The Hero With a Thousand Faces
Today we go back in the studio take a look at "Teahouse of the Spirits", and possibly record a new track called "Listen". "Listen" is something I came up with a few weeks ago at rehearsal after the guys left. We had had a good day of coming up with new stuff, and working the set, and I was feeling inspired. Just got he lyrics finished a few nights ago. We haven't had that much time to get the arrangement totally sussed yet, I wish we had a couple more rehearsals before tracking it, but we aren't looking at this tracking of it as "The Version", more of just an informal first recording. Once it's tracked live, we also have something to listen to and work from. My usual rehearsal recording setup is in limbo - the Tablet PC's power button broke, and since updating to Tiger, I can't get the music files from my digital recorder onto the Mac. Ahh technology.
We are recording for the next three days maybe more, we'll see. We are changing our recording setup somewhat, so this is a bit of a test run.
Been listening to author Joseph Cambpell's "The Hero With a Thousand Faces" audiobook. Jospeh Campbel was a writer who explored the world's fables and found that as a species, we need certain myths to look to to personify our human trials and tribulations. He found a through line of heroes, villains, quests and struggles that run common through all cultures. It's reported that George Lucas looked to Campbell's writing to help fortify Star Wars' structure. Also "The Matrix" is said top be built on Campbell's mythological framework.
"Myth is the secret opening through which the inexhaustible energies of the cosmos pour into human manifestation..."
-Joseph Campbell, Hero with a Thousand Faces
...And he coined the term "Follow Your Bliss":
"I even have a superstition that has grown on me as a result of invisible hands coming all the time - namely, that if you do follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in your field of bliss, and they open doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be.
My general formula for my students is "Follow your bliss." Find where it is, and don't be afraid to follow it."
-Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth
Comments
Steve I absolutely love it, I love it so much that I’m putting it on my blog right now. I know that for a long, long time I’ve been afraid to follow my bliss but I’m trying to make a 360.
Anyhow, thank you! Again I love it! It says so much.
Posted by: Wendybird | June 7, 2005 12:40 PM
Steve!!!! You MUST get the DVD " Power of Myth" with Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell, I was riveted to PBS one Sunday when they had a marathon showing during a membership drive. I can't even put into words how intelligent and insightful that guy is...and of COURSE that means you would get him, too....cause, you know, you're smart and sensitive and stuff...
love to you and Larissa
jezzi( bliss, I got your bliss right here, follow me)
Posted by: jezebel | June 7, 2005 01:04 PM
Steve- I hope "Listen" takes shape & then some. Ok, just have to ask, what about Project "P"? That you guys played at the Key Club? Is it going to be tracked? Good luck with the recording in the studio.....Make us proud!
\m/
Posted by: Brett | June 7, 2005 01:16 PM
Going back to the source...that's good. Very reaffirming.
Posted by: Mike | June 7, 2005 04:19 PM
Steve, let me add a related thread from 'The Power of Myth' to your quotes above:
pp. 186-187: "This is, I believe, the great Western truth: that each of us is a completely unique creature and that, if we are ever to give any gift to the world, it will have to come out of our own experience and fulfillment of our own potentialities...something that never has been and never could have been experienced by anyone else...'Are you up to your destiny?'"
Posted by: Mike | June 7, 2005 04:36 PM
Steve,
So Trent Reznor announced, via his official site (www.NIN.com), that this falls headlining arena tour will be supported by none other than.... Queens of the Stone Age.
On a scale from about to shit your pants to already in the process of shitting...
How excited are you for this tour?
PS.-My pants are already drenched in feces.
Posted by: noah Lang | June 7, 2005 07:22 PM
Umm, Noah? Perhaps you should follow your bliss into the restroom.
Yea, never took the time to follow mine. Bummer, cause I would've been a really good actor or singer. But, I ain't dead yet, so who knows? There's always tomorrow.
Thanks for the info/link on Campbell and Godspeed in the studio with Josh!
Posted by: Lyn | June 7, 2005 08:09 PM
Steve, nice choice of cover art from the watchmen series.
