EPISODE 02 / HOW I BEAT CANCER, FOUND INSPIRATION, AND MADE AN ALBUM
Of Sound and Fury: The Music Behind the Madness
I'm excited to share this new weekly feature with you—a reflection of my 32 years of making music and the influences that have shaped my creativity.
Every Thursday, I’ll take you behind the scenes of my music, sharing insights into the creative process and the art that keeps me inspired.
EACH FEATURE WILL HAVE THREE SECTIONS:
FROM THE ARCHIVE: This Week’s Featured Track
A dive into a song from my catalog.
IN THE STUDIO: Odds and Sods
Studio insights, workflow tips, inspiration, and maybe a little humor from my creative space.
SOMETHING OLD / SOMETHING NEW:
A look at the art that has shaped my life—music, photography, film, painting, and more. "Something Old" (1961–1989) highlights works from my early years, while "Something New" (1990–present) showcases more recent creations that continue to inspire me.
This is a celebration of creativity, the joy of making things, and the art that makes life worth living. I can’t wait to share it with you!
now, on with the action…
FROM THE ARCHIVE: RAIN RAIN DOWN
2014 was a turning point in my life. I had just kicked cancer’s ass—or, more accurately, I was fortunate enough to have survived. And from the moment I was diagnosed in 2012, something in me shifted. I flipped a switch I didn’t even know existed. The weight of the news should have crushed me, but instead, it clarified things. My diagnosis wasn’t a gift, but it did force a reckoning. How was I going to face this? What version of myself was going to come out on the other side?
I decided, then and there, that I would fight with everything I had. But I wasn’t going to waste time feeling sorry for myself. Not once did I ask, “Why me?”
Of course me. I’m no more special than anyone else. If it had to be someone, why not me? So I made a promise—to stay positive, to never let my struggle become a burden on the people around me, and to make sure no one felt like they had to walk on eggshells.
The whole experience was surreal, but it showed me who I really was when everything else was stripped away. And as strange as it sounds, it gave me a new way of looking at time. From that moment on, every day felt like a second chance—a shot at doing what I love, no more waiting around for the “right moment.”
I’m so amazed every time I look at the picture below. It was taken four months after having a robotic prostatectomy. I had just finished the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half-Marathon in under two hours.
That same year, I started recording my first album in over a decade, Electric Verdeland Vol. 1. I was living in Austin, where I had built a home studio—my friends and fellow musicians called it Electric Verde Studio.
For the first time since making Grassy Knoll records, I wanted to collaborate with vocalists. Short Stories had been my first attempt, but that was spoken word. This time, I wanted songs—or at least my version of them.
Even though I didn’t know how to play piano at the time, I somehow laid down this haunting, beautiful piece. I sent it to Laura Scarborough and asked if she’d like to add vocals. Laura, an incredibly talented pianist and vocalist with a background in multimedia performance, had worked with artists like Suzanna Choffel, Kat Edmondson and Golden Dawn Arkestra.
She had a way of weaving melodies that felt both delicate and powerful, perfectly complementing the tone of the track. She came back with these gorgeous words for “Rain Rain Down” that captured the emotion of the music perfectly.
I put this video for “Rain Rain Down” together to project behind the band during our live show, hoping to create something that didn’t just complement the music but pulled people deeper into it. The footage? I shot it while out on a boat, just letting the world pass by, watching the way the water moved, the light shifted, and everything seemed to breathe in time with the moment. Later, I brought it into Final Cut Pro, cutting and shaping it until it felt like it belonged to the song—like they were telling the same story.
Even after all these years, I still think it’s beautiful. There’s something about the way it moves, the way it syncs with the music, that makes it feel almost alive. It’s more than just a backdrop—it’s part of the experience. Every time I see it, I remember what it felt like to be there, out on the water, capturing something fleeting and turning it into something that lasts.
IN THE STUDIO: Odds and Sods
Brian Eno quotes during his January class at School of Song:
“The kiss of death … is software that says, ‘Now you can do anything.’” Too many options create paralysis.
“Boredom is so important… the fear of boredom is destroying us.”
“If you don’t have something meaningful to say, say something stupid.”
"The most important question you can ask yourself is, what is it that I really like.”
“Art doesn’t have to be about “truth”; it’s about generating emotional experiences that might not otherwise exist.”
"there has never been more demand on human attention than there is now. you've got these huge huge machines... the biggest one of all being capitalism. consumer capitalism, wants you to keep consuming things. it wants you to keep paying attention to the things that it is selling. google, facebook, meta, all of these things, amazon, they're all kind of machines for keeping the consumer wheel running, and they want your attention. your attention is the most valuable thing about you. they're not interested in your creations. they're interested in your attention, so that you will become obedient shoppers."
“Walking without a phone encourages observation and new perspectives.”
SOMETHING OLD
GLENN GOULD / Bach’s Goldberg Variations / 1981
It’s pure joy watching this man. Nobody plays a piano like Glenn Gould.
SOMETHING NEW
SHIDA SHAHABI & LINNEA OLSSON / Live at Eric Ericsonhallen in Stockholm, / May 20, 2020
A breathtaking performance that bends the rules while honoring them. Shida Shahabi’s artistry is both fearless and deeply rooted, creating something truly original. With Linnea Olsson by her side, the music unfolds like a journey—unpredictable, yet beautifully familiar.
Hit that red play button, close your eyes, and let yourself be carried away.
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Life has a way of showing us who we really are. Music helps me make sense of it, and sharing these stories connects the dots.
If something here speaks to you, I'd love to hear about it. Hit the like button, leave a comment, or subscribe to join the conversation. Because every voice adds to the story.
Also had a very similar experience with chronic illness..it gives you a perspective you really couldn't reach any other way and now i am almost grateful for getting sick because if you dont become a victim it becomes a priceless gift..illness can be the most profound teacher..if you let it.
“The kiss of death … is software that says, ‘Now you can do anything.’” Too many options create paralysis. - and that's the exact reason why I never learnt how to use adobe photoshop 😆