Creating Creative Creations

Creation - The act or process of bringing something into existence...

It is something we strive to do as artists everyday. Whether we are drawing, writing, playing, sculpting, painting, etc. Creating can be a tricky process. Especially when you are trying to stay “original”. In music, this is becoming very difficult. It’s the nature of the beast. There is only so many chords, notes, and combinations that sound present to our ears. As well as rhythms and melodies. So I beg to question, should striving to be original be a main focus when creating new material? In the end, if you are expressing what you are feeling, isn’t it original? I mean, it came from your head, heart and soul. Even if it is reminiscent of another artists work, you have taken the time and effort to make it your own.

Music copyright is a fickle thing. So many people feel they “own” the rhythm, or chord structure they designed. While we can all respect the time and effort one puts into their work, why must there be so much fighting and finger pointing among the community? Yes, money is great, and we all want a piece for ourselves. But isn’t music about the expression? But who really are the greedy ones? Is it the artists themselves? Or maybe the producers? What kind of pull are the labels having? Music is an art form of storytelling and entertainment. But at some point, wealth and greed got involved. While we all would love to be rock stars, most musicians would be happy making a comfortable living off of the art they love so much. Let’s face it, we didn’t get into the music business for the money. Well, most of us didn’t anyway. Somehow though, that is where the industry has taken the art.

However, a change is coming. It has been happening slowly, and continues to grow. As with anything, there is always pros and cons. While we could sit here debating the rise of streaming services, let’s take a moment and see what great things have come out of the connected world. Never before has it been easier to release music for the masses to hear. Not just in your area, but the entire connected world. Back in the days before the internet, getting your music into the heads and ears of people was a feat all in of itself. Now days, we can upload our new content on hundreds of different streaming sites, allowing people we have never met or seen, experience the art that was created. It has connected artists to millions of ears that there would have possibly never had access to. And while the big stars have the financial backing to push had and get streams a young budding artist could only dream of, it has leveled the playing field more. Is it completely even, no of course not, but its getting closer. I am exposed to new artists on the daily by friend recommendations, curated playlists, and downright browsing.

The downside is of course, getting lost in the fray. With so much available, how do you stick out? There could potentially be 20+ bands with the same name as yours, so how do you break out? Trail and error really. Yes, there are tons of tips and tricks, marketing schemes, and optimizations you could try. But none of them are guaranteed. Which makes it difficult to know where to focus your efforts. No matter what you choose to do, end up building, or trying, stay true to yourself as a person and artist. With so much “fake” in the world, people are finding enjoyment in the “real”. No I don’t mean like “real housewives of [Blank]”. I mean the real you. Warts and all. We are human, and we all make mistakes, have bad days, get sick, and just down right want it to be Friday sometimes. But that’s the great thing. We are all like that. Showing that isn’t a bad thing. It gives the audience, the listener, the aspiring artist a view into you. It breaks down the barrier of the “Hollywood Perfection” and shows everyone we are the same. That’s what we all connect to. Each other, and the daily struggles we all face.

Its not an easy thing to show the world your vulnerability, in facts its down right scary. With opening yourself up to this, you also open up to criticism, hatred, and abuse. It’s the unfortunate reality of the world. Some people find their enjoyment in making others feel bad, and no amount of your time will change that. Building a thick skin is a hard journey, but there will be more people on your side, than against you. Just stay original to you. Show the world your creations, and the joy it brings you. Relaxing your emotion into art truly does translate across. People will feel and understand you, as if you made that song just for them. That connection is something that cannot be faked. So go create, be original, and show the world what you’re made of. In the end, we all support each other, lifting up to heights we may not have thought possible...