You released this video at a perfect time. I just started a new job working night shift. Seems like all I do is work or sleep. The thought of just giving up on gigging and recording has been crossing my mind a lot lately. But you are 1000% right. I need to enjoy the journey! Keep up the great work Damo!
Yes “desperation is not attractive”, consistency, passion, motivation it is. I have been making music since 1996 and always focus on having fun and making something good that I could be proud of instead of focusing on the “numbers”. Keep going Damian 🔊
Another great video my dude! Clarity is everything. That helps us say no to things that won’t bring us closer to our goals. Quit what’s holding you back!
This is so true and I will play this video whenever I stray from my path as a musician :) It seems like lot of musicians today force themselves to be influncers with content strategy, SEO, promoting this, promoting that, TikTok, viral content making etc, that they get lost in all that and forget what it's most important and that is: "Is the music I put out in the world the best I can possibly make at the moment"? I hope this video reaches as many musicians as it can, you've done a great job here, thanks :)
Hey Damian, Thanks for this tip. I was in this betterment mindset for my first 3 albums, then my project exploded, got signed with a record label, and I've slowly been morphing over time into this person that is constantly focused on keeping the numbers high these days.. the desperation that you're talking about. Views, Clicks, Listens. It's been consuming my creative energy. You're right. That can't be the focus here, I need to get back to the basics and dive back into the reason why I've seen success in the first place. The music, the journey, and the joy within that. Thanks man. Needed to hear this.
Awesome video. In fact the best attitude is going on, creating amazing content and never give up. Paying great attention to self-creating is the key to maintain focused the creativity. Audience will react.
dude how does this stuff pop up at the perfect time... i was just having a breakdown over how I'm only at 4k monthly listeners and cant quit my job yet and I'm in debt from advertising and tried getting everything so fast. thank you so much for this video and your words. now i sit here asking my self why i keep forgetting about the journey even though i hear it so many times...
I've been struggling like hell lately to try and get my band's stuff forward. We've had some awesome opportunities but our numbers just haven't looked like we thought they should after the fact. Watching this rerouted me to thinking like we did in the lockdown, when we had so much fun building an audience so that people had somewhere to hang out and people to hang out with while the world was going to shit. That's where we made most of our fanbase, where we made things that we were constantly proud of and enjoying. I've been so fixated on building numbers up that we've forgotten how to engage with the people who build them. Grassroots, signed, or otherwise, number chasing means nothing if you aren't doing what you love doing, otherwise we might as well go and work office jobs that we avoided for this exact reason. This has really helped man, thank you.
so true! I hate seeing boring posts that just say check this out, check that out. Why should I? but on the flip side, DMing all your fans & friends begging them to play your new track is also desperate. Its such a fine line
Your advice always helps me to be a better person and artist, thanks Damian, in fact I met you recently and you have changed my life. A greeting from Venezuela ❤🩹
I recently quit making music because I was mocked a little bit at school and I was just a little tired of it, but I guess what I needed to quit was caring what people think about me.
semi-related to the intro of the video, but I actually find comfort in seeing so many people quitting things like bad jobs, bad industries, and bad situations. hoping better balance in all aspects of life can be found
Nice transition!! Great points... I have definitely fallen into the "feed the content beast" pit... I hope people can resonate with what I'm currently working on releasing.
Life is too short to make bad art just for the sake of doing something 🎵 But I guess the desire to be a musician/superstar often appears before you’re capable of creating something really valuable. I think it’s better to have people say that your music is really good and should be more popular, than to become famous before your music is ready.