"At midnight, all the agents..."
Need to get you a copy of V for Vendetta, Moore's miniseries/book about a totalitarian state. Themeatically, it's the "prolgue" in many ways to watchmen. Of course, the fact that it's now wrapping post production as a wachowski Bros, nat. Portman-starring film will change it from being this semi-obscure comic, but now I begin to really wander afield.
Hope recording is going awesome
Posted by: Rantz | June 8, 2005 09:22 AM
The only thing better than NIN and QoTSA together would be if TPC was that third band they were looking for!!
Talk about bliss!!
~Bonita
Posted by: Bonita | June 8, 2005 08:25 PM
Too late Bonita.
I believe Autolux and Death From Above 1979 are the 2 opening acts.
Posted by: Six7Six7 | June 11, 2005 03:52 AM
Promise I'm not being "freaky fan" here, but, um, are you ok Steve? (Murmerings of worry between panicats)
x
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | June 11, 2005 01:13 PM
I was thinking the same thing RP,
You ok Steve? you seem to be doing alot less talking lately, both here and on the community.
Posted by: Six7Six7 | June 12, 2005 07:05 AM
Hey Steve, check out this dream i had last night...
i had a dream that you and i were grocery shopping (i don't know how that happened exactly). I picked up a 4 pack of Pepsi, and a 4 pack of Diet Pepsi (yes, i know those doesn't exist) and went to put it in the cart when you looked at me and said "i don't drink diet Pepsi anymore"......so i put them both back.
So i guess it makes me wonder: Do you even drink (Diet) Pepsi, and if so, do you drink it 4 cans at a time?
at very least, it's worth a laugh for it's sheer stupidity.
Posted by: Six7Six7 | June 12, 2005 08:18 AM
Hi Steve, hope the studio sessions are going peachy :D.
Posted by: Wendybird | June 13, 2005 09:39 PM
Wendy, don't you mean a 180? a 360 would put you back to where you started...
Posted by: Simon | June 13, 2005 11:43 PM
Simon, ha I guess that's why I never get anywhere...
Posted by: Wendybird | June 14, 2005 01:28 AM
Really looking forward to hearing the new stuff
Posted by: Georgina | June 14, 2005 03:37 AM
I did a search for the band Failure last night and was amazed to see the first item was the official White House bio for Bush.
See for yourself: failure
Posted by: Craig | June 14, 2005 10:51 AM
Hi Steve...hope all is well. We miss you!!!
Posted by: Cori | June 14, 2005 02:34 PM
lol Wendy!! Nah...you're on your way!! (Can I say I knew you way back when???)
Hi Steve!! Can't wait to hear from you again!!
Posted by: Abby | June 14, 2005 06:08 PM
Steve-Just wanted to say Hi.
Posted by: Brett | June 16, 2005 05:48 PM
Sending some positive energy your way, just in case you need it!! *missing you and hoping you're well*
~Bonita
Posted by: Bonita | June 16, 2005 06:23 PM
Good luck with the new material Steve. Sometimes the best songs are those that straggle in after a major project has wrapped up.
Posted by: Jonathan Lamas | June 18, 2005 05:46 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR ISAACS!
Will
Posted by: willd | June 19, 2005 01:35 AM
Happy Birthday!!! I hope you really have a great day =) You should, you deserve it! ;)
Posted by: Abby | June 19, 2005 03:28 AM
Ah, Joseph Campbell.. My French teacher was big on him.
The "follow your bliss" concept reminds me of Caroline Myss and divine contracts.
I love that kind of stuff!
My philosophy is "follow the light". Your proper path is illuminated with people/things/events that bring you sunshine.
Anywho, a very happy birthday to you today, Steve! Hope it's a good one!
Thanks for allowing us to listen and read and hang around this humble abode. Rock on bro, rock on!
Posted by: mortisha8 | June 19, 2005 11:30 AM
Happy Birthday Steve :D
Posted by: Wendybird | June 19, 2005 04:57 PM
Happy Birthday Steve \m/
Posted by: Brett | June 20, 2005 11:01 AM
Hope you had a wonderful birthday!
