subscribeThis is only a test. See what happens.
August 18th, 2007Growing up in America in the 1970’s, the TV or radio would often turn into a long warning BEEEEEP. At the end, an announcer would say, “This is a test. This is only a test.”
Remember that phrase when pursuing your career.
It often feels like everything is so serious - that if you make one mistake, it will all end in disaster. But really everything you do is just a test: an experiment to “see what happens”.
My favorite times in life have often started with a “see what happens” spirit.
Let’s see what happens if I run my vocals through my guitar pedals.
See what happens if I invite that famous producer out to lunch.
See what happens if I call that radio station to ask their advice.
There is no failure. There can’t be, if your only mission was to “see what happens”.
This is a test. This is only a test. There is no downside. Try everything.
April 27th, 2008 at 3:33 am
you and like think a like every time i have turned up to do a gig i often had the thought in the back of my mind i am going to try this and it might not work but im going to do it if things arn;t changing then some thing is adrift i love messing round with sound singing my backing vocals through a harp mic pre amped by a marshal 9000 rack on distortion i used this on a my last album a track titled Desperate man when im not playing the blues i am a chef now food is like a jazz player soloing there are varation on a theme i take some french and blend with asain cuisine the best chef’s are the best thiefs music can be a mix of styles country with blues mixed with jazz and punk there are some rules but there are no rules if it sounds good taste great smell and looks yummy eat it express it…
April 27th, 2008 at 5:11 am
I SEE A LOT OF THE THINKING IS ALONG THE, LINES THAT I THINK.IT’S GREAT TO KNOW THAT I’M NOT ALONE.REASSURING I’M HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.NOW!!!!I’M REALLY GOING TO REALLY PUSH.I’M GOING “TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS”.
SINCERELY BOBBY HUTTON I NEED ALL THE HELP I CAN GET TAKE A LOOK AT MY PAGE ON [MYSPACE.COM/BOHUTTON]
April 27th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
After finishing school i didn’t want to study at all but a friend talked me into starting at the Helsinki Conservatory. So I went there for several years, learned the basics about classical guitar, theory etc, moved to Sweden to a more open-minded school, dropped out, tried to keep my band, Kra together although it was more like a bus station: People coming and going cos we couldn’t find people as crazy as ourselves (talking about old study mate and colleague Reijo Lainela and meself). Started driving a taxi in Stockholm got assaulted, but came out of it alive, sent letters and cassettes to people bragging about how good I was. got a job at a theatre in Sweden rehearsing songs with actors, from there to a sound designer job in Finland where I stayed for 11 years though the house was a snake’s nest - but the work itself was interesting.
Jumped off into a void - moved to Åland (my old lady’s home island) with no idea about a job, but have stayed alive here too taking odd jobs, solo gigs, dance band gigs, driving school kids, laundry etc.
It’s OK though I’ve been mostly broke…
Should I have become a dentist instead? Doubt it - never liked the thought of looking into people’s mouths….
The Internet has not proved a gold mine, but some fun. Thanks, Derek, for cdbaby- a company i can’t help but love!
April 28th, 2008 at 12:17 am
am getting veeryy good ideas ….help me work on them am a musician from africa-kenya
April 28th, 2008 at 9:34 am
So True. Thanks for the ongoing GOOD advice bro!
Kyle Sherman
http://www.KyleShermanBand.com
April 28th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Dear Derek, and friends.
I will turn 61 years of age May 8, 2008. Yes to some I’m old, but not quite dead. Last Saturday night I played at the Crawdaddy’s Cajun Cafe. Currently working on my eighteenth CD album, I started three and half years ago. I’m having a ball (their coming your way Derek) I’m only one person. I tell people all the time young and old to show me where it is written life must be perfect. You must fail in order to succeed. Every successful person has failed successfully to become successful. It is all in the learning process one must go through. Yes This is just a test of selecting only individuals with determination to take their thoughts to materialization. It is so easy to comply with family and friends who say (YOU CAN’T DO THAT) get a real job? I tell them all to Kiss My bASS
Look around you and touch any thing man has made. Everything he has made came from a thought or a dream at one time. He then takes his or her thought or dream and turns it into reality. Here you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, turning things into reality is a matter of searching around and finding out how others have made the transition .
Papa Bass
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/papabass1
http://www.papabassstudio.com
April 29th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Dear Derek, Thanks for the words of inspiration! I often feel if I’m not perfect or I miss a step that I’ll fail and never recover from the fall. You’re right, it’s important to give yourself room to try, try again! Like they say, it’s the journey that matters not the end of the road. Have some fun while your at it might also be a good mantra to live by! Thank you to cd baby for all their help along the way. Take Care, K. Osgood “Play to Win”
May 9th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Dear Derek, I came across a very helpful book recently : Walking in this World: The Practical Art of Creativity by Julia Cameron. I’d highly recommend it to anyone on the creative path of music or any other artistic pursuit. I recently finished my first cd “Play to Win”. it was mastered in Woodstock , NY by Tom Desisto who says he knew you when you lived there and first started CD baby! He recommended I join. Thanks for taking the time to read this . It sounds like you’re pretty busy actually living life! Now that’s an inspiration!
My best to you , Sincerely, K. Osgood
D
May 9th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Thanks Kathy!
Yeah Julia Cameron is wonderful. Artist’s Way is a classic, too, of course.
May 11th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Oh man, needed to hear that so hard core.
May 12th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
what a great outlook. thanks so much for brightening this rainy day!