The Matt Kollock Show

TMKS #15 – The Anxiety Episode

Friends! 

If you're like me, you feel pretty anxious much of the time. If you're like me, you feel anxious in a way that convinces you you're suffering from something other than anxiety; something terrible and life-threatening. If you're like me, you've been through this cycle a few times now, and your life has never actually been in danger. Fun shit, right? 

I Thought I Had a Handle 

Every time I check my website stats, I notice that there is one blog post in particular that seems to get consistent, regular views and engagement. It's a blog post that I wrote back in November of 2019 (a much different time, right?), entitled I Am Trying to Reduce My Baseline Anxiety Level. 

Lately, I've been feeling off. Pretty down. Pretty low. Kind of all over the place. Kind of lacking in confidence. Stuff like that. Investigation into my feelings revealed what these types of investigations always seem to reveal: My troubles have been caused by anxiety, and I haven't realized it. Haven't even really considered it until recently when I was anxiously checking my website stats. 

So I decided to make today's episode all about anxiety, using that blog post as a barometer for where I'm located today and an inspirational jumping-off point for my future. 

I thought I had a handle on things. Reading that blog post from nine(!) months ago, I recognized a more confident person. A more stable and assured person. That kind of guy. Since that time, anxiety has wormed its way back into my life. In different ways. Causing different problems. But it's the same old lame old anxiety. Fun! 

And You? 

What's your deal? Are you an anxious person? Does anything I'm writing make sense? 

I would love to hear from you and learn your perspective! So write me an email at matt@mattkollock.com to share your thoughts, won't you? 

Also, if you're interested in supporting me and the podcast on an even deeper level, please check out my Patreon, where I have some juicy, juicy bonus episodes available for those who subscribe at the $5/month level. Cool! 

Become a Patron!

 

Of course, another way to express your feelings about me and my show is to leave a review and rating on Apple Podcasts. Be the first person to do so, and I'll give you a special shout out on the podcast. You want that, right? Great! 

Until next time, keep it cool, relaxed and characterized by deep, restorative breathing. 

TMKS #14 – I Wanna Be YOUR Guitar Hero

Hey. How's it going? Are you doing all right? 

BIG POWER CHORD!!! 

Episode 14 of The Matt Kollock Show covers my current thoughts about the state of my main instrument. 

I have been a guitar player for more than 30 years now. I have always identified, musically, with the guitar as my primary tool of expression. In recent years, though, I have distanced myself from the culture surrounding the instrument. It is, as you may know, very white, very male, very regressive and very boring. I don't want my music to be about those things. 

Lately as I've been enduring emotional ups and downs, I have come to regard the instrument and its culture a little differently. I recognize that I am a part of the guitar tapestry. I have a voice in the community. My words carry weight. I know what I'm talking about. I can occupy the lane of "GUITARIST" and make an impact. So that's what I've decided to do. 

I want to do it differently, though. I want to be YOUR guitar hero. A new kind of guitar hero. 

Check Out Today's Other Episodes, Won't You? 

It's a big day for the podcast! 

Episode 14 is just one of three I have released today. 

Episode 13.5 is a bonus episode just for my Patrons on Patreon who are subscribed at the $5/month level. In that one, I talk about my recent music-gear acquisitions. I have GAS! If you want to listen to that one (and all the other bonus episodes), just visit my Patreon page and sign up at the $5 tier or above. It'll be so cool! 

Episode 13, in which I discuss where I believe music comes from, is available right here or wherever you get your podcasts. It's a good one, so make sure you check it out. 

Thanks, my friends! I sure do appreciate you and your listenership. I would love to hear from you, too, so send me an email at matt@mattkollock.com and let me know what you think. 

Have a terrific week! 

TMKS #13 – Where Does the Music Come From?

I have some weird ideas about where music comes from. Well, maybe they aren't so weird. But they feel weird in the context of authorship and ownership and stuff like that. 

Episode 13 of The Matt Kollock Show podcast covers a lot of ground as I explore my thoughts, feelings and instincts with regard to the source of the music. I talk about different musical traditions and how they have intertwined over millennia to create the landscape we all travel today. 

Really Just Read the Wesley Morris Piece 

I mean seriously. So much of what I talk about in this episode is so much better said by Wesley Morris in the piece he wrote last year for The New York Times Magazine and The 1619 Project. 

