"Friends don't start supporting you until strangers start praising you" I can't remember where that quote is from and quite frankly I don't care all that much, I jus need it to make a point. I'm a simple man with simple dreams of world domination and while being supported on this journey would be awesome, its not a need and this should apply to all who are trying to make somethin of themselves. Don't get me wrong, this doesnt mean I think everyone neeeds to strike it out on their own and fuck e'erybody else (completely) I'm jus saying, getting upset at the fact that your friends don't attend EVERY one of your events or performances is a ludicrous standard to have in place.
I know and am friends with literally A TON of artists and there is absolutely no way I could make all of their performances, shows, poetry slams, drum circles, spoken word showcases etc. I (despite my best efforts) have a life and honestly speaking many events aren't worth of my time (not much offense) I love these people, I think they are SUPER talented and I support them in the pursuit of their dreams to the fullest but I can't be a die hard fan of 1 let alone all of em' which has led many (especially in Toronto) to claim that they have to leave to make it. Honestly speaking its kind of true, no one ever became internationally known from Toronto (the crack smoking Mayor doesn't count) but there is a very good chance of making oneself a success from the good ol 416 (or wherever you reside, Im not being specific). How 2 Easy? How is it possible to be successful from the screwface (is screwface one word? I've always wondered) capital? Easy answer (generic statement...altho I may coign it as one of my terms) All one really has to do to make it here is MAKE IT HERE! Obviously, I\m a fan of Easy Answers (ok, I'm definitely making it a thing....Patent Pending) and honestly speaking, making it means getting noticed. Pursuing your dream and honing your craft feverishly enough that the people in the city that matter take notice and once that happens the snowball effect takes over. You can't always expect your friends to be in the crowd when you release your latest song you mastered on iTunes, it ain't gon' happen, but if you hone your craft, make appearances as many places as you can and get your name known in practically every circle there is, then its merely a matter of time. This isn't at all me saying "You need to stay in Toronto to make it" not at all, we may be the 4th largest city in North America but there are tons of limitations to being here. What I'm doing is merely playing to the point that people are quick to label others as "haters" or "fair weather fans" because they didn't attend every single event/show/performance that they ever did BEFORE they get famous or blow up and that's pure, unadulterated bull.
I host shows, I didn't always do that but I got into it recently after seeing my loud personality can transfer to that of a host fairly smoothly and modestly speaking I'm awesome at it. Since I started last year, I've made a nice little name for myself, you think that means anyone will remember next week? HELL NO! I gotta keep hosting and putting myself out there for that. You think my friends and family have attended every single one of my events? OF COURSE NOT! People have lives and things to do and I understand that. Would I love it if I had my crew at everything I did? Obviously, I'm not THAT devoid of human emotion, but I also understand they have things to do and for my friends I know they won't be as willing to drive and attend an event unless I make myself and the event Kind Of A Big Deal.
To me this is merely motivation. If I want all my peoples to willingly come to something I'm doing, I need to keep striving to do bigger and better things. Point, blank PERIOD. I can't expect them to always want to come to small coffee shops or the back rooms of bars to see me host, as much fun as I have doing that it isn't always worth it to others. I gotta move forward not backward. Upward not forward. Always twirling, twirling TWIRLING towards freedom! Sorry I went on a bit of a Simpsons rant there, point is, I can host anything and enjoy myself regardless of if my friends and family attend but if I don't increase the status of events or the weight my name carries, I'm bound to keep running in place. Now if I know that, why don't many of the artists (in all forms) of Toronto?
Think about it
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