04/29/2026
I’ve had a few people recently asking me why I haven’t been getting out there as an artist. This video is the simple answer. For the more complex answer, keep reading.
I’ve been trying as a musician since I was 16, and started distributing my music in late 2023, once I learned how to do so. I’ve been booked for quite a few shows over the last 3 years, but a lot of them either couldn’t pay due to the size and turnout, or were open deck nights for publicity. Don’t get me wrong, I’m more thankful than words could ever express on a FB post, and I will never forget the chances people took on me!
The problem with today’s society and standards are down to 3 big things. Profit, Appearance, and Quality. Unfortunately, and from my experience, most major groups, festivals and labels are in high demand for all 3 simultaneously, making it extremely difficult for local and small town artists to get out there, myself included.
I’ll admit, I’m not your average Ripped Studwell with a body like Chris Hemsworth or Hugh Jackman. I’m a cornfed 5th generation rancher from the middle of nowhere Montana, who can deadlift the front end of a Buick without breaking a sweat. You can imagine how this can affect the appearance factor.
As for the quality factor, the bottom line is, unless you spend as much time mastering your music as you do writing it, which is already difficult to do with minimal equipment that improves your music, you don’t typically get more than a few dozen likes and reposts on social media.
These large groups also look at how profitable booking an artist could be, which comes down to different factors, like followings, discography, and other types I won’t get into.
So, long story shortened, I’ve had to return to the workplace as a white collar employee working 40 hours just to keep the roof over my head, and wheels on the road, which has already had a significant impact on my time in the studio.
Does this necessarily stop production altogether? No, but it does slow things down considerably, which means the only real way I’ve been able to stay in practice on the decks I have are by live-streaming to whatever followings I have on platforms that support it, which usually then isn’t more than a few dozen people throughout the time I’m on.
We live in a world where mental health is neglected for profit, s£x is exploited as a tool, not a sacred commodity, and the 1% make out like bandits while the rest of us struggle off the remains, sometimes by buying their way to headliner slots too.
I’ve even been struggling with depression and anxiety worse than I ever have, cause so many of my dreams have failed where I tried the hardest, and yet I’ve been powerless to stop the downfall of my efforts when life gets involved.
