Proper post at last!
Just got back from a CD launch at a local jazz club. Great musicians, fabulous compositions - all original - and amazingly good. No real surprises there, except that these were all 16-year olds from my eldest daughter's school, performing their own work, across many genres. The biggest surprise for me was when she sang her own composition, with a beautiful pure voice I simply didn't know she had. (She's a classically-trained violinist, but everyone in her school has to sing - I just hadn't heard her sing solo before, although I'd read many of her lyrics, which are very mature and sometimes quite dark). Watching her perform her own work and supplying backing vocals and violin for others in an intimate professional venue was incredible.
Having determined long ago to be a career musician, she may have to live on vegemite sandwiches and spend a lot of time waitressing between orchestra calls, wedding gigs and precious opportunities to play the music of her choice, but the smile of pure happiness on her face tonight while she was performing made me so happy for her.
A creative life may not be easy, but what's so special about easy?
On Rachel Fuller's "In The Attic" the other day, Pete spoke about the frustration that creative people have when their work is not able to support them full-time (actually, I prefer to think of it the other way around, with them supporting their work, but never mind.) However, creative people will always create - it's only the nature and size of their audience which changes. Writing a poem or a piece of music which only you will see or hear doesn't make it any less of a piece of work - (or any more, if it's lousy!). I'm sure literary or musical masturbation is no more harmful than the standard sort.
So if an artist's own work doesn't reach a huge audience, is it a creative problem, or just an economic one?
M x
Having determined long ago to be a career musician, she may have to live on vegemite sandwiches and spend a lot of time waitressing between orchestra calls, wedding gigs and precious opportunities to play the music of her choice, but the smile of pure happiness on her face tonight while she was performing made me so happy for her.
A creative life may not be easy, but what's so special about easy?
On Rachel Fuller's "In The Attic" the other day, Pete spoke about the frustration that creative people have when their work is not able to support them full-time (actually, I prefer to think of it the other way around, with them supporting their work, but never mind.) However, creative people will always create - it's only the nature and size of their audience which changes. Writing a poem or a piece of music which only you will see or hear doesn't make it any less of a piece of work - (or any more, if it's lousy!). I'm sure literary or musical masturbation is no more harmful than the standard sort.
So if an artist's own work doesn't reach a huge audience, is it a creative problem, or just an economic one?
M x
posted by MargieCM at 5:38 pm
19 Comments:
Hi Margie...
Jeanine here,
was reading some of your comments on Rachels blog but I thought I'd post here. Its nice to hear your daughter is taking an interest in music. Especially Jazz! I went to School out your way and they had what sounds like a similar music program to us. I played cello for many years at school until the school cello I borrowed ended up in a nasty accident on Canterbury Road. (long story may tell you later)..Its pretty funny actually!
Speaking of great burgers in Melbourne if you ever want to treat yourself and your kids to the best bruger in town try Dannys burgers in St Georges Rd North Fitzroy.
Keep It Moist
Jeanine
hmmm p.s I'm not quite sure what a bruger is but I RECKON it might be some kind of reaction to a burger with poor typing skills
Keep it Moist
Jeanine
Jeanine - don't worry about the bruger - my typign skills are rubbish!
Thanks for the comment. I would LOVE to hear the cello story. Put it up on your blog and I will try and remember to check in. (I'm rubbish at doing that too).
Mads goes to VCASS - the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (same campus as the tertiary VCA in Southbank). She's a very lucky girl. My two younger girls are at Camberwell High - also a great school for music - that wasn't where you went was it?
Em used to play cello, but it wasn't loud enough for her, so after two years she switched to saxophone. She's my ratbag.
Will certainly try Danny's - thanks for the tip!
Supremely moist here,
M x
I went to Camberwell Girls,(reform school as I used to call it, though they didnt do a great job at reforming me!) my Mum went to Camberwell High ( she finished there in 1954) even though She passed away last year the former students group at Camberwell High has still kept in touch. (which I think is rather sweet)
Keep It Moist
Jeanine
MargieCM:
What exactly is a proper post anyway? As for myself, I just throw out what the latest happenings are. There is always a happening, you know.
We, here, have 4 daughters (+ one grandson) living at home. I think we've got you beat!
Peace,
--Dan L.
Hello!
Thank you so much for your love and prayer for me and my parents after their accident yesterday. So good of you to care!
