Can You Handle The Truth?
January 13th, 2010 by Lior ShamirI spend the first hour of my working day sifting through email.
I read important email immediately. Save low priority missives for later. Flag and filter various blog subscriptions. Delete the rest.
A large percentage of the daily email that I receive is from budding songwriters. Those, I don’t delete and endeavor to respond to within a few days.
Typically, I will read:
Hey! Found your website. Looks cool. Just got out of the studio with a great new song. My best ever man. Here is the link…… please tell me what you think. I’m looking for a manager. Thx.
So I click and listen.
In my reply, I highlight strengths and weaknesses. If I can, I offer a tip or two. My response rarely exceeds two or three lines. On rare occasions, I will make an intro to a manager, promoter or label.
From time to time, I click and hear the kind of dribble that belongs on Pop Idol outtakes.
I work hard to identify strengths but there are none. Each note is more painful than its predecessor, working their way down my spine until a lumbar vertabra pops in unison with my speakers. Ouch.
Sometimes, it really is that dreadful.
Should I refrain from responding if I don’t have anything nice to say?
Should I be truthful?
What if the awful artist I’m describing is you?
How would you expect me to respond? How would you respond?
p.s. I wish to credit Mandy Mercier for inspiring the title and theme of this post with her comment on The Truth About Our Song Contest.
January 13th, 2010 at 11:46 pm
I think you have a very valuable job and great responsibility. I think honesty is very much needed today. It’s like the American Idol effect, many many people do not hear the truth from others so they continue down a path of destruction. Or if they do have the will and determination they will be so offended by your honesty they will persevere and succeed at this thing. Those destined for success will take it and keep on moving.
January 14th, 2010 at 12:32 am
No one wants to be told that their baby is ugly and a lot of the time the truth is painful. But why give somebody false hope? Maybe telling him that, in your experience, this kind of song has no marketability. This will get you off the hook and might help the writer see his mistakes and where a rewrite (maybe a complete rewrite) is needed. He may have spent a lot of time and money on something that just won’t work. Help him cut his losses. How’s the song go? “ya gotta be cruel to be kind”.
January 14th, 2010 at 12:38 am
I can only speak for myself but I don’t mind hearing the truth. Sure it hurts at the moment but I have found I get over it. If no-one tells me I am making mistakes or doing something wrong, it takes longer to correct things and or learn it right.
So that’s my opinion
Now, I would like for you to go listen to my song Demon Eyes. I’ve heard everything from it is pure crap, to the singer sucks, guitars suck, song sucks, it’s too old school. To we like it, what do you think?
January 14th, 2010 at 12:57 am
Read you post, I really believe no matter how painful the truth is…it’s better to hear the truth now than find you’ve wasted a better part of your life pursuing some dream that will never happen. Either people like your stuff from the get go, they don’t really know, or they hate it but won’t or don’t know how to tell you. Truth is always better than lies. At least if the world was honest, folks wouldn’t be wasting their time and that particular industry they wanted to enter wouldn’t be so crammed full of “want a be’s” that the legit people with REAL talent wouldn’t get lost in the vast mixture of souls. Even though it hurts, it’s better not to waste you time and others if you don’t really fit in that or this vocation. Eventually the truth would balance out and folks would be doing what they were suppose to do in this life. But unfortunately people are not honest or afraid, and everything gets messed up.
January 14th, 2010 at 1:32 am
When people don’t give you feedback, that’s when you should really worry, cause it means they don’t see hope.
If you’re asking for feedback you should accept any kind.
And realize, it’s just one person’s opinion, whether good/bad.
January 14th, 2010 at 1:56 am
You have been quite frank and honest with me in the past, albeit in your kind, Briton sort of way. And I appreciated it. Part of growth and maturity as a songwriter is to learn to listen to critiques and utilize them constructively to hone the craft. Amateurs, hobbyists, the unlearned, tend to reject them and take them personal. NSAI has different categories of response to choose from. I always choose “Let me have it…I can take it.” Anything less is not worth the critique.
January 14th, 2010 at 1:57 am
I would be honest. tell them exactly what you think. it may hurt and sting when they first get it, but in the long run they would be grateful. there is so many trashy songs on the net and it seems that everyone (trillions of people) are all aiming for the same thing. when someone gives you honest, critical feedback, it gives you something that you can work with and hope to improve.
music is about pushing the boundaries. criticism is so helpful to gaining perspective of exactly where you stand with your music…
January 14th, 2010 at 2:00 am
Yes, respond truthfully. Artists desperately need constructive criticism and rarely get it. The best thing anyone ever did for me, amny years ago, was be brutally honest with my shortcomings as a songwriter. That’s when I really started learning to write.
