tag:haydengreyson.com,2005:/blogs/the-curious-life-of-an-inquisitive-songwriter-with-notes-for-the-seekerThe Curious Life of an Inquisitive Songwriter...With Notes for the Seeker2022-09-14T02:58:59-04:00Hayden Greysonfalsetag:haydengreyson.com,2005:Post/66299692021-05-14T01:02:04-04:002022-09-14T02:58:58-04:00Spirited Action is the Wings Upon Which Dreams Fly<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/system/fd09fab7807cfe464649760450b87a1f53bec803/original/haseeb-jamil-427389.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /><strong>(For Musicians, Artists, and Yes, Steven Pressfield, for Anyone Trying to Achieve Six Pack Abs, LOL) </strong></p>
<p>It's in every moment… are you advancing or retreating toward your dreams? I think true accomplishment takes a combination of military like discipline with daily goals as well as getting lost in the artistic wilderness of imagination. There is a path for you if you believe in yourself, and that's not an empty phrase. </p>
<p>Chutzpah is a great word I learned as a kid from the Jewish and/or Italian side of my family. It's the energy needed for an artist to blossom and rise above the fray of uncertainty, the sea of doubt, the wild grasses of disbelief. </p>
<p>Naysayers abound. </p>
<p>If you're going to be an artist, your biggest naysayers may be all around you: your family, best friends, colleagues, teachers even, voices of society…with notable exceptions of course but unless you're super lucky to be surrounded by "believing mirrors" you're subject to be doubted at every twist and turn of your metaphorical road. </p>
<p>So what's an artist to do? </p>
<p>Well, we're called human beings and not human "doings" for a reason. We need to be before we do. (Unless the doing is happening from a state of inspired being). If your doing is a result of overthinking, uninspired action, stale vision, worried thoughts…suffice to say that doesn't sound very inspired and sounds like you're merely spinning your wheels. </p>
<p>Which may sound like a lot of New Age jargon (which you may or may not be cool with) but hold on a minute. </p>
<p>This blog post is intended to be both inspiring and practical for the artist. </p>
<p>So…from a down to earth perspective, if your "beingness" is one of stubborn self-belief (as well as social humility) and unshakeable knowing in your art, well then...voila! </p>
<p>However, if you're whining and complaining and taking the lazy way out, no dice. </p>
<p>I heard Eckhart Tolle say that life is meant to challenge us. I agree. And we can inspire ourselves to face the challenge or complain, gossip, succumb to negativity, be lazy, quit, take the "safe road", etc. </p>
<p>One of the saddest things I hear is when artists are discouraged to pursue their art (music, dancing, painting, drawing, poetry, etc). </p>
<p>Now what I'm writing about may seem so obviously obvious…but…. Do you know how many hours of self help, inspiring and spiritual material I have listened to, how many pages I have read, and still managed to be self-defeating and succumb to my own inner demons? </p>
<p>So yeah, that's embarrassing. But it finally dawned upon me, that I can simply and humbly do what I love. Step by step. Day by day. Without worry or stress or obsession or perfectionism. Letting go of those toxic thoughts daily. Those thoughts are trash. Laugh at them and toss them in the bin. </p>
<p>I think perfectionism is one of the biggest enemies of the artist. </p>
<p>So my challenge for you is: can you take a step toward furthering your creativity or art career, out of joy and with purposeful imperfection? </p>
<p>Singers… can you post that video to YouTube with that pitchy note or phrase that wasn't quite your best, but the overall vibe is wondrous? </p>
<p>Can you send out that nice tweet without obsessing over every tiny little minutiae? </p>
<p>Can you write that song and allow it to be? </p>
<p>Let it be. </p>
<p>Let it go. </p>
<p>These phrases are coined for a reason. </p>
<p>Of course, you're going to want to keep improving the mechanics of your art. </p>
<p>BUT WAITING AROUND UNTIL IT'S PERFECT IS A DREAM, LOST. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/system/ab2e03eb6a0222706cdbbde25b1bfdb29e4ee594/original/textures-12.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />How many artists are embarrassed by their early work, yet so appreciated by their fans? </p>
<p>You're going to worry about criticism when I imagine probably every famous artist out there has been criticized? </p>
<p>It's such a shame that folks assume that if you're an artist, you're either famous or a failure. Do you say that to your teacher or doctor or plumber??? I can't take credit for that idea… I'm not sure where I originally heard it… but what a concept. Thank you! (My guess would be Derek Sivers). </p>
<p>It's fine as well to want to be well known, but after all, is that not an immature mechanism of the ego? Business goals and social media metrics aside, how about simply making the best art you can everyday and going from there? </p>
<p>It's not about saying "yeah, yeah I know all this….duh…." </p>
<p>ARE YOU DOING THIS? </p>
<p>If you're complaining constantly, the answer is no. </p>
<p>If you're stuck in a sad sad situation, my heart truly goes out to you, but where there's a will there's a way. There are times I have had to sing in my car because I've had nowhere else to practice. </p>
