Rob Morgan Is A Curious Person

Latest Episodes:

+++ Daily Guinness - Is this photo worth taking? Aug 23, 2020

Show notes

“Is this photo worth taking?”

…it’s a question rendered almost obsolete in the age of cellphones and digital cameras that used to be asked by film photographers regularly. (due to the fact that every frame costs something)

Now, the only question we ask ourselves is, “Is this photo worth posting online or printing?”

“But Rob, I’m a songwriter/musician/painter/writer/graphic designer, I don’t give a crap about photography… what the hell does this have to do with me and my creative process?”

Great question you obscurely made up question asker that exists in my head…

It has EVERYTHING to do with how you decide if an idea you have is good or not. Now that I think of it, maybe it has to do more with the WHEN you decide…

Join me on today’s Daily Guinness to talk about why you should be intentionally separating the CAPTURING and CURATION of your ideas in your creative process.

www.thecuriouspod.com | (612) 584-9330 | Intro Song: Wild Pony Music

Question 76 | How did you become friends with Prince? (feat. Andrea Swensson) Aug 19, 2020

Show notes

Simply put, Andrea Swensson is a badass. Want to know how to get wine stains out of white linen? You go to The Pope. Want to know what’s happening in the Minneapolis music scene? You go to Andrea. Andrea’s best known for her old job as writer for City Pages… and her new job as writer and host at Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current, where she hosts The Local Show… or maybe you’ve read her book, “Got to Be Something Here: The Rise of the Minneapolis Sound”… or maybe you know her for hosting “The Official Prince Podcast.” What’s a “Music Archivist”? What advice do you have for artists reaching out to you to promote their music? What are your thoughts on diversity in the Minnesota music scene? And seriously… did prince really personally invite you over to his place to hang out?? Join me on today’s episode where we talk about all of this and more and to find out how you can win some Guinness swag and a signed copy of her book “Got to be Something Here.” (LINK IN BIO) Also, MASSIVE thank you to Du Nord who are sponsoring the safety and sanitization of the podcast right now to make sure we’re taking every possible step to protect myself and guests by providing clean & sterile recording gear for these in-person recordings. www.thecuriouspod.com/questions/andreaswensson (612) 584-9330

+++ Daily Guinness - “Temporary Local Travel” Aug 13, 2020

Show notes

Have I ever told you about my theory of being a “Temporary Local Traveler”?

It’s all about realizing that you can go to another country and never really experience what it truly means to be a traveler. Sometimes, it just takes the realization that brand new experiences and cultures might just be waiting for you across the street if we’re open for them.

Join me on today’s Daily Guinness episode where I tell the story of what inspired the curious doctrine of “Temporary Local Travel.”

www.thecuriouspod.com | (612) 584-9330 | Intro Song: Wild Pony Music

+++ Daily Guinness - "Never Rush, Never Stop" Aug 11, 2020

Show notes

Whether I’m getting home from a tour or a trip, right when I step in the door, I want to sit down and take a moment to relax. Maybe get a little social-media Doomscroll sesh in. Just give me a min, I want to relax.

Sarah’s approach is the complete opposite and, as I was thinking about it this morning, implementing the core concept of her strategy into my everyday life during COVID has been saving my ass – especially when looking down the loaded barrel of an empty day.

Join me on today’s Daily Guinness episode on the podcast as I talk about what it is and why I – being the moody, emotional sunofabitch that I am – need it so much. Maybe you do too.

www.thecuriouspod.com | (612) 584-9330

聞く “Light Rain & Rolling Thunder” Aug 10, 2020

Show notes

聞く “Light Rain & Rolling Thunder”

August 10th, 2020_1:58am_My Home Front Porch_Minneapolis, MN

Last night was INSANE! I absolutely love thunderstorms, but I’ve never experienced an entire night of constant, non-stop, rolling thunder and lightning like what happened last night here in Minneapolis. It was so incredible that, although I could barely keep my eyes open, I grabbed my binaural recording setup and headed to the front porch to capture a field recording of it. Give it a listen on the podcast.

Note For The Curious: While traveling, I often like to throw on headphones and listen to ambient audio of rain & thunder – whether trying to fall asleep on a plain/noisy hotel or even just to center myself for a few moments before a big show. Because of that, I created a TWO HOUR long audio clip of this. If you’d like it, download it for free on the podcast website. (Link Below)

聞く is a curious endeavor into the heart of listening through the art of binaural recording. Best listened to with the highest quality headphones you can get your hands on.

https://www.thecuriouspod.com/questions/binaurathunderstorm

“Waves, Commas, Periods, and Surfing” (Career advice from Neil Patrick Harris) Aug 08, 2020

Show notes

Five years ago, I got back from the biggest gig of my life opening for my all-time favorite band, The Foo Fighters, when my music career dried up almost overnight.

It took me two years to realize that the dry spell I was in was a comma, not a period, and if someone would have told me what I share on today’s Daily Guinness episode, it would have saved me quite a bit of confusion and a couple of years thinking that my music career was over.

The Off Camera Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bS-I7swn1w

+++ Daily Guinness - Where do great ideas come from? Aug 07, 2020

Show notes

I’ve spent the greater part of my musical journey surrounded by the obsession of trying to come up with “original” ideas.

I mean, that’s how it works right? Songwriters don’t want to get sued with an accidental copyright infringement and backing-musicians are constantly trying to come up with ways to stand out from the hordes of others trying to land the same gig.

The problem is, constantly obsessing about whether my ideas are “original” or not is one of the fastest ways to take me out of the moment, stop listening to myself, and ensures that the mystical flow of ideas is almost certainly shut off.

Maybe, instead of obsessing if it’s “original” or not… maybe the goal is to simply cultivate as many great ideas as possible. But how the hell do I go about doing that? Enter: David Lynch. One of the most creative and original artists of our time.

On today’s Daily Guinness, I share some of his thoughts on where ideas come from and how to “catch” as many as possible.

David Lynch Audio Curtesy of: BAMorg & The Atlantic

Question 75 // Is Photography Binary? (feat. Lucas Botz) Aug 05, 2020

Show notes

Man, whether or not you consider yourself a photographer, photography is engrained into our everyday lives. Now, every one of us has a quality camera in our pockets at all times and because of that, I’ve been thinking a lot about the Art & Ethics of it lately.

Is it appropriate to be taking selfies at places like memorials or protests? Is it appropriate to film strangers on the street any time we want? Is there a way to take a photo while still staying in the moment? Can cameras be a tool for social justice? What’s the difference between a pro and an amateur photographer? Is there a benefit to shooting film in the digital age?

I have a ton of questions but – like most things in life – I have a feeling that the answers… if there are any… won’t be binary.

Join me as I sit down with professional photographer, Lucas Botz, over coffee as we talk about all this and more.

https://www.thecuriouspod.com/questions/lucasbotz

+++ Daily Guinness - Buy the bar a round! Jul 31, 2020

Show notes

www.thecuriouspod.com | (612) 584-9330

+++ Daily Guinness - Guinness Float? Gross! We’ll take two… Jul 30, 2020

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www.thecuriouspod.com | (612) 584-9330