The Dark Side of This Lifestyle. 

I spent 15 years as a session player for some huge acts of the 90’s S d saw very normal people become massive global stars. Some could deal with it, some could not. What I learned I think looking back is those that coped, adapted & continued were those that never let anything be bigger than their craft and also surrounded themselves with the best team & let the team absorb the madness. The best example I can think of is Keanu. Still rides the bus and whenever recognised just takes a moment to be interested in people, cleverly diffusing their enthusiasm for him into his to them. It normalises him very quickly and that creates a feeling of calm. He carries that everywhere and just gets on with his life & his work without the circus that would surely ruin the craft. That I think is the sweet spot. Really enjoy your content Justin, from another Suffolk Boi (Walberswick). 🤙

While I’m here, can I just add to the comments section, a mention of Terry Hall, of The Specials, Fun Boy Three and The Colourfield. May he rest in piece, the brilliant singer songwriter he was.

A funny story about Michael Stipe. In the 80s, Musician Magazine was one of the first big music rags to do a cover and multi-page article on the group. When asked by the interviewer about their unintelligible lyrics, Stipe laughed and said he had lost count of the number of fans commenting on the positive impact the band's lyrics had on their lives. The fans would quote lines that were not the correct words because they were misunderstood. And in most cases, Stipe would nod and thank them, but think to himself, "those lyrics are far better than what WE wrote..."

Losing my religion is a southern colloquialism meaning 'pushed past the point of no return '. I would aggravate my mother to the point where she would tell me I was about to make her lose her religion and I would be in trouble. And we were heathens.

I've no doubt that being a celebrity has its dark side. I don't know how you do it! I like my anonymity .. and I love being dazzled by massive talent such as yours Mr. Hawkins. Thank you forever for what you do !!! We love you !!! ♥♥♥

I always found that the happiest artists are the ones that can contain their success to the places where their work is meant to exist but can go to a coffee shop and not be bothered. It really is all the outside factors and people trying to collect their 10% that create a lot of noise in one’s process. A healthy balance of freedom and business can go a long way in someone’s journey!

I never had any sympathy for celebrity woes until I head someone talk about why an actor kept doing big budget movies that he knew were awful. He said that he knew they were "bad" roles, but if he took too long and didn't work, there were 1,000 people around him who didn't get paid either and he couldn't do that to them. That has always stuck with me and shifted my perspective on the issue.

"I think the squirrels can hear it." -Justin Hawkins

Be careful what you wish for...I used to work at Sony and I have seen what it does to some people

This is why I like Rush . Geddy Lee , Neil Pert and Alex made music that they liked , they stay grounded and never behaved like the super stars that they were . They only stopped when health brought a stop to touring and making albums .

There's a Mitch Hedberg joke, that goes something like: "Ever since I became a comedian people ask me, 'can you act?' It's as though you spend your whole life becoming a really good cook, honing your craft and getting really good, then someone says, 'oh you're a cook? Can you farm?'"

As someone who only got as far as opening for arena bands, what I observed was that, the minute you begin headlining arenas and such, the music biz becomes an assembly line of near identical venues, hotel rooms, industry people, check-in's, load-in's, soundchecks, interviews, and bus rides. By the time REM reached that point, there were so many other ppl with their hands in the cookie jar and others who continually wanted a piece of them. Try writing your next album in those conditions. Plus, once you sell a million units, that becomes the expectation. Also, there is ZERO privacy. Unless you like getting undressed in front of strangers (both figuratively and literally), the mega fame that many of us dreamed of can be a total nightmare. Just ask Kurt Cobain. Oh right, we can't.

When I was young I desperately wanted to be a famous musician. But I'm ever so glad it never happened. As a more or less unknown musician I've been able to follow my muse in a way that REM probably never could. Keeping a band going is one of the hardest creative things to do, and it is almost unique to the music industry. All the lives and loves, triumphs and failures of all those people (band members, their family friends, fans and crew) packaged up together into some kind of meta-experiential product... it's amazing any band lasts longer than a couple of weeks!

