Chapter 5: Narciscuss & Two Weeks in Review

Posted by admin on March 5th, 2010 | 1 Comment »

So in my last post I spoke about how both narcissism and insecurity have been holding me back from truly getting to the next level as an artist.

I thought more about the reasons for why I felt like I needed to do everything (see Chapter 4 for more details) and in thinking about it, I realized that it really does come from a deep rooted desire to be “everyones” favorite (musically speaking that is.)  It’s completely irrational I know, and I feel slightly embarrassed being so transparent about myself in such a public forum as a blog…but it’s the truth.  I believe that my drive to please others by trying (and failing) to appeal to the full gamut of musical tastes (an R&B song here…a jazz etude here, a pop song here etc.) is the result of me feeling like “making it,” is being “everybody’s favorite.”  Of course this is impossible, as well as irrational but, in soul searching a bit as to where that drive came from…this is what I discovered.

This is narcissism at it’s best, and before I drown in the waters of my childish self-absorption, I am calling it quits today.  No more.  I understand that this desire is an unconscious, psychological blunder, humorously made manifest by wanting to musically please everybody so that I don’t have to deal with not being liked by everybody, but no more.  So here’s the truth:

Most people in the world won’t love my music.

Some people in the world, will hate my music

A fraction of people in the world will LOVE my music.

That fraction will like other things as well that are similar to my music.  They will probably enjoy books like “The Fountainhead” or “Catcher in the Rye.”  They will like personal development books by authors like Osho and Tony Robbins as well. They most likely will care about lyrics in addition to “catchy hooks” and have an ear for sometimes unique or obscure melodies.  They will probably like shows like South Park, or shows on HBO like True Blood or Six Feet Under.  Music is probably very important to the people who will take to  my music as it’s not great “Easy Listening” or “background” music.  For the most part (with exceptions of course) my music will appeal mostly to people over the age of 17 and under the age of 45.  I could go on and on, but you get my point. (If you love my music and don’t fit into any of these categories, unless you are my mom or dad, please let me know.)

And this is how it should be.

So no more loosey goosey, flying by the seat of my pants, just-wing-it, try to please everybody mentality.  I am focusing all my efforts now to total musical impeccability, top notch performances and shit loads of intense, near perfectionist practice.

The Past Two Weeks In Review:

Facebook Fans: I started two weeks ago with 268 fans.  I now have 900

Website Views: In the month of February I had a measly 22 views to my website.  In this last week alone I’ve had 70 (not huge numbers yet, but progress is still progress!)

Twitter: I did not record my twitter followers two weeks ago.  Right now I have 205.  We’ll see how much that number goes up in two weeks.

Other: I had no band members two weeks ago…I now found an amazing bass player.

Stay tuned…

Chapter 1: How I’m Going to Make It: Anything Can Be Accomplished In Life With 3 Things

Posted by admin on February 19th, 2010 | 1 Comment »

This is the first chapter of a story that both you (the readers) and I (the author) will have the pleasure of seeing and helping unfold in real time. Here is the basis of the story:

I believe that ANYTHING can be accomplished in life with three things:

1) A vision: my definition of vision is a clear, burning, and unbridled desire manifested in the form of a dream, or a want to become or create something in life. This could be becoming a doctor, a father, the president of the United States, a teacher…whatever.

2) An unwavering belief in oneself. This is self-explanatory

3) A shit load of hard work. Again, self-explanatory

This story begins with me, Zach Maxwell, who has had the vision of being a world-renowned singer, songwriter, performing artist, guitar player and motivational speaker since I was a young lad.

Why is this my vision? Because I believe that I have something to offer people, and that I have something to say. I believe that my soul is here to express my unique flavor of joy, passion, connection to God, the Universe, whatever you want to call it for the sake of helping others experience something greater for themselves as well. Call this arrogance, call it self-confidence, call it what you like. I call it my vision and it’s unwavering.

For the past ten years I have spent thousands of hours, at times, regularly practicing my instruments alone over 8 hours a day; refining, focusing, living and breathing my craft 24/7  to get to a point where I feel I am remarkable enough to offer something of value to people. I will continue to consistently practice my ass off and get better as this story unfolds.

For the past year also, I have been reading a lot on how the music business has changed, and how independent artists have a chance to “make it” in ways that they never could before with a lot of hard work and the technological resources available to us that weren’t available even 5 years ago. I am going to prove it.

Not only am I going to prove it, I’m going to use this blog to transparently share the steps I’m taking, as I’m taking them for all the world to see. This will be my “story.”

Just so we’re clear on what my vision is: My definition of “making it” is becoming world renown. Not being on the cover of People Magazine, not being a tabloid “celebrity,” but being a “world renown” artist…known for making a difference for people with my music and message. Right now I have about 10 fans. A few people, if any are reading this first post. At the end of this story I will prove to millions of people that with a burning desire and vision, a firm and unwavering belief in yourself, and the willingness and integrity to work your fucking ass off for your dreams, ANYTHING is possible. How long it will take? A year, 2 years, 10 years…who knows?

Stay tuned as the story unfolds.

And if you would like to help make this story happen, feel free to comment, share and spread this post to anybody and everybody that you feel would be interested.