Thinking back to SXSW 2017 [Video]

After over 18 hours on a plane, we arrived in Austin Texas. Tired but excited! The next few days were an absolute whirlwind for the senses.

Here are some of the sights and sounds of the trip.

The art of virtual collaboration

When you live in the middle of nowhere, it makes the most sense to be connected to the thing that allows you to be anywhere. The Internet has forever, changed the way the game is being played. Indeed it is a geographical equalizer, leveling the playing field, making it absolutely irrelevant where you live as long as what you present to the world is strong enough to speak for itself.

And yet, still we (myself included) don't seem to use it to its full potential. 

Being able to find useful information at a touch of a button is great. The ability to connect with millions of people is wonderful. 

But the ability to build a virtual team to create something new is truly remarkable. 

Choose your mode of communication.

Select your team members. 

Define your project. 

GO! 

And then, rinse and repeat. 

Okay, So I was wrong! (GarageBand is pretty cool)

Recently, I came across an article that has absolutely blown my mind. It is a classic example of how the Music Industry is being transformed by the change in technology. Which creates an abundance of opportunities for the DIY musicians and Independent Artists. 

The article is from Wired, titled: The Hot New Hip-Hop Producer Who Does Everything On His iPhone.

Yeah, That's right. His cell phone. What's your excuse?

The article and video introduces a young new producer called Steve Lacy, an 18 year-old musician who produces music for J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. All on his iPhone 6. Using Garage Band. 

Yeah, That's right. Garage Band. 

For years, that has been a software application that many, (myself included) use to look down on and classify as inferior to other DAW's because of its simplicity. But I'm man enough to say. I was wrong. And Steve Lacy is living proof. 

The fact of the matter is, we now have a more powerful tool in our pockets with our smartphones than The Beatles had in the entire Abbey Road Recording Studio in the 60's. 

Honestly, stop for a second and read the above paragraph again to let it sink in (I'll wait). 

And the next time you feel limited by your gear, read that paragraph again.

There are four things this article highlighted for me that I wanted to share and hope you would benefit from: 

1. Making music should be fun. 

Often in the business-end of trying to create the perfect HIT song and getting your music to make money, we forget why we started making music in the first place. To share a message, for the love of music, to express an emotion and just to have fun. 

2. You shouldn't get bogged down in the complication of making music

The fancy expensive DAW's with all those shinny buttons can often be a huge distraction to the creative process. Sometimes, too many options is worse than no options. 

3. It makes sense - Keep it simple

Being able to make music on the same device that a majority of your customers are probably going to be listening to it on just makes sense. It's just smart business. Whether young master Lacy realizes it or not. He has just given himself a serious advantage over the competition. Not to mention the mobility and easy access to a recording studio, which he literally carries in his pocket. 

4. A good craftsman doesn't blame his tools

There is really no point or excuse anymore for not being able to create your music your way. From free software to relatively inexpensive gear to get you started. The only person standing in your way of creating is yourself. Get the skills you need and start creating as fast and as often as you can. That's the only way you'll get better at it. 

Side note:

To get the skills I highly recommend signing up for something like The Recording Revolution.com. Graham has a wealth of knowledge that he graciously shares to get artists started and moving in the right direction. 

Checkout the article from Wired. Let me know your thoughts. 

Question: 

What do you think of Garage Band as recording tool?  

Austin Texas - 12 March SXSW 2017

It was really good to be back in Austin. This place is truly a music Mecca. 

Project Hustle

Atlanta Airport  

We hear it all the time. Work hard! Put in the work! And it is true, you do need to work hard because nothing worthwhile comes easy. You do need to put in the work because no skill comes without practice and repetition. 

But have you ever stopped to think about what you are working on? What you are really working towards?  

A question I will never forget was told to me by a friend when we were in the trenches of a job we both hated.  

He said to me who works harder: A coal miner or Bill Gates? This obviously being a trick question I decided to give him a witty answer.  

Well naturally a person could say the coal miner works physically harder but the corporate guy works mentally harder, I said with a smile thinking I nailed that question.

Then he said to me they both work equally hard. One physically and one mentally. The difference is that one focuses on creating value for others while the other focuses on getting a paycheck for themselves. 

Two people. Same hours in a day. Same energy. Different focus. 

Oh yes... Greetings from the USA.  

Important Management Lesson in two words

When I am often asked to do things that don't play to my strength zone and could impact on the affectiveness of the team, two words often come to mind.

Diego Forlán.

I don't often use sports analogies but when they describe a situation perfectly it's hard to resist.

The story of Diego Forlán's unsuccessful career at Manchester United, is one of those perfect examples.

When Forlán joined Manchester United on the 22 January 2002, for an estimated £6.9 million he  must have thought he was making the best career move of his life. After all, MU was a legendary football club with lots of money and with arguably the best head coach in the world in the form of Sir Alex Ferguson. 

With his talent and a pocket full of money, the stars seemed aligned to give him a stellar career. But unfortunately, it didn't turn out that way. 

He scored a few goals, made a few headlines but never seemed to really fit in with the big red machine. He eventually left Manchester for a smaller club in the form of Villarreal and his skills and ability seemed to really takeoff. Even becoming the star performer at the 2010 World Cup.

You need to recognize when your leader is not playing you in your strength zone and do something about it. 

Sometimes you will be blessed with a wonderful boss or manager who understands your position and wants to help you play to your strengths.

Hey, It doesn't happen often but it's been known to happen.

For most of us unfortunately, we won't have that luxury. We can't sit down and have a heart to heart with our boss about what we feel they are doing wrong in leading us so we have to get smart about how we lead ourselves.

Doing well at our jobs inspite of our bosses not because of them is an important lesson to learn.

This will require a lot of internal motivation, so don't be expecting any "High fives", pats on the back or that a boy! while you work on getting this process right.

I recently read a wonderful quote that said, and I'm paraphrasing here: "Everybody has genius within them. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it could go the rest of its life believing that it is stupid."

My challenge to you:

Know what game you are playing.

Are you an employee or an entrepreneur?

Are you going to do this thing you are passionate about as a hobby or are you going to be a professional? Decide and own it!

Know what plays to your strengths. And focus on your strengths.

And play your position to the best of your abilities. Not someone else's.

So the next time your boss wants you to operate from a position of weakness or you find yourself continually in an environment that plays against your strengths. Remember these 2 words.

Diego Forlán.

Question:

What do you think your strengths are and how can you operate more from them? Leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you. 

Manic Monday Morning

Vodacom - VodaWorld. Daytime Hustle

Monday morning. Just caught the red-eye flight to Joburg. And to think if I was touring more this would be a regular...

Thinking about the destination is always such a buzz kill these days. I've been trying to embrace the whole enjoy the journey mentality. Because truly life can be more interesting if you plan to make the most of every moment. Otherwise, most of your time will be spent idly waiting. And that's really no fun!

Opportunities and ideas are really endless. What matters most is execution. Honestly, i can't say it enough times and in fact bears repeating.

Opportunities and ideas are really endless. What matters most is execution.

Choose the ideas and opportunities you believe are right for you at this present moment. Say no to the others. Shelf them if you must. Then focus and execute like crazy.

Start one. Finish one. Move on.