Creativity, Making Money, My Responsible Path Forward, and a "happy" Love Song: Diana

A discussion about where I've been and where I'm going

Dear Reader/Listener,

I have a video below where I explain a little bit about what I’ve been doing the past couple months and how it impacts my plans going forward. I also share another video, my song, Diana. It’s a happy love song - explained a bit more below.

Recap of Barclay’s Coffee

The performance at Barclay’s Coffee went well. We streamed the last half but the audio is sub-par so we’ll spare you and not share that. But, here are a couple pictures Deb took.

Watching Paul Ortega’s set

Vincent Ortega accompanying me.

Creativity & Money

Software development pays certain money and pays pretty well. I’ve never been able to fully commit to just writing and playing music and writing books or other creative productions.

A few months ago I had a conversation my oldest, Matthew. He’s a software engineer at LinkedIn. We talked about my consulting, writing software, and being fiscally responsible. He’s done great at this. I haven’t! It really got me thinking.

I explain it in more detail in this video or you can read the rest of what I write below.

Am I An Artist if…?

I have always had a hard time viewing myself as a bona fide artist while I make the bulk of my money writing software. I’ve had books published, poetry published, essays published, been paid to play music, etc. And yet, this standard of, “All money must come from your creative outlets in order to be considered an artist” remains.

When I bring this up with other creatives and, even more traditional careerist, they act like I’m crazy. Many songwriters would love a flexible and rapid way to make money… particularly one that allows you to work remote and, largely, establish your own schedule.

I work with many songwriters who do other work to supplement what they do… whether music lessons, producing other acts, and quite a few that work in tech or social media. I’ve never assessed them the way I assess myself.

And yet, here we are.

The Big Goals

After the above conversation with my son - again, think it was December - I evaluated my approach to my life - professional, creative, etc. and also my big goals. Deb and I discussed what we hope to do in the time we have left on this earth. We concluded:

• We want to move North (the Redwoods)

• We want to travel a bit more

• We want to create: music, photography, and other art

• We want to capitalize on our talents

• We want to spend time with friends and family

Starting in January, I altered my approach to what I do. More specifically, I packed up all my recording gear. Recording would be a “reward” for meeting certain financial objectives. I began hyper-focusing on software development. New projects and opportunities started rolling in.

Money followed.

Suffice to say, earning more relieved some stressors I’d allowed to build. I (individually) and we (Deb and I) are, by no means, where need to be. But we see a path forward that is both exciting and very realistic.

About Music & Creative Output

At the start of the Pandemic I focused on improving my recording and production skills. I am thankful I did.

But…. even with those skills there are professionals who can mix and master songs in far less time than I take. And we have this thing called the Internet…. that thing that I make much of my income writing software for…

So….

Over the past few weeks I’ve interviewed and auditioned a number of producers, lead guitarists, drummers, and other musicians who I can hire to record song parts. This will lead to the following approach to getting my music recorded, mixed, mastered, and distributed.

1. I will record:
   Acoustic guitar, bass, some shakers/percussions, vocals

2. I will hire/partner with:
   Lead guitarists, fiddle, pedal steel, vocalists, recording engineers, mixing and mastering professionals, etc.

As I write this I have a few messages to check later this afternoon - a couple guitarists I’ve auditioned and a sample mix I’m paying a producer to put together.

Professionally, I’m working on a few projects and interviewed for a software development contract with one of the BIG (REALLY BIG) social media platforms.

I believe the strategy is a good one. And it is professionally clear, conducive to creative production, and provides for a more sustainable financial model.

I’m excited about the prospects.

Diana - a “happy” love song

If you’ve made it this far, thank you.

Several years ago (2012) a woman I went to school with told me, “You need to write more happy love songs!”

That night, I wrote this song - it came quickly. The next morning I recorded a version of it and sent it to her.

She replied, “Who’s Diana!”

There is no Diana. Well, I guess there is. She lives in my song.

Enjoy!