10 Things About Growth If You're An Artist

10 Things To Think About Concerning Growth and Growing as a Professional Artist: 1. Growing pains exist. There will be a time when you are still developing your skills. As a matter of fact, you will always be developing your skills. There will be moments when others doubt your abilities, or doubt what you can do. You can, at that time, decide whether or not you are going to honor your reality, or theirs. I suggest honoring your own.

2. Not everything is for everyone. It's ok if people don't like what you do. As a matter of fact, the more people don't, probably means that you are closer to finding your niche. If you are a really good americana songwriter, or incredibly skilled with ink drawings, then maybe a metal head won't like your song, or maybe a fan of water color paintings isn't going to choose your ink drawing. There are lots of people who do like ink, and who do like americana. Do what you do first, then find the people who dig it.

3. Marketing, marketing, marketing. The more organized and intentional you can be with your business, the further you're going to go. Period. If you take your business seriously, others will too.

4. Take a break. When you need one, take a vacation. As a self employed artist, It can be really hard to take time off. But it does your body, your mind and your soul a world of good to take a break every now and again. Yes, there are times when you have to put the pedal to the metal, and just move forward, but balancing that with taking breaks when you can is imperative to your survival as a person and an artist.

5. Shake hands and kiss babies. Take a page from politics 101, remember names and remember faces. Connect with people when you meet them. Care. Not disingenuously, do it for real. When you meet someone for the first time, look them in their eyes and search for their soul, be open to being moved by the person.

6. Those who do, do, those who don't, don't. Start something, and see it through. Don't let fear rise to the surface and drown your enthusiasm before you get a chance to explore your ideas. Think less and do more. Book your tour, make your record, show your work, etc. Do things, big and small, "smart" and "dumb".

7. This time right now while you are doing your thing, isn't your last time doing it. So don't get caught up in perfection. Process, not perfection.

8. Remember to check in on your goals. Every now and again (every three months?) take stock of where you are with them. Are they achievable and time sensitive? If someone asks, are you able to clearly communicate them. Write them down, and work backwards till you have the small steps clearly identified. Make it a habit each week to contribute in some small way to the execution of your goals. Each week I ask myself a simple question: "what is the one thing that I can do that can have the biggest positive impact on ___" (fill in the blank).

9. Get a hobby outside of your art. Seek inspiration else where.

10. Be open to life's many twists and turns. There are very few things in your (our) actual control. You can't predict or control how, what or why. But you can control your own reaction to the peaks and valleys. I'm not saying don't every have a pity party, i'm saying be intentional with your pity party, and when you are done, move on. If a song publisher says no, or a dance troupe goes with some one else, what does that mean? Nothing. It means nothing. It means that you can then shift your focus, when you're ready (after said pity party), to what you are supposed to be focusing on, Whether that is the next dance troupe or something completely different. Who knows? Being open is the point.

Week 5 of 52 in 52:

Yellow Stone

you can stream it here: https://soundcloud.com/nickbullock/yellow-stone

Commitment

Commitment: The scary thing about committing is that you are officially on the hook. The scary thing about being on the hook is that you might be taken to task for not seeing it through. And if you fail, not only do you let others down, but you let yourself down, and that doesn't feel good.

But commitment is also confidence, it's a way of publicly stating your intentions. It's a powerful statement that "yes, I can" is in action. And the funny thing is, even when you trip up and make mistakes, people usually respect those who have whole heartedly committed themselves to something (an ideal, a job, a process etc), and rather than hanging you out to dry, they tend to give you a second chance. The question then is how do we want to perceive ourselves (therefore have others perceive us)? Whether we commit a "take to tape" at a recording session or commit to a relationship, I think the answer is obvious.

this week in 52 in 52:

The Hand That Pushed:

to stream, go to: https://soundcloud.com/nickbullock/the-hand-that-pushed

Working IN your business, Working ON your business: the difference

There is a big difference between working on and working in… both are important. I know for me, when I get myself organized about which is which, it helps me to prioritize, and get clearer about my goals as an artist and a business owner.

Working in your business, for me is practicing my instrument, playing gigs, recording, mixing, producing, writing songs, song writing sessions, and a host of other fun "artistic-y" things. I generally spend more time doing these things because I'm a firm believer in if you want to be know for doing great things, then you need to practice, and practice often. By working in my business, I get better, learn more, and generally have the feeling that I am progressing in my "studies".

