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Post by wiz on Apr 2, 2021 5:49:40 GMT -6
I have just finished up what will be my 8th album....
as always when I finish.... I have this period of feeling drained......artistically exhausted......
.....feeling that the creative well has run dry.
I know it will pass it always does.......
just wondering if others experience this....
Now when the record is done...is the time for me to be most jazzed.....to fire up and promote...but the last thing I want to do is that.... lol
cheers
Wiz
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Post by kcatthedog on Apr 2, 2021 6:02:03 GMT -6
I started a post about a similar theme yesterday.
I think we get so used to this creative work that we do, that we lose track of how much prolonged attention and effort it actually takes.
Just listening to a show about being kind to yourself.
You’ve just expended a large amount of your resources, give yourself a break and kick back and consider what might be a good change of pace.
I just accept this as a natural cycle and in the down time, I don’t do the typical music thing, but do physical things, exercise, get outside, do housework/projects : just try to refresh myself naturally.
Is there something different you have been putting off: maybe try that and see how much you engage with it ?
Be well, my friend!
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Post by svart on Apr 2, 2021 7:04:32 GMT -6
I get like that even trying to write a single song. I get so worked up over wanting it to be perfect that I end up frustrated and moving on before anything is done.
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Post by mrholmes on Apr 2, 2021 7:18:55 GMT -6
I have just finished up what will be my 8th album.... as always when I finish.... I have this period of feeling drained......artistically exhausted...... .....feeling that the creative well has run dry. I know it will pass it always does....... just wondering if others experience this.... Now when the record is done...is the time for me to be most jazzed.....to fire up and promote...but the last thing I want to do is that.... lol cheers Wiz
Take a break. Do some meditation .. fill up the tank.
And then do the promotion thing.
It's a fact that most creative minds miss the business part. But that's the correct description of professionals, professionals make money from their Art.
And for God’s sake, you have gold nuggets in your save, you don't show them the world? Yes I know I suffer myself from this even bigger than you....
Online Promotion never has been easier, its a fact.
It needs a strategy, and its never been easier to read books about it. Being a guest in a podcast, start with small ones and climb up to more famous podcasts.
Be your own PR agency. Everything which is new is not easy, not to try is just stupid.
Read the "War of ART" it helped me to get my ass up.
He knows the problems of creative minds.....
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Post by EmRR on Apr 2, 2021 7:47:43 GMT -6
The day after the end of a burst of creative work would just be a day off for most people, but it’s often for the creative a day of burnout, existential angst, etc.
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Post by jpanderson80 on Apr 2, 2021 8:18:07 GMT -6
Much love you and others who experience this.
I've certainly felt that type of let-down and release after a project or exciting performance. It's an exhausting feeling. Take care of yourself in whatever way you need!
I find that I have to spend time in nature, recharging, resetting my mind and body to the natural rhythms of the world. Ebbs and Flows of creativity are oddly unpredictable to me. I don't claim to be an overly creative person, but I can relate... just not on same 8th album level. Impressive!
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Post by Omicron9 on Apr 2, 2021 9:18:45 GMT -6
wiz,
I think the cycle you're describing is probably pretty normal. I have something that is almost the opposite of what you describe. After I finish an album, I never want to hear it again, and before it's even completed, I'm already working on the next one. Signing-off on the production masters is the last time I ever hear an album of mine. It seems that as one album project is wrapping up, my energy for the next is ramping up.
When I hit the artistic wall of frustration, nothing helps me more than a hike in nature. I'm blessed to live in a beautiful state and one with plentiful hiking resources. It's like a magical thing to me.
Don't try to fight the cycle of feeling depleted. I think it's normal and to be expected; just let it run its course organically. And hike.
All the best to you,
-09
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Post by delcampo on Apr 2, 2021 9:28:16 GMT -6
The day after the end of a burst of creative work would just be a day off for most people, but it’s often for the creative a day of burnout, existential angst, etc. Totally. A kinda postpartum depression is always in the cards for me at least. I can only suggest the best remedy is to have something else creative to dive right into. For me at least, preferably something different that brings a new, or interesting collab potential to get into a fresh head space that's not all about me making all decisions & all heavy lifting. With that, It's ALL about the right one or two others in so far as their trusted set of filters. More-so than chops I defer to taste. I often work on tracks on my own, much more than I'd prefer to stay active when assembling others proves too tricky. The last year X10. Yet, when I recently dove into a collab thing with 4 others following a burst of toil that bordered on hell like at times, it proved to be so much fun that I can hardly believe the results don't suck. Well, we'll see but, I'm not used to that much joy via the process. It certainly beat the plausible otherewise postpartum depression. Very welcome. fwiw/ |
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Post by Mister Chase on Apr 2, 2021 10:04:16 GMT -6
Sounds totally normal to me. Hell, like Svart, it happens to me halfway through recording a song. I can usually push through because I have to take breaks any way for "real" work. Get a few songs mostly done, then a few months later hit some more. As a person who has has battled with clinical depression since I was 12, it can lead to some pretty dark places, too.
