Issue VII: Music Prescriptions by Center Stage

Issue VII, 2018

CENTER STAGE Music Center Corp.

“Music Prescriptions”

Don’t Believe in Ghosts • Composing Myself • Sit Down Session With…You

THE TEAM EDITOR IN CHIEF Angela Munro MANAGING DIRECTOR Veronica McCormick CREATIVE DIRECTOR & HEAD DESIGNER Christiana Kaimis TEAM WRITERS Ulises Amaya Chrystina Orlando

CONTRIBUTORS AJ Valcin Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Believe in Ghosts Lauren Little Matt Pecson Sheryl Stern

www.CenterStageMusicCenter.com

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CONTENTS

4 Letter From the Editor Photo by: Michael Rathsam

18 Sit Down Session With...You

6 Composing Myself How Music Became My Therapy

19 Soundtack to Your Life

Cover photo by: Estelle Massry. Coucou Photography

8 Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Believe in Ghosts Photo by: Estelle Massry

20 Comedy & Music A Healing Combination

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

usic has the power to alter our mood, evoke memories, transport us to a different time or place, and allows us to escape the hustle and bustle of the world, if even just for a few minutes. It’s no wonder that music therapy is an ever-growing field of study. In “Composing Myself” written by Sheryl Stern (page 6), she recalls her struggle in caring for her family members affected by Alzheimer’s disease, and how she was able to use music as an outlet of communication and self expression. In this issue we explore music’s ability to act as a sort of medicine for our minds and souls. We put the power of music’s ability to inspire nostalgia to the test in our interactive sit down session, and we will also meet the NYC based alt rock group, Don’t Believe in Ghosts. Enjoy, Angela Lee Editor & Author

ABOUT CENTER STAGE Center Stage Magazine is a branch of Center Stage Music Center, a teaching studio in Westbury, New York. Since opening our doors in 2011, our goal has always been to create a comprehensive learning experience beyond what is taught in the classroom. This magazine is a natural extension of that goal and aims to provide an even greater array of musical knowledge for general readership and the budding musician. Written by musicians for music lovers, our desire is to bring all the diamonds in the rough to the masses and to inspire the next generation of artists, musicians, and listeners.

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ART OF LOL

LAUREN LITTLE CENTER STAGE

COMPOSING MYSELF How Music Became My Therapy Written by Sheryl Stern: Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Music has always been able to move me to dance and lift my spirits, or move me to tears, and pull me down. Whether it’s the instrumentation, rhythm or lyrics, music has a way of transporting me to a different mind-set. However, even though I regard myself as creative, both professionally as a Creative Arts Therapist, and personally, as someone who uses art as a form of self-expression, I have never written music. It wasn’t until both my mother and brother developed Alzheimer’s Disease, did I try to make sense of the senseless through song. It is “somewhat” common knowledge that Music Therapy’s concepts, theories and techniques have been used to treat various populations, in order to facilitate therapeutic change. Through my research about music and Alzheimer’s Disease, I was fascinated to learn that music, especially songs that evoke reminiscence and autobiographical memories, can awaken brain regions of those affected. I don’t wish to get too involved in the medical aspects of music; the engagement of neural networks which are visible on MRI’s when music and emotions are linked, or how areas of the brain associated with emotions also activate feelings of recall based on the individual’s personal history. However, what I do want to share is my process. The beginning of how music, which has always been a powerful and vivid part of who I am, helped me to articulate through song, my mother and brother’s fight through the intricacies of a hateful disease. One thing I knew about my mother, was her amazing talent as a pianist, and her love of music. She could transpose a song into any key, in order for the singer she was accompanying to be able to comfortably reach the notes needed to fit their vocal range. She could play any song she was asked to, and sometimes we’d play together. Her perfect pitch, and ability to play by ear, would stop the flow of our fun. She could hear any “mistake.” I was amazed and frustrated at the same time. Interestingly, my brother was tone deaf. Growing up, he couldn’t even keep a proper beat to a song we were listening to. I was never really sure if he was actually listening to the same song as I was. His tapping would be to the beat of a song...possibly never written. At least we could laugh about this. When Alzheimer’s Disease took away my mother’s talent and my brother’s laughter, visits to their nursing facilities became observations about my family, and residents who shared a common space and guaranteed descent. As empty as their minds were becoming, mine was being filled with ideas about writing a song. I had no idea where this was coming from, and more importantly, where it would go. 6

