The Bar Beyond The Forward

[aubreyz]

The rally for me was a culmination of a year and a half quest with Taxi. I didn’t want to post this under a rally topic, because this AUBservation is broader than that. Much of what I’ve learned through Taxi, I already knew, but was either lying to myself or making excuses for. It took me a while to get a forward for what my primary goal was – vocal tracks. In fact it was almost a year. Through analysis and critiques I have a pretty good handle now on what it takes to get a forward. That’s not to say I don’t miss the boat sometimes, but I’m very seldom surprised either way.I know I’ve said this to myself before, and maybe even here on the forum, but the actual competition is not Taxi; it’s not the forward. I’m competing against those who are on the radio, MTV, on tour and selling a buzzillion albums. Though I knew that, I have had quite an epiphany on the subject post-rally. There was that great analogy from an A&R panel about the difference between a good and great song is the difference between the roof and the sun. I was also privileged to hang out with Chris Baptiste for a few minutes and talk about a couple of returns. I realized how much they are on our side, even when it seems like they’re not. I was amazed that he not only remembered, but knew the details of a couple of the borderline returns I asked about. And he gave me the straight answer I needed to improve. I don’t want any pats on the back, I’ll gladly take a kick in the butt as needed.Since the Rally, I’ve been slammed, but that’s been a good thing. I purposefully didn’t listen to my own stuff for a while. Then I tried to be as objective as possible, and imagined I was in the listening panel and asked myself this: Is this the sun or would hands start flying up all over the room? I went through each of my songs with that in mind. No sun. Maybe some rooftops, maybe even some partly cloudy sky, but no sun. I want a sunburn!Just as it took a while to figure out the forward bar, now I see more clearly that there is a bar beyond that. The bar beyond the forward. As hard as I’ve worked to pass the forward bar, now I see a new goal and even more hard work ahead. And to steal a couple of famous lines, “Here comes the sun” and “the future’s so bright I gotta wear shades.”Aub

[squidlips]

Great post, Aub. I appreciate it! Thank you.

[hummingbird]

GREAT post Aub!!!

[stick]

Nice post Aub. I think you're right. TAXI is merely our access to that second bar you're talking about. Getting over that next one is the real goal.

[tedsingingfox]

Hey, Aub.It almost seems unfair that someone as talented and giving and hot and funny and smart as you could also have such a great heart and and even GREATER attitude about the path you're on. I'm never bored or surprised by your posts. And I just bought a pair of cheap sunglasses on your behalf. Ted

[aubreyz]

Quote:Hey, Aub.It almost seems unfair that someone as talented and giving and hot and funny and smart as you could also have such a great heart and and even GREATER attitude about the path you're on. I'm never bored or surprised by your posts. And I just bought a pair of cheap sunglasses on your behalf. TedAnd I just ordered a new door frame for my studio so my head will fit through it... Kind words. Thanks Ted.

[liamkelly]

Quote:Hey, Aub.It almost seems unfair that someone as talented and giving and hot and funny and smart as you could also have such a great heart and and even GREATER attitude about the path you're on. I'm never bored or surprised by your posts. And I just bought a pair of cheap sunglasses on your behalf. TedSmart

[silverorlead]

Great post, I must have missed the "rooftop / sun" dichotomy, quote at the rally but damn is it a good one. Here's to moving to the Sahara!-Bri

[tedsingingfox]

Quote:Great post, I must have missed the "rooftop / sun" dichotomy, quote at the rally but damn is it a good one. Here's to moving to the Sahara!-BriHey, Bri. Good to see you back on the boards.Ted

[anne]

"Just as it took a while to figure out the forward bar, now I see more clearly that there is a bar beyond that. The bar beyond the forward. As hard as I’ve worked to pass the forward bar, now I see a new goal and even more hard work ahead."Well said, Aub!