@@vajktisza7199 I know it’s probably a rhetorical question, but it gave me an idea for a new video (so thanks). I would say, good art is honest. Bad art is not. But I will need a 10 minute video essay to elaborate 🧐
Brilliant video. I’ve been doing a lot of internal work to re-wire myself from striving to be the *biggest* artist I can be to being the *best* artist I can be
I really needed this right now. I've just started producing again and I'm getting bogged down by seeing the summit and not the journey. This helped! (Are you from South Wales)
I'm heavily working on my long term goals. I desperately wanna play my own music live, but for that I'll first make sure my songs are perfect for me, so I can enjoy them with the entire being of me, which will make a better show. People have been saying I should start a band with people and I tried, but it just doesn't work like I want it to, and hence why I am focussing on doing it all myself. Guitar, bass, drums, vocals, synth here and there, and trumpet solo here and there probably. Got a long way to go, but I won't be satisfied untill I release it exactly the way I want to. I don't necessarily want results now, I want to write and record and keep on doing it till I'm ready
That is truth...I am indie artist and proud to be one ..I answer to myself and I don't look at numbers..I do my music my way and my fans will come., when they come ..I stay true to them because it's the fans that keep me we working as much as music as the music that keeps me breathing
Great stuff - just what I needed to hear this morning. Been feeling directionless lately (not unmotivated, just confused about what to work on) because I have 10,000 ideas for NICU - but only enough time to execute maybe 1 or 2 of those ideas right now if I'm LUCKY but the good news is, almost all those ideas focus around what I want to give to my audience, so at least I feel like my confusion is pointed in the right direction :D
Loved the point about doing something in 60sec and expecting it to go viral. I think we all seem to believe the Cinderella stories of that singer on TikTok who got viral with some weird angle/low quality video. But those are 1 in… and who actually how long they actually worked for that
My question would be why the fug would anyone want a record deal? If that's your end goal as a musician, you've already lost. They rob you as a musician and a person as a whole. Focus more on the passion, the music, the creativity, the fun, and the people who love it.
This type of content is a real pick me up when your battling through the in-between release phases. The bottom line is it’s down to us to be as creative as possible and also be your own handler. Think of the guidance and advice someone would give you directly and act on it. Deep down, I think we all have a good idea of what areas we might be lacking. When that’s addressed, there has to be growth and improved results.
I totally agree. I tell myself it's only a matter of time 😂 I make an effort to practice guitar and write music almost every day, and it feels great putting in that kind of work toward something you love, regardless of the outcome
Always great to hear you. I am quitting thinking that my music is bad because nobody listens and focusing on telling them it is there and why they should listen.... P.S. Please quit that sweatshirt... lol
Come on Damien! This is fantastic! I know you echo a lot of the same points overall but the way this one was packaged was just a little extra zesty. So humbling yet inspiring. I always prefer to keep your vids in mind as I continue making music because, like business minds, you're focused on the mentality maintenance & trying to provide value
It's true, it's all about the journey and the value you bring. I can watch big artists promote albums over the course of a year or more, because they're bringing/adding value by releasing music videos to already released/existing songs (that's value, that's something different and expensive). Adele comes to mind here. I think independent artists can do the same thing but to a lesser extent because music videos are expensive. Instead independent artists should focus on the journey and on releasing more music more often, because that's what gets you something to talk about and inevitably that's what helps you find more fans (or helps them find and follow you). Do covers, do whatever works for you when you don't have enough original music ready yet. If you do covers, make sure to craft them like a song of yours to transform it enough just so that it represents who you really are as an artist and when you do get to release your original music, people will already be a bit interested because you (hopefully) showed them who you really are and what you really sound like through the songs you recorded and released. Another thing: be proactive, like, comment and follow people on social media (if you help other people and/or say nice things about them/their music, some people will help you sooner or later). Hope this helps.
This video and advice is so good, it shouldn't even be legal! :D When I listen/look back at my stuff, always the more effortless the more traction it gets.
I haven't finished the video, and as I am starting to watch it, I am going to say Quit? NEVER. Dk, It's an industry for the strong, knowing the ups and downs weeds out the ones who want it bad and those who dream and wake up from the nightmare. You know me well, and you know this Superstar is Obsessed with Having a Blast. Every single second.
the best way to make a million from music is to start out with two million, but if it is your passion then don't quit, focus on having fun doing it. With such rapid changes in the communication world, old formulas of supply and demand fail. Better to enjoy personal satisfaction in life than be worrying about wealth.
