The Introverted Musician's Guide to Being Alone
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- Опубліковано 17 вер 2023
- Howdy! Today I want to talk about some things that have been on my mind lately, and share some clips from my recent adventures with @BennJordan and @RedMeansRecording in the land of Knobcon.
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Very different video but felt like a shame to waste all this footage...hopefully it all came out okay! 😅
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Did you weaponize something at Knobcon? :^) kiddin, but this format of narrated vlog is interesting, kind of a mix of your philosophical videos mixed with the travel ones, i like it :)
That was truly profound I can't remember how I stumbled across your channel but I'm glad I did thanks for the insight
I feel some of your journey and mindset this last little while, it's hard to find the true lost in the sauce sound companions today compared to years ago, that partner or partners in crime all in with sharing the journey, the blind passionate excitement and process wherever it or we goes, but no sadly the ego and the me me me has many consumed and continues to devour so many.
The lone wolf mindset soon sets in, as you realise the inner peace and non drama setting you find yourself, which can be 5% lonely at times for sure, but that is quickly outweighed with the 95% bliss of peace and less environmental noise around you to distract you from getting lost in the sauce, FOR YOU
I think it´s a decent mix of both isolation and lived experience that makes the difference of gaining creativity (not to say to get over creativity crisis)
you worry too much.
Your channel is unique, cause it blends introspection, philosophy and art. Most content creators just entertain or teach. Thank you.
This is why i like the way mustache man talks words. He also just has chill vibes.
Couldn’t have said it better myself .
Cameron =
introspection, philosophy, art and I like the way moustache man talks words.🙌
I don’t know if this happened where you live or not ( and I can’t remember exactly what year it was ) but sometime in the early 90’s in Australia the federal government changed the language of creative contracts , in a legal sense.
The word ARTIST was changed to PRODUCER and ART was replaced with the term PRODUCT .
This fundamentally altered the uniqueness of the work and the individuality of the artist in a way that nefariously removes the individuality or even the exceptionality from the situation entirely .
I felt it was a sad day. Even for Producers .
I am an autistic person and as such, working alone comes very naturally to me. However, Your channel along with people like Dom Sigalas and Chris Selim for example link me to others via a medium that is just as important to me as the physical connections that you speak of. Unknowingly, you, along with many other musicians, are a very important part of my life and you will never know just how much you have been a part of who I have grown to be and for that, I thank you.
I really love this. I think you nail a vital part of art: it's communication. And communication really does require people and interaction, and also one another inspiring or challenging one another. Isolation can be useful for the actual craft - but why we care about the craft in the first place is arguably more important. And deepening connections that lead to real communication - whether immediate or through art - is one of the most powerful reasons to hone a craft.
Thank you for this beautiful video essay. I really think UA-cam just needs more of this. I know it'll likely suppress it in favor of the latest Mr. Beast video or jump cut mish mash of people throwing eggs at each other, but this is a truly meaningful video. It is not simply "content" - it's conversation.
Love the way both the video articulates this point as well as your comment.
In isolation we crave company and in company we crave to be alone. Probably the right balance is the key. It's beautiful to cook up something alone but heartbreaking to eat it without company, at least most of the time.
I truly believe that, when it comes to creativity, 1+1 equals to 3, working with someone who pushes you, who gives you feedback and vice versa is something special which many creative people have forgotten.
the key may be more to allow change and evolution than aiming for a "static" balance, craving for sth is a strong motivation after all
"when it comes to creativity, 1+1 equals to 3"
This is really good but it's broader than creativity. It's a really good summary of dialectics.
Thesis and Antithesis resulting in Synthesis. Nothing is erased or subsumed in the process. One and one interact and become three.
That said, I don't think creative people have forgotten this. I think it's just harder and harder to build this sort of thing up.
Our current economic mode trends towards isolation. At least here in the US, going anywhere costs money. Everything is far apart and there are few places that allow for the kind of boisterous interaction you get from a community of artists.
People haven't forgotten, their ability to engage has been curtailed.
