Music, is placing passion before business

Music, is placing passion before business.

I know this may come as a surprise to some but today it just dawned upon me that I have been misled into believing that making your mark in today's music scene is all about having good business sense and following trends.

Though on the surface this does seems like the so called right path to follow and I realize that somehow, I had become jaded into accepting this as "Dogma" and convince myself to follow suit.

I became critical recently at the local music scene; especially within the English medium singers and musicians plying the local pub scenes. I was also brutally blunt with a couple of local indie artists and labels; branding them as "Shiok Sendiri" and being a waste of time!
I also admit that I might have also been an ass in my treating of new aspiring musicians and local talent!

I told them, no matter how good you were, it's all about the MONEY! And get up there, it takes a hefty sum to make it happen!

The truth is I was not always like this for me. There was a time when I was back in high school and college/uni  days, I was singing and playing music simply because I love doing it and it was ( at that time ) my life. I use to eat, sleep and shit music every single day!

Playing music back then had that awesome feeling! I was truly wholesome and I was truly passionate about music !

What happened ? I guess things changed and priorities differed as well. My focus on music diverged into other forms of other avenues and I just seemed to dwell further and further away from it altogether.

Finally, I started working and that shelved all my musical dreams altogether. As time passed, I got involved in business and that made me even more shrewd and non-forgiving about peoples weakness's and goals that can't be achieved through a proper business focus approach.

I'm now turning 40 this year ( 1976/Yes ! I'm a Dragon boy) and strangely, I still feel as if I was back in college days (though there are days I realize I'm getting old)

Due to excessive drive in doing business, I decided to go back to music (about 2 years ago) n turn it into a new business venture. So as with all new businesses, we have to understand the nature and do extensive R&D on the product / services we are planning to put out and on ROI's we are looking to achieve ( directly / indirectly ) in specific given time frame.

So far, I have been on track with the limited resources I have and I  am happy with the results so far but that is how far it goes.

I realize there is no more passion involved. No more fun. I complain about the lack of performance avenues and line up but in fact I'm in the events line and the company I'm attached to can easily hook me up with the best locations and back up dancers plus support me in all the hard ware. Yet, till now I've been slacking off on my physical training, practicing my songs ( yes, the truth is I can't even remember most of the lyrics to my songs !) and getting myself ready - even for my new album launch !

Why? My excuse is I'm not taking music passionately enough to do so and I'm busy chasing other worldly causes and financial securities !

So today, I just realize that maybe I'm not just cut out to be a Music Artiste; simply because I am seriously lacking the passion in doing so!

I guess, I'm I have to start doing it for fun and stop being so anal about the outcome and what people think. I need to get out there without care and thought and just play without prejudice or care. I got to have me some soul in my music!

So to all of you local singers, musicians, djs and indie labels out there, please accept my sincere apologies if I had done or said anything to offended you in any way.

Just hold on to your passion and don't let anyone tell you other wise. Make, sing and play the kinda music that you like and feel. Don't follow trends. Be original. Be yourself and even though you might face obstacles along the way, never give up your dreams and or sell your soul because of money.

Remember, music is a God given talent that must be continuously nurtured and expanded with passion and love. You actually don't need money. Money and fame will come once you realize this small equation.

In time, you will see all your dreams come true! Have faith and keep the passion going :)

Peace and Happy Thursday !