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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Music, Art, and Survival
Music, Art, and Survival
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wolfkristiansen
88 posts
Oct 15, 2011
1:17 AM
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I posted this in another blues forum, two years ago. I repeat it here in the hope it touches those who try to make their love of blues or harmonica pay for the roof over their heads; the food in their mouth; and the clothes on their back:
I put Art, with a capital "A", on a pedestal-- all Art. Sculpture, painting, music, writing, anything creative. It floats above all other human endeavours, including those that might lead to a Nobel prize. Read "The Horse's Mouth" (1944) by Irish writer Joyce Cary for the definitive fictional depiction of the mind of an artist-- a painter in this case, but the novel speaks for all artists in all fields.
I'm not sure I'm an artist; I think I am. I've written a few songs, not many. I'm a one trick pony. All I do is play blues harmonica. I never know what's going to come out when I play; my subconscious tells me what to do when the moment comes. I have played with, or warmed up for, the greats-- John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Bo Diddley and James Cotton.
People have been moved by my playing over the decades. I know, because they've told me. My advantage-- except for a few years in the 70s, I've always had a day job. My wife and son thank me. Removing the financial motive has given me the luxury of playing as I feel, and what I feel. I put plenty of feeling and enthusiasm into what I do, because I'm not burnt out from playing schlock.
I've been lucky-- others have scored the gigs, but want me to play with them! They do the grunt work, I get to parachute in and emote.
What am I saying? For me, it's a choice-- if you want to make a living as an artist, you are going to compromise. If you want to be absolutely true to your art, be prepared to starve. Or get a day job. I know there are exceptions (rich artists who are true to their art), but they are rare. There have been innumerable studies showing that artists, as a professional group, are near the bottom of the income scale.
That said, I wish the greatest success to everyone in this group who is trying to accomplish the difficult trick of making a living and being true to his/her music.
Cheers,
wolf kristiansen
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nacoran
4770 posts
Oct 15, 2011
8:09 PM
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I'd add, find band members you get along with. You can have all the financial wiggle room in the world and if the triangle player plays over your solos you'll still be frustrated. :)
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Nate
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