Love Monsoon
Hey Margie. yes Randy Cocksburn was an unfortunate name but it didnt stop him from being a champion! One of my best friends went to school with a girl called Amanda Dickox, and I know of a bloke called Richard Brain.
P.S I see you like The Cat Empire. They are a great band. I saw them live at Rod Laver arena when they supported James Brown when he came out about 2 years ago. If you like a drop of Red you should try a brand called 'Terra Felix' its made by the lead singer of Cat Empire.
P.S
I know a couple of guys called Mike Hunt. There was a regular in the pub my parents used to run there called Des Hunt. he rang the bar one time asking me to see if his son Mike was there. He got very upset when I refused to call his sons name out in the bar as I thought it was a prank. Can you amagine? an 18 yo bar maid calling out to a packed pub 'Has anyone seen Mike Hunt'
One Of My Art Teachers at CCEGS had a son called Mike too and her name was Hunt.Maybe you should ask your friend to ask this guy if his mum was an art teacher or if his dad used to drink in Fitzroy!
heh six degrees of separation.
Keep It Moist
Jeanine
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Margie ty for the reply on my blog. I should get around to updating it one of these days. Me thinks the world is getting smaller LOL.
I know Deepdene Primary quite well. Before moving to Fitzroy we lived in Surrey Hills for a couple of years. I went to Chatham Primary before going to Ormiston. My brothers went to Camberwell boys and sometimes played footy at Deepdene oval. When I first got out of high school I did a couple of years of Primary School Teaching at Deakin Uni. My teaching rounds were at Deepdene Primary School.
I also have fond memories of The Balwyn Cinema. I snuck into my first R rated film there which was 'Full Metal Jacket' we burnt insence sticks in it which set off the sprinkler system.
Margie ,
I just thought Id let you know. I'm not sure if you have foxtel or not but I read in the program guide that they are going to air the show "kept" on Wednesday nights on VH1 this month.
I've told a few friends of mine to check it out and to check out Rachel Fuller and her music though Im bracing myself for comments about 'Mean Rachel' on the show!
I hope by airing it here it will create a higher profile or interest in Rachel and her music in Australia!
Keep It Moist
Jeanine
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Hello,
Thank you so much for sending me your thoughts regarding my mom's passing. I have just posted three pictures of her on my blog.
Glad to hear you support your daughter's interest in music.
Denise
MargieCM:
Thank you, so much, for your thoughts and all for my family. I am humbled.
I wish the very best for all of your folks in the "upside down" of our Earth... Australia.
--Dan L.
Hi Margie
Saw your comment on Pete's blog. Just wanted to say that I LOVE Black Books too.......but not the swearing. Fortunately, there isn't too much and when it's done with that gorgeous Irish accent of - can't remember his name now - but you know who I mean, it's almost bearable!
Brilliant show though and when it was on here, I laughed toll I ached.
Margie, thank you very much for your kind words on my blog! MY last words on the other subject (at the risk of becoming a bore), I take your point, I really do...ahem..Myra Hindly..right let's think about those double standards!!! Seriously, tho, I try not to be anal (as my daughter would say) about it, and it's not to say I don't give vent myself now and then, but don't like to hear it used just as 'fillers'...
As Dale once eloquently said (and she has a way with words, that one), she's chosen to avoid it in her home to encourage her kids to express themselves without it..I guess that's what I'm really aiming at, but enough said.. Each to his own, and it's a matter of choice!
You're welcome back anytime..If you want a pick me up at any time, you should go to Gyspy Noir's blog...she's amazing, and it's endless fun being 'around' her xx Val
Hi Margie
I'm afraid to say I've only just read your complete post! What a proud moment that must have been for you as a mother. I think I wold have been bursting, stupid grin on my face and all, to annoy peoply by saying ''that' s my daughter that one, there. Isn't she brill?''
You are so right about creativity..it will out one way or another, but you have to be incredibly driven to make it your life. I can't help noticing that the Petes and Rachels of this world have been driving their particular creative forces to the exclusion of everything else since they were VERY young!
Thanks for a great thought provoking post! *f*ing brilliant....ooops, did I say that?
...Joke...;-)
xxVal
Margie. thanks for the kind words. It does help.
x
Just stopped by to say thanx for posting on my blog margie.
~Lace~
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