Obsessive musing #1 March 5, 2008

I’ve been having this ongoing conversation with my brother about “the reluctant artist” syndrome (I’ve named it that – he knows nothing of the title I’ve given it.) This discussion began many years ago when he had left his job as A&R for a major label (remember when there were more than you can count on one hand?) and had started his own Indie label, with the dream of working in partnership with the artists. Making decisions together, letting the artist have their own voice when it came to choosing outreach for advertising, placement, etc…everything that a Major machine was doing without the artist’s input or consent (necessarily.)

Much to his surprise and chagrin, some of the artists he had signed to his label didn’t want this, although they had cried war against the Majors who hadn’t given them any room for creative or business input or control.

I, as an independent artist, began with the argument you can imagine: do I even have to write it? The Reader’s Digest version…The artist’s first/main goal is to create the music/art/etc. — striving to be authentic and prolific and interesting and interested. Then booking shows and building a fanbase while playing (hopefully) good shows. While carefully cultivating an image (but not too polished, of course.) Not to mention the care for/of the rest of the band, whether they are your partners-in-crime or support machine. And then of course the cash that’s needed for some of the above. SO to add the responsibility of the business side of it is at a minimum daunting, at a maximum paralyzing and exhausting (without even doing any of it yet — just the thought is enough to set off an opossum-like reaction.)

After my ranting, cursing and general tantrum-ing, I came to the conclusion (you are with me, right?) that yes — although it is more work on top of the creative element, it is essential to be involved — if you’re working with a label or a team, or doing the work yourself if you’ve chosen to hit the (figurative) road alone — particularly today and moving forward in time. Yes, there is something seductive in someone else with the job to simply make these decisions for you, and VOILA, shit is done, but what if it wasn’t what you wanted? And are never asked? Your future (my future) hinging solely on someone else’s decisions? No thank you.

So, then. To take action is a good thing. Jesse, I’ve come to your side. See?

To be active is a good thing.

What isn’t good?

Today, I’ll write about one of my pet peeves (and I hate that phrase too.)

Misuse of language, four examples that have been on my mind:

• Most people’s use of the word “proverbial”
• “intensive purposes”
• “me, personally”
• I overheard this one in a store today, spoken by a woman who had located a pair of pants: “These ones?”

What are your favorites? There are many websites dedicated to this topic, but it’s fun to hear what makes YOU cringe.

Enough for today.