Began playing Ukelele when I was 5-7. Tried to play guitar, but I was 5-7 and my hands were much smaller than my Dad's. 5th grade joined the Marching Band and decided on drums. Had a natural rhythm and knack for it. In Jr through High school I was gigging regularly with my friends and that led to being a DJ on a top-40 Station in the Pacific NW the last 2-years of high school and DJ'ing for dances here and there. Decision time. Go on the music road or take a different path. I enjoy playing music but decided it wasn't the career path for me. So I took the corporate route. Fast forward 20+ years. That desire to play never went away. So flush with cash and time I embarked upon my musical journey once again. This time around with seasoned players. I ended up playing in 5 bands, running a music booking agency with a 21 band roster and helping to create opportunities for young artists to showcase their musical talent -- including getting them opportunities to open for national acts as they came through our region. Today I continue my interest in song writing as the mood strikes. I write about things that move me. I have a few collaborators and through the power of the internet distance barriers are no longer an issue. I am not a great singer but I do enjoy playing and writing songs. Most of what I write are stories based on true events that have either happened to me personally or that I know about. Others are short story imaginations. The great thing are imagination is that everything is both possible and impossible. Sometimes the lead can succeed, other times fail. Some times the focus of a song isn't a person at all. The great thing about this is that you can do anything with imagination ... and the amazing thing is, that everything made by humans that is now real, was once imagined. Nothing is impossible. Not even waking through a revolving door with skis over your shoulder -- because it depends on the size/length of skis, or the size of the revolving door, or whether the skis are horizontal or vertical. Within imagination it's all possible. And that means, if it's possible in there, inside one's imagination, then it's possible out there -- in the world of reality. Enjoy!
Music is the heartbeat of life. The frequencies and arrangements of sound through music and rhythm is the only language the entire world understands. No translation barriers or translators required. If only we could communicate as well as music does.
To change the world. You never know who is listening . They might be the catalyst the world needs. Maybe it's you.
I always start with me, because I'm the only person I know who will always take my own advice on how to improve.
Rod Stewart, Maggie May (#2 billboard 1971). This song taught me about the emotion of minor chords and that music is also about story -- whether the story is from the lyrics, the music or the silence in between.
Too numerous to narrow down. I like music that activates my soul to feel -- anything. I have a uniquely odd ability to feel when music is truly powerful. I am sure others have this too. For me, I get a pulsating rush of goosebumps while listening to a song. This doesn't happen with everything I hear -- nor even to mainstream music of top professionals. It's an odd innate reaction to many things about a song or music. It includes the notes, rhythm, vibe, emotion, meaning, sound quality and more. For some people they can tell you if they like a song or not, while I can tell you if it's truly power, maybe even hit material. So In don't have a favorite artist or band -- I appreciate quality and strive for that in my own creations.
A single thought, storyline and/or emotion. Sometimes I simply fall in love with a grove, a sound or hook and build around that. Like the faucet commercial where the couple take a kitchen sink faucet to an architect and ask the architect to build a house around the faucet. Sometimes my music is just like that -- one idea that I have to find a way to build everything else around that idea and never can anything overshadow or take the listener's focus away from that one idea.
It should inspire someone to think and empathize with the emotion it stirs or the story it conveys or helps the listener recall, in a way that it motivates the listener to make a positive change in their life or the lives of another or others.
Initially in all cases excited to share, then as a solo artists, I feel nervous. Performing with a group -- still nervous, but less so. Even after as many performances both small and large, I still feel it. I think it has to do with making my soul open and vulnerability and exposed through such an expression of self. While I do not seek applause per se, I certainly don't see hatred. I am ok with constructive feedback, the type that helps be learn and improve. So with an audience if the whole crowd is against then 1) you booked the wrong venue for your music, or 2) you chose the wrong music for the audience you invited to come listen.
Like all realities -- they simply are. What you may be asking is what opportunity does the present reality afford or make possible. Given the quality and ease of recording tools and collaboration platforms available today, global collaborations are the present and expanding next wave. When you have any group of like minded people collaborating you can create great things. With the advent of technology and connectivity at the levels we have today, distance is less of an issue. And with the support of technology on various form factors from desktop to handheld, from no-cost to low-cost, the access barriers to the music community is becoming less of a barrier.
First -- Congratulations!! It's impressive that you envisioned and created such an online community that spans the world. And second ... I challenge you to now ... THINK BIGGER !!! Right now (May/2019) Drooble is a "me-too" platform, presently it offers a place where musicians can: • upload their music. • promote their music. • discuss music. • connect with each other. But this is not much different than all the other forms of things like this. From gig sites, to download sites, to promotion sites. INDUSTRY-AS-A-SERVICE I suggest Drooble become an "industry in a box" platform. Bringing an industry of components together as one. Where the lyricist, song writer, hook writer, orchestral writer, musician, engineer, scout, agent, (any-size) label, tour manager, venue booking agent, producer, graphic artist, distribution channel operator, broadcast/tv/film/indie studio, product producer (hardware, software), transport, crew, wardrobe, makeup, hair, photography, and more ... all come together. This way any one who wants to get into the music business in anyway -- can. Some people may be content with a small role of connecting with other musicians and getting their song on a chart or listened to -- others may be looking for better support as an artist. I once advised Eric Yuan, CEO/Co-Founder of ZOOM.US video conferencing -- don't be another "me too", take this opportunity to change how we live, communicate and work together on this planet. That was in the early days of his launch (2012). This year (2019) ZOOM.US launched its IPO for over $1B. While I had nothing to do with the effort it took, I do recall our early interactions and sitting down with Eric over lunch to discuss my inspirational statement. They are now spreading "Happiness" around the world. So, like ZOOM.US ... I challenge DROOBLE to do the same. Change how the music industry operates on this planet by simply building the next industry model. Trust me -- they ALL will come.
My own resistance to accepting my limits of present skill. However, this helps to foster collaboration, which in turn increases knowledge and thus skill. The ideal platform and opportunity is one where the platform is an "industry in a box". In this context, people connect to the box by category. Lyricist, songwriters, hook writers, musicians (all instruments), sound engineers, producers, talent agents, booking agents, etc ... this way the industry becomes a more level playing field in that the music itself takes center stage. Everyone else becomes collaborators.
As a fan of music and the arts / crafts associated with music? -- yes. I am a collaborator and connector. I am an advocate and advisor. I am a mentor and mentee. I am a performer and a member of the audience -- sometimes I even an audience of one.
Marketing is still key, regardless if it starts as mass promotion or something small that goes viral. Find out what space you can effectively participate in and do that. If you cannot afford or get the attention of mass marketing opportunities, go for viral. No matter what path you take, either learn how to market -- or better yet, collaborate with someone to do the marketing as part of your music dream team.
This is a tough one to answer, as I am not sure who you've heard. There have been those I've heard in venues around the world before drooble, but I don't know if they know of and use drooble now.