As an artist, who do you want to sound like?
If your answer to that question is anyone other than yourself, why are you even making music? I don’t mean that to sound discouraging or condescending. It’s a genuine question; something to which you NEED the answer.
I’m ALL ABOUT taking the time to find out what YOU like as an artist. Trying shit. Stepping outside of your comfort zone. Seeing what “gets you off.” And what makes you cringe.
That takes a lot of fucking time. Like, years. But it’s 1000000000% worth it.
Everyone starts out a copycat, I think. I know I did.
But, through trial and error (a LOT of error), you begin to find your voice. You shed that poser skin. You learn how to steal and not borrow. I think my influences still show (probably—but I stopped worrying about that), but I 100% put my own spin on any idea I rip off.
To me, this shit is super important. It might be the MOST important thing, as an artist—having YOUR OWN voice.
Having the confidence to know that you went through those personal growth struggles and came out the other side a mother fucking champion…. Nobody can take that away from you.
Don’t be afraid to show a little personality.