Always love catching your content, Damian! This is such an insightful video, and I do agree with you! And I just realized I was only subbed to you on my other account, and not this one. I definitely agree with the desperation concept! I create music for me, and I want to showcase some of what I create. I don't focus on "making it big with a major record deal," but I do want to enjoy playing out a few times each month. It's about consistency, and success is being able to wanting to grow the small parts of your craft and growing a community. Just having a handful of people say they'll still rotate some of my songs means WAY more to me than worrying about "making it big with billions of streams."
Lol I'm from Nepal and I appreciate the Chomolungma reference. Also that's actually in Tibetan - It's Sagarmatha in Nepali :) Anywho, love the fresh take on what to quit 🔥🔥🔥
As Bruce Lee once said "It is not daily increase but daily decrease, hack away the unessential. The closer to the source, the less wastage there is" (I'm not a Bruce Lee meganerd it's just a co incidence). And as Tate said (paraphrase) "do it quickly, but do not rush. Learn to do it well, and then do it quickly, and then keep doing it".
Great Video 👍& Advice not just for music 🎶 this time but also for middle aged over weight unemployed single guys who want to charm that dream babe down the local! 😂 But seriously thanks mate ❤
Needed to hear that. Your work is so underrated Damien
Thank you, I appreciate this so much
I will never quit, as long that 1 person per month loves what we create we will keep creating.
You released this video at a perfect time. I just started a new job working night shift. Seems like all I do is work or sleep. The thought of just giving up on gigging and recording has been crossing my mind a lot lately. But you are 1000% right. I need to enjoy the journey! Keep up the great work Damo!
Yes “desperation is not attractive”, consistency, passion, motivation it is.
I have been making music since 1996 and always focus on having fun and making something good that I could be proud of instead of focusing on the “numbers”. Keep going Damian
🔊
Love this! Enjoy the journey, be proud of what you’re putting into the world and repeat 🔁 😊
Don't quit, just take a break and come back to it.
Art is all about starting again (read the book "Art & Fear" and you'll understand it).
Thanks.
Another great video my dude! Clarity is everything. That helps us say no to things that won’t bring us closer to our goals. Quit what’s holding you back!
🙏🙏🙏🙏
This is so true and I will play this video whenever I stray from my path as a musician :) It seems like lot of musicians today force themselves to be influncers with content strategy, SEO, promoting this, promoting that, TikTok, viral content making etc, that they get lost in all that and forget what it's most important and that is: "Is the music I put out in the world the best I can possibly make at the moment"? I hope this video reaches as many musicians as it can, you've done a great job here, thanks :)
I quit the comparison game and started competing with past versions of myself, and honestly it’s been all uphill from there ✨
Hey Damian, Thanks for this tip. I was in this betterment mindset for my first 3 albums, then my project exploded, got signed with a record label, and I've slowly been morphing over time into this person that is constantly focused on keeping the numbers high these days.. the desperation that you're talking about. Views, Clicks, Listens. It's been consuming my creative energy. You're right. That can't be the focus here, I need to get back to the basics and dive back into the reason why I've seen success in the first place. The music, the journey, and the joy within that. Thanks man. Needed to hear this.
Awesome video. In fact the best attitude is going on, creating amazing content and never give up. Paying great attention to self-creating is the key to maintain focused the creativity. Audience will react.
dude how does this stuff pop up at the perfect time... i was just having a breakdown over how I'm only at 4k monthly listeners and cant quit my job yet and I'm in debt from advertising and tried getting everything so fast. thank you so much for this video and your words. now i sit here asking my self why i keep forgetting about the journey even though i hear it so many times...
Preach it brother. So true - thank you for the reminder.
