The problem with being an artist in this day and age is the need to be versatile in more than one field. I have just read a story in which an artist is loudly critiqued on his contemporary abstract painting in a cafeteria. He responds with a clear rebuttal that is as sublime and concise as the band of white light depicted in his painting. It is an impressive defence of his work that causes his critics pause for reflection, a pause that probably helps them somewhat justify the massive sum they have paid for his painting.

His immediate and refined little soliloquy serves to re-establish his standing as a “great” artist. No doubt he was mentally prepared for such an attack by years spent in the service of his trade. It is easy to get angry about huge price stickers on simple objects. One who plies such a trade has to be well versed in a defensive position that does not diminish their work. In the service of defending the hallowed aura around their art, most artists I have found, have a counter-attack ready.

But would his artwork have survived without his vigilance and quick wit? Does the painting incessantly risk destruction if not supplemented by aphorisms? If the artist needs to be on hand to make the work valuable then surely he is part of the work. I suppose the artist is always part of the work. How could it be any other way?

There is no empty space for artwork to inhabit free of context. The stinking gallery, the stupid painter and the corrupt management all have their fingerprints in the oil paint, not to mention the irate observer. Publicity, pomp, all that crap finds its way into the composition. Often an Artist may deliberately attempt to direct as much attention as their egos can manage towards themselves as well as their work. The hinterland connecting author to publication is a dense jungle of arcane connections and the contemporary electronic networks we amass about ourselves do nothing to cultivate this space.

“I thought this blog was about your music Samuel!”

I want my work to receive attention so I open as many windows as I can, and in each one I present a different artistic arrangement. Sometimes it’s fun. Sometimes it’s hard work. Sometimes it feels like an endless and pointless waste of time. Does managing and decorating a blog, a website, a twitter feed, myspace, facebook, youtube or any of the myriad virtual exploits I have at one time window-dressed, bring me any closer to manifesting a work of art? Is it expanding one’s self creatively or is it a dilution of resources?  Buffing each facet of this disco ball is a Sisyphean task and an industry in itself. A Busby-Berkley routine of updates and responses that those who crane to be seen by the public eye must be prepared to keep up with. Who can maintain such pace? What kind of mental spaghetti junction multi-vehicle holocausts shall we see further down the road?

“Tiredness can kill. Take a break.”

After only a handful of blog entries I am already catching myself asleep at the wheel and yet I am now contemplating taking on another blog. The Samsjam.co.uk disco ball juggernaut requires a massive overhaul. Bits of glass have dropped off and the dull plaster beneath is visible for all to see. As the only spelling savvy member of the team, it must regrettably fall within my purview. As will the SamJam Twitter account. While I love doing this stuff; the writing, the doodles, the tweets and all that jub-jub, it is a lot of work. This little bit of bollocks took me days.

‘When the creator’s focus is off his craft, what trifling demons will be born?’

– me. 2011 (And the story was ‘Breakfast of Champions’ By Kurt Vonnegut.)

Two Minute Song

The Kiev Gunner

James and I have begun recording. We’re taking a rolling start into SamJam, so I hope the fanatics can hold off for just a little while longer. Actually it might be preferable if they were hammering at the gates, but dignified silence is the next best thing.

Getting back into the habit of turning moronic flappings into scintillating discourse is a daunting but rewarding process. I have been biting that and another older bullet in the scraps of available time I have managed to find for such things. Another old song that I had genuinely forgotten has resurfaced for treatment. It has not quite yet been made shipshape. Wild nights have done my vocal chords no favours and my guitar discipline is so shot that getting to the same quality of recording takes me triple the time it used to. I’ll post it as soon as it’s ready for consumption.

And with consumption in mind, here instead is the ‘Kiev Gunnar.’

It was one of my favourite SamJam tunes although it ended up pushed down the schedule somewhat and never got as big a fanfare as I was sure it deserved. A video was shot, but it was awful. My editing software never recovered after the summer studio catastrophe and sorting that out is not yet a priority.

Read the SamJam blog HERE if you want to know what gibberish I am singing about.