Validation by John Pippus on The Pipeline at IndieMusicPeople

Validation
Sometimes you get a boost just when you need it. My songwriting output has slowed down lately. Is it because I don’t work at it, but rely on inspiration instead? Or have I used up my allotment of songs (ten or twelve years worth of writing resulting in a couple of hundred songs, maybe more)? Or some other reason or combination of reasons?

Maybe it’s something to do with the end of albums, and the way people listen to music. What’s the point of making it, if it’s not going to find an audience? No, I don’t write and record for my ears only, it seems.

Anyway, during this dry spell, once in awhile I get a reminder that someone out there likes what I’m doing. In this case, the station manager at “Greatest Clicks” has added THREE of my songs. I’m in some stellar company. Check it out here:

http://indiemusicpeople.com/stationgen.aspx?stationID=173

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6/8/2019 2:01:05 PM

The "what for" question is one we all face in this era. I recommend you focus on how good it makes you feel to be creative, this is what you need to be more aware of.

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Richard Scotti

6/8/2019 6:31:14 PM ---- Updated 6/8/2019 6:32:40 PM

John ~

I've always been a fan of your work here at IMP.

You said:

"My songwriting output has slowed down lately. Is it because I don’t work at it, but rely on inspiration instead? Or have I used up my allotment of songs (ten or twelve years worth of writing resulting in a couple of hundred songs, maybe more)? Or some other reason or combination of reasons?"

Maybe it’s something to do with the end of albums, and the way people listen to music. What’s the point of making it, if it’s not going to find an audience? No, I don’t write and record for my ears only, it seems."

My take:

My work output does not depend on inspiration and is not increased or decreased by the amount of work I put in. I rarely feel inspired to sit down and write a specific song. I feel inspired all the time! Music runs through my head 24/7 but but my desire to birth a song depends on mundane external forces like how much energy I have, how much stress life is presenting at the moment, what family responsibilities or social interactions are calling. I guess you could say that time and mood effects my decision to spend 5 hours creating something that never existed before. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I''ve done tons of work on songs that bit the dust and I've spent short amounts of time on songs that worked out well. The only time the amount of work is a factor is when I've already finished a song but it isn't as good as it could be either structurally or sonically. But if I truly believe in the song I will spend as much time as necessary, even years, until it tells me it's ready for prime time.

The end of albums has definitely messed up my mind somewhat. Back in the day, you couldn't put out any product unless you had 10 to 12 great songs recorded well. They had to be put in a specific order and they all had to be part of a "concept". Certainly Sgt Pepper lead the way in that respect. It was a challenge but it was a road map for creating something great. Now all roads lead to the single song or the "iTune".

I've tried to adjust to this new way of doing things but I still get caught up in the "album thing". I don't do this intentionally but I guess it's a subconscious thing. If I have 9 cool songs I still feel like I screwed up because I don't have 12 ready to be recorded. Now I'm trying something new. I simply wait until I have more than 12 songs ready so I can have the luxury of choosing which ones make the CD. This is a good way to avoid filler.

I don't believe that artists have "allotments" of songs or that fate determines how many songs one is capable of writing in their lifetime. Artists have infinite amounts of songs inside them. The goal is to pluck them out while you're still alive.

What is the point of making music without an audience? You are your own audience. You have to do it for yourself. If you do it for yourself, others will follow. If you do nothing, then no audience, not even yourself will benefit. An audience has to be cultivated and earned. Write great sings for your ears only and other ears will catch on. If they don't, you have an existential dilemma that only you can figure out.

When your song output slows down, go out and enjoy life, recharge your creative batteries and come back to writing with a fresh perspective. Validation comes from within. Don't depend on others to validate you. But I admit that it's always a rush to get a pat on the back with the words, well done! Support others they'll support you.

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Shoe City Sound

6/9/2019 6:43:09 PM

One of my favorite songs is a song you did - Crush The Fear. Glad to see it's on Greatest Clicks, cause it is one.

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John Pippus

6/13/2019 1:36:03 PM

Thanks Scott, Richard, and Shoe City for your comments and thoughts. One thing I should add to explain the current situation I find myself in - last December I got hired on by a classic rock theatre production to be one of six singers. I had to learn 20+ songs, half of which I sing lead on. We’ve been playing packed theatres all this past spring and there’s a whole lot more shows booked this fall and beyond. It’s a life changing experience, working with a very pro outfit, 14 of us travel together including the sound guy, five-piece band, two dancers, and six singers.

So that’s all great and all but the thing is before this gig came along I felt myself kind of winding down on the originals front - -playing solo coffee house gigs and with my trio at various legion-type gigs and bars, it was all just getting kind of ’same old’. And always the tension of how many covers to play vs. how many originals I could do and not lose the audience. House concerts are different, that’s all gold as far as I’m concerned.

The whole process of leading rehearsals, booking gigs, promo’ing the gigs and recordings, performing, touring AND writing is hard! I’ve done it for 10 or 12 years now and well... I was thinking it was time for some kind of change. Then this classic rock revue landed in my lap (I answered a Craigslist ad) and here we are.

Who knows, this time next year I might have another album out, although that would REALLY surprise me - given everything I’ve said here (and what Richard is saying) but one thing I’ve learned about songwriting is to take it as it comes and be grateful when it happens.

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