I've been struggling like hell lately to try and get my band's stuff forward. We've had some awesome opportunities but our numbers just haven't looked like we thought they should after the fact. Watching this rerouted me to thinking like we did in the lockdown, when we had so much fun building an audience so that people had somewhere to hang out and people to hang out with while the world was going to shit. That's where we made most of our fanbase, where we made things that we were constantly proud of and enjoying. I've been so fixated on building numbers up that we've forgotten how to engage with the people who build them. Grassroots, signed, or otherwise, number chasing means nothing if you aren't doing what you love doing, otherwise we might as well go and work office jobs that we avoided for this exact reason.
This has really helped man, thank you.
so true! I hate seeing boring posts that just say check this out, check that out. Why should I? but on the flip side, DMing all your fans & friends begging them to play your new track is also desperate. Its such a fine line
That´s what I call USEFULL information, almost a micro course ! Give some xtra energy to go and do something ! Tks DK
Needed this bro thank u
Your advice always helps me to be a better person and artist, thanks Damian, in fact I met you recently and you have changed my life. A greeting from Venezuela ❤🩹
Means the world, thank you
I recently quit making music because I was mocked a little bit at school and I was just a little tired of it, but I guess what I needed to quit was caring what people think about me.
One way or another, I'm going to keep putting music out there that I am proud to show. If something happens, great! If not, I'll keep creating.
facts
semi-related to the intro of the video, but I actually find comfort in seeing so many people quitting things like bad jobs, bad industries, and bad situations. hoping better balance in all aspects of life can be found
It’ll deffo push for better standards all round :)
yeah right, they'll just go home and spend time in front of screens.
Nice transition!! Great points... I have definitely fallen into the "feed the content beast" pit... I hope people can resonate with what I'm currently working on releasing.
Me too. It’s a tough pit to climb out of!
wow more of these videos highes quality youve ever made
I’ll try! :)
Life is too short to make bad art just for the sake of doing something 🎵 But I guess the desire to be a musician/superstar often appears before you’re capable of creating something really valuable. I think it’s better to have people say that your music is really good and should be more popular, than to become famous before your music is ready.
Well said 👏🏻👏🏻
The question here is: is there such thing as "bad art"?
@@vajktisza7199 I know it’s probably a rhetorical question, but it gave me an idea for a new video (so thanks). I would say, good art is honest. Bad art is not. But I will need a 10 minute video essay to elaborate 🧐
@@SunnyBeeRandomTuber thanks 🌻
@@enrozen this must be one of the simplest, yet most accurate answers I have seen for this question
Thanks Damian 🙏🙏
Well said Damian! Appreciate your work!
Appreciate this 🙏🙏🙏
You are so right. Thanks for the content!
Thank you 🙏😊
Brilliant video. I’ve been doing a lot of internal work to re-wire myself from striving to be the *biggest* artist I can be to being the *best* artist I can be
On point. Watching how you yourself have developed your content and practiced what you preach is the best learning. More power to you Damien!
I really needed this right now. I've just started producing again and I'm getting bogged down by seeing the summit and not the journey. This helped!
(Are you from South Wales)
So glad to be able to help today! I am, I’m from Swansea!
I'm heavily working on my long term goals. I desperately wanna play my own music live, but for that I'll first make sure my songs are perfect for me, so I can enjoy them with the entire being of me, which will make a better show.
People have been saying I should start a band with people and I tried, but it just doesn't work like I want it to, and hence why I am focussing on doing it all myself. Guitar, bass, drums, vocals, synth here and there, and trumpet solo here and there probably. Got a long way to go, but I won't be satisfied untill I release it exactly the way I want to. I don't necessarily want results now, I want to write and record and keep on doing it till I'm ready
Thankx Damian, this is really valueable input!
Valuable & Inspirational ! 🔥🏆🔥
Thank you!!
Great video, thank you!
If you have specific tips for classical musicians I would love to see that!
Excellent 👌🏾 Nuff said. !!
I just like your unapologetic attitude. I’m approaching that with my music mixing etc, the competitive part, if it sounds good it is good. 😎
Love that 💪 how’s your music journey going so far?
