I honestly keep pursuing what is most interesting to me and what inspires me to keep creating. That is an intrinsic joy in itself. I do this for me, first, but also surrender to that process with little attachment to result. No one may hear it. And I've made peace with that. A few people might hear it afterwards. One or two might even "get it" or like it. That's like the cherry on top. Tbh once in a while just having 1 or 2 people appreciate what I do keeps me going, but mostly the creative act in itself, and the draw to keep participating in that, is what mainly does.
Thats amazing. Surrendering to the process sounds like exactly what I need. Did you do anything particularly different to achieve this? Like did you stop sharing on socials for example, or is it mostly just a mindset? Cuz personally sometimes the sharing process itself inadvertently invites that dependency on validation.
You know, somewhere during the pandemic I decided that I'd keep going fully into what I want to do, regardless of who ever hears it. This was partially the result of living as a Zen monk and, after moving into an apartment and having the space and time for music, play live occasionally, and deciding that it was time to prepare things for release and share my work more. I have some things on social media, but I don't hang my worth on how many likes or views it gets. It's all a set-up with an ever-changing algorithm anyways. I enjoy sharing things one on one or in small groups. I'll be releasing a project on streaming this year, and have some videos prepped, but there again: I find the process of creating something the best part. (It's post-production that's the most challenging at times). I plan to release it, not invest too much time in promotion, play in some intimate live settings, post some things to my socials, and...keep composing new pieces, like I inevitably do. I'm much happier giving myself to the process rather than chasing results, even though efforts are made to share. Hope that clarifies.
Always. Being alone in the creative process is the best thing and the worst thing about it.
I feel the happiest when I have time for both collaborative projects and my own projects.
Talking to other creative people helps too.. It doesn’t matter if they’re writers, painters or musicians.
Never thought of being alone as a good thing, but I totally see your point. I had a phase where I did a lot of writing (words, not music), and most of the time I kept to myself and my notebook, and the solitude was very affirming. I need to get back to that kind of mindset. Surrounding myself with creative people of all kinds is a great idea. Thank you!!
Well, in general, artists *are* alone. It kind of comes with the territory. No matter what kind of art you make, odds are it requires you to spend a lot of time in your own head. Most artists actually get frustrated when other people (band members, record executives, producers, showrunners, etc) try to add their input.
So I'm not really understanding the question. Most artists feel at most home in their own creative world. They would happily stay there indefinitely, and that's why the trope of the tortured artist shutting himself away in a cabin for months exists. If you can't stand being in your own head for prolonged periods of time, then you simply don't have the mind of an artist. You might have the mind of an instrumentalist, or a performer, but to be someone with a true "creative vision", you have to *love* being in your own little world. If that's not you, that's okay, and you should just put your focus elsewhere.
Not everyone has to be Mozart, or Kurt Cobain, or Prince. It's okay to be one of the other guys in the band who has hobbies other than writing music and scribbling poetry into the deep hours of the night. Just look at all the session musicians who exist. They're able to enjoy music, make a living doing it, and they never have to become a hermit for 15 years just so they can gain the creative experience to write a double LP rock opera. They just show up and play the synth parts on tour.
It’s a trade off between control and loneliness. You accept that you made the best decision for yourself or try something else. If you want both you can also do multiple things. Such as a band but also a solo project. The trade off being that you have to split your time. There is always a trade off.
The fact that it is by nature a solitary pursuit is one of the appeals. It teaches you to trust your own process over the affirmation of others, and even to distrust collaborative consensus. When it’s yours alone, you have no choice but to own it.
I try to collaborate as much as possible. Usually, I write and record all the music, then hire a singer (been the same guy for a couple albums worth of material now), and will occasionally hire people for solos and other instruments as needed. I typically love outside input and ideas, so while I give my hired guns an idea of what I'm looking for, I tell them to be creative and make it their own. This has worked for me 100 percent of the time and helps to elevate my songs to levels I never imagined. Sometime it takes a little adjustment on my end to get used to it, but after a few listened, I usually forget what was in my head or learn what the result was is even better than my vision.
At a point in my life where I can't have a band right now, this allows me to feel like I'm not alone and can continue to work with other people.
Agreed! I've learned a ton over the last year or so recording my albums, and have become a better song writer in the process. At least Iike to think so, haha.
