The darker side of making music

Howdy! Today I wanted to talk about the darker side of making music and creative work, and some advice for dealing with it.
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0:27 Video
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[@VenusTheory]

Welcome back to mustache feelings show! Last video I'll be filming for a bit as I'm on the road most of April, so hopefully the algorithm gods shine on it! 🙏 🎸 Bandzoogle ► bandzoogle.com/?pc=venustheory

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

Thankyou.

[@Roses_R_redeR]

This is some really great work man... Your words are gospel brother.. 🔥🤘🔥 🥀🥀🥀🥀

[@floraphonic]

I made something

[@aquaticborealis4877]

Wanted to point out a very enlightening book/documentary called The Brain That Changes Itself. This describes how you can literally rewire your brain based on what you choose to do. This can change the way your life unfolds. But it also applies to people helping each other.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

@@floraphonic Is it assume?

[@mattrix2007]

I've been producing music for about 23yrs. 15yrs in i got depressed, i had no chart/dance hit (which i expected to have had by then) and felt like all those years were for nothing except my own enjoyment. I was contemplating giving up but i loved producing music, so after a long hard think (and realising fame and fortune was not going to happen) i decided to concentrate on a stable income and made music as an evening hobby. 2yrs later by pure chance i was an extra in a movie, ended up having an acting role, whilst working with the Director mentioned i was a music composer/producer, wrote some pieces of music for his movie which he loved. I went on to compose and produce the soundtracks to 4 other movies and had an acting role in 5 movies. Became friends with a Tech house dj, jointly worked on some tracks, he then went to Ibiza and became a resident dj in a club and also does a monthly mix for an online radio station where we get to play our tracks. All of this has happened in the last 5yrs. Ok, i've had some lucky breaks, but none of this would of happened if i had given up. Keep going keep getting better as you never know what is around the corner.

[@z-boss]

Hey thanks for sharing your story, that's very inspiring! Really needed to hear this. All the best in the future!

[@sawtooth808]

It sounds like beating a horse at this point, but if people like Stefan Betke (Pole) Jan Jelinik (Farben) Matthew Herbert, or Akufen listened to other people’s opinions, they would have given up. If you are in to tech house there is a plethora of labels that are off kilter and do not follow conventional thinking. Music For Freaks, Revolver, Dumb Unit and Kompakt to name a few.

[@roryjineffect]

Oh damn! Great determination. You love to see it and congrats to you.

[@noahpearson2190]

Who are you? Gonna search you up.

[@danhectic5629]

i've been making music for about 22 years- and some of my tracks now have DOZENS of listens. just stick with it, and you could be like me! * jumps out window *

[@kenkamonn]

"Use what talents you possess - the woods will be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best" - Henry van Dyke

[@sawtooth808]

☝️☝️This…so much _This_ ☝️☝️

[@earlgrey2130]

Lovely quote!

[@JonJon-bx1ww]

I remember a teacher read this quote out loud one time. Then, a student defiantly chimed in: "Yeah, it might be more silent, but it'd sound a hell of a lot better". ...But the quote does hold its weight in gold.

[@MusicBird08]

Deep

[@raytracer5726]

Yes, but only the birds that sing best get laid.

[@ATolerableQuietude]

Feeling like your music is too weird is definitely a better place to be than feeling like your music is too derivative. Lean in to what makes your art unique!

[@jonathanzimmer8143]

Hey man if you can bypass the technical hurdles and just go straight to weird, and comfortable with what came out of you... It's probably worth pursuing. Be weird, just for you. Theyre lucky, IMHO, artistic identity is important and rarely discussed beyond "finding your sound". Know there are plenty of people out there who would feel better about themselves, proud even, to be mind-blown by something most people can't get down with. Even the most uneventful folks can feel like a hipster with a secret, and it's got serious merit. Manson played some stuff I knew I wanted to hear... Mr Bungle helped me become the person I didn't know I already was.

[@seansullivan8150]

thankyou....weird is important, then tweek it to give it a beautiful edge, and to make it in some way compelling

[@denno445]

yes yes for fucks sake YES. this world is filled to the FUCKING brim with copycats. be weird, be unique, be a pioneer going in a direction that feels like YOU

[@rck1music]

its a propably reason 🤣why nobody listen my stuff hehe

[@bencurzon208]

I cried a little when you said you expected us to report back with whatever we’ve created. It felt like the compassion, permission and love we deny ourselves for the very reasons you covered in the video. I smashed out 4 super basic tracks and dumped them on Bandcamp with no concern for who would like them. Despite no one listening to it, it feels good to have done it.

[@trteeerryfse-wy2ww]

Music is therapy. If you feel inclined to write despite who will listen then follow that. I'm a burn survivor and making music is my form of therapy

[@silktouchninja]

I've done same with my 4 tracks recently. Feels good as closure to some phase of creative journey. Can now go on and continue making new tracks.

[@dancingwithkillers]

And never stop

[@xSaintxSmithx]

For the guys who wanna make money off music, I wanna warn you what that entails. When I worked as an engineer/producer at a studio in Chicago recording rappers we had a pro tools template that we used for every artist. Everyone had the same compressors, delay, reverb, eq, etc. We spent about 10mins mixing cause people paid by the hour. We didn't get to make art. We were just recording people and mixing as fast as possible with barely any creativity involved. The guy in charge said, "We're not making gourmet burgers. We're McDonald's." I hated it. I don't wanna work with every guy who wants to pay for studio time. I don't wanna make songs I don't like. I don't wanna treat art like a commodity. It sucked.