It's just the life... |
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Post by EmRR on Apr 2, 2021 10:05:09 GMT -6
The day after the end of a burst of creative work would just be a day off for most people, but it’s often for the creative a day of burnout, existential angst, etc. Totally. A kinda postpartum depression is always in the cards for me at least. Yeah - there's always this conflict of "WTF is wrong with me, I just did all this really cool shit, but I'm depressed". |
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Post by Guitar on Apr 2, 2021 10:11:21 GMT -6
Yes, the burnout happens for me too. The only thing to do is treat it naturally, as others have said, accept it for what it is. Have some silence, meditate, exercise, go outside for a while, read a book. Watch some movies or shows. Do a house repair project, etc.
I never want to stop doing music but sometimes your being wants you to. You can't really fight it, because if you step on the gas and double down on the grind, it won't be very enjoyable. So it's better to step away from that.
Not easy for me to do either but I am trying to learn.
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Post by delcampo on Apr 2, 2021 10:33:25 GMT -6
Yes, the burnout happens for me too. The only thing to do is treat it naturally, as others have said, accept it for what it is. Have some silence, meditate, exercise, go outside for a while, read a book. Watch some movies or shows. Do a house repair project, etc. I never want to stop doing music but sometimes your being wants you to. You can't really fight it, because if you step on the gas and double down on the grind, it won't be very enjoyable. So it's better to step away from that. Not easy for me to do either but I am trying to learn. Good point. If diving into more studio work isn't gonna work for ya, a simple task like wood working, cut sand stain etc can be worth a whole bunch o' almost zen like calm. Or so I've been discovering anyway. |
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Post by the other mark williams on Apr 2, 2021 10:59:53 GMT -6
Under different times, this would normally be when the new thing to get energized about would be planning/rehearsing the CD release show.
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Post by Guitar on Apr 2, 2021 11:04:04 GMT -6
Yes, the burnout happens for me too. The only thing to do is treat it naturally, as others have said, accept it for what it is. Have some silence, meditate, exercise, go outside for a while, read a book. Watch some movies or shows. Do a house repair project, etc. I never want to stop doing music but sometimes your being wants you to. You can't really fight it, because if you step on the gas and double down on the grind, it won't be very enjoyable. So it's better to step away from that. Not easy for me to do either but I am trying to learn. Good point. If diving into more studio work isn't gonna work for ya, a simple task like wood working, cut sand stain etc can be worth a whole bunch o' almost zen like calm. Or so I've been discovering anyway. I just did a little 20 minute job and it felt really good! Like you said. Made a wood panel to keep the cat out of the drop ceiling. There was a hole there and sometimes she comes crashing down in my room, along with acoustic panels and so on. Yesterday she sent my Mix Pre 6 tumbling to the floor, and that was enough to get me off my rear and solve the problem, don't want to be having expensive damage from this, it's happened at least 3 times now in the past few years. |
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Post by gwlee7 on Apr 2, 2021 11:17:03 GMT -6
Cats will be cats and cats eat birds.
Wiz, take break, recharge, and wow me some more. I love your work.
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Post by howie on Apr 2, 2021 12:23:24 GMT -6
As a long time visual artist - that's the post exhibit experience - a drained hollow feeling - I see it coresponds here across mediums. Relief when it passes -and one is once again energized. |
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Post by Guitar on Apr 2, 2021 12:25:23 GMT -6
Thom Yorke described it as a "loss of all confidence" after an album release, so it happens to famous people too. Then there's all this pressure for the next one.
