So, yes, I know it’s just me. It has to be. And Im warned by others around me and yet, I fail to listen. I fail to act properly. ARRRGGGHHH!
So there’s this local band that I have started having discussions with. There’s ok. Not “run out and tell your grandmother” great, but really good. And they seemed to take well to some direction. The key ingredient every time, teachable. So, I have lunch a couple of times (before seeing them live, perhaps a bad way to do things). Finally make it to a rehearsal. Have another lunch (yes, me paying every time). Do a recording session of a rehearsal, during which, I have conversations about things. I try to setup the recording as, “this is just to capture some of your new stuff so I can listen to it”. I try to downplay the recording, yet, try to not make it sound like nothing. Apparently I still miss some thing in communication.
Tracking is always my forte. Mixing, not so much. But then, I really haven’t tracked much recently that makes me want to run home and mix it. So it sits on the shelf. Then, of course, I have “real stuff” in my life. ABMI, OTB, family, church… I tell the group that it may take a bit before I can mix it out (i should’ve just done a quick mix…).
The whole point of some of this is that I tell them that I think that they should have me produce a couple of songs to add to their EP then release that rather than releasing the EP (from a year ago) as is. The next thing I hear is that they are in the studio working on some new tracks by themselves (after they have told me they are frustrated to not having a producer on board to work with them!).
My whole “take time” approach seems to not be working. Or, perhaps it is! Perhaps, just perhaps, this is what shows true character in someone. I left myself pretty open to them. Actually pretty open ot allow them to take advantage of me. And they don’t take it! Now, perhaps I’m sounding a bit arrogant here. So, if that’s the case, I’m sorry. But it’s beyond me how after I have talked to them about a plan, they run a totally different direction. Or, actually, they took my advice and just didn’t include me. Maybe just my feelings getting hurt here…?
So, should I have set some defined expectations? Yes. I just hate to “get into” it that quick. I like to take a more subtle, relaxed approach. I also like to exceed expectations, so, to et them puts a little too much pressure. I’d rather define them as we go. Not sure i make sense here. Makes sense to me though…
Should I have taken leadership and initiative? Yes, probably so. But, again, I like to take it slow, see what develops. Apparently I am too slow for them.
Overall I guess it goes back to expectations, I should have defined some things. In the end, maybe they really didn’t understand what I was saying. Or, they were afraid to ask. Not sure. Chalk up to some experience. It’s certainly not over, even with this one.
