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In praise of ordinary life
Two friends entered the mansion of a successful business associate.
Friend One turned to Friend Two and said: “Wow, this place is amazing! Look at all the stuff this guy has.”
To which Friend Two replied: “Yeah, but I have something he’ll never have.”
Friend One: “Really? What’s that?”
Friend Two: “Enough.”
I’m probably fairly typical as an American in that I am hard-wired to believe that success will lead to happiness – that to be happy, I have to work very hard and succeed in reaching my personal and professional goals.
What gives the lie to this is the realization that despite the many milestones I have reached, or been brought to (good health, loving and strong relationships, the completion of several records that I am proud of, a more or less stable income, a strong sense of community and a beautiful place to live), I scarcely if ever stop and feel appreciation for what I have achieved.
Because I want More.
It’s not greed, mind you. I’ve never been interested in money, and the adolescent dream of fame is well gotten rid of. No, the best way to put it is, a kind of dissatisfaction driven by ambition, competition, whatever.
I think it’s very important to know what vision you hold for your life (or your life holds for you). I pity people who don’t really know why they’re here… what gift they alone can give to a world aching for that very gift.
I’ve never had that problem. Remotely. So why is it so hard to be happy when I feel like I haven’t “gotten there yet”? I cheat myself of all the good things that are hiding in plain sight, staring me in the face. Struggling when I don’t need to tightens me up, makes me tense and unable to receive all these daily miracles.
But once in a blue moon (and it often IS literally a blue moon I’m gazing at) it’ll hit me.
I’m happy.
And that makes me inspired and energetic indeed to create more.
I’m not a star, and it’s very, very hard to get my music heard, and that makes me sometimes sad, or frustrated.
But you know what, So what? I’m doing my job! Giving my gift! Is there anything else that matters?
Here’s the real point of this blog post, the really cool thing I’ve realized: Success comes from happiness – not the other way around!
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What is the value of music?
Simple. It’s love.
I make music because I love it. Because I have to. (Though I have to be smart about what a project may cost, I just don’t — can’t — think about ROI. Art and net profit are forever uncoupled in my mind.)
The act of creation is complete. It is a choice — or rather, a decision.
So having produced my work (in this case, a wonderful new EP) what’s it “worth” in the marketplace? In a world of digital, (almost) frictionless distribution, where the incremental value of delivery is negligible, it’s not irrational to say that in ways both material and spiritual, a work’s “worth” — its value — can only determined by He Or She Who Listens. (Like the tree falling in the forest.)
Maybe that’s why it’s called a “release.”
It’s so abundantly, resoundingly, refreshingly clear that the music “business” is over. There is no “business” — as in an organized, semi-coherent, regulated product flow — anymore. Which means it’s the people left standing who will make the rules. That would be Us.
And rules created by volition are ever so much more exciting. Not to say rational. Not to say, abundant. Because, as with supply and demand, there IS an equilibrium point here. But unlike with supply and demand, that equilibrium is determined on an individual basis.
So I’ve made a decision to release ALL of my digital records on a completely open, you-decide-the-value basis. I happen to think that’s the economic model of the future. And I embrace it.
I welcome your thoughts. Are you a musician? A music lover who buys online? How do you feel about this way of approaching the “value” of music?
