Instead of analyzing a song this week for the fourth Write Up Wednesday, I wish to inquire a self-analysis from the audience, whom I presume are fellow artists and musicians, and bring up a couple of questions that I hope invoke introspection and reflection upon their own songwriting and music production. I want to focus on the artist as an individual, and learn what efforts does a rapper/singer/musician/etc make in order to be able to say that what they create is theirs and theirs alone.
In my opinion, a large part of being an artist is being able to convey your own experiences or interpretations in a style that is unique to yourself. Does everything one writes about seem to come from their own involvement or does it seem to mimic another person’s life? Another process in the art of creating music is the evolution of the artist over time, and understanding/knowing what it is that makes each subsequent release of music different/similar to the last. Does one become typecast to a specific genre, flow, writing style, or mood similar to actors by falling back to comfortable roots over and over again? Does one branch out to multiple avenues of music and blend genres to create their own niche?
These are the types of self-examining thoughts I hope you, as a fellow artist, think of as I have you…
Ask Yourself:
1. What makes you unique as an artist? What characteristics, whether it be writing, cadence, delivery, themes, or subject manner, can only be attributed to you? When people describe your music or you as a musician, what is it that they see or hear that gives them the impression that what they’re experiencing is you? What do you actively contribute in music that is different from anyone else?
2. How have you changed as an artist? If given two separate albums, EPs, songs, or demos, will a first time listener hear a distinct difference between the two? Do you experiment/actively try to change your own sound with each release, project or songwise? What do you do differently now than what you may have done in the past? Do you feel as if your music has evolved?
3. How much of your music is influenced by others? Do you write your music to cater to a specific group or demographic? Were there events or moments in your life that inspired a particular expression you’ve made with music? Is there an overall goal or motive behind your music?
Ask Yourself these questions as you consider the impact you have as an individual in both the local music community as well as music in general. If your goal as an artist is to become one of the greats, then Ask Yourself what it was that the greats did that no one else touched. If you just wish to make music for fun, then Ask Yourself how you can improve your music to make it your own. The individual’s sound is what matters most in determining all of these answers, so make the effort to own your sound.