Writing up this week's entry has been such a bizarre experience. Normally I'm not one to be stuck for something to say, but writing about my own track is like staring into the looking glass the wrong way. Now I know that that's an Alice in Wonderland reference, but I'm not really sure I understand it, so interpret it whichever way you want.
clarity is essentially about the perspective you gain with distance: from a situation, a project, a relationship. It's something of a follow-up to an earlier track of mine called Focus, which was more about reckless abandon in the heat of an intense moment, and being too all up in its junk to see the bigger picture. You need to Focus in order to gain clarity, so there's a nice little continuation there. Panama came in the middle of these two tracks though, and has nothing to do with either, so I guess I'm not the master story-teller I paint myself to be.
Creating the world that clarity exists in has been an absolute mammoth undertaking, and at the time of writing this, there's still plenty more to be done. But honestly, I'm loving every minute of it. I'm in a state of pure creative flow, and that's what clarity was designed to be about. When I'm working, I need non-intrusive music that's warm and melodic, that helps me to tune out nuisance thoughts and that ever-looming voice of self-criticism that can railroad a project in a heartbeat. Ironically, these were things that plagued the creation of the track in the first place, which I guess makes it a triumph in itself that I actually got the bloody thing done. What's cool is I can now include the finished track in my repertoire of music to work to, which at the moment involves a heavy amount of Bonobo (sorry Flume, still luv u xox).
When it comes to Saving the World!, sometimes being subtle is the best approach. The hero can be the person who brings a situation into focus, helping the one they're saving to see the bigger picture, and ultimately gain the clarity they need to make the right decision. That can mean the difference between saving a world, or destroying one. Sometimes the calmest voice is the loudest, and now I'm absolutely certain that's a famous quote, but I've got no idea who from so I donno, google it.
If you're interested in reading more about the psychological universe that clarity inhabits (which if you've gotten this far into my rambling barrage I presume you probably are), I spend a lot of time talking about it Chapter VII of my book, which is due for release mid-May (edit 2021: haha yeah that went well didn’t it). And yeah, fuck you, I'm shamelessly self-promoting, it's fine because I'm aware I'm doing it 🤷♂️ I'll also be talking about it a lot with Andrew from the Music to Write An Essay Playlist, so keep your little eyes peeled for those chats when they go out across social media over the coming weeks (and please, I've said this before, don't actually peel your eyes).
Before I go, I'd just like to say a massive thank you to Andrew for not only giving me the honour of being the very first artist to release a track through @musictolabel, but also for his invaluable advice, constant motivation, (seemingly infinite) patience, and his belief in my potential as an artist. It's been a breeze working with you mate, and we're only just getting started!
I hope my track helps you all to gain a little bit of clarity in whatever it is you're working on/for/against today; really, that's the whole reason I do this x
You can also find clarity on the following playlists:
more assorted nonsense
If you find my work valuable, or you just really like my taste in music, then you can pay what you feel to support me on this journey. That's really all there is to it! Your support means I can focus more energy in this space, and continue the psychodynamic odyssey. All support is appreciated equally & emphatically
About the curator - Matt Jenko
Hi my name is Matt, but my friends call me Matt. I’m on the wrong side of 29 (damn I hate it every time I have to update that number), definitely feeling my age, but never felt happier and more content than I do at this point in my life. I’ve been through some rocky patches (who hasn’t) and lived to tell the tale, and boy do I gots some stories.
When I’m not giving opinions absolutely nobody asked for, I’m doing a worldbuilding with my passion project, vivaellipsis. If you like offbeat nonsense delivered through immersive escapism, then go and get involved. Or don’t, I’m not telling you what to do. I’m not yer boss.
I’m a simple man with simple interests. I like Yorkshire tea, the sound of rain on the window, and a bloody good story.