Why Are You So Close to Your “Fans”?!
I’m in the lobby of my hotel in the center of Frankfurt. It’s 9 am and I’m too tired to be jet-lagged…! I just finished an interview in which the focal point was interestingly about what the reporter referred to as my unique and counter-current relationship with my “fans”, a pejorative word I kept insisting he would change for “friends” or “people” or “community”. He laughed saying that my insistence regarding how to portray you precisely proved his point, meaning that I don’t cultivate a traditional artist-fan type of connection with you. My point, however, was about my respect for you and how important it is for me to establish an interaction based on equality, as it is only then that we can receive each other as we are, with the wonderfulness of our imperfections. When we feed ourselves with admiration and fanaticism, it condemns everyone to play a game of pretense, it forces people to look a certain way to please others, and it ruins any potentiality of establishing an honest freedom through our communication. I’ve seen too many “fans” with broken hearts following their hero’s insincerity towards them to pretend that not everybody loses by acting out in the end. I’d rather be authentic and considerate of others.
The conversation started with my presence in Frankfurt and what he considered the nonsense of an artist traveling from Canada to Germany to ship locally so his “fans” may avoid paying taxes and extra shipping costs. I laughed, knowing that it must indeed be a pretty rare situation. It was also an opportunity for me to explain the reasons behind my decision to go the extra-extra-extra mile, as I see it as a gesture to express my gratitude towards people and their support, while also being related to my sensitivity regarding the difficult economic reality we are all facing. We talked about the gifts I offer with the orders, the handwritten letters now turned audio messages, which is the extent of the blessing I have to commune with anyone offering me the privilege to do so, as being an independent and DIY artist offers me that flexibility. I’m not into the commercialization of art, I’m an artist who wants to connect with whoever is disposed to give me a chance at entering their heart, mind, and spirit. It’s like going door to door, hoping to share a personal moment beyond the realm of a selling pitch scam. I’m growing so much while being attentive to someone else’s story and perspective. It’s my way of saying thank you.
The conversation started with my presence in Frankfurt and what he considered the nonsense of an artist traveling from Canada to Germany to ship locally so his “fans” may avoid paying taxes and extra shipping costs. I laughed, knowing that it must indeed be a pretty rare situation. It was also an opportunity for me to explain the reasons behind my decision to go the extra-extra-extra mile, as I see it as a gesture to express my gratitude towards people and their support, while also being related to my sensitivity regarding the difficult economic reality we are all facing. We talked about the gifts I offer with the orders, the handwritten letters now turned audio messages, which is the extent of the blessing I have to commune with anyone offering me the privilege to do so, as being an independent and DIY artist offers me that flexibility. I’m not into the commercialization of art, I’m an artist who wants to connect with whoever is disposed to give me a chance at entering their heart, mind, and spirit. It’s like going door to door, hoping to share a personal moment beyond the realm of a selling pitch scam. I’m growing so much while being attentive to someone else’s story and perspective. It’s my way of saying thank you.
We talked about the new VIP packages offered by artists nowadays and why, considering everything I give away for free, I wasn’t tapping into that lucrative market. We went on talking about what I thought of artists asking a fortune for a generic 2-minute picture, knowing that I spend hours with “fans” after every one of my shows. If those are legitimate questions, my answer to those has always remained the same; it’s not for me to judge other artists’ decisions, even if it doesn’t resonate with me. I understand the economic model; we sell fewer and fewer albums, and streaming is paying ridiculously low amounts of money – when it does – and the costs of touring are foraminous and ever-growing. It makes sense from an income point of view, but I would be very uncomfortable asking money from people for something that is the very reason why I create projects and want to tour in the first place; to commune with people. And while it’s obvious that a time in your adventure’s growth will come when it’s simply impossible to have a moment with everybody looking forward to meeting you, I believe there are possible alternatives nowadays. But again, this is personal.
He asked me about meet and greets and if it was challenging to make sure that “fans” wouldn’t be disappointed, as “fans” tend to have unrealistic expectations given the nature of fandom. It’s true that it’s often a concern for me. “Was I enough? Was it ok? Were people happy?” are questions I’d ask anyone in the band or among the team traveling with me. I know it’s impossible to please everyone, that’s why I enjoy the way we do meet and greets; it’s open. I’d just say that I’ll be grabbing a coffee, a drink, or dinner at some place, so if people are around they are welcome to join me. I usually do it at the last minute. It’s a fail-safe for those I know would travel long distances and pay a fortune in the process only to see me. The true priceless element of those rendezvous remains the togetherness, not the coolness of the place, not the hip menu, nor the buzz surrounding the neighborhood where it takes place. It’s about “us”, always. And if it’s impossible for me to reach what I know are everybody’s high expectations, I’m always there with everything I am that day. The focus remains on “us”, regardless of my circumstances. It’s a wonderful opportunity for me to know people a little more as well, which is highly significant for me.