Isolation when you have opportunity to be with others any time = good
isolation when you don't have anyone and it's a constant state = not good, infect, horrible
The hard part is trying to find people who share your passion. Even amongst musicians, not everyone is available even if a coordinated meetup virtually were done. They probably are too busy and will only do things for money because their time has become too valuable, or they probably don't like the idea of cooperating together. Maybe they're not interested in working with someone in your genre, even though through my life those haven't exactly existed in the way people categorize music. Maybe you're from a country or the artist your looking for is in a country with a culture that normalizes isolation or individualism, or keeping foreigners out of the community. There's a lot of barriers to making that 1+1>2 and in a lot of cases it can turn into 1+1
I feel, and struggle in the search for this, quite often. Finding other compatible musicians/performers in the electronic genre seems far more finicky than dating in some ways - LOL! In as much as it's funny... it also kinda sucks - but I'm trying to keep my mind and heart open to the possibility again. I'd really love to collaborate and (especially!) perform with someone.
“The making of art is not a competitive act. Our work is representative of the self.”
― Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being
As I listened to your VERY inciteful video here, I was reminded of Rick Rubin's book that I'm currently enjoying.
Thanks for venturing outside the usual norms of music video discussions. What's deep inside us is what needs to be addressed every once in a while too.
It's a great book. I'm listening to the audiobook
bought the book a week ago, cant wait to read it aaahhh
i devoured that book in 2 days, i couldn't put it down . it confirmed a lot of what i already assumed but it's good to have a second point of view
another great quote Rubin uses in a lot of interviews : "Self-expression is not about yourself"
Same!!
My composition lecturer at university believed in isolating himself to get his woork done. So, he secluded himself, fell into a deep depression, and then took his own life.
I heard he died after returning from mid-year break. It was months later that I found out it wasn't an accident or medical condition, or anything else. This was in the last month of the final year of my music degree.
Before the break, I was composing a piece for him that we could play together (him on viola and me on guitar) before the break. Back then, I was struggling with mental health issues as well. It was a huge shock and affected me deeply. I still haven't finished that piece, but I've kept it for 23 years now. I sometimes play the main theme by myself.
Since my mother died a few weeks ago as well (and my father is old and sick... and he asked me to write him a song 25 years ago and I still haven't) I've decided to get serious about composition once again. I'm currently working on my portfolio for my application to a master of arts in composition, and I'm determined to follow through.
Please finish that piece for your father!
@@yeahthatkornel Thanks. I will.
These evocative reflections on the artist's inspiration are rarely seen in the world. His loneliness and its impact on creation. I guess every artist has a silent struggle of himself and the environment to create. Thank you very much for sharing these few moments.
I've always thought I was forced to be alone. Now I know it's me that is forcing it.
At my core, I want to be incredibly selfish, but on the surface I need to be wanted, so I feel duty bound to give my time and creativity to my family. I often despise my responsibilities and crave being alone (for a decent length of time) to express my self. Sometimes one has to get a bit angry with oneself to just do it and get it out of your system, for the benefit of everyone. They probably won't miss you as much as you think they will. That is my struggle!
You absolutely knocked the videography out of the park with this one. The aspect ratio, the grading, the b-roll.. exceptional work. It fit the narrative perfectly.
Isolation from people helps so much for me personally 😅 Don't get me wrong, going to synth night once a week and connecting with like minded people is awesome and necessary. Something about there being no one around but the dogs and trees to hear you sing really brings the art out though haha. Loved this vid, and the improv piano. Great job!
You have become a solace in a really weird world of creation. Thanks for making these videos. The ones that invoke deeper thought. Really great work Cam man.
I remember feeling that way too. “If only I could leave my spouse and puppy for a week and isolate myself in a hotel room I would be able to really do it!” Now they’ve both passed away and I realize that was an excuse that both justified my inaction and prevented me being fully present with them. The sharpest pain you’ll ever feel is the regret of having taken someone for granted. Now I’m alone I don’t give a shit about creating. I should have been fully present with them *and* fully present with my art. No blamey excuses to protect myself because I’m afraid of failure.
