dealing with (musical) rejection

When you write songs, you become highly emotionally involved for two distinct reasons:

1. The songs usually are personal and emotional in their content.
2. You worked your ass off to create the songs.

Then someone says you can’t play at their show because they don’t like your sound.

This hurts.

I’ve learned to just say “thank you” and move on. Here is what helps me handle the situation:

1. MOST IMPORTANTLY:  Desire to never burn bridges. Folks change their minds. If you treat the person who rejected you with respect they might let you play in their show later. They might end up your biggest promoter in the future.
2. Believing in the music:  Music can be good and not liked at first. This is especially common with innovative material. Others’ lack of vision is out of your control.
3. Having clear goals in mind:  I know I want to promote the music, so I simply turn my efforts elsewhere toward achieving that goal. Others’ lack of vision is no reason to stop pursuing your own vision. 

None of this is easy, but these ideas helped me through a recent situation involving a multiple act show I was trying to join.

new song and recording: "Prayer (Say Nothing Again)"

This new, original song is called “Prayer (Say Nothing Again)” and was written in May 2016. The recording and lyrics are given below. Tablature and composition notes will be posted as soon as I finish them.

Recording

What It's About

The song is nominally about giving God the "finger". But it actually is about a crisis of faith which I have mostly resolved. However, since this is (sort of) punk music, I needed a rude image such as the middle finger rather than a sappy metaphor to portray the crisis.

Tablature

Tablature will be posted as soon as I finish it. For now here is a snapshot of my bass notes:

Lyrics

I just want to say nothing again
I just want to say everything again
But you won't listen anyway
But you won't get it anyway
So I'll just say nothing again

I can't let her go right now
So what the fuck do I do?
Trying to find a way to leave the situation
Trying to think of every way to get her attention

'Cause I just want her to stop ignoring me
And if she's not going to talk with me
I need you to explain what's up
I need you to explain what's up

I just want to say nothing again
I just want to say everything again
But you won't listen anyway
But you won't get it anyway
So I'll just say nothing again

Maybe it's slightly obsessive
But its probably real love
And I just want to share it with her
And I just want to spend time with her

So I'll just give you the finger
And say nothing again
But I really want something new to happen
Really want you to explain it to me
Really want you to explain it to me

I just want to say everything again
I just want to say everything again
But will you listen?  I know you get it
But will you listen?  I know you get it

So I'll just give you the finger
And say nothing again

Live Performances

• 23 May 2016 at Mr. Peabody's in Encinitas, CA
• 24 May 2016 at 1st Street Bar in Encinitas, CA
• 25 May 2016 at O'Sullivan's Irish Pub in Escondido, CA
• 30 May 2016 at Mr. Peabody's in Encinitas, CA
• 31 May 2016 at 1st Street Bar in Encinitas, CA
• 7 June 2016 at the Ché Café Collective in San Diego, CA
• 9 June 2016 at Aztec Brewing Company in Vista, CA
• 20 June 2016 at Mr. Peabody's in Encinitas, CA

hard rock cover of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face"

On a whim today I recorded a hard rock cover of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face". I hope you like it:

Live Performances

• 31 May 2016 at 1st Street Bar in Encinitas, CA
• 1 June 2016 at O'Sullivan's Irish Pub in Escondido, CA
• 9 June 2016 at Aztec Brewing Company in Vista, CA