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Writing music was something I had never done before, and possibly never even thought of doing. It was odd to me to have this nagging drive to get some form of musical expression outside of myself. This was my therapy. I wanted my song to reflect the sadness of loss, the need for support, the impact of memories on life, how twisted interactions become, and how dialoguing eventually becomes puffs of smoke. The music was beginning to take form, and the words were based on my interpretations from my visits to my mother and brother. I then made the decision to name my song “Remind Me Who I Am Today.” It fit my thinking about my family, and the impact of the disease on their identities. Choosing what instruments and vocal tones was also a challenge. I decided to play some notes on my piano. I wrote down, as best as I could, the music in my head. I began to think about the senses that humans possess. Since both my mother and brother could no longer recognize me, I wondered how this lack of visual response could be interpreted. The same held true for their hearing. They no longer understood what I meant when I spoke, so I wondered about their sense of hearing or understanding or listening or... Soon the words were flowing, and passages told my story. My thinking became more global, and the music became a visual representation of my thoughts. I wanted the expressive sound of a violin to swirl around the chorus, which I saw as a straight line to the heart of the song. Ruminating about this disease which robbed my mother and brother of their life stories, as well as their thoughts and recollection of my role in their lives, was helping me put my feelings into song. I worked hard to understand their unspoken needs. I knew I needed the help of professional musicians, a vocalist, and individuals who could put my thoughts and music into the air for me to float through. Center Stage had all of these elements. Now there was the challenge of translating the notes I dabbed onto sheets of paper, combined with the sentiments I had expressed, and hoping it would be interpreted as I had dreamed. Although it took quite awhile, my song, its message, and the pain expressed could be heard, and hopefully understood. When I look back at this process, it is a constant reminder of the importance of memories, and an unforgettable form of self-expression. Knowing my mother and brother, who have passed, will be remembered in this way, will be mine to cherish forever.

“REMIND ME WHO I AM TODAY” Keep your thoughts from fading quickly, Who’s to say they’re here to stay. Memories may be fleeting, So speak those words you need to say. Am I blind? Who’s the face you’re showing me? Am I deaf? I don’t understand you. Where did you hide my life’s story? My thoughts are somewhere too. Want to recall remember, what day it is today? You told me it’s September, I don’t believe the words you say, Remind me who I am today. You look as if you think you know me, Have I heard your name before? Was I talking? Are you listening? Don’t bring me smiles anymore. Go away I don’t need you! Tell me again how should I keep warm. Say hello to those who knew me, And say goodbye if they are gone. Want to recall remember, what day it is today? You told me it’s September, I don’t believe the words you say, Remind me who I am today. Want to recall remember, what day it is today? You told me it’s September, I don’t believe a word you say, Remind me who I am today.

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Photo by: Estelle Massry Coucou Photography Written by: Ulises Amaya 8

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Photos by: Estelle Massry Coucou Photography

WE’RE SITTING ON OUR BEST STUFF RIGHT NOW ”

Don’t Believe In Ghosts is an alt-rock band from NYC with infectious synth-pop sensibilities. At times their music seems so familiar that you may feel like you’ve wandered back 30 years into the heart of New-Wave. Yet, there’s so much about this group that is right at home in today’s rock/pop world. What once was primarily the creative effort of singer Steven Nathan, has grown into a working partnership with guitarist Dan DelVecchio. The two, along with bassist Alex Goumas, and drummer Rick Eddy, form the live outfit of the band. But, as you’ll read, the very definition of what a “band” is has been evolving in this new century, and Don’t Believe in Ghosts are aiding in that evolution. Their first full-length record, “Give It Meaning,” was released in 2017 and they’re already whittling down a brand new crop of songs for an upcoming release. I caught up with Dan Delvecchio (lead guitarist) and Steven Nathan (lead singer/rhythm guitarist) to chat about all things music, future plans, and of course, Bitcoin.

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Photo by: Estelle Massry Coucou Photography CENTER STAGE

CS: How long have you guys been playing at this point? Dan: The band started before I joined but... Steve: It wasn’t really a band before you joined. I had an old project and we were on the road for a while, like three years we were out there. To me, touring is the most un-creative process in the world. So, when we got back, the emphasis was really to write a bunch of stuff. And those guys really wanted to spend time with family, which is cool, ya know? So, at that point, I just locked myself away and wrote a ton of stuff. The essence of a lot of what I wrote at that time became the first record. From there, Dan ended up teaming up with me and we started turning this into a real project, and it sort of built from there. CS: So, you guys do most of the writing together at this point? Dan: Yeah, him and I linked up because both of our old bands, Face The King, and Man On Earth, were actually selected to fly down to this college in Florida and do a show. We got some email saying that you guys are the most listened to bands on the college radio station. So they chose two bands from NY and they were legit fans. I have no idea where they came from, but it was awesome. Even though we were both from New York, I met Steve in Florida. Steven: It was such a banana’s show. There was like 500 kids there! Dan: It was the most money I’ve ever gotten playing a show, and people knew the words. But, it literally never happened again. Photo by: Estelle Massry Coucou Photography