This video is a subtle master piece, as a 22 year old musician looking to build my creative capacity ,meet and be inspired by other creators and been isolated for good amount of time now I can say well done on this peice of creation
That little ache in the sinus that signals forth the welling of tears, that's what that last chord dragged out of me. Just out of the park with this one, truly. Hope you choose to share more like it in the future.
My best friend from high school and I have had personal studios since the '70s. We'd often talk about the isolation of creating in a vacuum instead of interacting with others. Once upon a time, making music was a team sport but with today's technology, that isn't always so.
Last summer I finally read Walden, which is almost the prototypical "live alone in the woods" work. My struggle, as a hobbyist, is finding the time and energy to create. I just spend the entire day working on fixing some broken plumbing, there's always a fire to put out, and precious little time to create my own little sparks.
I appreciate this. When I think about some of the most "reclusive genius" heroes I have - Reznor, Bowie, Cortini - they all have people around them. Whole teams of people. Reznor famously said Nine Inch Nails is Trent Reznor on the liner notes of Pretty Hate Machine. But it wasn't true in a sense. Nine Inch Nails was his roommate and bandmate Chris Vrenna. It was Skinny Puppy and Ministry and Janes Addiction and later Bowie himself. It was dozens of people that inspired him and helped him and all the cross-pollination and collaboration and competition going on. AND some lonely nights at the desk too, which is alright. Homo Sapiens is a communal creature, even for us introverts.
Holy shit i literally wrote about this (almost)exact situation in my journal yesterday
I wrote this:
"it might sound slightly depressing, but once you get to the point in life when you don't have anyone to share your
good or bad or happy or sad experiences with, it feels like you're choking, kinda, in the beginning, that is for like 2-3 months. choking on feelings or thoughts, longing to spread and share your experiences with someone, anyone. it leaves you kinda desperate for a few months in the beginning.
but that only lasts a few months.
after that comes a great period when your mind gets so filled up that it can't take in/keep staying like this.
so THEN if you give it a creative medium of expression, like poetry or writing or music or piano or drawing too ig.
then it's like "FINALLY" and adapts to communicate all it's built up thoughts and feelings over the months in the form of these creative mediums. that too beautifully."
I wrote this in my journal after writing a poem. And no I'm not lonely. Just alone.
Someone once asked me 'what do you do on days where you dont feel like making music?' as if he felt it was his life's mission to just toil away every .single .day. on his craft. I get that mentality, it's probably hard to break out of at some point once you get there... but i just told him 'don't make music on those days. go outside, read a book, talk to someone new.' Sometimes it's easy to forget that normal every day interactions can inspire someone just as much as the thing they love doing the most. There's a weird balance to it all at the end of it.
thank for the creations cameron, keep your head up bro!
I have often thought of being in a position to concentrate on song writing full time would be great. That isolation thing then looms and I realise I would need to at least have a part time job, not for income but for interaction. I thrive alone, yet need others, despite being socially awkward. I get to act being normal the days I work. I get to be me and create the days I am not. That's OK isn't it? Of course it is.
There is an almost breath-like cycle for me.. I breathe in experience by getting out, then islate and hold it to process and form things in a personal 'safe space' empty of interference and interruption to the gestation of ideas, then I exhale.. something.. as a result (music,m writing, etc.). Then it happens again, or at least, until ths shell fails on me. Pretty much sums it up, or as close as words can put it.
It's a thing being isolated by choice to reflect and collect yourself. It's another thing being isolated without choice. I woke up paralysed in 2019 and I constantly feel isolated because the choice of being isolated has been taken from me. I now feel constantly isolated!
I'm mostly listening to folks on youtube while doing other work - so narration + excellent footage captured during a trip works great for me as a format. If I miss a shot I haven't missed something critical, and if I happen to be watching it's nice to have the visual context. Glad you made use of the footage you had for this one!
His voice is great. I wish he would do some depeche mode-ish stuff.
Aha I've got it! I lack inspiration because my life is boring, I don't really do anything and I have no friends! I'm not just being funny, I think there's truth to this.