<p>To be honest, I really can't afford vocal lessons right now. </p>
<p>But I can't afford not to. </p>
<p>Not that I'm advocating going into debt to fund your dreams… that's the realm of your very personal choices, of course, but I believe the opportunities that arise from the artist that seeks expansion, are limitless. </p>
<p>Some further suggestions… </p>
<ul> <li>Are you doing everything the same old way? Listening to your favorite artists over and over again? Have you ever listened to music from a decade or culture or style you're not too familiar with? TRY IT. GOOGLE SOMETHING. There are no excuses not to immerse yourself in new artistic experiences. </li> <li>Are you on social media? There's no reason not to be connecting with other artists and musicians. </li> <li>Are you overwhelmed? No excuse! That's just an excuse to not take a step. Doing one little thing is much better than saying "I'm overwhelmed" and sitting on the couch. </li> <li>Are you tired? No excuse! It's amazing what the human mind and body and spirit are capable of. Have you ever stayed up all night to finish a paper? But you can't work on your Art? </li> <li>Are you obsessive/perfectionistic about every detail of your art to the point where you're not ever sharing it or worse, not even creating it? Stop it. Let it be imperfect, flawed and even wrong. That's another lousy excuse for not being productive. Frankly, it's immature and selfish. IMHO. You're denying humanity your gifts and withholding your light to sit in darkness when humanity can benefit from your beautiful expressions. I know… I've been there. </li>
</ul>
<p>And so I end my musing at the beginning: </p>
<p><strong>Spirited action is the wings upon which dreams fly. </strong></p>
<p>Hayden</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/system/c4486ea7bab83d852d892ee8e77041ae6addcf06/original/textures-10.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>Hayden Greysontag:haydengreyson.com,2005:Post/66252012021-05-08T12:16:51-04:002021-05-14T01:06:26-04:00Reviewing the Reviews: Does This Song Slap?! <p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/system/f4d707edeeda643063bcb640ae34a9dea3d69a8c/original/alexander-popov-f3e6yno3y98-unsplash.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />Dear fellow artists and music fans, </p>
<p>Wanna create some good karma for your artistry or fandom while having a ton of fun listening to new music? </p>
<p>Through my wonderful music distributor I just discovered <a contents="www.Slaps.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.Slaps.com">www.Slaps.com</a> ! <strong>It's a brilliantly simple and fun</strong> as anything website to help connect artists, bands and fans with music that is <strong>DIRECTLY TAILORED</strong> to your interests OR just whatever is <strong>trending</strong> OR just <strong>needs some loving listens</strong>. </p>
<p>I'm having so much fun listening to new songs - it's addicting in a most wonderful way. I love how you can search for music that is influenced by say, Elton John, for example, and then immediately hear a track by that artist. I love love love hearing fresh, independent music by artists from all over the world. What's great is that you can comment in real time as you're listening to the song, and the artist directly can see your comments and emojis! You can also search by genre, what's trending and even songs that haven't gotten too much attention yet. It would be cool if Slaps could add a way to search by mood too. If you love the song, the artist might have their social media links posted so you can learn more, become a fan, etc. </p>
<p><strong>Your words could make a HUGE difference in an artist's life.</strong> </p>
<p>Suggestions for reviewing songs… <strong>don't just listen to 10 seconds of someone's song and then write "cool" with an emoji.</strong> That's just lame. Sorry not sorry lol. Wouldn't you rather someone listened to at least a minute of your song (or for fans only, one of your favorite songs) and left a conscious compliment? I try to listen to at least a minute of a song that might not be my cup of tea and still find something to enjoy and sincerely compliment. I try to think of the effort that went into writing and recording the song, as well as the courage of the artist to share their songs with the public. Remember, <strong>recording artists are baring their souls through songs and deserve to be recognized, appreciated and encouraged</strong>! There's a time and place for criticism - the vibe of Slaps, to me, is about encouragement. Listen to the best and forget the rest. No need to condemn another human being's artistry. (That said, I don't mind criticism at all…it just slides right off of me, but again, I don't think this is really the place for that, especially if you have no rapport with the artist.) </p>
<p>For songs that I'm enjoying, I might listen to 50-75% of the tune and leave even longer, more detailed feedback. </p>
<p>If the song is really "slapping" I'll listen to 100% and write a nice sized paragraph complimenting the song, artistry. </p>
<p>In addition you can give up to 50 🔥s to each song. I'm not sure what that exactly means, but it's really fun… when I'm totally digging a song I love giving up to all 50 away! </p>