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CS: That’s pretty awesome. Where’d the name “Don’t Believe in Ghosts” come from? Steven: It’s a number of things. The main thing is that there are going to be people who question you when you walk away from a project that you’ve been building and working on for a long time in your life. So, it’s really about not giving energy to the ghosts of your past, and the people in your past. And how often we hold ourselves back because we’re worried about what those people in our past would say. Essentially that’s it; don’t believe in the ghosts of your past. CS: Do you feel that theme is kind of a backbone of the work you’ve created since those old bands broke up. Steven: I think so. The vibe behind the whole positivity and moving forward thing is a theme that has run through my music for as long as I’ve been writing. That’s how you talk to yourself when you psyche yourself up; there are better days to come, better things are coming. So that’s just something that’s always been running through my writing and I think it’s certainly manifested in the newest music.

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Click to watch Don’t Believe in Ghost’s music video for “Slow Down.”

I JUST FILL IN THE GAPS IN MY HEAD WITH, IT’S ARTSY. I DON’T GET IT, BUT IT’S ART.

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CS: Are you guys touring now? Dan: We’re more focused on writing at this point. What we have been doing though is getting some radio play. We’re trying to build up some internet buzz. In my opinion, we’re sitting on our best stuff right now. And we just want to wait for enough songs where we we’re like, yeah this gives me that feeling, and it’s a good time to pull the trigger. Steven: I think in 2018, it’s really about content. The touring thing is cool and it’s important when you have that large base there to see you. We went out and toured for a long time to build the base, but you can play to more people doing an acoustic show online in one night than you could in an entire tour if you promote it right. We’re trying to focus on the writing, and utilize the internet to spread the message a little more. CS: Are you guys pretty internet savvy as far as social media outreach? Dan: I thought I was… CS: Dan, I see you all the time on Facebook and Instagram. Dan: Yeah, and I do it all the time, but Steve has kind of mastered something which I still have not fully wrapped my head around. It’s algorithms and stuff like that to really target your audience and get a lot of hits without spending a lot of money. CS: You’re in that world Steve? Steven: Yeah, I mean marketing and promotion has always been kind of a thing that I’ve been involved in. Computer stuff, tech, and things like that… I love it. The other side of it though is, I feel like I used to feel the impact of social media more. Lately, the more you’re actually doing something, the less you care to tell anyone about what you’re doing. You know what I mean? CS: Hah! Yes, I do. Steven: If you’re in the studio writing, the last thing on my mind is “Oh! I’ve gotta show people my...whatever.” It’s like…who cares. Dan: That was a problem recently. I got so busy doing all different kinds of gigs that I was like, wait I haven’t posted anything in a week. I gotta document some of this s***. But you forget when you’re actually out there doing stuff. Obviously, both are important to a degree, but you have to weigh it. CS: At this point, like you said, 2018 you’ve got to be everywhere. You have to have strong content. You have to have strong material, and you have to be putting it in people’s faces, otherwise they’re never going to know. Steven: We’ve done a lot of videos. That’s been a big thing too. We’ve done music videos for 5 or 6 songs off this record. And there’s another one in the works. CS: Do you guys come up with the concepts for the videos together? Dan: Steve does that. Steven: Yeah, I’ll sort of have a concept and say, let’s do this, and everyone just goes…”cool.” Haha, it’s worked out good so far! Dan: I still don’t know what the video slow down is about, but I just fill in the gaps in my head with, it’s artsy. I don’t get it, but it’s art. CS: Of course, of course. Steve, you come from a tech background? Steven: Well I consider myself a bit of a futurist. I’ve always got to be learning about the newest tech and getting the latest of everything. That’s certainly an interest of mine. Dan: That bitcoin stuff. CS: What was that? Bitcoin? Dan: Yeah, he’s one of those.

