If You Answer The Phone

If I call you and you pick up the phone, you’re saying you have time to pick up the phone and hear me.  Even for a few seconds.

But remember, YOU chose to pick it up, so you’re not allowed to be annoyed or perplexed.  Unless I proceed to tell you something annoying or perplexing.

But my existence in your life at that moment is your own fault.  So don’t be rude.

I’m happy with going to voicemail.

Whether or not I’m in your caller ID, whether or not we know each other very well or at all, you picked up the phone, you opened the door when I knocked.

Be nice first.  If I’m a jerk, you can be a jerk back.  But don’t start with being a jerk. It throws it all off.

If you don’t have the time or attitude to talk, don’t answer.  Not answering can be a very friendly thing to do.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Offline Mode

Making it into someone’s offline mode is the pinnacle of current music consumption.

If I have your song or record set to offline mode, a few things are true…

-I want you even when I don’t have data…which isn’t often, but just in case.  I want to be able to listen to you no matter what.
-I allow you to take up space on my already taxed iPhone hard drive
-Airplane mode will not stop me from having you
-Because you’re in this exclusive club, I therefore think of you more often

And another thing, once you make it into my offline mode list, it’s very difficult for me to remove you.  I feel a loyalty to your inclusion in my own club.

My offline mode list is either a thing that you are on or you are not.  There’s no gray area.  There’s no kind-of-offline-mode (at least not that I can think of).

Offline mode is a special place.  With limited space.

Apple Music is the giant book of CD’s you’d make the person riding in the passenger seat thumb through.

Offline mode is that CD holder attached to your visor.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Hinting And Telling

I was talking with an artist friend a few weeks ago.  Talking about some problems he was having with a particular person on his team.

He said that the problems have really been boiling down to an overall lack of solid communication.

Tension and under-communicated expectations on both sides were mounting.  And about to pop.

Then he delivered this gem…

“I mean, I’ve feel like I’ve been hinting at them for a while that communication hasn’t been great”

We stopped.

Ah ha!

There it is.

For the pile of HINTS, taking one opportunity to TELL makes the hinting, confusion and tension go away.

Stop looking for the least amount you can say that will make you feel like you’re off the hook and it’s the other person’s job to figure it out.

Stop hinting, start telling.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Be A Cheater

When bands look at other bands careers, the attitude can get pretty competitive.  Maybe you don’t say it, but you think it and feel it.

And the other band is always cutting corners in order to be successful.

They’re not even that good and they got that great magazine review?!

They obviously aren’t experienced enough to have an opening slot at that festival!

How do THEY have THAT label?

In essence…They’re definitely cheating and are playing unfair but are having success! No fair!!

So the question isn’t, why aren’t they playing by the rules?!!!!

The question is…

Why aren’t you cheating too?

Why aren’t you breaking the rules?

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

For A Change...

Isn’t it odd that when we find consistency and reliability, it feels refreshing and new?

In theory consistency should feel stale and old.

In theory reliability should feel unexciting and mundane.

But consistency and reliability are fresh and new these days because not many people are willing to be that for someone else, or for a group of people.  We all want others to be that way FOR US.

More often than not, what artists want is affirmation…consistently.

The artists who lead with consistency are more likely to receive affirmation and at the same time, not care about it. Because they’re too busy fulfilling their purpose…

…in a consistent, reliable way.

For a change, try not changing.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

3.5 Stars

These days giving a 3.5 star review (out of 5) says much more about the reviewer than it does the record.  Because once you state your stance, it lives forever and you have to own up to it.

3.5 stars is the safest, most diplomatic number of stars.

You get to be right no matter what crowd you’re in.

If you’re with people who loved it, you can clap along.

If you’re with people who hated it, you can dog it.

You can fit right in no matter what.

3.5 star reviews are the worst.

And at the same time, you know what we need less of?

3.5 star records.

We need more 5 stars and more 0 stars (like Led Zeppelin 1).

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com