Thanks for sharing. As a solo creator it's really hard to find people who can relate
Something I've been noticing lately is a lot of folks keep each other on FaceTime while they work now. In the studio as well
I wholeheartedly agree with the message, it's quite a feat when you manage to put meaning behind your art, in the end it will be interpreted differently by others, but meaning to communicate your experiences and opinions can make something deeper
literally 8:02 in before it hits me - "OH.. knob as in the thing you turn on a synth... not as in the British slang.. that's a different knobcon"..
This was beautiful and so inspiring. You have been my favorite creator for a year now and I can’t thank you enough for all the knowledge and thought provoking introspection you have helped cultivate with this channel
Thank you for this video; it really struck a chord with me. I made the mistake of moving from Berlin to a small village in southern Spain, lured by a romanticized dream of living and working in isolation. The pandemic only intensified that isolation. At first, it seemed like a blessing, helping me discover my "true self" without the distractions of Berlin's vibrant art scene and various events. However, now I find myself missing it. I miss engaging with people who share a similar level of creative intensity, whether it's in writing, painting, filmmaking, or music. Conversations with these individuals often spark new ideas for me, sometimes instantaneously, offering different perspectives on what I love doing. Here in this village, life often feels like a "dead end." Although the internet is a saving grace, I have yet to find an online community where I can interact with others and exchange ideas and projects. I've tried to find such communities, but have had no luck so far. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.
Definitely worth staying up late to watch. I appreciate the message here, its something I think about often. I often feel like the best way to connect with my work is through that solitude that we chase, yet that solitude for me is so close to loneliness that it's a challenge balancing the two. And no matter how many times I exclaim "I hate people", it seems like I'm the most 'charged' after a night out with friends, or a big event. So where does that leave me? I've just moved to a foreign (to me) country and am alone in a more literal sense than when I considered myself 'alone' in the states. I'm realizing I'll have to rebuild some network of art and music friends from scratch and its scary.
You can do it! Best wishes.
A lot of people, including some on this thread, seems to think that you need life experience in order to express something deep (apologies for generalizing here, just trying to make a point). If that is the case, then explain to me how a seven-year old 'prodigy', meaning kid, can play a classic piece on a violin with such emotion and sophistication that I feel it is beyond my reach forever. In my case, I think isolation is linked to obsession. There are some things I just can't get enough of, and music has been at the top of that list for most of my life.
Coming over from Ben’s video with the speech jammer! 😅 loved your voice so much I had to stop over and drop a sub 🤙🏽
Ps: 😬 8:10 made it to the end, and it was a great video with a great message❤
I don't need absolute isolation; I used to set a netbook up in the living room and track whole albums while watching TV.
With the kids creating interruptions it's much too hard. I migrated all of my workflow to the phone so I can always work on an idea, but I still can't find enough peace to finish ideas like I want to
I set up in the same home office where I do my day job and now I find I'm getting things done... by myself.
I don't have a lot of desire to go to any big meeting of musicians because it would cost so much that I wouldn't be able to buy anything and because it would be like college again, it'd be too much like a high school reunion
When life hits you so darn hard that you get slapped back to 4:3…
In all seriousness though, this was a wake up call to me. I’ve been holed up in my own little mountain as of late. Time to start living again. Thank you.
Your editing, the voice, the things your saying all add up to what literally feels like a short film abt your struggles with creativity. I really enjoy your videos and they always give me a different perspective on how I should be looking at the way I am creating.
Yes, yes I'm here , frequencies attune, haha I love being a bit of a hermit, as far as permitted being a single dad
Isolation gets tied into ideas of originality. I have to be up on the mountain so I know my cool idea is fully mine and not some amalgamation of influences. That's dumb of me to think, but I keep finding myself thinking about it.
" Everything I do, I do alone "...This hit like a truck. This is totally me almost my entire life. For example I am on vacation now all by myself and I watched this video in my hotel room, totally alone. This is one of the main reasons that I am into production. It is a great company for my loneliness..
That’s wild, this video kept reminding me of long introspective drives I’ve had on rainy days, listening to loscil, and then when I saw you were listening to loscil my mind was blown!
Honestly, i find myself to be most creative when no one else has active input into what I’m doing. Collaboration can be good, but often frustrates me when ideas don’t line up.
