16000
It’s been a bit over two years since I’ve modestly begun exposing my original work to the public. It all began by building this website and the Soundcloud profile where you can currently listen to about fifty finished pieces. I’ve recently reached a number of more than 16000 listenings. It doesn’t seem like much, right? True, if you are comparing me with a rising pop star, let alone with the established ones. One thing is to have well-oiled machinery behind that actively pushes you forward, the constant attention of the media and audience, as well as the product that people like to buy. It is a completely different story if you’re a reclusive composer of instrumental music who is looking for his place under the sun in the most difficult way possible: all by himself.
From that perspective, I really shouldn’t be disappointed with my results so far. During a period of more than thirty years, I’ve independently learned to compose, arrange, produce, edit, and design; let alone to be a proficient multi-instrumentalist. Somehow I managed to make ends meet only with music for the past decade. I’ve always tried to learn as much as I could, broaden my creative horizons, and be constant in my progress. As a matter of fact, in the last couple of years, I’ve been especially productive: at the moment, I have more than a hundred finished and registered compositions and enough material for almost ten whole albums that I’m hoping to publish. Through Soundcloud, my music has been heard by people from around the world and I’ve received positive words from professionals, enthusiasts, and music lovers alike.
Unfortunately, you just can’t make it without some concrete help from others nor expect to be equally good in all necessary areas in order to capitalize on the long-term passion and devotion toward something. Marketing, PR, promotion, etc. were never my “thing” and I still can’t afford to hire the experts who could do those for me. The same goes for making music videos and organizing public performances.
I often think about the song by legendary Kraftwerk entitled “Showroom Dummies” and its first verse: “We’re standing here, exposing ourselves”. This is my only currently available strategy. To continue creating, perfecting, and promoting your work any way you can, even if it’s just a passive one.
Although I’m constantly hoping for some more tangible results, the concept of “art for art’s sake” was always behind everything that I did. The music itself was what defined, fulfilled, and drove me through life. I never gave an advantage to anything else, though this love has also deprived me of security and stability in the process. But no one should be running away from their very nature, no matter the cost.
The music I’m making might not be suitable for wider audiences. It loses much of its meaning if you try listening to it only casually or while doing something else. But with just a bit of time and patience, I believe that anyone can at least recognize the emotion behind it. So, my dear and esteemed listeners, it’s your turn.