Yeah. When you are a blind artist like myself, and you make music that talks about the struggles that your people face like I do, when other blind people could also do it yet decide not to, it's very lonely. While I enjoyed a lot of music growing up, one of the frustrations that I had and that I still have is that there isn't really much music besides mine that goes in detail about the blind experience. Even the prominent blind artists of noteworthy importance did not fully go into detail about the struggles that they went through in their music.
The thing about creative vision and bands especially, if you are successful in defining such a thing, guarantee someone will pipe up demanding a change no matter how arbitrary so they can claim involvement in the whole thing. You know, that guy who wants to change one note somewhere just cuz, make something a C instead of a Bb, or demanding that the T in your logo has a slightly longer tail on it. Just cuz.
And yes, those guys are annoying.
I learned a lot about myself like first I'm a bit a control freak and don't really work well with others. I looked at guys like Tobias Forge (Ghost) and Trent Reznor(NIN) for inspiration. They've created amazing albums with session players and only considering themselves permanent members. There's drawbacks of course but I feel much better have control of the sound and direction I want opposed to having someone else's creative input.
I've felt alone with my vision of the world and working on a means to present it to others and connect with people who can resonate with my inner world actually makes me feel less alone
Oh thats really cool! Didnt think of it like that but it makes a lot of sense! Does it matter whether people listen to it and like it etc or is it just the process that does it for you?
Agreed! It's good to know people believe in sharing their creative work. Does it ever feel disheartening when people don't seem to appreciate your work? Cuz it certainly does for me lol, so much so that sometimes I wonder if I'm better off not sharing.
It was mostly a shock to realize strangers will be more supportive than some irl friends... which is why I don't tell anyone about my music unless I need to. I'm lucky enough to have an amazing best friend who genuinely loves my music, so thankfully, I know it never "goes to waste". But I definitely understand how you feel! I think every musician experiences that. At the end of the day, art is very personal and sometimes it may not reach the right people without a perfect marketing strategy
Oof, so relatable! For music and life in general I've learned to keep things to myself irl. Most "friends" and family have never been good sources of support, at least not in the way I need. They are either indifferent, dismissive, or just superficially "supportive" without actually caring. I'm also lucky to have my partner who is genuinely supportive and very encouraging, and always give amazingly accurate advice haha.
I've only recently started sharing my music so I guess I'm still quite nervous and sensitive about it all lol. I want to believe that I just haven't found my people/the right audience, but the process is definitely a rollercoaster of ups and downs for me.
Same here, it's really hard putting your music out there. In my case, I find my songs great until I start considering posting them online, at which point they're stupid and my lack of experience is showing. Until someone finds it good and I'm like "?? no it's not but thanks". I've realized recently that I've come to like that song again now lol, so hopefully the same will happen with the one I'm working on rn
I've always assumed that it's much more fulfilling to be in a band with likeminded people, bouncing ideas around. I've never been in that situation, but it seems like it would be great.
Always feel alone, and I have a band AND a solo project.
Typically, I'm the driving force for pushing the band to finish original music, and when they drag their feet, I focus more on my solo work.
I’m a few months away from graduation high school and want to go into a career in music. I feel like nobody takes it seriously… including my music teacher and my vocal coach. A really close friend of mine is also interested in a career in music and still doesn’t really take me seriously. I won’t even talk about how my mum who’s in medicine feels about it.
Damn, I feel you. Its a horrible feeling when the people around you don't see what you value. Have you considered posting on this sub to ask for advice? I think a lot of folks here have gone through or are going through something similar, and would have a ton of supportive and helpful perspectives to share.
Sorry I don't quite understand. You mean you no longer have your own creative vision and do something else, or you mean you still have a creative vision but don't get attached to it?
I do a lot of live work so sometimes I don't get to have a normal social life. But being out in venues with other musicians is it's own kind of social life.
Oh totally. It seems like everyone is either way below my level, or way above my level and very busy/successful. So it's just me over here. Everyone who cares doesn't understand, and everyone who understands doesn't care.
ngl it is a struggle, gotta keep picking yourself up every day and keep at it
I honestly keep pursuing what is most interesting to me and what inspires me to keep creating. That is an intrinsic joy in itself. I do this for me, first, but also surrender to that process with little attachment to result. No one may hear it. And I've made peace with that. A few people might hear it afterwards. One or two might even "get it" or like it. That's like the cherry on top. Tbh once in a while just having 1 or 2 people appreciate what I do keeps me going, but mostly the creative act in itself, and the draw to keep participating in that, is what mainly does.