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Photo by Steven Michaels

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DON’T BELIEVE IN THE GHOSTS OF YOUR PAST

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Photo by: Estelle Massry Coucou Photography 16

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CS: If you can explain Bitcoin to me one day, I’d be happy for that. Steven: Let’s put it this way. The thing is I can explain it to you but you’re gonna wonder why. Don’t wonder why, just stop for one second. You use a bank like Chase or whatever you use, and they control the servers and they control your money. They lend your money out to people right? To make money, to make interest and stuff like that. That’s a centralized bank, right? Basically Bitcoin is decentralized. It’s as if you had cash again and you could keep your cash somewhere and nobody knows what you’re spending it on. And instead of one server going down, there’s multiple servers around the world that are mining it. Don’t get lost in the word mining it… Basically, there’s multiple servers around the world keeping a ledger as it’s going along, and it’s being locked in the block chain as it’s moving along. At this point, it’s hack proof. CS: It is completely hack proof? Steven: At this point it is. (We go off on this tangent for probably too long but the dude knows his stuff!) CS: This conversation has become all about Bitcoin now. Steven: It’s easy to go off on the crypto-conversation when you come across crypto-people. CS: Well that’s the thing, it is very interesting. I’m still hung up on how we use paper money. So that’s where I’m at. It makes no sense, but also, I get it. We all just believe in it. Steven: Yeah, you just agree that that’s what it is. Dan: I shouldn’t have said the magic word, Bitcoin. CS: Haha, back over to the music side of things. How many guys are in the band now? Dan: Right now, it’s four. Steve, myself, Rick Eddy (drummer), and Alex Gumas (bassist). CS: So, it’s just a real tight rock lineup right there. Dan: Yeah, a lot of our stuff is very synth and track oriented. We have a lot of synthesizers and strings...

CS: There’s definitely a lot going on in your songs. So, you guys use tracks. Have you considered getting a keyboard player down the line? Steven: We had Dr. Fink from Prince & The Revolution play with us for some shows, and he played keys for a bunch of stuff on the first record. It’s interesting that you say “basic rock lineup.” We’re kinda trying to change that. We’re not really sure how many members there will be as we move forward. We’ll figure it out as we go along, but the core members will be the core members. I feel like the old days of what a band is are kind of over. Like 21 Pilots where it’s just 2 people. I think it’s changing, and I think it’s okay. I think it’s good. CS: So, you have a possible new album coming out. Do you have any ideas of a title for that? Dan: I’m not 100% sure if it’s actually gonna be a new album, or if we’re gonna release singles. I think we were talking about an EP most likely. Going along with the evolution conversation, I think a lot of people aren’t really into full albums anymore. It’s more about consistency, and putting out a single every so often. Right Steve? Steven: Yeah, I think so. I go back and forth, because I’m a fan of albums. I love albums. CS: Yeah, I miss the complete work. Steven: I think maybe we can go back to some of the great classic albums that have 7 or 8 songs, like Led Zeppelin and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” And that’s sort of an extended EP. I know Kanye West has kind of moved in that direction too. CS: Yes. A 23-minute album he put out. Steven: The interesting thing is, “Give It Meaning,” the first record we did had about 12 songs. There are so many great songs on there that I feel like they get lost. I think people expect 2 or 3 great songs and then they just kind of throw away the rest of it. And I think people now are listening more to singles and making they’re own playlists, you know? The amount of people listening to the full album has just decreased. Dan: I guess we released the first album just as a statement saying “this is who we are,” but moving forward, I guess we’re going to play it by ear.

You can catch Don’t Believe In Ghosts in on December 7th at The Space in Westbury. Part of the proceeds will go to the Nicholas Pedone Foundation: Fight Hard, Smile Big. Get your tickets here: http://bit.ly/2N0R2mA Follow Don’t Believe in Ghosts on Social Media: Instagram: @Dontbelieveinghosts Twitter: @DBIGhosts Facebook: DBIGhosts Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2NSvK7b

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SIT DOWN SESSION WITH... YOU Everyone has felt the overwhelming effects of nostalgia from time to time. That burning feeling that starts deep in your gut that sends a wave of butterflies throughout your body. It’s a feeling that reminds us of different time, and a different place. A feeling that floods our mind full of memories and makes us long for a time since past. From smelling a musty old basement that reminds you of your grandmother’s house, to just thinking about the Christmas’s of your past, nostalgia can hit us in the most random ways. However, listening to a particular song is one of the most powerful ways to feel instant nostalgia. Have you ever been in a car and heard the intro to a song that makes you scream in excitement? “OMG this is the song of my childhood! This song reminds me of my first crush!” All of a sudden, those long-forgotten feelings come rushing to the forefront of your mind. Music has an amazing ability to transport us to a different time or place. Music is therapeutic and certain songs have the ability to elevate our mood and get us ready to take on the day, or even the world. It is no surprise that music therapy is used by millions to repair and maintain mental and physical health. In her article “Composing Myself” (pg. 6), Sheryl recounts that “Through my research about music and Alzheimer’s Disease, I was fascinated to learn that music, especially songs that evoke reminiscence and autobiographical memories, can awaken brain regions of those affected.” Music is very personal and the moodaltering effects of a particular song or playlist are undeniable.

