Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/02 18:02Joshua Wentz wrote: I sent a copy of my album to my Grandma. My cousin told me yesterday that her response was "I like it, but I'm sad that I don't know any of these songs..."
Guess who's going to be doing some Andy Williams covers next month
Andy is great, but Claudine Longet....man, that's where it's really at.
Hmmm...maybe I'll see if I can get Laura to sing on a cover of "Man in a Raincoat." That would be SWEET!!!
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fenceflatley
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/02 18:15For me I never expect to be 'gotten' anymore. Perhaps I'm cynical, more likely realistic...I produce music that is in many ways an aquired taste...and is definately in the 'outsider' catagory, so I can't fault anybody saying it isn't their cup o' tea. That being said, on those occasions when people do 'get' it, OMG, what a superb feeling. I can tell you that the listening party on Second Life was great for that. Fellow artists and other attendees were in such a fine party mood and I think had their ears wide open, so it was a tremendously positive experience and I felt very supported. I hope everybody who has a chance to attend a listening party does so, because this kind of interraction has no equal.
I gave a copy to my boss who I play blues with, and who thinks no good music has been written since REO Speedwagon To his credit he gave it a good listen and offered a review...he liked my fingerpicking on Too Late and liked the lyrics on Chocolate Abba. He was pointedly silent regarding style or singing, but I have to give him his props for not just putting it on the shelf and saying "I'm sure its very nice...."
Chances are good that folks like us who hunger for new music and delight in the trials and tribulations we all encounter to make music will be more receptive and hence more savvy about what each of us is producing. If anyone else on the outside extends praise, I'm sure we'll all be the first to congratulate them on their good taste!
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mr_glide
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/02 18:49sister_savage wrote: My mum just said to me: "The reason your brother hasn't played on any of your songs is that he doesn't like them, and neither do I."
What happened to "That's nice, Dear..."? <br><br>Post edited by: sister_savage, at: 2008/04/02 17:09
Awww now, that's a bit harsh. Families, eh? Who'd have 'em?
Generally, the album-in-month stuff I don't show to anyone - it's for me, not them. As selfish as it sounds, it's my chance to indulge my looniest urges, so I don't want the freedom to crash 'n' burn in pursuit of something interesting soured by kneejerk criticism. My more considered stuff is fair game, though.
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Gary Fox
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/02 19:33This year I sat down and listened to myself. The comments were predictable:
"What note was that?"
"Nice hook...not"
"So, where did you learn to play guitar...make sure you get a refund"
and my favorite:
"Interesting"
Thankfully everyone else has been merciful, even kind. Of course, everyone who was nice was also drinking...hmmm
Cheers,
Gary
PS-I still intend on doing some reviewing in the other thread, but my time keeps getting taken away from me.
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Gary Fox
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/02 19:37Joshua Wentz wrote: I sent a copy of my album to my Grandma. My cousin told me yesterday that her response was "I like it, but I'm sad that I don't know any of these songs..."
Guess who's going to be doing some Andy Williams covers next month Do his Christmas album, you'll kill two birds with one stone.
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mick
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/02 19:50Gary Fox wrote: [ Do his Christmas album, you'll kill two birds with one stone.
That's pure genius. I have never written a song my mother liked. Thought Yuuwa from this year might be that, but alas, no. She didn't get through the first minute. But a Christmas album .. now that she would go for. If I really ever get the urge to do something she'd like . this is it.
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sister_savage
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/02 20:24mick wrote: I have never written a song my mother liked.
Mick, that makes me feel so much better!
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thel1195
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/02 21:01My mom never says anything now, but just makes the ugliest faces. In the past, she doesn't like the writing, the singing, she used to play music music so she can hear all the flaws...like I need help doing that. But, to her credit, she has never discouraged me from continuing. I know she has specific tastes that I really don't care for either. We agree to disagree...today.
