{"id":483,"date":"2017-02-27T17:29:29","date_gmt":"2017-02-27T23:29:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/arcanasphere.com\/blog\/?p=483"},"modified":"2017-02-27T17:29:29","modified_gmt":"2017-02-27T23:29:29","slug":"arguing-against-the-experimental-tag-at-bandcamp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcanasphere.com\/blog\/2017\/02\/arguing-against-the-experimental-tag-at-bandcamp\/","title":{"rendered":"Arguing Against the Experimental Tag at Bandcamp"},"content":{"rendered":"

I make music out of my closet. \u00a0I honestly enjoy hearing what others make out of their bedrooms, closets, and home studios. \u00a0In the process of perusing Bandcamp, I also find a common red flag: “Experimental.”<\/p>\n

The biggest reason I see for people using the Experimental tag at Bandcamp is when they feel uncertain about their music. \u00a0Every time, I want to beg them: do not feel uncertain. \u00a0 You made art<\/strong>. \u00a0You are already ahead of everyone who only dreams of making the art. \u00a0By virtue of your recordings being published, you’re ahead of the game. \u00a0You conceived, recorded, and published the art.<\/p>\n

Do Not Undersell Yourself<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

The uncertainty seems to come from two places.<\/p>\n

The less common place is that the artist is seemingly looking for their sound. \u00a0Well, we all are. \u00a0Constantly. \u00a0Welcome aboard, artist. \u00a0In the process of looking for our sound, we found the pieces we have recorded. \u00a0Then we will look again, record again, shelve or discard\u00a0pieces\u00a0that elude us, look some more and keep the cycle going. \u00a0We will try a different turn of phrase, a different guitar lick, a different softsynth, a different mood, and any other difference that strikes our fancy. \u00a0That’s the creative process. \u00a0You now, rightfully, wield it in full.<\/p>\n

We may have more experience putting the sounds we found into music, but\u00a0we’re looking too. \u00a0You’re not less than anyone else on Bandcamp – you’re now an equal in this regard.<\/p>\n

The second and more common reason I see is due to the quality of recording. \u00a0Again – you made the recording. \u00a0You are now ahead of the game. \u00a0You will learn from what you did right and learn what you want to avoid next time. \u00a0You will learn how to avoid it next time.<\/p>\n

To this end, I would say to find another tag. \u00a0it’s that simple. \u00a0Lo-Fi. \u00a0Bedroom. \u00a0Enter a new one, like “I made this in my closet.” \u00a0Start a Subreddit for your new tag. \u00a0Whatever it is, turn that characteristic of your music into a badge of pride.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, you should be proud. \u00a0You should feel like a part of something bigger. \u00a0 You are a part of something bigger. \u00a0So is your contribution. \u00a0Everyone had to learn. \u00a0Everyone had to be uncertain. \u00a0Everyone had to start by simply making the best art they could. \u00a0This is the rite of passage.<\/p>\n

You passed.<\/p>\n

You did it. \u00a0Plus:\u00a0by owning your art as it\u00a0is, lo-fi, bedroom, DIY, whatever, you will actually accept the wonderful thing you have done. \u00a0You will also find your audience. \u00a0 There is no shame. \u00a0There is art. \u00a0Welcome aboard, artist.<\/p>\n

Times you should use the Experimental tag<\/h2>\n

Then again, if your recording matches these criteria then go ahead and throw that tag on your recordings:<\/p>\n