I see it like this. Especially in today's world of social media. When you are surrounded by just your family and friends and yet you still feel alone, there can be a feeling of "nobody really knows or cares about me". When you are that type of person but also happen to have 80,000,000 followers, it doesn't necessarily stop those feelings of being alone. Only now you have evidence of 80,000,000 people who "don't really know or care" about you. I imagine it could feel incredibly sad and isolating.

In 1969, Laura Nyro became a multi millionaire aged 21 when she sold her publishing. She retired at 24 to get married and she eshewed fame. She came back a few years later after her divorce. She remains obscure despite " probably having influenced more successful songwriters than anyone " Elton John, 2007. In November 1969, 3 Nyro songs were at 1, 2 and 10 on Billboard.

As a huge R.E.M. fan really good to hear you talk about them. As I remember from when then called it quits in 2011 Peter Buck suggested to the band as the record contract was up they either went back to a more independent approach or end the band. They all discussed it and agreed to call it quits which although was a terrible day for someone like me I can completely understand the decision. They made 14 great records and 1 good/ok that was better live record. I think they paid their dues and I fortunately got to see them 6 times including 2 of the live rehearsal shows in Dublin. They were everything for me in my teenage years into my early 20s and helped formulate myself as a person. I am really glad they were R.E.M. for the time they were. Now Peter Buck has all sorts of different projects on the go with different bands, Mike Mills has a Concerto, Michael Stipe has his art and some solo songs and Bill berry shows up occasionally at live events. I do not think they will ever reform as that would not be in their nature as a band. But long live the incredible music of R.E.M. They probably did leave at the right time at the end of the day.

I saw REM at the stadium here in Hull East Yorkshire on a wet Tuesday evening in circa 2005. The whole evening was miserable until they walked on stage and lifted the whole place! I’ll never forget Michael Stipe and his energy. Great showmanship!

For myself as an electic guitarist the dark side of my rock star lifestyle is hitting my head stock on the lightswitch in my living room rocking out! Lol thumbs up love the channel!

I have met Michael Stipe and I agree with your assessment of him being quiet and had an air of being unapproachable

I played for 2 decades on stage, all kind of things, and when i was about 40, i had enough of it. Now I own a little studio with 2 of my old mates, we make, record and mix music there , that nobody ever has to hear, and i have the time of my life. I found i don't need an audiance to enjoy music, actually, on the contrary. But maybe that's is just of the stage of life i am in , probably wouldnt be enough when i was younger and never was on stage before.

Heard one of your songs that i'd forgotten about the other day Justin 'Christmas Time (Don't let the Bell's End)' and might i say, Well played Sir!

The definition of success is different for everyone..... some people measure it by their fan base or bank balance, for others it's how happy they are. If I wrote a song that wasn't commercially successful but someone is humming it years later...... that for me would mean success. Tim Hope.

When 'Christmas Time' hit, myself & Ed (Graham) were in a pub in Dec & he nipped off to the gents, three people interupted him 'mid stream' to ask about The Darkness, ask for an autograph, & profer congratulations. That struck me as an odd side weirdness of fame.

Justin, REM were notorious (in a good way) for helping other bands . Bands that supported them even in their early days would routinely receive over and above help (money/food/lodging) - even when they barely covered their own expenses. Good people!

People seem to think that all your problems will go away when you become famous, but they'll just be replaced by a new set of problems. Imagine that you're the biggest band in the world with millions of adoring fans. You love your fans and would do anything for them... until you realize that you can't impress them while also staying true to yourself. Being extremely famous means giving up a certain degree of control. Essentially, all you're doing is working for a record label. The fear of letting everyone down is impossible to shake away. And privacy means nothing when everyone knows your name. I would imagine that indie bands are some of the happiest bands in existence because they're able to have fun and play music without the burdens that more successful bands have. After all, some of the best music that R.E.M. made was from their indie period.

I would love to hear your opinion on Pearl Jam. They are known to stay out of the lime light for the most part unless it is for causes they really believe in, yet they manage to sell out pretty much every single show with people traveling all over the world to see them. They do go years and years without making a record as a band but each of them has side projects but it never leads to them actually splitting up. I feel like they've found their sweet spot and have maintained it for over a decade.