We formed a band with no intention to perform live. Everyone brings one instrument and an amp and we just jam until we drop. No pressure. In the moment. Trainwrecks strongly encouraged.
(:
This might be my favorite video of yours so far! It is a very strange thing to comprehend and yet it's the energy that seems to keep it all together. Side note, seeing US-30 and the entrance to Sweetwater made me miss home a lot, but the footage was nice to look at.
Im forced to being isolated as I live in a small town with little like minded musicians (or any musicians). I only messed about with sketches and ideas on Logic Pro until recently ive been able to use AI singers as "session" singers for me which has allowed me to complete songs close to the way I hear it in my head. However I miss collaboration as although its frustrating and leads to arguments about tiny elements, its the way I did it for decades in a band. now I write everything in isolation and tell myself its just like painting a picture and hanging it on the way for my own appreciation. it doesn't matter if anyone likes it
As a Introvert music artist this video is so relatable ❤
"Happiness only real when shared" - Christopher McCandless :)
Moral of the Video : Go Touch Some Grass Guys, Experience Adventures to Write About and Remember About.
I realized not to long ago that I am somewhat of a loner. I spend a lot of time on my own with my own thoughts. I am the only bloke in a family of 3 ladies (my wife and 2 daughters). I have 2 good friends and a few acquaintances.
I was in various bands years ago but now I just work on my own with my own ideas.
Unfortunately I don't know many other musos so I seek out content on the net (mostly).
Its kind of sad but also a blessing at the same time.
I didn't even realize this until recently! I know the world is not what it used to be and despite all the communication gizmos it seems even more empty than it ever did before. I'm happiest either noodling around or creating music or being out in nature (usually on my own).
Don't get me wrong I do love to socialize and love a good party but that happens infrequently these days it seems.
Just thought I would share. Stay creative folks and all the best......Widey
"it’s fun to have fun and connecting with people who inspire you is actually pretty damn inspiring
and suddenly being inspired you have a whole lot more to say." ❤🎹
About the quote from the song. This is my favourite passage from The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel:
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
No one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
Messing around with Faturator, Disperser and Slice EQ is gleaning some wickedly dark industrial apocalyptic results in the Underworlds patch. That was $5 (plus VAT) that was well-spent. I'm loving the theme and am looking forward to deconstructing the patches so I will be somewhat closer to learning how the hell PhasePlant works.
Friday morning of KnobCon, @FreeBeat and a bunch of us got together for a jam. I realized it was the first time in 11 years I'd played music with other people. I knew I'd missed it...but I had no idea HOW MUCH I'd missed it. And now, with that knowledge, I'm kind of stuck on how to address it. I live in a sort of anti-creative hell scape suburb and I just can't find my own around here. This is a problem I must address.
i find great solace in realizing that someone else "gets it." the creative sees life through a different lens than the non-artist. artists can recognize the bores of an average lifestyle, but uncreative people cannot see the beauty in life except through the perspective of an artist. in this way it's hard to level with people who see life in a drastically different way
I used to really romanticize isolation. In my early 20s I moved to a totally different country and was completely unprepared and alone. I did a ton of self reflecting, but it was also incredibly unhealthy.
It's important to get out in the world and have strong relationships in your life so you can have the energy and wherewithal to make the best art you can possibly make.
I've been composing/recording music for 40+ years now. Started buying synths and 'making a studio' when I was 16. Have collaborated on various occasions, and been in some 'bands' long ago... but I feel/think many composers spend a lot of time alone. One can't much socialize, watch TV, or do other life-business whilst working on our ideas. That said, I would love to do live performances with another kindred soul, in nearly any medium. On the rare moments it's happened, I've truly loved/appreciated it. Thanks for this, and the honesty of your videos. Great stuff, sir. 👌 🐜
Neil Gaiman's advice about becoming a better writing was "Get a job in a cafe or bar so you're able to interact with the world" (or something like that. I'm paraphrasing something i read centuries ago)
Going to be one of my favorite videos. Many thanks, Cameron. Over the years I have found that, for myself, the isolation is something you carry with you. It's not always something you do physically. A lot of us spend a lot of time in our creative spaces (studio, et al) while the world turns outside. Once I realized the isolation was an internal, personal, headspace, I've learned more and more about being creative outside of the studio. My regret is that I didn't share the creative act more with my family. Even though they may not "get it", I wonder how much different it would have been had the creative process been a part of everyday life, not just a life-long (and isolated) obsession.
