"As a musician, my job is not to play notes. My job is to provide the passion and the energy." Thank you for that. I'm a classical musician and that very truth is seldom thought in my genre.
Thanks dude, It's been an odd month and thanks for the chat this week it helped loads. I have some new ideas for this channel and how to help musicians while keeping the fun alive :) Let's collab soon and do something magical!
It is. I had mine in 2010 at the peak of my career and stopped. A friend kept on and is now called Zedd, whereas I am a no one with a burnout story to tell. My first ever regret + feeling of jealousy.
My rule n1 is to never play if I dont want to. Sometimes i have to of course but I try to only play if I feel like it. I know that I'm truly passionate of music so I am confident that in the following weeks/months I will really want to play on the guitar again
Illuminati King thank you so much! I’ve really struggled the last few weeks and felt guilty from taking a break and also felt the addiction of the numbers game instead of trying to look after my passion and people who support me.. lesson is learned! 😊😊
Damian Keyes hey Damo. Great video. I put a video up on my channel which points out one of the warning signs you have a social media addiction problem. You might feel a little happier after watching it. It’s pretty short, like all my videos, so hopefully won’t take too long and leave you smiling
Take time when you need it. You can't give to others when you have nothing else left. I've walked away for extended periods but always came back with a new attitude and enthusiasm.
Thank you, yeah I really feel like I was running on empty but feeling so overwhelmed by all these comments and excited for some new style videos to be more creative 🙂Thank you
Sounds familiar man... I was in a melodic metalband Epica, toured over the world with succes, but creative persons need more then that, otherwise they get a burn out, or a..bore out....So I become a session/studiodrummer , drumteacher, focused on drumpractising and drumrecording and producing and composed my first drumbook (Frank Zappa complexity)... Routine is killing a lot of people, it feels safe, but the price you get to pay for that is: an hollow empty feeling and being half dead... It,s a choice. Keep up going strong man there!!
Thanks for this video! As a full-time workaholic musician, I’ve burned myself out so badly after the last few years. I’ve done about 700 gigs since the start of 2018, 3 sets a night of 50 minutes a set… worked through pandemic restrictions, shutdowns, I’ve been physically assaulted twice whilst on the job, had gear damaged, and nearly got electrocuted last year - to boot. Content like this is so helpful! We’re all in this together!
WOW, Several years ago after I lost my passion to play. I felt lost and depressed, working on a job that I didnt like. I absolutely enjoyed your video. I hope you make more videos like this. I imagine there are other musicians who would enjoy it too. Thanks again. Much success to you.
I'm all about your honesty in this man! Very relatable :) It's our ability to have such self-awareness that will drive our passions to their best! I love the format of this video by the way :)
Well said - I walked away for over 10 years. You also have to factor in other responsibilities like a spouse and kids. Quality content is always better that quantity of content so you made the right decision to take a RUclips break. Really enjoy your videos Damian - very motivating and inspiring. Thanks for being there and sharing.
Thanks I needed to hear this! I've felt so disconnected from music these last 2 years despite gigging nearly every weekend. I feel inspired to start practicing more and challenging myself again. 😁
Everything you said I thought was great! I went through a similar time over a year ago. I felt like I didn't enjoy practicing piano or music much anymore. Because of this my performing and musicality suffered a lot. I wasn't really sure what was going on with me. After a few months though I finally realized that my way of thinking about piano playing and music had changed. I was thinking too much about the technical side of things and no longer about the imaginative and creativity part of music. Once I got my creativity involved in music and piano practicing again I was able to recover back to my older self and was enjoying music and piano again. Keeping my imagination and the creative side of my mind involved in my music is key for me to avoid burnout.
i think this is one of your best videos Damo, can tell you really put a lot of thought into this one! I burnt myself out in a coupla areas of my life recently and taking a few months off to clear my headspace has been great! Making music is actually fun and exciting again and life has got a little bit more colourful! Well played man, keep it up!
Loved this Damo and Morgan. very relateable. I quit all my function work to do what i'm doing now, and the passion for playing returned quicker than i thought, and gave me the drive to follow the path I TRULY wanted to take. Excited for what you've been cooking up in your ideas since your time away. You know where I am if you ever need a burnout chat!
I remember being so burned out and depressed that I ended up living under an empty 53’ trailer making money to get my high. Nearly died got sober and realized that wow 5 years went by and I am now clean but I don’t feel clean. Does it get better ? I don’t know but I’m back making music and I own a home for my dog and I and have my soul back. Always knowing that you can become a better player, person in general, is a great reason for living. If you ever felt this way or are feeling this way. I can give you advice I’ve learned from my experiences but don’t give up on yourself and know how important you are. Nobody loves me but me and I’m good with that take care of yourself so you can be there for the ones that need you.
Thank you! This really resonated with me. 10 years ago I built a recording studio with a friend and spent a year working a job I hated and every free second and every penny building a space to record in only for 1 year later to give up and sell/ give away half my stuff because it wasn’t as successful as I’d dreamt . 8 months ago I got sober, rediscovered my love for music and now spend every waking minute making music and thinking about music and have a very small fan base of great, loyal people who enjoy my ridiculous music videos and support me every day. It’s not a lot comparatively but I love it.
