VC6 Live: Eric Whitacre in conversation with Jacob Collier

“It’s not often one encounters an imagination with the depth and prolificacy of Jacob Collier’s. The London-based 25-year-old is dubbed by many as one of the most innovative musicians of his generation. In 2012, Jacob’s self-made KZbin videos achieved legendary status in the music world, attracting the praise of such luminaries as Herbie Hancock, David Crosby, Steve Vai, and Quincy Jones, who manages Jacob to this day. Jacob’s debut album, In My Room, crafted entirely in his room at home, went on to win two GRAMMY’s. His success has led to musical collaborators and fans including the likes of Coldplay, Ty Dolla $ign, Tori Kelly, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Charlie Puth, Kehlani, Jessie Reyez and Finneas (to name a few).In January of 2018, Jacob began designing and creating a recording project on an unprecedented scale - a quadruple album called DJESSE: 50 songs, divided between four volumes, with each operating within a separate musical universe of sound, style and genre. Scattered across the four volumes are 30+ collaborators from across every facet of the music world. Djesse Volumes 1 & 2 both have earned him a GRAMMY each, affirming that Jacob has never lost a Grammy in a category he’s been nominated in.”

[@DylanMourik]

Jacob "One thing I've been thinking about recently" Collier

[@hezekiahdaggett2179]

Lol nice

[@mac_sour]

Jacob “My music gives you my toes” Collier (5:33)

[@singit3630]

...which is actually 20 things...

[@thiswlad]

"a lot" :)

[@MelissaVandenberg]

This was my therapy session oh my god

[@headrat1]

I felt the same way. When they talked about fear and examining the present moment and linking that with performance and getting out of the way? Well, they both have such emotional coherence in their music, in themselves and for one another.

[@JamesQuintero7]

Watching Jacob explain his process is literally worth more than my entire music education. He inspires me to just experiment and just create what is important to me and feels good...getting away from the worry about sounding formally "right". It will sound right once you allow freedom run its course.

[@chrisa0001]

@@MishMashi he’s a college faculty all by himself.

[@joshuapeacock17]

true true but ig you gotta know really good, foundational (sometimes mundane) basics through and through in order to even be able to just do whatever you want and experiment (not sayin you cant experiment w/o being an expert but the education is def fundamental)

[@dominikn19]

So true.

[@machitect]

Ditto :)

[@jacobemery2712]

8:10 for when they solve technical difficulties

[@elinemay]

Thank you so much!

[@elinemay]

@@laurencelong Laurence! Haha

[@jacobhelbig6967]

eline and laurence!

[@elinemay]

​@@jacobhelbig6967 hahaha yay almost united! Let's see if the rest follows...

[@helenpanshin5589]

+

[@andrescarames]

Eric Whitacre AND Jacob Collier?! Yes, please.

[@tiagoribeiro8358]

___________________________Questions Order___________________________________ -Albums 12:30 -Creative Process 14:25 - Naming an Ideia and balance between sensibility and control 22:05 -Emotion Intelligence and audience 29:03 -Chords in music and stretching 34:35 -Leraning from thinking vs experimenting 42:50 -Authenticity 1:00:00 -Jacob Collier Room 1:05:00 -Arpeji 1:10:00 -Filosofating 1:13:00

[@Herfinnur]

Mr. Whitacre, please pin this!

[@tiagoribeiro8358]

@@Herfinnur eheheheh thanks man

[@reev9759]

Thank you for this service

[@joaofarias6473]

Obrigado Tiago! Foi muito útil 😎

[@pabloduran8100]

Thank you brother 🙇🏻‍♂️

[@nilsmarius]

"Hans, he's such a kid aint he?" Jacob 2020 Love it

[@headrat1]

Jacon's got such humor and authenticity when he talks about others

[@JohnMackey]

I was going to watch 5 minutes but couldn't turn this off. Just a fascinating conversation - and inspiring. I totally love the contrast between the ever-smooth Whitacre and the never-chill Collier - and both are 100% genuine and honest. Even the rooms behind each of them are physical representations of their minds and their music. Eric's is designed, flawless, thoughtful, immaculate, interesting, and beautiful. Collier's is OH MY GOD PUT THIS IN THERE TOO AND SQUEEZE THIS IN THERE ALSO BECAUSE WHY NOT AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY YET BUT IT WILL BECOME CLEAR. Great conversation.

