Sequoia Blodgett’s Post

I came across this video, which ages me, but I’m so fond of this era of music, art, culture in general. How one of the greatest bands of all time created music that indelibly, visualy and sonicly defined a time (my teenage daughter now proudly dresses kinda like this time but has no idea of the music funnily enough) came to be is incredible in every way. It’s a combination of randomness, mutual interests, clubby scenes. But mostly it’s about networks: joining creatives of other sociable hubs with others, all helping to connect each other and each other with the levers of power and influence in order to succeed. It’s about creative people living what they do and believing in what they make so much that they would live like nothing else mattered in pursuit of that seemingly ungraspable greatness that always eludes. It’s romantic I know. But I feel we’re due for another time like this, especially in what I do—the commercial arts. Forget the debates of how we work. Remember that everything great comes from connection and communication, sharing and putting creativity ahead of yourself for the greater interest that you are serving. We can do awesome things in any way we want if we all desire the same thing for the right reasons.#creativity Huge #connected

Really innovative project, do listen

Let’s me honest it’s rare we see this level of pure vulnerability in a live performance 😢. I was almost on the verge of tears watching this. When she won her final award for best album. I was gone 😭. The rawness of her emotion when she received that award moved me for a few reasons. 1. I listened to Raye’s Album “My 21st Century Blues”. On repeat this summer. Never have I heard an album that made me feel heard and seen as much as a woman especially because I felt many of the emotions she shared in her lyrics. The song Escapism I just felt like it spoke to me a lot with the trauma I was feeling. 2. Every woman can relate to the issues that Raye spoke about on this Album. Women are harrsessed and violated in some way. Or have experienced heartbreak and rejection. I may not be in my 20s anymore but it took me back to some of experiences in that decade. 3. One of the reasons why I feel so many people relate to Raye is has a mixed woman she is talking about issues that others have been fearful to touch on. Plus she just seems so genuine. 4. Lastly even after she was rejected she didn’t stop working towards her dream. This is a testament to her commitment to being a songwriter musician and having her album get released in a different way. 5. Lastly if you want to see feminism in action I actually feel Raye completely captures this. I am saying this as we are in International Women’s month. Let’s look to seeing more women like this. Women who are real, have raw talent and should rightly be recognised. #internationalwomensmonth #dontgiveup #inspiringwomen #inspiringothers #keepingit real #feminism #femininepower

You just don't get to learn and hear from an entire news ecosystem for 3 days in one place that often; stunning location & conductorship from Claire Stuchbery and the LINA: Local & Independent News Association people : ) Some stuff that will stick with me for a while: hearing from Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) on media diversity measurement in 2024, i.e. the heart of the advocacy work by LINA and the Digital Publishers Alliance; defining + tracking impact and how do newsrooms challenge the statu quo; experimenting for new revenue streams when you're a one-wo/man news operation; learning about the practical use of Solutions Journalism at Missing Perspectives and Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC); discovering micro media reporting models like *PS Media and debating the ins and outs of ad-based, subscriptions, donations & memberships models...

Last night Ezra Collective broke new ground by becoming the first jazz group to win the prestigious Mercury Music Prize beating out much bigger names like The Arctic Monkeys and Fred Again... This is massive for the UK grassroots music scene and the passionate people who support young musicians.   Ezra Collective's influences are as diverse as their North London home which they reflect, incorporating a range of genres from grime to salsa and reggae. In their winning speech (below), band leader Femi explained how the whole group had met in London at a youth club run by the charity Tomorrow's Warriors.   He said: "this is not just a result for Ezra Collective, this is not just a result for UK Jazz, this is special moment for every organisation across the country ploughing their efforts and time into young people playing music".   Reading the former attendees of Tomorrow's Warriors reads like a who's who of the leading lights of the new UK jazz scene with previous Mercury nominees Moses Boyd and Nubya Garcia represented in the ranks. These artists are now globally famous, and part of what makes UK music a cultural and economic force.   Ezra Collective's win is proof of what can happen when there are opportunities and infrastructure around to nurture latent talent and help it blossom. This obviously doesn't just apply to music, but to sport, the arts, and beyond. The UK has long been able to punch above its weight in these arenas, and grassroots charities working to give a platform to talented youngsters has been a massive part of that.   This is the kind of investment where the return is hard to see on a balance sheet, which goes a long way to explain why we've seen cuts to grants and funding for these organisations over the past decade. Typically, we assume what is easy to measure is what's important. What is harder to measure becomes a nice to have. Ezra's win explains better than any impact report or social return on investment how flawed that logic is.   In Femi's speech he called out a range of organisations doing this work. There are many more he didn't mention, and more still who've had to close their doors since Ezra first worked with Tomorrow's Warriors. If we're going to produce the next Ezra Collective tomorrow, it couldn't be more important that we make sure these organisations are able to thrive today. https://lnkd.in/eAD4GnsB