I play trumpet and piano and currently I'm having a hard time picking up my trumpet and practicing for my lesson every week. I don't want to let my teacher down or my parents. Thanks to this video I feel a new motivation and want to start playing again. Thank you so much for this video 🥺
I played professionally for about 16 years. App. 260 gigs a year with three bands. I then hung up my bass for almost fifteen years. I recently picked it up again and have started a jazz band, the music I've always loved. I'm now trying to book the band for a few night a week (a jazz band no less) and am feeling a bit tired. After the first big burnout (over a decade), I finally recognized the signs and am having to learn to listen to them now. This video is spot on for anyone who doesn't want to walk away from the art for over a decade.
Luke DeBiase thanks Luke I’ve got some more fun ideas to make this channel more of a doing Channel rather than just my opinions I hope it will be more fun and helpful. Thanks for sticking with me ❤️
Thanks so much for this video, man! I'm a video game composer who's been dealing with some burnout here and there, and this particular patch has been really rough. I wasn't sure why I was feeling this way, but this video really helped me! After working as a full-time composer for this most recent game in particular , it has definitely become more of a chore rather than my passion. This has helped me identify the sole purpose of my career (and dream job) and I totally just need to start learning more and find that fiery passion again! This video has meant so much--thanks for this!
I really needed this video. Thank you Damien! I hope you make more films like this in the future. Ps I been binge watching all your videos, applying your techniques, and I’m seeing my audience grow. Cheers mate
Laetitia thank you so much! I had a minor social media crisis where I felt like I wasn’t providing enough value and letting people down.. I’m so overwhelmed by the response of this video and now super excited to get stuck in again 😊❤️
Hey Damo this happened to me a couple years ago! We had finished a headline tour that wasn’t the best, and I sort of felt maybe it was time to get a real job, and I completely phsyced myself and quit the band! Luckily the drummers girlfriend was a really close friend and she convinced me to give it a little longer. A couple months later we played The John Peel stage at Glastonbury haha! Here we are two years on and our fan base is still building and I’m loving it again! Some of the things that really help me is to be productive in all that time you have milling about on tour or when you’re not in the rehearsal room, for instance we’re filming/editing our own tour vids, taking pictures to use in the future when we have a lull between tours, and just heading out and checking the cities out. Also not getting too hammered on tour is golden! I can’t say I live by this motto 100% of the time, but I enjoy the tour much more as a whole if I’m not nursing hangovers everyday haha. Anyway, great to see i wasn’t alone in this! Cheers Damo!
Hey Damian. Wise words. Really uplifting to listen to this one. On a side note. The way you edited this video is really fresh and engaging. I've nerding out on this aspect. Ha. Cheers, Marco
Hey Damo, Nice to see your back on here... The burn out is a real thing indeed. 6 years ago me and my partner, the Famous Artist Birdy Rose brought ourselves a camper van and hit the road. We have been travelling the world and living off music and art since. In 2017 I did the best gigs I ever have done in my life, headlining some festival stages but that sense of repeating myself and being stuck in a loop is something that happened. I went full time with the music as I was fed up of the minimum wage jobs I was doing and not going anywhere... And I got so tired, suffered from Panic Attached every day and generally was a bit wonky. Everything we do is on our shoulders and our shoulders alone and it can get too much. So we took a set back, took up running, looked after ourselves a lot more. Planned time off... And my head is so much better. We are still living off our art and you are right it is a privilege, it's hard work, tough and at times soul destroying.... But when it works it's the best thing in the world. Loved this video and I hope your ok Doozer McDooze
Thank you for sharing your story! 1:45 "everyday I would count down the hours of school .. until I could get home to play my guitar". I was exactly the same way at age 14-16! This was back in the 80s, in (Soviet) Lithuania. I would do all my homework during recess and would RUN from school so that I could maximize my time practicing the piano. My teachers kept pushing me to practice as much as I could, and spent a great deal of time with me as well. Our lessons would go on for many hours.. a few went as late as 1am. But somehow I never burned out under all that intensity. It was as if the very environment that built up around me - my teachers, music student peers, bandmates, and everyone else that expected me to go far in music - it was as if that very environment and my success in it was giving me an unlimited amount of energy. Now when I remember it, it was all very surreal, as if I was on drugs. In 1985 I moved to the United States with my parents. There was not anything bad about this country. For example the dentists were amazing compared to what I was used to. But somehow I was not able to build that massive support network around me, like what I had back home. There surely were people that wanted to support me. But it didn't work out the same way. I'm still not entirely sure why, but I think it was - I kept practicing so intensely, and I did not leave myself any time or energy to adapt to the new country. Adapting to a new country is an entire project; that has to be respected. Some people are naturally very good at it, and perhaps they manage to do it with little effort. In my case - since I was already behind my peers back in Lithuania in some ways (e.g. dating), this U.S. adaptation project required much more than an average effort. Long story short, I ended up completely isolated from this new environment. It took me about 1 year to completely burn out, I had no energy, no enthusiasm for anything, I had constant headaches, I was getting sick in multiple other ways - but I still couldn't stop practicing, until my parents found some doctors that convinced me I have to get out of music or I'll just run myself into the ground completely. What I should have done was to seriously cut down on my practice time, perhaps take a full break from it, and focus on integrating in the new country. But I didn't even know how to practice "less" - it was all or nothing. It was how I was trained by my teachers back in Lithuania, and I didn't know how to be different. So I chose to leave music entirely. For lack of any other real passion, I became a software developer, because at least it was a decent living and I seemed to be good at it. Now, I'm over 50 years old - but people say I can still play a decent Jazz piano. Whatever "decent" means. But, I have been practicing again in the past two years, and plan to make it into a full-time project after I retire from government service in the next couple years. Hopefully I will play some gigs - or at least, jam-sessions. I keep my expectations low - I'll keep practicing and will see what happens :)
Love this. I can relate to that dread. Where it just feels over. My current goal is to not play for 6 months. If it winds up being two years, so be it. It’s easy to guilt trip ourselves for not playing, but maybe walking away for a while is the only way back.
