Can anyone identify with me? Share
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Posted on Oct 26, 2005 04:35 pm
el musico
Freeleance Producer/Engineer/Gtr
Member Since: Aug 11, 2002
Hey guys.
Do you guys ever feel like you have been stuck in place no matter what you do to progress things?
Man I have been feeling like crap about everything. Maybe I'm depressed? I'm a musician/engineer and met up with the perfect lineup about 2 years ago, after 1 1/2 of writing with my best friend/singer. So in my band we have 4 engineers and a massive setup that we have amassed. We have been recording this album for almost 2 years... well not just recording but editting, rewriting, etc. The main reason we have taken so long is that 3 of us are also partners in TallCat Productions which is a recording studio in Phx. So basically we've had to juggle clientele (which has hit us so hard we're building a new facilty to help us with the demand), with personal music, and the construction of the studio (we're building it ourselves).
Basically we started the album and had to compete with clientele for time, then add building a studio to the mix. We are so damn busy but it feels like we've been standing still. Granted the studio is a month within completion but we started in January. Not to mention I have 2 boys a year a part with the youngest at 3months which I watch while my wife works then she gets home and I have to go back to construction mode. I work 7 days a week trying to get this thing done...
I don't know, i guess i'm just venting... i see the light at the end of the tunnel but I have so much to travel still to get there.
Any advice? Anything to add or want to vent yourself? Feel Free!
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Oct 26, 2005 04:45 pm El Musico,
I feel your pain...all I can offer is the fact that this, too, shall pass. Being one of the elder statesmen around here (though not as old as OldDog!) I can tell you that while you may seem to be dragging your heels now, you'll look back and wonder where the time went.
Without sounding too corny...enjoy your kids while they're young. When they're older and a little more independent you'll have plenty of time for doing what you need to do.
I was huge in to my music in college. But then I got married, had four kids, and I had to take a break from music (for over ten years!) and get my priorities right. Now my kids are older and I'm back into the music full force. It feels great! I'll never be famous or get rich from what I do...but that doesn't really matter to me.
Just keep plodding through, and get done what you can. It'll all work itself out in the end. It ALWAYS does!
Jim
Oct 26, 2005 05:12 pm Yeah, dude, last week I was in such a funk I just couldn't break out, everything I touched fell apart, I was in a pissy mood, things just sucked...that happens, not much you can do, just muddle thru, things get better, good things happen, life turns around.
Right now music is really the furthest thing from my mind, has been that way all year, haven't really done anything personal, it's all business, mastering this and that.
Ya know, thats why I have always said, making a business out of a hobby can really backfire sometimes, cuz then it's about doing it for a client, not for yourself, so it makes the "passion" kinda hard to get when the client wants something you are just not into.
Life's a ***** man.
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Oct 26, 2005 08:11 pm Comisseratin' for sure, in fact life's been so grand lately, I wrote a 'lil poem :
Load
Drive
Unload
Drive
Reload
Drive
Unload
Drive
Reload
Drive
Unload
Drive...
Too droning perhaps to be a poem... maybe a mantra ?... deffinately going in a song, maybe whispered... and backwards . ; )
Really though El, you have a very full life, yes it may be maxed-out BUT at least the things that you're involved in are all worthwhile and meaningfull things . Vent all you need to get back to the happy place, and make some time for yourself . Otherwise, before long, you'll find yourself composing backward messages designed to unleash the latent serial killer lying within all who hear any music comming out of your new studio . Wait a minute, that's not bad advice at all... hmmm .
Viva El Musico !
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Oct 26, 2005 09:44 pm ... you forgot to Reload!!!!
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 26, 2005 11:06 pm It does get better. I can tell you from the past 6 months I was really starting to think about several things. Disassembling the studio and selling everything off. It seemed as though I wasnt getting anywhere, and spending 20 hours a day awake wasnt helping out either. My pile just kept getting bigger. All my attention was going to either work or boy scouts. HRC got left in the back as well as a few clients who if I had just slowed down enough might have given me the boost I needed. It seemed like it would never end. OT at work was taking its toll.
Then I just sat down and realized I needed to just adjust and find the time. I got a couple of thankyous from past clients whom I thought had just dissappeared. The stupid car commercial music was a big hit, overseas, not here like I had hoped. But then even more good news. Several bands who I had done final mixes and arrangements for were getting local airplay. And again, the thanx came in just when I needed some good news. Several offers to sit in with well known bands, a short 3 date tour offer and a few more new clients and I was back in the saddle again.
So it will come around eventually. It is just a matter of time.
Oct 27, 2005 12:17 am Quote:
The stupid car commercial music
Ah, come on noise, that music was the bomb. And that dancing car, hahaha, ah, can't get enough of it.
Oct 27, 2005 05:51 am I think as sound engineers we are so busy trying to make everyone else happy, completing other people's music, we forget to make priority/time for our own. After 2 years on the back bench, I'm hoping to be able to make a space in my timetable for my own, tho, my little shed/studio is fairly hectic at the moment too.
We need a special mantra to remember:
"If we make a little time for making ourselves happy, (fill up our own jug/ fueltank, if you want a metaphor), then does it not make sense that we will then have more nutrients/energy to pour into other people's music. We must take care of ourselve so we CAN continue to contribute to others..."
Oct 27, 2005 06:19 am Wow, Elmusico, your rates are really good, no wonder your busy. You guys are doing/ are in the process of doing what my partner and I want to do over here in New Zealand. Awesome :-)
Now. Take a couple of weeks off and do your own music only during the time off. Dr Shelly's orders!
SirrusPrince of Cat EarsMember
Since: Jun 17, 2004
Oct 27, 2005 09:17 am It just sounds to me like you're overwhelmed, not spinning your wheels or mucking yourself up by any stretch. I can imagine the distribution of your time being really stressful, but once this studio is done, you'll be freed up in such a way you won't be able to believe it (I guess you could liken it to lifting incredibly heavy weights for about an hour and then just putting them down...big difference).
Anyway, hope things ease up on you in the near future, but it definitely sounds like an exciting burst of activity - just pray things never get boring around you! ;-)
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Oct 27, 2005 11:49 am Thanks zek,it was late in the day . Fixed it... much better flow now . : )
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Oct 27, 2005 12:24 pm ElMusico:
I do understand where you are in your head. I do empathize.
It could be worse...I turned forty yesterday!
Just kidding...I'm all better now.
Try setting small deadlines for yourself, and just putting aside small amounts of time to achieve them. Say, one night a week, for two hours. Set a deadline for finishing just one task - it doesn't have to be a big thing, maybe getting one guitar part recorded. Having a deadline (which is self imposed, so you can miss it if you need to), and a more rigid schedule will give you a little more structure in what you're doing, and give you a goal to focus on. It helps to havesomething to look forward to. All the other stuff will get done, and this is just putting aside a couple of hours to take care of YOU. Baby steps.
Don't give up.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 27, 2005 05:58 pm CS, ya the music is good. I just wish now having it be popular over in the UK that I woulda asked for more money. Oh well, thats life.
