FEATURE:
Focus
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Reasons to Be Cheerful: Setting My Sights on the New Year
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AS I write this…
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the results for the General Election have come through. Whilst it is tempting to emigrate to Canada or Norway or somewhere else, I have to stay put an accept the reality that Great Britain under Boris Johnson will be a very elitist and unwelcoming place – at least until we have a party who can replace the Tories. It is a rather bleak end to the year; one that has produced so much great music. Political selfishness and music might not seem related but, as we move forward, I wonder what impact Brexit – if it ever does happen – will have on musicians and those coming to the U.K. Times are challenging, so it makes me think about 2020 and trying to bring positivity. This article might only serve my own agendas and aims – tying it nicely into Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party -, but I feel it is essential we all look at the coming year and try to find the positives. The word that I opened this blog with all those years ago was ‘focus’. I was a little undecided whether I wanted to follow a path into music but, very soon, it all crystallised. I have been working for years with new artists and, even though I have now stopped doing that, my passion for music is undiminished. I am exploring sides of music beyond new acts and, whilst new artists are still part of my weekly output, I am actually thinking about moving into podcasts and radio. That was the dream when I was a child (radio), so it makes sense that a rather unsteady and fractious year should jolt me into some personal motivation and realisation.
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush in 1983/PHOTO CREDIT: Sunday Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
We will all adapt to the political situation and, when it comes to music, I think there is a lot to be thankful for. Many artists will reflect the Election result and we will see a lot of angry and political albums. Also, there is going to be a push for positivity and togetherness. In terms of my own output, I feel I have been a bit insular and isolated for a long time. By embarking on a podcast or documentary, I am going to be more out in the world and engaging. I have written about my plans for a Kate Bush podcast, and that is one of the key goals for 2020. It seems hard gathering the energy and focus to get things done, but I have reached a point where I need to put my money where my mouth is; start spending on podcast equipment and shouting loud when it comes to my dreams – that includes more than one documentary I want to have made. This year has been great, but I do think a lot of it has been spent behind a laptop and not doing what I really want to do. I am pleased with what I have produced, so I would never try and take anything away from that. Rather, one gets to a certain place and they need to move forward.
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Now that I have a little money saved up, I feel it is the time to take a leap and start branching out. Rather than this being a resolution, it is more a commitment to following something I have put off for a while now. I am not sure how long it will take to get a final and finished podcast done, but I am hoping to have something moving before the summer. A lot of great music will arrive next year and, whilst I am excited to write about it and put out more posts, there is something satisfying about a single focus. When someone like me works every day and they are writing so much, it is easy to lose that focus and get caught in a routine; maybe not as rewarding and fulfilling as it could be. Rather than wallow in the strain and anger that is percolating, concentrating on something meaningful, exciting and beneficial is great. I have already talked about my podcast idea and various other bits, so I won’t tread over old ground. I said to myself, back in 2011, that I would focus and do the best I could. After eight years, I stopped taking on commissions regarding new artists and interviews, but I feel I have done a lot of good writing articles and promoting terrific women in music. Now, as 2020 beckons, it is time for another change. It can be hard getting out of a comfort zone and doing something different.
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One of the reasons I am excited about a podcast and documentaries, is the fact I can watch a project go from the foundations to a completed thing. Putting out articles is pleasing, but they are transitory and, before you know it, you are onto something new. Rather than get hooked on putting as much out there as possible, taking a step back and crafting something personal and important is much more worthy. I know I have pledged this drive before, but 2020 is a year where we will see a lot of change and progress. There will be some hard days and moments, but I have great optimism when it comes to music. I would urge anyone else out there who has always wanted to start a project or chase an ambition to do it next year. Even if an idea has been covered before, there is no reason why you cannot add your voice and provide a different angle. That need to focus and, actually, do something I have dreamed about for years is vital. It has been a busy year, and I have done a lot of good work. I will keep on doing that, but there is that urge and desire to work on something that is very much my own. I hope, through podcasts and documentaries, to work with a lot of cool people and begin a career in radio/audio. It will be a different change of pace and, honestly, it could come to nothing. After a very busy year, I am eager to step back a little bit and channel my energy on a podcast; maybe trying to pitch a documentary here and there. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a…
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REASON to be cheerful!