Monday, January 18, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
My new video "Cool Cat Party"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP6pY6oi9w0
From My first album Rip Roarin Rock'n'Roll
Directed by Ken Jeadicke
From My first album Rip Roarin Rock'n'Roll
Directed by Ken Jeadicke
My Report on Ignore Everybody by Hugh McLeod
The other week music entrepreneur Derek Sivers (best known for creating CD Baby the company that changed the indie music scene and the world of music forever) sent me a copy of Cartoonist and blogger Hugh McLeod's book "Ignore Everybody - and 39 other keys to creativity. He asked me to read this book and write about how I would apply (or not apply) Hugh McLeod's writing to my (or anyone else's) music career.
This book discusses why we create, why some of us are scared to create, the
alternatives to not creating, and the necessary balances needed between creation, having a life, and business.
Of its 39 Keys to creativity, I would apply most of them. Some of them I already do....I just wasn't aware of it. There is one that I wouldn't apply but I will get to them in a moment
I want to talk about what I think are the most important keys (or lessons) that this book has to offer
But first I want to relate a story.
It was a time before the internet when every musician was obsessed with trying to get signed by a label in order to "Make it".
The Drummer of the band that I was in, was lamenting over that fact that it seemed like all the good shtick had been taken. That all the famous bands before us had already taken all the good ideas. He added, "I was thinking that we could all dress up like girls, but Boy George has already taken that one too".
The Bass player remarked back "Well.....I guess we'll just have to be ourselves then".
"Exactly" I said in agreement.....but the drummer wasn't buying
it.....because there had to be a surer and safer way to "make it".
Fast forward to "Ignore everybody and 39 other keys to creativity" by Hugh McLeod and I am vindicated for saying "Exactly", by the following two of those keys.
Key # 12 Don't try to stand out from the crowd...avoid the crowds all together.
and
Key # 17 The world is changing - Avoid the dullards, avoid the folk who play it safe, they can't help you anymore. Their stability model no longer offers that much stability. Hang around with and talk with the visionaries. The ones who understand that the world is changing and have all the crazy freaky ideas. Not only must your music be original but the manner in how you get it out there.
Put these 2 keys into effect right now and you are ready to for the next 3
Key # 20 Sing in your own voice - This should be obvious, but think about
it......Dylan can't sing or play guitar very well......but he didn't let that stop him. Concentrate on your strengths. And use your strengths to circumvent your weakness.
It's like that part in the 3rd Harry Potter book, where he is trying to figure out how he is going to fight a dragon. He can't think of a single spell that will help him do this and his professor asks him "What are you good at?"
"Flying" he replies.
"Then you'll need your broom".
"But I'm only allowed to use my wand".
"Then you can use your wand to call your broom".
Key # 27 Write from the heart - but this should be obvious too. We all say it like we know it. You can always learn about how to improve your craft and form, but in the end there is the voice and heart that God gave you.
Key # 3 Put the hours in........Or, never underestimate the competition. Never forget to realize that there are thousands of musicians just like you, all writing the same song that you are. If you are going to write the same song as everyone else you are going to have to write it, and perform it a hundred times better than everyone else, so get to work.
Ok, now it's time for Key # 1 and the books title.
Key # 1 Ignore everybody - great ideas alter the balance in
relationships, that's why most people resist them. - In the end (if you think your idea is great) you are going to have to just stand by it bravely and let the chips fall where they may.
A while back I thought that I wanted to start writing and recommending all the music that I am excited about so I started a website called "Music Worth Buying. Then I thought there needed to be a show like "At the Movies' but with music instead. So I talked to a local music writer about it and we started taping 10 minute webisodes of Music Worth Buying. We are
posting them on Youtube and on the Music Worth Buying website.
People ask me , what do you think will happen with this? Will you make a lot of money? Will you get a TV deal? Will anyone even care? ......I have no idea, but I think it's a good idea and that it needs doing, So I am going to do it and let the chips fall where they may.
There is a lot of other great advice in this book too that musicians can apply, but there is one that I need to talk about. I don't like this one, but it can apply to some musicians.
Key # 14 Never Compare your inside to somebody else's outside: Now on the surface I like this statement. However in this section the author relates a story about a man who told him never sell what you love because if you do you might as well sell your children. This does not apply to me and it should not apply to any musician who has any professional aspirations. If I can't sell what I love, there is no point. I want to sell my music, I want people to buy my music. I want to make a lot of money from my music. Not so that I can be rich. That is not the goal (but that will be an awesome byproduct of people buying my music). No, I want lots of people to buy my
music so that it can free me up to make more music.
This key can apply to those for whom being a musician is a hobby (And there is nothing wrong with being a hobbyist). But you have to decide what you are: A professional or a hobbyist.
If you have decided that you are a professional it's time to apply key # 29: Power is not given. Power is taken. The minute you become ready is the minute you stop dreaming. You don't get the dream job because you walk into the sports editors office and say "I would really like to be a sports editor someday". You get the job because you walk into the Sports editors office and say, "I'm the best frickin' sportswriter on the planet", and the editor can tell you aren't lying.
It's time to start being. You either are the one of the best musicians, singer songwriters, etc, or you are not. If you aren't, you need to go back to key # 3.
When I was sent this book I was told not write a review, but I recommend this book to any musician who needs to get their priorities together and who needs to confront the realities of what they are facing. This brings me to the last key that I want to discuss:
Key # 5: If your business plan relies on suddenly being discovered by some
bigshot, your plan will probably fail. I don't care about the 1 or 2 people who have huge careers now because they got on American Idol. You have to fit a certain mold to be on that show. 99% of those contestants get rejected. Most of those who made it on the show get forgotten not to long after their season if over with. Even if you do make it to the finish line, you have to be willing to sacrifice a lot of your own artistic freedom. I always find it interesting the number of former idol
contestants who say (at around the time of their third album) "I am finally going to do the album that I always felt I should have done".
For too long we have all been like that drummer from my old band (who's music career went nowhere by the way). You have to stop relying on being discovered to make things happen.
I also want to recommend this book not just to musicians but as to anyone who wishes to be a writer, film maker, artist, animator, cartoonist, designer, etc. Also I to recommend this book as the only gift to give to someone who is graduating. This book offers 39 life lessons that would otherwise take you a lifetime to learn all served on silver platter. I can think of no better gift than that.
Get this book and learn 39 important life lessons by clicking here
Sunday, January 3, 2010
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