The DIY Musician Blues

I can’t believe it’s been 2 1/2 months since I’ve written in my diary. It’s true what they say about the music industry during the holidays, everything pretty much stops; and this included my desire to write in my diary, lol. However, I did take advantage of my main laptop being in the hospital by using that time to write something a bit different, luckily I still have my old laptop, which I kept for these circumstances!

For whatever reason, I decided it was time to write a 10-page diatribe on my newly coined term, “Hybrid Recording Artists,” and how we fit into the broader musical spectrum. I was bound to do it at some stage. But I did NOT expect it to take 20+ hours of really hard work to write. Geez Louise, it’s mind bending enough getting into the notorious “Underground vs. Mainstream” convo, never mind the singing aspect of it. I mean nu-school and old school heads alike can get lost in that rabbit-hole of a conversation any day. Yikes.

Anyway, it was important for me to express some things I’ve had on my chest for many years, and they’ve definitely been coming to a head over the past three to five years, specifically. The truth is I do feel alone, and not in the romantic way either. I’m not interested in trying to be with anyone since I can barely take care of myself and do music at the same time. Plus I just wasted 7 years of my career going in and out of relationships, so I’m good on that for now...

But, as a recording artist I’m always looking to find other ones I can relate to. And I always come up short. Lately I’ve been turning to the greats; Prince, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, The Police etc., to find the strength I need. As for more of an underground style of electronic music, Lady Miss Kier was the only one who sang, danced and did the DJ thing too. Maya Jane Coles seems to be putting a bit more vocals in her music and featuring herself more in videos, but it doesn’t appear she’s a full blown live performer as of now…

So alas, I sit in my studio, pulling at straws.
 
My set up is not the norm at all, and there’s no one to tell me how to do any of this in the most efficient way possible either - no YouTube tutorials here. Because as I mentioned in my new article, apparently “Artists aren’t suppose to be DJ’s too...” at least according to one of the crowned masters of NYC nightlife. So, I guess I’m on my own for now.

Shit is definitely real. I’ve recently put myself on a military schedule (or at least my version of it). I get up at 8am, five to six days a week, and grind it out in varying degrees for 12 hours a day. This involves one-hour practice each of vocals, keyboard, and drum machine madness. Also included are my 6 hour sessions a day of music production on Tues/Wed/Fri’s. I’m also exercising 4 days a week now, and Saturday’s are designated for all my DJ related stuff.

It’s official. My Singing/DJ career is WORK; it’s not a party anymore.

It’s funny, because in a dark way, I feel like I’m paying for all the fun I had growing up in the club/rave scene.  To think of how many nights and days were spent staying up until noon and then sleeping for 2 days. All those amazing times I had, well I’m paying for them now, in the form of severe blood, sweat and tears.

And there isn’t any trust fund around here to help make sure I eat enough, I usually do not. However I’m working on devising a health plan that supports my schedule (and budget) and keeps me as healthy and energetic as possible. It’s a work in progress.
 
I’m a work in progress.

We’re all a work in progress...
 
Life is challenging for everyone, which is one of the reasons I think this music is so important for society. And I feel there are people who’ll strongly relate to what I’m singing about, and the knowledge I’ve gained from the school of hard knocks.
I have a lot to say, and an insane desire to sing it all - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

 And I’m digging so deep right now - it’s really the only way to succeed. Godspeed!