L
Post edited by: thel1195, at: 2008/04/02 21:03
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Raleigh
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/02 22:10My mother has always been an avid supporter of my music: but as she introduced me to so much great music, she allowed me in turn to introduce a lot to her. (How many women do you know who are retiring drive down the road listening to XTC or Japan?) I don't know what my father would think: although he too would be generally supportive.
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malocchio
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/02 23:05Last year I was telling my mom that I was starting my own label to release my music...she said something to the effect of "That's great, I've always liked the music you write."
I didn't have the heart to point out that I have never played her anything I've written. Except for "My kitty cat" back in 3rd grade, but I think I've evolved a bit as a composer since then.
Mom has a great heart, but I can't say that I look to her for the honest criticism. Maybe if she listened to Japan I'd let her hear some of my work...but then she'd still probably be too nice to mention how often I try to rip off Nightporter.
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Gary Fox
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/03 02:59mick wrote: Gary Fox wrote: Do his Christmas album, you'll kill two birds with one stone.
That's pure genius. I have never written a song my mother liked. Thought Yuuwa from this year might be that, but alas, no. She didn't get through the first minute. But a Christmas album .. now that she would go for. If I really ever get the urge to do something she'd like . this is it. We can collaborate Mick...We'll do an Andy Williams, Perry Como, Dean Martin and Sinatra tribute Christmas record...
It would be...interesting...
Post edited by: Gary Fox, at: 2008/04/03 02:59
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Raleigh
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/03 05:43but then she'd still probably be too nice to mention how often I try to rip off Nightporter.
I won't write anything in 3/4 for this very reason.
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Lunarsight
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/03 06:28To me, success is getting any sort of notice. I don't care if people like it or not.
I'd rather have somebody tell me it was the strangest thing they ever heard than not say anything at all.
Point in case - PinchCrotch's song from 2007.
One may argue that a 35 minute dialogue of setting up your RPM account does not really count as a song.
However, you can't deny it got people's attention.
----
Think of the wrestling heels - they achieve incredible popularity being hated by the crowd. The wrestlers with no future are the ones where the crowd is completely indifferent to them and/or oblivious.
Post edited by: Lunarsight, at: 2008/04/03 13:19
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tangmo
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/03 20:04They sit at the bar and put bread in my jar and say, "Man, what are you doing here?"
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Raleigh
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/04 06:23tangmo wrote: They sit at the bar and put bread in my jar and say, "Man, what are you doing here?"
"Paying for my gender reassignment surgery" would be a good response. But I go way off topic...
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kavin
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/12 01:31It's funny. Other than family, I have gotten very little meaningful feedback from those closest to me. But what has really brightened my days are getting kudos from musicians whom I hold great respect for (including those of you who were at the listening party).
O and I sold my first copy of "Westward" the other day! Nothing says "great job"! like $$$.
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ColinGarvey
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/12 17:44I gave a few people CDs at work. So far, not one of them has said ANYTHING about it. Is it because they haven't listened, or because they all hate it and don't want to be rude, or because they like it and don't want to feed my ego? Obviously I can't ask them because I don't want to look like the narcissistic attention whore I am; also I don't want to ask questions that I wouldn't like the answers to...
My mum loves it though.
And a few people on these forums have said some very nice things about it. Kavin's right - it does mean a lot when other great musicians like what you're doing.
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bkoz
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/12 18:06Ah yes, the glassy eyed stare, the small talk among friends that never brings up you're songwriting, playing, new CD, etc. etc...
Freaking irritating . I have musician friends who never bring up the stuff I've done for the RPM challenge. I've invited them the past two years to participate, but none have . I get more 'Oh, yeah' and then its 'let me tell you what I've been doing... .....' It gets hard to listen about their latest gig when they can't even give my life the time of day other than perhaps be their personal cheerleader.
Ultimately, I guess, it boils down to do I like what I did, do I like the music I made? The answer for me is YES! I like my stuff (well some of it I don't like ) . I didn't write my first song till I was 40. So I'm a Johnny came lately to this. Perhaps no one will every buy my songs, maybe they will. Who knows. I plan to keep at it, it beats anything else I ever done for giving me personal satisfaction.