<p>What an utter joy to do easily listen to fresh new music from fellow artists and musicians sprouting new melodies into the ethers. </p>
<p>Here’s a couple of wonderful tracks (followed by comments I left for the artist) that I just discovered on Slaps: </p>
<p><strong>“You are Good” by PrincePhiri</strong> from Israel - this track is SO joyous! </p>
<p><a contents="https://slaps.com/track/e8cw3NGd " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://slaps.com/track/e8cw3NGd" target="_blank">https://slaps.com/track/e8cw3NGd</a></p>
<p>“There is certain music I play when I need to be uplifted...whether secular like Shania Twain or spiritual or Christian like Michael W. Smith. This song is one of those very special tracks in great company on my playlist.” hg </p>
<p><strong>“Anxiety” by Carolyn Ann</strong> from Palm Bay, Florida. </p>
<p><a contents="https://slaps.com/track/p8BG5tfS&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://slaps.com/track/p8BG5tfS" target="_blank">https://slaps.com/track/p8BG5tfS</a></p>
<p>“I welled up with tears right away...you have a gift of pure lyrical, musical and emotional honesty. The way you carve your melodies to connect to your lyrics and ultimately, to the listener, is simply profound in a human, experiential way. And this listener is left feeling better after experiencing your artistry.” hg </p>
<p>And if you would like to let me know if my music slaps, you can let me know here: </p>
<p><a contents="https://slaps.com/HaydenGreyson&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://slaps.com/HaydenGreyson">https://slaps.com/HaydenGreyson </a></p>
<p>Hope your day “slaps”! </p>
<p>Hayden</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/system/33acdfbe662dc52f1e9b125f1a86e293472cfa9b/original/pexels-photo-59107.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>Hayden Greysontag:haydengreyson.com,2005:Post/66229092021-05-06T04:08:30-04:002021-05-06T13:14:36-04:00On Artistry, Humanity and Perfection<p><span class="font_small"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/system/139191ddb2f4125510c178204db4a6f005e3856a/original/624cadb7-4298-47fb-9ec1-b8b430bccc02.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /><span style="font-size: 16px;">Whether you are an artist (aren't we all?) or a human being (and if you're reading this, I'm guessing that's probably a yes), you probably have encountered the dreaded borderline between creation and chaotic pursuit of perfectionism. </span></span></p>
<p>My experience is that there's a threshold at which further revision is maladaptive. My hunch is that artists either forget the impulse of their intuition and get lost down the rabbithole of idealism or on the flip side of the coin, they do not develop their ideas enough. </p>
<p>In perusing an expansive spectrum of my work recently, I experienced an epiphany about artistic evolution that I shall sum up in more user friendly suggestions here. </p>
<h3>
<em><strong>The Misstep Universale</strong></em>: waiting for everything to be perfect before releasing your song, story, recipe, speech, etc. </h3>
<p>My Own Footfall (don't you just love the flowery language, lol*): writing and recording hundreds, maybe over a thousand songs at this point, and barely releasing anything because some aspect I didn't deem perfect… the recording quality, lyrics, production, etc. I am now joyously pivoting toward a new way of doing things. Yippy skippy as Miss Piggy says! (I most certainly am proud of the Muppet reference.) </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/301923/a24b000fa87814c4702b8714c5db2bf974d29b0d/original/book-863418-640.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /><strong>Suggestions for your own Path: </strong></p>
<p>Lighten up… share your gifts with the world… get feedback…improve as you go...fake it til you make it…yeah sure there are people who say you only get one chance for a first impression. </p>
<p>I couldn't disagree with that more. I’ll go so far as to suggest that it is a toxic statement. Sure, there is a context for it, but it misses the larger point of embracing life, thriving and focusing on the wonderfulness of a step-by-step mentality. </p>
<p>I believe in a universe of abundance, second chances, evolution, harmony, kindness, forgiveness, grace. </p>
<hr><h3><strong>Further Reading: </strong></h3>
<p>I believe Seth Godin talks about elements of this in a lot more depth, and most recently, I watched an inspiring interview with the great Steven Pressfield who has authored the magnum opus for artists, The War of Art, that I could not recommend enough. I expect to continue to refer to this guidebook for artists (and anyone trying to achieve six pack abs as he says, LOL) throughout my life. </p>
<p>Thank you kindly for reading, </p>
<p>Hayden </p>
<p><strong>PS</strong> </p>
<p>I have a LOT more to say on this topic...so these were some initial thoughts. </p>
<p>*I know...not everyone loves the flowery language</p>
<p><strong>PPS</strong></p>
<p>This blog post isn't perfect, and I'm proud of it! Here's hoping you shall celebrate your beautifully imperfect content too.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/301923/1fb60850313a42e3033c4193310e397e9954d823/original/board-786119-640.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>Hayden Greyson