Elsa
Posted by: Junebug | June 20, 2005 01:42 PM
Happy (belated) Birthday!!
Posted by: Bonita | June 21, 2005 05:40 AM
Hey Steve,
SteveIsaacs.com is missing something very important....
The Steve Isaacs portion.
What's up? Everything ok?
Posted by: Six7Six7 | June 21, 2005 12:17 PM
A Belated Happy Birthday Steve!
Looking forward to hearing your unique perspective on the recording processes with Josh and Howard. I really dig the behind the scenes work of different producers and appreciate the takes you have been giving on the evolution of the TPC recording process.
Thanks!
Mike C.
Posted by: Mike C. | June 21, 2005 01:32 PM
Steve-If your interested.......Nathan Larson is playing a free show at Amoeba Music on Sunset, Mon. June 27th @ 7pm.
Hope all is well.
Posted by: Brett | June 21, 2005 02:48 PM
Steve hope you had a wondeful Birthday, we miss you kid...
Posted by: Wendybird | June 23, 2005 12:55 PM
This is late, but...
Dear Steve,
Spellchecker is your friend.
*ducking and running*
Posted by: Princess of Purism | June 25, 2005 02:14 PM
hope to hear from you soon. Keep sharing1
Q
Posted by: QQQ | June 26, 2005 07:48 PM
Is Steve still alive?
Posted by: Simon | June 27, 2005 03:06 PM
Steve hope things are ok with you. Have you been at the movies watching Star Wars everyday?
Posted by: Schwing | June 28, 2005 08:35 AM
hey-
is there a contact info thing on here?
I am an old friend of yours, Steve...I don't want to print my info on this thing.
OOOLLLLD
friend hahaha.....
Think Limelight rock n roll church, scotty ian, dominic deluca, ryan roxie......
old.
Posted by: tamar | June 28, 2005 05:25 PM
Anyone want to start making wagers on when he'll come back?? I miss Vegas and feel the urge to gamble.
Anyone, I say maybe Thursday between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.. What say you??
Posted by: Wendybird | June 28, 2005 05:56 PM
Wendy-Bird-I'm in....I'll wager (Vegas Odds are a little stacked here) that maybe sometime Friday night at an un-godly time? Maybe around 1Am to 5:30Am.
Posted by: Brett | June 28, 2005 06:17 PM
I'll make three Wendy and Brett. I'll take dibs on the Holiday break, say Saturday between 11:30 PM and 2 AM.
Posted by: Mike C. | June 29, 2005 12:18 AM
THE REASON WHY STEVE HASN'T RESPONDED IS BECAUSE YOU LOSERS ALL SCARED HIM OFF!
GET A FREAKIN' LIFE!!!
Posted by: josh | June 30, 2005 12:02 PM
Hahahahahahahahahaha!
pmsl...
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | July 1, 2005 02:22 AM
I wager my bet on a Sunday post. Steve (as everyone does occasionally) probably needs some off-line time. He just celebrated his b-day, is in the middle of recording a record, putting together the new TPC site with other people, and is likely quite busy. I'm sure he'll be back soon. :)
In the meantime, it's time to resurrect that fun ol' family pasttime...WHERE'S STEVE? (click link below)
http://www.seanmcgurn.com/images/wheressteve.gif
Heheh, enjoy the fourth everyone!
Peace!
- Sean
Posted by: Sean | July 1, 2005 10:48 AM
Steve!
Come back! Did you go to the Rokbar opening?
Posted by: Junebug | July 1, 2005 12:13 PM
Looks like I'm out here? I guess the "House" always wins.....LOL.
Posted by: brett | July 2, 2005 12:30 AM
I bet he's gonna come back on the 7th... a whole month later
Posted by: Transcending | July 2, 2005 11:46 PM
If you can find any footage of Live8 anywhere, it was pretty awesome (although embarrassingly I missed The Who!)
RP
x
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | July 3, 2005 03:04 AM
Hi Steve,
I’m sending a shit load of positive vibes your way...
