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Giving Up Music Making
 

offline DJ Xammax from not America on 2004-03-29 15:06 [#01124124]
Points: 11512 Status: Lurker



Okay maybe I'm just out of my fucking mind here, but since
mp3.com.au has gone down (again) I'm seriously tempted.

I'm just so sick of it... there's no balance at all between
the frustration and the satisfaction of making something
worthwhile.

On the plus side I'd be clearing a load of space from my
computer (not that I give a shit about that any more) and at
last I'd be fucking free from (admittedly a tiny portion of
my) stress.

On the minus side I would have lost my one full-time hobby.
My life is shitty and boring already. Deleting all software
and mp3's that I've made may only make things worse.

So I'm caught in 2 minds.

What do you think?


 

offline marlowe from Antarctica on 2004-03-29 15:08 [#01124130]
Points: 24588 Status: Lurker



DON'T DO IT MAX!!! RIDE THE BAD WAVE!!!!!


 

offline Skink from A cesspool in eden on 2004-03-29 15:09 [#01124132]
Points: 7483 Status: Lurker | Followup to DJ Xammax: #01124124



If you want to give up then do but think about it because
you might live to regret it.

Just leave it alone for a bit that might help...


 

offline DJ Xammax from not America on 2004-03-29 15:10 [#01124138]
Points: 11512 Status: Lurker | Followup to Skink: #01124132



Don't think I haven't tried that... it works to a degree,
but it's just not enough when compared the amount of time I
spend making tracks that I end up hating.


 

offline morguean from Calgary (Canada) on 2004-03-29 15:10 [#01124140]
Points: 1328 Status: Regular



ya just take a break from it, you'll probably find your shit
is even cooler than you thought when u come back to it
later.


 

offline Skink from A cesspool in eden on 2004-03-29 15:14 [#01124145]
Points: 7483 Status: Lurker | Followup to DJ Xammax: #01124138



Try changing something in your life look to new places for
inspiration.

I was having a really hard time writing before i went to
stay with marlowe and that did wonders for my outlook and it
inspired me.

If you can't do something similar try using some new
software or something.


 

offline Ceri JC from Jefferson City (United States) on 2004-03-29 15:14 [#01124146]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag



Burn it all to cd before you wipe your hd of it all.


 

offline DJ Xammax from not America on 2004-03-29 15:16 [#01124149]
Points: 11512 Status: Lurker | Followup to Ceri JC: #01124146



I will do. Further down the line though I may end up
smashing the CD(s) to pieces.

skink: New software is out of question :(


 

offline Skink from A cesspool in eden on 2004-03-29 15:19 [#01124153]
Points: 7483 Status: Lurker | Followup to DJ Xammax: #01124149



Why?

It is easy to aquire.


 

offline DJ Xammax from not America on 2004-03-29 15:20 [#01124154]
Points: 11512 Status: Lurker



Basically I want to destroy everything in my life and start
over.


 

offline DJ Xammax from not America on 2004-03-29 15:21 [#01124157]
Points: 11512 Status: Lurker | Followup to Skink: #01124153



I know. I just can't be arsed with any of it.


 

offline aphextriplet from your mothers bedroom (United Kingdom) on 2004-03-29 15:21 [#01124158]
Points: 4731 Status: Lurker | Followup to DJ Xammax: #01124154



i did that. It was the best thing ive ever done.


 

offline Skink from A cesspool in eden on 2004-03-29 15:22 [#01124159]
Points: 7483 Status: Lurker | Followup to DJ Xammax: #01124154



Well...

I am not sure what to suggest, if that is really what you
want to do then do it but make sure you have thought about
it.


 

offline kochlear from aud-stim.com on 2004-03-29 15:26 [#01124166]
Points: 2311 Status: Addict



here's what you need to do:

go to the kitchen and make a few strips of delicious tasty
bacon.

eat the bacon.


 

offline DJ Xammax from not America on 2004-03-29 15:27 [#01124169]
Points: 11512 Status: Lurker



Right now if someone could just send me some money, I could
leave home thinking somehow everything would work out then
die of starvation and get instant relief. Bonus.


 

offline deepspace9mm from filth on 2004-03-29 16:30 [#01124235]
Points: 6846 Status: Addict



If at all possible, take a week's holiday. Go somewhere
quiet. I suggest western ireland. Read some books. Walk.
Come back. You'll feel refreshed and ready to be creative
again.

I just realised i sound like the little book of calm.


 

offline horsefactory from 💠 (United Kingdom) on 2004-03-29 16:37 [#01124243]
Points: 14867 Status: Regular



Have a wank! Awesome


 

offline deepspace9mm from filth on 2004-03-29 16:38 [#01124247]
Points: 6846 Status: Addict | Followup to horsefactory: #01124243



NO !


