It’s really frustrating, I don’t think I have a single friend who’s supportive or encouraging of my music, despite the fact that most of them know this is something I work tirelessly on. I’ve shared tracks (both from my band and from my solo electronic project) with dozens of friends or family members, and more than half the time they don’t even acknowledge it or respond. At best I get a “cool, anyway” and they immediately the subject. It’s maddening.
Like, is my music that terrible? Or is everyone just narcissistic and rude? Every time someone I know accomplishes a goal or creates something I make sure to be encouraging and tell them how cool what they’re doing is. I give them feedback and ask about the process. Which isn’t to say that I’m working on this for praise, because it’s really just a hobby, but I feel like so many of my relationships are one sided in this regard. How hard is it to say “wow, good job, keep it up?”. Does it take that much effort to at least feign a low level interest in someone’s passion? Especially when they’ve supported and encouraged you through all of your pet projects? The lack of reciprocity totally gets under my skin…does anyone else go through this?