Oz
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moschell
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/12 19:08Ah, none of my friends liked it. Apparently, what I did wasn't quite their cup of tea. I was even told that 'No one listens to that kind of music'. Over the years I've gotten involved in a number of creative adventures, some successful, some not, and never once have my friends taken me seriously. I sometimes wonder if they look at me like I'm Ed Wood or something... very passionate about creating something, but always turning out crap. But, like Bkoz said, I did it for the 'Personal Satisfaction', and to show myself that I could... and I did. At least my friends feel free to let me know. I don't think it will keep me from trying again... it hasn't yet.
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Joshua Wentz
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/12 20:04I got a bit of an ego boost last night when an acquaintance (who actually came to our Chicago listening party and really really enjoyed it) told me he liked my album. His band is performing at Lollapalooza this year, so it was a sort of tacit validation for me, since I really respect his music, especially in how the band straddles art and marketability.
Of course he could just be acting nice I'm not sure if he's the type to do that.
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Lunarsight
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/12 23:10A friend said he's rather have his eardrums pierced with crochet needles than ever have to listen to my album again.
I interpret this to mean that my music is getting better.. =)
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sister_savage
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/13 13:51bkoz wrote: Ah yes, the glassy eyed stare, the small talk among friends that never brings up you're songwriting, playing, new CD, etc. etc...
Hmm yes, I have some friends that talk to me about my "hobby" but these are usually the guys who have collaborated with me. But to be honest I get much more satisfaction from my SoundClick account when someone I don't know adds a song I've nervously uploaded to their own playlist, or a mystery somebody downloads a track or two.
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thel1195
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/13 21:12bkoz wrote: I have musician friends who never bring up the stuff I've done for the RPM challenge. I've invited them the past two years to participate, but none have . I get more 'Oh, yeah' and then its 'let me tell you what I've been doing... .....' It gets hard to listen about their latest gig when they can't even give my life the time of day other than perhaps be their personal cheerleader. Oz
You hit the nail on the head. I have a group of guys I know that I just quit talking to about anything musical. It been about, "look what I have done". They have gotten a little annoyed with me as well. I have been in a number of bands and seen a number of stages in different genre of music. But I'm a student of music. I'll try something out just to see what its all about. Hell, I played Bass behind a guy dressed as Elvis for 18 months. I made more in those gigs than I ever did playing original music. But that wasn't really the point and I was never big-headed about it. I like playing music. I like sharing the experience. I had to learn a lot of songs I had no real interest in, but I also learned some new chops that enhanced my skill. That's what real musician do. Then after a few years, several different venues, and more than a handful of good and bad experiences, you'd figure that you can sit down and have a conversation with some dudes with the same musical interest. They go right into "sales" mode and its no longer an interchange...its all about them. I just politely excuse myself. I did the promote others things for years...got old.
But that's how Baby's First Ride came to be. I've been around but in truth, its like I'm starting over.
Baby's First Ride Lyndell
Post edited by: thel1195, at: 2008/04/13 21:33
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thel1195
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/13 21:28ColinGarvey wrote: I gave a few people CDs at work. So far, not one of them has said ANYTHING about it. Is it because they haven't listened, or because they all hate it and don't want to be rude, or because they like it and don't want to feed my ego? Obviously I can't ask them because I don't want to look like the narcissistic attention whore I am; also I don't want to ask questions that I wouldn't like the answers to...
Having done the same thing, my experience is that if they like it, they'll speak up OR they make reference to a lyric in a song from the CD. I have had that happen. Many, however, will just not saying anyting and will avoid the topic. When pressed, they listened and just didn't care for it. I've had that happen as well.
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dweeb
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/14 14:39ColinGarvey wrote: I gave a few people CDs at work. So far, not one of them has said ANYTHING about it. Is it because they haven't listened,
Don't rule out "haven't listened". For many people, music is something that's in the background, or something they remember from their youth. Actually listening to a disk of music they've never heard before is something they simply don't do.
