"I don't like that man. I must get to know him better." - Abraham Lincoln
If only we all gave each other second chances like Lincoln. Unfortunately in most cases, we have one chance to make a good first impression, and if it goes poorly, there's rarely an opportunity to change the other's perspective.
When it comes to music, this scenario could not be more applicable. You know within seconds if you enjoy a song or if you're going to press the 'skip' button. For a musician, it is a tough challenge to keep an audience. Do you write a catchy hook and repeat it immediately? Do you have an exciting/dramatic musical intro? Or do you go for the heavy, heartfelt ballad that doesn't build in excitement until a minute into the track and risk the chance of not having any listeners? Sell-out? Or stay true to what you really want to say? These days, the attention span of most people has dwindled to almost nothing, so what is an artist to do?
I think it's important to have a body of work that has a mix of different tracks that at the end of the day are all a reflection of the artist. Some of a lighter tone and some that deal with heavier issues. Find the Paul McCartney and the John Lennon in your own work, and find a way to have both. Impress them with the hook, and make them stay with the message. Don't compromise your work, just compromise your approach.
And on a more universal level, practice the act of giving second chances. Give people the benefit of the doubt, and the chance to undo what was done in a moment that could have been misunderstood or misconstrued. Forgive and learn, because we all have the power to change our own pattern of judgement.
Have an amazing weekend!
- K
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