[@static7985]

could be wrong, but that's because rap generally has fairly standard beats that don't try to be too different from each other. perhaps, in a studio that has more obscure/experimental music would allow you to use more creativity?

[@xSaintxSmithx]

@@static7985 Yeah, I ended up building my own studio and now I record all my friends for free and we make whatever we want. Music might not be my job anymore, but I love making it again.

[@radonn3419]

@@xSaintxSmithx what is your job now? i need to know

[@khoivinh3402]

The lost of art...that's what next generation have to face. Fast and effective ...doesn't mean shiet when you talk about Art.

[@GrodyMcG]

I guess I just gotta applaude this guy for genuinely not giving up on something he's sucked at for 4 years. That's some serious tenacity.

[@bandaid007jl]

I'm on 18 years and I am better than I was 5 years ago but I do in fact still suck 🤘

[@chukah9484]

Shit I'm 30 and been doing this for 10 years and still am very mediocre

[@johnnyjohnn281]

42 tears / years! Still chipping at the block. Something to do innit?

[@sweeterthananything]

a year can look really different from one person to another. there's actually putting the work in like VT says near the end, there are also ways to try structuring your creative life. but there is also the time consumed by hiatuses, sometimes necessary for mental health or economic or other reasons and sometimes just a rut we can get stuck in and need to punch our way through. at least the more time you've been doing it, the less permanent it feels to take a break.

[@HORNGEN4]

​@@chukah9484 10 years is nothing, try 40

[@marcpinion]

I am a 62 year old. I have been writing and recording music from when I was about 14. I have worked with bands and worked alone. The first recording equipment I had was a Tascam 144 portastudio . I dreamed of a 24 track with 2” tape. Well it is years later I have felt all the things you spoke about in your insightful video and still do. As I sit here in my studio with a 64 input digital studio. Do I make my living from music full time no do I have 100s of published tracks yes. Do I still think I suck yes. But I do what I want and I make my music for me. To get into a studio and record music because you enjoyed it was not a thing in the 1970s it just cost too much. Fantastic video thanks.

[@notaspectator]

Thank you for sharing!

[@mikezieckas5738]

Right on! Can we hear these tracks somewhere?

[@ernestbrocc7697]

@@mikezieckas5738 yeah i wanna hear it !

[@anantwashere]

Dear human.... Your story gives me strength. I'll be turning 40 soon, and I've had this overwhelming feeling of not having accomplished anything, just weighing me down. I've got a 3 year old son and all I'm able to do is barely make ends meet.

[@zargflonk]

Ditto, although you had a Tascam 144 !!!, while I was on a Fostex X-15.

[@meeamee]

the past couple of years when things got really tough for us musicians, I came to the realization that “music is its own reward”, quoting Bernard Shaw and Sting. Just being able to make music is enough of a reason to keep going.

[@mr.nobody2244]

I love this.

[@Darkest_of_Winter]

I credit you for my return to music after a nearly decade break. I released my first piano EP and am knee deep in my fourth concept album. Thank you for videos like this.

[@VenusTheory]

Well damn that's awesome haha. Released under your name on Spotify or where can I hear it?

[@robbiedozier2840]

i want to hear it! where can we find you?

[@elone3997]

Hats off to you - good to hear your back on track. Doesn't matter how long takes if it means you get back home..

[@Darkest_of_Winter]

@@elone3997 Thank you! It’s amazing what can happen when people talk about their feelings. You never know the impact you can have.

[@iHonestRobot]

I was hoping the top comment would be something like this and I wasn’t disappointed. Glad to be a new listener, Jerry. Keep making that good good.

[@rregu]

"Embrace the chaos and turn all that energy into art" is what I always think of when making music Just purely focused/lost in the process and unfolding the beauty you can make through it.

[@disklamer]

Great motto there, way to be in the zone

[@vilvd3934]

totaly agree

[@atomictraveller]

turn all that energy into social transformation.. knock down the local ma5onic lodge "making art" is exactly what suckers do

[@trnshdmusic]

Beautiful

[@kerzxxv467]

100% agree

[@JSNM_]

I spent a year writing a song per week. I didn't worry about quality, my mixing skills aren't amazing, and treated it as a learning experience. Whilst some did suck, some were bangers and I learned so much during the whole process. I even went out of my comfort zone, recording vocals and trying writing for different genres. I'm glad I did it, it made me a better artist.

[@CanadianUnicornDeathSquad]

That was me all of last year. Sometimes two a weekend! Just plug in, hit record, and whatever happens happens. I wrote a lot of good DUMB shit that my kids like and that’s enough for me, really.

[@Geow1ng]

How were you able to commit that hard?

[@CanadianUnicornDeathSquad]

@@Geow1ng the first fourteen songs I basically relied on the auto drummer in GarageBand. The rest of it? I had a BLAST getting back into exploring music, the fact my kids dug my lighter punk stuff made me want to see if they’d be interested in my heavier side. And then I basically just used my art as therapy because I needed to get a loooooooooooot of stuff out suddenly. A lot.

[@CanadianUnicornDeathSquad]

@@Geow1ng the REAL challenge has essentially been trying to become comfortable behind a physical (or at least an electronic) drum kit, since I spent over a decade programming drums by hand.

[@jvcouk]

#1: "I'm not very good" -> I think this an essential step on the journey to becoming good at art. It means you see the gap between your current work, and where you want to be. It means you're on the cusp of understanding how to improve. It's not just a step; it's a cycle. With the next improvement, you see other opportunities, and so the cycle continues with each piece of work, and over time, your work evolves. If you then look back at early work, you should see how far you've come.