Several years ago, Dianne Kenny, Professor of Music and Psychology at the University of Sydney did a survey of 13,000 music stars going back to the 1950's. The average age of passing was about 58, about 25 years less than the general population in the West. The most common age of passing was about 57.

I made lots of famous musician friends during my 33 years making music in LA. Many of these musicians are internationally known, so I won't mention any names. There was one where we were partying one night after a show in a hotel suite, when the cops show up and ask him if he recognizes some girl. Turns out, a 13-year-old girl ran away from home and left a voicemail on her parents' answering machine to let them know that she was running away from home, specifically to be with him. It was weird. We had a jam session at his house one night. I went to take the trash out the next morning, and there were FIVE girls digging through the trash that was out there. He had to turn his home into a fortress as a result. Probably the worst of all was those moments where a rumor would be spreading about them, and I'd get a phone call from a tabloid. I got one call where they offered me $30,000 to confirm or deny something. It was at a time when I had a small son and was struggling with work, so the money would have been awesome, but I couldn't sell out my friend. I always said no. It would be cool if fame could be tempered a bit, or if it had a dimmer switch. As a musician, one of my goals was to reach a huge audience. I n ever reached that point, and never will. Seeing friends who did get there helps put things into perspective.

If their hearts are not in it, then walk away. Music is a thing to be made with passion, If they think they were ready to walk away, then they were ready and it was the right thing to do. Loosing my Religion is one of my favorite songs of all time, Lacuna Coil made a really great cover of it a few years back now.

You can’t be too successful, just like you can’t be too loving, smart, funny, rich or attractive. As long as you’re still self aware, humble giving and come at life from a place of gratitude. Love the videos by the way 🤟🤟🤟

Excellent point about *perspective* when considering what constitutes 'too much success'. This is a fascinating topic. Your openness, honesty and comments on this are refreshing because it shows how you--Justin Effin' Hawkins--are really no different from any mere mortal music consumer buying a record for the first time. Cheers and thank you, and merry Christmas to you and your family.

Thank you for mentioning R.E.M in this show! I have followed them since the mid 1980s, I have all their records (even the $100 box set), but they were wonderful. They were cult status until the albums Document and Green. I totally respect them and they have put a place in my heart for all the years they worked. I saw them live more times than I can remember. They went out on top. I'm glad they retired, cos I may never have found The Darkness! Love you guys! 😍

Even my Grandma liked that song, she heard it before I did. She called me up and asked if I heard of a band called R.E.M. and I said I had, then she said, "I just heard a song by them that I really like and I want you to get it for me." so she told me the song and I went and bought her the single.

Humility, Kindness, and Love are Always in Style! Your Fame lay within this triad. You are much appreciated.

There's many aspects of life that can rob your joy when it comes to playing music. For me, it was the business of it. I got tired of booking gigs to rooms where everything was all about, and about nothing but the draw. I ended up spending so much time booking, marketing, and promoting that I barely got time to practice for the shows themselves. And I ended up playing material I hated before I stopped for a few years. In retrospect, I don't really care about who I play for anymore as far as the business of it. I play to tap into the Spiritual. Nothing else matters. At least not to me.

Too much commercialization, is the real problem. Selling your soul for that short time success in the spotlight, leaves an artist/musician feeling empty. Then time moves on, we get older, our passions change, the audience changes and we're left looking back with sour feelings of the roads taken. But we all started playing for our own enjoyment and that should be enough. If writing music makes you happy, that should be enough. I just never prescribed to that school of thought that selling millions of records equaled happiness. Happiness is within, no need to search any further.

When your passion turns into a job. It’s a job!! I don’t know anyone who likes all the parts of their job. It’s an unrealistic expectation. Also, fame becoming too much is real to them, even if you don’t understand. Can’t count how many times I’ve heard artists say, “I thought once I made it, all my problems would go away, but none did and new problems emerged”. The people I feel sorry for are the people who are super famous and poor.