[@sassulusmagnus]

"Emotional Architecture" What a great way to describe a composition. "The inner child always knows." Wisdom.

[@Eric_Aerolis]

Jacob encourages me to self reflect all the time and its crazy

[@brianmessemer2973]

This made my entire 2020.

[@Edmund89sg]

These two are like infinity stones of the music world. So awesome seeing this~

[@Jarnagua]

I feel so much better about life, art, myself, the world and everything - after listening to this conversation. Thank you.

[@saraamancio6977]

JC is such a brilliant person, with tremendous scope, and depth, and purpose. I am thrilled he is right where he is supposed to be.

[@rishi_mahendran]

This interview, this dialogue, this conversation alone is testimony to how multifaceted complete musicians like Eric and Jacob are. This conversation pulls upon so many other areas other than music including: philosophy, psychology, linguistics, spiritual experience, poetry, music (the list goes on). Goes to show how well-educated a musician can be intellectually, philosophically, and emotionally to have their audience step away from the conversation feeling that they have learned much more than just music. These two are the perfect duo as both can illustrate their musical ideas extremely well with words and the choicest metaphors.

[@arinetic5538]

the last hour and a half of my life watching this was maybe the most eye-opening creative masterclass i've ever seen

[@ranirupeiris]

In this world only the freedom is music . Free music

[@DanPerezSax]

"Yeah, that night when I was chillin at Hans Zimmer's place, and it was Eric Whitacre, Jacob Collier and Quincy Jones hanging out..." FML I wanna be at *that* party!

[@amanthacamille]

As a choir nerd, how did I not know this existed sooner?

[@katewhite3021]

My choir kid/ music theory fan dreams are fulfilled. This is incredible

[@HarleyKing001]

Love the discussion between these two musicians and composers. Feel inspired. Thank you. Can't wait for parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

[@jakobjager6878]

And 9.

[@hezekiahdaggett2179]

Lmao

[@Daiwie44]

I have a good hunch about part 17, don't know what it really is, but I just know it's gonna be good!

[@Vidyut_Gore]

Jacob Collier's biggest super human achievement is that the more I see his interactions and music, the more I can relate to him. This fellow is transparent to an extraordinary level. It is like every person can see a reflection of themselves in the mirror that he presents (not unlike his description of every note fitting a chord/scale/?). Including us all in the moments when we are overwhelmed by his music. It is like seeing a side of ourselves we are too inhibited to act on, but recognize, when we see it and it dwarfs us.

[@alecdickinson]

15:05 "--- so I try to postpone my believing of anything, I guess as long as I can, because once you quantify things to something that you know, then you are basically projecting your past on to it..."

[@MatthewDovetail]

This is just the kind of conversation that I like: displaying thoughts, wondering about anything and, above all, being passionate in going deep in a very natural and spontaneous way! I'd really love to have a chat with both of you someday! =)

[@headrat1]

Their sense of wonder can be felt like a child's excitement unpacking every new idea.

[@oilerrtayl6271]

h3y love it and the look

[@arjanvanelst9861]

I came here to hear more about their music skills but I didn't expected these two 'guru's' exchanging wisdom of life!

[@matthewflores6286]

Need to watch this at least a dozen times.

[@easeandcomposure657]

Oh my god, both their music has had a huge impact on my life for many years, such a pleasure to see them together

[@Darko.mp3]

PLEASE do another one. This was so insightful

[@yipeno4432]

I love this! Thank you guys so much, it was really fun to watch

[@MicroBuddy5]

Still my absolute favorite conversation with Jacob. I can't wait for another one!

[@AllAboutSharp]

Thank you for this. Two of my favorite composers together... :)

[@TheGabe473]

please please please do one more you two sinergise great!!!

[@Mdjagg]

This is the best conversation on creativity I've ever heard! Jacob is a mastermind at explaining everything. Thanks Eric!

[@SeowYiZhe]

Great conversation! Really appreciate this initiative!

[@gjtube37]

Thank you so much for such a great interview!

[@343-43]

Super awesome!!! Thank you so much.