Such a great film. Big props to Morgan on the production too. Thanks for sharing it and being open. I can relate to many parts of that from different angles. Sorry to hear you hit a low point. You always give out huge amounts of value which resonates for a long chunk of time. So don't pressure yourself. Take it easy. Thanks for the film
Thank you so much Paul. I'm so overwhelmed by the comments in this video I feel like I got too focused on the wrong bit which took away my fun and being a creative I have this urge to enjoy what i do as much as I can. I'm really excited for the next batch of videos because while they wont be as regular they will be a lot of fun to make and hopefully put my money where my mouth is and do things instead of talking about them. 🙂
Wondered what was up and at the same time am identifying with this right now. Love it Damian and really appreciate it. Here’s to the law of impermanence and accepting the seasons whilst keeping sight of what’s important. Best wishes!
Hey! Just so you know your content is brilliant, I love watching it and while you will have your own battles of burnout etc sometimes it's nice to know that what you are doing is appreciated and I can tell you that yours is, so thanks for creating and working so hard ❤
This really helps... I’d been feeling burnt out for a while, and I just decided to put my saxophone down. I miss playing, but I know that missing it will make going back to if feel better. I haven’t had a gig for months because of the virus... I want to play again so bad, because gigs were what kept me going...
That old saying You've gotta want it. No truer words spoken. Much respect to those dudes. I've been playing many many years and I've got no motivation to pickup one of my many guitars.
Great video!! I think it happens with everything... gigs, practice, jams, teaching, videos... literally *everything* . And suddenly, one day I jam at a friend's gig and this makes me want to start gigging everyday again 😅
This is very relatable right now , ive been trying to get somewhere doing the weird fulfilling creative project rather than the more sensible and sustainable session musician route but after nearly 10 years hit a wall and need to turn the pressure off and have fun with it when i feel like it . Felt the same after i finished my music BA and was in 3 different musical projects during my time at uni . The hunger will come back im sure . Thanks for the video.
Is this a direction, or just a step aside? If it is a direction: this is another level of RUclips! If it was only exceptional -> please, make it more often!! :D
Thank you so much! This is indeed the new direction. I'd like to avoid just giving my opinions, id like to start doing and showing whats feasible or at least putting my money where my mouth is... There are plenty of new music industry youtube channels so let's see if I can't approach this in a new way and help more bands and musicians on the way... The new challenge starts Tuesday next week 😜 Thanks dude
I've totally been through this. Playing weekend after weekend, the same tunes, same clubs.. same drunks. I was ready to hang it up! But then an opportunity came up for the summer. Playing/Touring with a pretty high profile act. I feel it's just what I need to get back into the happy place. Hoping it will open more doors and opportunities. Thanks Damian Great Video!
I stopped playing for just over 10 years. Coming back I totaly agreee, it is about appreciation and scratching your own creative itch to keep you motivated. Also I think it is important for having a break (maybe at least 6months) to gain perspective in any field is important especialy if you have been in a "rut" for over 1-2 years. Music is something we get to do, it shouldn't be something you have to do.
Vitamin D! I’m a guitarist/singer from South Wales. Thanks for the videos, you’ve inspired me to start my own channel specifically to share my experiences with my students.
Woha, sounds spooky familiar. Being a musician for 25 years, it resonates crystal clear. You summarized it perfectly well. I’ve known ups and downs but there always were some kind of survival drive to manage quitting activities that would have turned the passion down. The difficulties in a musician’s life, I believe, might be in the fact that the ups feel really great and the downs almost unbearable. Everything is exaggerated. You have to be emotionally strong and learn how to deal with that. It once led to burn-out, and it was awful, especially because I was involved in lots of different gigs and I had to go on, since that is how a make a living. Finally, the passion brought me back on my feet, because the little light inside was still there. I just learned through countless experiences and projects what was feeding it and what was not. After having been involved in so many gigs, bands and sessions, I finally started to create my own project two years ago and It just feels like when I was a teen : the true joy of creating, learning, practicing and PLAYING, I realized that those hard working 25 years is like a precious toolbox that helps me today, developing something that I always wanted to do, but didn’t know clearly what it was. Finally took the time to sit down and really think about what I’d LOVE to do. The journey goes on and, indeed, it’s a privilege. Thank you for this video, man.
Found your video. Tried to do some finger excersises on the bass. Fed up after 15 minutes. As well as the last 2-3 months. Now I’m crying like a puss, that I don’t like the instrument anymore? I know that I have to practice, but it makes me anxious (as many other things in life). I really hope that your video will move something in me.
Burnout is no joke - especially when you at a stable stage after been breaking your back for years into an industry that doesn't provide stability. You are no alone, people. Keep your head up.
Using the internet for 20 odd years this is the first time I subscribed to ANY channel. No kidding! Managing the way of my deathgrind band Parasite Crowd (Hungary) through Damian's advice is fun every day! Thank you my man! I'll keep on being an eager follower!