Working on the business is doing all the managerial and administrative things. It's taking the time each week to write out my roles and priorities. Scheduling meetings, making coffee dates, scheduling recording sessions, booking gigs, scheduling rehearsals and in general reaching out to anyone I find fascinating, inspiring,and with whom I might work well with and want to meet. I still keep an old school date book/organizer to help me run my schedule (and business). Working for my business basically keeps me in check so that I am consciously taking the time for working in my business (my art), and making sure I have time with my family. Pretty boring stuff right? Well, it's not as sexy as practicing my sweep picking, or getting the perfect take from a vocalist i'm working with, but it sure does make my life breathable, and it makes sure I get all the time I want and need doing the things I love.

Of course both of these things combined make the whole, the yin and yang. And sometimes life chooses which you are going to spend more time doing, "working in" or "working on". It's a balancing act that has its own flow and zen to it. In the end, I meditate, I laugh as much as I can, I fall deeper in love with my wife everyday, I remind myself that I am a blessed dude for getting to work with creative and talented artists here in music city (one of the greatest cities in the country/world) and I get to do that for a living! I try to be as kind as I can, I try to bring out the best in the people I surround myself with, and I surround myself with people who encourage me and challenge me to be my best, and grow… And of, course i play my guitar and write songs.

So I guess there is working on, working in, and then just being… what ever it is we want to be.

Week Number 2 of #52in52:

"Nervous"

to sign up for the #52in52 mailing list for exclusive content, voting on your favorite songs and other cool shit send your email to:

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to stream this weeks song, go to: https://soundcloud.com/nickbullock/nervous

My Week in Nashville in Pictures and Words

Hey Friends, I thought it would be cool to share my week with y'all here in Nashville, in picture form :)

Sunday, I got to work with this sweet lady, Heather Hershow, a songwriter here in Nashville. We met a few weeks ago, and she wanted to do a single of one of her tunes. We're kind of going for the popier side of country… which is really cool for me, because I don't get to go there all that often. It's always fun to do something a little bit different! She has a great voice and it's a really good song, so that always makes it easier and more fun… we'll finish her single up probably sometime in the next month, but for now you can check some of her older stuff out here if you're curious: http://heatherhershow.wix.com/heatherhershowmusic#!music/c1x9v

Cait and the Bad! My other band…. we rehearse every monday. That's Dan playing drums, and Kevin (from my band The Sound Awake) playing bass while his bass wears my wizard hat (thanks Will for the hat!). We have our first gig this coming wednesday at the basement! Cait Leary writes some great songs, and can sing her but off, and recently we added Paige to the band, who let me tell you, can also sing her but off, and the two of them together = magic… We haven't recorded anything as a band yet, but I bet in 2015 we will… you can check out some of her older recordings at http://cait.bandcamp.com

Then Tuesday, I met with another artist that I'm producing, Miss Lauren Pratt. Lauren has a voice of an angel really, she's a trained music school geek like myself, who writes great songs. I'm really excited to see where we take this record, as of now, we're still in preproduction mode, but the work tapes we are getting done sound really great already. Think somewhere between Gillian Welch and AKUS… it's amazing how talented everybody is down here. You can check her out here: https://www.facebook.com/laurenprattmusic

Then on Wednesday, I got to hang with my buddy Joe Novelli, who was in town to see some buds play in Nashville, and playing some gigs in Asheville NC. Joe is probably the most talented lap slide player I know, and really, one hell of a dude. After seeing his buddy Tyler Ramsey (Band of Horses) play a solo set, we came back to my studio and hung till 3am or so trading songs and stories… I really like hanging with Joe, and it was a treat getting to catch up. And seeing Tyler perform was awesome too. http://joenovelli.com

Thursday night found me and my two band mates doing some recording for future projects and releases to be announced soon in 2015. Still working on the website too, but eventually it will all come to fruition.

