Music needs tension – Brett Johnson

I catalyse change through art that exhibits optimism

Music needs tension

May 31, 2026

Not tension in a negative context. Tension in the tuning of an instrument, between two fixed points. Tension in the playing of an instrument. Push vs pull. Consonance vs dissonance. Restraint vs release.

Not tension in a negative context. Tension in the tuning of an instrument, between two fixed points. Tension in the playing of an instrument. Push vs pull. Consonance vs dissonance. Restraint vs release.

Broken melodies are still a song to sing, because broken moments need a light and a bridge.

Productivity isn't entirely linear. Sometimes routines push me forward. Other times trigger habits pull me forward.

The calendar is a sail

As a creative, filling up my calendar felt like building a brick wall that I would have to systematically punch through on a daily basis. Now I see my calendar as a sail. The resistance hasn't gone away, but my attitude towards resistance has changed. Sails need wind.

Music needs emptiness

Think about almost any acoustic musical instrument. It requires emptiness to produce fullness, Every instrument is a vessel, intentionally carved out and crafted to be as empty as possible, so it can be as full as possible.

To me, optimism is an intentional, resilient stance of openness in the face of inescapable close-mindedness. Ready feet. Open eyes. Ready hands. Open heart.