Meh. Getting music up and written right now, getting in shape so i can post content,and not get shadowbanned for scaring people🤣
So true! I needed to hear this! Thank you! :)
Great advice and observations once again.
Thanks Graham :)
Great video! Tnx 🙏
Looove this Damian!! I hear this also as accepting the personal responsibility for your life and career. Thanks for your work!
Very true! The more honest responsibility you take, the easier it is to work it all out I find :)
That is truth...I am indie artist and proud to be one ..I answer to myself and I don't look at numbers..I do my music my way and my fans will come., when they come ..I stay true to them because it's the fans that keep me we working as much as music as the music that keeps me breathing
Great stuff - just what I needed to hear this morning. Been feeling directionless lately (not unmotivated, just confused about what to work on) because I have 10,000 ideas for NICU - but only enough time to execute maybe 1 or 2 of those ideas right now if I'm LUCKY
but the good news is, almost all those ideas focus around what I want to give to my audience, so at least I feel like my confusion is pointed in the right direction :D
Loved the point about doing something in 60sec and expecting it to go viral. I think we all seem to believe the Cinderella stories of that singer on TikTok who got viral with some weird angle/low quality video. But those are 1 in… and who actually how long they actually worked for that
Amazing to hear. The advice will help me more in order to help me continue to pursue my career in music!
Really appreciate that, thank you 🙂🙂
Great advice for any artist ( music or not)
Thanks for the advice Damien
The only thing I'm quitting is sitting around and not making music. Thanks!
Love that!
Im Quiting all these platforms want money that’s it ! I tried everything and nothing works !
Spot-on! 👍 It's not about persuasion.
I love your content! Thank you!
My question would be why the fug would anyone want a record deal? If that's your end goal as a musician, you've already lost. They rob you as a musician and a person as a whole.
Focus more on the passion, the music, the creativity, the fun, and the people who love it.
great message. not just to artist but everyday entertainers
Love this point of view! I think it's true 100%
Compare = Despair
Great channel!
Rick Barker's recommendation, I subbed!
Ah that’s kind of Rick!
This type of content is a real pick me up when your battling through the in-between release phases. The bottom line is it’s down to us to be as creative as possible and also be your own handler. Think of the guidance and advice someone would give you directly and act on it. Deep down, I think we all have a good idea of what areas we might be lacking. When that’s addressed, there has to be growth and improved results.
That's all I needed to hear! Thanks a lot Damo!
I totally agree. I tell myself it's only a matter of time 😂 I make an effort to practice guitar and write music almost every day, and it feels great putting in that kind of work toward something you love, regardless of the outcome
Excellent message Damian! Bravo!
Always great to hear you. I am quitting thinking that my music is bad because nobody listens and focusing on telling them it is there and why they should listen....
P.S. Please quit that sweatshirt... lol
Really needed to hear this one Damo! Great video
Another inspirational video! You're the best!
Thank you!!
My music doesn't resonate with many people. It just isn't worth listening to. I'm okay with that.
That is a great video, thank you. Are you also incorporating a bit of the 'law of attraction' as well? Anyway, great stuff Damien!
New subscriber here. This was very inspiring, thanks Damian!
I appreciate this video!!!!
Come on Damien! This is fantastic!
I know you echo a lot of the same points overall but the way this one was packaged was just a little extra zesty.
So humbling yet inspiring.
I always prefer to keep your vids in mind as I continue making music because, like business minds, you're focused on the mentality maintenance & trying to provide value
It's true, it's all about the journey and the value you bring.
I can watch big artists promote albums over the course of a year or more, because they're bringing/adding value by releasing music videos to already released/existing songs (that's value, that's something different and expensive). Adele comes to mind here.
I think independent artists can do the same thing but to a lesser extent because music videos are expensive.
Instead independent artists should focus on the journey and on releasing more music more often, because that's what gets you something to talk about and inevitably that's what helps you find more fans (or helps them find and follow you).
