I have always preferred more intimate live music shows to big arena concerts. I love it when I can see human beings working off of each other in real-time. I enjoy seeing all the little micro observations and adjustments the band members make to form one collective sound.

It’s kind of like a model of what I’m doing every day with all of the different traits I associate with to present myself to the world: The drums could be my gender. The bass could be my race. The guitar could be my socio-economic status. The keyboards could be my ability. The singer could be my spiritual preference.

Even though I can associate myself with all of these traits, how they all fit together to form me is a dynamic process that is constantly changing. Every time you hear the song that is “Matt,” it’s going to be a little bit different. The same goes for everyone else.

Like a live band performing on stage, we are an ever-evolving mix of many musical elements.

Below are some songs that have resonated with me in the past month. I hope they bring more joy to your life. Thanks for listening, MMM

This month’s artists are: Fun Boy Three, Julie Cruise, Dana and Alden, Was!, Nana Sinephro, Broadcast, Fire! Orchestra, Thomas Patrick Maguire, Daniel Johnston, Prince, Larry Golding, Rahill, Enji, Slowdive, Puma Blue

(Subscribe to get a new playlist every 1st Monday of the month. Click on my user link or search: Major Matt’s 1st Monday on Spotify to cruise past playlists and discover more music.)