(I edited this article, fyi, from an original 400 follower goal. I didn't intend it as annoying spam at all, but obviously it bothered a few readers.. so I am repentant. Mea culpa. My thinking was that sometimes people respond well to very specific goals and enjoy helping someone out--it's been effective and helpful in the past--and that maybe I would reach a few people that I otherwise wouldn't, but.. that's not how it was being received, so I changed it. I like that Steem seems to welcome changes of heart and perspective. Xx.)
A big hello, especially to those of you I haven't had the chance to connect with personally on this platform.
I'm a singer-songwriter and poet who has being slugging it out--with serious health problems thrown in!--for years now.
I have cried practically oceans over how hard it is (I think most people have no idea how hard and overwhelming it really is to be a full-time artist & musician, even when you have great opportunities). And I have fought hard and stuck to it just the same, because some things are worth fighting for. I believe this work is what I have been placed on this planet to do, and so I fight tooth and nail, every day.
I share this because being on Steem has given me so much hope in just two short weeks. With enough support on here, I will be able to see my way through to the next steps again. Constantly being in scramble-and-survive mode is hard on anyone, and not ideal for making good progress!
I am so grateful so far for all of the kindness and love and support I have received. People here seem so eager to help and hold each other up.
So.. with that in mind, would you kindly take a few minutes to look at the content on my blog and, if you appreciate my work, consider joining me on this journey?
Always so grateful. At this stage of things, it is honestly the case that I am dependent on the kindness and generosity of others to keep going in my work.
Sincere love to you all.
Xx,
Kay
Fake followers are good for nothing, or am I wrong?
No problem...
Oh, that is totally true. That's why I shared my story alongside - I want people to check out my work and THEN follow!
400 followers are just the beginning. I wish 1000000 :-)
:)!
i'll upvote you <3
Xx!
:*
I know a lot of musicians and it is extreme how hard it is to make a living. Lots of jazz musicians can say likewise, no matter how good they are!
It really is so so so hard. I'm not complaining, but I find that being real with people is helpful as most people don't understand just how hard it is!
All the best for you :)
Well, I didn't see this post with the original content, so I can't comment on whether it seemed out of place or annoying. But I will comment on one line here.
"I think most people have no idea how hard and overwhelming it really is to be a full-time artist & musician, even when you have great opportunities." Are you talking about the people that are not artists themselves? Every artist (writer, graphic designer, polymer clay sculpter, doll repainter, etc.) I have personally spoken to (or followed) knows this struggle. They know what it's like to spend two hours on a project and earn three dollars from it or nothing at all. They know what it's like to post something they put their heart into and receive zero recognition. They have heard the discouraging comments from their parents, strangers, and art professors. We all have our stories about shitty freelance work, earning less than minimum wage, and feeling unnoticed in a sea of people trying to get ahead by doing the same things we're doing.
The way I see it: a professional job as an artist is not something you should seek out unless you're okay with the struggle. Being paid to do what you love is not easy. I've seen digital artists make 100,000 + a year on Patreon, but that is not the norm (and these are people that spent upwards of a decade practicing the craft and learning how to appeal to their audiences). If you want to do what you love, you have to go into it knowing that you are fortunate to be making money at all from something enjoy doing. Art is not a money-making venture. I say this as someone who's done art pieces for what amounts to a few pennies for an hour's work, and I say this as someone who's tried to be a freelance writer and dealt with the kind of clients that don't value anyone's time (or emotional sanity).
Good paying art jobs don't come easy. This isn't directed at you specifically but at all aspiring professional artists. You make the choice to do something you love, or you make the choice to make a stable income. Sometimes, you get both. But the competition is increasingly difficult because artist tools are becoming cheaper, and people see the potential in making money from something they enjoy.
This is a realistic comment, for sure, and I appreciate it. I do think there needs to be more of a conversation so that people understand better that we will lose the gifts of good artists if we don't support them financially. I'm not necessarily hoping to change it for me, but I do think a more active conversation about these things might shift things culturally in the long-run.
The truth of my story is that because of health issues, my artistic work is all I've been able to do. It's a weird symptom, but I literally can't working any environment with fluorescent lights (basically any job, therefore). So it's extremely painful for me, when I feel I do have something to give that isn't being acknowledged, because it really is the case that that support really makes or breaks whether I can pay my bills.
So.. I don't say it to complain so much as to start the conversation. I have found a lot of people are more willing to give when they understand the struggle. Most people just don't know. And people spend money on all sorts of garbage.. it would be good for people to become a little more aware and instead make more conscientious decisions to support "good things" on principles.
Yes, I am a dreamer. But I have real, long-term high hopes for those dreams. I may be foolish, but only those who look like fools at the beginning are ever able to effect big change :).
I like that your comments are challenging. Never hesitate to contribute!
I don't like this kind of crying or beggin' around. If you are a good artist (what I think you are) you'll have no need to just add followers by doing like "Arghh...I am feeling so bad...I took so much drugs...I have got such a f*****d up life...please help me out" stuff. Means nothing to me, whereas art is doing so. Everybody has to struggle more or less, not worth mentioning.
