for band practice twice a week.  Not only does this mean I've lost touch with my guitar, but I'm also not gaining any new skills.  In fact, I've lost some of my dexterity and therefore confidence in my abilities. 
• I got depressed, and when you get depressed, everything stops.

Pile thing on top of thing, reason on top of reason, excuse on top of excuse...

Then one night when I was practicing with Daniel Duquette Johnston, he told me he was taking the RPM challenge for the second year in a row.  The challenge is that you write and record an entire album (10 songs or 35 minutes) in the month of February.  I was inspired.

So, friends, in an effort to regain some of that drive I lost, I'm taking the challenge!  I will be blogging about it here.  I hope you will follow my journey! 

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