Grateful Dead

It's amazing some of the things I've run into. It goes all the way back to the beginning. Somebody will play me a live show, and I'll go, "Who the hell is this?" It will be something really far out, and I'll go, "Wow, I don't even remember when we were doing that." And that does happen to me pretty frequently. A lot of what surprises me is the surprisingly clear intention of the Grateful Dead's approach to music.It's there from the very earliest stuff. Something about that thing of, "Here's the way it works; it works like this." Even though none of us might agree, the result is that it does work. I didn't hear it back when we were doing it. I always thought, "This is chaos. Nobody's playing the way I want them to play." You get into that thing that you're the only guy who knows how it should be done, and "Why doesn't everybody do what I want 'em to do?" And it takes a long time to shake that attitude. But going back and listening to it, it blows me away how solid and definite everything was. That's one of the things that makes the Grateful Dead fun. It's that element of surprise. You listen to it and go, "Goddamn, those guys sound like they know what they're doing." - Jerry Garcia

Sequential Rhythms of Life. The Future Is Now:Looking forward, the future is bright. Music is beginning to push beyond the past and find its feet in the present day. Although there are enduring classics that are worthy of their place in timeless halls of history, forward-thinking music is becoming the standard. Original pieces of art are actually being produced by some fearless students of life. Who dares to tread into uncharted territory but the artist? Only the artist can have a foot in both worlds, and bring back the essentials for all to bear witness.Is not art for the Good of All Beings that behold it? But this is merely one perception—one of many. One must look deep into the other and form an opinion. My journey began as a youngster in the late ‘70s. My parents loved music and, in good times, the music was lively, vivid, and loud; in dark times, the music was moody, dark, and melancholic. This ran deep into the core of my being, and I began to relate emotion with sound. I didn't realize how much this would shape and mold my existence. To feel is a glorious gift. To allow oneself to be open to that vast universe of colors and texture by way of vibration gives depth and meaning to even the most trivial thing. It's a choice—one of many—that may or may not define one’s experience. However, for me, it is the experience— the only experience, as I have come to learn. Because of this way, this knowledge, this form of communication, we are all connected. Technology has made our ability to create and express ourselves much more quick and efficient, and so this way has become universal. There are no more models; you merely create your own model and share your truth. We are in the 21st century, and the world has become a village where we can share a thought in a moment with millions. It’s a global consciousness that is becoming more vast and self-aware, and at its core is creative energy. The future truly is now, and it’s time to feed our minds so that we may develop the roadmap to the oasis. Vision of Oasis: The mind is the most powerful operating system. If you design it, the mind will bring it forth. The only limitation is one’s ability to believe it so. Easier said than done. Life is a field of dense moving vibrations that one must navigate to survive. Although we have history as a guide of how to be proactive, most people live reactive realities. This is more common than not, and so it becomes a common stream of consciousness; a normality not often questioned except by the artful thinker—the personality that is drawn to the abstractions of things. Why this attraction to what seems unusual or uncommon? This counter-perception that feeds on curiosity is the fuel. It's the questions, the draw of the unusual, this need to understand so one might find meaning in one’s experiences. This creates a space, which is the beginning of one’s own creative insight. How one finds it is inconsequential, as long as one becomes aware that it is an awakening of one's inner world. It is this world that transcends all others and opens the door for an enriching dialog with the universe. As earth hangs in space, ever moving forward, so do our own states of mind moving right along with it. The oasis is where we have an opportunity to evolve, and to elevate the consciousness of the entire organism into a blissful peaceful state. Art, in my opinion, is a manifestation of this phenomenon. Beings at different rates of vibration relate in different ways. At any level, one would feel something. This is what makes music such a wonderful gift. In the hands of one that is truly open and has the right thing in mind, it can be felt clearly, powerfully, and it can be quite influential. It is a creative space, a vibration for the explorer, the one that is willing to journey into the other. Sound Destination: We are all longing for connection, to belong to something bigger than ourselves—to live a life of purpose, and hopefully to serve our fellow beings in the process. It’s funny how all roads tend to lead to the same outcome. Music, in my opinion, is for the good of the people. To allow us to have a rest in the middle of everything. It’s a space, if you will allow it, that lets the mind run free so that one might remember the nature of what is, and become one with the universe. Rhythm is life perpetuated by cycles constantly flowing, keeping continuity as nature expresses itself in the form of reality. In reality, we find one another in that very rhythm that is consistent with nature, which proves the artfulness of nature itself. My idea with Soul People Music has always been, and will always be, to bring soul to the people with the music. It is this form of communication that allows me to let nature manifest itself in my need to express myself to the masses. Reactions of Light, Structure, The Incredible Adventures of Captain P, Codes and Metaphors, Modern Architect, Sound Destination and Selected all represent this expression. As a musical artist—it is only this honest expression that drives my life. This connection to my fellow beings translates the dialog of my inner world to your understanding of it. It is my humble offering to share this journey and introduce others who have taken to the cause of artistic expression with music. There is a soundtrack and it is the beat of your heart. Forever translate and be in the sequential rhythm of life… - Fred Peterkin

