Something About One Foot

This is my first blog post, hopefully the first of many. I’m doing this to hold myself accountable for something consistent, to keep my writing chops up, and of course for fun. I’m not totally sure what the purpose of this blog is yet. Perhaps a journal for my bi-weekly thoughts, a virtual diary which I can archive and return to over time. Perhaps a record of the technical challenges I overcame in the last few days. I can already see the posts about how I spent 2 hours trying out a new microphone setup, only to realize it sounds worse than before. Perhaps a medium for communicating what I’ve been reading, watching, or mindlessly consuming lately.

The point is: I’m experimenting. If I had to pick just one goal, this next year’s would be expansion of my comfort zone. Writing on a public webpage which could reach real people at some point is enough to get my palms a little sweaty. Writing and releasing personal music has taught me that people are interested in other people’s lives and processes. Why should my life be any less interesting than the hundreds of people I follow or read about online? Worst case scenario: Not a single soul reads this blog and I still get to have these little conversations with myself. Okay actual worst case scenario: everyone reads this blog and hates it…

Another thing I’ve learned from my limited experience as a “real” musician: the first step is the most important. “Put one foot in front of the other
And soon you’ll be walking ‘cross the floor.” Record that song on your phone. Buy that used microphone off your friend even if you don’t think you’ll have a way to use it. Save up for an audio interface, use a cardboard box as a mic stand, make a soundproof recording booth out of mattresses and blankets. The most important part is realizing that every little step you make towards that little idea has started the process of creating something which didn’t exist before. And once it exists in some part, the rest gets easier.

I expect to be writing more, especially about recording tips and tricks I’ve learned through hours of tinkering and advice I’ve received. I’ll be writing about my creative process, the breakthroughs and the deadlocks. I’ll probably talk about staying creative while working a full time job, and finding time to workshop your art when you’ve only got a bit of motivation left. Hopefully one day I can read back through this blog as a successful artist and reflect on the journey. Until then, I’m taking things one step at a time, and working on using less clichés.