The Grateful Dead mastered the art of live music and performance. Their key ingredient: focus on the music. That was the strongest connection they had with their audience (aside from everyone being high on LSD). That’s the reason they built The Wall of Sound and how they ended up in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
They didn’t seem to care much about money or fame. In fact, Jerry Garcia and the rest of the Grateful Dead band stayed close to their tight nitch, their tribe. This community grew to include over 100 people, including children and elders that would travel with the Grateful Dead to every show on the road.
Of course, the wider Dead Family was much larger. Thousands of people would travel across the country to follow the band on their tour. Few artists have accomplished anything like that. Dead & Company, the name for the band that once was lead by the great Jerry Garcia, is very much active. Even more, they will be playing back to back shows in Boulder, Colorado on July 5 & 6.
Death in Divinity
I would be surprised if anyone said that my music sounds anything like the Grateful Dead. To begin with, I haven’t taken that much LSD, nor practiced one percent of the time that Jerry did. Besides, Boulder is gorgeous, I am not trying to hop on a magic bus to carousel around the united states. If it comes through, it will be welcomed, but I doubt I’ll spend the rest of my life touring on the road.
The place where I hope to emulate the style of the Grateful Dead is in the intention to connect and, in some ways, blend with the audience. This might not look in the form of hypnotizing guitar solos. Perhaps it will look like improvised standup comedy, or maybe I will interact with the crowd by bringing some people on stage. I guess I am already doing it when I invite random musicians to join me on stage during open mics. What I am talking about is creating a moment of unity, when everyone is rising the same wave. Too bad we can’t invite Ken Kesey to bring some party supplies.
Music for the Community
The Grateful Dead enjoyed keeping their ticket prices low and playing as much as possible. They were all about sharing music and bringing people together. They aimed towards that moment of perfection, where all felt as one. They even let people record their live shows for free, spreading countless tapes around the globe.
When I think about the long term future of Divino BetSatori I envision a project like the Grateful Dead. Perhaps a bit softer, probably smaller, definitely less high. An offering from the heart, reverence to music, its inherent divinity, and the power it has to bring hundreds of thousands of people together, in peace, to celebrate life and each other.
Pray to the mother.
