H E A D L i G H T S / blog
This week I am reflecting on my recent release “Beat Library Volume 1.” I confess to find myself conflicted about my inner experience since the album dropped. I am happy, obviously, I am proud of the hard work that it took to get to this point, I am excited about the new opportunities this project may help to bring forward, yet I am also anxious. Anxiety seems to cover every aspect of my life like a heavy wool blanket, comfortable and warm, yet constricting my movement. I fear what people may think of my work, I worry that they will not like or understand it’s meaning, and if they do not understand it, perhaps I’m not as good as I think I am. This process repeats itself over and over, release after release…sometimes I think it has caused me to miss some opportunities, or has rendered me unable to create consistent “content.” …. ….. ….. ….. but what is “content” anyway? Why are we artists now expected to check in every day with minute details of our lives? Almost mindlessly reporting to our audience who consume our “content” with little to no presence as they sit in bed waking up, or sit on the toilet taking a shit, or simply when they are scrolling to pass the time. I often feel that social media creates lots of noise from the millions (if not billions) of soundbites, or funny clips, or virtuosic displays, selfies, parties, lifestyles. How much of it do we really see? really listen to? What is our frame of mind when we are exposed to constant contextual shifts that go by so fast, we seem to get lost in the static? Yet this is now in the framework of how we communicate as a culture, as a species. It likely isn’t going anywhere any time soon, and it isn’t all bad, is it? I think it is great that any person with access to a smartphone can share their thoughts, talents, or services to anyone who may listen. I think it’s wonderful that I can be exposed to so many great artists and ideas that I may never have found otherwise. What I hate is how it is run, how algorithms dictate who sees what based on what gets the most engagement, rewarding those who spend the most time releasing and consuming content. It seems like a great deal, all of this being free, but we are finding that we are the products being sold, our data is the most valuable commodity in the age of information - our data tells those who wish to own our attention (and our wallets) exactly how to get it. YOU CAN’T HAVE MY DATA! …….aaaand this is the point where I start to realize I am rambling like a lunatic. None of this is news, we all seems to know it, but we go right ahead doing it. why? What is the benefit? There must be one. Some little sliver of hope that I can hang onto and use to allow myself to play the game. We are human after all, and we love a good game. What my favorite artists do is create work that cuts through the noise, that gives you something more. This is how I strive to be as an artist who has been inspired by many great people. With this release, I simply wanted to give people music that brings good vibrations into their lives, enhances a space, cultivates creativity, and inspires inner reflection. This is what I will continue to seek as I create more….”content”
These are simply my inner reflections. Every week I will allow myself to look inside myself and free write honest feedback here. I may not always bring answers, but I think over time, we are going to get somewhere interesting. Here’s to the start!