In this post I decided to touch on a very delicate topic. I want to discuss why people choose to do music.
Not long ago music was utilitarian, it served for rituals, work and other communal needs. With the industrial revolution, the music industry was developed and today it has grown enormously, completely out of proportion. We hear music everywhere, on TV, Radio, in bars and restaurants, when we exercise in the gym, relax in the spa or try to get asleep. And yet it is hard to imagine that, for example, one could honestly dream about making sleeping music as a serious way of true artistic expression.
Most artists, as far as I can tell, feel the power inside themselves and create beautiful music just because they can and have the talent to do so. The act of creation becomes a personal need to express one’s emotions and to communicate the message in the way the words alone cannot.
Now say you have produced something beautiful, and it does not get the attention that you hoped for. A common story, right? But then, in the other set of circumstances, you did something good, and no one is saying thank you. While it is nice to be thanked and appreciated, this is not exactly why you did a good thing in the first place. You just did it because you felt it was the right thing to do. It was your decision – just like the decision to create something that did not exist without you.
Maybe this is a good way to stand out, do something different, be outside the norms of global conformity. An artistic creation, even when it respects established norms and principles, is still an expression of freedom that we seek albeit subconsciously.
So, why music? Why not something else? Well, many people find themselves in sports, building careers, wealth, family, or doing something they feel they are good at. Music, however, seems to have more degrees of freedom than those other options. A lot more. Unlike in sports, in music you only get better with time. In science or education, you are limited with a predefined set of concepts and an astronomical cost of experimental equipment. At work, your job description is the most limiting thing of all, and the family duties will surely drain your energy. Music too is not effortless. You need to invest much time and resources. Still, what you get in return is well worth it.
There is one idea I want to share with you, and I think you will agree with me. The music industry does remind me of professional sports. There are many talented athletes, but only a small minority of them get paid well enough. However, this is just on the surface. If we dig deeper into it, music is more like science. And in science, if you want to achieve progress you do not compete with your colleagues – the only competition you have is with yourself. You push your limits – you learn, create and discover. The business side is similar – most don’t make a fortune.
Hence, my point is that if you are driven to creating beautiful things and you can afford it, then go for it. Life is short, and it is important to enjoy every moment of it as much as possible. Don’t anticipate any specific outcomes. Don’t bank on getting rich or famous. At the same time, you should not be passing on business opportunities when they present themselves. Life works in mysterious ways. You may get what you deserve one day, but why and how you get there may be very different from how you imagined it.
Think too that it is much better to be doing what you can do best than to be bored doing things you don’t want to be doing at all. And I am assuming that all of you – those who read my blog and send music to me – are fortunate enough to live this way. And I am genuinely happy for you. Keep it up!
News:
I am very happy to announce the release of my new book (and audiobook!), Fenrir – The Spirit of Freedom. This is my personal take on the old Norse legend of the wolf destined to bring down Odin. The legend itself has unmatched depth, and I have added even more layers to it, changed its ending, and created a cinematic audiobook that is well worth your attention. It offers a one-hour immersive listening experience that will take you on a journey you won’t forget.
To celebrate the release, I am offering a 50% discount on both of my audiobooks when purchased through my website:
https://singingofthesoul.com/home#store-books-audiobooks.
The special offer is available until the end of this month.
Music Picks:
This time I decided to select tracks that contain a deeply personal message whether through the lyrics or sonic experience or both – such tracks where the reasons behind music creation are unambiguous.
Imtiredandeverythinghurts by Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2JnClpDSJxXPo4SaXSGD1U
In My Shoes by Jack Moore, Quentin Kovalsky:
https://open.spotify.com/track/4C8z01y6Xefltg85eSqRUD
I Love You, Goodnight by Brian Wolff:
https://open.spotify.com/track/40wyyWEQG6iOxLlwqJIfl3
Manic Depression by Laura Jane Grace:
https://open.spotify.com/track/4Xq4avPPXz27FsTXmKhqM9
My Story by Lil V:
https://open.spotify.com/track/3LniCEmc1hu8gLiN7cNcmz
Trinity by Lucky Dube:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1hy0Hasm0tUP03h3QJ4qlS
Justice Now by Barista:
https://open.spotify.com/track/4DCbYFNA9k1HyT7RWcb6TQ
A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke:
https://open.spotify.com/track/0YfOnJWqmAKaUvEL1QcNop
Final Thoughts:
Consider music as an organized form of communication. You enter a bar with hundreds of people in it, and if not for music, the atmosphere would be very unpleasant – many people yelling loudly to each other, creating a nasty noise, destroying the mood. Music comes to the rescue. It creates order in this chaos; it overpowers the noise and invisibly turns it into many isolated conversations.
In many ways music still serves its utilitarian purpose. It just looks different now. But you all know it first hand. So, I’d like to leave you with one last thought.
Everyone knows that the best things in life are free. You cannot buy love or friends for example. Not really. And now with the creation of Spotify and other platforms, music has joined the category of the best free things in life.