I think it was about a year ago when the book, "A Purpose Driven Life" was all the rage. I read it a few months ago and was quite affected by it. I really like the idea of looking at our life and our daily decisions though the lens of our own specifically defined purpose.
And for me, my purpose is to make music. I know this like I know my name. For me, songwriting is not just a passion, it's my calling. But even my purpose has a purpose. Because, I could just write songs about anything. But, that wouldn't soothe the fire in me. I have to know that what I create, somehow lights another star in the dark of night. I have to believe that my works pay homage to the spirit that entrusted me with this ability.
And that is why I created this blog, to give voice to this passion within me. I do it in hopes that there are others who feel the same way. I hope to discover others who believe in their special abilities and are determined to use them to positively affect the world around them.
I should say, I'm not one of those who believe that all art must be purposed-base, or thought-provoking, or spiritual. I think there is room for the frivolous, the inane and even the vulgar. It does seem to me though, that the field is very imbalanced right now. I think this is especially the case in the area of commercial music. In fact, of all the producers and songwriters and singers/rappers that I know, I can't think of many who feel compelled to make any particular statement with their art. Most just want to "get on" and they're willing to do it "by any means necessary" (sorry Malcolm). Again, not that I blame them. It just seems that I should know more people with the right balance of both talent and purpose.
Anyway, we'll see if my little light in the blogosphere attracts any like-minded moths. I'm hopeful.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Purpose Driven Art
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4 comments:
Hi Eric,
nice to see you're expanding the boundaries of your creativity with your blog here.
Indeed, interesting thoughts you've thrown out there. I think the problem we're also seeing is that there are not enough people who want to be musicians or artists or whatever---instead, they want to be STARS. I think the industry has made a template in which any new artist thinks that this is what it means to be a rock or pop star; you're supposed to arrive on the red carpet, you're supposed to do films and TV guest appearances, etc... And that's a direct reflection on what these artists are exposed to as they grow up. That's what they see, that's what they think they're supposed to be, and so it creates a shallowness. It's all about image. They're pursuing something that has nothing to do with creating a lastly piece of work.
They haven't had anyone tell them that as soon as your sales dip or your sophmore album flops, the label will drop you like a ton of bricks and will start supporting someone else. And it's on to the next thing.
I think American Idol sort of plays into that whole thing about "becoming a star" overnight. I believe it's better to work at doing something you like/love and improving your craft and if work hard enough at it, the RIGHT kinds of rewards will come your way. Time will eventually weed out the poseurs and those who truly love creating.
Eric from MD (Mark's brother and Kyle's uncle)
Hey there Eric. Good to hear from you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I agree, the industry has definitely been "stoking the star maker machinery" and not promoting the power of creation. In some ways I think this is changing. I think listeners today are more aware that the pop star image is mostly fantasy. And, as a result, I think we're starting to see more artists of substance (e.g., John Mayer, India.Arie, etc.). But overall it's definitely a big imbalance.
Hopefully, the scales will tip the other way really soon.
You know, I also wonder about the entire struggle between art vs. commerce. When you get down to it, these big entities like the major hollywood studios or record labels, they don't care about art. They care about what sells. That's it.
That's why you've got these music industry types who have their MBAs and know nothing of music or music history, but they know marketing. They know the business end of it.
But then again, I think of U2 and Bono; Bono definitely wears his faith on his sleeves and interjects things into their music.
Don Cheadle works his ass off to get "Talk to Me- The Life and Times of Petey Greene" made and how many people saw it? How long did it last in the theaters? I think Don lacked the big promotional push from the movie production company and they couldn't compete with the major studios.
But you know what? I think that's okay; the work is out there, it exists---the box office numbers are secondary. Of course, success means gaining the financial security to continue to live and to produce your art, but is that necessarily the carrot the artist should be chasing? to be chasing mainstream acceptance? because there are plenty of super talented people out there doing compelling things that fly under the radar of mainstream attention but kicks high ass over a lot of what actually gets out to the mainstream audience.
but people in the know will be aware of what these artists are doing. they aren't working in entire obscurity. and if i know about it, and you know about, we'll both be able to find it if that's what we really want to hear, see, or read. we'll know where to look because we're not SATISFIED with what mainstream radio (or whatever outlet) gives us (or forces upon us).
So maybe enough people will grow tired of meaningless pop/rock stuff and their attention will be captivated by something bubbling out of the underground. afterall, you can only keep feeding the same trash to the same audience for so long.
Eric from MD
Yeah, Art & Commerce seems to be a tricky thing to balance and most seem fall on one side or the other. But, I use Prince as my role model of someone who seems to be as creative promoting his music as he his creating it. It took him a long time to finally get control of it but now that he has it, he's doing a great job of marketing and selling it.
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