[@ricktheexplorer]

I kind of teared up half way through this. When; in human history has a music producer been given 12 songs from an artist set in front of him to produce an album with? That happened to me last Halloween. I just finished our band's 5th album and paid for the distribution last Saturday. It comes out 4/20/23. I took 4 and a half months of waking up every day, and my work was set in front of me; working every day on music production for 4 and a half months! I learned a lot of things, meaning I made a lot of mistakes. I am now very much wiser on technique, and a much better musician. Thank you for the wise video.

[@auntjenifer7774]

When you start off with such a lie I don't know whether to believe anything you said after that .

[@auntjenifer7774]

On a side note, why do you subscribe to nasa ? I subscribe to nasa to laugh at how stupid people are but then I realize so many people never question that shit and it's sad.

[@ricktheexplorer]

@@auntjenifer7774 That doesn't bother me, and neither should you......

[@AshrZ]

@@ricktheexplorer hey, congrats!! good on you for learning and awesome job with the album. don't mind what the person above said - they're hating for no reason. you're doing a great job

[@Dak4L]

What’s it called? I’ll definitely give it a listen when it drops

[@arcopolarismusic]

I started composing just after my father died, 12 years ago, and I am now 73 years old. I came across your channel about 4 years ago and you have helped me quickly learn my way around Pigments and other synths and DAWs. I have enjoyed your recent addition of video rants and this one is, in my opinion, one of your best. As one who has gone through the pangs of self-doubt and both writer's and composer's block. I thank you for this.

[@shaderaptorwright4284]

When I was at my absolute lowest, legitimately being monitored for you can probably guess what…that’s when I wrote my first song that I actually liked. Depression is an intensely powerful emotion and the best music is created from the strongest emotions. When I was at my lowest, I had a conversation with my sister and cousin making light of the concept of “live, laugh, love” signs. As I was spiraling downward later that week, I picked up my guitar because it was the only thing that made me truly happy and then started writing about a breakup then used humor to add in the concept of the “live, laugh, love” sign, using the opposite of depression to combat it and using that emotion to write just the right rhymes, the perfect chorus, and the right melody, finally discovering what I was looking for in my own music that I had completely given up searching for. At that moment, I realized that there was no giving up when there was work to be done and from those intense emotions, it brought me back from the brink and now every time I’m feeling at my lowest (after a fight with my parents, after a breakup, after severing ties with a friend) I use those emotions to channel into creativity. I released a demo for that song a few days ago and now I plan on releasing thirteen songs alongside it. It doesn’t matter to me how much other people like it or approve of it (don’t get me wrong, the point of making my music public is for it to inspire/make other people happy) but I see these songs as something to be proud of. They signify the darkest times of my life that I’ve risen above and I think that’s a powerful message to share. This may not work for everyone, but for incredibly emotional people like myself who also suffer from depression and/or anxiety, channeling negative emotions into creativity may help more than you can expect. Sorry for the novel, but if this helps even one person, it was worth it.

[@etherealbonds]

This video feels like a warm hug of a dear friend telling you the world ain't that bad. And even as a fully grown male I need this sometimes. We're all the same in the end, we all want to feel like we spend our precious lifetime in a way that makes ourselves and other people happy, bringing a little joy into this overwhelming world where music is the only anchor sometimes. Don't let your brittle hope and your passion get buried in the harsh noise of your intrusive thoughts. You're worth a whole lifetime of love, joy and forgiveness. I hope everyone reading this understands that all of us artists feel exactly the same struggle everyday. As long as there is music, there's people struggling to make it, just as you are. As long as there's music, you're not alone, never.

[@martti7363]

I’m always surprised after showing people my tunes, how much they actually like them and how my mind is usually over critical.

[@randommcranderson5155]

As the artist you always know more about the work and have examined it in so much detail, you know what you had in mind vs what you put out which is hard to overcome, and you're always hoping for better. For most people its easy to just decide if they like something or not without being too detail driven.

[@schvartzniger]

Do you know what dopamine is? Read about it, When you listen to music (especially when you make by yourself and listen its becoming boring if you dont take a couple days break) that's how dopamine works You get yoo much of it Then you get depressed, its cycle

[@opticalz4341]

Feeeeel youuu😊

[@miguelangel-lb2ij]

what we may not like, other people may love.

[@godsfool5284]

How can you tell that they actually like them? For me to really believe it it’d have to be a stranger liking it who didn’t even know I made it.

[@jdubs681]

Once when I was being down on myself for not being better at guitar, my girlfriend at the time said, “it’s ok. It’s not about being the best. It’s about loving what you’re doing. That’s all that matters right now… keep loving the process and the skill will naturally increase in time”

[@trteeerryfse-wy2ww]

Sounds like a keeper

[@Byron101_]

A LOT of people only delve into sound, loops, patterns and synthesis these days..... BUT it is only the arrangement and the composition! that makes a song or film music great and really exciting and can even make it timeless....

[@mississippijohnfahey7175]

Your attitude matters so much too. Why did Snoop's delivery on Doggystyle change rap forever? Because in 93 he really lived that life! Nowadays he's cooking with Martha but rappin about violence and crime, so his attitude comes through phony

[@mississippijohnfahey7175]

@@SampleFire gotta disagree wit dat mate. If your arrangement is shit, no amount of sound design can save it. That's why people get bored of hour long modular sets. All sound design no composition leaves nothing to grab onto and listen to

[@RogueAstro85]

This is my issue. I can make loops and cool stuff for days. When it comes to crafting a song I feel like I start to hate what I've made and move on. Any tips on getting out of that trap?