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Post by nick8801 on Apr 2, 2021 12:29:21 GMT -6
Man, I get the same way after a good gig too...like I’m burnt but also searching for the next thing already when what I really should do is rest. Album burnout can last a lot longer because of all you put into it. It’s important to find time to let your mind loose on other things. Take a vacation, read a book, start a home project, cook some good meals, etc. It’s relieving to hear so many other people here go through it. One of the side affects of being artistic I guess. A good workout always helps me out too. My shrink recommended that years ago and it really helps with burnout and depression.
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Post by christopher on Apr 2, 2021 12:58:31 GMT -6
A great cure for the bad feelings is walking and listening to albums that I've never listened to and time forgot. Last week I listened to Alice Cooper's school's out.. I only knew the title track. What a nutball, crazy record! By track three I thought it was really terrible, and that kind of made me feel not alone. Its hard to write good songs and record them well, and that's always been true-I thought. And this sounded like some average recording, lots of ambience, etc. But a few tracks later when the horns came in, I realized I was totally wrong and its a sonic masterpiece.. The engineer had to be a genius... my mind was like HOW did the engineer get such an amazing sound? Who recorded this? How did they write this? How did the record label go along with it? How did they get a hit? Next day I was playing it again because its too awesome. Jeff Beck is another that never fails to improve my mood. So incredible! I'm also checking out a lot of late 50's/early 60's stuff.. its mind blowing to me how good the balance, excitement, can be. Also the music is almost 100% across the board uplifting.
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 2, 2021 13:03:42 GMT -6
Yeah. I get it. What’s the point of it all because no one cares. I’ve got three songs tracked and just can’t bring myself to jump in the lyrics. Because it’s never “good enough.” I think maybe I should just stop taking it so seriously...Finish it and be done. It’s over. Move on to the next one.
We songwriters want to be validated - I guess that’s what it is. I don’t need effusive praise, but these days it’s like even my own family doesn’t care lol. I’m just deciding I’m going to do it for me WHEN I feel like doing it or WHEN I have something to say...fuck everyone else (no offense to anyone else lol)
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Post by popmann on Apr 2, 2021 13:05:40 GMT -6
I remember that from a time when i finished albums. Congrats on finishing. Be gentle with yourself. This is a rough road....that IME, gets rougher the longer you're on it. But, the one time i goit OFF for a significant time, I kind of fell apart, so....but, yes-after its done,IN dont want to hear it....think about it....is there a new Tomb raider game or 12 I can play? Something else. Anything else.
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Post by gwlee7 on Apr 2, 2021 16:09:39 GMT -6
A great cure for the bad feelings is walking and listening to albums that I've never listened to and time forgot. Last week I listened to Alice Cooper's school's out.. I only knew the title track. What a nutball, crazy record! By track three I thought it was really terrible, and that kind of made me feel not alone. Its hard to write good songs and record them well, and that's always been true-I thought. And this sounded like some average recording, lots of ambience, etc. But a few tracks later when the horns came in, I realized I was totally wrong and its a sonic masterpiece.. The engineer had to be a genius... my mind was like HOW did the engineer get such an amazing sound? Who recorded this? How did they write this? How did the record label go along with it? How did they get a hit? Next day I was playing it again because its too awesome. Jeff Beck is another that never fails to improve my mood. So incredible! I'm also checking out a lot of late 50's/early 60's stuff.. its mind blowing to me how good the balance, excitement, can be. Also the music is almost 100% across the board uplifting. All of a sudden the smoky coolness of Blue Turk happens on that album. I loved Alice Cooper when it was a band way more than a person. |
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Post by ragan on Apr 2, 2021 18:07:00 GMT -6
I know what you mean, Peter. It's a roller coaster. Only advice I have is to go spend some time on things other than music, things that enrich your life in the all the ways that made you want to write songs in the first place. Read a book, watch a good film, take your gal out for a date, go for a hike, go fishing, etc. Making a record is a lot of output; gotta recharge those Soul Batteries.
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Post by wiz on Apr 2, 2021 18:37:42 GMT -6
Nice to know I ain’t alone.....8)
Thanks fellas
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Post by jeremygillespie on Apr 2, 2021 18:57:57 GMT -6
I’m not a writer or really an artist, but the day after wrapping something like a 20-30 day marathon session I feel like I’ve got no place in the world. I sit at home and have no clue what to do because I’ve been on such a crazy no sleep, working, no eating routine, staying up super late, constantly having to be super focused with something to worry about etc etc etc. My mind goes blank and I freak out about not having anything to worry about. Takes about a week to come off of that.
Our minds are pretty odd things!
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