Creative Friends

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As you get to know somebody who creates stuff (writes, say), what happens to the way you relate to or consume their music?

I'm talking both about getting to know public or semi-public figures, but also about how you read stuff - on here, for instance - by people you know well in real life.

― Tom, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I listen to music when i write poetry. I have also retrofitted some of my posts into poems and essays.

― anthony, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Meet 'em in real life, then I can hear their voices more clearly in my head as I read their stuff here, a fairly obvious but useful thing. I can also imagine the contexts more readily, but since most of the meetings have been in pubs and bars, it just means this is one endless round of pubbing without alcohol, unless I am drinking something in between bouts of typing. ;-)

As for musicians...hm. Of the folks I'm on a first name basis with, it doesn't change the sense of wonder and anticipation, if you like. Like hearing the new Lollies singles, which is Most Fun. :-)

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"If you have a creative friend/now is the time that your friendship must end": Jerry Dammers and The Special AKA

― mark s, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I try to seperate both. Otherwise it would demystify their work and I couldn't project my own feelings on their work. What a bummer when you learn a love song is actually a cut'n'paste thing based on lines from Hallmark cards!

― nathalie (nathalie), Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

There is no greater crucible of friendship than when somebody shows you their poetry. i always avoid it and tell people that however close I get to them, I WILL NOT read their poetry EVER. That's because not once have I been able to do it without losing respect for the person completely. Actually, same goes for every endeavour, I just don't know anybody remotely good at anything, though they do try, I suppose.

― dave q, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

David would you read my poetry . I promise its so good who will throw wood.

― anthony, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Damn, Anthony. Now _I_ want to read your poetry. (Not at work, though.)

― Dan Perry, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

My freind composes film music which I never listen to so its a strain. PLus he never listens to any pop but Abstract Soul.

― Mike Hanle y, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I listen far more critically to the clientele both live and recorded since moving in with the acoustic guitar that writes the songs. This has made me an unwelcome ear, so now I have to keep my thoughts to myself. :)

I enjoy reading posts more if they are by people that I know or have talked to. Something to with tone of voice...

― marianna, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

A guy I was friends with in high school is now an enormous, world- wide pop star, and I have never knowingly heard any of his music (possibly in commericials, but I said knowingly). Perhaps if I didn't know him back then, I would have listened... maybe I'm jealous, who knows.

― Sean, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Well, you can't say something like that and then not tell us who it is!

― Kate the Saint, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Let's try and guess. Moby?

― Kris, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I'm generally a lot more critical of music my friends produce, or at least pay it closer attention. Partially because it's more interesting by the mere dint of knowing the people behind it and hence having more idea of the personalities and motivations behind it. And partially because I over-compensate for the possibility of my brain turning off its critical faculties just because I don't want to dislike something a friend has put a lot of effort in.

I'm in the lucky position of liking at least some of what all of the active musicians I know create. So the 'do you like it then?' question isn't that difficult. It has proved problematic in the past, with a couple of friends in atrocious bands. I generally failed to handle this by lying, and then getting pissed and presenting them with a detailed critique of what they were doing wrong. This was obviously not a good plan.

― Richard Tunnicliffe, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I didn't say who it was so as not to be name-droppy, but yes, Kris is right.

― Sean, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I am always honest about my friends' music. They know that and respect me for it. And then they kick my ass.

― Tracer Hand, Tuesday, 7 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

It's more acute, and more muddled, cos everything you know, don't know, and think you know about the person gets in the way. This is about knowing(?) first, then consuming. Overall, I think I'm most critical the first couple of times I hear an album. Then criticism becomes secondary, which is okay. I remain firmly convinced of the value of the work.

If the work is all that matters, then it's probably better to know the work before the person.

― youn, Sunday, 12 August 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

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