Rob Walker has a new book out. I’m in it! You should buy and read it.
Rob interviewed me about critical listening, that is, listening closely to music to try to mentally isolate the different instruments/sounds, and understand their relationships to each other, and to the whole. Critical listening can reveal whole new dimensions to a song, even if it’s one that you’ve heard a thousand times. The entire book is devoted to similar methods for seeing or thinking about familiar things in new ways. It’s a combination meditation guide and practical arts method resource. It’s lovingly written and beautifully designed, and I’m super proud to be a part of it.