Finish What You Started

Today, I came across a meme about writing, that I think can also apply to music.  It said:

I wonder how many incredible book series are out there that I'll never get to read because the author gave up on their dream.  I bet my favorite book in the world was never even published.  Don't let that be your story.  Finish what you started. 

Anyway, it made me think of music.  You can say that the same thing can be said of musicians.  

Time to be brutally honest. 

I've almost given up lots of times because sometimes it seems I get even get people outside of close friends and family to even listen to my music. There are exceptions of course.  I have had several successful Kickstarter campaigns, usually funded by the same people, however, this time, I had almost 5 times the support than any previous one.  That blew me away.  Big time.  In fact, several people that I don't even know funded this.  So that was pretty amazing.  31 people backed "Intricately Woven."  So, they are a definite exception. 

Still, when I look at other projects that have hundreds and thousands of supporters, it can be discouraging, but I keep going in hopes that somehow, that certain someone will say, "Man, I love this music" and somehow, it spreads like wildfire from there.  

That's basically how Billie Eilish got started.  Her breakout album was  completely done in her home.  She wasn't signed at the time she recorded it.  Even the vocals were done in her brother's bedroom studio.  The amazing thing about her, is now that she is "big", she is signed, but she is still doing her music her way....and still writing and recording with her brother.  If you've ever seen interviews with her, she still lives at home with her parents and brother, and her home is just a standard "every home."  It's not a mansion.  It's not elaborate.  It's a two bedroom home and her parents sleep in the living room so that they can use one of the bedrooms as a studio when her brother isn't sleeping in his bed.  

She's 18.  She's a kid.  I'm 52. I'm old. I will likely never reach (nor do I really want to at this point) that kind of "fame." But from an interview I read with her, that I completely resonate with, she wasn't looking to get famous.  She just wanted to get her music out there so that others could hear it and perhaps relate to it.  

That's really all any artist wants.  Any true artist, that is. Any artist that does it just for the money isn't making art that reflects their heart or better yet, the heart of God.  They are making products.  

You have to truly understand that heart of an artist. They make their art, whether it be painting, writing, music, sculpting, whatever, in the hopes that their art will be appreciated by others, and perhaps have it mean something to the others as it does to themselves. In fact, the best art can mean something different to each person who comes across it.  That's the amazing thing about art.  It can be especially true for music. There is something about music.  Something deep.  Something so meaningful. It can speak to the soul.  

My goal is to make music that not only reflects my own heart, but the heart of God.  There is nothing more important to me when it comes to my art. 

However, we artist need encouragement.  Most of us know we aren't likely going to make a living off of our art (though we probably all have those hopes at one point). Most of us aren't looking to "get rich" off our art.  We really just want people to appreciate our art.  And enjoy it.  And have it mean something to them.  

How discouraging for an artist when that just doesn't happen.

So, to those that resonate with that meme, don't give up on your dreams. If your art means something to you, then keep at it.  

To those of you that appreciate various artists, keep it up, but most importantly, don't think an artist has failed because they are thinking about, or perhaps they did give up their dream.  Instead, encourage artists along the way.  Let them know you are there to read their advance reader copy, or you are there to listen to their music, or you are there to gaze at their paintings.  And if you truly enjoy their art, tell them.  Tell others.  Put up reviews.  Believe it or not, that is the most encouraging thing for an artist.  Who knows, maybe your favorite song, book or painting will soon be created by one of the artists you encouraged.