We Just Talking About Practice

Ideally, for an artist the concept of practice is never really over. Mastering one particular piece of your art form opens the door to three new pieces. This had already weighed heavy on my hemispheres when my old lady began chiding me for not honing my passions. Of course, this got under my skin as only the ones that love us most can do. After she detonated the truth bomb, she kissed me and went to bed. This left me alone with my worst nightmare – my inner monologue.

It started with the basics: “Who the fuck does she think she is – trying to lecture me about practice like I’m some new kid with his first instrument? How dare she come at me sideways with all the shit I’ve accomplished? I could teach a goddamn class on my art form.” So after I finished downing that last sip of negativity, a much softer voice came in, “Well, how much time have you spent really polishing your craft? How actively do you pursue other methods to expand your knowledge? How are you gonna chase the greats when you won’t put in the work to be great yourself?”

Now, let me clarify – this is not a pity party. I am one seriously talented brother. I have spent a lot of time, effort, and other peoples’ money to get on the level that I’m at. I think what my angel and my mind were trying to tell me is that the danger is in resting and getting complacent. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly talent can turn to mediocrity and skills can atrophy. We all know the saying, “Use it or lose it.”

I have the great fortune of having an amazing peer network and – considering the well-known statistics of success in my field – most are doing well. We all Facebook stalk and sometimes it’s easy to do the envy dance. “He’s getting all that recognition? My crew totally stole that last show we did together.” The small voice was back, “Well, John, it might be because while you were on Facebook for an hour, your friends were in the studio.” Stupid self-awareness.

My dad used to always say the instrument never lies. He would say it before school, when I sat down to practice, after concerts, and just before I left for college. I knew that those were his words to me to motivate me to put in work, but the words never resonated with me. That is, until some jerk with my best interests at heart reminded me in her own way of my father’s mantra. So now I hear, “You’ve reached a new level. It’s time to buckle down and rock even harder, ‘cause you’re playing in a new league.”

“Your instrument never lies.”

I am truly going to enjoy sharing my truth with you.

Analog Cats

(Presenting: A post that languished for a months before seeing the light of day)

So does someone want to tell me how the hell Justin effin’ Bieber won an “Artist of the Year” award? Have that kid’s balls dropped yet? Now before y’all start hating on me with the “Why you always gotta pick on the kid,” and “You just mad ‘cause he’s famous and has a deal.” Well to that last one, I would say you’re absolutely right. But I might retort with this: Can you listen to all the great music that came out this year and really tell me that Justin Bieber is the best we have to offer? Go ahead, I’ll wait…

Okay, that had nothing to do with what I had on my mind this week. But I found the AMAs to be very disturbing this year. (The Psy/Hammer mash-up did make me crack a smile though.) I was out in Carlsbad this past month taking in a homie’s show. Before the gig, my friends and I were waxing poetic about the death of albums. Apparently another friend of mine just became a teacher. And appalling as it is that any friend of mine would be allowed near children, he seems to be doing quite well. During one such mind-molding session, my friend’s students asked him for his favorite Pink Floyd song. I know, right?!? Everyone knows if you’re going to listen to Pink Floyd you listen to the WHOLE album!

However, that’s not really the case today, is it? Today you can find your favorite artist’s newest body of work, sample each of the songs, pick out the ones you like, and leave everything you don’t. Now wielding supreme musical power is pretty legit. And let’s face it, with all the crap that the gods on Mount Mainstream shove on a weekly basis, shelling out mozzarella for an album built around two singles seems absurd.

I wonder though if people would be so quick to dissect albums if they truly saw the effort that went into it. Not the nice dressed up 3-minute YouTube version, but the 4-hour listen-to-one-part-of-a-song-so-you-can-get-the-snare-to-line-up-with-the-verse version. The agony of tearing and cutting into your creative baby just to make sure that the latest piece of your heart is user friendly. Or better still – that moment of completion when an album is finished, arranged, and mastered. Creating is the easy part. Sending it out to the world to be judged and picked at can feel like being waterboarded.

This truly is not meant to point a finger at casual listeners. A lot of you are artists’ bread and butter. Any support is better than no support.

I just couldn’t imagine breaking down masterpieces like Thriller to just singles. Sure, Billie Jean is one of the best songs ever. However, without Baby Be Mine, Thriller is just another album. Each album I’ve put together is a mini collection of my growth, triumphs, happiness, pain, despair, and moments of clarity. Besides, albums are $7 now – not $20. Stop being so cheap!