"All the things you should have said to your grandmother before she died. We learn too late. You have wasted years. Everyone has. You can only avoid regret by switching off your imagination, by refusing to consider how things might have been. Many of the things we most want are in conflict: to feel secure, and yet to be free; to have money and yet not to have to be wage slaves. To be in close knit communities and yet not be stifled by the expectations and demands of others. To travel and explore the world and yet to put down deep roots. To fulfil the demands of our appetites for food, drink, sex and lying on the sofa - and yet stay thin, sober, faithful and fit. The wisdom of the melancholy attitude (as opposed to the bitter or angry one) lies in the understanding that the sorrow isn't just about you, that you have not been singled out, that your suffering belongs to humanity in general. So often our sorrows are egocentric. We see them as special misfortunes which have come our way. Melancholy rejects this. It has a wider, much less personal take. Much of what is painful and sorrowful in our lives can be traced to general things about life: it's brevity; the fact that we cannot avoid missing opportunities, the contradictions of desire and self-management. These apply to everyone. So melancholy is generous. You feel this sorrow for others too, for 'us'. You feel pity for the human condition." - Uncredited

Attention all Dead Heads! We’re working on Vol 2 of an art history book focusing on the culture & history of STICKERS. Please let us know if you have, or know of any fan created Dead stickers! We would like to feature them alongside official stickers from the band throughout the years. If have anything at all, please contact us at whoMadeThatSticker@gmail.com .  Thank you!  Lauren 

Attention all Dead Heads! We’re working on Vol 2 of an art history book focusing on the culture & history of STICKERS. Please let us know if you have, or know of any fan created Dead stickers! We would like to feature them alongside official stickers from the band throughout the years. If have anything at all, please contact us at whoMadeThatSticker@gmail.com Thank you!  Lauren 

female:pressure is launching an awareness and solidarity campaign for the cantons of Rojava (located in northern Syria), where women participate on all levels of decision making and building a new society from scratch, with built-in social, racial and ethnic justice, religious freedom, ecological principles and gender equality. With a series of music, media and sound art to listen, dance and fight to, we would like to send our love and strength to these women and spread a positive message in support of their efforts. From the liner notes of "Women & The Gun": "In the revolution of Rojava, a practical defense of women's rights and the safety of women is ensured through the YPJ (People's Protection Units). The Daesh (or I.S. for Islamic State) has from the very beginning of this war addressed its attacks on regions where Kurds mainly live, such as Schengal, Mosul, Raka, Heseke, Serekani, Kobani and Aleppo. Kurdish women, on the other hand, have taken on a leadership role in the defense against these attacks. With their identity as women of many ethnicities, the women have been present in all areas of the fight in Rojava. Women have also jointly begun a revolution socially and politically in Syria and Rojava and expand this more every day. "To understand the revolution in Rojava and the role of women in it, one has to be aware of the history of Kurdish movement and especially of the role of PPK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) in Kurdistan. What's happening there is based on more than 30 years of ideological work in both theoretical and practical aspects. Apart from a justified, self organized, armed struggle of women in Kurdistan against colonizing, oppressive regimes in this area (Iran, Turkey, Iraq and Syria), they have also done the same political work on a societal level to create awareness of the importance of the women's role in the revolutionary discourse. "Rojava is a chance for the whole world, especially for women and white feminism, to finally understand that the fight for women is nothing else than the struggle for revolution and justice, and the women there are a role model for us. They are building a society where women even write their revolutionary history, a history that until now has ignored the power of women. They have their destiny in their hand. Let us look to Rojava for getting hope for our lost world, and energy to continue our fight for a better life." http://www.femalepressure.net/rojava.html

Guess I can handle that then. Peace!

Like "user interface." Worlds collide...