Same thing 4 years years ago I was playing covers to people who didnt give a shit who was at the social club as long as a band turned up. Complete burnout. Two years ago set up my own home studio learned so much got creative again now loving producing my own electronic music.
I took a 2 year break too back in 2011 after selling all my gear, then came back to write and record 2 albums worth of music within 1 year...tbh still some of my favorite songs I've written even now.
It's certainly no coincidence that bad mental health and being a musician are cocurrent. I hit degrading insomia for a few years for which regular late nights were a big reason and I find that the Sunday after a function gig (getting back at 3am ish) is particularly rough, when you do the math it barely seems worth it financially vs what your body has to go through. This is why I've turned predominantly to teaching, which can be very rewarding and then RUclips on the side for the creative pursuit with occasional functions to supplement.
I stopped practising jazz music 2 years ago. Prior to that, I practiced on average 3 hours a day. The gigs that I was getting were not creative enough. Now I am full time in a university research career and able to write and play my own music. Next week I am recording vocals for my single. Getting out of the endless covers gigs was what I needed to make music exciting again.
Askhat Sukhanberdin I genuinely am so touched with the response of this video and your comment has filled my heart thank you so so much! I am excited to get back on the horse! ❤️
Damo, there is actually some science behind taking a break and learning new stuff. It's wonderfully explained in a netflix documentary the creative brain. Check it out if you haven't yet!
I've just stopped- I had the best drummer and we were both navy- I played tons of gigs in the military with him- he went blue to green and is currently in the army way in Germany- I simply dont play anymore- I miss it- but without the amazing feeling of live drums- I just do jam tracks- it sucks- I really wish that motivation to jam together. ( maybe I should pick it back up after watching this vid) thank you for your insight.
Hi William, That's sad, I hope you get your mojo back and find way to enjoy all of this. Music is such a crazy thing with so much emotion for good and bad. Keep your head up and every so often pick up that guitar and see if the excitement is there to write something or jam or call out other musicians for a jam
It was really closer to 10 years, now that I think about it. The Winter Jam tour stopped in Kansas City and I took the family. The music had meaning and the musicians were accomplished. It drew me in immediately; I started writing again, playing bass, then drums in church, then festivals. I have suffered burnout again in recent years when playing with a Classic Rock cover band for a year plus - same sets, same arrangements 😕 and trying to keep originals bands together. I walked away from that. So now at 55-years-young and with my youngest child approaching adulthood, I’m solo and will start releasing singles June 2019; essentially where I left off in 2000. 🤔 Thank God, literally, for home studios.
"As a musician, my job is not to play notes. My job is to provide the passion and the energy." Thank you for that. I'm a classical musician and that very truth is seldom thought in my genre.
Burnout is so real. I hit mine in 2014. Great video man.
Thanks dude, It's been an odd month and thanks for the chat this week it helped loads. I have some new ideas for this channel and how to help musicians while keeping the fun alive :) Let's collab soon and do something magical!
You two should, collab bro?
I'm glad to see this here
It is. I had mine in 2010 at the peak of my career and stopped. A friend kept on and is now called Zedd, whereas I am a no one with a burnout story to tell. My first ever regret + feeling of jealousy.
I hit mine 2014-2015 i still strugle to be my old music producer which was productive. Am I done?
My rule n1 is to never play if I dont want to.
Sometimes i have to of course but I try to only play if I feel like it. I know that I'm truly passionate of music so I am confident that in the following weeks/months I will really want to play on the guitar again
I literally needed this video today. Thank you.
Illuminati King thank you so much! I’ve really struggled the last few weeks and felt guilty from taking a break and also felt the addiction of the numbers game instead of trying to look after my passion and people who support me.. lesson is learned! 😊😊
Damian Keyes hey Damo. Great video. I put a video up on my channel which points out one of the warning signs you have a social media addiction problem. You might feel a little happier after watching it. It’s pretty short, like all my videos, so hopefully won’t take too long and leave you smiling
Chris Wilson thanks Chris I’ll go watch now 😊
Damian Keyes there’s 23 seconds of your life you won’t get back, but hopefully a smile you’ll keep for a little longer
Take time when you need it. You can't give to others when you have nothing else left. I've walked away for extended periods but always came back with a new attitude and enthusiasm.
Thank you, yeah I really feel like I was running on empty but feeling so overwhelmed by all these comments and excited for some new style videos to be more creative 🙂Thank you
Sounds familiar man... I was in a melodic metalband Epica, toured over the world with succes, but creative persons need more then that, otherwise they get a burn out, or a..bore out....So I become a session/studiodrummer , drumteacher, focused on drumpractising and drumrecording and producing and composed my first drumbook (Frank Zappa complexity)... Routine is killing a lot of people, it feels safe, but the price you get to pay for that is: an hollow empty feeling and being half dead... It,s a choice. Keep up going strong man there!!
Love this Jeroen! Thank you so much!🙂🙂
Your channel is very refreshing sir! Thank you 🙏🏻
I really need that video. Thank you soo much
So good, fun the starting music to the tips. Amazing
This video has such a broad reach - not just music. Thank you for it, great work.
I can truly relate. I needed to hear this. Thank you for this well made and well thought out video.
Thanks for this video! As a full-time workaholic musician, I’ve burned myself out so badly after the last few years. I’ve done about 700 gigs since the start of 2018, 3 sets a night of 50 minutes a set… worked through pandemic restrictions, shutdowns, I’ve been physically assaulted twice whilst on the job, had gear damaged, and nearly got electrocuted last year - to boot.
