• "Real artists ship," according to Steve Jobs. So what's my excuse?
I'm reading the new
and every few pages I come across something that under normal circumstances would lead to a post on this blog. But these are not normal times. For one, I'm finally really looking for a job, not just saying I'm going to start soon. For another, I'm trying to be a good parent to
two mind-twistingly cute (in my opinion!) twin girls
. And finally, I'm trying to finish my first album — all of which means time is tight.
But back to the book of Jobs: it proclaims Jobs to be the originator of a well-worn phrase around Apple: "Real artists ship." Setting aside my own troubles, I have to ask, is this true? Is the ability to deliver a finished work what separates the real artists from the fakes ? I'm never one for absolutes, but I have to admit, I think I agree with this statement. I mean, anyone can proclaim that he will write a novel, make a movie or, yes, record an album, but the true artist actually does it, at least in my opinion. And the reason I believe this is very, very simple: no art, no artist.
So what’s my problem? Nothing new, just time, as in not enough of it. As of today, though, the album is done, the artwork is done, and everything has been uploaded to OasisCD, and all that remains is for me to approve one final proof of the inner 8-page booklet. I know I’m like the boy who cried wolf, but I’m going to finish and release my first album in the before Christmas.
I can’t wait. I will be so glad to have this album behind me, to have it out there, to be able to give it to people and get feedback. I’m also dying to try out some of the promotion/marketing techniques I’ve read about. My goal is to have 1000 people hear the album and tell me they heard it and tell me what they think, and not anonymously or in a way in which I can’t respond, but via good ol’ email. It’s a tall order, but I’m going to go for it. If you haven’t already, please sign up for my email list. I will be doing a lot more with it in the coming months. To sign up, please send me a note via the form on the left-hand side of this blog (I’m working on creating something more pro, but for now, this secure form will have to do).
Stay tuned!