[@ramreiyomahung5392]

Best live stream video I have ever watched in my entire life.

[@nushious]

It's like my birthday. My two favouritest choral composers in one video together. Wow!

[@lorenzomo1]

As a writer I found myself listening to these comments about music, composition, harmony, etc. But I have the feeling they are talking always about something else. Some many things I have learned by them could work with my writing. So pleased and so grateful, I am. Thanks Eric & Jacob

[@SeegYT]

This was substantial. THANK YOU for putting this together Eric!

[@joosepjoost3117]

This made my year! Seriously made me rethink about artistic mindset and look into myself with different ideas and how can I use them.

[@johndimase]

Wow. What a special and emotional chat, thanks so much for this Eric and Jacob.

[@cleocss]

JACOB: --I feel like everything is kind of singing for me

[@jannekemeessen54]

This conversation is a total game changer for me. Thank you so much for this!

[@chipotlemonkey]

This may be my favorite conversation. The discussion about automatic thoughts (CBT) and the often-opposing forces of danger and fear is wonderful!

[@JasonSmith-tm7vm]

Wow. I I thought I'd watch 5 minutes of this...90 minutes later i wish you guys had gone on longer! Thank you both so much for a really inspiring and thought provoking conversation. :)

[@thekingoface8338]

Amazing! About 20 minutes in I started taking notes. I'm nearly done a music degree and I've never felt so compelled to take notes, such valuable and thought provoking knowledge!

[@devipiper4717]

Gosh - so many new concepts to ponder now. Thanks for introducing Jacob Collier to me!

[@conorconnolly8725]

This was such a beautiful insight into the mind of Jacob and just so much fun to see the common understanding both these musicians have with eachother!

[@SolarMumuns]

Incredible conversation, thank you both so much. Peace and strength to one and all x

[@RuthButlerMusic]

2 of my favorite musicians! Thank you so much for sharing this incredible experience.

[@juancarlosrosales2969]

Thank you Eric for giving us this wonderful interview. More please!

[@SziontificMystic]

there's information in this question and answer/dialogue that very few will ever offer in this kind of context! wonderful stuff

[@xijin4195]

As an architecture student I found this super inspiring. You both are the composers that I like so much. Thanks for making this conversation happen!

[@bassmandan817]

Watching people troubleshoot technical difficulties is one of my absolute favorite things in the world. What a gift to have 2 of my favorite musical minds humanized in this way!

[@jumpinjake58]

Blessed to hear these two having sincere, earnest, open-minded, heartfelt, passionate conversation. A dream, executed impeccably.

[@MrCrescendo]

Such an incredible conversation. Thanks for this.

[@brandenburg05]

Wow! Best masterclass ever! Can't believe I didn't have to pay for it! The best hour and a half I've ever spent.

[@headrat1]

I know huh. Their generosity reminds me of how we learn to share and where we get taught competition

[@000netko]

My two favorite modern musicians talking to each other for an hour and a half and only now do I find this

[@paulcharlesworth9114]

I am revisiting this having watched it on release. Nearly two years later, this conversation has stayed with me throughout all the change and craziness. When the world felt like it had shrunk to four walls, these gentlemen reminded me of the universe beyond. Thank you so much.

[@AuburnAfterglow]

This was extremely interesting. Thank you! I hope you and Jacob have another discussion soon!

[@mahmuduwi]

Insane! Great job Eric. Such a flowing brilliant dialoge between the two of you.

[@SarahKrohn]

i took notes while watching this because everything seemed so important and i had to make note of it. i am filled with wonder, uncertainty, and peace

[@hunghoangmusic]

Thank you you both! I have learned so so much from this. And yes! I can’t wait for the next interview. Thank you thank you!!!!

[@yuriamorim]

Wow, that was pure GOLD! Alchemist deep chitchat. Thanks for doing it. I hope it happens again sometime soon!

[@zabba7461]

So many interesting thoughts! This slipped so seamlessly between music and psychology. I loved Jacob's idea that every instrument is a dialect of the same language.

[@issiewatson5875]

This video is a goldmine about composition and life philosophy - thank you!!

[@TheNiveaman]

Absolutely love your conversation, thanks man! :)

[@JulienAndo]

Thank you so much for sharing this great interview!

