Songwriting, the music business, and the meaning of life.

At some point in every musician’s life they reach a point where they struggle with justifying their craft and therefore their existence. For me this happens around 10:30am, 2:45pm, and 11pm, daily. It is perhaps, a symptom of life-as-we-know-it in the modern/post-modern age. “What’s the point?” Is it the pursuit of celebrity, or ego? Fame, riches? There certainly must be a better way.

I am small.

A stage name, vinyl pants, a theater of dishonesty, and sycophantic behavior …seriously? The great leveling off of the music business may separate the shallow fame-grubbers from the everyday craftspeople. What is greater than everyday beauty? The best songs are folk songs (whether rap, country, reggae). They become songs of the people; a cultural treasure. Owned by all who have lips to sing, and ears to hear.

I’ve wrestled with methods of making money with music, and I’ve wrestled with how to make music perfectly free. While wrestling with these concepts I have distilled a few vital things:

1. I don’t really need much money to make music and be happy.
2. I love writing songs and will continue to create music…no matter what.
3. The ridiculous compulsion that drives #2 might be a clue to “the meaning of life” for me.

4. Existence may be its own reward.
5. The opportunity to create and share beauty is a noble pursuit, even if you need to “keep your day job.”

That’s it for now.

Go hug a musician today.

Danny Heggen – Lovely Day

Ah, dear fans, I apologize for the lack of content in the last months. Life has been its usual continuous transition as I’ve moved several times throughout Iowa over the last year. I’m now starting to put down roots in the Iowa capital city of Des Moines. It’s exciting to be able to watch the music scene grow in leaps and bounds since I’ve been out here. Great musical acts are emerging and putting their hands in the expansion of the artistic community and branching out to serve the rest of the city. A shining example of community service is Danny Heggen, who has been a strong advocate for the homeless youth of Des Moines through his published collection of stories that was released earlier this year. Apart from that, Heggen performs under the name ‘Seedlings’ in Des Moines playing sweetly sung acoustic folk music. Give a listen and see what I mean.