1

Je Bent Mooi

The story
In november 2009 I gave a presentation about creativity at the Kansdenkdag event in Maarssen (Holland). At the end of the presentation I gave the audience an assignment in which I asked them to place stickers with (personal) inspiring quotes on objects in the place where they live. Then I asked them to make a picture of the result and mail those pictures to me. I promised I would let these pictures inspire me to make a new creation. Since the quote ‘Je bent mooi’ (which is Dutch for ‘You are beautiful’) turned up in several of the received pictures, I decided to use that line to write a song. After that I asked a friend of mine to help me record it by playing piano as I would sing it and play guitar.

Since I wanted to put ‘embrace your mistakes’ into practice, we only played the song 3 times together and picked recording number 2 to be the final version. And yes, there are mistakes in it. But that’s also what the song is about. Everything and everyone being beautiful in their own way. The video was shot in Amsterdam and Tilburg. Another friend of mine helped me out shooting it. Meeting all the people in the video was a great experience. Should you want to understand the lyrics of the song then you can read the translation at the bottom of this post.

Why this story inspired me
Simply filming random people that you meet as you wander through a town shows that the lyrics are right: You are beautiful. All people are.

What I hope sharing this story will lead to
I hope that more people will start to focus on the beauty that’s everywhere around them instead of comparing themselves or others with the models on TV, billboards and in magazines.

• 4 comments |
• 915 clicks |
• Awareness, Music, Personal Development

vote

Still Bill

The story
Still Bill is an intimate portrait of soul legend Bill Withers, best known for his classics “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day,” “Grandma’s Hands,” and “Just the Two of Us.” With his soulful delivery and warm, heartfelt sincerity, Withers has written the songs that have - and always will - resonate deeply within the fabric of our times.

Why this story inspired me
The trailer shows that Bill Withers’ main strength is to not become distracted by what other people want. He’s not looking for people to like him, he’s not looking for more money, he’s looking for ways to know how it feels for his “desperation to get louder”.

What I hope sharing this story will lead to
I hope that more people will find the strength to do whatever it is that they want to do. This means: being true to yourself.

• Leave a comment |
• 1107 clicks |
• Movies, Music, Personal Development

vote

Homeless Mustard Sings Creep

The story
Homeless guy Mustard walks into a radio show where they are promoting a ‘homeless shopping spree’. During the interview it turns out that Mustard can play guitar and sing. He takes his guitar and starts playing Radiohead’s ‘Creep’.... Beautiful.

Why this story inspired me
This might be one of the best versions of ‘Creep’ that I have ever heard. The way he sings the song shows that the lyrics could be his. He owns the lyrics. Very moving.

What I hope sharing this story will lead to
I hope that more people are able to find their unique style/voice. The guy in the clip doesn’t just play a cover of a song. He takes the song as an idea and makes it his own. That’s a big difference.

• 1 comment |
• 1966 clicks |
• Events, Music

vote

Bandcamp - Now I Can Easily Sell My Own Music Online

The story
Bandcamp isn’t yet another place to put your music. Rather, Bandcamp powers a site that’s yours. So instead of ads for Sexy Singles Chat, your fans see your design, your music, your URL. You retain all ownership rights, and Bandcamp just hangs out in the background handling the tech stuff.

Why this story inspired me
It shows that a bunch of dedicated people were able to come up with a solution for musicians around the world to start selling music in a professional and affiordable (free!) way. They don’t charge bands that are selling small amounts and take a percentage from the sales that bands make that ARE selling a lot. Seems like a very reasonable way to do business, I’d say.

What I hope sharing this story will lead to
I hope that more people will seize opportunities to get rid of old systems that are blocking creativity. A concept like Bandcamp proves it is possible to do this.

• 2 comments |
• 2331 clicks |
• Applications, Concepts, Music

2

I Wish All Teachers Could Be Like This

The story
The only conductor to ever lead the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Zander is a prophet of human potential and an unrivaled champion of joie de vivre. Watch as he helps unlock the boundless potential of a 15 year old cellist and teaches the entire audience what it means to live in a world of possibility.

Why this story inspired me
It made me realize the impact of thinking in possibilities. It also made me realize how big the influence of music on other people is if it is played from the heart.

What I hope sharing this story will lead to
I hope, just like Benjamin Zander, that all people who watch the clip will start living their lives in possibility.

• 2 comments |
• 3637 clicks |
• Music, Personal Development, Speeches

vote

Lil Peppi - 10 Year Old Eco-Rapper

Only 10 years old, Lil Peppi is a a super young talent with an inspiring rap calling us to protect the earth. He started rapping at the age of three, by now he has won several awards. And in February 2009 he was chosen as the United Nations Environmental Progam’s Hero of the Month. Some even refer to him as the “King of Eco Rap”. Yet, Lil Peppi describes himself as a typical All American kid on his website. The interview shows both - the typical and the exceptional kid.

Enjoy Lil Peppi’s “Melting Ice” song in the full post.

• Leave a comment |
• 962 clicks |
• Green, Music, Trends

vote

This Is It - Michael Jackson Documentary Trailer

Here it is, the much anticipated official trailer for the documentary “This Is It” which chronicles Michael Jackson as he rehearses and prepares for what was destined to become the greatest music concert series of all time. The footage certainly looks impressive. A quote by Michael Jackson from the trailer: “This is why I write these kinds of songs. It gives some sense of awareness and awakening and hope to people.”

• Leave a comment |
• 796 clicks |
• Movies, Music