Content like this is so helpful! We’re all in this together!
This is the best video you ever made, thank you Damo
WOW, Several years ago after I lost my passion to play. I felt lost and depressed, working on a job that I didnt like. I absolutely enjoyed your video. I hope you make more videos like this. I imagine there are other musicians who would enjoy it too. Thanks again. Much success to you.
I'm all about your honesty in this man! Very relatable :) It's our ability to have such self-awareness that will drive our passions to their best! I love the format of this video by the way :)
Well said - I walked away for over 10 years. You also have to factor in other responsibilities like a spouse and kids. Quality content is always better that quantity of content so you made the right decision to take a RUclips break. Really enjoy your videos Damian - very motivating and inspiring. Thanks for being there and sharing.
Thanks I needed to hear this! I've felt so disconnected from music these last 2 years despite gigging nearly every weekend. I feel inspired to start practicing more and challenging myself again. 😁
I really needed this video. Thank you, Damian! Funny how we all work ourselves too much because we believe to not do so would be wasting valuable time
Everything you said I thought was great! I went through a similar time over a year ago. I felt like I didn't enjoy practicing piano or music much anymore. Because of this my performing and musicality suffered a lot. I wasn't really sure what was going on with me. After a few months though I finally realized that my way of thinking about piano playing and music had changed. I was thinking too much about the technical side of things and no longer about the imaginative and creativity part of music. Once I got my creativity involved in music and piano practicing again I was able to recover back to my older self and was enjoying music and piano again. Keeping my imagination and the creative side of my mind involved in my music is key for me to avoid burnout.
Very cool video, and perfectly said. Thanks bud
Your production quality and editing has improved so much. Amazing work my man x
i think this is one of your best videos Damo, can tell you really put a lot of thought into this one! I burnt myself out in a coupla areas of my life recently and taking a few months off to clear my headspace has been great! Making music is actually fun and exciting again and life has got a little bit more colourful! Well played man, keep it up!
Loved this Damo and Morgan. very relateable. I quit all my function work to do what i'm doing now, and the passion for playing returned quicker than i thought, and gave me the drive to follow the path I TRULY wanted to take. Excited for what you've been cooking up in your ideas since your time away. You know where I am if you ever need a burnout chat!
Absolutely beautiful and touching video! Thank you so much, Damian! We love you!
Thank you so much! ❤
I remember being so burned out and depressed that I ended up living under an empty 53’ trailer making money to get my high. Nearly died got sober and realized that wow 5 years went by and I am now clean but I don’t feel clean. Does it get better ? I don’t know but I’m back making music and I own a home for my dog and I and have my soul back. Always knowing that you can become a better player, person in general, is a great reason for living. If you ever felt this way or are feeling this way. I can give you advice I’ve learned from my experiences but don’t give up on yourself and know how important you are. Nobody loves me but me and I’m good with that take care of yourself so you can be there for the ones that need you.
Thank you! This really resonated with me. 10 years ago I built a recording studio with a friend and spent a year working a job I hated and every free second and every penny building a space to record in only for 1 year later to give up and sell/ give away half my stuff because it wasn’t as successful as I’d dreamt . 8 months ago I got sober, rediscovered my love for music and now spend every waking minute making music and thinking about music and have a very small fan base of great, loyal people who enjoy my ridiculous music videos and support me every day. It’s not a lot comparatively but I love it.
Thanks for another vid Damian. Always inspirational.
Thanks so much Jake
Beautiful and honest video. ‘We are creators. We need to create’. 👍
This is one of your best videos Damo. Well done man.
Great advice!
I play trumpet and piano and currently I'm having a hard time picking up my trumpet and practicing for my lesson every week. I don't want to let my teacher down or my parents. Thanks to this video I feel a new motivation and want to start playing again. Thank you so much for this video 🥺
I played professionally for about 16 years. App. 260 gigs a year with three bands. I then hung up my bass for almost fifteen years. I recently picked it up again and have started a jazz band, the music I've always loved. I'm now trying to book the band for a few night a week (a jazz band no less) and am feeling a bit tired. After the first big burnout (over a decade), I finally recognized the signs and am having to learn to listen to them now. This video is spot on for anyone who doesn't want to walk away from the art for over a decade.
Glad you're back! Great video
Luke DeBiase thanks Luke I’ve got some more fun ideas to make this channel more of a doing Channel rather than just my opinions I hope it will be more fun and helpful. Thanks for sticking with me ❤️
Thanks so much for this video, man! I'm a video game composer who's been dealing with some burnout here and there, and this particular patch has been really rough. I wasn't sure why I was feeling this way, but this video really helped me! After working as a full-time composer for this most recent game in particular , it has definitely become more of a chore rather than my passion. This has helped me identify the sole purpose of my career (and dream job) and I totally just need to start learning more and find that fiery passion again! This video has meant so much--thanks for this!
Great video Damian. I enjoyed the message and how you presented it. Thank you!
Thank you so much 🙂🙂🙂
I really needed this video. Thank you Damien! I hope you make more films like this in the future. Ps I been binge watching all your videos, applying your techniques, and I’m seeing my audience grow. Cheers mate
I'd been wondering where you'd gone ! happy to see you're back and well ! Amazing film, really creative. Thank you for the video and advice
Laetitia thank you so much! I had a minor social media crisis where I felt like I wasn’t providing enough value and letting people down.. I’m so overwhelmed by the response of this video and now super excited to get stuck in again 😊❤️
Thank you for sharing!! Right on time!!
