Art, money or fun?

Over at Pete Townshend's blog, his most recent post about the internet and music got my attention.

In this new internet-influenced music business, still so nascent in many ways, I think a lot of people are asking themselves this question regarding art, money or fun. It's a question that needs to be answered before a person puts music up onto the net, certainly.

The post ends with, "Nothing has changed." I am confused because most of the post talks about the changes: how anyone can "discover" a band now, etc. To end the post with, "Nothing has changed?" I don't understand.

Everything has changed. We're just not sure yet to what extent. But as far as liberty of expression, as far as promotion everything has changed. My reasons for putting my request line up were to share my recording experiments with the world by recording and to make downloadable my versions of the songs my friends wanted to hear. It's a fun little project. A way to introduce whomever wants to listen to my voice and style. It seems to be working. In one week, I have been on the front page of a PC gaming magazine's web page noted as their preferred soundtrack for the day and already mentioned on numerous music-related and non blogs. I have over 1000 all-time plays on my virb page!

When it comes to my own music, I am much more serious. It must be protected before I post it, I will only put up a few downloadable songs. What's changed is that I get to control that. And, for me, promotional control as well as artistic control are good things. It is my most sincere hope that I can make a living as a singing/songwriting musician, if only to prove my father wrong. I will promote. I admit that I hope someone will listen to my music and think, "Damn! We need to sign her!" I have no shame in that whatsoever. There are people like my brother who only record and post for the sheer fun of it. And that's valid, too. He doesn't want money, he just wants to play.

The real deal for me is connecting. I just do what comes naturally to me, and I share it. That sharing sometimes creates a connection between me and the listner. If one day I can take it further, get a deal, whatever, I'll be grateful. That's what I most want and that's what I am trying to do. For art, for fun, and for money? Why not all three? Why not change the "or" in the title of this post to an "and"?

One of the things I love about In The Attic is that it's not just a promotional tool. It's also, at least to me, about connecting. All the different musicians who come on are connecting with you two (three, really, hi Mikey!) and the fans are, too, and it's a win-win-win all the way around. There is no competition going on. It's inclusive and nuturing. Very healthy. It's a great concept, works in theory and in practice. And it shows the essential open nature of this new age in the music industry. I won't say I've never dreamed of being invited one day because that would be a total lie. Just for the FUN of it! Is fun the essential component of why any of us small fish or big make music? God, I hope so. We all know what happens when money is the primary motivator. I think the chain should go like this for the serious working musician: fun, art, then money. The money isn't an evil thing, I think, if fun and art come first. If the money is the motivator, first the art suffers and then the fun is gone.