Day #13 - The Artist/Producer Relationship

 So its been a day for me , not a bad one , but most certainly a day. My artist and I worked on what we believe to be a really excellent track, which got turned down - which is OK, but how it got initially turned down is what this blog is going to be based upon (now mind you we got this all squared away, but I think it's important for all future artists/producers to understand this dynamic before going into the business)


Producers: you are the backbone of the song, you literally create the landscape and setting of a song that is soon to be created. Everything you create is for the most part (unless commissioned )  an expression and often extension of yourself.


Artists: You are, as is evident, the voice of the song. Now I stress the word artist and not "singer"because those are two very different things. An artist is as much a part of the creative process as a producer, where as a singer only does what is handed to them. There is nothing wrong with that but we are more focused on the artist  as a complete package. But I digress, the vision of an artist and their lyrics involves just as much depth and love as a producer puts into their instrumentals.


And then comes the clash.


You see sometimes the problem with two creative beings and their visions is that sometimes they don't match. An artist may have an idea for what they want their sound to be , where as the producer may have a particular sound they want on their beats or instrumental - and what the artist is putting forth isn't it.


So what do we do when two parties with a bunch of creative ideas are on other sides of the spectrum?


COMPROMISE.


There should never be an instance where an artist and his/her producer cannot openly communicate their desires for a particular sound or track. I believe having a dialogue between both parties in the end creates a better end result that all persons involved can enjoy. Lets be real, how often have we heard about artists who leave labels because their voice isn't being heard, or a producer going nuts because some artist thinks they know it all. We should always try to meet halfway REGARDLESS of who is in charge, or at least make some kind of  concessions to ease the creative process. 
    
ANOTHER THING


Just because YOU don't like it doesn't mean it's bad. People have varying tastes! Its OK not to like something, hell there is plenty of music I could do without. As a rule of thumb though, when creating a song with someone and the track isn't in a style you are digging, try to remove your personal opinion and see it from a standpoint of "OK I don't like this but is it well written? will it resonate with other parties other than myself?" To cast judgement on music  - be it the lyrics , the voice, or the beat - is OK only if its sincerely wrong (i.e. oversimplified lyrics, badly produced, bad vocals, etc). Its NOT OK if its just something you don't like (i.e. the artist has a vision of themselves doing a certain style , but since that style doesn't resonate with you , you choose to not like their work). That in itself is not OK. If that is the case you have two choices 1. work with them, they may not have the same taste, but you can see how others would really like their music or 2. not work with them. In the end though its best to try to understand your artist/producer and see their vision and what they are trying to do. 


Lastly if there is a problem, give a good reason or critique as to why. An artist/producer cannot move forward and make changes if there's no reason as to the why. As much as we all wish we are, we cannot read minds, so there's no telling what you do/don't want unless you speak up and clarify what is working for you and what is not. There's nothing more frustrating to an artist/producer than NOT giving a reason why you don't like something. All that does is causes tension and often leads to a strained relationship between you and your artist/producer.




Remember as with any relationship in life : COMMUNICATION IS KEY.


ANYWAY 


This is day 13 and I'm feeling rather good. Doubled up on my workout today and I'm feeling buff although I overslept on my nap and I think Ryan is more than ready to get back in here and record another track hahah.


That's all for today. Another success and another day into this beautiful life of change.




Daily OOOOUT