hi. i'm not used to make comments in youtube videos, especially videos about music production. but this one is necessary. i'm brazilian, i produce since 2019 when i was 18 years old, i found your channel about a year and i watch some of the videos sometimes (i try not to spend my time in social media). you content help me a lot. it's always like a philosophy class: it's never about copy and paste a technique, it's about finding your own way trough the music and that i appreciate a lot, because you're makeing musicians and not only beatmakers (of course, with all the respect with that word). so i just want to say thank you for your work, thank you for being real with your viewers and your own craft. i'm sending all my love and support always!
I love this, because I use isolation as a measure of focus. Sometimes the frequency of my environment hinders my creativity and I need isolation. Then there's times when an experience creates a subject worth expressing.
You perfectly expressed what I find myself craving recently... Meeting other people who share my passion for music. Thank you for this video!
I'm a full-time music producer and small label owner, I haven't left my home in a year next month.
I feel like my art has really improved but idk I used to be a social person, thank you for these videos
Absolutely agree, although I never follow this advice. But when I am able to connect with my friends who are also musicians I am always inspired by them to keep working. When I stay in isolation too long, I think I start to lose sight, I lose perspective. Although I know these things would be good for me, still I find myself retreating to isolation. Maybe one day ill get it figured out
So spot on. Each musician/artist (and even hobbyists like me!) on his/her own are that much locked into their own small cocoon and thinking about art as competition, we are afraid of giving constructive criticism to other like-minded people. Producing on your own is great, but how I loved the creative process when I played with others some 30 years ago (yeah, I'm a darn old synthesist).
Makes me realize that I HAVE to go to Superbooth 2024.
(Btw, the music and the video editing worked perfectly. To be honest, I've been close to tears (and that's *no* irony!).
collective creativity is a definitely fun thing to do. I only half as much separated from this (last time i've played with others was like 15 years ago), but i miss it still.
Awesome video. It reminds of the proverb:
"Whoever isolates himself pursues his own selfish desires; He rejects all practical wisdom."
It seems like focusing on a project and diving in solo would be super productive, but usually just gets depressing and stuck. However, if I play with a friend for just an hour or so I always end up with a handful of great rough starts to a variety of new songs to flesh out.
Beautiful video, thanks again!
Great video. I have been reading Paul Austers New York trilogy lately so this theme of solipsism and loneliness has been mulling through my mind. This reflection on the relationship it has to creativity could not have come at a better time for me.
I make noise music and there's no options for me to collaborate or perform anywhere outside of my room. I live in the middle of nowhere and I'm an introverted person anyway but there would be nothing more valuable to me than having someone else to work with and connect ideas. I don't believe I'll ever have that sort of musical connection at least currently but when I make music the only audience I'm trying to entertain is myself so I don't really regret it. I never want to make music that I myself hate even if I'm the only person who enjoys it and by being alone I can at least accomplish that but maybe nothing more.
Dealt with this aspect my entire adult life, nailed it, cheers stache bro.
My wife says we've lost our culture's third space of constant face to face feedback, for creativity as well. So have your Merlin space that inspires when you're inspired, but be there with the dog, and in whatever the public conversation is in our times as much as is needed(not dying of exposure like pioneer djs)
Although I do spend a lot of time aking music on my own, I'm always looking for new people to collaborate with. New input, fresh ideas and cross-validation of what we're both doing - which is often a necessary boost when I start to question why I do what I do.
It kinda all eventually comes full circle. One thing is indeed true in our old sayings,
Steel sharpens steel.
Thanks Bro!
