There are in our existence spots of time that are lead by nature itself. Life can easily be delegated by the push of the wind, flow of the river, beat of the drum, a moonlit smile, rhythm of the traffic, and pitter patter of the rain. “Natural scenes have the power to suggest certain values to us…act as inspirations to virtue” (Botton, pg. 144, 2002).

Exposure to new environments brings exposure to new smells, sights, tastes, sounds, and emotions giving a culture it’s identity. This is the strength that gives many the desire to travel. To be apart of something new and strange and step outside of everyday life. These are the times that should be pursued and not pushed back because of lack of money, fears of traveling, discomfort of leaving something stable, etc. Sometimes when these fears and worries are addressed by traveling it increases inspiration because the chances of new experiences are high. “…had Baudelaire undertaken a guide to his own city he would have recommended the flea markets, the whorehouses, and the cafes as the most important places, from a spiritual point of view-which was the view of a person suffering from an oppressive inner life. In a crowd he lost himself-and the loss was precious to him” (Sennett, pg. 123, 1990).

Inspiration can come from anywhere at anytime if the time is right for the individual. Traveling is exciting and part of that excitement comes from the unknown and the small fears that can happen anywhere, even in someones hometown. The use of catharsis as a form of stress relief can be done by addressing these fears through poetic movements, music, dances, and performances.

Many inspirational artists that I have come across have either cross culturally collaborated with artists from many different countries or use techniques and instruments that allow a specific timbre to shine through, that is richly recognizable with other cultures and time periods. This is a stylistic pattern that is appealing to me and apparently many others as well. A few just to name: Paul Simon, John Lennon, Vince Guaraldi, Mountain Man, Alison Krauss, Kingston Trio, etc. have all accomplished different styles that are particularly unique and identifiable to a certain culture, time, and place.

There are a few important aspects to remember when it comes to other cultures music is the instruments used, the form that it takes and the influence it has on others. For example a cantata, a sonata, work songs, call and response songs, ragtime piano and big band or swing time music.
All these can run together but can also be seen outside of their original origins. Claude Debussy has a couple of ragtime pieces (Golliwog’s Cakewalk and Le Petit Nègre) that were made a little after Scott Joplin had composed some of his most famous ragtimes and two-steps. Swing time/War songs were being adapted in Berlin through the American radios (Berlin: Symphony of A Great City, 1927).Work songs/field hollers have very specific styles and rhythms that usually contain a call and response and that can be seen in numerous Appalachian, Americana Folk, and Folk Jazz bands currently playing.
Some of these bands are featured at The Rhythm and Rye many come out of Portland, OR (Hillstomp, and Fruition) others from Olympia/Steamboat Island, WA (Oly Mountain Boys, Rooster Crow, Pine Hearts)

The main idea that life can be lead by nature, certainly seems to be prevalent  in the Pacific Northwest with the mighty collective sound that bursts through the Cascade range and has been classified as Cascade Mountain Music.

On the topic of different genres of music and different forms taken depending on the location and history, we engaged in a performance the Indian Orissi rhythms and experienced the many guidelines that makes the Orissi music distinguishable.
Raga: expressive mode that changes depending on the Tala (time cycle)
Alpana: free flowing exploration of Raga
Gamaka: Ornamentation
Brikkas: Virtuoso outburst that break up the original patterns
Tanam: Rhythmic exploration of Raga
Kriti: Pallavi (the blossoming), Anupallavi (secondary contrasting section), Charnam (tranquil section, returns to palate at the end).

Just as Ghanian music and dances relate back to reality and make reference to nature so does Orissi. Both keep the tradition strong in making folk/ tribal songs and dances that can be passed down and collaborated with any traveler.