Sherry Trotter thank you so much Sherry ❤️
This hit me so hard.thank you for making this video!! I feel inspired already 😂😊
Hey Damo this happened to me a couple years ago! We had finished a headline tour that wasn’t the best, and I sort of felt maybe it was time to get a real job, and I completely phsyced myself and quit the band! Luckily the drummers girlfriend was a really close friend and she convinced me to give it a little longer. A couple months later we played The John Peel stage at Glastonbury haha! Here we are two years on and our fan base is still building and I’m loving it again!
Some of the things that really help me is to be productive in all that time you have milling about on tour or when you’re not in the rehearsal room, for instance we’re filming/editing our own tour vids, taking pictures to use in the future when we have a lull between tours, and just heading out and checking the cities out.
Also not getting too hammered on tour is golden! I can’t say I live by this motto 100% of the time, but I enjoy the tour much more as a whole if I’m not nursing hangovers everyday haha.
Anyway, great to see i wasn’t alone in this! Cheers Damo!
Hey Damian.
Wise words. Really uplifting to listen to this one.
On a side note. The way you edited this video is really fresh and engaging. I've nerding out on this aspect. Ha.
Cheers,
Marco
Hey Damo,
Nice to see your back on here... The burn out is a real thing indeed.
6 years ago me and my partner, the Famous Artist Birdy Rose brought ourselves a camper van and hit the road. We have been travelling the world and living off music and art since. In 2017 I did the best gigs I ever have done in my life, headlining some festival stages but that sense of repeating myself and being stuck in a loop is something that happened. I went full time with the music as I was fed up of the minimum wage jobs I was doing and not going anywhere... And I got so tired, suffered from Panic Attached every day and generally was a bit wonky. Everything we do is on our shoulders and our shoulders alone and it can get too much.
So we took a set back, took up running, looked after ourselves a lot more. Planned time off... And my head is so much better.
We are still living off our art and you are right it is a privilege, it's hard work, tough and at times soul destroying.... But when it works it's the best thing in the world.
Loved this video and I hope your ok
Doozer McDooze
nice
This was huge. Thank you.
+Benjamin Gorski thank you so much 😊😊😊
Extremely relatable video, I felt this exact way for a summer after an intense music uni year. Keep up the great work Damo 🤘🏻
Stephen Wetherell thank you so much Stephen ❤️
awesome video man
so good!
Very timely.. thanks Damien!
Thank you so much Sammy, make sure you look after yourself when you feel frustrated ❤
Thank you for sharing your story!
1:45 "everyday I would count down the hours of school .. until I could get home to play my guitar". I was exactly the same way at age 14-16! This was back in the 80s, in (Soviet) Lithuania. I would do all my homework during recess and would RUN from school so that I could maximize my time practicing the piano. My teachers kept pushing me to practice as much as I could, and spent a great deal of time with me as well. Our lessons would go on for many hours.. a few went as late as 1am. But somehow I never burned out under all that intensity. It was as if the very environment that built up around me - my teachers, music student peers, bandmates, and everyone else that expected me to go far in music - it was as if that very environment and my success in it was giving me an unlimited amount of energy. Now when I remember it, it was all very surreal, as if I was on drugs.
In 1985 I moved to the United States with my parents. There was not anything bad about this country. For example the dentists were amazing compared to what I was used to. But somehow I was not able to build that massive support network around me, like what I had back home. There surely were people that wanted to support me. But it didn't work out the same way. I'm still not entirely sure why, but I think it was - I kept practicing so intensely, and I did not leave myself any time or energy to adapt to the new country. Adapting to a new country is an entire project; that has to be respected. Some people are naturally very good at it, and perhaps they manage to do it with little effort. In my case - since I was already behind my peers back in Lithuania in some ways (e.g. dating), this U.S. adaptation project required much more than an average effort.
Long story short, I ended up completely isolated from this new environment. It took me about 1 year to completely burn out, I had no energy, no enthusiasm for anything, I had constant headaches, I was getting sick in multiple other ways - but I still couldn't stop practicing, until my parents found some doctors that convinced me I have to get out of music or I'll just run myself into the ground completely. What I should have done was to seriously cut down on my practice time, perhaps take a full break from it, and focus on integrating in the new country. But I didn't even know how to practice "less" - it was all or nothing. It was how I was trained by my teachers back in Lithuania, and I didn't know how to be different. So I chose to leave music entirely.
For lack of any other real passion, I became a software developer, because at least it was a decent living and I seemed to be good at it. Now, I'm over 50 years old - but people say I can still play a decent Jazz piano. Whatever "decent" means. But, I have been practicing again in the past two years, and plan to make it into a full-time project after I retire from government service in the next couple years. Hopefully I will play some gigs - or at least, jam-sessions. I keep my expectations low - I'll keep practicing and will see what happens :)
just......... G R A C I A S. Really needed this. Hard times. Hugs from Mexico City.
This video is gold. Thanks!
Power Metallistic thank you so much 😊😊
Great video Damian! :)
Very good Damian, very good! Mental health is the most overlooked problem, great video and message without stigmatizing it… Word.
DJ Cro-G thank you so much 😊😊 I’m feeling so motivated after the response to this video
Amazing !!!!!!!!!
thanks for this video 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Thanks Ben, appreciate that. Hope you aren't too burnt out 🙂
Love this. I can relate to that dread. Where it just feels over. My current goal is to not play for 6 months. If it winds up being two years, so be it. It’s easy to guilt trip ourselves for not playing, but maybe walking away for a while is the only way back.
