Need a quick fix?
The world OD’d on entertainment and now we blame entertainers. That’s fine if you want to do that. But it’s not entirely accurate. A clearer picture includes capitalism.
The flow and skill, priceless.
I like sensing when someone has rehearsed and thought about what they’re saying. If they put that much time into it, or they had to practice or research a lot, I figure they’re saving me time presenting their work to me. Maybe I’ll understand something better. Or maybe it will just be fun, which is great too. It’s time well spent, my time with them. They contributed to my day or development.
Everyone or someone?
If I’m making something, I want it to be worth someone’s time. Not everyone’s time, just someone. The distinction is important to me because it frees me up. I’m not looking to be on everyone’s playlist. So I don’t cater secret codes to the masses. I speak pretty plainly. The reason is I’m talking to specific folks in my brain. I’m not trying to talk to everyone. I think it’s much easier this way.
Do you put an address on art going out?
One of the things writers have to do is make stuff up. Even non-fiction writers have to imagine who they’re writing to. They may not make up the facts of situations, but they’re making up an audience in their mind for the information presented before they even present it. It’s great. This is a huge step in the creative process for any art. “Who is this for?”
Many people nowadays rebel against this idea. Half the musicians you meet say they make music for themselves. I do too. But I’m also imagining the kind of person or person in my life hearing it. That’s part of the game for me. Part of the “why.” Part of the experience.
KEY:🔑
IF I THOUGHT I WAS WRITING FOR “EVERYONE” ALL THE TIME, I’D NEVER WRITE A THING.
Many times I am the target audience. But friends, family, politicians, other artists, writers, and even pizza makes that list too. “Everyone” (or even “Anyone”) does not.
Surprise! I have no idea who you are! (That’s true, BTW.)
The reason why is very simple. I can’t think of a single thing that “everyone” needs to hear. I especially can’t think of a single thing that everyone would need to hear from me. I just don’t have that kind of knowledge or experience.
I venture to say no one does. But enter capitalism, all the sudden the world becomes a market. 2 different kinds of markets! They haven’t even thought of a word to differentiate the folks buying and the stores selling. They’re like, “just call it all a market.” The market purchases from the market. Love it.
If something means a lot to me, it might mean something to someone else. That’s much better odds than trying to imagine something for everyone. I can’t fucking do that.
Marketing jargon.
Terms like “Baby Boomer,” and “Generation X” were actually developed by marketers. They need these categories of humans to cater messages to their appropriate recipients. They don’t want to waste money or time trying to sell fruity pebbles to seniors. (Although, seniors…..shit’s delicious.) So they made categories like you would organize the mail. Messages get targeted to a specific crowd. It’s worked a long time. Many musicians haven’t learned this in marketing their own music. It’s a damn guide! The research has been done!
What happens is folks recognize their crowd they’re in and feel connected to it. I urge friends not to do this. It’s like falling in love with a hashtag. It’s a category. It’s for marketing. It’s not so you get revelations or hate the other crowds. It’s simply a tool so you don’t have to watch commercials for baby shit if you’re not into babies.
Let’s think about that.
First off, there’s way too many baby boomers for them to all suck. So, I just zone out and turn people off who say “BoOmEr.” They call me that sometimes, I’m Generation X. It doesn’t matter to them. I fit a description in their head. It’s not real!🤷 I’m not even an old Generation X. Lol.
Bastards. Haha.
“BoOmEr.”
They took a marketing term and applied it to everyone. Guess what? Marketers don’t even do that, so what’s your excuse? Is it just easier? Is that good? Is it accurate? Who benefits from you doing that? You? Someone selling something?
Now imagine being a young musician and thinking you need thousands or millions of fans to earn the scratch you want. It can be very tempting to attempt to craft messages you deem for everyone, but don’t do it. Those end up being just for yourself, which is great if you do that on purpose. But the accidents in learning that take way more time than reading this blog entry. Save that time!!. Many musicians feel like a failure. That’s sad to me, especially if they like their own music. That’s a valuable skill in my book, entertaining yourself. I wouldn’t be sad about that.
Dear ____,
I started visualizing messages, work, words, and music differently. I think effectiveness involves shooting those efforts like a laser. So many friends and indies tend to throw their songs up in the air and hope it sticks. Some folks like me used to have a message in a bottle approach with art. Maybe someone will find it someday.
Now? It’s specific, pointed. If I’m talking to you, you know it. You might even know who I’m talking to if I’m not talking to you. I’m not a message in a bottle. I’m not pepper spraying hoping to land on targets. I’m writing to YOU, or I’m not. Maybe next time.
Keeping up with the Jones’ record collection.
It’s about more than money. It’s about relevance too. Many folks don’t feel worth a shit unless they’re relevant to other people and get their time or attention. The lack of self-worth in that is very alarming to me now, even though it was me for years.
The joy of craft.
Now? I feel amaze balls I am able to craft things that I, myself, like. I save a ton of money on entertainment. And I possess skills and the potential to make something I, myself, like at any moment. It’s exciting! But it’s not because of capitalism. It’s not because of marketing. It’s not because of who I think will hear it. I just like it. Done.
I know pro musicians, I love them. But I’m not the one.
There may be no money in music unless you’re like the folks I know who make money at it. It’s hard. It’s work. It’s tedious. Sometimes you’re hardly ever home. There’s an element of sacrifice to it I’m not willing to give at this point. A life of working music is tough, frenetic, chaotic. I’m not interested. Also all the people you have to keep up with, no thanks. I have 4 contacts in my phone at the moment, that’s not a gripe.
Where I’m at, postcard from a muso.
But I will make songs I truly like in my spare time, regardless. That’s just fun. It’s also me. I’m glad I know that today. Just sending where I’m at. Take care.
Return to home.🏠
Reminder about the Repository.
Help yourself to anything you want from a public folder I made with all of my music across all projects. Hope there’s something there for everyone.. haha.
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