[@vijay.strickland]

@@RogueAstro85 it's all about tension and release, that's what keeps people interested, feeling like something else is coming next. study your favourite songs by comparing the different sections in them: how do they contrast from each other? how does one build up the other and create an energy shift when the song gets to that part? Take your loop and call it section A, then try and make a Section B that works well with it, then C, D (assuming you're talking about instrumental music). The easiest way to start is to use the same chord progression for both sections and have the first section quite minimal, then add parts in on the next section and so on, keep building it up. Another way is to have short and fast notes on one section, and long notes on another. Or lower notes on one section and higher on another. All about that contrast.

[@GalaxiaDeFavio]

​@@RogueAstro85 making a song is a hard thing I feel Bad to when making one but I guess theres no recipe than keep making it

[@madastrota]

Thank you for this!!! I've been a functional musician by trade for decades now and at various points along the way I've tried and tried to transition to a more creative career. Things go wrong every single time so I've been in an endless cycle of starting over. I started pursuing electronic production/performance and increasing my skill set about 4 years ago and so far this new phase has been in a foundational state. It's been brutal and arduous and lonely and frustrating, but also very rewarding because I continue to improve at everything. And just now, as of this writing, I'm about to release my first song with this new project! Not a big thing, just a performance video. But as soon as that's completed I'll be diving head first into the real meat of what I've been working toward and it's equally exciting and daunting. Daunting because I've been in this start-over scenario before. Exciting because the whole situation is different this time, and much more intentional. Long story short, the kind of encouragement I'm getting from seeing videos like this is priceless. The whole time I'm listening to the words I'm thinking about what I'm going to be doing tonight, and tomorrow night, and all the other nights to come, in my creative space, and this really helps with the motivation!

[@richardsaffle]

Dude.. I really needed this today. In my musical life, & my regular life. I really appreciate this channel, & your perspective…

[@didgegirl6]

That. Was. PERFECT! Thank you Cameron. As a life long musician, I've felt all of these at one time or another. The single best thing I've learned is to keep showing up, no expectations. Just show up, do the work and let that be enough.

[@georgerobos6570]

You are so right. I put my album out in 2002 and then I..paused. For 20 years. And everyday not making anything ,was just eating me up little by little. So one day last year, I decided to grab my ass off the couch and turn on my synth. And purchasedthe latest version of my daw.Then I realised that I had to match up with 20 years of evolution and digital development! But there was help, like your channel. Somehow piece by piece ,it's all getting back to me. Guys, just put your hands on the keyboard. Every day. Thank you for you videos. Just keep making them, with that...enviable bass voice of yours!

[@vtstories22]

Cameron, as usual you caught it. Even at 75, having taught art, I get discouraged (like now) with my sound design projects and tell myself useless stuff. Thanks for the necessary reminders!

[@prodbybigl]

I been producing for 3 years now and I never thought about the monetary gain behind it. I just love music so much and I kick myself for not taking that route earlier in my life. Who knows what could’ve happened if I started when I was 12 but I am glad in partaking this journey that is and always will be my calling

[@MxNSTR]

I love your channel just because you talk about topics, not a lot talk about in the music industry, like you arent talking about "10 ways to write a chord progression". You talk about the serious buissnes and the struggles that come with music production and stuff a lot of people (like me) can relate to I hope you will keep doing this!

[@quissy5641]

I sure hope so too, this channel is actually a hidden gem. I have little interest in music, I hardly even listen to it! But there hasn't been a single one of these feely videos that hasn't been helpful for me.

[@webstercat]

You are a extremely effective content creator. That career didn’t even exist a few years back. You are damn good at it. Like Beato or Neely.

[@DavidSmith-ne1zp]

This channel is so important to me. I work alone. I make music alone. I rely on Cameron’s thought provoking subjects and commentary to keep my creative mind stimulated. Thanks for the effort you put into this Venus Theory. You make a different in people’s lives.

[@andrij.demianczuk]

One of my favourite quotes (I can’t remember who said it) went something kinda like this: “Artists sit around and wait for inspiration. Professionals show up and do the work.” I think about that everyday.

[@DanielTeraOfficial]

Alright, I'm just here to report back, like you said! Firstly, thank you for the video! Great stuff! I didn't release music for 8 years. I had so many songs on their way back in 2015, and at the time I thought I'd keep releasing a lot more songs, but I guess I was too scared of taking that step... I wasn't sure who I was or what kind of music I wanted to make, so I started a new alias called 'Oceans on Fire' where I made Pop-influenced Future Bass and Chillstep. So... now I'm back, and I'm releasing music every 3-4 weeks! I'll still release music as 'Oceans on Fire' as well, plus I started making Synthwave in a group called 'Solid Kids'.