Great vid man, spent a lot of time in Groundhog Day myself. Burnout is real thanks for sharing.
Thanks dude, yeah feeling a lot more refreshed and excited about making more fun and creative videos 🙂
one of the best videos you have made! cheers
Thank you so much! I'm excited to make some new different style videos and less of me standing against a wall 🙂
OMG ... Thats what I'm feeling right now ... Thanks
one of your greatest videos. thank you. listen to your gut!
Dario Di Donato thank you so much Dario! ❤️❤️
Such a great film. Big props to Morgan on the production too. Thanks for sharing it and being open. I can relate to many parts of that from different angles. Sorry to hear you hit a low point. You always give out huge amounts of value which resonates for a long chunk of time. So don't pressure yourself. Take it easy. Thanks for the film
Thank you so much Paul. I'm so overwhelmed by the comments in this video I feel like I got too focused on the wrong bit which took away my fun and being a creative I have this urge to enjoy what i do as much as I can. I'm really excited for the next batch of videos because while they wont be as regular they will be a lot of fun to make and hopefully put my money where my mouth is and do things instead of talking about them. 🙂
Smooth editing.
I dig that 👌👌👌👌
Groovalistic Infesto thank you! I’d love to take credit but that’s the work of my man Morgan M James! 😊😊
Wondered what was up and at the same time am identifying with this right now. Love it Damian and really appreciate it. Here’s to the law of impermanence and accepting the seasons whilst keeping sight of what’s important. Best wishes!
Hey! Just so you know your content is brilliant, I love watching it and while you will have your own battles of burnout etc sometimes it's nice to know that what you are doing is appreciated and I can tell you that yours is, so thanks for creating and working so hard ❤
Same thing is happening with me rn..thankyou for this video..your words motivated me💜
Kamal _ vocals thank you so much Kamal
definitely true Damian . we gotta keep growing musically:))
Absolutely, I defo lose my mojo when I'm painting by numbers
Yes it is a privilege... oh one day hopefully 😅
Awesome video Damian 😁
Donnacha Mullaghy thank you so much! ❤️
I joined BIMM 3 years ago to try and enjoy my guitar again and Christ it worked hahaha now I'm excited to play again
This really helps... I’d been feeling burnt out for a while, and I just decided to put my saxophone down. I miss playing, but I know that missing it will make going back to if feel better. I haven’t had a gig for months because of the virus... I want to play again so bad, because gigs were what kept me going...
This is brilliant!!
Scott Edwards thank you so much Scott 😊😊😊
Totally get that . Mozart said it's in those down times when genius sometimes occurs 😎👍
I needed this, and I'll still need it.
Thanks for the sound advice, you don't have to reply if it will tire you.
Ali Jr. thank you so much! I feel so overwhelmed after this video release! Can’t wait to get stuck in again 😊
That old saying You've gotta want it. No truer words spoken. Much respect to those dudes. I've been playing many many years and I've got no motivation to pickup one of my many guitars.
I had missed u n i was wondering where u are. Glad to hear from u again. Blessed week
Thank you so much, that has really made me smile! I'm excited to be back and excited for some new style videos to help 🙂❤
Really nice . U have helped me improve my music both in marketin n in live performance. All the way from Kenya, Nairobi, Kayole. More life
Great video!! I think it happens with everything... gigs, practice, jams, teaching, videos... literally *everything* .
And suddenly, one day I jam at a friend's gig and this makes me want to start gigging everyday again 😅
Yeah I hear that, I'm so glad you got your mojo back 🙂
This is very relatable right now , ive been trying to get somewhere doing the weird fulfilling creative project rather than the more sensible and sustainable session musician route but after nearly 10 years hit a wall and need to turn the pressure off and have fun with it when i feel like it . Felt the same after i finished my music BA and was in 3 different musical projects during my time at uni . The hunger will come back im sure . Thanks for the video.
Thank you so much. I defo think you should do whatever it takes to keep that passion alive 🙂
Is this a direction, or just a step aside? If it is a direction: this is another level of RUclips! If it was only exceptional -> please, make it more often!! :D
Thank you so much! This is indeed the new direction. I'd like to avoid just giving my opinions, id like to start doing and showing whats feasible or at least putting my money where my mouth is... There are plenty of new music industry youtube channels so let's see if I can't approach this in a new way and help more bands and musicians on the way... The new challenge starts Tuesday next week 😜
Thanks dude
awesome video 💜
Thanks Loveday! ❤
Thank you 👍
I've totally been through this. Playing weekend after weekend, the same tunes, same clubs.. same drunks. I was ready to hang it up! But then an opportunity came up for the summer. Playing/Touring with a pretty high profile act. I feel it's just what I need to get back into the happy place. Hoping it will open more doors and opportunities.
Thanks Damian
Great Video!
Thank you so much Kevin, it's a dark place isn't it when you start dreading the thing that you love so much. Make sure you look after yourself dude ❤
I stopped playing for just over 10 years. Coming back I totaly agreee, it is about appreciation and scratching your own creative itch to keep you motivated. Also I think it is important for having a break (maybe at least 6months) to gain perspective in any field is important especialy if you have been in a "rut" for over 1-2 years. Music is something we get to do, it shouldn't be something you have to do.
