No covers, no compromise...

I am (hopefully) about to embark on a new artistic journey - in the shape of a band with another guitarist.  Obviously, I have no idea how it will turn out - but I am hoping that it will be rewarding and feed my need for music making.  

It is a tricky business, because, like any other kind of relationship it inevitably relies on compromise and that seems to be something that gets harder as I get older.  I have been in a few bands over the years, some better than others, and some involving more compromise than others.  I have tried (other than one band) to resist the temptation to go the easy route and do covers - not that there aren't songs that I don't want to learn to play, or that I necessarily think that my songs are any better than anyone else's - it's more that I need that kinda personal investment in the music.  

Also, if you start off playing covers, people will often like your band because you play songs that they already like, and it makes it harder to move on to doing originals.  And to be honest, I don't play music to make other people happy (though I don't mind if they do) - I do it because I need to - and I feel that this is the most honest way to approach music making.  It is far too personal to do for other people. 

It perplexes me greatly when people complain because a band progresses and changes over time - particularly when they are talking about "progressive rock" bands.  It seems that they secretly (or not so secretly!) want them to keep making the same album over and over again (some bands appear to have made entire and alarmingly successful careers of doing just that).  That is most assuredly not what I want - I want bands to go away, search their collective "souls" and express what they find however they can.  I will listen.  I may well not like it, but if it is honest, I will respect it.  And it may grow on me.  If the artists are prepared to work hard on their music, I am prepared to put effort into understanding and appreciating it.  No X Factor(y) bad covers or written by committee nothingness.  (Yes I am probably a music snob, but I don't care - it is too important to me to take it lightly.)

So I go into my new band line up eyes open, sleeves rolled up and heart laid bare to feed the music.  I may get frustrated at my limited ability, but hopefully we will find something that will feed our souls, drive us on and maybe even someone somewhere, similarly twisted, may like it.  But in my heart, I don't care.  This is for me and my fellow travellers.