“Go find very early versions of things: the first TV pilot of a later-successful TV show; early audition tapes by famous actors; early demos by famous musicians. Focus on these early examples, not what they became over the next 20 years. Remember that what you're doing will constantly improve.” YearsFirstsShowsRememberNextActorsSuccessfulFocusExampleTvsMusicianVersionsPilotsTapeTv ShowsAuditionsDemosFamous MusicianFamous Actor Author:Derek Sivers
“I know musicians who think that drumming and guitaring can be very meditative, but singing is different because when you think about things, you put words to them. So I try to just stay present most of the time, I try not to let my mind wander and I also try not to clear my mind. I like to still have thought and be aware of people and whatever that's happening, but I also like to just focus on the words that I'm saying.” PeopleThinkingKnowsTryingMindStillsDifferentClearFocusMusicianSingingHappeningsWanderDrumming Author:Brett Dennen
“We are capable of creating miracles ourselves and the greatest miracle is to create a masterpiece of joy out of your life with no excuses. The thing I focus on is going straight to heart. I go to mine first because if I don't feel it, you're not going to feel it. I take a deep breath and remind myself that before I give it to you I have to give it to myself.” IfsGivingFeelsFirstsHeartJoyFocusMinesCreatingMusicianCapableMiracleBreathsExcuseMasterpieceNo ExcusesDeep BreathTake A Deep Breath Author:Carlos Santana
“I don't really like to call myself a brand, and I don't like to think of myself as a brand. I'm a singer, a songwriter, a musician and a performer. And an actress, and all the other things that I do. When you add it all together, some might call it a brand, but that's not my focus.” ThinkingMightTogetherFocusMusicianAddActressesSingersBrandsPerformersSongwriters Author:Beyonce Knowles
“I don't really think of these as projects. I think of them as bands. I have tried to not just convene a group of musicians and make one record or make one gig and just drop it. Each of them develop over time. I have been really fortunate to keep a band like the Sextet together over three very different albums. Each time, the goal got more deep for me in terms of how I wanted to write for those people. So it is really about trying to develop ideas and trying to have a consistent focus on a way to come up with new ideas in music that I want to do.” PeopleThinkingWayWantWritingTryingHas BeensIdeasDifferentWantedTogetherThreeGoalTermRecordsFocusGroupsBandProjectsMusicianCome UpAlbumsFortunateConsistentNew IdeasGigs Author:Dave Douglas
“We have to focus on his early work, and just one or two of his movies, and elements of his TV shows, to keep his memory pure. People now know that Elvis could play a mean rhythm guitar himself, and needed no other musicians to perform a great song. But Elvis was not just a rock star, he was an all-round entertainer.” PeopleKnowsMeanTwoPlayShowsSongStarsMemoriesFocusRocksTvsNeededPureElementsMusicianGuitarRoundsRhythmJust OneTv ShowsRock StarEntertainersEarly Work Author:Pete Townshend
“On tour things go wrong all the time, I mean that's live music, that's what it's all about. I think one of the things I'm learning is that when stuff goes wrong, really brilliant musicians have the ability to turn this into something interesting and unique. I think good people in any sphere of anything know how to deal with problems, how to take it in your stride. We are learning this by touring, by being put in these positions when we need to focus and deal with it.” PeopleThinkingMeanProblemAbilityInterestingFocusMusicianUniqueBrilliantGood PeopleSomething Interesting Author:Joey Badass
“I'm a musician - music will never go away - but my focus is acting, and I started late so I have to play catch-up. So that means I have to work twice as hard in this game. But it will never stop, I think I always feel I have to work twice as hard.” ThinkingMeanActingFocusMusicianGoing Away Author:Janina Gavankar
“I've been in front of the camera a million times as a musician, and even directed a few music videos. So, I know a lot about spacing, focus, blocking, etcetera. So, acting isn't totally new for me. Still, I find it fascinating, because you actually get to be another person.” ActingFocusMusicianBlock Author:Trey Songz
“I'm aware of what I am, but I focus so much on myself as a musician and as an artist that I don't even notice that I'm the only female on a festival bill. I'm just like "oh I'm playing this festival."I haven't been very deeply involved in this greater outreach because my approach to equality is integration. I'm not into separatism, or an all-female festival. It's good and empowering but it doesn't allow for the bigger picture to get accomplished. We all need to be at the same festival - that's always been my approach.” ArtistFocusMusicianFemaleEmpoweringAccomplishedIntegrationVery DeepBigger PictureOutreach Author:Jennifer Lee