May Newsletter

Open Mic + Giving Space To Your Art

Well, May has come and gone and I have to preface this newsletter by saying that I haven’t done a lot on the music front this month. I’ve been focused on building a mindset coaching business but that didn’t stop me from getting out to at least one open mic this month (videos below)!

Also, I want to share a production tip (and you can apply this to just about anything, particularly a creative project) which is to take a break from whatever creative pursuit you’re working on and come back to it with fresh eyes (or ears) later.

This is no less true when working on a song or a mix.

When you’re working on producing a song — as is the case with Baby Blue (which I’ll be sharing publicly soon, barring any bumps in the road) — it can be easy to go “ear blind” or become accustomed to the sonic quality of a mix.

When you step away from the project for a week or two and come back with fresh ears, it’s a golden opportunity to get a brand new perspective on a mix, a piece of artwork, an essay, or whatever you’re working.

In the case of a mix, you’ll notice what sounds off, what’s missing, what’s working, and what’s not.

I always grab a pen and a pad before hitting the play button again because I know the things I’m going to hear will be worth the time away from the project.

View St. Social Open Mic

I went to the View St. Social open mic the other week (this is the newly established open mic to replace the recently discontinued Hermann’s Jazz Club open mic) and got up to play a few songs.

Here’s the first one. A song by Beck called “Lost Cause”:

Here’s the last song in the set, from the band The Stills, called “Being Here”:

For the 3rd and middle song (Fake Plastic Trees) and audio-only recordings of each song, join the Patreon and support me on this journey to keep putting myself out there, making music, and finding my voice! Thanks in advance!

Half-Assing It?

Watching back on how I opened up my first song, it’s clear to me that I’m not putting forth the effort I could be. Saying “I’m just gonna play whatever cover’s on the top of my mind” is okay but it’s a very lazy approach to public performance (I also noted that I could maybe smile more and give the impression to the audience that I’m happy?? Ha!)

Instead of “winging it”, I should take the time to learn the lyrics (I need to buy one of those phone attachment arms to hold my phone), prepare what songs I’m going to play, rehearse them a little bit, and just generally put more effort into it!

I know this attitude stems from a mindset so that is something I need to actively work on (I’m working on becoming a mindset coach after all)!

Is there a place in your life where you’re not putting in the effort or commitment you feel like you could be?

Anyway, thanks for reading and for your continued support. 🙏🙏🙏

Let me know your little tricks for finishing your work, polishing something that’s not quite done, and how you find the motivation to put in the effort in the comments below!

-Dave