Unique vs. Popular - Finding the Balance
“The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.” - Mary Oliver
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I want my music to be meaningful and, of course, heard. It seems like one key to creating popular music (not exclusive to "pop music") is writing songs that are familiar enough, but have an element of surprise or uniqueness. (Most Advanced. Yet Acceptable.-MAYA Principle). I don't seem to have too much trouble with uniqueness, but I wonder how far I am able to push myself to create things more like everyone else, more familiar, more "normal" (more repetitive, more singable). We'll see. I do not believe I am at the extremes of unique, by any means, but being more "normal" goes a bit against what I consider my artistic nature. However, what is comfortable or familiar is not what I need in order to grow as an artist, at this point. Extremes are easier to go to, whether it is conformity or rebellion. It is finding a good balance that is the difficult task, in songwriting, in life. (Note: For more on the MAYA Principle and popular music - Hit Makers - by Derek Thompson)
