Nick Arneson Music
Hi friends,
Here is my unreleased single. I just like sharing. It’s not out until later this month, but I can’t help myself. Have a listen, let it really get in there. It’s a good one.
https://soundcloud.com/nickarneson/time-is-on-your-side/s-D1hEV
Nick
How many rejections have you taken this week? This year? They suck right? Whether it’s a subtle fuck you from the coffee lady because you only tipped 18% or a solid “you suck” from your boss because you fell asleep on your laptop (again?!). Putting your creative work into the world is basically asking for monumental rejection. Every drop is a “this could be the one” and almost without exception it isn’t quite.…
Unless you’re doing it for the right reason, and then every drop is the one. I’m not fully there, but I’ve gotten better and am getting better. I’m trying to be more present when I’m making and that helps immensely. It’s a small window each day that I’m free to express the inner, weird workings of my soul - and I have come to realize that pissing that time away thinking about some mansion on a beach in a future that only exists in my mind is not the way to go. I encourage the same for you.
The worst kind of rejection, and the kind I have yet to get over, is the apathy. The feeling that no one gives a shit. It’s lonely in the barn, and my way of interacting with people is by getting my work into their face. If they feel nothing, I’ve failed. So, there’s that. I haven’t figured out how to best this demon, other than get better and make people give a fuck. “No one cares until they do” - someone said that, not sure who. The trick after that is making them care for longer than the average pop song or news cycle. Best not to dwell on this folks, trust me.
Long story long, hang in there. I’m an emotional rollercoaster of man, and I can handle it. Surely you’re stronger than I. I bury it behind a facade of sarcasm and facial hair, but believe me - I feel everything. Every glance, tone, body language or wild energy sends me flying high or plummeting low. There is no middle ground - this is what I get being the person I am. If tomorrow I woke up flat lining in my response to people, I’d know that my creative days were over. Comes with the territory.
Longer story long - hang in there. Keep coming back and I’ll keep making cool shit. And ranting about the cool shit at length.
Love you guys. Seriously. Whoever you are. Leave a comment - I know you’re coming to these pages and reading this stuff, I can see the data. Interact with me, I will respond in kind.
Later,
Nick
A deep and heartfelt thank you to the folks who came out last night to the Secret Society. It was my first acoustic performance and my first time back on stage in quite some time. You really make a man feel loved. Keep checking back here, as I'm going to make this a regular thing. Y'all are fucking awesome (you know who you are).
Took a little breather from working on my own shit to play drums on Morgan Grace's upcoming album. Holy shit, what a blast. Haven't met someone who embodies rock and roll quite like this one, and also got to spend some time with my old friend Adam Pike in his legendary studio. Overall, very solid weekend. Too much drinking, and my ears are ringing a bit, but all totally worth it.
Plan on posting a new From the Barn this weekend. Also, still sprinkling some finishing touches on a couple new tracks. Hopefully will be worth the wait.
- Nick
Got a few songs in the works, a potential video project and of course the Live From the Barn series that I've set up. Songs are coming along nicely, feeling so strong progression in the crafting process as well as really digging the tones I'm getting out of recording in the barn. Big wooden structures have a way of sounding fucking kick ass (technical term).
Patience my friends, will serve all of us well. Expect some shit to start dropping (as they say) pretty soon, though might be dark for a couple while I focus on the stuff that matters most. Finishing this post with "The MUSIC!" would have been cheesy so I won't do that (def thinking it though).
Hit me up if you ever have questions about gear, songs, whatever..... I promise I'll respond. I can nerd out about this whole music thing for hours on end.
Keep coming back, and I'll keep posting cool shit.
- Nick
My good friend said, "of course you have a rants page." Damn right.
Is Rock and Roll dead? Of course not. Am currently reading the Bruce Springsteen autobiography, and I encourage it to all. We're going through a weird space in rock music, but I think there is void that always being filled. I feel very passionately that fervent, musical, driven, organic music will always have a place in our culture. Trends come and go. Auto tuned EDM bass dropping dance clubbers can have their fun, and they should. No judgement. I'll take some grimy rock and roll over any day of the week. Give me something to study and watch, let me figure out what riff the guitar player is noodling, or how the drummer is playing his beat. I still get more than a little excited when I wake up and my ears are ringing and the tips of the fingers on my left hand are tingling/numb from how much I played the night before.
Further, if we want to think of one positive to Trump being elected, it's likely that we're about to enter a new phase of incredible music - very likely in some vain of rock and roll. Happened with Reagan, happened with Bush 1 and 2. Trump is worse than all three put together. Bring it on.
I should have made a rants page a long time ago.
Working diligently on two new tracks. One will be a cover, but won't sound like the original, the other will be an original (and hopefully won't sound like a cover). I am also planning on posting some videos up on the site soon, both of performances and me talking about my gear/process. Had a couple folks ask what I use and how I go about it, so these ought to inform.
Thanks for checking in. I love you all.
These folks down under give me a lot of love.