An open letter to people thinking of following your music or art dreams.

An open letter to people thinking of following your music or art dreams.

Dear dreamer,

I can't seem to shake this bitterness. I've been trying all day but just can't. I know I have a lot of things to be thankful for but today it's hard for me to feel that way.

I write music. I've been doing so for 10+ years. Been playing some sort of instrument since 3rd grade. Yet I receive little to no compensation or accolades. Same with my visual art.

Since I was a kid people always told me "follow your dreams,work hard and success will come." That is a fucking lie. Here I am in debt to school so I could learn how to write notes, in debt for meager music equipment to make the music and almost nothing to show for it. No money, no notoriety, and I practically got to beg people to download my free music and even then nobody does.

And all those hours I took to practice, and compose and do things with quality were hours that nobody gives a crap about when I try to get "real" jobs. "So how do you think your previous work history, wait it say's you're a composer and stay at home dad...So ummm, well we were looking for someone with experience."

I've entered contests, tried doing shows, tried all the "social media". Tried all the DYI music industry tips and I haven't seen any of it make a difference. People just pass up my music like so much discarded chip bags.

Lables don't want me, independent gatekeepers don't want anything to do with me. Out of the 100's of emails and overtures to music bloggers and writers I have had a grand total of 3 reviews. Three. In ten years.

I think of all those hours. I think of all the money/things/time my family has given up because of "my dream". I then I think what was/is the point? Having a bunch of albums sitting on my hard drive?

Conclusion? Don't follow your music/art dreams unless you're obviously a prodigy or got lots of daddies money to burn on the right connections. Get a real job. At least you'll have vacation time and some money to actually take one.

One depressed monkey,
bubbles