[@StudioOrchestrations]

by far the most interesting creative discussion I've heard in a long while. Thanks for setting this up, Eric - look forward to more! :)

[@KeenanReimerWatts]

Some of the most beautiful creating about composition that I've ever heard. So healing to read. Thank you to both of you for being such open and honest people in the world. You're making a deep difference in peoples lives!

[@aubreywarneck5629]

This just fed my soul. Watching you two speak to one another as modern day composers who influence one another is such an amazing thing to witness as a music educator. How amazing to watch you both and be able to be a "part" of your amazing conversation. Thank you.

[@KeeperOfOrchards]

love the DEPTH of personal perceptions in music composition, its exploring & inspiration... and it’s of course a real FEAT to put into words... i remember that i used to contemplate & in time, use these emotional mechanisms full of either subtil harmonies & feelings, or often so, sparkling jolts of life-giving riffs that are always the source of a greater audience tackling, engaging & altogether performance, ending up creating unique sound pieces, greater chord progressions & harmonies (more original ones overall), something almost instinctively coming to mind (“inspired”?) that’s claiming to be born... but through a necessary ‘birth pangs’ process, but often also bestowing with itself an immense pleasure of relief & satisfaction, at times sad, or extremely joyous, or ecstatic, or as JC mentioned it, a sort of ‘catharsis’ which in my case has done wonders of frustration RELIEF & therefore inner resolutions & healing, leading to soothing contemplation & peace... (however the deepest peace for me comes from God himself at the reconciliation point, and when realizing He offers an eternity of bliss, resulting in CANCELLING the very unnatural fear of death: it’s GONE, forever gone, and so the inner peace that comes in is supreme!) nowadays however, being older i suppose kinda causes the above inspirational considerations to kind of vanish while music itself continue to ‘happen’ almost on its own (but it’s not a bad thing at all) and all of the above mentioned felt & explorational feelings &/or personal discoveries are now overlooked to the benefit of just & more simply following where music sets itself to go & to be... less ‘exploring’ & more following the flow of a song, pretty much like if it already existed... and i guess it’s yet another ’mind game’ (possibly, cuz it’s hard to truly define, being its own, without me even interfering), but more on the restful side, more peacefully & contemplative. Now this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ-0d6mojKmMqbc&feature=share blew my mind, Mr Whitacre!.. Thank you for facilitating such things as a choir singing intricate harmonies to the edge of dissonances so exceptionally meshed with organic purity, brilliance & beauty, that it jumps from the natural realm to the spiritual one, resulting in such extraordinary degree of quasi-heavenly worship quality... I don’t know if that was the goal, but that’s how i hear it. kp/SBR

[@davidbauguess]

Two Idols in one video. Sick!

[@Noy_shiv]

thank you so much Eric, this conversation was nothing short of epic, and a lot of it is thanks to your generous spirit as a host. this was incredibly inspirational for me as an opera singer to hear. it's so rare that such high calibar artists as you guys, take the time to talk and reflect and share their insights about such a variety of subjects.

[@katiestaudt8284]

I’m looking forward to the interview part 2 ( and more?) You’re both geniuses! Thank you

[@theMad_Artist]

This was incredibly inspiring. I absolutely love both of you thank you so much for this!

[@george-vlachos]

A truly superb conversation! the ideas, the energy, the passion from both was amazing ! Eric, would be fantastic if you could do another conversation with Jacob !

[@transzend5998]

It seems that everything is connected to the deepest level, Zen Buddhism, Music, Psychology, everything in life. Thanks for sharing this great conversation with us and I am so inspired as a musician as I feel so free to create now

[@jenbo111]

It took me *checks notes* almost three hours to get through this video--granted, I got up for lunch, potty breaks, and such. And the closed captioning helped so much! Couldn't believe how different normal speech is to written words in the sense that run-on sentences are natural and make sense and seem to just show the flow of consciousness, speaking of which, one thought flowing to the next but circling around like that chord in lydian--not super lydian--like... music theory whabam! Basically, I SUPER enjoyed listening to you two think and share and smile. Time for a brain break :D But before I stop, thanks to you two for putting words to things floating out of reach (but still there... almost like a permanent *on the tip of my tongue* feeling...) BEAUTIFUL, MARVELOUS, AGAIN, AGAIN!

