The Phaedrus Blog

I’m going to share with you what I want from my musical career. Perhaps you are able to identify with some of the things I talk about. Perhaps you won’t. Whatever the case may be, I think its important that all musicians have a think about what they’d like to have from their musical career, honestly and sincerely.

Here it is, in no particular order:

• To create music that stands the test of time, that inspires or moves or transforms people in some way long after I have died

• To have my music appreciated while I am still alive

• To be able to make a comfortable living from music

• Not compromising myself or my music in anyway, by using it in an advertisement of some kind, or selling the rights to the highest bidder

• To keep my integrity, and be able to express myself sincerely through music

• To see my musical abilities grow, in terms of song writing and performance

• To have a strong connection to my fans, but not to the point where I have sycophants

• To be able to mentor or nurture upcoming musicians and see them realise their potential

• To meet musicians that I have respected and admired and collaborate with them

Those are just some of the things I would like to accomplish with my music. It is not a definitive list, and I am sure I will add to it in the future.

A final point I’d like to make is that although all those things are good aspirations to have, they are not the be all and end all of me. A musical career is a continuing process, and it is the journey, not the destination, that must be enjoyed.

It took me many years and lots of heartbreak and suffering for me to realise this.

How’s THAT for a positive title!
On your quest to becoming an independent musician(s), there will be such a constant truck load of bullshit that you may just get carried away in the tide. It is inevitable that this will happen. Your music will suffer as a result if you do not have your priorities straight.
The music: This, above all, should be your number one, absolutely, positively most essential priority in the universe. But as most musicians know, this is definitely not going to be the case all the time.
All independent musicians need to remember this: THERE WILL ALWAYS BE BULLSHIT.
No Exceptions. Here is some bullshit to expect in your musical future:

• People telling you to get a ‘proper job’ instead of being a musician (I hate hearing this. The worst part is that it will normally be family members or close friends who say this to you)
• Programs or websites not giving you relevant information to fix a problem
• People making promises and not following through
• Ungrateful people
• Small problems that consume an unnecessary amount of your time
• Fingers not doing what they’re supposed to be doing on an instrument
• Stupid people
• Creative blanks

Between studying for uni and finding a source of income, setting up this website, sourcing equipment, getting answers, the music slowly starts to slide down my list of priorities. When this happens, step back.
Step back from the bullshit and gain your composure. Emotions are clouding your judgement and you are not able to see things as they are.
Why are you doing all of this? What do you want from your musical career? Is this worth working through?
Ask yourself these three questions when things are getting to you, and you should be back to your path of musical greatness.