Ep22 Growing up and the Anatomy of music - Rowland O’Conner

Sorting Room Studios Sound engineer, guitarist and fund raider for Greenpeace talks about his relationship with music and tells stories about the environmental paradox and growing up.

Roland shares his experiences with jam nights at the Barrelhouse in Totnes, emphasizing the spontaneity and emotional connections in music. They discuss the balance between thought and instinct in the creative process, with Roland improvising music based on personal stories and emotions. Themes such as the juxtaposition of childhood and adulthood, environmental responsibility, and the paradox of enjoying life while being mindful of its impact are explored. The episode highlights the dynamic interplay between structured knowledge and creative freedom in music.

Follow Rowland on Instagram:

Introduction to Improvisation (00:00:05)
Roland shares his relationship with improvisation and the significance of spontaneity in music.

The Jam Night Experience (00:00:14)
Discussion about the origins and evolution of the big water jam night in London.

Emotional Responses to Music (00:02:09)
Roland reflects on how music evokes feelings of dread and emotional journeys.

Visual Imagery in Music (00:02:47)
Exploration of how music connects with visual imagery and personal memories.

Storytelling through Music (00:03:51)
Roland narrates a childhood story about friendship and playful destruction.

Juxtaposition of Age and Maturity (00:04:54)
Discussion on how age is represented in music, balancing youth and maturity.

The Complexity of Growing Up (00:07:25)
Exploration of the contrast between childhood innocence and adult responsibilities.

Emotional Paradoxes in Life (00:09:55)
Roland discusses the emotional struggle between responsibility and personal well-being.

Musical Process and Clarity (00:12:35)
The host and Roland discuss the thought process behind creating music.

Balancing Thought and Spontaneity (00:15:48)
The challenge of balancing conscious thought and natural flow in music creation.

Nature as Musical Inspiration (00:16:02)
Roland describes how nature influences his music and emotional expression.

Conclusion and Reflection (00:16:44)
Roland expresses gratitude for the conversation and shares his positive experience.

Keywords

improvisation, music, Improv Pod podcast, Roland O'Connor, jam nights, creativity, emotional connections, childhood, adulthood, environmental issues, creative process, imagery, emotions, spontaneity, Big Water Jam, London, jazz chords, Rhapsody in Blue, music visualization, subconscious thoughts, storytelling, age, maturity, nursery rhyme, Mozart, climate crisis, Greenpeace, consumerist culture, balancing act, fulfilling life, nature, guitar improvisation, melodic ideas, major and minor chords, mental discipline, musical elements, jazz progressions, feelings, emotions, tranquil forest, podcast conversation, creative fields.