As a listener - it my best friend, my therapist, my soulmate. As a musician - it is my coping mechanism, my diary, my greatest challenge and favorite activity. It is the impossible dream; I am Gatsby, and it is my Daisy.
It'd be great to become the next Cobain and succeed pretending it didn't matter. That doesn't seem true. My dream I guess would be to constantly get better and to be able to touch people's lives in the way artists and songs have touched mine.
Understanding and compassion.
This seems like an impossible question, so I'm not sure if this answer is true: "Runaway Train" Soul Asylum
This changes/grows... a lot. Staind Nothing Nowhere NF The 1975 Wrenn, Joseph Toper Ron Pope Halsey Green Day Alan Jackson Fuel Blink-182 (with Tom) Iron & Wine ... so many more.
Suffering.
You are not alone.
Happy, nervous, self conscious, free.
Today's musician faces a double edged sword. On the one hand it is easier to distribute, reach fans, be accessible, find new music/artists. Alternatively, there is so much out there that it is harder to be noticed and creates an environment that often focuses and prioritizes the wrong things. The internet is like an amped up version of a Nashville open mic, but is based on "likes" and can be purchased. Everything can always be improved, but I think places like this, where musicians can support each other helps.
I'm not sure yet. I just got here.
Probably myself and my own limitations.
I try. Given circumstances that has become harder though. Live music provides me with such a dopamine rush, and I have loved seeing good and new music before it left my price range forever. I used to have a much stronger music community in my local area, but with the growth of internet presence that has decreased due to opportunity. I love to just jam, and listen, and present and grow.
I don't really know. Understand the algorithm? Know the right people? Be amazing?
Joseph Toper - though he's moved out of the music game for the most part - is one of the most amazing songwriters and musician I've ever been blessed to know. Wrenn is amazing and seems to be finally getting a following. Nothing, nowhere has a following, but if you don't know them - listen.