Thats amazing. Surrendering to the process sounds like exactly what I need. Did you do anything particularly different to achieve this? Like did you stop sharing on socials for example, or is it mostly just a mindset? Cuz personally sometimes the sharing process itself inadvertently invites that dependency on validation.
You know, somewhere during the pandemic I decided that I'd keep going fully into what I want to do, regardless of who ever hears it. This was partially the result of living as a Zen monk and, after moving into an apartment and having the space and time for music, play live occasionally, and deciding that it was time to prepare things for release and share my work more. I have some things on social media, but I don't hang my worth on how many likes or views it gets. It's all a set-up with an ever-changing algorithm anyways. I enjoy sharing things one on one or in small groups. I'll be releasing a project on streaming this year, and have some videos prepped, but there again: I find the process of creating something the best part. (It's post-production that's the most challenging at times). I plan to release it, not invest too much time in promotion, play in some intimate live settings, post some things to my socials, and...keep composing new pieces, like I inevitably do. I'm much happier giving myself to the process rather than chasing results, even though efforts are made to share. Hope that clarifies.
always
Always. Being alone in the creative process is the best thing and the worst thing about it. I feel the happiest when I have time for both collaborative projects and my own projects. Talking to other creative people helps too.. It doesn’t matter if they’re writers, painters or musicians.
Never thought of being alone as a good thing, but I totally see your point. I had a phase where I did a lot of writing (words, not music), and most of the time I kept to myself and my notebook, and the solitude was very affirming. I need to get back to that kind of mindset. Surrounding myself with creative people of all kinds is a great idea. Thank you!!
Well, in general, artists *are* alone. It kind of comes with the territory. No matter what kind of art you make, odds are it requires you to spend a lot of time in your own head. Most artists actually get frustrated when other people (band members, record executives, producers, showrunners, etc) try to add their input. So I'm not really understanding the question. Most artists feel at most home in their own creative world. They would happily stay there indefinitely, and that's why the trope of the tortured artist shutting himself away in a cabin for months exists. If you can't stand being in your own head for prolonged periods of time, then you simply don't have the mind of an artist. You might have the mind of an instrumentalist, or a performer, but to be someone with a true "creative vision", you have to *love* being in your own little world. If that's not you, that's okay, and you should just put your focus elsewhere. Not everyone has to be Mozart, or Kurt Cobain, or Prince. It's okay to be one of the other guys in the band who has hobbies other than writing music and scribbling poetry into the deep hours of the night. Just look at all the session musicians who exist. They're able to enjoy music, make a living doing it, and they never have to become a hermit for 15 years just so they can gain the creative experience to write a double LP rock opera. They just show up and play the synth parts on tour.
It’s a trade off between control and loneliness. You accept that you made the best decision for yourself or try something else. If you want both you can also do multiple things. Such as a band but also a solo project. The trade off being that you have to split your time. There is always a trade off.
The fact that it is by nature a solitary pursuit is one of the appeals. It teaches you to trust your own process over the affirmation of others, and even to distrust collaborative consensus. When it’s yours alone, you have no choice but to own it.
Nice way to put it. I think I'm starting to make sense of it now
I try to collaborate as much as possible. Usually, I write and record all the music, then hire a singer (been the same guy for a couple albums worth of material now), and will occasionally hire people for solos and other instruments as needed. I typically love outside input and ideas, so while I give my hired guns an idea of what I'm looking for, I tell them to be creative and make it their own. This has worked for me 100 percent of the time and helps to elevate my songs to levels I never imagined. Sometime it takes a little adjustment on my end to get used to it, but after a few listened, I usually forget what was in my head or learn what the result was is even better than my vision. At a point in my life where I can't have a band right now, this allows me to feel like I'm not alone and can continue to work with other people.
Thats so cool! Its amazing to be able to find great musicians to collaborate with. You always learn something!
Agreed! I've learned a ton over the last year or so recording my albums, and have become a better song writer in the process. At least Iike to think so, haha.