 

offline evolume from seattle (United States) on 2004-03-29 16:46 [#01124258]
Points: 10965 Status: Regular



stop using you computer for music making.
learn to play an instrument and find some people to jam
with.
hell, just buy/borrow a guitar or something from somebody
and learn by jaming with your friends.

in some ways, i find playing bass with my mates is much more
rewarding in the short term than wrestling with techincal
issues involved with my electronic composing.

if you already know how to play an instrument, spend more
time playing it and improving your skill. i have been
playing bass pretty seriously for the last year and it is
rewarding to know that i can play it a hundred times better
now that i used to be able to. and it adds a very organic,
living quality to electronic music which can become very
sterile if it's entirely synthetic.

But if you hate making music you shouldn't force yourself to
do it.


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2004-03-29 16:48 [#01124261]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



an artist is an artist regardless of anythign else.

a writer for instance can never stop writing if he truly is
a writer in his very soul. he may try to run from it, but
eventually it will catch up to him and he will return.

you cant deny what you truly are. search beneath the layers
of frustration and see what is really there. the decision
makes itself.


 

offline princo from Shitty City (Geelong) (Australia) on 2004-03-29 16:48 [#01124262]
Points: 13411 Status: Lurker



Giving up music making was the best decision I ever made!!!


 

offline deepspace9mm from filth on 2004-03-29 16:50 [#01124263]
Points: 6846 Status: Addict | Followup to evolume: #01124258



Good advice. I think computers can be anti-creative if you
spend too much time with them.


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2004-03-29 16:53 [#01124270]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



yes, i also agree with that. thats why i make music thats
more a hybrid of live performance takes and electronic, id
go nuts if it were just me and my dsp ;)


 

offline evolume from seattle (United States) on 2004-03-29 16:55 [#01124274]
Points: 10965 Status: Regular | Followup to tibbar: #01124261



yeah, really.

like tibbar said. if you have the urge to create but you
hate the music you create, maybe you shouldn't be making
music but something else instead.

or

if you really love music, maybe you could give DJ ing a
shot. It is a way you can share your love of music with
other people by showing them the stuff you love. and DJ'ing
allows for a bit of creative venting in the selection you
spin and how you mix it.

of course, DJ'ing ain't cheap to start into and every
motherfucker wants to be a DJ so you'll have lots of
competition. To cut costs significantly, find a friend who
has a turntable set up and a pile of records and see if you
can mess around a bit. see if you like it before you invest
in it.


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2004-03-29 16:57 [#01124275]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



yeah man, really.... find what WILL make you happy about
music.

theres so MANY options.


 

offline evolume from seattle (United States) on 2004-03-29 17:00 [#01124278]
Points: 10965 Status: Regular | Followup to tibbar: #01124275



yeah like in High Fidelity, John Cusack considers himself a
"professional music appreciator."

you can write about it, dj it, buy and sell it, produce
bands, review shows, design album artwork, make videos,
yadda yadda.

many facets.


 

offline qrter from the future, and it works (Netherlands, The) on 2004-03-29 17:01 [#01124279]
Points: 47414 Status: Moderator | Followup to tibbar: #01124261



oh please.

what a ridiculously romantic view of artists and artistry. I
really think that's just something people make up.

when it comes down to it, any form of art is just another
thing to do. you should do it because you're having fun. not
because you get into your head that it's some kind of
"drive".

if you stop doing it, you will live. yes, you will most
probably even still become remotely happy.


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2004-03-29 17:05 [#01124281]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



i think id be absolutely miserable without my art.

i think most who actually care about it would too.

i think thats a cynical view of a critic to always undermine
the true and viceral meaning of art.


 

offline qrter from the future, and it works (Netherlands, The) on 2004-03-29 17:09 [#01124290]
Points: 47414 Status: Moderator | Followup to tibbar: #01124281



how is that cynical?

I mean, I love all kinds of art. I'm studying to become a
writer.

but I absolutely hate making it more than what it is.

this does not mean I appreciate art any less - I just
recognize the fact that it is made by human beings.


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2004-03-29 17:09 [#01124291]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



i dont expect anyone who doesnt have that thing compelling
them inside to create to understand.

its something of a mania, and also a deep love to me.

i feel as though i couldnt live without it.

but thats just me.


 

offline deepspace9mm from filth on 2004-03-29 17:11 [#01124293]
Points: 6846 Status: Addict



The only time i stop thinking about art is when i have that
horrible sinking feeling that i and everyone i know will one
day be dead, and that nothing even remotely matters. Aside
from that, making art is like breathing or having a crap...
i can only go so long without doing it. I'd have very little
to occupy myself if i didn't do at least something creative.


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2004-03-29 17:11 [#01124294]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



"but I absolutely hate making it more than what it is."

then i dont expect you to get down with any of my
statements.

"this does not mean I appreciate art any less - I just
recognize the fact that it is made by human beings"

i dont even get what thats supposed to mean.


 

offline tibbar from harrisburg, pa (United States) on 2004-03-29 17:12 [#01124296]
Points: 10513 Status: Lurker



i firmly believe that id probably think about art even if i
was being tortured in a death camp or something.

somewhere in my brain, is be hearing music in my head.


