Newton Faulkner & Inspiration
Click on the link above to listen
Newton Faulkner singing “Uncomfortably Slow” from his most recent album, Handbuilt by Robots. 
I have become a blogging fool since I started writing almost daily posts in Snowmass last week. It seem like I have a lot to say about everything. Should I keep my mouth closed (err rather my fingers away from the keyboard) and just stick to art & clay? Or are ya’ll okay with me discussing everything that I find interesting? Ultimately it all affects my life and art in the long run.
Today, I had to share my new favorite singer/songwriter, Newton Faulkner, who hails from the UK. I can hardly believe he’s just 23 years old (he was born the year after I graduated from H.S. – yikes)! This song is my favorite song – it gives me goose bumps every time I listen to it. Sometimes, I find my own music, but this one was introduced to me by my husband a few weeks ago as is most of my music. Thanks Ron – you’re the best, even though you make fun of me since I can never remember the lyrics properly.
At first, I didn’t like the album and thought he was an imitation of Justin Currie, former lead singer of Del Amitri, who we had recently seen in concert. But, then I started listening to the lyrics and realized that they’re totally different.
My favorite verse from the song is:
So don’t take my photograph
Cos I don’t wanna know how it looks
To feel like this
My other favorite song off the album is U.F.O. – you have to love his sense of humor! I think that’s what I liked about Justin Currie too. Many of his songs can be depressing – but in concert, he was a riot and very self deprecating & matter of fact.
As luck would have it, Newton is playing in Boulder (just a 45 minute drive from Denver), Friday night at the Fox Theater but unfortunately I won’t be able to go. I’ll be en route to DIA transporting my daughter and sister-inlaw so that they can catch a flight to San Antonio, TX to visit my in-laws for the week. OMG – I’m going to be childless for a week; what am I going to do? Oh, don’t worry, I have plans and they involve studio time. ; )
That’s funny – didn’t I just tell everyone how much I disliked concerts? It’s only the big venues; I really like intimate venues where you can actually see the performers facial features.
I had something else to say, but can’t remember what it is now. I got side tracked when I decided to put this album on my iPod so that I can listen to something new in the studio. Yep – I’m heading out there right now after I finish typing this post. It’s been a long long time.
So, how is this related to art? I need to listen to something when I work, not just for the noise, but because there’s something about the music that inspires me. That has to translate to something creative when I’m working. Music enters ear canal, is processed, puts a smile on my face or makes me think, and then that energy is transfered through my fingers to my work. Synergy. Pretty cool, huh?
Have a great Wednesday,
~Cynthia

Lynette
August 6, 2008 at 9:16 pm //
Hi Cyn, it sounds like you are being inspired by some wonderful music! I couldn’t open the 2 links to hear it though. I got the unknown file logo thing but it may just be my computer needing a different software.
Mary C
August 7, 2008 at 6:49 am //
Hi Cynthia! Of course I want to read about what inspires you, what is on your mind. Blog away friend.
Mary T.
August 7, 2008 at 6:56 am //
I rather like to hear people talking their heads off in a blog as I go through periods of that, and then periods when it is an effort to blog. Therefore, I like it when others do so.
I find when beading I like to ‘watch’ TV so there is noise in the background. For “Bones” I will stop beading. When I’m reading I like music in the background and when I’m drawing I want it quiet. Weird, but that is who I am in those things.
Cynthia
August 7, 2008 at 7:15 am //
Hmmm – that’s what I was afraid of, Lynette. I’m not going to leave the live link here much longer, because of course every time, I post, edit etc. the song restarts from the beginning. It’s a quicktime file.
Thanks Mary C! I love that.
You described that so well, Mary T! I seem to want to add something every day, and then I tell myself, “Self, space your posts out because sooner or later you’re going to run out of things to say.” lol. I forgot about Bones – I love that show.
I would say too, that there are occasions where I have stimulus overload and have to turn off the noise myself.
Jean Levert Hood
August 7, 2008 at 7:15 am //
Cynthia, I love your ramblings of all sorts! Keep it up! You always inspire me to blog.
I like the song, too.
Cynthia
August 7, 2008 at 7:17 am //
Ooh, Jean, we were posting at exactly the same time! Synchronicity