January 14th, 2010 at 2:35 am
I think you did a pretty good job of responding in your post Lior.
In other words be honest. I think one fall back is to suggest education in the respective fields of singing, songwriting and production. In education students are assessed to determine what is next for them. Sometimes they need to go backwards before they can move forwards.
At first I thought that Simon of American Idol was just plain mean. Not that he isn’t, but he out of everyone on the judge panel he gives some of the most straight forward and many times most helpful advice as hard as it is to hear.
There is a place for being gentle but he’s said it before himself, he is doing them a favor in being painfully honest. They can improve based on the constructive criticism given or get out of the singing/producing business.
But ultimately if you don’t see anything good in their music and they stop doing it, they will stop wasting their time doing something halfheartedly or keep going & eventually improving because they believe in themselves that much. Or they may be better off in another business or working in another area of the music business.
I think it’s clear your intentions are not to crush anyones dreams. Ultimately music is art and art is objective. We all have opinions. You and your staff offer educated experienced advice and opinions but they are at the end of the day, opinions. And you can help others by giving them just that… after all, that is your business.
January 14th, 2010 at 3:46 am
I believe truth is always best. People should hear it, it will lead to growth of character or decline – the latter of which is probably innevitable if they’re gonna be put off by one bad comment. True musos won’t stop making music just because one person didn’t like it.
January 14th, 2010 at 4:30 am
Lior,
I am one of the pleased and fortunate musicians who took your small comment and suggestion and turned it into a new music business partner for my band, MOSS BLUFF. We have a 9 week CMJ format radio campaign in the US and Canada beginning next week, thanks to your one line reply encouraging me to speak with your pal Jon at Tinderbox Music in Minneapolis.
…and if that spine shattering noise is my song one day, I’d like another one liner suggesting I keep on working on it!
-tk, MOSS BLUFF
Lior Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 5:31 am
That’s just great!
I can’t take any credit for your success but truly appreciate the mention.
Thanks you
January 14th, 2010 at 4:51 am
The truth, always the truth. You can always say you like the imagery, or that word, or not. But it is the truth that helps us grow.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:45 am
Honesty is the best policy, tell it like it is.!
January 14th, 2010 at 5:45 am
Truth can be subjective but enough truth can either hurt you make you better or quit trying all together! We have all listened to the radio at one time and wondered how did that artist make it especially when it is not you cup of tea or down right awful in one’s opinion your opinion. The real question is should the Industry decide or the public. Most times the Industry decides before or instead of the public. Some of the greatest artist accept for maybe Michael Jackson were not the most successful. So who’s truth are we talking about?
Lior Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 5:32 am
Well put and thought provoking.
January 14th, 2010 at 8:37 am
I would feel very uncomfortable giving anyone feedback on their work, and frankly have not had good experiences on the rare occasions when I did. Even something seemingly innocuous (“I think your vocals could be a little louder in the mix, so I can hear you better”) can be met with stiffness and what looks a lot like hurt feelings. But getting advice, I love. I’ve submitted songs for “critiques” and gotten back comments that made it clear the person either didn’t really listen to the song, or didn’t understand it; AND I’ve gotten critiques and press that were very complimentary. I’ve also gotten reviews and critiques that liked my stuff as a whole, but pointed out weaknesses in what they otherwise saw as strong, and those suggestions were very helpful. I love the truth — I’m addicted to it. I’d much rather hear the truth about anything — certainly including my work — than persist in a delusion. One guy in my own band, whom I respect a lot, hates a certain song I do. I respect him and thank him and do it anyway because other people (audience members and press) love it (and so do I!!). I don’t do it every time, but it’s on a CD of mine and I do it live when it feels right. So as far as the truth about what YOU think — the listener — bring it on!!! I’d love to hear any and all thoughts, and I think I’m strong enough to know the difference between a valid critique and one that’s not. The ones that hit home, even if they “sting,” help so much in the long run. The ones that are just plain mean, I figure the reviewer or “critique-er” is either having a bad day, or doesn’t get it (or sluffed off the assignment). It took me a long time to get here, but I feel as if now I know the difference!!
