Almost nobody likes music. They like to party, they like the social happenings around music. They like attractive stars. They like drugs. (I like all of those things too - they are all wonderful in moderation and occasional overindulgence)
In my decades of attending concerts and parties, ranging from western classical music to party/dance music to experimental stuff, I can’t recall a single discussion other than with the musicians themselves where people wanted to discuss the music.
Places like this is where you find people interested in your music, not your partner or coworker or sports teammate.
There are 8 billion or so people in the world. Probably thousands would love your music. The internet makes it possible to find them, but doing so isn’t necessarily easy.
I get that… drugs, homelessness, I have lived it all… man you just got to make some happy music and put the darkest scariest parts of you distilled in little moments… that is what gets people… they like what they don’t understand and it seems you have a lot of that… but if it is all that it is just too much for people… a long time I made music like a puzzle and I figured out it is ok to just make a simple laid back jazzy thing or something because my weirdness and darkness is always going to come through you know?
I try to focus on those parts of music that truly give me goosebumps in a perfect break or whatever and try to pick it apart and find out why it made me feel like that… it took my a lifetime and I’m still not really sure though… I just know you can’t be direct, it is more about hinting at what you want to say then actually saying it.
I once played a techno set in a little coffee shop. It was pretty industrial and not what the venue was really all about. The only people watching (or so I thought) were a couple of mates, everyone else cleared off. I was a bit ego-bruised but didn’t let it get in the way of the set.
After the performance, a lady came up to me and said ‘I really enjoyed your set, your music spoke to me, thank you’. And I was absolutely made up! Was so happy that I reached someone.
So I guess what I’m saying is, make music you want to hear and before long, your audience will find you.
thanks for sharing. I love how open everyone is, this community is badass. I think many of us here are in the same boat, some are a bit popular, even making money, but the vast majority are just doing it for the sake of making music and having fun.
from my perspective - I’m grateful to be part of this community because I have discovered so many genres and weird shit listening to some of the tunes in progress (Current sounds coming from your gear). I find it really valuable and hey, my music is probably shit too, but I love the process of experimenting and jamming and it warms my heart when someone from the other side of the world hits that like button and enjoys my tunes.
at the end of the day we are just humans and it’s in our nature to feel noticed and appreciated. not much you can do about it, it hurts when you’re excited to share new tune with friends or family and they don’t really care. my partner can’t stand 90% of the genres I listen to, but that’s her problem, I got used to it lol
edit: I think we are also fucked by the social media and the dopamine addiction we are manipulated into, being exposed to the culture of popularity, likes, teenagers making fuck ton of money doing stupid shit
I listened to the two songs you posted on the Polyend Tracker thread. There is nothing wrong with your music. If I heard these in a mix played somewhere I wouldn’t think them at all substandard, I’m sure they would fit in. Music posted here may not get much of a response because there is a lot of it. But people will listen, and there will generally be at least a few likes, and a comment once in a while.
I agree with all those who said make your music for yourself. I studied cello for fifteen years. I was never very good at it. But I enjoyed lessons and practice. My partner is supportive of my acquisitions and time spent with gear but I don’t ask her to listen to very much.
I am a teacher, and believe me, I have had to harden my heart to indifference and even hostility. People can be cruel. Don’t let them discourage you.
I’ve just come back from Bangface and the reason I fucking love it there is because about 80% of the thousands of conversations I have with people are all about the music (maaaaaaaan).
The other 20% are complete and utter bollocks, but ketamine is one hell of a drug…
It feels like to me at some point music became more about elevating the environment, like some kind of accessory, more then actually interpreting a message and getting lost in the layers, etc. I’m not when this happened… but I remember when in the mid 2000’s I got this feeling that something had changed and it scared me…lol
most people out there not brave enough to hear new things, people who like their comfort zones, they choose casual things that makes them calm and settle with that, they expect to hear some narrative that repeats over and over without the need of mental drain dealing with something uncertain, like watching your favorite tv show, you know? it’s not their fault or something, it’s just the way it is…
just because you play your music for such person and they are scared about it in a way doesn’t mean that music is not interesting to someone else, it’s just not that particular person, but if you like your music, even if it’s not “commercial standard” (whatever that means, but you know what I mean) you can probably find other people that would like it.
and btw, listened to some stuff on your youtube and it’s very cool, not sure why you think it’s bad…
No, I don’t think it’s bad. I just only think that it’s weird that even friends that I totally sure that they love that music has showed me a total indifference. It’s the simple fact that show it to people you care and you know that they love electronic music and there’s no response, total indifference. I’m proud of what I’ve done, but maybe they didn’t understand that music I don’t know. The origin of the post was for talk to you all and saying to you (beings in the cyberspace) that I need to stop bother my friends and family with my music.
