Why Do We Do It?

The music biz is a fickle mistress.

There are more highs than lows sometimes, and more lows than highs. A good night on the road keeps us chasing the light, and the lows seem to become irrelevant in the big picture. But are you doing it for the right reasons?

It can be a changing opinion across the board for artists whether it be fame, money, the art, songwriting, ect.

I have personally dedicated over 8 years to the craft (pretty new to it all), and it’s definitely not for the money at the end of the day, so why do we do it? I am a lifer to the trade and will drive on until people don’t give a shit, stop buying tickets, and/or stop listening all together.

You must have a love for the game.

When you release music to the ether it is no longer yours. Your product may have personal sentiment but when you release your work, it is for the world to interpret. The way it’s interpreted will take on different meanings and emotions to others.

I started playing for selfish reasons when I realized I had more to say than what I could say in a verbal conversation. I used songwriting as a mask to hide behind vulnerability when reality vulnerability is what people gravitate to. There were a few accounts that stand out the most.

It was 2019 and we were in Columbia, South Carolina doing a music series for the chain venue called Tin Roof. It was packed with folks, but I noticed a mom staring at me funny and rubbing her ears. When the song was done I said, jokingly, “Ma’am I know we are loud, we are almost done.” She yelled back “I’ve been deaf my whole life. I just had cochlear implant surgery and your the first band I’ve ever heard.” Holding back emotion, all I could say was “Don’t worry, there are much better bands out there.”

Over the years, like many other artists, I’ve heard “Your song got me through a really hard time” or “ Your words helped me stray from suicidal thoughts”.

I realized there’s a bigger picture here, and a bigger responsibility than ego or the spotlight. I believe it’s your duty to be 100% authentic to yourself when writing, and your words can make an impact on someone else’s life.

• Category: Music