I Love You For Your Brain SONG WRITER VIEW

Last year, music bore unique conditions, growing most significantly online. After years of the impossibility of putting on live shows, which were most assured to be canceled, events and tours have resumed to full force.

Bands can start to recoup that lost revenue and return to doing what they love. It’s no different in the local community, the musicians are eager to go out and play, and the folks are ready to show up and listen. Because I have experienced the love of music through this community, I posed the question on my personal Facebook page-“ What would you love to see different from local musicians in 2023?”

“I love this local music scene, but” The responses were specific, with requests for booking of diverse genres and calling out ageism, racism, sexism, poaching, lowballing, and a longing for original music and more venues.

The answers were well thought out and stemmed from the fact that music profoundly affects us all. The brain is hardwired to feel pleasure for the basic survival necessities, such as eating and sex, and pleasurable, music doesn’t offer the same evolutionary advantages.

So... Why do we respond so vigorously? Human beings seem to have innate musicality. Music and the reward system. Music changes dopamine activity with noninvasive brain stimulation. Studies have shown that listeners reported more pleasure and greater physiological responses (chills on the skin, increased or decreased salivation) while

By Patty Castillo Davis

listening to music. So, keep on contributing to the psychological and sociological conversation. Keep seeking out music.

On Saturday, February 25, a beloved event, the annual Johnny Cash Birthday Bash, will return to the Prospect Theater. This is a fantastic show with performances by local songwriters and their friends. It is inclusive, appreciates women artists, and encourages them to interpret the Cash catalog in their way. Get your tickets presale for $30, and at the door, $40. See you at 7 pm at 1214 K Street, downtown Modesto.

The Winter Market is open on Saturdays, and you can see some great acoustic music flowing through the space. At press time, the February schedule was still in progress. Whether you observe Valentine’s Day or Anti Valentine’s Day, you will most surely encounter live music at your chosen venue. You must know that many of these performers are foregoing a personal Sweetheart’s Day with their person to work. This is a premium time for a good payday for musicians. I was raising kids during my busiest gig years, so I would forgo those jobs because I had tiny chocolate-covered hands at home to clean. Those were the best Valentine’s Day gigs I ever had.

Continue to support local music, consider transforming your business into a venue for music, hire more diverse choices in musicians, and hire women for all things. Then Just take a minute and think about the lyrics that draw you to your favorite love songs. Here is one of mine-

“Now I’m walking again, To the beat of a drum, And I’m counting the steps to the door of your heart….”

- Neil Finn of Crowded House

Whether you do or don’t celebrate February 14th, celebrate some music.