Thank you so much Lauren! I will let you know how my presentation goes.
I appreciate you going into so much depth on these questions, and taking the time to do so. I found this very inspiring, particularly the piece about finding what makes you happy. I will definitely come back and reference this in the future.
Thanks again!
Griffin Woytaszek
1. Discuss your background—name, title, degrees, awards.
Professor Lauren Passarelli, BM from Berklee 1982, service awards from Berklee. Multi-instrumentalist, performing songwriter, recording engineer.
2. How do you define the art that you create?
Pop rock, art rock, original music, singer songwriter, with flavors of The Beatles, James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, Pat Metheny, Stevie Wonder.
3. Describe your artistic journey—what was the path you took as an artist?
I loved everything about playing with sound. I started writing my own songs very young, at 10 yrs old. I always wanted to hear all the parts in my head all together. I needed a “Dream Machine”, which turned out to be a multi- track Teac tape recorder 4tk ¼ inch, reel to reel. I enjoy playing live but the studio is my thrill where I have complete control, and create new recordings.
Who are your influences? George Harrison, Johnny Smith, Eric Clapton, George Benson, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Pat Metheny, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Yes, Snarky Puppy, Stevie Wonder, Sir George Martin, Elton John, Dave O’Donnell, Phil Ramone, Elliot Scheiner, Al Schmitt, Jeff Lynne. So many other, songwriters, bands, engineers, producers…
4. Were there early successes and/or failures that were important in shaping you? Do you have a favorite “failure”?
Although my parents supported me very well with instruments, lessons, and college, my Mom gave me a TON of resistance spending so much time practicing and creating music. I’m the oldest of four, she was probably looking forward to spending time with me as I came of age, but instead of inviting me to do things, she gave me ridiculous amounts of negativity, insults, and doubt that built my determination and iron clad fortitude that MUSIC WAS MINE, and I wouldn’t give it up for anybody. Counted as a failure it can still feel painful and strange that I was 40 years old before she “got it”, but I know it was the impetus for my tremendous resolve, and source of encouragement to others.
5. What educational experiences best prepared you for the work you do (this one I’m very interested in)?
Mucho curiosity to experiment and keep learning everything I was fascinated by with music.
I loved my harmony and guitar classes but I can’t point to one teacher or batch of classes that directly mentored me or helped me become who I wanted to be. I wanted to meet my heroes and apprentice with them or folks like them.
MP&E and Songwriting weren’t majors when I was a student here. There was more jazz than anything else and my teachers weren’t interested in my music. I kept my music close to my heart and all the Berklee stuff I had to do at arms-length.
After my senior recital I understood that my ears and hands would do anything I asked them to if I gave them the time and focus. I had all the tools; I was a super hero now. Berklee had fueled everything I wanted to be as a musician.
I started teaching here when I was 24 yrs old, and Berklee is still the coolest music college on Earth. I learn from everybody, continually, even by osmosis.
I started drums at 36 yrs old, piano at 40, learned how to tune a piano, deepened my recording skills. I’m always learning new software, instruments, and life skills to stay healthy, manage my money, and most importantly how to use my thoughts, and emotions for me, not against me.
6. What other experiences prepared you for the work you do?
Teaching has made me very articulate and solid in the things that are important to me and my students. Be great at something and share it. It’s a great circle: When I’m down I tune myself, get inspired, create and record, share it, get inspired, create, share it…
7. What have been your personal greatest accomplishments as an artist?
Realizing that everything I dreamed I wanted to be as a musician, I am; and everything I wanted to have, I have. I invest in myself, lots of research, and gear, and thousands of hours growing. It’s a blast. I want to be an accomplished musician in my next life, too. There’s always new desires, ideas, and equipment, and I buy and sell, share and trade, and allow myself to develop more and more. It’s my zest for living; keeps my chakras spinning. I can look back at any age I’ve been, and any batch of songs I was writing at the time and be so impressed and proud and laughing at my wonderful, silly, determined, capacity for more self. I have a lifetime of creating and it is fabulous. I wouldn’t want to be anybody else. I am so excited by what I do and who I have become, and my body of work of hundreds of songs written. I have so many more songs to release. I have two albums released with my band, Two Tru and all the albums, EPs, and singles I’ve released under my name.
8. Do you feel that your art relates deeply to society/politics? If so, how?
Not really. My art is about people, ideas, and emotions mostly. Although I did write a single called, Love Wins, that I released before the last presidential election hoping to encourage folks to use their power for the good.
