Thoughts on Music
Some things I’ve noticed that generally have a negative effect on music and the creative process…
Music fans have a sense of entitlement when it comes to their favorite genres. They feel they should be able to direct where music goes. What they don’t realize is that if they want to change the music landscape (and I’ll be quite blunt here), they need to shut up and learn how to make their own music. Art isn’t some sort of idealistic utopian capitalism where the consumer votes to make the artist do their bidding … it’s art. Artists are only capable of producing what comes from inside them.
On the flipside, artists have no right to bitch if the masses don’t like their art. If what you’re aiming for is popularity, then appeal to what fans want. Otherwise, make music for yourself and love it for what it is. You’re either doing this primarily to please yourself or to please others… if you want to balance between the two, you may be in for a bad time if your artistic ideals don’t jive with others. Generally, I opt to please myself, and not give much of a shit about what others think.
It’s a double edged sword where both sides are generally in the wrong…. but somehow, occasionally, magic happens.
But yah, don’t for a minute as a music fan think that your enjoyment of someone else’s music entitles you to having a say in how they produce their art. You don’t…. and chances are pretty high that what you like about someone’s music is not what they themselves like about it.
So today, I start working freelance from wherever I choose. Aaah freedom…..?