Ahhh, what a pleasant Monday afternoon. Not gonna lie, this breeze is phenomenal. I can't ask for anything more enjoyable at the moment. Well, that's a lie, I would love to be on a stage playing in front of hundreds or thousands of people... that would be more enjoyable, BUT- I'll definitely take this awesome day.
I have been shown a new direction: solely music. I've been through some things lately that have pointed me in the direction of pursuing music and only music. I've got some amazing contacts and an awesome band, but also some great solo music and have played some successful solo gigs. I was given this talent and love for music for a purpose, it would be a shame to waste it and not spread my love and passion for this indescribable artistic form of human expression to the world and the ears of the willing. So, I'm really really pressing the same avenues I have maintained, yet before it was in a much slower fashion. I'm stepping my game up. No excuses, and no backing down. This is the dream I've kept so close to my heart for the past 17 years. I will not fail.
The one thing that has frustrated me with the mainstream music today is the lack of art or lack of creativity. Yes, rappers say some hilarious lines that they've come up with, which are quirky, and creative in wordage, but the music and subject matter is completely the same. I feel the mainstream industry uses a cookie-cutter formula and focuses too much on profit, instead of the art. Back in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, and arguably the 90s, the money supported the artist. But now, the artist supports the money. Labels are just wanting to make a quick and large profit. They are business men leading an artistic industry. I completely understand the need for business-minded individuals in the industry, don't get me wrong. I respect most of them, too. But the artists can't let them forget what this industry is about: the music.
This is why I love the Foo Fighters. They are a prime example of dudes who maintained and progressed in their own sound, reaching bounds in a natural evolution that is uniquely the Foo Fighters. They haven't tried to write songs that cater to what sells in the industry, they just write, record, and put their sound out there. It was amazing to see someone like them receive the 5 Grammy's they did in an industry of art that has completely lost its heart and soul. That was epic if you ask me.
What really gets to me as well, but also makes me admire and gain more respect, is that some of these pop artists are truly gifted in their songwriting, production, and instrument talents and skills. Lady Gaga, for example, crushes it with her piano skills, as well as her vocal abilities and songwriting dominance. As much as I can't stand Disney-groomed stars, Nick Jonas actually has phenomenal guitar abilities, as well as other instrument talents. He can also write really great material. These are just a couple of examples.
I want to also throw this into the rant I'm giving you: Justin Timberlake is bad ass, PERIOD. His style of "Pop" is actually really unique if you listen to it and then listen to all other Pop. He writes and co-produces his own material. He also can play guitar, piano, and obviously sings damn well. But, I've listened to everything he does, and it's phenomenal how much intricacy and instrumentation he includes in his music. It is a truly musical pop-style, if you ask me, and I feel he deserves way more credit than the majority of pop stars out there.
Lastly, on my rant, I completely support and understand if those who are part of the cookie-cutter industry truly love doing exactly that. I get it. If that's what they want, then more power to them. And I still find most to be talented performers. Most, not all, have good voices, and can dance like no other. And I just want you to know that the folks that fall under the same type of Pop/R&B as Usher, I don't include them too much in the cookie-cutter industry. In other words, there are still those who are in the "Pop" realm that are actually being creative, talented, and unique in their "Pop" sound.
All in all, the music industry has lost its heart and soul, but I understand those who love what their doing, and I appreciate the people who in that industry are still being creative and unique... maintaining some form of art.
So - with this being said, I'm pushing my music in an industry that may not receive it so well. But I'm okay with that. I'm still wanting to do what I do, and I know there are people out their who will appreciate and support it, morally and financially.
So this is my statement of freedom and hope. Here's to Eric Paul making it. Here's to my success and happiness. Here's to passion and love. Here's to the music.
