Medication (Can Be A Beautiful Thing)

Half the world is on meds. The half that is on meds appears to be well-adjusted and even-keeled (for the most part). The half that isn’t on meds is comprised of a mix of those who really don’t need to be on meds and those who really SHOULD be on meds. Musicians can be found in either half- some are on meds, some are off meds, some aren’t on any meds and some need their meds adjusted!

DP and I have had encounters with musicians from all of the above-mentioned groups. We’re working with artists, sensitive souls who often wear their hearts on their sleeves. Emotions can run wild and overflow without warning, untimely and unexpected emotions that may (unbeknownst to you) be percolating silently  between the + of 1 and the + of 4. When you add hormones and chemical imbalances into the mix it can make for some very interesting moments in the studio.

We are all human and we are all affected by loss, separation, angst, disagreement, lost love, unrequited love, unmet desires and shattered dreams. We are easily bruised and tend to beat ourselves up when we feel as if we are going to fail or we do fail to meet our own expectations and/or the expectations of others. We are tender and we are needy and we strive to achieve and be recognized. Our task in life is to try and modulate our emotions, balance our imbalances and harness our raging hormones as we negotiate life, love and work (I’m not claiming it’s an easy task). So- sometimes, some of us (if we’re having a very bad day) may be unsuccessful in such an effort. Some of us may decompensate a little and erupt or explode, have a tantrum, throw a hissy fit or burst into tears during the middle of a recording session. Granted, it’s not what I would call “professional behavior”, but something has obviously gone awry with the id, or ego, or superego or some mechanism of the human psyche. Some imbalance is not in balance, some raging hormones haven’t been quelled, some filter has failed somewhere and it can be very messy.

I love the way that DP tries to massage things- he tries to infuse his rational self into the irrational, it is truly something to behold. Sometimes a calming voice can agitate the situation even further.  If the situation escalates it’s best to call a time out before you have to duck and run for cover as projectile objects are hurled in your general direction. Of course I’m just kidding, it’s never gotten to that point but there have been some intense, tense, fiery moments. It really is smart to pull the plug when all reason has gone out the window, walk away and reassess the situation. Is there a pattern to this kind of disruptive behavior or is it a one time thing? Can you empathize and be patient and understanding during the turbulence or is the situation too difficult to manage?  Can you work with someone else or are you locked in? Most important, are you able to maintain your own sanity? Take all the time you need to evaluate your options and weigh the pros and cons carefully. If you feel that making a personnel change is the best course of action then by all means go ahead and do so. Recording should be a joyful pursuit, you shouldn’t have to walk on eggshells or dance around someone who has a volatile temperament. If you have no choice but to muddle through for awhile (or your generous heart can’t bear the thought of cutting someone loose) you can employ some helpful strategies. Pay careful attention, take mental notes and identify potential triggers. If you can avoid or at least minimize those triggers and stay centered in yourself you’ll be just fine. Remember your sense of humor and it use it as a diffuser, keep the tone light and cheery and focus on getting a good musical result. Your project will be completed before you can say the words, “have you spoken with your doctor about a possible increase in your medication?”

For the most part my experiences with other musicians have been upbeat, positive, fun and moving. It is rare for a musician to melt down in the middle of a session. It’s rare, but it does happen. So stay loose, be cool and always rejoice in the music.