13 Comments
User's avatar
J.S. Kasimir's avatar

Substack should really add an applause button alongside the heart, so I can show my approval twice

Expand full comment
Librarian of Celaeno's avatar

Thank you kindly. A like and share is like the Zen paradox of one hand clapping, if that helps.

Expand full comment
Obsidian Blackbird.'s avatar

I think every artist doesn't think money is important until they

1. Miss three meals.

2. Have a bad tooth that really needs work.

3. Kids that need to be taken care of.

I was a ligit hobo till I went through all three.

But I hung on to the end.

Expand full comment
daiva's avatar

🗨 we all feel that lack of awe and wonderment when we see fake art today and we find it expressed in full spectacular power when we make pilgrimages to see real works of Art from the Renaissance.[...] What made them real artists?

Megha Lillywhite takes a legit stab at the answer 😊 --> classicalideals.substack.com/p/distinguishing-the-human-artist-from

Expand full comment
Yakubian Ape's avatar

Quite a beautiful metaphor you've created here. Elvis Costello and Roy Orbison are admirable figures to imitate. Both were artists that I wasn't fond of when I was younger and first getting into music in a real way, and while I have deep respect for both, Orbison in particular always fascinated me. I've read before (though how accurate this is, I'm not sure) that he never quite saw himself as worthy of the admiration of his peers, even though he was, as I would say to friends unfamiliar with his work, "One of your favorite artist's favorite artists." I believe David Lynch, of all people, helped produce his last album of re-recorded, remastered material in the late 80's, because he was such a big fan (I know for certain that "In Dreams" was, if only because that's my favorite song by Orbison, and Lynch is one of my favorite directors).

Expand full comment
Librarian of Celaeno's avatar

David Lynch is an entire amazing musical rabbit hole in his own right. His collaborations with Chrysta Bell are amazing; I was so moved by Bird of Flames that I translated the lyrics into Attic Greek.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGjJFRPtdDI

Expand full comment
Dee Dee's avatar

I loved Roy's version of "Blue Bayou" and as far as Kiss, it was always "Beth". Thank-you for your writing on this subject. I really enjoyed your article!!! I am so sorry not to pay today, but I am broke.

Expand full comment
Librarian of Celaeno's avatar

You picked some good ones. Don’t worry about not paying. Like I said, take care of yourself first. Choose to support me when it’s down to that or new fuzzy dice for your Bentley.

Expand full comment
Belte's avatar

I like your articulation of the purpose of your writing and inspiration. Having it paywall free will certainly make it easier to share and generate future patrons. Also, I had not heard the original of “Drive all Night.” Instead, I heard it as a cover by the Protomen that can be found here: https://youtu.be/ZOJNJXBfOTo I think you’d like to hear their take on it!

Expand full comment
Librarian of Celaeno's avatar

That is a great rendition. I remember the Hold Back the Night Memes from 2016.

Expand full comment
Alexandru Constantin's avatar

Excellent 👌

Expand full comment
Stone Bryson's avatar

I don't know why I am just now seeing this, nearly two years later, but I'll roll with it LOL

Orbison's duet with K.D. Lang on "Crying" is an absolute masterpiece, in my mind. Going to listen to it now.

And as for Gene Simmons? He's an brilliant merchant, and... yeah, that's pretty much all I got. At least KISS had Ace Frehley, so there was SOME talent in the band.

Great piece, man, enjoyed it.

Expand full comment
Craig's avatar

I reject your definitions and your premise.

Gene Simmons (real name: Chaim Witz) is an israeli born jew. I do not judge him or anyone else for these immutable characteristics, but observe that jews have a penchant for making money. I do not judge people for wanting to make money, either, unless their desire for wealth outranks more important values.

Furthermore, if KISS was about music, they would not present themselves the way that they do; they are far better known for their appearance than they are their sound, so by his logic, they would be *clowns,* not artists.

That being said, music is a subset of art, and musicians form an subset of artists. Not all artists are musicians, but all musicians are artists.

The thing you're trying to articulate in this post is the qualitative difference between musicians who value success more than their muse. This tension is built into their careers the same way freedom is at odds with security.

The obvious thing to do, as an artist that wants to be able to live with themselves, is identify the overlap between what they want to do and what others are willing to pay for. If they never find that common ground, they will not be able to earn their living by producing art.

This is not news to anyone with a lick of common sense.

Expand full comment