Fair enough. I appreciate your comment. I hate the spamming as well. My idea was sort of: sometimes we only want for lack of asking, and I thought it might be a way to reach a different group of people who otherwise might not see my work. But if this is just annoying to people.. it's not the right thing.
It's not annoying me, but it's not reflecting my idea of an artists reputation and the way how to create attention. Let me give you an example of what I mean: You now the "Yiruma - River flows in you". That's modern classical popmusic with millions but millions of clicks and likes. By taking a closer look it's just consisting on four chords and any idiot can play it on the piano after watching a youtube tutorial. I suggest as simple as it's structure, as simple is it's meaning and as popular it is because even a simple minded one can get it.
Compare it to Bach, which at least is well known too and undeniable much greater artist than "Yiruma", but now compare the likes they get!
Bourdieu did much research about the relation between cultural/social behaviour and artistic judgement if you'd like to go deeper with it in a scientific way.
Having much likes (upvotes) and followers does not equal the quality of art, it equals the popularity of your art. For me popularity mostly means simplicity (in a questionable way). And being popular and at the same time a great artist is a thin line.
This is why I look forward to hearing from you more.
It is a tough line. My work musically isn't going to be remotely Bach. It is simple. But simplicity isn't the same thing as dumb, especially (for me anyway) when you throw in quality lyrics and a voice that you've worked really hard on developing. So the delivery becomes a huge artistic element.
Some popularity, however, is needed for the artist to eat. That doesn't necessarily involve compromise. But it does mean we have to fight to get our work in front of as many people as possible so we can find the ones who appreciate what we do.
Lots more to say but.. needing to pack and travel so have to go.
You're absolutely right! Therefore I am investing in crypto, it pays me being an artist;) Just kiddin...got a real job. Wishing you a safe travel
This IS my "real" job! Lol.
Thanks :)
"... not worth mentioning."
Except when you are financially in the basement, and you need help RIGHT NOW.
Sorry man, but... there are people in this world who really do need help from others, who are not loosers or drug addicts or alcoholics, and for whom in that moment there really is no other way.
If you don't believe in helping anyone who is in need, that's your thing. If you've never experienced what it's like to have your health or home depend on other people giving, I'm glad for you. But if you have no compassion for those who have no choice but to ask... I'm sorry, but that just does not paint a very good picture of you.
She has nothing to be ashamed of. Those who have no compassion for others, on other hand...
Thanks for the defence there :). He and I worked it out, and it's nice to see the dialogue that came back. I like you both a lot!
@iceflower: I think in some way you are right with your reply. But I don't think I am a bad guy although it seems a bit hard words with my first reply. But I am not refusing help, as I am following and upvoting many posts of her and other artists that are creating original authentic content, I appreciate that very much because I am presenting my compositions on steemit too. Further more I am helping people out if they have real needs. And as far as I could tell from the conversation with kayclarity she's absolutely right with what she's doing. I first was misleaded by the way the post turned out, so I judged or at least questioned the intention. Compassion is distributed very inflationary on the internet (for the fact that most of the people that you're compassionate about you don't really know, espacially on a platform that is paying dollars for clicks your compassion easily could be exploited). Because there seems to be real needs I don't judge kayclarity's intention anymore. I was just questioning... didn't want to offend her personally. And the "not worth mentioning" thing is just my personal way of questioning people's way to get along with more or less illness and stuff like that. For example the illness she's got is not a thing which is extraordinary to me, even with my friends there are two of them that I could mention, that are caught by the same disease, they even had parts of their thyroids been removed. Modern medicin is helping out, it's almost no problem in their daily life at all (although of course they have to struggle more than a 100% healthy person, but for them it would not be worth mentioning it). Hope that helps for explanation.
Thanks for taking time to respond so graciously. The truth is that my diagnosis is only very recent, and until now, I have just been debilitated from working any kind of regular job due to the fatigue, without hope of it ever changing. It will likely be a few more months until I really start feeling better.. so in the meantime, Steem feels like a Godsend of hope--even just a few hundred dollars a month would totally change things for me! xx
Look, I even changed my article. Happy? (not being sarcastic here) :). I really didn't intend it like you read it, but can accept that it's not translating out there, so took your advice. We'll see how it goes! lol. Xx, Kay
Oh wow, thank you, finally someone took my advice...the happiest day of my life;) Now seriously, thank you very much for checking out and commenting my stuff! I appreciate it very much. Wish you all the best, too!
lol! I try :). Now you have to be extra nice to me on my other posts to say thank you. Ha :)
I think soon you have 1000 :)
I appreciate the vote of confidence! I hope I get there, but that it's earned. I want people on my side who believe in what I do :)
upvoted and resteemed
Thank you!
Beautiful post... I appreciate your candidness, true genuineness is a rare commodity in the world we live in today. I also enjoy your music as well! While it's not what pays the bills for me, playing music, singing, and writing will always be what gives me true joy and fulfillment in my life. In truth, these days I do it for myself alone, but perhaps one day soon I will work up the bravery to share it with you and the Steemit world. Keep it up! :)
Thank you so much for your beautiful and kind comment, and so sorry the response was so late! I've been travelling and transitioning nonstop for the last week.
Really appreciate your support! xx
You're welcome! I understand how it goes :)
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I happen to love guacamole and avocados. Super food and very tasty, you're absolutely correct :)