I encourage you to read Mr. Morris's piece, entitled For centuries, black music, forged in bondage, has been the sound of complete artistic freedom. o wonder everybody is always stealing it. 

The way music exists now is a mess. But here we are. There is also the tricky issue of making a living from music, which, in our culture, requires there to be authorship and ownership. Credit. Shit like that, which is not conducive to making good music and expressing oneself authentically. So yeah. 

I also talk about an interview David Bowie did with MTV in 1983, in which he challenged the institutionalized racism of the upstart cable channel. You can read the article I talked about on Consequence of Sound here. 

Check Out Episodes 13.5 and 14! 

This is just one of three episodes I am releasing today! 

Episode 13.5 is a bonus episode just for my Patrons on Patreon who are subscribed at the $5/month level. In that one, I talk about my recent music-gear acquisitions. I have GAS! If you want to listen to that one (and all the other bonus episodes), just visit my Patreon page and sign up at the $5 tier or above. It'll be so cool! 

Episode 14, in which I discuss how I want to be a new kind of guitar hero, is available right here or wherever you get your podcasts. It's a good one, so make sure you check it out. 

Thanks, my friends! I sure do appreciate you and your listenership. I would love to hear from you, too, so send me an email at matt@mattkollock.com and let me know what you think. 

Have a terrific week! 

TMKS #12 – There's Got to Be a Better Way!

Friends! 

How have you been? It's been a while, hasn't it? Unless you are from the future, which is probably the case, and it hasn't been long at all. Regardless of all considerations for the fabric of space-time, I hope you are doing all right. I am doing all right, too. I made this episode of the podcast and I think it's a good one. I hope you like it, too. 

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I've Been Thinking... 

Episode 12 of The Matt Kollock Show picks up more or less right where the last one left off. It's sort of like when the next season of a TV show resumes action immediately following the action that concluded the previous season. Except in real life people have been enjoying meals and losing hair and starting families and evolving their priorities and shit like that. Remember in LOST season five's premiere episode when Sawyer and Juliet are on the beach and it's, like, minutes after the action of the season four finale took place and Sawyer is visibly 20 pounds or so heavier? This episode will is kind of like that in some ways. 

This episode is mostly not like that, though. It is about how I plan to go forward as a musician and podcaster seeking fame and fortune. I wonder if fame and fortune are really what it's all about. 

This episode explores my thoughts with regard to becoming powerful as a creator of things in a world and a system that usually exploits and harms Black people attempting to do the same thing. How can I do what I'm doing in way that overrides the dominant model and creates the possibility of standing in power with Black artists? 

So that's what I talk about in this one. I feel like I did all right. I think you may become stimulated by what I have to say. So yeah. 

There's More! 

I had a lot of notes for this episode and I only covered about half of them. So I'm going to do another episode later this week. Nice! That'll be episode 13. 

I'm going to put out a bonus episode later this week, too. That one will be available on my Patreon page for subscribers at the $5 level and above. It joins two other Patreon-only bonus episodes over there. So if you need to pump more of The Matt Kollock Show into your system for some reason, five bucks gets you what you need. 

I'll be putting out new music soon, too, so keep your ear to wherever you hear about new music. Following me on Spotify is one cool way to stay informed about such things. Cool! 

Thanks, guys! I'll see you next time. And next time is gonna be soon. 

TMKS #11 – Black Lives Matter

Everything you need to know about this episode is contained within its title. Thank you.

TMKS #10 – How to Be a Better Songwriter

It's episode ten of The Matt Kollock Show!!! We did it! They said we couldn't do it, but goddammit, we got it done. Good for us! 

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Sore in So Many Ways 

The last week has been a bit trying. The bipolar has been frisky lately. It's taken me to some places I seldom visit. But I'm good. Except for the part where the emotional stuff manifests physically. I've been experiencing some weird pains and discomfort in my arm. So I had my guy Greg over at Elite Ortho-Therapy and Sports Medicine do some work on me. Which is worse than the pain I had been experiencing, but it's the good kind of hurt. Now I feel much more relaxed and pain-free. I have been carrying tons of tension in my neck, shoulder and back. Today I learned that I've been carrying a lot of it in my pectoral muscle, too. But we're working the shit out. Me and Greg will work on the physical aspect, and then I'll work on the mental and emotional aspects. Problem solving! 

