STAN STEWART
composer, singer-songwriter
We all begin life with an innate creative impulse—to draw, play, sing, dance, venture into imaginary realms, and make something from anything even if it’s a handful of stones. Be it societal conditioning, well-meaning parents and teachers, or peer pressure, too many people grow up and out of the impulse to create while others put down strong, defiant roots and bloom into passionate, dedicated artists. It is my joy to profile one of these strong artistic beings who navigates his own life from a knee-jerk creative impulse and makes the world a better place in the process.
Stan Stewart is a singer-songwriter, composer, musicologist, improv artist (dance, music, storytelling), musician-for-hire, poet of everyday life, spontaneous photographer, world traveler, and charity supporter for worthy causes. He has the rare shape-shifting ability to create beautiful soundscapes one moment and the next, turn a grocery list into a fun, innovative song. His deep philosophy on life and humor play an equal role in his work, and his interview is an inspiring glimpse into a life well lived—in the moment, sweet with gratitude, no stone left unturned. Be sure to check out the links for his music, charity efforts, and other noteworthy offerings that follow. Enjoy!
...
Q: As a creative artist, you wear many hats: composer, songwriter, musicologist, improv performer, poet, photographer. As a human being, do all these selves look at the world simultaneously or are there only specific times and circumstances that bring out each expression?
A: At the risk of over-generalizing, I’d say that my art is mostly a response to my human being. My internal process and external influences inspire me – in ways that may be perceived as both positive and negative –to create. Sometimes, I create by capturing a scene in nature. Another time, I am inspired to write a song. Improvisation is the perfect example: for every moment, I can create something artful … and it doesn’t even have to be a product. It is simply an expression or artistic interpretation of what I see and experience.
Q: You have traveled the world and in lived in various geographical locations. What place was the most inspiring to you and why? Give us a glimpse into a moment or day that will always live inside you.
A: Ithaca, New York is where I live now. It is my favorite of all the places I’ve lived. However, if I extend beyond that, I think immediately of the Australian Blue Mountains (see Photo 2). They were so incredibly inspiring to me and made me say, “If I ever decided to leave the United States, this would be at the top of my list of places to consider.” Instead of being a mountain that rises up from it’s surroundings, the Blue Mountains are canyons below a plateau. It’s also a rain forest, so the resulting clouds hovering as I hiked down the mountain had a sense of magic. The trees and vines were all dripping with warm humidity morning, afternoon, and night. Once I climbed back up, I could see vistas like the one pictured here. Truly an amazing, natural wonder.
Q: What song sums you up as a person in this crazy world?
A: I have no idea if the world is crazy. (It may be normal and I may be the crazy one.) I do know there are a lot of crazy people in this world: some for the worse and some for the better of humanity. I long to be the latter, so my aim is for all of my music to tell stories (mostly my own), uplift, and celebrate human connection. My newest release is so fresh in my mind that I can’t point to any other song at the moment: “Wreckless” (see link below). This is actually a song about being a little crazy. I’d say that some of the most poignant stories have elements of melancholy and celebration co-existing in them. This song is case in point. It tells part of my story of rising up from apathy and numbness. Not every step has been easy, but it has certainly been worth it. Integrity, joy and wonder are much more beautiful places to live from. And this voyage clearly continues to this day.
Q: You walk into a room somewhere between realities… Where are you, who is there, and why don’t you ever want to leave this place of your dreams?
A: This present world is enough of in between and a place of dreams. So, the best I can do is describe the present moment. In the window just beyond my monitor, it’s snowing. I love the way the snow shifts, vibrantly with the wind. Each flake seems somehow alive with its own majestic beauty. My monitors are pumping out the phosphorescent light behind this document as I continue to type these words. The room is warm though the scene beyond the window is obviously cold. A reminder pops up in the corner of my screen reminding me that we will go to a party with friends in about an hour. I hear the back door open and close. I hear my wife’s footsteps. She has just returned from a walk in the lovely snow. I will go greet her now. Yes, my present reality is the one I long for.
Q: You are watching something outside your window, a window you always look out of—set music to it and tell us what you are composing.
A: Here you go. No shortage of inspiration here if you ask me (see photo 3 below)
Q: What creative artists have pulled you through your times of abyss?
A: Dolores O’Riordan, Peter Gabriel, David Wilcox, Edie Carey, and Phil Porter immediately come to mind right now. There’s a long story behind each one, so I’ll just leave it at that for now.
Q: What is your greatest struggle as a creative being in a world that does not always understand the artist? And how do you overcome it?
A: My struggles these days rarely have to do with anyone else. Though less so than in the past, I mostly struggle with me. I have decided several times in my life to increase my creative output – particularly the music that I create. During one of those moments in my life, I was also learning to align my thoughts, feelings, and trajectories. Rather than just hoping that more opportunities would come my way, I carved out space in my home for a recording/rehearsal studio and invested in economical, yet professional gear. I really didn’t have a clue how to do anything I was dreaming about. Yet, I kept practicing, composing, and seeking new ways to open myself up creatively. About two months after my decision, a number of things shifted including being asked to perform improvised piano regularly for a local creative arts organization. That was almost two decades ago and was the beginning of the path that I still see myself on.
Q: If you were a dog, what would you blissfully roll in?
A: Hahaha! Snow!
Q: You have 2 hours until an asteroid hits Earth. How would you spend the time?
A: If I wasn’t already with my beloved wife, I would immediately connect with her and spend the time sharing thoughts and feelings together. Interestingly, this is what we do even without 2 hours until the end of the world.
Q: As an artist, what would you like your legacy to be?
A: It would be easy to say some platitude here like, “I just want to be known for my kindness and generosity.” And that would be true. Yet, today I find myself wanting to make that more concrete. Here’s what I’d like people to know about me even after I’m gone:
I create from my heart. Whether it’s accompanying a high school musical or composing a grand opus, I do it with my whole self engaged and allowing my own emotions about the process to be part of the catalyst of creating. I hope that this comes through when I perform music or do pretty much anything else in my life.
I create with passion. One of the things that makes improvisation such a great expression for me is that I am very often spontaneous and even impulsive. These characteristics are powerful creative impulses.
Creating with passion also feeds my ability to connect my whole self with the process of making stuff and making stuff up on the spur of the moment.
Heart and passion are sometimes a fearsome place for me. The creative process often challenges me in deep and scary ways. I have a tendency to fall into addiction to avoid those depths of fear. Art is a way for me to move through my trepidation. Even if there’s no “resolution” of my fear, creating music and improvising are major components of my human well-being.
My intention is to create kindness with a gentle spirit. I’m a passionate person. Sometimes, this means that I can come across as deeply intense. My tendency has been to be passionately reactive. Every day, I am seeking ways to hold my passion in a more gentle and holistic manner. Rather than always bringing my enthusiasm like a powerful force, I desire an introspective and humble approach. Time will tell if I fully succeed with my intention.
...
A beautiful ode to winter—music and video
Latest song, Wreckless