January 14th, 2010 at 9:03 am
Personally I’d rather hear the truth about my song… or lyrics in my case… If the truth is constructive… we learn…
If the artist is just plain bad… maybe the truth would save him a lot of time rethinking his goals in the biz… and it may just save him a lot of money not entering song contests…
January 14th, 2010 at 11:57 am
i would not respond
Lior Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 5:39 am
So, delete the email and pretend you never got it?
January 14th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
it’s absolutely not beneficial to “candy coat” what should be constructive comments. However I would say that each criticism should be taken with a grain of salt….it’s still just YOUR opinion, no matter how skilled or “in the business you are. What you may think it total crap, someone else may think is the next best thing. It happens all the time…hell look how many people are mega stars without a grain of what I’D call talent…someone like Taylor Swift comes to mind, but hey just because I can’t stand her doesn’t mean that she’s not a giant commodity to someone. That’s the amazing thing about the music business, there is literally something for every possible taste in the world….
Lior Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 5:34 am
You’re right. As truthful as one might be, it’s still just one person’s take on your music.
The truth lies in you
January 14th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Music comes from the soul. Constructive criticism should be accepted but harsh criticism not. Because it is from the soul, you may not like it but someone out there will be touched by it. Everyone should be encouraged in their creative endeavors. I, personally, do not like any type of competition in music as this encourages envy rather than a sharing of the arts.
Thanx…Neal Sorabella
January 14th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
I would respond to a potential artist that he or she should work as a ghostwriter if they don’t have the range but have the songwriting ability to fit within a specific genre, e.g. “sounds like a good songwriting however your range may not be there just yet.”
Lior Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 5:37 am
I get that. But would this be your recommendation if the artist in question is just plain ‘bad’?
Ghostwriters tend to be exceptional songwriters… at least those that get paid — I don’t know many.
January 14th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
As a teacher (hey, I have to pay the bills, right?) I find that there is a way to be constructive without lying. I would think there is a way to say “you should focus on…” and then turn it into a constructive criticism instead of a destructive one.
Of course, that means that I sometimes see constructive criticism as “oh my god! what they really mean is ‘you suck’” but that’s my own paranoia I guess…
btw – the website looks cool, and I have a few songs on my website – best ever, man. Please tell me what you think
January 15th, 2010 at 10:00 am
I was raised believing that if you don’t have anything good to say it’s better not to say a thing. As a prose/poetry critic and ex-music magazine editor I can honestly say that I open every response/critic with few good words about either what I liked, what was generally good, what are the strengths or if I saw any potential (even in the long run).
The truth is that many of those critics were very harsh, but the opening was always in a good spirit and an encouraging words. The reasoning is simple – the corespondent will most likely tend to accept what you say once there’s a mutual good spirit.
When it comes to the harder things, to the – I have nothing to say – things, I tend to reply either way. If I get a personal email I reply to it. It sometimes might take longer than expected to find the words, or might be a shorter replay than others, but I will find something to say eventually. Worst case scenario I would say – I’ve listened but this is not my cup of tea, you can try sending it to X.
Lior Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 5:38 am
I love your attitude.
January 16th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Hi,
being very strict myself when judging other people’s music and mine I would be willing to get a harsh reply and swallow it, than a polite-but-i-can-feel-there-is-more reply.
Of course I would get a bit depressed about it for the next hour or so, but the truth is that I am doing music to exchange and share feelings with other people on this planet.If someone doesn’t feel anything when listening to my songs, then I’d like to know.
Lior Reply:
January 25th, 2010 at 5:38 am
That’s a great attitude too!
January 17th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Sometimes a person’s music is not my type and I don’t get it. I seem to have a hard time telling what is good and what is crap. Some music I’ll dismiss as bad and find out that people I know and respect actually really like it.
I want the truth, the good and the bad. I may not agree with it today but maybe I will tomorrow. If it comes from someone with experience, I would welcome the opportunity to hear them out.
My maternal nature dictates the way I dish out the truth. I never want to stifle someone so I’m careful to be compassionate and I typically offer suggestions of what someone may want to try rather than tell them I don’t like it or I ask questions in an attempt to lead them to figuring out what I believe doesn’t work.
January 22nd, 2010 at 2:27 pm
TRUTH is always the best.
How are we to get better if we can’t next time eliminate the mistakes? Sometimes co-writers can provide valuable feedback.
But if the critic has truly taken the time to give the song a quiet listen, then the critic reaction is real, and feedback legit.
One listen is all it should take. I find all comments helpful, good and bad.