On Inspiration Friday

On the Cheap

When going home, I usually can't help but indulge one of my somewhat guilty pleasures: Stopping by the Salvation Army and also an unmentionable gigantic chain store that may or may not be ruining the world.

The former, I don't feel so bad about because buying used is generally a good idea. It is particularly a good idea in small towns as stores like the Salvation Army aren't nearly as picked over as they are in cities like Chicago, so I have come away with some really stellar finds. What makes me somewhat guilty about it is that it usually involves buying things I don't need... but, I'll worry about that later.

The latter is definitely guilt, guilty and guiltier, but my justification is that I do this so rarely... Well, I guess I wouldn't say the same about eating meat, so that is a lousy argument. But the deals are so good, and believe it or not, I can find a few basic clothing pieces. Let me show you.





Now, I know what you're thinking... plaid is so played out. Yes, yes this might be, but this isn't just any plaid... it's your grandfather's plaid! No, I'm playin', but I was drawn to this because of the colours and then encountered an extremely pleasant surprise. It is a Tall/Medium. Who makes those? That is exactly what I am. A Tall/Medium. Hallelujah! They don't call it the Salvation Army of nothing.



Now, I realize the above could be mistaken for what your dad wore last Sunday afternoon, but you gotta trust me on this one. I saw these exact same shorts at J. Crew for significantly more than the $2.99 that these set me back, and the shoes above were a mere $10 at unnamed chain store. For me, they're the perfect slip on, go grab some coffee, summer shoe.



Speaking of summer shoes, I may have picked up the black version as well. Oops.



I managed to come across these basic swim trunks at the Army as well. I had been eying a similar pair at Zara for a bit more than the $.99 I paid for these. They are new, too.





Last but not least, I managed to pick up some basic cotton oxford shirts. Some short sleeve and some long. These are staples of what I wear to work and well, most areas of my life. How they hold up? Well, that's another story, but at $5 a piece, I wont complain... for now.

Here's the best part. When you manage to purchase things at stores like unnamed mega chain, you can go down a whole size or two, so this 6'3"185 gentleman is able to purchase a size small. It is quite ridiculous, but I won't complain.

On Doing Nothing

This is what doing right now. Nothing. Well, I've read a few blogs and eaten some strawberry shortcake and trimmed my beard and cut the tag out of a new shirt and walked around the perimeter of the yard... but it's all nothing and it feels so good.

And here I sit now...



...with nothing around me. The only thing I hear are birds, the wind in the trees, my mother washing an occasional dish. It's just exactly what I need. Recalibration. Relaxation. Quiet to sit and think.

On A Voice Lesson

I had some time on my train ride yesterday to spend working on this sample voice lesson video. My hope is that it will give a glimpse into what a voice lesson with me is like, keeping in mind that this student has been with me for two years. It is two and a half minutes. I would be appreciative of any feedback.

A Lesson with Davin Youngs from Davin Youngs on Vimeo.

On Going Home

Tomorrow evening I'll be taking a train back home to Michigan. Having not been able to return since Christmas, I find myself feeling somewhat disconnected from home and family and in need of return. Home is sentimental for me. This trip is not a vacation per se, but it is respite from the city and after a long winter and hectic spring, respite is exactly what I want. A few days away, with the familiarity that only comes with space occupied by people who have known you your whole life. For me, this rejuvenates my spirit, reinvigorates my creative energies and reminds me of that which is important.

I look forward to the three hours I get to sit on the train and stare out the window and think about the things I will or won't do while I'm away. My departure always has a significantly different tone than my return. When leaving Union Station and traveling through northern Indiana, I find my mind venturing into places it can only go when I'm in transit. Neither here nor there. Thinking about that which is possible and not that which I have to do.


(Somewhere between here and there - 2008)

I think it is so important to be regularly removed from my current space. Many times, my desire is to find myself somewhere new, but right now I'm feeling the urge for somewhere old. So, home it is.

On Inspiration Friday

On Minimalism

You know, I've always had a bit of a thing for minimalism. I've never been interested in fully embracing it, but often find myself a bit envious of those who do. I really believe in the less is more notion as a principal for life and reading books like "In Pursuit of Elegance" remind me that this is a worth while cause.

On Tuesday, I returned to William Ferris Chorale to begin rehearsal for our next concert which will be Baltic composers. The highlight of the concert for me will the Berliner Messe by Arvo Part. It is a stunning beautiful, minimal work that uses so few notes so extremely well. Although this piece is hardly new, it seems fresh and now and necessary. I'm quite excited by it.



