Allen Van Wert Musichopper
How did you get into what you do creatively?
I have a photo of me playing guitar at the age of 3. I then got into rap music and wanted to make my own mixes and had fun with it. I used to take two dub capable tape players and record parts back and forth in time to do edits and echos. I was about 12ish. I didn't know that some engineer or Pink Floyd were doing the same thing. I would make annoying echo and repeats this way and then I got into computer programming, writing, and oil painting. I would move on to using the computer to compose music with a tracker program on the Amiga. I had some cool stuff. Then I made a video game on the Amiga that is basically the game "rock band" but I did it way back and I think mine was a little more in depth. Never got a patent so there is nothing I can do about them making the same type of game recently.
I then moved on to guitar lessons for about one summer. I did not care much for playing the same lame sounding songs while learning to read music. I was more interested in skateboarding and playing sports... starting fires and causing trouble with friends. Then at around the age of 14 or so I heard "Surfing with the Alien" for the first time, I then went on to learn every Joe Satriani song I could. I also had an odd experience where I sensed Jimi Hendrix in my room with me and I just played one of his songs without ever learning it.. it all just came out like magic. Its hard to explain the feeling. I also had this thing where when I would play a certain set of notes with just the right emotion and feeling the wind would pick up outside of my window and blow in at me hard. This happened every time I did that. Then I started in on studying music in depth to try and discover every scientific aspect I could. I then discovered the big pattern in music. I would practice literally all day besides breaks to eat and use the bathroom. While doing that I would study music theory. I had a system of learning everything and practicing perfectly. I then tried out for Berklee College of Music in Boston. I was offered a scholarship to attend. This was neat since they only accept 13% of guitarist applicants to the school. To be accepted and offered money to go was really cool. Then I decided their lack of first year housing and expensive rent around the area was a little too tough to manage. I ended up not attending Berklee. Even after spending many days and nights sleeping in my car on the side of the highway and taking the T in every day to get things ready for my stay there.
I then decided to make my own record of instrumental guitar. I combined my music theory knowledge, my love of pop simplicity or hooks, computer generated music, and some weird guitar techniques that got me the nickname "ROBOT" by the yahoo guitar chat community and fans. Now I teach guitar and music theory and I am working on another record of instrumental guitar. I happen to also have a large collection of radio friendly vocal songs that I don't quite know what to do with yet.
Do you think that you would be able to teach what you do?
I can teach my method of learning, theory, and the physical aspects of playing...however, I could never fully teach someone how to see things the way I do. I do try to though.
What inspires you?
Dreams, modern sounds on the radio some bands have been making, and mainly is the feeling that there is the perfect, most emotionally moving song somewhere in the universe or in the transcendental consciousness of us all. I want to find it and really make everyone in the world feel that magic and connection all at once.
What do you do to get into your creative zone?
I am usually most creative when not thinking about stuff. I get melodies while laying in bed. Rhythms while taking a bath. I also have been doing this really weird thing since I was young... I go into this secret place within my self mentally... I feel like nothing else can get in there and disrupt me or harm me in any way. It looks like a dark underground room with metal walls... and a single light hanging above a small table. I go there and sit with any person I want to and they give me ideas and answers. For instance.. I will be there and invite Joe Satriani over to have a talk with me. He gives me some great ideas about music and how to see it. I am not talking sounds or melodies.. I just mean ideas about music and what to think. Then I wake out of it with a really great idea. It has been dead and alive people in there with me.
What is your favorite accomplishment?
Inventing and making the video game rock band/guitar hero long before its time. I loved making games on my Amiga! I was going to have a writeup about the game in Amiga World magazine.. but then Commodora Amiga went bankrupt and I had to wave goodbye to my dreams of the game. I was strongly against PC systems back then so I just gave up and started practicing guitar.
Do you ever create hidden meanings or messages in your work?
Yes I do.
Explain.
If I explained then they wouldn't be hidden. But, I have some special messages contained withint my CD booklet thing that are pretty nifty... one might even see the blueprint for a UFO I invented if they look hard enough. Also some somewhat advanced math I used to use to make my video games and my own little 3d graphics engine.
Do you enjoy sharing your work with others or do you prefer to go
unnoticed? Why?
I love sharing my work with others. Because it is all about moving that person emotionally and really getting them to feel what I felt when I made the recording. Thats sort of what music is all about for me.
Do you pay attention to others' strong reactions to your work? Does
that affect what you create?
I pay attention to how some people will get my message musically and some people dont. It brings to mind that we all have our own perspective on things. It does sometimes affect what I create. If I am making something I want to be catchy for the masses on radio.. then I have fun making sure to stay within those constraints musically.. its a fun challenge. If its me going nuts on guitar and having fun.. then I dont care.. I actually used to spend hours making annoing sounds just because the people hated it so much and it made me laugh that they were so angry.
Who do you define as a visionary?
Anyone who simply sticks to their guns creativley because they have that solid feeling inside that they have to get out to others. Even if the others are not ready for it just yet. There have been lots of them. No need to name names though.
If your creative work were edible, what would it taste like?
Probably skittles.. because I tend to use many colors in my work... then again thats not taste.. hmmm really good question....tough one...got it!... Battery Acid.. wait thats not edible.. shoot. I love cheeseburgers and pizza ... but the music tastes like.... I honestly don't have a good answer. If I ever figure it out I will let you know.
Michael Berg Nexus2012
How did you get into what you do creatively?
A lot of the ideas come through during periods of meditation so daily meditation definitely plays a role in the creating process...sometimes i will get new ideas from dreams but basically i just follow my heart as i have found my heart to be an endless reservoir of inspiration and creativity
Do you think that you would be able to teach what you do?
I feel the best way to teach is by continuing to express my heart to the world...i am all about being the change i would like to see
What inspires you?
I find the sun to be extremely inspiring...i seek to serve all with the same equality of love...so nature is a great source of inspiration for me along with certain music and books that speak of oneness which i find fills me with inspiration as well
What do you do to get into your creative zone?
I generally go for a walk in nature...walking seems to balance my mind and then once stilled brings forth new ideas...any form of meditation i find helpful in that regard
What is your favorite accomplishment?
I am glad to be playing my part of the whole nexus2012 meditations by creating and maintaining the website...i am also close to publishing my first book of poetry which i feel once done will top my lists of accomplishments
Do you ever create hidden meanings or messages in your work? Explain.
Yes...there are many layers to the poems i write...i try to write from a broad viewpoint so that it can relate to as many people as possible
Do you enjoy sharing your work with others or do you prefer to go unnoticed? Why?
I love sharing my work with others...i would not see the point of creating something if not to share it...i have truly found that it is in giving that one receives
Do you pay attention to others' strong reactions to your work? Does that affect what you create?
I am always open to suggestions and i enjoy the responses i receive as they generally just reflect back to me what i sent out...if someone really touches my heart than that could very well be the beginning to the next creation cycle
Who do you define as a visionary?
A visionary is someone that not only has ideas about the future but is also walking their talk as they ground and bridge the future with the present
If your creative work were edible, what would it taste like?
chocolate and vanilla twist with rainbow sprinkles :)