That’s such an important question, and as more and more artists rise into the scene it becomes increasingly difficult to answer. The basis, I think, is most about my connection with others. Is there something of substance there.. ..something that is deeper than just an image? It’s certainly not my clothes or attitude, which are qualities that often work for other artists. I may not spring into anyone’s attention with undeniable uniqueness, but to the people I am able to connect with, I know there is something valuable and worthwhile in that connection that becomes the most important thing, and thus, “the difference.”
It takes a little more consideration on all our parts to find out if such a connection exists between the artist and the observer, but I’ve noticed that it is always time well spent. Being an avid music fan myself, when I do find a special connection with an artist, I treasure it deeply. I begin to know that artist either through fact or assumption based on observation and I become vested if I feel we are "like" souls. This inherently affects my take on the artist’s art or music and songs I maybe hadn’t liked before take a new meaning as I begin to understand who that artist is. As I go along, it's less to me the immediate physical or visual differences that sets the artist apart, and more about what I find when I look a little closer and begin to understand who that person is.
In my case, I’m constantly reminding myself to be as conscious as possible about what’s going on around me, what the foundation of the situations surrounding me are, and what the most beneficial ways forward are. I begin to look for the same in others, and when I find it, I also find that most times I am a fan of that persons art or projections. Material and stylistic differences fade away.
When it comes to music there are only two things on my requirements list, tone and soul. Aside from that, it’s all about the connection I feel when I look into that artist as a person and attempt to grasp their message.
What sets me apart is the same thing that sets every human apart, our own unique consciousness and the choices we make in how we spend our time. If we share similar values and are able to connect on some kind of spiritual level, we can accomplish more than we ever thought possible. It’s that connection that I’m after, and that I hope other's will find in me. It is my ultimate desire to elevate this connection and develop ideas and actions that will assist in progressing the community with freedom and equality. ..and to have some damn good fun in the process!!
