What Makes Your Music Unique

 

I was thinking last night about my struggles with myself to get my music "out there." I am my own worst critic, and I get in my own way. I trip over my feet 14 times a day about it.

And I came up with this. It finally occurred to me that my music really is unique because it's mine.

It's such a simple thought, and pretty self-explanatory. 

But I think it'll go a long way in helping me "open my mouth" to sing my songs so people can hear what I write. 

I posted this on Instagram, and got a ton of likes and comments - more than usual. I am definitely not a social media "influencer," so I was pleasantly surprised. My Instagram account is @fmclemore1, if you'd like to see the post. I just pasted it here.

I have a unique place at the "musical table," like everyone else. And it's time to sit down there. 

You're Not "Less Than" If You're "Parttime"

Songwriting is one of the biggest joys of my life, and I love it madly. But I've got a little secret.

I don't do it "fulltime."

By that, I mean it's not "all I do." I'm starting a graphic design business for musicians, I'm also starting a bachelor's degree in graphic design, I'm launching a line of coffee mugs with my fine arts pictures on them, and a line of fine arts prints.

So I split my time between music and visual art. And I love it. 

But occasionally a "fulltime" musician tries to give me flack and grief for that - for not thinking like they do. One in particular said he didn't see me "focusing on any one thing."

I told him he needed to understand that some people just want to make music parttime, or as part of something else. 

I also said he didn't have the right to tell me or anybody else how to live their lives. 

Doing music "fulltime" may simply not be feasible for some people. Or maybe that's just never been their goal. It doesn't have to be fulltime.

And you're no less a songwriter if you don't do it fulltime. There simply doesn't have to be a clash like this.

People need to do songwriting however much they want to.

Breaking Out Of My Shell...Well, Trying To, Anyway

I'm not typically a "look at me" type of person. In fact, as a shy introvert, I try to avoid that as much as possible. Heck, I've practically made that my "brand."

But that makes me trip over my own feet quite often. As a songwriter, sometimes you have to call attention to yourself, or no one will hear your songs. Which is fine if you just want to keep songwriting as a hobby...but not if you want to get your music out there.

And I started a song about trying to come out of my shell. It's about how it's time to "let the world see me." People usually picture songwriters as happily strapping on their guitars and plopping down amidst an eagerly-awaiting audience and playing their songs. That movie scenario is not the story of my life. 

Truth time: it took many years of being with my partner to feel comfortable singing around him, and talking about my songwriting. It definitely wasn't him; it was me. This girl was too shy to sing or talk about my songs with him.

So I'm really trying to come out of my shell - in a way that is safe, comfortable, and non-threatening for me. This song could be a big part of that. I'm including it on my Evolve album late next all. 

If you need to come out of your shell...I'll be with you. Maybe we'll peek out of our shells at each other. 

"Weird" Sources Of Inspiration

You often hear that nearly anything is good inspiration for a song. And that's true.

I get inspiration in two particular ways: while I'm walking, and when I'm in water. I call that "weird inspiration" because I'm not totally sure why those things inspire me in songwriting. 

Maybe that's simply how my brain works. Everybody is wired differently.

I actually got the idea for the very first song I ever wrote while I was out walking, about a girl who's sad over a breakup that happened right before summer started, and how it doesn't feel like summer since that breakup. The lyrics were fine, but the melody was really maudlin. Still, it wasn't bad for a first try.

Another time when I was taking a walk, I started thinking about an old boyfriend. And I thought "I should just leave him in the past and lock him there - leave him someplace where I can't find him." 

My brain went "Ding! Ding! Ding!!!"

A song that came to me when I was in the shower is about someone I was listening to, who was having a hard time getting his career going. I thought "I hear your fear." The melody came to me the next morning while I was picking up my shampoo bottle. Hey, whatever works!

The songwriting muse shows up in the most unexpected places, doesn't it?