Friday, I got to hang with Beau James and Jenny to finish tracking for his record that I'm producing. You've probably heard me write about him before on this blog, but in case you haven't, this record is full of heart ache, pain, joy, trials and tribulations, and most importantly Beau's truth. I feel very blessed to be able to work with artists who dig deep, and really push themselves. Jenny laid down some great back ground vocals to tie up all the loose ends that evening, and  now we are just starting to mix. Really, this one is special, I'm not just saying that. http://www.reverbnation.com/beauwigington

Saturday, I got to spend some quality time with the most beautiful woman in the world! She really is my better half. Meredith, I love you, you are the light of my life, and with you, I am whole. This thing called life is much better with you, my beautiful wife. www.meredithcbullock.com

Sunday we had some visitors from my home town of Rochester. Pete and Marney brought me some reminders of home, Wegmans in particular. If you are aware of who and what Wegmans is, then you know that it is possibly the best grocery store out there… maybe after Whole Foods… and yes, for those in the know, that's some Country Sweet wing sauce that they brought me… come over some time and maybe I'll let you try it :)

And that was my week!

The Listener is...

A wild beast, unpredictable, untethered, and roaming the desert constantly changing its habits, making it almost impossible to track or chase. So what do we musicians, artists, players and writers do? Do we follow the trail, hire a tracker, load our packs with fifty pounds of shame and frustration and set out to capture their attention? No. Well, yes, and no.

We let them come to us, by being ourselves.

Yes, we do practice to get better, yes we are listening to the times pass with our ears to the ground, keeping track of culture's momentum. Yes, we want to know what the thirteen year olds are digging on. Yes, we want to know what is happening in the clubs of NYC, on the front porches of Nashville, and in the back yard parties of LA. I say it IS good for us to know who headlines what EDM festival, and what the top college radio stations are playing. Its always good to keep your eyes open when you're in the wild desert homeland of the listener. So listen good, take notes, copy stuff, learn from everything, learn it all. Then forget it all, and let your voice come through.

Thats the only way you are going to lasso the listening public. Thats how you'll build a fan base. No matter what you do, if its really you, its really true, then the wild listener will find you.

From freak flags to sweet melodies... the right people are out there, your tribe awaits. Follow your own road.

5 Questions with Kyle Cox

Kyle is one cool dude. I first met him through mutual friends while he was here working on his record... which is awesome by the way. Give it a listen at http://kylecox.bandcamp.comSince first meeting we've kept in touch and kept tabs on each others happenings. I have to say, I love it when talented friends find well deserved and hard won success. Kyle is a great singer and writer, I asked him a bit about his process, what it was like working with Mike Marsh, and a few other things... here are his responses, enjoy!

1. What does a good song mean to you? What does it do for you?
This is such a difficult first question to answer. I feel like I'm always debating this in my own mind. I have so many friends I respect who totally view a "good song" way different than I & they aren't wrong. It's a very subjective thing.

For me, lyrics, melody, & structure are the 3 main elements I consider to make up a good song. And in that order of importance. If those things don't hit it for me, then I have a very hard time enjoying the song. Like if I have no idea what you are singing about, but the melody is catchy & the structure is real tight, I still will have a hard time enjoying it. Recently, however, I've been trying to not be so critical.

It's like food. Food is food. Taco Bell is just as much food as a $300 steak at the fanciest restaurant in town. Obviously one is "better" than the other, but it's still food. It's still going to fill you up, give you energy, & sustain you to your next meal. Both even have their place & time. The same with music. It's all got it's time & place, even if it's not my favorite, that doesn't mean it's not good or serving a valuable purpose. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, music is like food & I love Taco Bell.

2. You play a lot of intimate house shows, what is the difference between a house show like that and other concerts you've played? Do you like one more than the other?

 

I do play a lot of house shows. I really, really love playing house shows. Even though I am an introvert (and a very strong one at that), I'm a very relational person as well. I love the barriers & walls that get torn down during house shows between the listener & artist. It's a very relational thing. There's no lights, stage, speakers, etc that separates the artist from the listener & almost puts the artist on a pedestal. It's very transparent & very equalizing with the listener. No "rock star" persona possible when you are sitting on a couch in an apartment & the owners cat jumps on your lap mid-song.

There's also a lot more conversation that happens, it's a very vulnerable moment as an artist, and I think it's one of those things that in order to really make it enjoyable for the listener, you as the artist have to connect with them personally.

I do love playing any & all shows, period, and there's definitely something special about venues that you don't get in a house show setting, so it would be hard to say I really like one over the other. But currently, it seems the fans that have been connecting with my music the best have been the ones who have seen me at a house show.

