creativity and commitment

[Dragon Snacks]

"The true commitment is the artistic one. This is why artists are so often attacked. They are attacked for their morals, for their ideas – even for their work. Yet their essence – their commitment – is the secret which is unassailable. The true artist knows that creativity is its own reward. Ordinary people fear commitment, you see. Ordinary people fear creativity. They know that if they allow that seething cauldron of yellow liquid to boil over within themselves, then their whole lives will be changed. People fear change. People do not wish to be creative and artistic in any real sense. They wish to decorate, perhaps, and to make things around themselves pleasant – but this has little to do with creativity. … All spiritual paths should be creative. Creativity is involved with sacrifice. That stew of yellow liquid which boils in everyone is a sacrificial broth …’"

This comes from Chapter 67(?) of the Wave series and it really rang true for me. I've been trying for about 6 months now to find people to play music with. I show them my soundcloud page, they usually say they like it and are sometimes very enthusiastic. When it comes time to nail down a date we can get together, even to just talk about doing a project together *poof*, they vanish. It's uncanny. I've been been trying to figure it out. Maybe they'd be more comfortable playing something that sounds like stuff that's already out there. Maybe they don't like that most of my songs are pretty much complete, and they would have to play something that's already written. Maybe I'm a little too "committed" and it freaks 'em out.

Or maybe they're pretending, daydreaming, playing it safe, and they're just kinda...flaky.

A couple years ago, when I realized how drastically the music scene had changed I asked myself why I continued to play music. And the only answer I had was–I need to create.

 

[Solar]

Maybe they don't like that most of my songs are pretty much complete, and they would have to play something that's already written.

Maybe that's it. They don't get a chance to be creative themselves, if they have to play already complete songs, products of somebody else's creativity.

 

[Dragon Snacks]

Maybe I should make it more clear that I want to collaborate as well.


Thanks for the input.

 

[Gawan]

Hi Dragonsnacks,

maybe check these topics here and maybe it is something for you?! Or what else would you have in mind?

Becoming a SOTT translator / transcriber: Help needed

 

[Dragon Snacks]

Not quite following you. I can't really speak anything but English.

 

[Tigersoap]

Not quite following you. I can't really speak anything but English.

I think Gawan thought you'd like to collaborate on the forum by working on Sott for example when you were just talking about collaborating with other musicians, a slight confusion of topics ;)

 

[Gawan]

Not quite following you. I can't really speak anything but English.

I think Gawan thought you'd like to collaborate on the forum by working on Sott for example when you were just talking about collaborating with other musicians, a slight confusion of topics ;)

Sorry Dragon Snacks, it is as Tigersoap wrote, I took your topic and especially your second statement in a broader sense.

 

[edgitarra]

They wish to decorate, perhaps, and to make things around themselves pleasant – but this has little to do with creativity. … All spiritual paths should be creative. Creativity is involved with sacrifice.

Hey Dragon Snacks, this quote especially makes me think that it is not just about art. It is about being creative on a spiritual path. This rings seems to be very important in relationship with Information Theory. I guess it is more crucial to be "musical" in life.
Anyhow, I am interested in what are you composing? What would you like to play? What music interests you?

 

[Dragon Snacks]

Here's my sound cloud page: https://soundcloud.com/mouthofcronus

I guess you'd describe it as kind of sludgy doomy metal, with some ambient weirdness thrown in. I'm trying to get away from the usual blues-based, Black Sabbath-riff-worship sound one hears a lot of in this genre. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it feeds the creative need in me for some reason.

 

[edgitarra]

Thanks for sharing! I used to like that kind of genre. I am not into it anymore. But it is very important that as long as you do what you enjoy and work as well, you will be fine. I also had this kind of struggles sometimes: somebody to play with. It is a more enjoyable experience when more people play music, a play of energy so to speak. But I also got used to create my own beats,and play along.

 

[Dragon Snacks]

sometimes I think about thrown' in the towel but I really enjoy playing live. Might start playing bass just to get in with some folks. We'll see.

 

[Wisteria]

I've been trying for about 6 months now to find people to play music with. I show them my soundcloud page, they usually say they like it and are sometimes very enthusiastic. When it comes time to nail down a date we can get together, even to just talk about doing a project together *poof*, they vanish. It's uncanny. I've been been trying to figure it out. Maybe they'd be more comfortable playing something that sounds like stuff that's already out there. Maybe they don't like that most of my songs are pretty much complete, and they would have to play something that's already written. Maybe I'm a little too "committed" and it freaks 'em out.

Or maybe they're pretending, daydreaming, playing it safe, and they're just kinda...flaky.

A couple years ago, when I realized how drastically the music scene had changed I asked myself why I continued to play music. And the only answer I had was–I need to create.

I really feel for you Dragon Snacks. I know exactly where you're coming from. I hate to say it, but my experience with musos is they are (generally) extremely fickle and unreliable. The amount of times I have had people express interest in playing with me only to vanish after getting my hopes up - it's truly unbelievable.

I actually gave up a few years ago. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't seem to find anyone who wanted to work with me. I finally came to the conclusion that I was completely deluding myself and that I was not really a musician, I was just living in a childish fantasy world. This realisation tore me apart. There are no words to describe how utterly devastated and hollow I felt. I had hit rock bottom. Just went through the motions of existing...

It took a few years, but then the music found me again! One of my closest friends suddenly decided that he wanted to start writing with me. We had vaguely attempted it many years ago, but it hadn't worked out, so I didn't have a great deal of hope. But this time it worked - awesomely! We have written (and continue to write) very political songs and it's all finally coming together. But wow it has taken a great deal of time! Eight months of searching for a bassist - with zero interest. Then suddenly, just as our frustration levels were peaking, our "dream" bassist happened to move to Melbourne from N.S.W. looking for a new band. It was a very serendipitous situation. Then it took another eight months to find our drummer. This time around it was even more frustrating - as we kept getting bites, but never any follow up. Pretty much exactly what you describe experiencing.

My point in sharing this is that six months is not a very long time - although it can certainly seem like it when you're waiting... waiting... It can take years to find the right combination of people. I figure that the time just wasn't right before. For whatever reason, we/I had to exercise a great deal of patience (which I find extremely difficult) until the Universe decided it was right. You will find the right people (or they will find you) when you are meant to. The world works in mysterious ways, and maybe if things moved at the speed you desired, then the final product wouldn't be quite as wonderful. Just my two cents anyway....

Don't give up hope!

 

[Dragon Snacks]

You feel my pain then. I guess wait is all I can do. And keep hunting' and in the meantime keep writing music. Being the most impatient man in the world doesn't help much.

Thanks.

 

[MusicMan]

Hey, if you are really desperate to play to an audience, there are stacks of churches around who could do with a muso or two.
I played guitar in a church for about 20 years, but had to give up due to arthritis in the fingers.
Saw the reference from Wisteria about bassists in Melbourne: Serendipitously, I have a daughter who is a bassist in Melbourne. She plays punk/grunge music..

 

[Wisteria]

You feel my pain then. I guess wait is all I can do. And keep hunting' and in the meantime keep writing music. Being the most impatient man in the world doesn't help much.

I have a theory that it is because of my impatience that I was made to wait so long. I needed to learn to be more patient (and I'm still learning). Perhaps that is one of your lessons too?

Saw the reference from Wisteria about bassists in Melbourne: Serendipitously, I have a daughter who is a bassist in Melbourne. She plays punk/grunge music..

If you were to slot us into a category we would be punk too. I wonder if I've seen your daughter play. If she's gigging, then it's highly possible. It's not a massive scene.