It’s worth mentioning that post 2011 Peter Buck has continued a prolific touring schedule, playing mostly in smaller clubs with lesser known artists. I live in the South, and I have seen Peter Buck live more post REM than during their heyday. Eric Cantona reference while discussing Peter Buck and R. E. M.: sublime.

Yeah, I was in college at UGA in Athens from '85-'90, and saw Micheal Stipe 3 times during that period. All three times at the 40 Watt Club, and all three times he just leaned in the back corner with his dog laying at his feet, just listening to the music opposite him, and no one ever had the guts to approach him. And probably the correct decision.

There are millions of us that are musicians that are in no way famous, or even well known. Yet music is something we can't stop playing, recording, creating, and sharing. For myself, I've never stopped playing, but I also have other things I also want to be connected to; family being one of them. So I've had to figure out my "sweet spot" as you say. I think I have. But music will always be my engine.

You can see Peter Buck's ennui in full bloom in the "Shiny Happy People" video. His disdain for the proceedings really comes through. Bill is game, mostly, but a skeptical drummer boy is he. Michael is aloof and non-commital (as usual) despite his animated delivery. Only Mills seems all in, belting it out as he mimes expertly the bass. Thank God for Kate, who elevates the whole shebang into the realms of the sublime. Those harmonies!

I think it's all about the personality of the individual. Some people strive to seek fame, while others never really feel comfortable in the limelight. Once it stops being fun, then a decision has to be made. As you said in the video, Justin, the music should always come first. Beyond that, it all depends on the individual (or group if it's a band).

Music is art. When you feel you have nothing more to express it is time to move on. Popularity has nothing to do with it.

My idea of being successful is just anyone giving a crap about what songs I come up with. I only play in my bedroom and sometimes bug my wife to come give a listen…I think making any money off of your music is success..I also am a factory worker who works 12 hour shifts and make 35k a year..sometimes I think being a song writer would be more satisfying bc you get to write the songs and get the check but don’t really have to deal with the fame to an extent. Owell great video, great talking point. Legend.

The day Michael Stipe performs 'Shiny Happy People' complete with dance moves live, REM might make a return 🥺.

In my mind, all bands are different, like little, unique ecosystems. REM were one of the first American "Alternative" rock bands to win widespread popularity and cross over from the more niche market to the more populist market (I used to use the term "mainstream" but one D. Trump and his rampant bastardization of the term has forced me to strike it from my vocab). I love them and their later records were indeed strong, but not as edgy or groundbreaking as their first few offerings and indie rock snobs definitely began to disregard them as not having the "cred" any more and referring to some of their later hits, with the very palatable melodies as "saccharine." I also think that they got into it for the music and never expected to be rich and famous, so when that happened, they had the option to move onto other things because they no longer needed the paychecques from touring etc. I'm an equestrian and in that community we always hold in high regard those who retire their horses at the top of their game to spare the horses from feeling the competitive decline that would come with aging joints etc. I think that's what REM did with their music and I commend them for it. However, having said that, I also commend those who stay in the trenches until they are well into their senior years. Good for them. It's just that different things work for different bands. On another note, I'd love your views on Terry Hall and all that he was involved in. Devastating loss that occurred far too early.

My main band was a success to me in that we were creative and recording music we loved. We played some great gigs, had a great time, sold a few CDs and t-shirts. It was a fun time, but the last gig when we played to the other band and the bar staff... yeah, it's not happening really, is it? To make that decision to stop when you're selling music and filling stadiums, that takes some balls. Easier I suppose when you're set up for life though, I suppose. At least being a musician paid for my house and I'm happy with that.

That's very interesting. I mean, I'm certain some successful and talented musicians are by default introverts. Add enormous fame and countless responsibilities. I could understand his perspective. It also makes me wonder if this is a reason some musicians turn to drugs and alcohol,to perhaps help deal with the constant fame. Great video and cool as usual.

Sometimes, before I start an endurance run of life's daily complexity, I out loud parrot the "Justin Hawkins rides again, again..." refrain in full singing voice, just to gain the strength to face the day.

Stop when it feels right. No one can say when until it is. You're a decent human being Justin.