[@softedgesmusic]

Thank you both!!! it’s minds like yours that are keeping the rest of us inspired and connected. Thank you so much!!

[@OleVinny]

Thanks a ton to you both. What an insightful conversation.

[@andrewweber7949]

I love the dialogue about Jacob's ability to play multiple instruments. Reminds me of Victor Wooten's Ted Talk on music as a language--once you nail down how strings, keyboard, wind, drums, etc. work harmonically, playing other instruments within those domains becomes more natural. There's probably an exponential decline in "time spent learning an instrument" as you learn more, perhaps much like learning multiple languages goes. So cool!

[@wesboundmusic]

Wow, what a stellar moment you both co-created here, I'm blown away in a good way! How do I best make sure I won't miss you guys following up on this other than by subscribing to this channel? (I guess the answer is in the question?). And I sooooo concur: we're all privileged to get to live in a time and be around while Jacob is doing his thing(s)🤓🌻👏! Awesomeness in steroids here in those 90 min. of all around brilliance from the two of you!

[@Cruiser1040]

What an extraordinary conversation, so deep and inspirational. It's clear that these minds understand the essence of music creation and why they are here. Love and respect from Iceland.

[@YolanGroen]

Love the depth, the excellence, the honesty! Keep on shining!!

[@gitarremitmarkus8834]

i have never used text edit before but it is super useful! :) i love the combination of philosophical talk and getting some practical advice every now and then

[@TheSexyPrinces]

you are such a light

[@SteliosKGuitar]

What an inspiring and beautiful conversation, not only on a musical level but on a deeply human one. It would be so easy to just talk about the technicalities of careers and music but what you’ve touched on is deeply relevant for any artist or person going through life. Thank you Eric for making this happen.

[@EvanMasonMusic]

Thank you very much for this, Eric. It's great to listen to you both and to hear Jacob's process in an intelligent and in-depth conversation.

[@narayan..7518]

"Once you quantify something that you know then you're basically sticking your past to it" so damn true, so beautifully put Jacob

[@achokarlos]

I came here looking for musical orientation and stayed here for the life meaning and self direction therapy content. You really do know how to play with people expectation!

[@half7163]

Just thanks for this.

[@claytonmoore2091]

Eric, this was great Im a fan of you both. I was hired by the group in LA to shoot B-roll for California Sings last year - what great fun! There is great talent out there and you doing more of this is important.

[@Blendwerk11]

So glad to hear such inspiring visions applied to music and it feels so motivating and exciting to me seeing two of the musicians I admire the most so rooted in self-honesty, it is fascinanting how the talk evolved to the "spiritual" side of composing and how everything is connected. Which brings me to and further feeds the beautiful realization regarding how many unique opportunities such as this conversation the current exceptional/crisis situation brings up 🥰 to truly connect. Only connecting with our present truth inside can we realize our connected nature and dissolve the artificial barriers we built between ourselves...

[@frederikmarohn6358]

Wow. The fact that we can view these two musical titans speak such wisdom about music and creativity for FREE is simply awesome. Thank you so much Mr Whitacre.

[@GBvybes]

I feel unbelievably fortunate to be one of the 27,000 people to date who have watched this conversation. Value personified.

[@annabellearnold1008]

I could feel my brain synapses firing in so many ways; loved this conversation and wonderful exchange of ideas! Thank you so much Jacob and Eric, I can see why you're friends 👌😊 You're both so brilliant 🙏🌟💕Something came to me about how we use the mind that feels relevant here: in the study of ontology I learned that what 'we know that we know' and what 'we know that we don't know' are both relatively small pieces of a much bigger pie like you were saying Jacob. What 'we don't know that we don't know' is a very interesting place.. and this can lead to what 'we don't know that we do know' and so often turning things on their head can lead to some wonderful new openings and revelations in any kind of pursuit or artistry or relationship 🙏thanks so much 👍🤸‍♂️🦄

[@diavalitemusic]

I feel the same way. really lucky to be alive when jacob is doing his thing.

[@fatguy338]

Thanks Jacob and Eric, I think you guys are the coolest!