Responsibility
I started on the artist side. I was in bands that travelled the world and was a session player live & on recordings in Europe and North America.
When you’ve slept on many people’s floors, in vans and 6 to a room, you get a vibe about you.
My wife said I was like a wild dog when I came back from long tours.
Then there’s the people. God Bless em’ all but there’s some really complicated and trying people in the music industry.
The best thing about it is the worst thing about it. The freedom of an industry almost entirely unregulated and devoid of strict accountability makes it amazing and hell simultaneously. You’re as strong as the players around you. Sometimes the team is in sync, God smiles and you’re able to run one into the end zone. Sometimes no matter what you try there seems to be endless opposition coming from the Universe.
Those records are so painful. I always feel responsibility. There must be something I can do, a connection I can make, a call I can put in …
We’re in a strange time when the workload is testing the artists. When you have to pay for everything, write (co-write) the songs, perform in the studio and live, manage the timeline and finances, book the shows, interface with a boutique marketing company, interface with pr, be or interface with the art dept, book photographers, videographers, coordinate submissions for grants and a pile more it’s daunting.
A lot of artists became artists for the very reason that they didn’t want to deal with the biz side. Now they’re forced to. More and more musicians are choosing to do music and a day job simultaneously. For the first time in my career I get it. There’s a lot of responsibilities that need to be met and more and more musicians are getting better at not allowing their lives to implode for their dream.
An artist taking their shot today is that outside chance that reminds me more of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. It’s tough and fewer are feeding themselves or their families with the non proceeds (Spotify)
It’s for that reason that I take every project very seriously. I understand the hardship, feel the dedication and support the bravery. I feel I need to be responsible to every note played.
