The View From Earth

 I think everyone should spend a few minutes at the end of every day looking up at the night sky.

    Our days are so full, doing all the things we need to do, the obligations we have to meet and sometimes we lose sight of the bigger space we live in. This is the perspective that inspired "Astronomy". 

    The more we learn about the Universe the more mysterious and compelling it is. Wise philosophers have for millennia tried to wrap their minds around the scale and meaning of this enormous and powerful reality that surrounds us and stretches beyond our ability to see, forcing us to use our imaginations to try and understand its purpose and our place in it. Art is a part of that effort. Art is how we attempt to express and connect with the unknowable and overwhelming reality we inhabit, even as we recognize that at this point in time there are no answers, only questions.

    One thing we have observed is that all things are in motion, from the smallest atomic particle to stars and galaxies. It has been suggested that the fundamental frequency of the Universe is 432Hz, and that our bodies resonate in harmony with it. Take a listen:

    Maybe so, and maybe all music, from Bach to Beatles, comes from some connection to this basic tone. We do know that we respond to sound and rhythm; we can't help it.

    For instance, the song "Earthbound" from "Astronomy" pulses with steady rhythm that hopefully evokes the sensation of moving across a peaceful landscape. The melodies repeat in a hypnotic cycle that accentuates this graceful movement. The improvisations include a section that with soaring fluid lines using a distorted guitar tone. This sound is created by overdriving the volume of an amplifier so that the frequencies and harmonics all blend together and is unique to modern music, only possible after the invention of electronics. It's remarkable that this invention has contributed much to expanding our knowledge of the Universe.

    There's a moment in a child's life when they ask; "Where do the stars go in the daytime?" If you are fortunate to answer them by saying, "They don't go away, we just can't see them because the sun is so bright. They are there all the time", you will see that realization dawn on their face, and perhaps the beginning of an appreciation for the wonder that is all around us.

Singer/Songwriter Rick Millward lived and worked on the West Coast until moving to Nashville in 2000. He was part of the Music City songwriter community, collaborating with other artists and producing over 30 projects in his boutique studio, including two EMMY nominated soundtracks. Now in Southern Oregon, Rick has discovered a vibrant local music scene centered around the many tasting rooms. 

His records: "Limited Edition", "Home for Good", and “Loveland” are available on Spotify and other streaming platforms. His new recordings, "Astronomy" will be release Spring 2022.

LOVELAND ON SPOTIFY