September Reflections: New Music, Loss, and Finding Meaning

As the seasons change, I’ve found myself reflecting deeply on grief, creativity, and the unpredictable journey of life. This month has been filled with moments of creation, both in the form of new music and writing, but also in the quiet space of remembering a dear friend no longer here.

New Music: Angry Eyes and Green Room

I shared two new songs with you in September, each of them born from very personal experiences.

The first, Angry Eyes, came to life after one of my sons wanted to fight and I decided to transmute that energy to the piano. After reworking a couple of sections with Jack Quick and my own brain, I had the pleasure of recording it at Seattle’s legendary London Bridge Studio with my high-school buddy Jonathan Plum. In the end, I came to realize I love that young man’s angry eyes, dammit.

UPDATE Oct 1, 2024: Here’s the video of Angry Eyes that I made

Green Room (Release #2)

The second release this month was “Green Room” —a tribute to my dear friend Brad Houser, bassist for Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians. Brad passed away in July 2023, and writing and recording Green Room was my way of processing the grief.

It’s a song about the moments we shared, especially those backstage—our “green room”—where it seemed like we were just getting ready to play again and then the show was over. Brad’s wonderful way meant more to me than any words we ever exchanged.
Here are a few of the lyrics from Green Room:

"Fragile is on the line, we just ran out of time, in the green room of my mind"

artwork by Ezra Walsh

You can listen to both Angry Eyes and Green Room on all major streaming platforms. Please share or add to a playlist if they resonate with you.

Brad and I played many gigs together in the 90s and talked often. Just before his stroke, he recorded bass and pedal steel on my ambient music, including Baker Lake, which was one of his favorites.

Inspiration Post

Speaking of Resonance… my piano teacher, Danny Kolke, shared a powerful piece of writing and his first-ever sermon called: My Life is Meaningless on his blog.

In this blog, Danny reflects on his struggles with stress, anxiety, and depression and the pressures many of us face to have it all figured out. It’s a powerful and honest piece, especially for those with a religious background who may feel additional guilt when dealing with depression. I’ve also had this same feeling as a coach who has also experienced loss, heartache, and challenging times.

I’ve often wondered: “Am I allowed to be depressed or down or sad and still be a coach?”

Luckily a dear friend who is also a coach reminded me with a wink and a smile that even us badass coaches need help and support. Even a doctor still needs a doctor right?

I love Danny’s piano teaching but I was even more impressed by his bravery to give his first-ever sermon at his church, choking back tears as he talked about the challenges of depression and anxiety. His story is one of recognizing that sometimes life doesn’t come with a clear meaning and that it’s up to us to create our own values and meaning along the way. You can read his full article here.

If you or someone you know is struggling with these feelings, I encourage you to share Danny’s words. It’s okay to reach out for help, and his message offers hope in a world that often feels overwhelming.

To give you a sense of Danny’s deep artistry, here’s Danny performing “Only For Today” an original piece dedicated to his father.

September Blog Posts to Spark Your Creativity

In addition to music, I’ve been diving deep into writing this month. Here are a few posts I’d love to share with you:

1. The Talent Trap: Embracing Boredom to Unlock Mastery.

We often glamorize mastery as something that happens through dramatic breakthroughs, but the reality is that true mastery comes from embracing boredom and repetition. In this post, I explore why those slow, tedious moments are actually the key to greatness.

2. Are You a Generous Listener?
   Listening is more than just hearing the words or the music—it’s an act of generosity. This post explores how being a truly generous listener can transform not only your relationships but also your approach to creativity.

3. Is Jazz Camp the New Las Vegas?
   After attending a jazz camp this summer, I realized that it felt even better than Las Vegas—unexpected highs, late-night jam sessions, and the joy of connecting with fellow musicians. Curious how these two worlds overlap?

4. What If Your Biggest Hit Was a Mistake?
   Sometimes, the best creative breakthroughs come from accidents. This post looks at how Chris Cornell’s mistake became the seeds of Black Hole Sun, his biggest hit! Perhaps it’s the things we don’t plan for that can lead to our greatest work.

Thanks for reading and being a part of this space.

Your support means everything.

Feel free to leave a comment or reply—I'd love to hear what’s inspiring you this month.

Keep on creating!
Dave Hill Jr.