In my soreness, I've been seeking comfort in nostalgia. Watching more Rig Rundown videos. Getting back into guitar players that I admired as a teen. People like Danny Gatton and Albert Lee. Pining for an old instrument. Stuff like that. 

You'll hear me talk all about my current situation of soreness in the intro to today's podcast! 

Songwriters Writing Songs 

The bulk of today's episode is devoted to songwriting. But even if you're not a songwriter, I feel like you'll get something out of today's installment. 

I wrote a blog post at the beginning of 2019 entitled "25 Ways to Become a Better Songwriter." It's a good one! In fact, it's the most-read piece of content in my blog. By a longshot. 

Anyway, I took some time today to go over my 25 tips and comment on them. They remain relevant! I added some new hints and tricks, too. So if you're a creative person, I think you'll dig what I have to say. Or maybe you won't. Either way, you should let me know what you think, all right? Great! 

And Now This 

Now here's the part where I ask you to support me. Do it on my website. Do it on my Patreon. Send an email to matt@mattkollock.com. Follow my artist profile on Spotify. Rate and review. All that. 

I really, really, really appreciate it! 

I'll see you next week with episode 11. I'm going to put out a bonus episode for Patrons, too, in the meantime. Stay safe and shine on! 

TMKS #9 – Gear Medication

Hi! I did another podcast! 

What Now? 

I almost forgot to do this one. But it's Monday. So I'm podcasting. Look at me go!

Here's what I cover in today's solo episode of The Matt Kollock Show: 

• The weekend (but not The Weeknd) 
• Not feeling the music 
• Feeling a little low and depressed and anxious 
• RIP Fred Willard 
• RIP Lynn Shelton 
• Procrastinating 
• Fantasizing about music gear 

This is a short and sweet one, friends, but it's good! I found the great podcasting spirit and channeled it. For you. So I hope you dig it. 

Become a Patron!

You're So Supportive 

Yes. Yes you are. 

You wouldn't be here otherwise. Thank you! 

Wanna be even more supportive? Yeah, it's possible. Just go over to my Patreon page and subscribe! I'll be putting out a bonus episode soon, which will only be available for subscribers at the $5 level. So yeah. Do that. I appreciate it. 

See you next time! 

TMKS #8 – Digging, Day Jobs, Deadlines and Defeating Modesty

They said it couldn't be done. 

They said it was impossible. 

They said it was insane to even consider. 

But here we are. We did it. We got to where we were going. Now what are they saying? Not a whole lot. 

It's episode eight of The Matt Kollock Show! 

How Was Your Full Moon? 

Last Thursday's full moon was one characterized by unearthing. Digging. Bringing stuff to the surface. Friends, that happened in a big way for me. I reckoned with some stuff. I made some decisions. I moved closer to being the person I'm supposed to be. 

So that was pretty cool. I talk about that a little bit in today's episode. 

I also get into the struggles I have with my day job. And right now, I've got one more big job to do before I can get out of the game for good. Will I make it? I have no doubt, but getting there is going to be shitty. 

Finally, I've come up with some ideas with regard to how I will present my persona. Basically, I need to stop acting like I'm fucking ordinary. I'm not. We all die, so there's no use in acting modest about shit. 

So I get into all that and the thoughts I've been having about modesty vs humility. Stuff like that. I talk about Chelsea Peretti, who is one of my favorite comedians, and how her classic 2014 comedy special, One of the Greats, serves as a kind of blueprint for the vibe I'm going for. So yeah. 

Oh yeah, I called my mom yesterday on Mother's Day, but I didn't talk about that in the episode. Just know that I called her, okay? 

Supportage 

Become a Patron!

Geez, I sure appreciate you listening to the podcast, friends! I hope you continue to do so. It's really good, right? 

If you want to support my efforts in an even bigger way, why not become a Patron? It's fun! And at the $5 level, Patrons get bonus podcast episodes and content. Neat! 

So yeah, go ahead and become a Patron. That would be amazing! Also, be sure to head over to my website so you can sign up for my email list. Thanks! 

TMKS #7 – Mindfulness, Meditation, 'Magination and Matt Kollock

Hey!

It's another solo episode of The Matt Kollock Show. Remember when I used to do interviews? Me neither! 