3. You normally play solo, what was it like working with producer Mike Marsh and crafting an album with more of a full band or produced sound?

 

It was a killer experience. We've actually been working together a little bit before this record. Our first time working together, I sent him some acoustic demos & he emailed me drum tracks. Then I just tracked the rest in Orlando at a studio. The next time I came up to Nashville, tracked 2 songs full production with him in 4 days & it was such a rad time that as I was walking out to my car to head back to Orlando from that session, he literally said "write a record this year & let's record it this summer." So that's what I did.

I've definitely built a lot of trust with him, so tracking full band was rather easy for the most part. I would just send him the demos I did at my house, he'd track drums to them, have someone track bass, & then I'd come to town with bass & drums finished. It was very streamlined. I'm not really protective over the arrangements of my songs, so I'm always willing to do & try whatever idea anyone I trust has.

It's like raising a kid I guess (although I'm not a parent...ha). You obviously have an idea of what you want your kid to be once they are born. Like an ideal scenario in your mind. But to force your kid into that ideal probably isn't the best way to raise them. You want to give them all the options possible & let them develop into the person they were meant to be. It doesn't make that kid any less your child if they don't end up exactly like you imagined, & honestly, it probably makes them a better person. I think the same thing goes for a song. I sometimes have an ideal vision for where I see it going as a song, but I also want to see it go where is best for the song. Nine times out of ten, just letting the song grow in the studio usually leads the song to a better place than I'd imagine it would've gone anyway. It also doesn't make it any less my song.

4. What was the hardest song to write and cut on the record and why?

 

Hmmm...I'm not sure. I don't think really any of them were tough to record. The song I definitely spent the longest time writing would probably be "Bring Us To Our Best." I'm still very proud of those lyrics & I spent a real long time writing them.

I think the song I was least excited about recording was probably "Honey, Let's Run Away." Not because I don't like that song at all, but it is the oldest song on the record. I probably wrote that song 4-5 years ago & have played it for so long that it's just worked it's way out of my live set. I still think it's a cool song, but the honeymoon excitement of that song has long worn off well before I even dreamed of recording a full length. I think because of that, it was a little tough to get excited about the track & come up with some cool ideas. I definitely have to throw the arrangement credit to Mike on this one. He really brought this one to life & made it seem brand new to me again. He did such a good job producing this track. It's become one of the favorites of a lot of people I know.

5. What are some of the things you are looking forward to most now that you live in Nashville?

 

I think what I'm looking forward most about Nashville when it comes to music is just doing more of what I was already doing in Orlando. Orlando is amazing & I am so proud of being from that city, but there's just a limited number of places to play & music events to be excited about. The ones that are happening are super awesome & I love them, but there's really only 3 venues in town I love to play, 1 open mic I really love, and 1 songwriters group that I was a part of. 

 

I'm excited about just doing more of those things in Nashville. If I wanted to play a different open mic every night of the week here in Nashville, I could. There's far more than 3 venues I'm excited to play & that I have played already that I love. I've already had 2 groups of friends (you, Nick, being one of them) that have talked to me about doing a songwriters group. That's just all the stuff I'm really excited about. Doing a high volume of the things I was already doing in Orlando. The things I could only do once or twice a month I now can do 4-5 nights a week if I really wanted to.

 

That's a very exciting thing for me.

 

I'm also probably just as excited for seasons. I love seasons. I love that the leaves are changing & that it's cold. That rules.

 

Anything else you want to mention?

 

I have a full length record that just came out called The Plan, The Mess. You can find that record on iTunes,http://kylecox.bandcamp.com or http://www.kylecoxumusic.com

If you want to know when I'm playing next, head to my website or follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/kylecox

Humility

There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. "
-Ernest Hemingway 

The more "successful" people I meet, or read about, or listen to, the more I realize they all share a certain, and maybe necessary  trait, humility. I'm constantly amazed at their genuine warmth for the people around them. They might not always have the time they would like to spend with the people that they call friends, but when they do, they give 100% of their attention. Now of course, the same could be said for many people, fame/success or not. And actually, the overwhelming vibe here in Nashville (at least among the musicians) is one of support and togetherness. Which I think is part what makes it so special, and frankly, the real reason for the success of music city.

