I think we listen to groups of songs in order to help an emotional or energetic point of view to take shape. Those points of view change in us over time, so we need to keep looking for new music to provide contour to the inner landscape.
I feel a perspective taking hold within myself recently; it’s been a long time coming, and I am glad for it since I can not write lyrics without firm contact with my emotional state, and lord knows those new lyrics are due.
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I’m feeling more clear-eyed and honest — more likely to call it out and damn the consequences. Conversely a bit more permeable as well. Less compelled to explain myself in simpler parlance, a bit more real. My draw to these songs is that they have energy without needing to explain themselves. There is no commerce in them. Something is being revealed to me not sold. Even when the vocal is buried under a wall of destroyed guitars I can still hear it. Sounding genuine in these songs.
Thanks to all of the artists on this playlist for the inspiration. —Stephan Jenkins
Plus, later this year Third Eye Blind will embark on the fourth installment of the Summer Gods Tour with Yellowcard and A R I Z O N A. The run launches June 8 in Spokane and concludes Aug. 3 in Houston. Grab tickets here and see the full list of dates below.