It's All In Your Head 

So yeah. Today's episode has me rambling a little about all the stuff that happened around here since last time. Then I get into a talk about my journey with mindfulness, meditation and using my imagination to create "reality." It's all very woo-woo, mystical and entirely not rooted in anything resembling facts. So it's a lot of fun! 

Become a Patron!

Here are some of the areas I hammer in today's 'sode: 

• How no one around here seems to give a shit that a global pandemic is currently happening 
• Star Wars Day and how The Rise of Skywalker is a shitty movie 
• Yellow cake with chocolate frosting 
• Batman (1989) 
• An article I wrote about meditation on Medium
• Karma 
• Why we meditate and practice mindfulness 
• How imagination creates reality 
• Podcaster Jessa Reed
• Podcaster Noah Lampert
• Much more! 

So yeah. There you have it. It's Episode Seven of The Matt Kollock Show. Dig it! 

Help? 

If you want to support me in ways that go beyond listening, please consider becoming a Patron on Patreon. Episode 6.5 of the podcast lives over there, but you've got to join at the $5 level to hear it. So yeah. 

Oh, here's another thing: Please remember to rate and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever. That helps a lot. 

I have a website! Visit it and bookmark it and link to it from your website. That would be rad. 

Thanks, friends! I'll see you next time. Shine on! 

TMKS #6 – Complimenting the Frame and Explaining "They Died Alive"

It's another episode of The Matt Kollock Show podcast!

This is a lean, mean episode, clocking in at fewer than 58 minutes, but it is packed with goodies, as always.

It's Tiny Desk Week

I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to pull it off with everything that's going on these days, but I was able to capture a pretty good performance of my song, "They Died Alive," for my entry into this year's NPR Music Tiny Desk Contest.

I recorded my entry this past Saturday, April 25th, and uploaded it yesterday. Today, April 27th, is the due date. So I got mine in well under the wire. But still under the wire.

In today's episode of the podcast, I talk about the experience of creating my entry and the surprising benefits I experienced from entering last year's contest. No, I didn't win. I don't expect to win this year, either. But I would be surprised if something nice didn't come from this. I wouldn't have met and become friends with Jason and Melissa of Meri Dean if I hadn't entered last year. And that's just one example of the kinds of things that can come from involving oneself in something like this.

By the way, if you haven't heard the Meri Dean episode of the podcast, you should check it out!

Wanna see my entry video? Here it is. Let me know what you think, won't you?

Song Explainer: "They Died Alive"

The main feature of today's episode is my explanation of "They Died Alive." If you want to know how I came up with this tune and what the lyrics are all about, you don't want to miss it!

'Rona Visions

I looked backward and forward through the lens of Coronavirus this past week.

In today's episode, I discuss how it may be possible Annie and I have already experienced Covid-19. It was a little crazy looking back at my journal from January and reexamining the three-week sickness I had.

Looking into the future on a psychedelic walk last week, I had a pretty strong vision of what the political/cultural landscape will look like as a result of the corona consequences.

This is all some very woo-woo, mystical shit, friends, so be careful!

Other Things

Today's edition of the podcast is a solo episode, but I had a lot to talk about.

Here are some other topics I blab about here in Episode Six:

• People who are guilty of "complimenting the frame"
• Episode Four's guest, Kira Holt, and her new EP, Gold Flakes, which is dropping everywhere this week
• A psychedelic experience in the midst of sickness
• All kinds of updates on all kinds of things!

Many, Many Thanks!

Six episodes! Unbelievable!

It wasn't that long ago when I was wondering if I would ever get the podcast out into the world. Now I've got a half-dozen eps. Good times!

Of course, none of this would be possible without you. I mean, yeah, I could put out a podcast, but it would be very unrewarding without listeners and supporters like you. So thank you.

If you are interested in helping the podcast (and all things Matt Kollock-related) grow, there are a number of things you can to help:

• Rate/review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts
• Hang out on my website and sign up for the email list
• Follow my artist profile on Spotify
• Consider supporting me (and receiving exclusive stuff from me) by becoming a Patreon Patron for as little as $1 a month
• Subscribe to the official Matt Kollock YouTube Channel

Easy!

If you would like to support me, great! If not, I really am just glad you're here. You are the best.

I'll see you next week with another 'sode. Until then, Shine on!