[@ModularMemories]

I literally laughed out loud very loudly when you gave that punchline towards the end! I can just say as someone who started learning guitar and then bass when I was in high school in the late 80s, I sucked terribly when I began. I tried to jam with a dude who had been playing guitar just as long as I had, but he'd actually worked at it, and I just wasn't good enough to play along with him. He asked me if I was serious about playing music which was a real wake-up call. I continued to not be any good. I didn't even work hard at it at first. Then about a year and a half after I switched from guitar to bass, I joined my first band and a couple months later my first gig (opening for The Mentors! lol!) The former bass player of that band was standing right in front of the stage, and if I made the slightest mistake he would laugh as hard as he could. I tried to not let it bother me, and I used it to get better. I continued to work at it, going from band to band to a time when total strangers were actually complimenting me on my bass playing telling me I was really good. I just kept working at it. I'd practice on my own to cassette recordings of the band's songs. I became the back up vocalist as well. Two of the bands self-produced CDs in the late 90s in recording studios. One of the bands played 150 gigs over a four year span, doing so without any support from a manager, or a fanbase. In early 2002, I left my band needing a break and ended up not playing bass in a band for a decade. But I kept making music on my own and I didn't care if no one even heard it. I was just doing it for myself and to experiment. This is supposed to be fun, right?! PLAY!! At some point, I made a bandcamp page and started putting up albums, still not caring if anyone listened to it. The amount of downloads I have laughable and I've probably only made enough money at this point for a couple burritos. I started doing FAWM February Album Writing Month in 2018 after hearing about it in late January and yes, I still suck at songwriting, but I think I'm getting better. And I'm not going to stop doing it even if I continue to suck at it. No, you can't stop me. Nobody can. I did the 50-90 songwriting challenge last summer and made something like 88 songs. Some of it is weird spoken word crap, most of it is experimental synth noises, but on the very last day of the challenge, I wrote probably the best song I've ever written, and I did it in about 30 minutes! It still only exists as that phone recording I did on the spot, but I'm quite proud of how it turned out.

[@mr.nobody2244]

I make music for 15 years and i too had big aspirations and dreams. Needless to say i am just another producer in an ocean of countless producers. Surely wanted to quit at some point too because i got nowhere. I am still nowhere. I am not special. My music is generic. But i've accepted that not everyone is destined to "make it" - and i need to make music regardless if i am successful or not. If i don't express myself with music i am miserable. And so i jam on my guitar and write little tunes for my friends, family and myself. It's okay the way it is (but i still dream a little here and there).

[@samwritesmusic5402]

I feel this very much so at times. There is only the thought of one day i might get better that keeps me creating

[@VenusTheory]

Honestly I guess that's really the best way to look at it. Sorta like the old phrase 'the only one to compare yourself to is who you were yesterday'.

[@user-Chikotillo]

You’re definitely right bro, I found myself in situation where I just need to educate myself more, and practice making anything, one day we will hit the spot 🤝

[@Kingofkittens1]

inspiration is 50% a myth and 50% unreliable but i definitely felt inspired after watching this video

[@mrpzak]

Your last point reminded me of the book The Mental Game of Music Production. The main point of the book is that in the beginning, it’s quantity of quality. Just finish songs. Put in some time every day, just finish stuff. No matter how bad. Eventually, the stuff you finish will naturally get better. You’ll start making the right creative decisions with more regularity. But you HAVE to put the time in and actually get stuff done.

[@thedonal]

Wise words as ever! I'm finding it incredibly difficult to just get started on anything at the mo. I always end up doing something else- even housework. I have a painting half finished that's been sat on the easel for over 2 months and switching the DAW to actually lay something down eludes me. I'm guessing it's just a slump- the productivity will return.

[@sanakassara]

Personally after few months shy of three years I have noticed that no matter how much I sometimes suck at making tracks and creating beats, I still feel better doing them than trying to live without it. Even then when I suck, I have nothing else in my mind than the music and it feels like a holiday compared to how shit I occasionally feel when my head is swarming with other things.

[@MR1337SKI]

"The only thing in life you have to do is die" wow i love this. Thanks thats what i needed to hear right now. Reminds me of something I was once told by an instructor "dont wish your life away " its stuck with me for years

[@Datty77]

I can only speak of music creativity for myself. But as far as inspiration goes, just keep listening to more and more music. New and old. Different genres that you wouldn’t normally listen to. You’re going to eventually come across that one song that does it for you, and there’s your new inspiration. It’s literally worked every time for me, and I think it should work for every creative musician out there who just loves listening to a great song.

[@djAxisRR]

Dude... I think I've felt every one of those feelings you listed at some point in the last 20+ years. I started making music (seriously) in 1998 but stopped around 2010 because of a variety of reasons, getting burned out, not getting paid at all, depression, just real life stuff taking priority. I had spent the next 13 years not making music at all and only just this year, I decided to finally get back into it... and all those feelings were lined up at the door waiting for me. Thanks so much for sharing this. It was really uplifting. 👍

[@kalderone]

This is a really great video, there is not enough people talking about these kind of topics! thanks a lot for this and the hundreds of people you'll inspire thanks to this video. 🖤

[@VenusTheory]

Glad you enjoyed it! And let's hope so - that's the goal!

[@michaelkonomos]

Love this series. The real truth is that I can only control my thinking. I can’t control my circumstances. My brain feeds me toxic bullshit all day long, and I just have to carry that along with me and tell myself better things. And just do something.

[@Giovanni_Pesci]

I’ve gotta say, you made this video at the perfect time for me. Lately music production has started to feel less fun, and I feel like I haven’t been able to creatively express myself in a way I liked, along With a lot of the other issues mentioned in the video. This video has given me a bit of hope in a time that feels hopeless, and depressing to me. Recently I’ve been considering quitting for good, but after seeing this, I’ve reconsidered. Thank you very much, I really needed this.

