Tradition is tending the flame, not worshipping the ashes.
--Composer Gustav Mahler

He's been playing daily and I'm impressed--he's actually getting much better at playing melodies, harmonies, you name it.  It's kind of a relief because his singing used to drive me out of the house.  Not that he's a bad singer, but he picks songs that I don't like, for example the one that says repeatedly "you're gonna love me someday".  More like I'm gonna kill him someday, if he keeps singing that song.  But no, the picking is great.  Happy he's practicing.

Without deviation from the norm,
progress is not possible.
-Frank Zappa

This young man is 21 years old and just starting his last year of college, and this is his second album. Each track has a different sound, except for the strong, honest, edgy vocals from HG. In person he is a little bit shy, but get to know him and you'll find a compassionate and humorous young man. The sadness, frustration and anger that come through in his music are less evident in person, hence perhaps the title.

If you ask me he is finding his voice. When I first met him he had a head-down posture of a subordinate sulking teen. In the last two years he has begun to carry himself upright and to meet my gaze, and to have his say when he wants to. This change in posture correlates with what a yogi might call an opening of the throat chakra.

His album is a commentary on the struggle of young adulthood to find meaning, solidify an authentic identity and rise above the limitations imposed by the judgements of others.

You can download the whole album for free right now at:
https://soundcloud.com/hayden-gehr/sets/voiceless

I think the title is "Sweet Carolina" but in my mind the title ought to be "Pockets full of Dust" or something like it. This song is about how a lost soul can end up in a lonely place.

To practice any art,
no matter how well or badly,
is a way to make your soul grow.
So do it.
--Kurt Vonnegut

In Sanscrit, from the Upanishad, this is the mantra:

Om Purnam-Adah Purnam-Idam Purnat-Purnam-Udacyate
Purnashya Purnam-Adaya Purnam-Eva-Avashisyate
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

And this is the meaning:
Om, that is Full, this also is Full, from Fullness comes that Fullness,
Taking Fullness from Fullness, Fullness Indeed Remains.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

Modified for readability from:
http://greenmesg.org/mantras_slokas/vedas-om_purnamadah_purnamidam.php
Discovered because of a beautiful recording by Shantala on the album The Love Window

ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ ॐ

Do not fear mistakes,
there are none.
--Miles Davis