I hope that you will continue following your bliss, there is light in the darkest of your furthest reaches.
Wendy
Posted by: Wendybird | July 6, 2005 07:16 PM
...It was also flat out wrong.
I guess Mr. WickyWhackOff is unaware that Steve has been "in the biz" for well over a decade, and on both sides of the microphone (as a singer in numerous other bands, the lead in Tommy The Musical, and as a VJ/interviewer for MTV). Nevermind that he's got an incredible fucking singing voice (have you HEARD Panic Channel's cover of "Dazed And Confused"?) and lyrics that are both artful and insightful. There's plenty of experience there.
And for the record, Steve and Dave have known eachother for YEARS (see aforementioned "Steve was a VJ at MTV"), looooong before Riss and Steve were an item.
Jesus tap dancing Christ, if someone's going to try make personal jabs at the guy, at least get your facts straight. Perhaps a jab more like "Steve's haircut sucks" or "Steve's complexion makes Casper the Ghost look like Mr. T"....something along those lines. Yeah, that'll really get him! That pale wavy haired bastard...I pity tha foo'! ;)
For the record, I'm a skinny white dude with wavy hair, I can say these things with tongue -again- firmly in cheek. :P
And on that note, I'm going to go wash my feet, as they are covered in sand (my girlfriend and I spontaneously decided to head to the beach at 10pm and go for a late night dip, heheh). Yes, unlike one person here, I enjoy my life offline.
Hope all is well with everyone here! Have a great week everyone!
Steve, any chance of some pics from the studio?
Peace!
- Sean
Posted by: Sean | July 11, 2005 09:39 PM
Hey Steve. How's the moving going? Hope the painting is going well.
-Aaron
Posted by: Aaron | July 11, 2005 09:47 PM
well folks, it looks like we should start taking wagers again on when Steve will be back. I'll put $5 down for this weekend. ;0)
Hey Steve last week I saw a guy that looked just like you with the tattoos on the wrist and everything driving behind me and eventually pulled up to my side to turn. Was that you or do I smell a law suit against someone using your likeness?
Posted by: mortisha8 | July 11, 2005 11:54 PM
it was me ;)
Posted by: Abby | July 12, 2005 12:01 AM
No, I'll think you'll find it was me! ;)
Hope all is well with you Steve x
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | July 12, 2005 03:56 AM
Sorry, I didn't mean musical experience, I meant musical talent.
And just how insightful are these 'insightful' lyrics:
"We know who you are" and "Please, think of me the way that I used to be, not the way I am, diseased!"
Those are the most cliche pieces of shit I've ever written down.
Posted by: Wickywickywaa | July 12, 2005 04:35 AM
So how did things wrap up with Howard Benson? Or are things still in the process?
Hope things are well with you!
Posted by: Mike C. | July 12, 2005 10:43 AM
hmm..
is it just me or was there an update on here that disappeared?
Posted by: ooftymcgoofty | July 15, 2005 12:23 AM
Steve-I hope you have a great weekend......
Posted by: Brett | July 15, 2005 10:13 AM
Hope you are well, Steve.
Elsa
Posted by: Junebug | July 15, 2005 02:28 PM
Hope all is well with you Steve. Have a nice dayy!
Posted by: ..::Jess::.. | July 18, 2005 03:09 PM
Shall we start taking bets again? I bet for a Sunday post. :)
In all seriousness, hope everything is going well Steve.
When I was going through a really rough breakup, I read this book that helped me get through a really rough and painful break up. The book is "On Love" by Alain de Botton. It's a really humourous, obsessive, fictional story that narrates a 2 year long relationship - from the guy's perspective - in every way and feeling possible. The author is a philosopher who managed to make a very realistic, witty, philosophical yet hip "love/anti-love" story. Great read. No where near as bland as the title sounds. The publisher's and critics can explain the premise much better than I can. :)
Check it out: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=i988LDe9EP&isbn=0802134092&itm=4
Hope all is well with everyone here! Have a great week everybody!
Peace!
- Sean
Posted by: Sean | July 18, 2005 08:25 PM