A student in the songwriting class waited after the class ended and everyone left, then asked me if I thought he would make it in music. Said I have no idea, it is like a small opening in a wall that a zillion people are trying to get through. Odds are not on your side but at the same time youth and ambition are. Said he has to make it because he needs to know his music will live on after he dies.
Why do you need to know that?
It proves I was here.
To who?
To everyone, the world.
So if you can’t prove to the world you were here, then you weren’t here?
Yes.
So maybe I’m not talking to anybody right now?
Ha ha ha. Then why do you make records?
It gives me pleasure and it gives other people pleasure, well maybe not Richard Flohil or Tim Perlich but there are a few who like it.
Don’t you want to be immortal?
You think making music makes you immortal?
When people play David Bowie – he’s alive again.
So what you really mean is you like imagining people listening to your music in another time after you are dead.
You got it.
You could say the same thing about a book by a dead author.
Yes.
Or a painting or a film or building.
Yes.
You can record your music on your phone these days. You can put it online in some way, whatever, poof you are there until that website is no more. You “made it” no?
I would rather make a much bigger splash.
A bigger splash.
A great big stone in the water, generating many ripples for a long time to come.
A poor player who struts and frets his way upon the stage…
Your lyrics?
No someone else, older from the British invasion.
I love that stuff.
Me too.
Thanks for the advice.
What advice?
That I’m young and ambitious and have good odds of making it, you said so.