Personally I tend to relate to it as 'ping pong of minds'. It might be a horrible way to translate it (from German, which is my mother tongue) - yet I guess it is a pretty nice way of putting it as that is just what we seem to need an look for … even if we wouldn’t admit it. Or realise it. More often than not, we are just imprisoned within out own minds, which imposes so many limits on way too many levels. If we (at least now and then, some more often than others) go and meet nice folks we feel like they can be trusted (as we are all afraid of being hurt or rejected, some more than others), those games of ping pong of the minds are so … refreshing. All of a sudden we are able to think of things and way we somehow aren’t able to think of when we are alone and on our own. But then, it might take some time to let things sink in, time to pick things up again and turn them around within our own minds … before setting sails again to meet someone to play some more ping pong with. That would be nice, wouldn’t it. ;-)
I instantly thought Tennyson - Lay-by started when the video played.
You touch on a really sore point for my life..I am always and constantly alone , except that the thing that helps me is perhaps imagining the lives of others or telling stories that are totally true or totally in my mind. The thing that "recharges" me the most is hearing the opinions of others of my works in general , talking to someone who is not close to me but close in what I love and what I want to create in terms of mixing , music , tracks , give suggestions etc. The thing I admit I miss the most is living a life this way , I've tried many times to do things alone , go out alone and things like that but it never works..NEVER. I guess the only things I can do is to watch some tv series , some anime or something like to also recharge in a way..I don't know why but it works everytime.
So I'm like the most jealous of people who just live really..so go out , have some friends who are close to them , hang out with her girlfriends and yea , normal things like that.
I'm gonna rewatch and think about this video for a long time. You said very well how our introvert battery needs to be recharged alone, but it also gets supercharged with those inspiring experiences with inspiring people. Those 2 ideas can be hard to reconciliate sometimes, I do best at home alone making music, but it's also about sharing that music with common minded people. it can be hard to convince the introvert in me to go out and go to shows and talk to people but it's always a good experience in the end.
Thank you for this video. My last relationship didn't work out for wanting to constantly be isolated making music. This video speaks to me on SO many levels. One of the many struggles artists go through that many people don't see.
Cameron, Those lyric quotes you stated really stand out in today's environment; especially "The whole world's talking but nobody's saying a thing.". This also coincides with Andy Warhol's statement, ""In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes."
Being a life-long introvert, myself, I can identify. Not just where my many creative interests are concerned, but everything, in general. I'm comfortable with myself enough to talk openly to people about it. Some understand, or even share my introversion....if that's possible. Every once in a while, someone doesn't. That's okay. They just won't be on my mental list of people I can get along with. It's the people I can get along with who give me the opportunity to socialize....when I want to, where, when, how and for how long I want to. Then I can go back to my lair and comfortably be myself again.
I get that from brain surgery. So writing and recording is therapy for me and not for monetary gain. Shit with emotions, so this allows me to have a voice. Since I don’t have to make money from it I don’t have to focus on producing specific content, so I can allow my experiences and interactions be the guiding force.
Damn it man. Missed you again this year. Once again forgot the show was happening. Oh and Subsequent 37 kicks ass. You are right to be lusting after one ;)
We are all connected disconnected. I personally feel as someone who really enjoys my solitude and isolation, my own company. Regardless of the fact I make music, our individual experiences remain those, unless it’s an invasion of the body snatchers situation, but as such there’s a freedom in that. Allowing yourself to feel and think what you want to so you can feel happy. No one knows or feels that, unless you say something which even then can only ever be commonality, so it’s all ok really.
To create musical ideas in isolation and multiply the creative process in a band. This is a perfect balance for me.
Honestly, I can't thank you enough for this. I've been stuck in a rut for so long creatively, and I think I can now get out of it with the help of others
For me, I've come to the realization (very slowly and painfully) that there is no creativity without living. Creativity is the process of ditilling your experiences. There's no creation without the inspiration to expound upon
I've been reading psychopolitics by Byung-Chul Han and it goes into how we've moved from being subjects to being projects: endlessly improving/optimizing ourselves. I can't at all do it justice here but your bit about hustle culture and doing a thing for the sake of itself reminded me of his analysis. If you find it interesting Philosophize This had a good podcast about his work last week.
This was gorgeous, and really aligns with my experience. There are circumstances in which isolation is nearly required I've found. Sometimes you build up a cache of other people's energy and thoughts, and that will really screw with your ability to focus and even hamper the connection to your own thoughts, perceptions, and emotions, all the ingredients of music which need to be free flowing and uninterrupted.
