Stop chasing good your music is uniquely yours
There is a deep, often invisible battle waged in the recording studio, a conflict between the pursuit of perfect aesthetics and the messy, vibrant reality of genuine feeling. For those who craft sound, the journey is less about hitting the right notes and more about dismantling the internal criteria that tell us whether something is ‘good’ or ‘bad.’
The world of music is a sprawling web, connecting everything from simple social gatherings to global industries built on middle-men who aim to control the narrative. Yet, when we create, we are tapping into something far more immediate: a worldview, a perspective shared between us and the world. It’s this complexity—the feeling—that trumps any simple rubric of aesthetic judgment.
Musicians often grapple with the tension between the final, polished product and the messy process of inception. I’ve spent two decades immersed in recording projects, learning that true understanding lies not in the finished track, but in the space between the initial idea and its eventual output. This space, where decisions are made consciously or unconsciously, is where the most vital work happens.
When evaluating our work, whether it’s a mix or a performance, the most powerful insight often comes when we suspend the critical filter. A story from the studio floor suggests that the pursuit of the work itself—the mechanics, the decisions made—is what a craftsperson truly recognizes, rather than just the outcome. This is beautifully encapsulated in the sentiment: “Better than good, it’s done!” This isn’t the mindset of a beginner; it’s the realization that decisions have been made, identities have been established, and the judgment of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ simply waits in the wings.
This realization shifts the focus from external validation to internal voice. When recording vocals or instrumental layers, the goal isn’t to achieve some idealized sound, but to uncover the unique sound of oneself. The voice, the instruments, and the style yield more information to guide decisions than any aesthetic qualification. It forces us to look inward, seeking an identity that is inherently authentic, independent of outside consensus.
The studio can be a place of incredible tension. Whether juggling a 12-hour mix or wrestling with the placement of a bass groove, the lessons learned are not about inherent musical goodness, but about the interplay of elements. We learn that how pieces fit together is more important than whether they are inherently ‘right.’
Ultimately, the quest for musical truth leads us to a radical freedom. Artists should stop chasing fleeting aesthetics and start chasing their own identity. By removing the mirages of social consensus—the insistent voices telling us what is popular or acceptable—we can cultivate the freedom to explore more deeply. The path forward is to listen not to what others think, but to the internal voice that guides us. It is in this space of exploration, of conflict, and eventual acceptance, that true, unvarnished art is born.
Buy on Amazon
Credit