The great Claudio Abbado in rehearsal with the Berliner Philharmoniker on the differences between one conductor and another, the great Herbert von Karajan and the way the PEOPLE/the orchestra/the organisation are reacting to the different way of interpretation of the well-known notes. This is in essences, the differences in how we humans do music (non-optimality expressive) and the way algorithms do it. Is your organisation an organisation of robots or humans?!? https://lnkd.in/d-uqxNGY

My CSR-Consulting, Solutions, and Results colleagues are rooted in #mission, #vision, and #values. That’s how CSR-Consulting, Solutions, and Results enables our communities and clients to achieve impact.

Live performances, whether they involve music, theater, dance, or other forms of entertainment, offer numerous benefits for both performers and audiences. Here are some of the key benefits of live performances: 1. **Emotional Connection**: Live performances often evoke strong emotions and create a deep sense of connection between the performers and the audience. This emotional resonance can be a powerful and memorable experience. 2. **Authenticity**: Live performances are unscripted and unpredictable to some extent. This authenticity can make each performance unique and compelling, as even small variations can add to the experience. 3. **Cultural Enrichment**: Live performances can showcase a wide range of cultural expressions, including music, dance, and storytelling from different parts of the world. This exposure can broaden one's cultural horizons. 4. **Community Building**: Attending live performances can foster a sense of community. People often come together to share the experience, and this communal aspect can strengthen social bonds and create a sense of belonging. 5. **Skill Development**: For performers, live performances provide opportunities to hone their skills, gain experience, and develop confidence. It's a crucial part of their artistic journey. 6. **Enhanced Creativity**: Live performances encourage creativity in both the performers and the audience. For artists, it's an opportunity to experiment and innovate, while for the audience, it can inspire creative thinking and appreciation for the arts. 7. **Stress Reduction**: Attending live performances can be a form of stress relief. The immersive nature of the experience can help people temporarily escape their daily worries and immerse themselves in the art. 8. **Improved Focus and Concentration**: Live performances demand the audience's full attention. This can help improve focus and concentration, as attendees are encouraged to put away distractions and be present in the moment. 9. **Support for the Arts**: By attending live performances, people contribute to the sustainability of the arts industry. Ticket sales, donations, and merchandise purchases help support artists and cultural institutions. 10. **Memorable Experiences**: Live performances often create lasting memories. People often remember the details of a live show for years, and these memories can bring joy and nostalgia. 11. **Inspiration and Motivation**: Live performances can be highly inspiring. They can motivate aspiring artists to pursue their passions and encourage audiences to explore new interests. 12. **Physical and Mental Health Benefits**: Attending live performances can have positive effects on mental and emotional well-being. The joy, excitement, and inspiration derived from live art can contribute to a more fulfilling life. https://lnkd.in/eFuhsY4b

I didn't know half the people at the Grammy's, but I knew Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell, and Billy Joel! Amazing! Please take a minute and watch this video about Billy Joel's new song. Some lessons here: 1. The next time you are hard on yourself, I want you to think about the fact that Billy Joel hates the sound of his voice when he records. Lesson: Everyone is self-critical. Don't be so hard on yourself. And do your thing anyway. 2. Billy Joel didn't write a new song for 30 years until this new collaboration. Lesson: Be open. Never say never. And collaborate. We are better together. 3. Freddy Wexler was obsessed with Billy Joel. His wife made it her mission to find someone who knew someone who got Freddy Wexler a 10 minute shot with Billy Joel that Freddy Wexler turned into a friendship and partnership. Lesson: Take your shot. Good for Freddy Wexler. And maybe the most important lesson: Never give up. Be persistent like Freddy's wife. Thanks to her we heard new Billy Joel music for the first time in 30 years.

2 more reveals to go!! Hope you are staying tuned in!!