 

offline deepspace9mm from filth on 2004-03-29 17:18 [#01124307]
Points: 6846 Status: Addict



I see your point mr qrter... i think the myth of the artist
is certainly exaggerated (thinking of the deep-thinkin,
hard-drinkin abstract expressionists in particular). I'm not
sure whether making art is actually a liking that turned
into an obsession, or whether this is just something i
should really be doing for the good of my own mental health.
I honestly don't believe i could go without some form of
creativity now, though... it's just something inherant in my
personality. Whether that's of my own making or not, i
couldn't say.


 

offline evolume from seattle (United States) on 2004-03-29 17:42 [#01124328]
Points: 10965 Status: Regular | Followup to qrter: #01124279



i definitely feel a drive to create art. and fulfilment of
that drive is what makes it fun. i don't think it's
ridiculously romantic to believe that if i could not make
music, it would have a very negative effect on my health and
mental well being. maybe for some people it is just another
thing to do but not for me. honestly.


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2004-03-29 17:51 [#01124331]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



don't stop.


 

offline deepspace9mm from filth on 2004-03-29 17:54 [#01124332]
Points: 6846 Status: Addict | Followup to Zeus: #01124331



til you get enough?


 

offline weatheredstoner from same shit babes. (United States) on 2004-03-29 18:00 [#01124334]
Points: 12585 Status: Lurker | Followup to DJ Xammax: #01124124



dude the stuff you've made was better than a lot of other
stuff i've heard on this board. You are probably setting
your expectations too high. Do something simple. Just get a
few lush sounds and make an ambient track, something simple
but rewarding. Dont worry about technical aspects and just
focus on melodies... OR

Just take a break from it (and your computer) when you're
ready you'll know because you'll get all antsy until you
relieve yourself through a song.

I just cant see you giving up like that. The reasons you
gave for quitting aren't so great either. Stress is mostly
mental, you can control, just learn how.


 

offline rockenjohnny from champagne socialism (Australia) on 2004-03-29 18:00 [#01124335]
Points: 7983 Status: Lurker



ive just started again :) and its a Lot better.

ive got a different drive now. in the past my music has been
mostly escapism - but now ive cleaned my act up its more of
an artwork.

my mate (from gate) has given up .. but i think hell be back
once ive got a few kickass songs down :D


 

offline Skink from A cesspool in eden on 2004-03-29 18:04 [#01124336]
Points: 7483 Status: Lurker | Followup to rockenjohnny: #01124335



Yay!

Nice one mate, i'm looking forward to hearing some!


 

offline REFLEX from Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) on 2004-03-29 18:04 [#01124337]
Points: 8864 Status: Regular



do what you can. i wouldnt stop but go on a break if you
will.. whatever, ive virtually stopped makin music on the
computer, in turn im making tons of music with my band and
with a friend on his computer.. collaberatin i guess


 

offline rockenjohnny from champagne socialism (Australia) on 2004-03-29 18:06 [#01124339]
Points: 7983 Status: Lurker | Followup to Skink: #01124336



itll be a while. for the first time in my life ive gone
perfectionist!


 

offline rockenjohnny from champagne socialism (Australia) on 2004-03-29 18:07 [#01124341]
Points: 7983 Status: Lurker



im also going to do the hard thing and not release anything
til ive got an ep or lp worth. a right bombshell is what i
have planned :]


 

offline thecurbcreeper from United States on 2004-03-29 18:36 [#01124364]
Points: 6045 Status: Lurker



there is a difference between releasing music and making
music


 

offline Skink from A cesspool in eden on 2004-03-29 18:43 [#01124367]
Points: 7483 Status: Lurker | Followup to rockenjohnny: #01124339



Welcome to my world!!!

: )


 

offline happy cycling from berlin on 2004-03-29 18:47 [#01124370]
Points: 2786 Status: Regular



dude, what's a life hobby when a few gigs of raw virgin
harddisk space are on the line? go for the kilobytes.


 

offline DJ Xammax from not America on 2004-03-30 00:30 [#01124549]
Points: 11512 Status: Lurker | Followup to happy cycling: #01124370



Haha...

There was some great advice here, thank you. I can't really
explain why a lot of the things suggested wouldn't or
couldn't happen. The main reason I was thinking this way in
the end was because I felt that I needed some kind of
recognition when I made the thread for my music, only for
mp3.com.au to fuck everything up.. and it put me off a
little. I am naturally defeatist after all.


 

offline aphextriplet from your mothers bedroom (United Kingdom) on 2004-03-30 02:47 [#01124630]
Points: 4731 Status: Lurker



just remember to always think twice...

DONT THINK TWICE [a-hooooooooooooo]

[billy jean]


 

offline rockenjohnny from champagne socialism (Australia) on 2004-03-30 02:57 [#01124637]
Points: 7983 Status: Lurker



but losin everything

is like the sun goin down

ON MEEEE


 

offline aphextriplet from your mothers bedroom (United Kingdom) on 2004-03-30 03:01 [#01124639]
Points: 4731 Status: Lurker



haha, i worry about you and your george michael obsession


 


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