5 smart goals for a performing songwriter to aim for.

5 smart goals that a performing songwriter should aim to achieve from a live show.

On the eve of my six hour road trip north, to the Tamworth Country Music Festival, as well as feeling terribly excited, I’ve been contemplating what kind of week I hope to have up there and what I should hope to achieve from the experience. Of course I’d love to win the Alternative Country Album Of The Year Golden Guitar that my album is nominated for, that would be amazing! however, this is all about enjoying the journey and as much as a lovely golden trophy would make me feel good about myself and the respect that accompanies such a triumph, It would be slipshod of me not to consider what daily joys my life and my choice of lifestyle as a singer-songwriter can bring me. Ultimately, that’s all we have right? Our day-to-day wins, losses, memorable moments and hopefully, the particular events that bring about a sense of well-being along the way.

(Note: I’m stoked I got to use the word “slipshod” just then).

Is hoping to win a competition a smart goal for a songwriter?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I don’t write songs and make music with the aim of winning competitions, rather, I want to feel proud of myself and the art I’m creating. My aim is to create art that is undeniably built to last, If I have one gauge by which to measure the worth of the songs I write, it’s whether or not I’m moved. To be moved by my own art and in turn, to move others. If my songs can connect emotionally with the listener, then my art has value beyond my own sense of self achievement and well-being and THAT is something I feel is a healthy goal to aspire to as a songwriter or a creator of anything for that matter.

These 5 humble, yet smart goals will transform your live performance experience from here on. In essence these points will assist you in losing any concerns you have regarding your performance and in relieving you of some of the grand pressure we put on ourselves with our expectations of what should or shouldn’t result from a live performance. Keep these 5 smart goals in mind from here on and you will find it much easier to get on with the business of just ‘being’ and most importantly, ‘being’ yourself.

5 smart goals that a performing songwriter should aim to achieve from a live show – Number 1

1. A warm audience response after each song.

To be well received is reward enough. Everything else is a bonus. Remember, not everyone is received well when they play live music.

I’m certain that if you are a performing songwriter, you will have experienced the alternative to “a warm audience response” at some point, if not on numerous occasions. I most definitely have, it’s the beauty and the beast of taking your music into the live arena. I’ve played beautiful theatres to a full house when you could hear a pin drop during every song and the audience would erupt with applause after every song, then go wild for an encore at the end of my set….then I kid you not, in the same week at another venue (clearly, the wrong venue for me!), I’ve had idiots swearing at  me and shouting “play something we know”!

To come away from a live show having been received warmly, is a wonderful achievement and an incredible reward for someone who has created an original song and shared it in a live performance. A warm audience response, no matter the credibility or size of the audience or venue, should never be taken for granted and is something we, as performing songwriters, should always aspire to and forever be grateful for.

To receive a warm audience response means that we can walk on lightly and who knows, we may even have won an awesome new fan of our music. Yes, one. awesome. new. fan.

…..the other 4 goals are on their way to you, in due course…thanks so much for reading. Wish me luck for next Saturday 😉 Cheers! Karl

Meanwhile: Podcast Episode 10 is up! www.insidesongwriting.com.au/podcast enjoy!