Fill out the next page to create your own personal soundtrack for your life.

In this Sit Down Session, we put the power of music’s ability to inspire nostalgia to the test. We asked participants of different ages to listen to songs that meant a lot to them in their past, and studied their reactions. Watch to see how these songs powerfully transported participants back in time!

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SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR LIFE A p lay li s t i n spired by y o ur life. F irst s o n g / s y o u m e m o r i z e d all t h e lyr i cs t o: Son g t h a t y o u p l a y e d o n r e pe at du r i ng m i ddle s ch ool: Son g th a t r e m i n d s y o u o f h i g h sch ool: Son g t h a t m a k e s m e t h i n k of su m m e r : My sq u a d a n t h e m : My po w e r so n g : My u lti m a t e b r e a k u p so n g : F u tu re w e d d i n g s o n g / W e d d i ng song : My h a p p y so n g : My f ig h t so n g : Son g th a t m a k e s y o u t h i n k of BA E : Son g I w o u l d d e d i c a t e t o my cr u s h : Son g I w o u l d d e d i c a t e t o m y b e st fr i e nd: My lif e’s a n t h e m : Son g t h a t b e st d e sc r i b e s m e : B eltin g o u t i n m y c a r so n g : My pa r t y a n t h e m : Old ie b u t a g o o d i e : R oa d t r i p so n g : My ch il l so n g :

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COMEDY & MUSIC A Healing Combination Written by Chrystina Orlando

We have all heard the quote “laughter is the best medicine.” It may seem like a silly saying, but believe it or not, there are indisputable health benefits to cracking up. Laughter can actually improve your body’s resistance to disease by increasing the production of immune cells and antibodies, according to helpguide.org. It’s also no surprise that music has healing elements of its own. As you have read in this issue so far, there have been numerous accounts and scientific studies to prove the enormous power music has in healing our bodies and minds. Music therapy is an ever-growing field, and studies at Harvard Medical School have shown that music can relieve anxiety and stress, and can even help to ease pain.

after that first songwriting experience that Jack realized he was not meant to write music that had uncomedic subject matter. He described their attempt at being a serious band as “melodramatic corn sauce,” and never turned back. “We needed that ingredient: the comedy, the clown powder.” He expressed no regret in focusing his songwriting efforts on portraying silliness, and has experienced huge success with his comedic musical stylings, going on to star in the incredible blockbuster turned Broadway show, School of Rock.

When you combine music and comedy together, they turn out to be a pretty unstoppable duo, and go hand in hand rather incredibly. Looking to write or listen to a genre that gives you huge stress-busting benefits? Look no further than musical comedy.

Legendary parody extraordinaire, Weird Al Yankovic, is best known for his hilarious parodies on popular hits. According to the Los Angeles Times, his impressive 40-year career has even outlasted many of the artists he’s parodied. His album sales continue to sell and his most recent 2018 tour sold out incredibly fast. “Humor is such an important part of the human experience,” he said. Perhaps his humor is what resonates so well with his die-hard fans of all ages.

For many talented musicians, creating “serious” music just doesn’t feel right. In an interview Jack Black had with The Off Camera Show in 2016, he explains that he and his partner Kyle Gass first started off attempting to write a serious breakup song for their band Tenacious D. It was

As a listener, taking in musical comedy not only provides you with the fantastic experience of listening to a great song, but also invokes laughter. Both of these superpowers, music and laughter, have been proven to release those mood altering endorphins in the brain, which makes people feel good.

Are you in the mood to explore the world of musical comedy? If so, here are some artists you should check out immediately:

Resources: https://bit.ly/2qI30Dt https://bit.ly/2xHOrDD https://www.google.com/amp/s/heartmdinstitute.com/stress-relief/healing-power-laughter/amp/ https://youtu.be/i6j1I6pha-M https://www.google.com/amp/www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-weird-al-yankovic-box-set-20170222-story.html%3foutputType=amp

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