The last two darkness albums are just amazing. My favourites so far. Keep it coming.

I have a lot of respect for REM. Yes, it was right for them to decide to stop. Michael Stipe is now enjoying his photography and I am sure the others are pursuing their own projects. The Rolling Stone, take note.

Which band are you referring to when you say they morph from a real guitar band into a dance music project and why is it Coldplay?

"Some are born to greatness. Others have greatness thrust upon them."

Peter Buck has lived here in Seattle since the early 90’s. I used to seem at shows from time to time back then. I had a few conversations with him. He was always very nice and kind of funny. I didn’t find him unapproachable at all. In fact he initiated conversation with me.

I play in a 3rd rate pub covers band as a hobby. We did a big gig on a beach once with the cameras and the big screens etc. About a week later I got recognised and approached by a fan (probably our only one). It was flattering to be told how great we sounded and being asked about upcoming gigs but it was a really strange feeling - gave me a tiny insight into the world of being recognised and approached - and I didn't like it, which surprised me TBH.

I'm a musician and have had a little bit of a cult following albeit tiny....I kind of relate to what Buck said about feeling that you're getting to a point where it naturally needs to stop....I'm having a creative crisis related to age, I just feel music is mostly a young person's game to a degree. Because there is an energy with young musicians that basically speaks to the culture of the time. For me its pointless just churning out the same stuff year after year.

I've been a big fan of REM since 1988, I was sooo sad when they split, but they have never done 'conventional' things. If they are happy then that's fine. I will always love REM. Actually I heard a story that Peter was watching you on stage at TITP, I think The Darkness were in King Tut's waa waa tent!!

some people just don't want to be happy, nor realize how lucky and fortunate they are.

I'm coming to England. I can't wait to see The Darkness !!

Calling it quits before you jump the shark is a good thing, i think. The trick is knowing when you're about to hit that point.

Hey Justin, If you ever get too low about the dark side of success, please shoot me a message and I will enlighten you to the dark side of working for a living every grueling day! Love you guys, keep up the good work and please come back to Ohio USA for a live performance if you can! 🥰

Wow! Loved your point at ~649 regarding his comments on time to stop against a sincere love for music!!! Great observation. Thanks!

A difficult one, this. Obviously bands can do what they hell they like, but I really respect those that called it a day at their peak. The Jam set the mark in 1982 when they were the biggest band in Britain and closed the door on their career, seemingly permanently. Then The Smiths made the seemingly bizarre decision of splitting after ‘Strangeways Here We Come’. In their case I think it was wise indeed, because Morrissey’s idiosyncrasies were kind of endearing when he was young but he’s ended up as a caricature of himself. The Police were perhaps the ultimate example in that they were true global superstars when they called it a day following their biggest ever hit with ‘Synchronicity’. They reunited to play live shows which spoilt the narrative a little, but at least they didn’t try to record a new album.

There are plenty of reasons to think that fame brings with it all sorts of loneliness and danger. But it seems that Peter Buck is talking about something else. He was in a cool college radio band that made it really big and then lapsed somewhat in relevance. He seems to want a smaller, cooler audience -- the sort they enjoyed during their ascent -- but also to really like being like "the Beatles" and playing to massive crowds in South America. In all, it seems like he is most concerned with feeling cool and relevant to young people -- which becomes quite difficult when you aren't yourself 20-something. I hope he is able to find joy in music again -- for its own sake, for his family, for himself, or for massive stadium crowds.

I love R.E.M and I was lucky to see them live a few times. However, if they were not happy, regardless of their fanbase, I think it was the right decision for them to call it. I'd love to see them play again, but if they aren't going to enjoy playing, then I wouldn't want to see them that way....I'll keep playing their records instead! I've instantly got "Near Wild Heaven" in my head. Off to play it!

I mean you can always go Buckethead mode and never ever show your face and go unnoticed through the supermarket while being recognized as one of the most prolific and greatest guitar virtuosos to ever pick up the instrument

As a musician trying to make my band I find your opinion very interesting and agreeable.

