The “Muse Room” is the room in my house where I make music and my wife makes visual art. Published the first Friday of the month, each issue of Letters from the Muse Room includes news and updates about my music, as well as something that has inspired me creatively over the past month.

Dear friends,
Happy October! I don’t know about you, but for me it seemed like March and April dragged on forever, but then the months since have flown by. It’s nice to have some cooler temperatures, and the occasional foggy morning:

[Foggy morning as seen from my balcony, right outside the Muse Room.]
 
A short and sweet newsletter for you this month. I continued working on my orchestral piece, Rainlight, and got to print out my first 11″ x 17″ score on my new(ish) small business printer:

[My printer and my big ol’ score!]
 
And then make a whole bunch of pencil edits to the printed score:

[Edits and tea.]
 
And then put allll those pencil edits:

[Lots of pencil edits.]
 
back into the computer score. I’m now starting my second round of revisions, focusing less on the way things look and more on the way things sound. Next month I’ll send you another audio clip — maybe` the ending of the piece.

I’ll also have an announcement next month related to my pop music, rather than the classical/concert music I’ve been writing about for a while. So those of you who are interested in the other side of my musical personality — stay tuned!

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Nothing deep or profound to share on the inspiration front this month; just a simple music recommendation (and a brief note about supporting artists).

I have a membership to Amazon Music Unlimited, a paid version of the music app you get with Prime, and I enjoy discovering new music through their curated playlists. Earlier this month, I was listening to a playlist called “Instrumental Chill,” and was struck by a track from an artist called Little People.

[Mickey Mouse Operation, by Little People.]
 
I added the full album, called Mickey Mouse Operation, to one of my own playlists and listened to it a few days ago. I really enjoyed it. It’s creative and interesting and is some of the best chill music I’ve heard.

I say in my artist statement that pop music to me is a “dynamic
medium of energy and movement,” and even though the energy and movement is laid back, this music fits the bill. It makes for a great background soundtrack if you’re looking for something more active than ambient music but not active enough to draw attention away from what you’re doing.

[The dude behind Little People.]
 
Finally, one quick note about supporting artists. A lot of artists, particularly pop music artists, can make up to 50% or more of their annual income through touring. And, as you may have heard, very few artists are able to tour right now.

[Little People’s message about canceled tour stops.]
 
So, if an artist you like is performing online shows, or putting out new music — or maybe if you’ve just been streaming their latest album rather than purchasing it — consider giving them a hand and buying some tickets, a digital album or maybe even a deluxe CD package. It means the world to them, and also puts some much-needed cash in their pocket. They’ll get by with a little help from their friends… be a friend!

Be well.

Peace,
AJ Harbison

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