My feeling is that it is humility in particular, that separates Nashville from the other two (or three) towering "entertainment" city establishments...

What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself. "

-Abraham Lincoln

Anytime I've ever sat down on a gig or a session with someone who is constantly talking about who they know, what they do, and where everything they breath is about them, I immediately get turned off. As I am writing this and reflecting on it, it gets me sad. I think they are missing the whole point. When you come to a session filled with wonder, humility, passion and awe, it is truly mind blowing what gets accomplished, what gets done, and what fruit ripens from the collaboration. Pride on the other hand... is poison to a session (or a show, or a play, or a movie set, or a board room, or a CEO's office...).

Humility moves and inspires people. It motivates us to do better, to take risks, and make more of a difference. Humility is the cousin of empathy, that very human response in most all of us that allows us feel the pulse of our fellow man/woman, and respond with kindness. Empathy cannot survive with out humility, it gets choked to death and becomes disdain.

And don't take me for a fool, pride can be a useful tool sometimes. It's always good to take pride in a job well done. The difference, at least here, is the attitude that you bring with you before the job has started.

Humility can be a tricky thing though, it can be the saving grace of who we are, and what we do, or it can disguise the devil. And don't confuse humility with self loathing. To love oneself is to be humble, because when you love yourself, you know who you are, what you are made of, and what you strive for... where you can be better. This is not a torturous thing, this is the benefit of humility. It is the reason I pick up my guitar everyday and do my best to be better. It is the reason I write everyday, so I can push myself and go deeper. So I can see myself more clearly as an artist. So I can recognize that same passion for depth in other artists and be a better producer, and help them achieve their own dreams.

Humility, that low, sweet root from which all heavenly virtues shoot. " -Thomas Moore

My recommendation, what I am constantly striving for; start from a place of humility, and allow the nature of the humble path to unfold in front of you. It will always lead you true. It is one of the keys that unlocks our true and full potential. Humility, passion and discipline... you can't go wrong. You won't go wrong.

Some pics of my week/weekend :)

Locheland/Springsteen show at the Stone Fox

Forget the name of the band, but they were great!!! At the Musician Meet up at BlackBird Academy

Some youngins from BalckBird Academy

One Year

Have you ever dared to start over, to begin anew, click the refresh button for your soul?

It can be something that brings out an immense amount of excitement from deep within you, but can also have you trembling your ass off. It doesn't always happen overnight, it can take time for you to notice the winds calling. For me, there are voices in my head, the good kind, that yell at me over and over until finally I gather up enough courage to listen and take action.

This September marked the one year anniversary of us moving to Nashville. It has been one of the best choices I have ever made, one of the best examples I can think about in my own life of gathering that courage, listening to those voices, and jumping off the cliff. I'm lucky, I didn't have to do it alone. I have the love of my life here to experience all of the ups and downs a year of transition can bring (a year of life can bring). I have supportive parents, a brother who is cheering me on, not to mention all the old friends from New York (and beyond), and all the new friends from Nashville (and beyond).

It can be really hard (and scary) to start all over, especially being a musician in a place like this. One year in, moving to Nashville has already given me so many blessings that I would have missed out on if I lacked the wisdom to listen to those voices in my head. Thinking back on the week I've had, I've gotten to hang with a grammy award winning producer that I really respect and like, I've been reunited with an old tour friend, and gotten to meet some of the cool people he knows here in town, I've co-written two songs with two great songwriters, I had a great rehearsal with a band that I get to play guitar in, and I am going to top it off by recording and producing an EP for a great songwriter and friend this weekend, where I get to flex some new gear that I recently purchased for my studio. Oh, and I bought a new piano! This week is a direct result of the previous fifty one weeks that came before it, and all the aforementioned support that I've been lucky enough to have. And it makes me really excited, because if this is what fifty one weeks of hard work brings with it, then I can't wait to see what one hundred and four weeks bring! The courage it takes to dive untethered into new territory, is no small amount. But when we demand the most for ourselves and out of this one life we are given, the new roads we are called towards give us more in return than we thought possible.

There are no guarantees in life, but i'm constantly amazed at the gifts each new turn in the road can bestow for anyone daring enough to drive blind around a corner.

You can do it.