Being
an independent artist means you can create what you want,
and then allow the right people who love what you do, come
to you. Rather than create packaged songs to an already
saturated market which is commonly referred to as the
"lowest common denominator". You have the opportunity to
be different... to not just spew out the same ol' music
that most of us are tired of hearing. We want something
fresh, new, unique. The once loved mp3.com, napster.com
and now XM Satellite radio and itunes are true
representations that people are ready to hear something
new, even if that means going on that arduous search
through the internet waves to find a little piece of
unique "gold".
So
who has the gold? You do. Artists have that divine gift
called "imagination" that allows us to be totally
different with what we create. So be different. There's an
amazing sense of freedom in that. Freedom to discover new
sounds, new packaging, new marketing ideas. From the
beginning to the end, you have that freedom to do what you
want, how you want, no strings attached.
Freedom is also about coming from a certain place of non
attachment with our art. Having "no" control in the
process can also be a very liberating thing, and avoids
any deflated expectations. Sometimes we have to just "let
go" and allow the process of our creations, and our
destiny/careers/dreams, to unfold on it's own accord.
Let's
take a look at the writing process for a moment. Writing
songs, or creating anything, even a painting, is like
tapping into a creative source that speaks to us. We can't
force it, or we get blocked. We just have to be open to
it. Once open, we can be very prolific. I'm always
surprised that my best writing is when I just brainstorm
and let the words flow. Sometimes I even "let go" of
trying so hard (maybe even turn the TV on or something to
take my mind off the pressure), and all of a sudden the
song comes to life. How many songs have you written in the
car, doing something completely different? The words can't
stop coming at you can they?
In
the studio, the art of production is about the freedom of
allowing the song to tell us what it needs. We can't force
it. We become the observer... allowing the pieces to come
to life, as we merely conduct.
Being
the observer doesn't mean we no longer care about the
process. No, what it means is that we don't let our mind,
our thoughts, our emotions or our worries get in the way.
Let's take a look at career projections. I always talk
about defining success on one's own terms, rather than the
commercial model. I also remind myself and others that
even though we can have all these big dreams, and create
plans,.... it will never turn out the way we planned...
and that's a great thing. We may project a certain future
for ourselves, but ultimately, the universe, destiny,
fate, whatever you want to call it, has other plans. These
plans are part of the divine mystery of "why we are here"
and as artists we can respect that because it's all about
creativity in the end, and all about freedom. By not being
so attached to certain outcomes, we will never be let
down. Instead, we will be offered wonderful gifts, which
is part of the magic of mystery. It is very freeing once
we let go of future goals, and start living IN THE MOMENT.
Tapping in to the journey, the day to day process,
provides us with way more rewards and joy, than unrealized
future dreams. Being an artist is a lifelong journey of
discovery. It's about living in the NOW and enjoying the
process of creating. It's about living with passion.
I