Michael Smith - Underexposed (2015)

Music represents the words that are in my heart and mind, with the guitar, which has been played for over half of my lifetime, being the instrument of choice to express them. At a young age, my interest in music span across all genres. There are aspects of every genre of music from classical, rock, and jazz, to reggae and rhythm and blues, that reflect my internal outlook on life. At a young age it was my ultimate goal to learn to play the guitar within the essence of the various genres that exist. However, when playing the guitar, something did not feel right with it being difficult to get the guitar to do what I wanted it to do. Frustrated and uncertain as to why, the guitar was put away, but not forgotten. There continued to exist that feeling of loving to listen to the radio, and picking out notes with the focus of replicating them on the guitar. After a few months , I started playing the guitar again, and this time it felt good. Not done intentionally or even aware of it, but I was playing the guitar left handed upside down. Amazingly, though a right hander from birth, when playing the guitar I was a lefty! Finally, there was a connection of mind, body, soul, and heart with the guitar that exploded to a reality that can not be expressed through words. From there, countless days and nights were spent in my room practicing, and learning the guitar. There are special memories of my mom peeking in on me and constantly giving me encouragement. With her belief in my ability and my passion of playing the guitar, the journey of learning, listening, and speaking through my music began.
As the guitar is played, my thoughts vary from words to sounds, but as all of that travels to my fingers it transforms into the notes, along with ideas of combining musical effects to create a tune. My fingers take control, strumming the rhythmic beats as my mind and hands connect. From there comes recording, listening repeatedly, and making changes. It is not easy to explain, but there is an inner calmness that takes over allowing me to realize that from my mind and fingers, a song has definitely been created.
From there evolves the manipulation, and incorporation of utilizing the amazing development of technology as it pertains to music. As the continual tweaking of the song occurs, so does the process of using those technological tools to enhance the ultimate sound being sought. This process continues until it is right in my mind, with me hearing it and getting that inner feeling of completion. Throughout this process, a title comes to mind, and as the development of the song moves forward, so does the title name until the goal of having the title represent the essence of the combination of notes within the song is met. While there is every intention to stay on the cutting edge of these new technological developments of music in knowledge and use, there will always remain a determination and dedication to never lose the basic essentials of playing from my heart at all times.
Music can represent so many things in a person's life. It can depend on the day, the time, and the circumstance in regards to the life one is living as to how music impacts their world. As a musician, the mission is to create songs that not only give me a feeling of peace and happiness, but that hopefully to some extent brings the same to others. As listeners hear my music, it is my desire for each to escape to a place that for a short while is free of the worries and concerns of the real world. Why not make a habit of having stolen moments to relax and experience melodic freedom listening to good music? With that, I, humbly extend an invitation to you to sit back and revel in your world, as you become a part of my world of music.