047: Josh Flowers
Good morning! This is Play It Like It’s Music. I’m Trevor, thanks for listening.
On Wednesday, July 8 of 2020 music is not content. It’s connection.
Opening thread (click through for my elaboration):
And now the main event.
My humble show continues on virtually as we continually adjust to the wonders of Coronaworld.
I’m checked in with my friends who are mourning new losses, folks who are navigating the disease itself, family who are raising tiny children with none of the resources they need and artists who are trying to tread water financially with hands tied and no gigs on the horizon. As ever, music - either the practice or the consumption of it - is getting people through their days in ways so basic that it defies acknowledgement. Let alone proper remuneration.
Me? I’m composing some instrumentals for the album. Of course you’ll get to hear them soon, but today I’m saving for a very delicious chat with a great writer and friend, Josh Flowers.
I went on a tour a couple of years ago which changed my life, but I can’t exactly describe how.
Like any road run it had its share of ups and downs. I had to contend with personal tragedy about halfway through when my cello was destroyed by baggage handlers on the way to LAX, but the gigs themselves we did were of the revelatory sort. As was the company we managed to keep.
The artist in this case was named Roo Panes, and I’m sure I’ll be inviting him on for an episode soon. But the band and crew, small as our group was, bonded in that singular way which imprints the memory of our brief travels together as a small slice of eternity in our shared memory. If you’ve ever lived on the road, you’ll know it can go either way. In this case, the way was good.
But reminiscing about fun times in a van doesn’t necessarily merit an episode of this show. As it turns out, Josh is a first-class songwriter. The kind who, after zapping you with a cheery first impression proceeds to reveal more layers with each listen. You’re about to spend some time with a beautifully cultivated, soft-spoken craftsman who I’m very lucky to call a friend.
Come for the tunes, stay for the gems. Guys and gals, Josh Flowers:
Press PLAY above to hear my conversation with Josh Flowers.
Oh, and also watch this video. Released today, filmed in my old apartment on 23rd St in the beforetimes.
Thanks for listening to Play It Like It’s Music. Thanks so much to Josh Flowers for spending some very generous time with us. You can find him and follow him on IG @imjoshflowers and also @echobabyband for the project with Juliana Zachariou.
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Follow me on social media @trevorexter and talk to me on there if you have thoughts about the show.
We're all contending with a mutating professional landscape, jacked revenue streams, a catastrophic global pandemic and plenty of other noise out in the culture.
But you gotta keep playing.
We don't draw any lines here between scenes or styles.
As always, thank you for listening and remember to play it like its music.
You can check out my music on bandcamp and other places. It’s all at my website, trevorexter.com. Sign the mailing list on substack to get this show sent right to you the very moment it comes out. Consider hiring me to score your piece, do some cello, teach you lessons, produce your show or back you up onstage.
Music is a beautiful thing and it makes the world go round.
Big love to your ears.
Trevor
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