i was reading a series of quotes about the “creative process” this morning (by which i loosely mean to be the first two hours after i woke up), and this one by john cage seemed sort of like the way i am feeling right now:
“I think people who are not artists often feel that artists are inspired. But if you work at your art you don’t have time to be inspired. Out of the work comes the work.”
1 % inspiration, 99% perspiration. closing the gap between what’s in my head and what’s on the harddrive. every cool verse demands an equally good chorus. and that bridge better fucking measure up as well. it’s a good thing that i like to work.
this is a song by a.c. newman, a band i saw when i was checking out jane and dealership. i’ve been listening to it a fair bit when i’m not working on my own stuff. having mentioned that, i guess i can’t borrow a phrase and get away with it. how does the saying go? hacks borrow, artists steal outright…..
UPDATE: that song is hooky as hell. last night i left a dinner party and told phil that i was sour the song was still in my head. he laughed and said he was thinking the same thing. according to this interview it’s carl newman’s favorite too.
CMG: So I know you’re going with “Miracle Drug” as the single for the new record. Was that your first choice?
CN: Not really. I have no objectivity. “Drink to Me, Babe, Then” is my favorite.
Leave a Reply