What is a “Studio Artist”?
- I consider myself a Studio Artist - a “recording” “artist”. Just as painters choose the surface upon which they paint, choose between acrylics or oil, choose between horse-hair or nylon brushes; choose colors, tones, and brush techniques… the recording you hear is the culmination of literally thousands of big and small decisions that were made from the birth of the song idea to creating the music, writing the lyrics, stylizing the performances; making the production and mix choices, determining the sonic impact to the ear, choosing the visual and audible designs and icons… To me, “studio artist” means that I have personally executed the technical skills and the creative decisions that are part of the art I have created in the recording studio.
- It means that I am not just the vocal rep of someone else’s lyrics. I am not the lyrical add-on to someone else’s groove. I am not the face of a brand or a band fronting to seduce listeners out of their money and their ability to think for themselves.
- I am not an entertainer.
- I am not trying to win a popularity contest. The music I return to in my life is the music that reminds me of what is important to me or makes me feel something I want to feel. Life is hard. We need inspiration, catharsis, affirmation, and escape. To be any part of that mix for you is a privilege – and makes me happy.
- I am not a whipping boy for the self-important. Art is art and is PURELY subjective; if you don’t like my music, thanks for trying it out and move on to something you DO enjoy. I don’t want you tortured any more than I meant to torture you – that being: not at all.
- I am not interested in manipulating people. Incessant posting, building hype, etc. is nothing I want to do. It is both overwhelming and violates my sense of what is “right”.
- I don’t need your money. I’ve been a hard-worker all my life and I am provided for in ways outside of music [thankfully – because the record industry (which includes all the streaming services) continues its decades of being against fair contracts and compensation for artists (for instance, I get paid only a fraction of a cent when someone streams one of my songs/tracks)]… That said, it is VERY edifying and helpful to have folks contribute financially to the art-making process as certain aspects of album creation can be costly. While no financial support will never mean the art stops, actual financial support means the release of the art in its finished form can be accelerated.
- … so if you want to show appreciation for my work, the simple act of reaching out and telling me so would mean so much. And perhaps share my music others – not because I want more profit, but because good things - things with integrity, well-made things - are hard to find these days and such things need as much word-of-mouth support as they can get. Peace 😎