I lost interest in them when they left IRS records. But when Bill Berry had to quit for health reasons, I felt like that was the end of the band. I don't feel like they sold out. It just wasn't as interesting to me anymore. Might just be me and not them. Some bands, all they have is each other. For REM, I felt like they could have gone off and done solo stuff and come back later...or not.

I have a 'bootleg' tape of REM doing a radio session and they are having so much fun doing daft cover versions. It sounds like is could be really early but its around the time that Losing My Religion came out. It's 60 minutes worth of audio gold.

There's some live REM on here (RU-vid) the was shot in downtown Toronto of them playing a free concert on the street. Great band, and if they've had enough, then that's the time to stop.

I love REM...all great songs......love your videos Justin,I think they are essential...

No questions (yet)! I'm new here and just enjoying listening and learning for now. Wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas, and New Year!

I never comment on here before, been watching lots of your videos and I got to say I think your great and how you tell your stories and share your experiences and opinions. Your a great down to earth person. Feel I can relate to you and your one of them people you could chat about anything too. Anyway my friend I hope you and your loved ones have a fantastic Christmas, and thanks for your time you put into your videos to make for us. All the best mate.

In the Netflix show about the song Losing my religion, they say that it's an expression "Losing my religion" (from the southern states). So it's not meant literally... that's how I understood it anyways...

I think REM quit on their own terms which is great. How many bands can say that? After Bill Berry left, they carried on but I think it must have been hard. They never courted the spotlight. I’ve loved them from their first EP but I also understood when they called it quits. Thats a band I respect.

Always pleasure waiting your videos, I thank you for shedding the light on many subjects around music also sharing your great persona and one of my favourite modern artists, merry Xmas to you the family and friends

How does it feel where you are, Justin? I hope you don't give up anytime soon. Great songs and great web content. Don't quit yet!!

Success, by definition, is very subjective depending on what you do, and what you hope to achieve. It seems to me that the music industry these days is about so much more than the music…and the artists/band. In most cases there is a huge corporate ‘machine’ that exists to make money … if your desire is mega-fame, there are numerous downsides to be endured!

Usually after 40 years people are allowed to retire. I’m sure his hips and shoulders are aching. Let him enjoy his life.

Underrated video: this town ain't big enough for the both of us. That was a brilliant video and some good acting from Justin

love REM their last 4 albums are very underated

Weird one but how did you get the amps and equipment onto the mountain in the video for Love Is Only A Feeling???

From my opinion I think that REM felt like they couldn't do much more in the market as it was then/now, and it changing. Most 'mainstream' music just now is all autotune etc. and people seem happy with that. I'm sure they all still play music in some sense or another. Loved The Darkness when you were still going. As a, relapsed/collapsed metal head. It was exactly what metal was always about!

I've written songs.....well, lyrics, not clever enough for the music bit....and a couple of those had me shivering with excitement, that's very satisfying for me. If at some time we record them and others get the same feeling then that's fantastic. Famous in my own lunchtime, I am. Love watching the videos, Justin...keep them coming.

Appreciate your honesty. Take care yourself Justin 🙏

Its fairly well known, but one director spoke about filming Lebron James for a commercial. He was not allowed to give direction, or even communicate directly with Lebron. There was an intermediary who relayed things to Lebron so he wouldn't have to speak directly with anyone else. Success and privilege juxtaposed with privacy is almost a non starter...and it all does some pretty awful things to people.

I loved them since they were a garage band playing on alternative radio. Those lovely obscure stations!!

The stopping point for REM should have been when their original drummer quit and with him the "thing" which made the whole chemistry work. They were never the same after that

Would absolutely love to achieve that level of success in music, it would be truly a mesmerising opportunity to live such a life! I'm sure the peripheral commitments (photoshoots, videos, press etc) are a small price to pay in comparison to working low paid jobs whilst still trying to maintain and progress your creative endeavours! Shout out to all the grinding musicians out there! P.S I love this channel Justin, your outlook is immaculate on this whole crazy thaaaang we call music!

