When You’re Maxed Out

When you’re doing all you can do, you can’t do more…because you’re doing everything possible, you’re maxed out.

So it’s tempting to learn how you can do more…expand your capacity.

But you’ll never be able to expand your capacity enough to do everything that needs to be done.

Instead of endlessly learning to increase your own capacity, invite people in.  Increase your ability to delegate, to inspire, to articulate a vision that others can latch on to.

You can only do so much.  You will reach your max.  If that point hasn’t come, hopefully it will soon. 

And when it does, choose to reach outward, not inward.

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

If You Don’t Have The Song

If you don’t have the song, abandon all else until you have it.

And you will know it when you have it.

Artists are insecure, second guessing melodies and lyrics, laboring over the pre-chorus lift, losing sleep over if the right co-writers are in the room, praying the label will like it.

But for all of the uncertainty, when you have the song, a different sort of feeling will come over you.  Its more of a ‘knowing’ than a ‘feeling’.

The insecurity washes away and you remember how to be a stable adult.

Go into the void.  Write more. Or maybe write less.  But stop at nothing to get that song

p.s. True “knowing” is not at all forced either. It’s not a put on, you don’t have to conjure it up, it’s not fake whatsoever.  And as I’m sure you know, It’s easy to fake it a little bit.  100% knowing is worlds apart from 99% knowing.



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

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Nightcap 7

The right heel of your shoe is more worn than the left…gas pedal. 

When you go to fist bump and they cover your fist with their high-five hand…that is the best modern-classic uncomfortable moment.

Toilet paper commercials never tell you what toilet paper is for.   

Has there ever been a parking lot sign that said ”Violators will be towed, but not at the owners expense, it’ll be someone else’s expense”?

The public faucet handle has got to be the dirtiest thing.

If, while playing your next show, you said “This one’s for Prince…” and started playing November Rain, very few would have any issue with it.

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

The Music, The Hang, The Money

The music

The hang

The money

Two of these three things have to be great for the gig to sustain.  Two out of three is good, its actually quite a gift and achievement. Having two of three is enough to keep from going crazy.

If you only have one, the clock is ticking.

If you have none, you are crazy. What are you doing?

If you have all three, congratulations, you’ve done it

p.s. Which of the three are great on your gig(s)? What will you do to help?



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

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The Last Song Of The Set

Most people don’t walk in, or walk out, during the last song of your set.

The ones who are there have already been there and they’re going to be there when you unplug and run off stage.

You want to end with something memorable, but you have the freedom to take it slow, to build to that last moment.  Taking it slow isn’t a must…but the last song isn’t the first impression…it’s the icing on the already made cake.

The climactic payoff can be later in the song, not sooner.

It’s something to think about. 

It’s easy operate under the idea that every song is a desperate clamor for eye balls and attention while being be all fireworks and adrenaline…but by the last song you already have all the eyes and attention you’re going to have for the night.  Now do something with them, something not so desperate.

It’s the last song. You can do whatever you want with it and the people will take it in.

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

Benevolent Dictatorship

As the artist, remember you are the owner, you are the one, the secret.

If you pack it up and go home, everyone else does too.

It’s a benevolent dictatorship.  Your benevolent dictatorship.

Look to make difficult decisions, to take responsibility, to take blame and give away the praise.

Have you seen the Foo Fighters documentary Back And Forth?  Dave gets it.  He’s had to fire friends…it had to be done. We wouldn’t have The Colour And The Shape if he didn’t.  It was the right call.

Dave had the vision. 

YOU need to have the vision too, the whole vision.

You can’t throw around a power trip at every turn (it’s not a dictatorship, but a benevolent one)…but your gut feeling…you need to listen to that and be unafraid of the implications.

If this thing succeeds, it’s on you.  If it falls flat, it’s on you.

The big things, the little tiny details, no one cares like you do. Take the lead.

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