Which brings me to last night, when I was privileged enough to join Jessica on a trip to hear The XX at Lincoln Hall. Now, The XX (or the xx) are no Arvo Part as they are just 19 year old kids who are dressing up in black and playing rock music because they think it is cool... But! I do think they're on to something. They are, at the core, minimalists and the music they are making is lacking in the extra stuff that clouds most popular music. Further, they manage to maintain strong enough content to sustain interest, sexiness and even emotional resonance.



It works. For my money, it is very now and refreshing in light of all the other over the top stuff that is dominating pop and indie rock. Plus, they had a sweet light show.

Just to drive this point home, one of my colleagues just came into my office and pointed out my apple keyboard. It looks like this:

He asked me if I missed the number pad, to which my response is... why do I need additional numbers on the keyboard. There are already numbers. The content is there.

On Staying Dry Continued

So, Yesterday I'm complaining about how I can't find a rain jacket and then today I'm "drowning" in rain jackets.

Today, GQ.com posted this guide "Staying Dry"

There are a few highlights, still mostly out of my price range, but good to see nonetheless.

I do enjoy a good trench, but I'm more of a hood man because I don't know how a man in a trench keeps his head dry.



Now, this seems like a great option:


But at $235 and only available in NYC and LA, I think it's a no-go for me.

Which brings me to my two finds at REI. There is a significant difference in price and it is because this one breathes:


And this one doesn't:


So, given the infrequency one wears a raincoat, I'm thinking I'll go with the lack of breath. Possible mistake for someone on their bicycle? Yea, but it seems my best option without breaking the bank...

On Video

Remember a month or so ago when I spoke about the video camera I ordered in an effort to better document my musical endeavors? Well, it came and I am quite please with its capabilities. I've used it a bit to record voice lessons and some performances. I've also hooked my Zoom H2 recorder up to it so the audio quality is a bit better.

I wanted to share one example from a Good Friday Service I sang with the Grace Consort at Grace Chicago Church. I've got some other videos of the service over at http://www.vimeo.com/davinyoungs if you'd like to take a look.

Wayfaring Stranger - Good Friday 2010 from Davin Youngs on Vimeo.

What do you think?

On the need for a Rain Coat

It was pouring this morning. Like, OMG, don't go outside, there is no possible way to stay dry, pouring.

This reignited my long time desire for a proper rain coat. Actually, I've been looking for this particular item quite a bit lately, because I knew spring was coming and I was going to be in need of something to keep me dry, particularly if I'm riding a bicycle as one can't very well hold an umbrella and ride a bicycle. Although, I've been thinking about this for a long time because I think in general umbrellas are inefficient and given my propensity for losing them, I think it's time to give up the fight and go straight for the jacket.

Here's the thing... I can't find one.

I've looked everywhere. Really, and you're going to read this and probably come up with some suggestions right off the top of your head, like Target or the Army Surplus Store or the Gap... but I'm telling you, I've been to all of these places and there are no rain coats. So, I began an online quest to try and find the perfect rain jacket. You know, something long enough to keep much of me dry and light enough to not get to hot in warm weather.

LL Bean has this option, which I quite like:



But at $189, it seems a bit excessive for a coat you wear at most a few days a month.

REI has the following option, for $40:


But, I do wish I could find something a bit longer...

So, where do I look my dear friends? I'm at a loss and I'm about to go pick up a new bicycle with threats of rain...

On my Tax Season

Scott calls my busy singing times my "Tax Season" which seems incredibly appropriate.

This last week was such, as I was singing straight from Wednesday evening until Sunday morning. As it was holy week, the churches were hiring and the opportunities to make music were plenty. On Thursday I managed to get in two services, Friday I sang a marathon four! and Saturday and Sunday I followed up with two more. To say I was exhausted yesterday afternoon was a real understatement, but overall I felt pleased by the experience.

The truth of the matter is, it is a privilege to participate in other people's religious experiences. I think many musicians who are employed to do sacred music often find the experience cumbersome, and to say that I don't would not be true. But, I also find great joy in experiencing the different ways people worship, particularly Christians around this Holy Week, because it is so different from my experience and so unique everywhere you go.

Here is an iPhone pic I snapped while at St. Peter's in the Loop on Saturday evening.




It's quite incredible the decorations that they had up. I think from the top of the choir loft is a beautiful view.

So, when all is said and done, I am pretty whipped and rather "churched" out, but feeling both musically and spiritually rich. I suppose that means I wasn't taxed very heavily this year.