Ari Koinuma

Music Is Life.

That's why we need to listen.

Welcome, Friend!

I explore an unconventional mix of rock music, guitars, personal development/self improvement, and mental health. I invite you to come with me on my journeys, so I can share what I learn.

Ari Portrait by Amy Colleen

Topics

Music Commentary

As a music fanatic, it means a great deal when a song speaks to me. Good songs are like air and food to me, I need a steady supply of them to fuel my life....

Life Insights

I'm constantly on the lookout for deeper meaning and understanding of life, with a particular focus on psychology and mental health. I'm forever a student of life, and they say the best way to learn...

For Musicians

Music is a challenging pursuit, so I enjoy sharing lessons learned with my fellow musicians. Particularly, I have something to say about songwriting and guitars, but I sometimes touch on arranging, singing, recording production and music...

What Makes This Song Impactful: Imaging Dragons “Believer”

My son, 11 years old, listens to electronic and gaming music. He doesn’t listen to rock bands. Imagine Dragons is the lone exception. It is debatable whether they “rock” or not, but they certainly are a band, a band made up of the traditional pieces like guitar, bass, drums. So …

How to Receive Criticism

People generally don’t enjoy criticism. It’s often received as undermining and offending. I used to count myself as one of those people. But when you think about it, criticism is an opportunity. An opportunity to learn about yourself, or make something you do better. Then why don’t we like it? …

March 9, 2018 March 8, 2018 Life Insights criticism

Unlocking the Mystery: Why Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” Knocks You Out

Ah…. Stairway. There’s so much has been said about “Stairway to Heaven” that the song needs no introduction. Clocking in at 8+ minutes, it is THE song in Led Zeppelin’s catalog that people point to. How did they craft such a massively popular song that defines not just their sound …

February 22, 2018 February 21, 2018 Music Commentary Jimmy Page / John Bonham / John Paul Jones / Led Zeppelin / Robert Plant / Star Wars

Dreaming of an Impactful Music Movement

When you survey the indie music industry, it’s littered with instructions on how to get noticed, create exposure, make money, go viral, and so on. It’s all driven from the perspective of how to reach wider audience. The bigger, the better. I am glad they are there, and I personally …

February 13, 2018 February 13, 2018 Uncategorized Christa Wells / Cloud Cult / Gin Blossoms / King's X / SHEL / Sister Hazel / Son Lux / Steve Vai / Toad the Wet Sprocket / Tonic / U2

On a Mission to Spread Impactful Music, Continued

The idea that music being a powerful thing isn’t new, yet I feel like we (as in we modern humans) still don’t fully see it that way. Tucked in the “entertainment” industry, we see musicians as this attention-seeking, self-serving children, out to win the popularity game. I want to make …

February 3, 2018 February 3, 2018 Ari's Manifesto