At least that's what I assume happens when I give a disk to someone who never mentions it again. Of course if they actually listened to it they'd lavish me with praise.
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substars_ben
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/14 16:55dweeb wrote: ColinGarvey wrote: Don't rule out "haven't listened". For many people, music is something that's in the background, or something they remember from their youth. Actually listening to a disk of music they've never heard before is something they simply don't do.
Yeah, I'm sure I've made plenty of coworkers feel awkward by pushing CDs and shows on them, I've also had some of my favorite discs for months, or even years, before realizing that it actually is an amazing CD. I've dragged my feet responding to some people who sent me RPM CDs--CDs I'm genuinely excited about and look forward to listening to--simply because I've only listened to them doing homework or at work or whatever, and I don't feel like I have anything insightful to say because I was mostly focused on the task at hand. I think it's hard to really listen to music in a world where it's constantly playing in the background while people try to do a million things at once.
Add to this the fact that they're not part of the RPM lovefest, that you probably didn't go out of your way to make your music accessible in a commercial sort of way, and the anxiety of possibly hating it and having to lie or avoid you after hearing it, and you've got a number of barriers to acceptance. I usually offer people CDs and then tell them "OR, you can also listen to MP3s online if you prefer" so they have an out (which also saves me the cost of giving physical media out to people who aren't interested) .
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Again, you CREATED SOMETHING. It's your achievement and no amount of criticism or lack of enthusiasm will take that away. Just doing it speaks volumes.
Personally, I think having people just listen rather than give feedback is more valuable and, ultimately, more satisfying.
Seriously, what is the point of feedback if they're only going to listen once since you asked them to?
Be proud of what you have accomplished.
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Raleigh
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/14 22:54One of my coworkers said, "Every time I see George W. Bush, I hear that song ["Empires of Oppression" from my 2007 album Rapids] of yours and it makes me laugh."
Sometimes, you can (and do) make a good impression.
Celebrate the victories, large and small.
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fenceflatley
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Re:Unimpressed - 2008/04/24 23:07As we all wrestle with our own "Where am I in the World?" conundrums and struggled with wondering if anybody will ever care about our music, I have a small anecdote from today to help keep perspective:
Its Take Your Son/Daughter to Work day at my company and as part of the festivities we played a version of Jeopardy with questions about our company. Well, to keep it fun we included some questions where we played some pop music and they had to quess song & artist. Here are some responses:
1) Hannah Montana-insane cheering & instant recognition 2) High School Musical 1 & 2 songs: Ditto 3) Jonas Brothers-Screaming, foot stomping recognition. 4) White Stripes - Silence. Who's this? NOBODY has ever heard of them. The WHITE STRIPES! My Doorbell!!!
Anyhow...its all a matter of context I guess. If you have that mother*ffing mouse doing your marketing it helps a bit...
But c'mon. The freaking WHITE STRIPES.
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To his credit he gave it a good listen and offered a review...he liked my fingerpicking on Too Late and liked the lyrics on Chocolate Abba. He was pointedly silent regarding style or singing, but I have to give him his props for not just putting it on the shelf and saying "I'm sure its very nice...."
<br><br>Post edited by: sister_savage, at: 2008/04/02 17:09
Mick, that makes me feel so much better!
. I have musician friends who never bring up the stuff I've done for the RPM challenge. I've invited them the past two years to participate, but none have
. I get more 'Oh, yeah' and then its 'let me tell you what I've been doing...
.....' It gets hard to listen about their latest gig when they can't even give my life the time of day other than perhaps be their personal cheerleader. 
) . I didn't write my first song till I was 40. So I'm a Johnny came lately to this. Perhaps no one will every buy my songs, maybe they will. Who knows. I plan to keep at it, it beats anything else I ever done for giving me personal satisfaction. 
I'm not sure if he's the type to do that.
