Thoughts on the Evolution of an Artist

Last year I had the chance to have dinner with Matthew Perryman Jones. My flight out of Nashville was cancelled and I found myself, suitcase in hand, standing outside the Nashville airport dismayed because all I wanted to do was go home. But there was a part of me that wondered if something good could happen, if I couldn't "create a reason" for being stuck in Nashville. I made some calls and the night turned out to be great, one of the best I had that season. Within a few hours I was having dinner at a Mexican restaurant with a couple singer/songwriters and producers. One of them was Matthew Perryman Jones.

Matthew doesn't know me very well but I'm a fan of his music. Over dinner he talked about where he was in his career and how he's returning to his heart, to his love for self expression as a way to connect with others. As I listened, I knew he'd evolved as an already talented songwriter into an artist who longed for a more personal relationship with his audience and wanted to serve them as a friend. Matthew writes songs about his life and the way it echoes throughout the whole of the human story, reminding the rest of us we are not alone. We've been listening for years, and with his new effort he seems to be reminding us he's quietly grateful for the love his fans have given him over the years. Listening to him, I knew whatever came next was going to be good.

I was pleased, then, when Matthew invited us to participate in his new project. Last night I backed the project on Kickstarter, not just because I'm a fan, but because I want to support any artist who has fallen in love with their audience. Those of us who write, make films or sing songs usually spend the first chunk of our careers begging for validation. But after we get validated, something very meaningful can happen. An artist can turn a corner and their desire to give can trump their desire to receive. I recognized that spirit in Matthew and longed for more of it myself. I can't wait to hear what comes next from Matthew Perryman Jones. If you want to support Matthew's record, you can do so here.

 

Thoughts on the Evolution of an Artist is a post from: Donald Miller's Blog