Do covers, do whatever works for you when you don't have enough original music ready yet.
If you do covers, make sure to craft them like a song of yours to transform it enough just so that it represents who you really are as an artist and when you do get to release your original music, people will already be a bit interested because you (hopefully) showed them who you really are and what you really sound like through the songs you recorded and released.
Another thing: be proactive, like, comment and follow people on social media (if you help other people and/or say nice things about them/their music, some people will help you sooner or later).
Hope this helps.
This video and advice is so good, it shouldn't even be legal! :D
When I listen/look back at my stuff, always the more effortless the more traction it gets.
Been there. I gigged for 12 years. Sometimes I miss it, then go watch a band and remember all the practice, humping all that gears....nah.
I’m to this point.
I never quit I dropped some singles that people had a hard time feeling,but after people kept on listening to it they was rocking with it.
Man this is great advice i am going to share it
I haven't finished the video, and as I am starting to watch it, I am going to say Quit? NEVER. Dk, It's an industry for the strong, knowing the ups and downs weeds out the ones who want it bad and those who dream and wake up from the nightmare. You know me well, and you know this Superstar is Obsessed with Having a Blast. Every single second.
Love that attitude!! 😊😊😊
Thank you 💖
💎💎💎✨️✨️✨️ Amazingly said Damian. Super solid job 👌🏿
I've quit a lot of things to make room for music. Cheers Damo!
Very insightful and inspirational. The most engaging content I've seen all day. Thank you Mr. Keyes!
Understand.
Great video Damián!
I’m 55 and still have an original band … never quit
Good advice 💯
Thank you brother, i relate : )
🙏🙏🙏
the best way to make a million from music is to start out with two million, but if it is your passion then don't quit, focus on having fun doing it. With such rapid changes in the communication world, old formulas of supply and demand fail. Better to enjoy personal satisfaction in life than be worrying about wealth.
Needed this today 🙌
Loved this one, Damian!
great video, and very true.
Thanks
Not only did I need to hear this right now, but if you'd give me a call on a daily basis to remind me of these subsequent facts, that'd be great.
Always love catching your content, Damian! This is such an insightful video, and I do agree with you! And I just realized I was only subbed to you on my other account, and not this one.
I definitely agree with the desperation concept! I create music for me, and I want to showcase some of what I create. I don't focus on "making it big with a major record deal," but I do want to enjoy playing out a few times each month. It's about consistency, and success is being able to wanting to grow the small parts of your craft and growing a community. Just having a handful of people say they'll still rotate some of my songs means WAY more to me than worrying about "making it big with billions of streams."
Hey Damien how do I manage and release my music from a non English speaking country. I’m from India, and don’t know if it will affect my English songs
There’s always a market bro, our job to sort it 💪💪
There is no finishing line in music... it's always ever evolving and more to learn and do..
Absolutely well said Damian! 👏👏👏
Spot on video mate
Thank you, so appreciated
Quit music is a bad idea just keep looking around until you find something that works for you 💯
The best ☄️
Great vid as usual. What brand is that hoodie?
Hoodie is from the kooples 😊😊
@@DamianKeyes You're the best, Thanks for the fast reply. Practicing what you preach.
I always try! 😊
Good work mate
Lol I'm from Nepal and I appreciate the Chomolungma reference.
Also that's actually in Tibetan - It's Sagarmatha in Nepali :)
Anywho, love the fresh take on what to quit 🔥🔥🔥
cool. have you seen any web3 music platforms?
As Bruce Lee once said "It is not daily increase but daily decrease, hack away the unessential. The closer to the source, the less wastage there is" (I'm not a Bruce Lee meganerd it's just a co incidence). And as Tate said (paraphrase) "do it quickly, but do not rush. Learn to do it well, and then do it quickly, and then keep doing it".
Wise words
Great Video 👍& Advice not just for music 🎶 this time but also for middle aged over weight unemployed single guys who want to charm that dream babe down the local! 😂
But seriously thanks mate ❤