The Beet Down!

Last week I spoke about some of my observations landing inside this quite amazing phenomenon. 

The cyberscene is alive and thriving in so many capacities. And just like the art itself, the people behind it couldn't be any more diverse. Whether it be processes, inspiration, creativity, goals, thoughts, edicts, politics etc....there is likely an artist that fits any combination of categories.

Having over half a century of trips around the sun in my portfolio, this was of no surprise.....no matter our passions, no matter our professions, no matter our prominence, we are all simply flawed humans navigating time and trying to find our place. But - despite this; our minds have some profound effects on what we make of "reality". And when thinking about "reality", it made me think deeper about the artist.

What is an artist? Long ago, it seemed that most people thought of artists as painters, drawers or sculptors. I remember the first time I heard the term "recording artist" and had to really think about that for a moment. I remember dating this gal who was really into ballet and how she referred to ballet as an art. It wasn't long that I found myself calling anyone who made their work beautiful an artist....Whether it was a paint and body tradesman, a dry-waller, a brick-layer.....really, anyone who took the time to have pride and sank their heart into what they did - they all seem worthy of the title.....they are all artists. Despite this, there is something seemingly unique about those of us who choose art as a passion, not simply as a vocation. 

THE ARTIST, not just the artistic, NEEDS TO CREATE! 

It isn't just a desire, it is a need. Whether a painter, a sculptor, a musician, etc..... nearly universally, each will cite that their art is pivotal to their well-being. Many call it therapy! And it only makes sense.....when submerged in our art, we create our own world. The art may reflect something inside of us that we can't otherwise put into words...it may be indicative of observations, our it maybe something abstract.....we get to define the rules or the lack thereof. Literally, we control what it is; for many of us, it is our safe space.

I realize none of this is news to many if any. But to understand the Indie Music Bubble, we must understand the artist......and inside the artist is where we find the conflict....

Next week I will elaborate further on this conflict. I will dive into more meaningless observations that may be true for some and patently false for others. Luckily, I am the adjudicator of nothing...

With a healthy dose of love,
DC

Last week I shared some observations about The Indie Music Phenomenon. Upon posting and reviewing the related comments, I understood that it is quite a phenomenon after all....

Many of us took to social media with the sole intention of trying to get our music heard. Many of us have taken the time to create profiles on umpteen different platforms. Some of us attempt to keep the information current. Some of us have fun with it, some of us loath it. 

It seems that no matter where we land, some things are pretty common to the aspiring Indie Musician. And I use the word "aspiring" in true form. Say what you will, I simply do not accept that anyone who pays money to put their music on a streaming platform or takes the time to create music based profiles has no aspirations. Granted, it matters not what I accept, I already acknowledge that I am incapable of truly adjudicating truth. And furthermore, any of you who believe that any of us can otherwise....well, be you - you fantastic you! 

But what does all of this mean? NOTHING! It is meaningless. My observations are born of ignorance and limited perspective. However, I suspect that I am far from alone in my observations and that leads me to:

The Indie Music Bubble

Curiously, I didn't initially seek to enter the bubble. I happened upon a handful of artists who were employing some interesting promotional strategies. Because I was among those who created band profiles with the hope that I could increase the chance of getting my music heard, I started paying attention. Before too long, I found myself in this network of artists from all over the world. We were sharing music, we were engaging with one another, swapping playlists....it was quite a magical time! Online web stations were opening up everywhere, artists were promoting other artists.....it seemed like quite the utopian environment! Thousands upon thousands of artists, one shared vision.....music!

But then something odd happened. Perhaps it was there the whole time....but what I saw was alarming. It seemed that more and more artists were no longer their happy selves or maybe more unhappy artists were emerging.....The amount of times I saw artists posting about wanting to quit music because they felt no one cared. Or the artists who were seemingly begging for someone just to see them and hopefully listen.

Last week I attempted to communicate further about my observations of the current state of music.

As I recklessly navigated the complexities with which technology has historically encumbered music, I had one ending thought in mind, and it was THIS very point that drove this recent series of BLOGS; and this is what I refer to as The Indie Phenomenon. 

So what is this, and is it really even a "phenomenon"? 

What is this? - Just another random time when I attempted to use words to help interpret my observations.

Is this a phenomenon? Not in the slightest.....it just sounds cool....at least to me.....

Well then WTF is it?

Ok, here it goes...are you ready?

You sure?

Ok, I am gonna tell you, but please, let me know, are you absolutely sure that you are ready?

Ok, good, but before I continue, I wanted to share.....(OK, sorry, this as my attempt at humor in light of those videos that have some crazy "secret" and they get you invested in stupid long periods of time only to land you at some paywall or, some other action for you to learn the "secret").

Well, there is no secret here nor is there any pay off for your time.

What is there then?

This:

The Indie Music Phenomenon

(This is a story, rather than a reference guide)

Upon entering the Indie Scene, particularly one small corner of it in the social media spheres, I was blown away at the enormity, diversity and sheer talent that unfolded before me. Coming right in, and because this has always been about the music, first and foremost, I let my ears guide me. If I liked what I heard, I hung around, if not, well I moved on. Made sense to me.

Shortly thereafter, I was habitually intersecting paths with artists. Artists whose music was not necessarily in my orbit, or maybe even some artists where I really found no joy in their art. But these artists revealed something, something beautiful that taught me so much.

Before long, I remember becoming excited about interacting with them, I remember looking forward to their releases and learning what they were working on......to put it plainly, I remember finding joy sharing the path. And to my absolute surprise, found joy listening to their music.

You see, when I listened to their music, I saw beauty in the person, and I was part of their world sharing what I perceived to be a vulnerable part of their journey as it was to mine. 

This wasn't unusual really. But what made it surprising was that, although I would always support my buddy's bands which would always grow on me, I never anticipated creating that personal connection with a stranger on the other side of the globe.

What made it even more unbelievable to me, was that when I travel with like-minded artists, it is always enough. I have more music in my life mending me daily than I can consume...but when it is ONLY that music that I need; not just because I love the song, but because I love the person; that to me, is The Indie Music Phenomenon.