Let me share a story with you.
Its 2004.
A bright eyed and bushy haired 18 year old from rural Alberta bursts on to the Canadian music scene.
Eager to please, and essentially not having a fucking clue what he is doing, this somewhat bewildered young lad often keeps to himself for fear of doing or saying the wrong thing.
His beauty pageant answers and perma-smile serve their purpose, but begin to perpetuate the notion that this kid is excruciatingly shy and nauseatingly wholesome. Cherubic. Angelic even.
He is unfortunately not.
In fact... as he grows older, he begins to feel a larger and larger disconnect between his public and private personas.
Its not that he wishes to be the edgy badass rebel. Because believe me when I say, he is not. And never will be.
In fact, he is what many would call "quite a pussy".
He's generally uncool and at times painfully awkward.
But he tries hard. He tries very hard.
He simply wants to be more authentic.
The guy that close friends and family know him as.
Sarcastic. Opinionated. Bit of a wise-ass. Possibly self-indulgent. But basically well intentioned.
He begins revealing more of his personality. Not with any particular career-oriented agenda in mind, but rather so he can look himself in the mirror.
He writes what he thinks. Shares his opinions. Censors less. And at times speaks in third person which is weird.
Not everyone is pleased with him. But he suspected this may happen.
He hopes that his longtime supporters will understand that he would never intentionally hurt or offend.
He means well.
Well... usually.
At the end of the day, he is still that bewildered little kid just trying to figure out what in the hell he's doing.
But he's finally having fun with his music. Finally feels creatively free. And is enthusiastic about the next steps.
So... how does the story end you ask?
Well... he releases his long awaited third album, which becomes a massive worldwide critical and commercial success, tours around the globe playing for millions, sleeps with supermodels and lives happily ever after. Obviously.
The End.
- blog