[@he-rosoundz1043]

Love how you push people not to get discouraged, and just create. You're dope brother! 💯

[@py_a_thon]

The problem with that is toxic positivity. This dude has more views talking about music(in one video) than many musicians have in aggregate for their actual music catalogue. If someone really wants to monetize their music career...my belligerent comment will not discourage them. They would laugh and keep going. The music industry is hyper competitive and very brutal. There are more musicians making music than there is people who want to listen. Because of populism. 1% get 90% of the listens. I am sorry to be speaking truth. Yet that is how it is.

[@StringPlayerGamerOfficial]

Great video! Really amazing points especially the one about inspiration. When this happens to me I always think back to that quote on the wall from my elementary days; "1% inspiration, 99% perspiration". Relying to be inspired is immensely inconsistent, very unreliable. It's better to work in short bursts, get used to the flow, then again, again, again until you start to work longer and better. As long as you take proper self-care, lots of breaks in between, this can work for your benefit.

[@Knakrack0xTreme]

The point of being "not good enough" is something that has riddled me too in the past. It especially bothered me when i recorded and mixed my songs that it's not up to standard. I felt like i am stepping on the same spot. Eventually i had the breakthrough of getting a guitar tone - a "Swedish Chainsaw" style - that just worked in my mixes. I sat down, wrote a song with it and in the end, that's one of the first ones where i thought "I could release this to the world without hiding" and it was great. It made me feel like i am finally progressing again.

[@jansears4380]

I’d recommend to any creative The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. Probably the best book on being a creative and the blocks and hurdles we come across. Thank you to this! You hit it spot on Cameron! I appreciate all you do for Thai community of misfits and lovers of the arts.

[@kingosleemer888]

This is fantastic. Even though after 25 years having a 1000 fans is still a laughably impossible goal, the focus on the idea that artists should do what they believe in is an important thing to keep in mind. Plus the thing about dying. Always good to keep the thing about dying in mind.

[@philparker7851]

The Stoics were really clear about the dying thing. Memento Mori The Stoics of classical antiquity were particularly prominent in their use of this discipline, and Seneca's letters are full of injunctions to meditate on death. The Stoic Epictetus told his students that when kissing their child, brother, or friend, they should remind themselves that they are mortal, curbing their pleasure, as do "those who stand behind men in their triumphs and remind them that they are mortal". The Stoic Marcus Aurelius invited the reader (himself) to "consider how ephemeral and mean all mortal things are" in his Meditations. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_mori Use it as a motivation to live a better life (I try! Honest!)

[@cosmicgregg]

I've been through this a couple of times in the last 25 years. The worst was when I packed everything up for almost 6 years. Some of it was inspiration some depression, but most of all it was circumstances beyond me and I needed to get myself put together again. I stayed creative by learning archery and making custom handmade knives. Then circumstances happened again that drew me back into music and that time off gave me so much to draw on. Since then I've had to stop every now and again for things kinda out of my control. I started up again this year and I've written a lot, but haven't really been inspired to be able to write new music. So instead of feeling defeated, I started working on old songs that never got recorded so I can still create. I guess my point is it's not always a bad thing to walk away for bit(I don't recommend 5 years). A few months even a year is ok. I think as artists we tend to think we SHOULD be inspired by the music, but we forget to go live life in the process of creating. Inspiration is fickle and you shouldn't be bound to hold a guitar and play until something comes to you. Go meet people, take a long hike in the forest, go get lost somewhere. Whatever it is you need for inspiration your body and mind will tell you if you listen. Sorry this was way to long, but I can be a wordy guy at times. "The only thing you have to do is die"... love it, I'd add to this by saying ..."so go live!" ✌️❤️🤘

[@hjvarfjell]

I love it when you make a philosophical video every now and then. It is one of the reasons I follow this channel actively, instead of it just being one of the many channels I've signed up for over the years and never revisited. You provide me with both technical and musical information as well as food for thought. To me that's important. And I really think you are good at what you do. This video has some valid points also for us who are never going to try to make a living out of what we're creating. Keep it up.

[@anahitaghaseminasab2979]

I honestly do not know how to thank you for this video. It resonated on so many levels with me as a sound artist who's trying to find her career as an audio producer to finance her artistic ideas. I'm very grateful of finding you on one of my random searches on how to do stuff on cubase.

[@Luke_Lumberjack_Music]

I really felt that one. I also started producing my own music about 5 years ago and I can relate to all these points. But the funny part is that I somehow made my peace with it. I know my music is far from what I want it to be, or far from all my musical heroes I love listening to. I´m okay with having a normal day job and working on my music in my spare time, I try to release at least one song per month and honestly... if there´s only a single person enjoying it somehow I´m already happy. That´s all I want. I started to appreciate the process of creating without the expectation of a certain outcome. And that somehow... rewards me with an incredible freedom. I don´t need to justify anything, I´m not dependent on the income, if it sucks I´ll let it suck. As much as I sometimes struggle as well because I feel like it´s just not working and everything I do is just a bunch of c**p, as much as I sometimes wish I was someone like Mick Gordon or Klayton Albert... at the end of the day I´m actually happy to be myself and living through my own life, creating things the way I want to and to my best abilities. The first thing you create will probably be rather underwhelming, the tenth probably too.... but the 100th thing might be something really cool. Sometimes you just gotta stick with something because you feel that it´s the right course of action. With time and dedication results will follow, one way or the other. I wholeheartedly wish all of you aspiring artists that you´ll never lose trust in your own abilities and never lose the simple joy of just creating anything. Keep on rocking my fellows! 🤘

[@z-boss]

Checked out your work and your last track End Of The Line really reminds me of Celldweller's earlier work. It's nice how we can take our inspirations and influences and project it through our creations with our own touch and vision. And thank you for your words of motivation, wish you the same, keep going and keep creating!

