The Artist vs Fear: You Beat It Yesterday, and You Will Beat It Today
We are all scared of something, but our fears aren’t always rational.
I’m more nervous to post a Youtube video of myself singing one of my songs, than I am to do a four-hour bar gig.
However, when my duo partner Aaron Noone left Michigan in 2008 to perform on cruise ships, I feared I couldn’t do a four-hour bar gig by myself.
And my freshmen year of college, I was scared to sing in public.
Yet when I was in high school, I was too nervous to play guitar with the church band, and quit after once rehearsal.
Fear is always taunting the mind of the artist, writer, or musician. Fear thrives on attaching itself to our next goal–like a monkey on our back, or a giant dog on our lap–which is why we must continually remind ourselves how we’ve conquered fear many time before the next project.
You beat fear yesterday, and you will be it today.
Lois knows what it means to “go big”!
Lois, my most critical audience member
Today, I’m rehearsing my set for Folk the Police, which is Sunday, Jan 25 at the Blind Pig. (Tickets available here.)
Lois doesn’t want to say it, but it’s good I have ten more days to memorize nine pages of lyrics for songs with word counts totaling 584 & 841!
These songs are longer than the essays I assigned freshmen in my English classroom.
Lois is not impressed yet.
Burning Bright – Tiny Desk Contest
I submitted a video of “Burning Bright” to NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest today!
My wife’s birthday was yesterday. (Happy Birthday, Natalie!)
January 8th is also the time when I return to bad habits, ones I vowed to break with New Years resolutions, so I’ll let Nat’s birthday be reminder to reflect on some goals.
Here are some habits I’m doing to be a more productive musician and songwriter:
1. Delete all social networking apps from my iPhone.
I deleted all social media apps from my phone in early 2014, and it’s been a blessing. One, my hands needed a break from devices since I worry about carpel tunnel. Two, I had to cut out distractions. I’m continuing this for 2015. No Facebook or Twitter on my phone. I’m considering deleting Instagram, too.
2. Start the day exercising or practicing guitar
This is the most difficult habit for me to achieve. Breakfast, coffee, and my computer have been my morning routine, but I’m wasting too much time at the kitchen table. I need to start the day off working sooner.
3. Use a pen, notebook and non-Internet-connecting recording when songwriting.
I mentioned in my blog this last month, and I’m sticking too it! No more Internet distractions or phone with me when I’m writing.
4. Read more, preferably a book a week
One would assume a former English teacher doesn’t need to prioritize reading, but I do. As of December, I’ve been reading again at a pace that equals my college years! In December, I finished or reading some of Jack Keuroac’s works. Last week, I reread the Hobbit and skimmed the Fellowship of the Ring. Now I’m reading the last two books of the Lord of the Rings series for the first time. I also picked up some of Donald Hall’s poetry books at John King Book Store.
5. Carry a tiny notebook everywhere I go
Natalie put me a little notebook in my stocking for Christmas. It’s always in my pocket in case a lyric or idea comes to mind. I’ve relied too much on my iPhone to store new ideas, and I’m returning to my old writing habits of my college days. Forget the phone; it’s back to pen, paper and a prepared mind!
6. Write out tomorrow’s schedule the day before
My free-flowing life as a musician can often be too unscheduled. Since I set most of my own deadlines, I need to set my schedule and routine more specifically.
7. Get Lois, our dog, daily exercise
Lois is an energetic, basket case in constant need of attention, but it’s easy for us to hibernate in the winter. I’m vowing to get Lois more exercise, which might be as simple as throw the tennis ball in the backyard for 15 minutes on extremely cold days.
8. No phone in the bedroom
Again, one of my most important goals this year is to cut down on screen time, and I’ve broken one of my worst habits: reading news sites and blogs on my iPhone when I can’t sleep. I’ve been fighting some insomnia as of late, and I’m starting to get better rest.
Hope everyone is sticking to their resolutions! Also, wishing you artists, writers, and songwriters a productive 2015!
Is the pen mightier than the computer? My notebook and Zoom H4 recorder
How do we honor those we love and lost?
I’ve been reflecting about the two Holly graduates that died last week in separate motor accidents.
It’s a punch in the stomach to hear when the fates cut the thread too soon for young adults, so full of life and future. How do we find comfort?
During my last band class at Expressions Music Academy, the young musicians were shouting out possible songs they wanted to perform next season, from Katy Perry’s “Firework” to Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” and I was playing sections of the songs off Spotify.
Between songs, one of the students paused, smiled, and said, “God, I love music. Don’t you just love music?”
It was my favorite moment of the season for these kids, more than the learning the songs in rehearsals and more than performing the songs in concert…His statement brought the experience full circle.
I’ve been thinking about these two separate occasions, life and death, today. There is maybe only one way for us to honor those we love and lose. And that’s to continue to live life fully, with honesty, with love.
I’m thinking of you Bronchos, a lot, this week. God bless,
Mike
