An Artists House Thanks Giving

or: “Why Are We Doing This In The First Place?” revisited

So, as I hope everyone did, I had a great opportunity these last few days leading up to Thanksgiving to reflect on the blessings I have in my life. While I try to remind myself of these things on a daily basis, they seem to become more vivid and poignant around the holidays when I reconnect with old family and friends. Sitting just beyond my love for those I know, my health, and all of the fortunate gifts I’ve been given, I’m most thankful to be able to do work that is meaningful and fulfilling.

While I’ll admit to periodically becoming overwhelmed with the numerous hurdles that many artists and creatives face in this very vast sea, I’m renewed every time I’m able to help someone from our small community to take a positive step forward in their careers. Whether it’s a brief explanation of mechanical royalties or a recommendation for a mass e-mail service, it’s progress. That’s why Artists House exists: to help musicians and music entrepreneurs create sustainable careers. It’s very much parallel to the starfish along the beach story. It seems like an insurmountable goal when you look at the big picture. But when I realize that it makes a difference to each ONE that is helped, that’s what makes the goal absolutely worth pursuing.

I’m very optimistic about the future, as the changes we’ve seen over the last two years or so actually make our (my) mission easier to realize. I see the unnecessary divide between business and art closing up. It’s possible now for some, and will soon be possible for a multitude of others, to successfully sustain a creative business. With integrity. On their own terms. I’m not talking rock stars here. I’m talking about the very blessed opportunity to make a living from craft. The ability to live well and create well. The issues at stake are becoming less about money/fame/success versus integrity (the old label system — where your opportunities were oft directly proportional to how much you were willing to give up), and more about your ability to form your own original vision and see it through to fruition. That’s an amazing and beautiful thing. Artists, both the careerists and hobbyists, are empowered like never before. And we are only seeing the beginning.

As I wrote last year at about this same time: “Musicians should know their business, and the music business needs to start getting real about art.” We’re there, it’s happening.

Thank you all for your mutual support in what we do. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to do work that I find fulfilling. Thank you for being a group that I feel gives more than it takes.

If you ever have thoughts to share, or resources you need help with, contact us on twitter or send me an e-mail personally at andrewsgoodrich [at] gmail.com!

Thank you.