People hate when their record is not a hit. Or the one they’re working. Or the one made by their favorite artist. And what’s on the radio, what’s successful, sucks. I get it. You’re frustrated. You wish the world were different. But it’s not. Now I’m not saying everything that’s popular is fantastic. But I […]

I know I’m supposed to hate Luke Bryan. BUT I LOVE THIS! I know it’s a bit hokey, but the feel is utterly amazing, kind of like the intro to “Free Bird.” I sometimes wonder if I’ve lost my connection to music. There’s so much I don’t understand, so much that is sound without song, […]

Declare victory and stay home. With an 82% drop in its second week, from 305,280 to 45,536, “Artpop” is so stiff, you could iron a shirt on it. And everybody knows. And nobody wants to go to a show no one else is attending. Heat.  That’s what gets people to go, when their friends are […]

PRACTICE Your ability to play exceeds social networking. Your chops are more important than your social skills. Frequently the best musicians are near mute, they speak through their music, which brings adoring fans to them. First learn how to play. Everything else comes next. WRITE You can make it with other people’s songs, but it’s […]