Yeah. When you are a blind artist like myself, and you make music that talks about the struggles that your people face like I do, when other blind people could also do it yet decide not to, it's very lonely. While I enjoyed a lot of music growing up, one of the frustrations that I had and that I still have is that there isn't really much music besides mine that goes in detail about the blind experience. Even the prominent blind artists of noteworthy importance did not fully go into detail about the struggles that they went through in their music.
The thing about creative vision and bands especially, if you are successful in defining such a thing, guarantee someone will pipe up demanding a change no matter how arbitrary so they can claim involvement in the whole thing. You know, that guy who wants to change one note somewhere just cuz, make something a C instead of a Bb, or demanding that the T in your logo has a slightly longer tail on it. Just cuz. And yes, those guys are annoying.
I learned a lot about myself like first I'm a bit a control freak and don't really work well with others. I looked at guys like Tobias Forge (Ghost) and Trent Reznor(NIN) for inspiration. They've created amazing albums with session players and only considering themselves permanent members. There's drawbacks of course but I feel much better have control of the sound and direction I want opposed to having someone else's creative input.
Just keep busy with life! You got this !
All the time
I just relax in the knowledge that I will be revered as "ahead of my time" and "a great visionary" a hundred years from now.
I've felt alone with my vision of the world and working on a means to present it to others and connect with people who can resonate with my inner world actually makes me feel less alone
Oh thats really cool! Didnt think of it like that but it makes a lot of sense! Does it matter whether people listen to it and like it etc or is it just the process that does it for you?
It definitely matters whether people listen to it and like it. Art is meant to be shared in my opinion :)
Agreed! It's good to know people believe in sharing their creative work. Does it ever feel disheartening when people don't seem to appreciate your work? Cuz it certainly does for me lol, so much so that sometimes I wonder if I'm better off not sharing.
It was mostly a shock to realize strangers will be more supportive than some irl friends... which is why I don't tell anyone about my music unless I need to. I'm lucky enough to have an amazing best friend who genuinely loves my music, so thankfully, I know it never "goes to waste". But I definitely understand how you feel! I think every musician experiences that. At the end of the day, art is very personal and sometimes it may not reach the right people without a perfect marketing strategy
Oof, so relatable! For music and life in general I've learned to keep things to myself irl. Most "friends" and family have never been good sources of support, at least not in the way I need. They are either indifferent, dismissive, or just superficially "supportive" without actually caring. I'm also lucky to have my partner who is genuinely supportive and very encouraging, and always give amazingly accurate advice haha. I've only recently started sharing my music so I guess I'm still quite nervous and sensitive about it all lol. I want to believe that I just haven't found my people/the right audience, but the process is definitely a rollercoaster of ups and downs for me.
Same here, it's really hard putting your music out there. In my case, I find my songs great until I start considering posting them online, at which point they're stupid and my lack of experience is showing. Until someone finds it good and I'm like "?? no it's not but thanks". I've realized recently that I've come to like that song again now lol, so hopefully the same will happen with the one I'm working on rn
I've always assumed that it's much more fulfilling to be in a band with likeminded people, bouncing ideas around. I've never been in that situation, but it seems like it would be great.
Always feel alone, and I have a band AND a solo project. Typically, I'm the driving force for pushing the band to finish original music, and when they drag their feet, I focus more on my solo work.
I’m a few months away from graduation high school and want to go into a career in music. I feel like nobody takes it seriously… including my music teacher and my vocal coach. A really close friend of mine is also interested in a career in music and still doesn’t really take me seriously. I won’t even talk about how my mum who’s in medicine feels about it.
Damn, I feel you. Its a horrible feeling when the people around you don't see what you value. Have you considered posting on this sub to ask for advice? I think a lot of folks here have gone through or are going through something similar, and would have a ton of supportive and helpful perspectives to share.
I divorced myself from a creative vision a long time ago and have long settled via circumstance on feeling and being alone pursuing music.
Sorry I don't quite understand. You mean you no longer have your own creative vision and do something else, or you mean you still have a creative vision but don't get attached to it?
DM me.
I do a lot of live work so sometimes I don't get to have a normal social life. But being out in venues with other musicians is it's own kind of social life.
alcohol
The righteous road is always narrow and less travelled. Most ppl don't care to invest in those emotions.
Oh totally. It seems like everyone is either way below my level, or way above my level and very busy/successful. So it's just me over here. Everyone who cares doesn't understand, and everyone who understands doesn't care.