I've been thinking a lot lately about the abuse I put myself through in the name of artistic pursuit. I've always had the drive to create, and the act of creation was reward enough (still is). But, having enjoyed some success as a regional musician and working professionally as a music teacher for my adult life I've seen the underbelly. I've spent the last 10 years making a go of it in the writing world, and in a lot of ways the two worlds overlap: there is A LOT of begging your friends and family for support, and let me tell you, getting those likes and RTs is such a sweet, sweet hit of dopamine to your dome—it almost makes you forget you blew 5k on an EP no one is buying, let alone listening to.
Music is a performative art and it needs an audience—it can be argued that a musician's salt is measured by how well they perform live. The audience is there to experience something that no other art can give them. Maybe the circus...but you won't get it from a Ted Talk, stage play, or 6-story high screen with 30.5 THX surround sound while wearing 3-D glasses. Something transcendental happens during a show. If you're willing to accept it (a little lubrication never hurt), witnessing a night of good music can stick with you forever—there's something ceremonial and communal about sweating it out on the floor with a bunch of fellow seekers. In the right moment, everyone is your brother and sister (except the super tall guy who moves his way up in front of you and stops. Fuck that guy).
Music is a performative art and it needs an audience—it can be argued that a musician's salt is measured by how well they perform live. The audience is there to experience something that no other art can give them. Maybe the circus...but you won't get it from a Ted Talk, stage play, or 6-story high screen with 30.5 THX surround sound while wearing 3-D glasses. Something transcendental happens during a show. If you're willing to accept it (a little lubrication never hurt), witnessing a night of good music can stick with you forever—there's something ceremonial and communal about sweating it out on the floor with a bunch of fellow seekers. In the right moment, everyone is your brother and sister (except the super tall guy who moves his way up in front of you and stops. Fuck that guy).
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