I Think, For Some Artists, The Fear

I've Noticed That As Someone Who Has Done Music And Creative Things In Washington State And Portland, To Kind Of Toot Your Own Horn, Or Admit, "i'm Going For It. I'm Hustling," Is Not Exactly The Norm. Which Is Weird, Because You Go To New York, Or La, Or Anywhere Else, You've Got To Be Gunning For It - And You Should Be - You're Part Of A Fast-moving Stream Of Other People Who Are Really Ambitious. People Move Here To Work Less. So, To Say That You're Hustling All The Time, And Going For It, Is Kind Of A Little Bit Against The Grain Here.

After Sleater-kinney Broke Up In 2006 I Had Very Little Desire To Play Music. It Took Well Over Three Years Before Picking Up A Guitar Meant Anything To Me Other Than An Exercise.

No Matter What People Are Struggling With, Or Based On Whatever. Sexuality, Ethnicity, Economic Status, Size. I Don't Wish Smallness For Anyone. It's A Terrible Place To Live.

I Wrote So Much About Fandom And Participation For Npr That I Eventually Realized My Most Fertile Way Of Participating In Music Is To Actually Play It, At Least In A Way That Made The Most Sense To Me.

To Really Be Tortured By A Song, It Needs To Be More Than Just Something You Don't Like Or Don't Get; It Has To Make Your Skin Crawl By Getting Under It. Strangely, That Last Clause Could Describe Provocative Or Daring Music, As Well.