have been thinking a lot in the past few months about what to write as think pieces, and many topics have been circulating in my head. However, it is time to tackle them one by one. Especially this particular one is something that I am writing for myself as a reminder. We should strive to be more positive when discussing music. I titled this “The Art of Positivity in Music.”
When I look around, I see a lot of negativity surrounding me in music-related topics. The critique or negativity is appropriate, as many things suck. Streaming, AI in music, major labels, shipping costs, social media platforms, living costs, and more. The reasons to be sad or discouraged are so many that you might think there is not an inch of positivity in the music world. I must admit that often, I contribute my negative thoughts to the pool of negativity.
We have the right to feel what we feel. The situation in the music world is not easy, and the constant flow of news and information around us can leave us feeling hopeless. However, I would love for us to take a step back and start thinking more positively.
Instead of writing a post about the streaming situation, you could write one promoting your friend’s music. Instead of feeling hopeless and seeing everything around you crumbling, think about how you can contribute to making the lives of other musicians better. Buy a tape or music on Bandcamp and write them a nice note. You could send them an email expressing how much their music means to you. You could start a blog or write for a blog like ours to share your passion for music.
It is easy to feel hopeless and share your frustration online. Sometimes we must vent our emotions and feel like we are not alone in this battle. As a person struggling with mental health issues myself, it is essential to share your feelings and thoughts with others, not to get into a spiral loop. But how much better your day could be if you decide to focus on what you can do positively for others. You could do something in your local community, contribute to your online community, or do something kind for a stranger.
We all live in the same space, we all experience struggles, and we all feel hopeless at times when faced with the harsh reality. But is being negative online helping us create a safer and more beneficial environment for others? I am starting to doubt that. I can see it clearly in myself: the more I spend looking into what isn’t working, the more I begin to feel like nothing is worth trying.
Perhaps you are not feeling the same way; maybe you are naturally optimistic, and the sad news in the music world isn’t making much of a difference in your outlook. I am very happy for you, and I hope it will stay this way for a long time. For me, I need to remind myself every day that I am grateful for what I have.
Although cassette sales may not be as strong as I had hoped, I was still able to release numerous incredible albums that have found a home with many amazing music fans. We don’t have a huge readership, but we have a large team of dedicated writers, and the words we share matter to artists. Possibly streaming is doomed, but we can still do some good by purchasing music on Bandcamp and supporting musicians or labels directly. Maybe AI music is all around us, but you can still go to a show and see your favorite (or even new) band and discover music first-hand.
For everything that does not work, there is something that works, and we can be grateful for it. It is something that I want to remind myself of every single day. Even writing this post on our Substack, which is followed by thousands of people, and the fact that our blog turned 15 in recent times, are worth celebrating. Even this is enough to be happy and hopeful. I understand how hard it is to live in the current climate. I know how hard it is to cope with everything that is happening around you. In the music world, it is often perceived as full of hopelessness, but that is just one side of the picture.
Every day, a great deal of good is done in music communities around the world. There is still a lot of fantastic music made that deserves our attention. There are still numerous labels you can support worldwide. There is always something positive you can do for others.
I have a small task for you. Try for a week before posting native posts or even thinking negatively; focus on what I can do and reach out to people in my music circles. Not necessary that something will cost you money. There are numerous small things you can do for free. Try a different approach for 7 days, and I would love to hear about your experience. Did it change your perspective? Did it help you see the music world around you in a different light?
Am I talking nonsense? You may have tried it, and it didn’t change a thing, but I still want to hear about your experience or your thoughts on this topic. Could adopting a positive approach help the music community? Do you think being positive when things are crumbling is being “fake”?
Let me know in the comments.
If you enjoyed reading this, consider buying a cassette from us to experience the music we selected and also support my mission.
Written by Filip Zemcik – mastermind behind labels Z Tapes and Start-track.com