[@Luke_Lumberjack_Music]

@@z-boss Thank you very much for your kind words, what you said is actually sort of the highest possible compliment for me as Celldweller is my highest standard of what "excellent" sounds like 😂 But you are right - there are so many great artists that have influenced so many other and still continue to do so and I see it as a great flow of inspiration and energy. Once again thank you - all the best to you! 🤘

[@rschumaker40]

I still come back and watch this video every time I start feeling like I should just give up and it always makes me feel at peace knowing this is all part of the creative process. It truly inspires me and that is by far the best credit I can give to you. Thank you for covering this topic.

[@ultimatebullsfan1]

"Art is never finished, only abandoned" -Leonardo Divinci I think about this when I get overly critical about my music. Each piece is a stepping stone of imperfection, not a contest to see how perfect you can get it. At some point you have to say, "yes, this is enough," and then move on to doing a bettee job next time instead of focusing on how imperfect the last thing was.

[@thetanknological6763]

As someone who has a huge passion for music and is trying to get into creating music, this was very inspiring and helpful. I’ve been lacking the confidence to create things because I’m worried it won’t turn out the way I want or that nobody will even like it. I’m glad I came across this video though, really makes me wanna just go into my studio and start recording something.

[@911gatman]

When I needed this it came. I am just starting to teach myself music theory and the piano. I’ve made my first album on solely samples and it made me feel good but unfulfilled. I aspire to make my own music but it feels like a huge up hill climb. I am 28 and i have to constantly fight the thoughts of that it’s too late. This video gives hope but the feeling of not being “good” or “relevant” is over whelming. So thank you for sharing your thoughts

[@mikezieckas5738]

You're a jewel and I loves ya. Thank you many bunches for all the help. You, Kenny Gioia, and Adam Steel are my "teachers" and fav youtube gents. Many of us benefit greatly from your efforts. Keep preaching and teaching my man!

[@9877joseph]

Our art is our legacy. Thank you for the video.

[@BrokenBeats94]

Just at the perfect time - I love this series and how the explore the reasoning and logic behind creating music and how to get past challenges. I’ve got the next two weeks off, I work a college and I find myself daydreaming constant of finishing music, tying in a motion comic/visual element, local show. It’s crazy because I struggle with music but last year I started writing screenplays - never wrote a screenplay before but I sat and I got a 5000 word draft done in a week because I found this spot at a beach I really liked that felt like it could make a good setting for a short film. I had the attitude of fuck it, I write it and get it out, nothing to lose. Music I dwell on finishing songs so I can feel fulfilled and move on but it’s always a challenge finalising a mix down.

[@neutrin05]

Cameron, thank you for all that you do and sharing these words of wisdom. It helps a lot with my own internal struggles and I'm sure it does the same for many, many others. 👊

[@broberg.compositions]

This is the kind of content that can turn your mindset around. Instantly useful, well thought out and intentionally made. I have made a few awesome things but am struggling to follow up with something that feels of like quality. This helps to take the expectation and pressure of myself. At least enough to keep trying to make something that I like. Thank you for everything you do.

[@sauros1]

Making music is one of the few experiences I've found that brings me a level of purpose and excitement that very little else can compare to. And yet it also brings me such frustration and ultimately depression when I fail. So many unfinished songs, so many unrealized visions, so many attempts where the vision never really even came to me. I'm long past the delusion that I will become famous, and I'm well on my way to the realization that very few people will ever enjoy or even listen to my music. And yet...I keep coming back to it. Because while I will never understand why some people are successful in their art and others are not, I can't deny the fact that the music is a part of me. I must bring it out of my head and into existence. That's all that matters. And I will spend the rest of my life fighting whatever mental hurdles get in my way and prevent me from achieving this goal.

[@californiadeathworm8143]

The most recent thing I made had only one criteria: I was going to do the best I could at it. The best mix, vocal performance, etc. The thing is I started thinking about that with everything. The best marketing I could manage, the best effort at a live performance and so on. The most noticeable effect was that I liked the music so much more. I’m really proud of what I made because I did my best at it and I don’t have any regrets.

[@infn8loopmusic]

Whenever you're feeling down about your music remember all of the terrible or overly cheesy songs that have become popular through the years. Just keep going. Embrace your cheesiness and weirdness it's what makes you unique. Even if you make something you don't like, it's possible someone out there will like it anyway, so just keep going. And don't be afraid to expand your skills with lessons, classes and practice.

[@Boatfam4]

Your videos have reconstructed how I view success and the creative process. I convince myself that my shortcomings are proof that I can never improve, but this thought pattern alone limits me more than anything else. Without this barrier, I often become fully immersed in creativity. I can reach failure and choose what to do rationally, rather than immediately giving up. I've found that pausing to acknowledge these thoughts of self-disgust can be helpful. Not trying to suppress it, but noticing the sensations and thoughts that arise often times allow them to flow past. My mind doesn't hook on them as much.

[@jonathanzimmer8143]

Brian fucking Trifon(ic)! Nice plug dude! Trifonic taught me more about making electronic music in his little 20-minute videos in 2010 than anyone else on the internet to date. Things you could use immediately, no extra hours on repeat, reading forums with wheels spinning. Despite his outboard gear, insane sound design and technicality borne of DnB, he made it all so damn approachable. Visualize-able. Bypassed the overwhelming anxiety of learning any DAW, just foundations you could apply in your workflow that day... And every day since. If I ever release an actual album, "special thanks" just wouldn't do justice to his contribution. Brian, I salute you sir... And you too V.T., all you guys that tear down the barriers of entry for those who could once only listen and feel bitter.

