Even The Deep Cuts

Every artist (even the big ones) has doubts about their deep cuts (at a minimum). There’s the popular songs on the album, maybe even a hit or two, there’s the songs that get mentioned on social media, the fan favorites at the live show…but then there’s the deep cuts.

The track that gets buried on the album. No one listens to it.

The b-side from the single. No one cares about that.

The exclusive song for the VIP package. No one remembers.

But here’s the thing…you listen to other artists’ deep cuts…and those artists think their deep cuts are getting totally ignored and don’t move anyone. But you listen…so they’re wrong.

Maybe you’re wrong about your doubts too.

Music has a long reach these days. If you’re a professional, if you are doing the work and putting out music don’t be surprised if it’s special to someone. In fact, it most likely is. Even the deep cuts.

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After Your Best Work

At some point you will have done your very best work.

And chances are that point will be before your final breath.

Which means that when you’ve done your best work, you’re going to keep going. And when you keep going, that work isn’t going to be your best work.

So it’s worth asking the question now…why are you working?

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple

Remembering Guitar Center

When I was a kid walking through Guitar Center I remembered everything I saw. The makes, models, colors, finishes, years, styles, everything.

Whereas my mom or dad or whoever brought me did not.

We saw all the same stuff and spent just as much time at the store. So what’s the difference?

I wanted to remember. I HAD TO remember. It was important and valuable to me. I loved retaining that knowledge. It made me cooler around the people I thought were cool.

You remember because you want to. Not you want to want to. If you truly care and believe it’s important and valuable, you can’t help but remember.

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple

Do You Like The Work?

The work is the set of problems.

It’s pretty easy to like the fun parts of any job or project. So the differentiator is the problems associated with the job or project. Do you like solving this set of problems or would you prefer a different set?

The problems aren’t going away but you most likely have the power to trade one set for another.

If you like the work, aka if you like solving these types of problems…that’s the unique element, the unfair advantage you’ll carry with you as you grow and make change you seek to make.

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple

Getting More Money

Everyone who buys an expensive ticket to see the big artist coming through town agrees that the artist should get a bunch of money.

So if you think you should be making more money, you need more people who think the same as you do.

A great way to get people to think the same as you is to be giving them something worth more than what they’re paying.

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple

Pick A Party

Any party. Make one up. Pick an existing holiday. A historical event. A pop culture event. The changing of the seasons. The 99th day of the year. Lots of people. Or just a handful. At your house or at a venue or a park or an exotic location.

Just pick a party and have it every year.

Become known as the people who have the ______ party.

The party I have suggested to many artists is to have an annual Grammy party. Not one where you fly out to the show or even watch the show or do anything having to do with the Grammy’s. But a party that looks like this…If we would have won a Grammy (for example) this year we would have thrown a big party and invited and thanked everyone who works with us, our families, our close friends, a time filled with gratitude…so while we didn’t win the award we’re having the party anyway.

And do it again the next year…

Hum Love on Spotify and Apple