Photo cred: Mackenzie Walker

Validating a career as a musician is not easy regardless of your progress. When people ask about your passion or your job, music may be an intriguing answer but it’s not always given full value. Even with the soundtracks of our lives filling every corner of our down time, carrying us through moments of study or research, helping us finish housework; will it ever receive the attention it deserves? Does it need to?

I think back to the summer of 2023, a relished two months of mind-melting concerts. Specifically, I recall pooling into a “Tears For Fears” on their “Tipping Point” tour – a truly phenomenal album. Roland had a chuckle as he shared a memory. He had been passing through an airport on his travels when someone struck up conversation, unassumingly asking him what he did for a living. He simply mentioned that he was a musician and they dug further asking what kind of music, and so on… in the end, he had to sing a snippet of “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” for them to show any sign of real surprise. Even still, their reaction was mild. My point being: no matter where you’re at in your musical journey, reknown doesn’t really matter because most of the world will likely never know who you are and that’s okay.

All that needs to hold weight is that you know you’re a musician and that you enjoy creating. For years now I’ve been anxious to fully share my craft. I fear how people will perceive me and my work even when I firmly believe in my skill. I want to flip my own script with this new journey as a public-facing composer, under my own name. I feel proud of where I’ve come, and I hope this blog enriches your life in some fashion as I’m sure it will mine.