Feature photo: Adrien Tillman
Like many of us, Dave Meder has tried to make sense of the turmoil that America finds itself in the midst of. But as a gifted pianist and composer, he’s able to eloquently sort out his feelings of these unsettling times through music.
Drawing inspiration from Miguel de Unamuno, a Spanish philosopher from the earlier part of the 20th century, Meder latches on to the powerful notion advanced by Unamuno that human struggle is theological, summed up in the philosopher’s line “I Look for Religion in War,” which Meder adopted for the title of his song premiering in the video above.
Meder plays this very episodic piece backed by Marty Jaffe (bass) and Michael Piolet (drums) with a key guest participation from trumpet player Philip Dizack. With just these four, the song carries the weight and passion of a full orchestra but nimbler to handle the transitions from depictions of the gathering storm, the full outbreak of hostilities and moments of contentment.
Without uttering a word, the music drives home the point that human conflict has become the god that mankind often worships.
This isn’t the first time Meder effectively uses religion as the fulcrum in his music. This topic has worked well for him because he knows just how to convey the fervor.
“I Look for Religion in War” is part of Dave Meder’s upcoming albumUnamuno Songs and Stories, which will drop October 29, 2021 from Outside in Music.
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