He asked me about meet and greets and if it was challenging to make sure that “fans” wouldn’t be disappointed, as “fans” tend to have unrealistic expectations given the nature of fandom. It’s true that it’s often a concern for me. “Was I enough? Was it ok? Were people happy?” are questions I’d ask anyone in the band or among the team traveling with me. I know it’s impossible to please everyone, that’s why I enjoy the way we do meet and greets; it’s open. I’d just say that I’ll be grabbing a coffee, a drink, or dinner at some place, so if people are around they are welcome to join me. I usually do it at the last minute. It’s a fail-safe for those I know would travel long distances and pay a fortune in the process only to see me. The true priceless element of those rendezvous remains the togetherness, not the coolness of the place, not the hip menu, nor the buzz surrounding the neighborhood where it takes place. It’s about “us”, always. And if it’s impossible for me to reach what I know are everybody’s high expectations, I’m always there with everything I am that day. The focus remains on “us”, regardless of my circumstances. It’s a wonderful opportunity for me to know people a little more as well, which is highly significant for me.
“Any “ugly” stories in your wonderland?” he asked. I laughed a lot at the setup of that question. Of course, there are. It’s human nature, and when you welcome people as they are, you offer everyone to bring their life baggage as well. Sometimes it’s heavy and tense because life is heavy and tense. People might be disappointed in me for one reason or another; I spent too much time with someone else, too little with them, or I wasn’t as intimately sharing as they thought I would, or I didn’t pay the bill at the end even if I will sometimes when I can afford it. Or I didn’t offer this or that, or should have offered this instead of that. The reasons are as numerous as our heartfelt expectations. And sometimes, it’s difficult for people to accept that I’m as imperfect as they are. They want something that isn’t possible for me to give, but I understand that it’s not about them being ungrateful, insatiable, or needy. Sometimes, that moment is one of the very few bright spots of an otherwise grim season for some. And if the only thought of disappointing others used to deeply affect me in the past, I’m a bit more zen with it all now. I will address the situation whenever I hear about it and reach out directly to whoever has been displeased or saddened in order to find out why. People are genuinely sweet. I never had to deal with anything ugly so to speak, nothing close to some of the chaos I had to face while being the frontman of Your Favorite Enemies. It was another era all together. Phew…! It was a bit much at times! 🙂
The interviewer asked me if I had to cut relationships with excessive “fans”, or if I had to take a break or a pause on certain occasions. It’s extremely rare and it’s usually about serving the person rather than getting some space for myself. Sometimes, people are going through a really rough period and will unload it all on me. I welcome that as well, until it becomes too much. Then I have to set limits and establish a bit of a distance. The person will usually come back a little later asking if we are still friends and we’ll be cool afterwards. It’s life. It’s human. I probably have hurt others as well, but that’s relationships. As long as you treat others with respect, we’ll find relational balance along the way. I forgive as much as I don’t hesitate to ask others for forgiveness if I’ve done them wrong. I never feel pressured nor do I ever keep exchanging with someone because it’s part of my “job” to engage with my audience – it is NOT part of my job. Not for me, it ain’t. It’s the marvelous “magic” that comes with human forms of art… Relationships are the blissful extension of it all. That’s how I see it.
He concluded by asking me how I foresee the logical long-term feasibility of such a closeness with “fans” as, just like I mentioned regarding other successful artists, my reputation keeps growing… I guess it’s an impossible question for me to answer at this point. I believe alternatives will unveil themselves through the measure of willingness with which the people and I will want to extend that magnificent journey of life, art, humanity, and friendship, as we keep going against the conventional current of fan-artist connections to honor our uniquely imperfect, yet fundamentally honest, type of fulfilling relationships… That’s my hoping heart!!!
The interviewer asked me if I had to cut relationships with excessive “fans”, or if I had to take a break or a pause on certain occasions. It’s extremely rare and it’s usually about serving the person rather than getting some space for myself. Sometimes, people are going through a really rough period and will unload it all on me. I welcome that as well, until it becomes too much. Then I have to set limits and establish a bit of a distance. The person will usually come back a little later asking if we are still friends and we’ll be cool afterwards. It’s life. It’s human. I probably have hurt others as well, but that’s relationships. As long as you treat others with respect, we’ll find relational balance along the way. I forgive as much as I don’t hesitate to ask others for forgiveness if I’ve done them wrong. I never feel pressured nor do I ever keep exchanging with someone because it’s part of my “job” to engage with my audience – it is NOT part of my job. Not for me, it ain’t. It’s the marvelous “magic” that comes with human forms of art… Relationships are the blissful extension of it all. That’s how I see it.
He concluded by asking me how I foresee the logical long-term feasibility of such a closeness with “fans” as, just like I mentioned regarding other successful artists, my reputation keeps growing… I guess it’s an impossible question for me to answer at this point. I believe alternatives will unveil themselves through the measure of willingness with which the people and I will want to extend that magnificent journey of life, art, humanity, and friendship, as we keep going against the conventional current of fan-artist connections to honor our uniquely imperfect, yet fundamentally honest, type of fulfilling relationships… That’s my hoping heart!!!