[@shannonpalmer]

This is good stuff. I used to feel these things, but the older I've gotten, the more I just want to create for myself. I couldn't care less if anyone else likes what I'm making. If they do, that's fun I guess, but mostly I just like the act of making music, of designing sounds. And also, Bjork is a freaking genius.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

The creation of music is not My problem it's all the other requirements around releasing music.

[@JayM928]

I create music for myself, and it still depresses me when I’m unable to create something that I personally like. And I’m a harsh critic.

[@CantStopWontStopElle]

@@HOLLASOUNDS YES it's completely exhausting, I wish I didn't even have to think about it until the very end.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

@@CantStopWontStopElle I think I'm just going to Wright out a plan and just do it and worry about it after.

[@complex4059]

Damn ! For me it's just a hobby and I mostly make music for meself not others so can't relate with the depression part. But I get how it could be difficult for someone who is much passionate and want to break into the industry.

[@andrelucerofineart8507]

Great video. I have been a full-time professional artist for 34 years. It is a wild psychological ride. The twists and turns and forks in the road are consistent. Enjoyment of the process of creating has been the driving force throughout all of the challenges.

[@AlternativeCutsStudios]

I have similar thoughts about talent, it can't be trained, I don't have it, but after 10 years as a 2/d3d artist I'm still doing it even though I'm ashamed of half of my deliveries

[@connerstines1578]

I just cope by procrastinating and not releasing anything.

[@ChiefMiddleFinger]

Most honest comment ever !

[@lessismore74]

Thanks for once again putting your time into something so encouraging to so many of us. That is understandably its own hurdle, and I for one really appreciate it.

[@real.demesure]

Great to know that I wasn’t the only one! 6 years of mere depression because my ears weren’t trained, kick & bass always sucked, sound selection was bad. It’s very frustrating because as a producer, you are a bit hard on yourself (if you are not, you probably would have stopped earlier). It took me quite some time to make this frustration a positive thing, get critical about how I learn things, etc etc … The day you get it right, you will feel a huge huge self love and accomplissement, and it’s just the best feeling ever !

[@Mrevolva]

have my comment good sir

[@VenusTheory]

Have a baguette, friend 🥖

[@actualkevin]

@@VenusTheory nobody can eat a whole baguette. You need some friends and some cheese and a nice wine. In a park somewhere in maybe Switzerland on a sunny morning.

[@jonathanvinesar9023]

And my axe

[@Mrevolva]

@@jonathanvinesar9023 just what i needed :)

[@Mrevolva]

@@actualkevin but does he want me to eat it

[@furlongfurlife]

I really am so glad to have found your channel. I appreciate your candid nature and find your content to be motivational in many facets of life. Thanks for your creativity and for your attempts to inspire us to likewise create something awesome

[@harbourvioletmusic5330]

THANK YOU! I needed this ❤

[@selevi]

needed this

[@tommasomaiello]

Man I love your channel, just discovered it, grate videos!

[@NordiusOfficial]

Thanks for the inspiration!

[@frankr.6578]

Your approach to creativity and its base is really special. Great video!

[@reidsoundz9905]

Thank you for this. It hit me at just the right time. Had one of those days yesterday going through things I’ve created and they all sounded like sh*t to my ears. And so started to have that created-existential moment of what am I really doing. This vid helped me get past that feeling and I’m ready to go back and start creating

[@FernandoQuevedo]

Always great content. Thanks for the video!

[@bharumusic]

Needed this today 🙏🏾 thank you Sir!

[@jdavis.fw303]

🙌 Well said! So many people need to hear all of this, and many need to hear it again and again and again.

[@dnbunitedrecords]

Really enjoying your insight!

[@cblanchhiphop]

Appreciate this video - definitely a feeling all creators go through!

[@axelrose2861]

Needed this today, thankyou

[@ckek2547]

Love your videos man! Thank you so much! So helpful as always!

[@timwoodruff]

Thanks for doing this. It came at the right time. The last couple days have been a little rough, so I appreciate you making the video.

[@srmontevirgen]

I really enjoyed the production on this video and the thoughtfulness of your message. Thank you for sharing.

[@finnsterling6514]

What a fantastic vid. Thanks a lot for putting it together and sharing it with everyone.

[@k-g-p]

Really like this new style of your last videos. You're filling the gap in synth youtube....real philosophical deep talk on all different topics. Thank you for your work.❤

[@johnfowlertrailrunning]

Such a cool, well constructed video! Life is hectic at the moment and creative productivity low, but you are helping inspire me to get my ass back into it! Thank you !

[@myceliumbug]

those kind of video are always so inspiring, thank you!

[@coreyroberts47]

Man I needed to see this. I’ve been in a mental hospital for 8 years, and decided to go full on in fully sequenced heavy prog since I can’t access everything I need to make it organically. Maybe it’ll be a start of something new in the art world. Maybe nobody will care. But I will care, and if I make stuff to be proud of and tell the story, I’ll die happy. Also once more round the sun is a killer record

[@Taki-NeobaroqueDZ]

Very motivating, thanks!

[@Harmonic_shift]

It’s more about being able to bring beauty into the world. However you can do it. That’s the entire point. Do what makes sense and be practical.

[@BinaBianca]

Thank you!

[@mikelwis1]

Omg, loved this one. Thx