You do have to take the time you need to recover and it is different for all of us. Over the last 15 years I have been involved with cyclists who have raced around the world or across continents. It has been their focus for so long that when they reach the finish line they are lost. What now? Some have suffered with depression. You are not alone.
Thank you, Kevin! I wish it were financially possible to properly down tools for a while, but the downside of having a dream job is that this is all I haveâŚthatâs so interesting about the cyclists. Iâm happy I have something that can be ongoing (if I can continue to make it so); it must be really difficult when your career is tied to your physical ability.
That is a difference. The cyclists I mean are amateurs who return to regular jobs after a time. Some free kit, and a bike if they are lucky, being the only payment. You, of course, are a professional, and as you point out, canât take so much time off.
I appreciate this is coming from a place of giving me a huge compliment Jay, and I do appreciate that, but as a fully formed human in my own right I'll carry on being my unique self and Juliana will doubtless do the same. x
Just in my own experience, I have found the cyclical nature of making stuff and then putting it out in the world to be pretty grueling. I imagine that's greatly amplified when the project is as public and with as long of a timeline as making an album is. FWIW, I'm an obsessive-type listener, so when someone puts out an album I love, I continue to care greatly about the songs for months (or sometimes years) after its release. That's been the case with HOS, and I am sure I am far from alone in this. Just because you can't see us driving around belting the lyrics to "In the Light Sometimes" or getting chills from "Disco Loadout" doesn't mean it's not happening.
Unfortunately much of life is ephemeral and people lose interest very quickly. I'm still finding so much in House of Stories and as a newcomer to your music I'm also delving into Obey Robots and She Makes War - so much for me to explore. Incidentally, Skin of Skunk Anansie talks about the life of an artist in a recent interview in the Independent. Well worth a read
You do have to take the time you need to recover and it is different for all of us. Over the last 15 years I have been involved with cyclists who have raced around the world or across continents. It has been their focus for so long that when they reach the finish line they are lost. What now? Some have suffered with depression. You are not alone.
Thank you, Kevin! I wish it were financially possible to properly down tools for a while, but the downside of having a dream job is that this is all I haveâŚthatâs so interesting about the cyclists. Iâm happy I have something that can be ongoing (if I can continue to make it so); it must be really difficult when your career is tied to your physical ability.
That is a difference. The cyclists I mean are amateurs who return to regular jobs after a time. Some free kit, and a bike if they are lucky, being the only payment. You, of course, are a professional, and as you point out, canât take so much time off.
You Rock! Youâre the British Juliana Hatfield because your voice sounds like itâs coming from a higher dimension!
I appreciate this is coming from a place of giving me a huge compliment Jay, and I do appreciate that, but as a fully formed human in my own right I'll carry on being my unique self and Juliana will doubtless do the same. x
Just in my own experience, I have found the cyclical nature of making stuff and then putting it out in the world to be pretty grueling. I imagine that's greatly amplified when the project is as public and with as long of a timeline as making an album is. FWIW, I'm an obsessive-type listener, so when someone puts out an album I love, I continue to care greatly about the songs for months (or sometimes years) after its release. That's been the case with HOS, and I am sure I am far from alone in this. Just because you can't see us driving around belting the lyrics to "In the Light Sometimes" or getting chills from "Disco Loadout" doesn't mean it's not happening.
This is a very good point! And really, the lesson is it's up to me to find meaning, create activity and action for myself :) Thank you, Al xo
(indeed my next piece is half written and is about exactly this)
Looking forward to reading that piece!
Unfortunately much of life is ephemeral and people lose interest very quickly. I'm still finding so much in House of Stories and as a newcomer to your music I'm also delving into Obey Robots and She Makes War - so much for me to explore. Incidentally, Skin of Skunk Anansie talks about the life of an artist in a recent interview in the Independent. Well worth a read