R.E.M. got it spot on, in my opinion. All bands should pack it in when their hearts are no longer in it, or they just can't do it anymore. Too many bands carry on for too long and become parodies of themselves. Lovely Cantona analogy, by the way. That guy knew when it was 'time', unlike a far more recent example who just can't accept that his time is up.

I'm a full time musician, I'm happy playing for anybody and I don't mind talking to folks after the gigs, but 10,000 people might be too many to talk to after the gig. Driving, loading in, loading out, waiting to go on etc. are the necessary evils we deal with for those few hours of freedom while playing. Also I love these videos by the way. Excellent insight.

DAMN this channel is comfy. Great channel, Justin. Thank you.

Love you Justin, appreciate your thoughtful take on all things real. Keep on rockin' in the free world!

I went to see REM for the first time at the Lyceum in 1984, Stipe was so pissed he fell over the drum kit and knocked it all over the place.. they put the kit back in place and they all carried on as if nothing had happened... did make me chuckle.

Like many I was awed by your performance at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute at Wembley which I was so blessed to have been at..wondered who the hell is that skinny guy in the crazy jumpsuit killing it..found your channel and have been hooked ever since. For a "famous" personality, you are humble, funny and like us, just another human trying to keep it real, make your art and facilitate the "Truth of Rock" as you see it. It seems you have managed to maintain a modicum of control over the machine that must exist to keep the lights on, pay the bills and provide for your family, like any other working bloke. Unlike the "common workin' man" when you arrive at the level of "Celebrity" you have found yourself at, keeping hold of the tiller and making sure the machine keeps getting oiled with good art can be challenging. this may not be popular, but through REM's rise though college gigs to fame they never lost the chip on their shoulder, the whiney blather so popular to the IVY League brats that made them popular...each to their own...was never a fan... As for the price of success, every thing is a choice and a trade off, the concept of Selling out as an artist is not about taking the money but losing yourself, which, will happen when you let others start making choices about how your vision will become "product". Art+Commerce Music is a fucking meatgrinder for the faint of Art. thanks for sharing every day, you've made 2022 not suck. I hope to catch you somewheres this summer, looks like will have to make a roadtrip to Europe..I regret somehow not discovering The Darkness earlier in life. For requests I would love your take on a "gone but not forgotton" - Rowland Howard..particularly the Song Pop Crimes..the hypnotic base line and sardonic sad lyrics I am sure will appeal to your humour. PS You can never cover enough Iggy... Strung out Johnny is brilliant. Other question, do you film a bunch of these on a certain day then they release or are you and your producer actually committed to doing this every day??? wow. Your community building through this channel is amazing, thank you again.

I’ve been binge-watching your channel and thoroughly enjoyed it. There’s a Japanese band called King Gnu, not sure if you heard of it but I found them rather pleasant. Please keep up the good work and happy holidays :)

I can answer this one being I know both sides from a musician and an indie label POV. Money in this business now? Not unless you're willing to be completely controlled by a major who'll tell you who and what you are and what you'll sound like (Johnny Bravo Syndrome). DIY you've got 100% chance of losing money on any music you release in a physical form and 1% chance of getting a royalty check for streaming that exceeds $100 USD. We're back to the olden days of the money being made from gigs and the album being a memento to take the music home with you.

We know that among the four members of The Beatles, George Harrison wasn't very happy with the gigantic success the band got after 1964. They were essentially trapped inside their hotel rooms wherever they went. And someone like Michael Jackson... if there is one example of someone who had too much success, it must be him after the release of Thriller. That was absolutely mad, that was.

I’ve had the privilege to play for 10k people and have felt the sting and shame of playing to the bartender and soundguy. There is a balance somewhere in between, where even having one or two humans there who feel connected to the sounds and message will come up to me afterwards and say they felt something, or appreciated the performance validates the effort put in, that makes it worthwhile. Or makes it feel that way. I get going out on a high note, and post pandemic I definitely understand the validity of leaving an audience Wanting More. As someone who will always be a musician, though, there is the argument for continuing the craft. There’s no wrong answer. Thank you Justin for your continued objectivity, and for keeping this, and many conversations open ended ?