What They Really Mean
The record label, the music supervisor, the booking agent, the playlist gate keeper.
If what they said they wanted was what they actually wanted this whole thing would be a lot easier.
But it isn’t. It must be decoded.
The artist is known for insecurities and fears…but all the rest of the other players in the biz have them too. So to cover them up we all say things we don’t really mean. We give reasons that aren’t real. We hedge the truth as to not appear weak.
I can’t help you decode your latest meeting but we can each decide to say more of what we really mean.
Voices Roll Call
We all remember the teacher standing in front of the class doing the roll call. Reading off the last names. Here! The punk in the class saying ‘not here’ when called.
When we set out to do important work there’s a handful of voices who take their place in front of us.
“I don’t feel like doing this” Here!
“I’m an imposter” Here!
“I’m afraid” Here!
“They might laugh at me” Here!
“This might kill me” Here!
“I”m no good” Here!
“I’m going to do it anyway” Here!
“One foot in front of the other” Here!
“It won’t be so bad” Here!
“I’ve succeeded in something like this before” Here!
“Here we go let’s do this” Here!
Ok cool, all the usual are here
And these voices rarely miss a session.
Now that all are accounted for and we know they’re all going to keep showing up, we get to decide which ones we call on throughout the class.
Production
First Monday of the Month, new Hum Love playlist on Spotify and Apple
When I heard the Ava Maybee song and put it on the playlist, I was blown away at the creativity in the production…because my guess is this song started as a regular old strummer. A song played on an acoustic. A campfire song. Kinda static.
And then someone (or someones) brought this song to life by cranking up the drama, cranking up the vibes, playing with dynamics and sounds…and just making it so pleasing to listen to.
Production is a valuable skill.
Yes the song is king. The song informs the entire movement. But the production is able to breath life into the smallest of details, exposing the brilliance of the song.
»» As always the Hum Love Archive is available on Spotify and Apple
Feeling The Push
We spend a lot of time only taking the risks we know will work out.
Sometimes it pays to run up against the big scary giant so you can feel the push. To feel your own strength, going as hard as you can…and then to feel the intense push in return. But to know that you went nose to nose with the beast…and lived to tell the tale.
Rockstar Costume
A few years ago I went to a Halloween party. The theme? Rockstar Halloween. Typical for a Nashville halloween party.
So many amazing costumes. I was Keith Richards.
The most interesting part was that no one had to ask anyone who they were. Everyone knew.
The hair, or the shirt, or the glasses, or the hat, or the shoes, or the face paint…something immediately recognizable about the different costumes.
‘Immediately recognizable’ is the key. What do you have that is?