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Barrett Tasky is one of those rare gems you discover right in your back yard. Tasky has an amazing broad base of music, recording and performance that culminates in his latest project, Barrett's Hidden Agenda. The man literally plays a multitude of instruments. His studio has everything from a standup bass to a Hammond B3. He is adept at mandolin, guitar, saxophone---the list goes on. Tasky writes songs in the Americana vein of songwriting. His style is personal and inspirational. In this episode Tasky lifts the curtain on his writing routine. We get to discover how he creates through the use of self-imposed deadlines. Even a wonderful idea surrounding the creation of a song in celebration of his birthday. Thoughtful, funny and inspirational, Barrett Tasky is a good person for any aspiring songwriter to study and also reach out to for advice.

https://www.barrettshiddenagenda.com/
https://thebarbandbarrettshow.com/
https://superheroaudio.com/

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Barrett Tasky is one of those rare gems you discover right in your back yard. This episode title (based on a comment of Barrett's) is accurate in that, like a pyramid of Egypt, Tasky has an amazing broad base of music, recording and performance that culminates in his latest project, Barrett's Hidden Agenda. The man literally plays a multitude of instruments. His studio has everything from a standup bass to a Hammond B3. He is adept at mandolin, guitar, saxophone---the list goes on. Tasky writes songs in the American vein of songwriting. His style is personal and inspirational. "When you are looking down, that's when you know you are flying" is just one of the great lyrics people will be able to delight to when listening to this interview. He is a true craftsman in more than one way. Not only performing music in various groups, including a duo with his wife Barb, but keeping "an ace in the pocket" with running a woodworking business (http://thewoodwizzard.com) handed down to him by his father. Creative and challenging work for anyone who has had a beloved piece of furniture refinished or reupholstered. You want the right sort of artist in charge. Tasky takes that tradition and applies it to all of his musical endeavors, including working with the founders of the Steel Bridge musical group in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Like a pyramid, Tasky has a lot of secret chambers, hidden halls and is a great artist to discover. And just like Howard Carter looking in on Tutankhamen's tomb for the first time, you are going to be treated to some "wondrous things!"
https://www.barrettshiddenagenda.com/
https://thebarbandbarrettshow.com/
https://superheroaudio.com/

Support the show

We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT. Here are some important links:

SUPPORT THE SHOW:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MartyfineaK

MARTIN'S WEBSITE:
http://www.MARTINMcCORMACK.COM
(note---you can get my weekly bulletin when you sign up on the list!)

MARTIN'S MUSIC:
Music | Martin Laurence McCormack (bandcamp.com)
Martin McCormack | Spotify

MARTIN'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Martin McCormack - YouTube

FACEBOOK
Facebook
...

Send a text

Take a drum teacher, add songwriting, arranging and divide between an eclectic marching band and a duo that does looping, bass lines vocally and rocks as full band would. Keeping true to the beat of his drum, Hershyl Edwards is a powerhouse, performing with Macca Pazza, whose Wikipedia page describes as "an interdisciplinary instrumental music and performance ensemble." As part of a group that can number 30 players, Edwards has written pieces for the group, such as "Stupid Icarus" that flares with energy drums, vocal bass, loops, vox and Jesse Crydeman playing guitar, loops, and vox as well. It is a rich auditory concoction that explores different genres of music and sound. Both groups perform regularly in Chicago and throughout the world. But there's also Edwards the instructor, mentoring students as he himself had been mentored at the University of Illinois. He teaches at Musical Expressions of Naperville on the kit as well as instruction in voice. This first interview delves into his background, growing up and how he ended up pursuing a musical path. Another strong example that independent musicians can create their journey, make a living from it and deserve recognition and respect for being artisans in a world (especially in the US) that dismisses such ingenuity. In this second interview, Edwards talks about how he goes about writing his music. He reveals the various methods of capturing melody, as well as lyric writing. These skills are also passed along to the students he teaches.

For Edward's teaching, go to:
https://www.ensembleschools.com/musicalexpressions/staff/hershyl-edwards/

https://www.facebook.com/hershyl.edwards.2025/
https://bifunkal.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/muccapazza

Support the show

We are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT. Here are some important links:

SUPPORT THE SHOW:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MartyfineaK

MARTIN'S WEBSITE:
http://www.MARTINMcCORMACK.COM
(note---you can get my weekly bulletin when you sign up on the list!)

MARTIN'S MUSIC:
Music | Martin Laurence McCormack (bandcamp.com)
Martin McCormack | Spotify

MARTIN'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Martin McCormack - YouTube

FACEBOOK
Facebook
...