Life is a giant buffet, and I am dedicated to a healthy mind so I choose what I want to take in and how much or I am easily overwhelmed. I am very attuned, and sensitive to stimuli. It’s a strength for creating music, and blending sounds. I protect my heart and soul. I’m excellent at reading people and spotting BS. Life is like a game, and I have a quick mind. I choose what games are interesting and which are not for me. Having preferences will save you a lot of time and energy.
9. How do you navigate social media?
A bit of Facebook, some Instagram, a website, lots of videos on YouTube.
10. What are your thoughts on networking and how have relationships shaped your career?
I reach out to people I admire and start friendships. If I love their work, I want to compliment them and see if we can collaborate. As songwriters, band leaders, initiators, we have the goods. We have the invitation. Each new song, show, or recording is a vehicle for others to participate in with me and they love being asked.
It’s great fun to watch things unfold. Recently a friend of mine played an open mic feature. She questioned why she had accepted the low profile, low paying gig. But she had, and professionally followed through. She was given a CD with songs she hated and a lead vocal she didn’t like but she loved the sound of the record. She played a couple of tracks for me. I loved the recording and got in touch with the engineer, and made a new friend. Then we recorded together at his local studio. You can’t predict these twists and turns of things.
I went to a dinner party once that I wasn’t interested in or in the mood to attend. I went because I was begged to, and I thought, well I know I will love the food. I’ll go and be happy for the food, and to my great surprise, met the love of my life.
The world works like this: Want something, decide what it is, decide it’s for you, and forget about it. Just know it’s coming, and boom your life takes you there.
11. What advice do you have for a music college student (like me) about to enter the “real world”?
Decide you belong and that you are enough. Enjoy the process. Let yourself have what you want. We all have talents, and much to offer. I have a song that says, “Your gift make room for you.” We create the grooves that opportunities flow to us through.
You get what your heart wants, not your head. Sometimes we think things have to happen in a certain way. I wanted to be a great musician, living in a quiet place with lots of freedom to do my thing, and that’s what I got. In my head I thought I wanted fame but I hate the noise, lack of privacy, and clammer. I didn’t want that. I wanted the results of that: a rock star life, a private home, gear. Freedom to create is my favorite thing and I became the person I needed to meet and learn from. Be the Artist you always wanted to be.
You will get paid for what you know. Whatever you were teased about and considered a geek at, contains your super skills. It’s usually the thing that is a giant source of pleasure for you to spend your time doing. I was teased and called, Carole King (not a negative!) when I was a student, where’s your jazz guitar, The Beatles? Are you kidding? (and this was from teachers!) Then here I am all these years later, The Beatles Expert in MA, excellent songwriter, Artist in residence at the very college I attended. It’s your own precious life. Fill it with the people, food, and things you love. Don’t try to convince anybody or get their approval, just do your thing and learn how to be happy. The other wizards will recognize you. The muggles won’t. Don’t even waste your breath.
Protect your ears. We’re born hearing at -20 db in both ears. I’m 61 yrs old and I can still hear at -10 db in both ears. I’ve always worn ear plugs everywhere, public transportation, the streets, in loud restaurants, etc. and a few times I’ve even worn -45 db head gear protection while performing in loud bands. EVERYTHING sounds too loud to me. I use all kinds of ear plugs to mow the lawn, vacuum, blow dry my hair, and certainly attending concerts. Whatever you subject yourself to on a regular basis wears away your hearing in those frequencies if it’s too loud or for too long. (An audiologist told me that Dentists lose their hearing in the frequencies of the drill.) {you only need to watch this trailer to know you’d better protect your ears- https://youtu.be/VFOrGkAvjAE}
Happy is an inside job. Be (with) someone who makes you happy. Don’t take as long as I did to figure this out. Don’t look outside yourself for permission or validation. Look inside yourself. The problem with magic is remembering to use it. We are wizards.
Imagination is the best tool we have as creators. Visualize fun, happiness, money, gear, love, friends, opportunities, and most importantly, declare, and decide what you want and that you CAN have it all. Use your creative skills to dream. Don’t worry about how. Just enjoy seeing yourself in the picture.
I can remember loving the backs of 12×12 inch album jackets when I was a kid. I’d stare at James Taylor’s, One man Dog album and his friends playing in a band, in the house surrounded by trees out in the woods, and the back of Yes albums with Chris Squire and his Teac tape deck, pix of recording studios and musicians doing their thing and just love it. Then years later, here I am living in the woods, surrounded by trees with lots of instruments and recording equipment. It dawned on me 21 years ago, I was actually playing drums while recording friends when I remembered those album photos, OMG, I’m IN THE PICTURE!
The best graduation story I ever heard was:
https://www.wanttoknow.info/051230whatmattersinlife