Longevity
Lost interest in the middle, sorry.
My main homie
made a comment about longevity. Or something. Not burning out, that was the thing. And I want musicians to not burn out. My musical journey was changed early on, the Nuge got to my mom and my mom got to me, and longevity became a thing I did not know I valued, but I do.I think about Brian Wilson and his passing this week, and what an absolute icon he is. I mean, his parents were horrible. He was absolutely abused and exploited as a late teen and early 20s guy, BY HIS PARENTS. He did A LOT LOT LOT of drugs. And from what I read, he was actually mentally ill. Like brain chemistry doctor needed mentally ill. And he was exploited almost all of his life in one form or another. He must have not felt safe for a lot of his days.
And he made art all the time. When he was well, later in his life, he played shows when he could. He pursued and honored his gifts and his inspiration. He absolutely survived, and he absolutely carried on.
I have been gifted with a life that includes time with Hubert Selby, and Nick Cave, and Roky Erikson, and Wesley Willis, and Daniel Johnston. And for a long while, I was a member of the Blues community, in which longevity was rewarded, and youth was more or less mocked.
Do I want to be Buddy Guy or Little Walter? I know Walter changed the world forever, and this accomplishment is a massively big deal. Or, do I want to be Buddy playing live shows into his 80s, and being a vital voice that whole time.
Hold on....
I lost interest in writing this in the middle. I am sure there are tons of anecdotes. But here is the thing, if making art as a young person feels good, you should want to feel good as an adult.
Of course, all the shit is different.
But, shit. Lets make a commitment to art.
🤘🎙️🔥