What struck a chord with me this week

I had a great response to the first edition of Closing Notes, so I think I’ll keep this going. This is a special weekend for our family as my oldest son is getting married, so I’ll keep this intro short and get back to the celebrations. Here are a few things that stood out to me this week. What were some of your favorite finds?

Bob Reynolds Quartet | Rise And Fall

My son Evan introduced me to Bob Reynolds’ music back when he was in high school. That, in turn, led me to discover Janek Gwizdala, whose bass playing continues to inspire me to this day. As a solo bassist, I’m always looking for players who take a chordal approach to the bass—allowing it to take center stage without relying solely on fast, acrobatic solos. Instead, they let the instrument breathe life into the music and create space within the song.

Some standout players who embody this approach for me include Aaron Gibson, Thundercat, Steve Lawson, and, of course, Janek Gwizdala. His educational videos and books have significantly expanded my musical vocabulary. In this video, Janek performs with Bob Reynolds on the song “Rise and Fall.” He gets a fantastic solo section where the band lets him really vibe for a while. The whole performance is incredible!

Song Exploder Podcast with Theodore Shapiro

I haven’t yet watched Severance, even though many people have told me I should. After listening to this episode of Song Exploder featuring Theodore Shapiro and how he created the show’s theme song, I’m definitely adding it to my list.

If you enjoy geeking out on behind-the-scenes insights into how songs are created, Song Exploder is a must-listen. Have you watched Severance? Let me know your thoughts!

My Happy Space

One of my favorite places of all time has to be the mountains. Whether it’s the Smoky’s of NC or Shenandoah, being in these outdoor spaces always hits the reset button. I’m so glad to be here with my family, celebrating my oldest son and future daughter-in-law on their wedding day! I hope you have a special place that allows you to hit the reset button and connect with not only with the space around you but with yourself on a deeper level.

What’s your favorite place to reset?

What do you think? Any of this resonate with you? Do you like this new addition to The Loop. If you are a subscriber to my substack you can comment and let me know! Let’s have a conversation. As always you can find out what’s going on in my world by visiting www.scottvarney.com. Thanks for tuning in!!

What struck a chord with me this week

I’ve been planning to get a little more active here on Substack. To kick things off, I’m starting a weekly post called Closing Notes to share what caught my eye, ear, or other senses during the week that I thought was worth sharing with you. These will come out every Friday after today, and I hope you’ll find something in them to enjoy or find useful. Let me know what you think!

Music Standout of the week.

Mei Semones – I Can Do What I Want.

I heard this track by Mei Semones on Instagram the other evening and was immediately caught up in the beautiful vocal melodies interplaying with the guitar and string lines. The complex rhythm patterns danced between genres, mixing indie vibes with Bossa nova and, at times, classical flavors. Mei’s vocal lines seamlessly switch between Japanese and English, collectively creating an original sound that I look forward to revisiting. I’m excited about the full album release. Let me know what you think—and should I add one of those bunny hats to my set?

Podcast of the Week.

Third Story Podcast With Nels Cline

Third Story Podcast has been in heavy rotation for me over the past couple of months. I was late to the game on this one and am not sure how I missed it, but Leo Sidran’s Third Story is definitely a top podcast for me. Not only is he a great interviewer, but the production quality is top-notch and really connects with the artists and their music.

This conversation with Nels Cline brought me back to when I first discovered the bands Minutemen and Firehose in high school. I first heard Nels’ genius guitar lines when he played with Mike Watt (Minutemen, Firehose) on his Engine Room rock opera, a concept album blending punk rock energy with experimental jazz and storytelling. This episode dives into Nels’ history in Southern California, his path to becoming Wilco’s guitarist at age 50, and his many projects, including his latest album Consentrik Quartet, which is well worth a listen. Check it out!

Bullet Journal – Tiny Experiments

I’ve been using bullet journaling as a way to keep up with tasks, jot down thoughts and ideas, support my songwriting, and create collections on various topics. In this video, Ryder Carroll (founder of the Bullet Journal method) interviews Anne-Laure Le Cunff about her book Tiny Experiments.

What do you think about the idea of adding tiny experiments to your life? These are small, low-risk changes or activities designed to help you explore new habits, ideas, or skills without feeling overwhelmed. It’s about testing the waters and seeing what works for you.

A View From A Morning Run

Social media, YouTube, Netflix, and other digital distractions can be really addictive—it’s so easy to go down the rabbit hole. That’s why I’m so thankful for time in nature and those moments of disconnection.

The lake in our neighborhood was showing off this beautiful sunrise during one of my morning runs this past week. Let’s just say I may not have gotten that extra mile in, but the gains from simply sitting with this view were worth it. Get outside and enjoy the beauty of wherever you are this week!

What do you think? Any of this resonate with you? Do you like this new addition to The Loop.. If you are a subscriber to my substack you can comment and let me know! Let’s have a conversation. As always you can find out what’s going on in my world by visiting www.scottvarney.com. Thanks for tuning in!!