That said, it can be some lonely business. I speak more to area gas station clerks than the friends I used to have. Driving, travel, motion etc found its way into my process - only time I'm more than 50 feet away from another human is in the car.
BTW, the Sub37 is a great para synth. I have a Tribute, so I’ve had it a few years.
The world extends far beyond mere media platforms; these platforms merely grasp fragments of reality and strive to convince users that they encapsulate the entire world. Creativity thrives on fresh ideas, novel thoughts, and unique experiences, rather than relying on repetitive structures geared towards appealing to the masses.
I’m going to try and restrain myself from typing out one of my instinctively habitual novelistic long winded responses, but I listened to your last two vids will out running errands, and your thoughts and perspectives within them kind of emotionally blindsided me. Genuinely. In a good way mind you.
So I honestly just wanted to say thank you.
Seriously.
I needed that.
Huge Colter Wall fan here. Don't underestimate the value of the Prairies, the distance from the big cities and the grift actually can bring you closer to your soul. I think. There could be a spiritual Prairies to be found in a big city too. At places like Knobcon. Or at a poetry slam.
The perfect hybrid of philosopher and composer ...thank you Cameron another thought provoking video.
7:20 Really feeling this. I arrived at a similar realization after going through a tough period of little to no energy for creative work. I wondered whether or not I would actually be able to make things I was happy with ever again. Putting yourself and your work out there really does help. Regardless of how you perceive the "merits" of what you're doing. The spirit of it is infectious. Inspiration is everywhere. But it is up to the artist to find and harvest it. Enjoyed the heck out of this - cheers.
OMG i love work road trips. That b roll of your drive was great. And these are the kinds of thoughts that i have on my 4-6 hour travel commutes
Very deep and fascinating topic covered here.
My opinion is that both things are needed: isolation and socialization. The first one can be really good to get in contact with your inner self (also immerse yourself in nature can be very good for wellness). The second one is fundamental too, but has to be done in the right way: connecting with people in reality more than chatting and socializing by distance.
You need to be alone during the creation. Or someone Will ask a question or make noise, and that Will break the focus/magic
Makes me think of Music from big pink by The Band.
Several people isolated and creative together.
Introverts can make the best art..most of the time.
Having said that, no one is any one side more than the other, all the time. We're all ambiverts, and the sway between the two poles internally, helps us create and function as humans. As Artists, we have it different, as sometimes (or whisper it, maybe most of the time), we're all marching to the beat of our own drums. Whilst that's how we create a 'stamp' or identity of our own, it does mean that sometimes we just like to be with others to belong.
Art for arts sake is great, as that's where it comes from, wether it be the group or the individual. But art shared is, in my opinion, what art is all about.
Peace be with you, brother👍
The antithesis of creativity is distraction and yet distraction is where we often refuel our creativity. Fun, as you say, is inspiring.
What you said at 2:40… I feel that too much. And I miss out on a lot because of that feeling that I need to be doing that, that nothing. Because I’m definitely not always making music. I probably spend more time watching these videos until I feel inspired. We’re now approaching the end of summer and I feel like I didn’t do anything useful. I mean I did. release an album, but somehow, it doesn’t feel like enough to make up for what I lost. It’s hard to strike that balance.
I enjoy being alone and I am at my best when working alone. But remember that introversion doesn't mean you don't like people. It just means you are at your best when you are alone, as opposed to extroversion. I am very selective with whom I interact. But when it does happen, it's very edifying and even much needed. We are social creatures, after all, even the introverts =].
Yet while I think personal expression is important, it's not the end-all, be-all of art. Making something that can be "decoded" by you and you alone is very solipsistic. Making something that is open to be experienced by anyone is even better. In fact, this is why I get a kick out of hearing reactions to what I've done, even if they are negative and not terribly constructive. For starters, it tends to reveal something about the listener. But it also makes clear that experiencing art is a very personal thing. Furthermore, someone else's reaction can help you see what you've done anew.
Good stuff indeed. Enjoy the coffee and sandwiches =]