Great video. Even those of us who play in cover bands can use this information
SrTubular thank you so much 😊❤️
Vitamin D! I’m a guitarist/singer from South Wales. Thanks for the videos, you’ve inspired me to start my own channel specifically to share my experiences with my students.
Scott Guitarist thank you so much! I was back in the homelands yesterday visiting the fam in Swansea, was great to be back even though it was brief 😊😊
@@DamianKeyes Better brief than not at all mate. Thanks again for the videos, missed them the last few weeks
Merçi beaucoup...👍🏿💓
De rien, je suis excité pour le prochain chapitre! :-)
Woha, sounds spooky familiar. Being a musician for 25 years, it resonates crystal clear. You summarized it perfectly well. I’ve known ups and downs but there always were some kind of survival drive to manage quitting activities that would have turned the passion down. The difficulties in a musician’s life, I believe, might be in the fact that the ups feel really great and the downs almost unbearable. Everything is exaggerated. You have to be emotionally strong and learn how to deal with that. It once led to burn-out, and it was awful, especially because I was involved in lots of different gigs and I had to go on, since that is how a make a living. Finally, the passion brought me back on my feet, because the little light inside was still there. I just learned through countless experiences and projects what was feeding it and what was not. After having been involved in so many gigs, bands and sessions, I finally started to create my own project two years ago and It just feels like when I was a teen : the true joy of creating, learning, practicing and PLAYING, I realized that those hard working 25 years is like a precious toolbox that helps me today, developing something that I always wanted to do, but didn’t know clearly what it was. Finally took the time to sit down and really think about what I’d LOVE to do. The journey goes on and, indeed, it’s a privilege. Thank you for this video, man.
Thank you so much Florian, Love this message! ❤
Found your video. Tried to do some finger excersises on the bass. Fed up after 15 minutes. As well as the last 2-3 months. Now I’m crying like a puss, that I don’t like the instrument anymore? I know that I have to practice, but it makes me anxious (as many other things in life). I really hope that your video will move something in me.
Burnout is no joke - especially when you at a stable stage after been breaking your back for years into an industry that doesn't provide stability.
You are no alone, people. Keep your head up.
Using the internet for 20 odd years this is the first time I subscribed to ANY channel. No kidding! Managing the way of my deathgrind band Parasite Crowd (Hungary) through Damian's advice is fun every day! Thank you my man! I'll keep on being an eager follower!
Róbert Markó wow thank you so so much! I am grinning after this comment ❤️😊
@@DamianKeyes You mean grinDing! :D :D
Róbert Markó It’s everyday bro 😜
Same thing 4 years years ago I was playing covers to people who didnt give a shit who was at the social club as long as a band turned up. Complete burnout. Two years ago set up my own home studio learned so much got creative again now loving producing my own electronic music.
Ian Giles I can relate to this so much Ian! It’s good to be back when you get to be passionate again isn’t it?! Love this! ❤️
Good video!
Thank you so much! 🙂
Like it Damo...great video! I think we’ve all suffered from some sort of burn out at some point dude!
Sean Muir thanks for all your support and your ideas as well dude it’s been a huge help ❤️
Damian Keyes you’re more than welcome dude!
Yeah I’m there
It's a dark place dude, make sure you look after yourself and keep that passion alive. The love of music is so important ❤
I took a 2 year break too back in 2011 after selling all my gear, then came back to write and record 2 albums worth of music within 1 year...tbh still some of my favorite songs I've written even now.
I hear that, i'm so glad you came back to music dude 🙂
It's certainly no coincidence that bad mental health and being a musician are cocurrent. I hit degrading insomia for a few years for which regular late nights were a big reason and I find that the Sunday after a function gig (getting back at 3am ish) is particularly rough, when you do the math it barely seems worth it financially vs what your body has to go through. This is why I've turned predominantly to teaching, which can be very rewarding and then RUclips on the side for the creative pursuit with occasional functions to supplement.
Good call bro!
Thank you 🙂🙂
I stopped practising jazz music 2 years ago. Prior to that, I practiced on average 3 hours a day. The gigs that I was getting were not creative enough. Now I am full time in a university research career and able to write and play my own music. Next week I am recording vocals for my single. Getting out of the endless covers gigs was what I needed to make music exciting again.
Well done on the huge production improvement and the important topic... let's just hope you don't get video-making burnout now haha
thank you for coming back! first time ever in my life i felt lonely without someone's videos
Askhat Sukhanberdin I genuinely am so touched with the response of this video and your comment has filled my heart thank you so so much! I am excited to get back on the horse! ❤️
Damo, there is actually some science behind taking a break and learning new stuff. It's wonderfully explained in a netflix documentary the creative brain. Check it out if you haven't yet!
I've just stopped- I had the best drummer and we were both navy- I played tons of gigs in the military with him- he went blue to green and is currently in the army way in Germany- I simply dont play anymore- I miss it- but without the amazing feeling of live drums- I just do jam tracks- it sucks- I really wish that motivation to jam together.
( maybe I should pick it back up after watching this vid) thank you for your insight.
Hi William, That's sad, I hope you get your mojo back and find way to enjoy all of this. Music is such a crazy thing with so much emotion for good and bad. Keep your head up and every so often pick up that guitar and see if the excitement is there to write something or jam or call out other musicians for a jam
💛
mel thanks Mel! ❤️
Well said. An 8-year hiatus did me very well.
Wow thats a big one, what brought you back? 🙂
It was really closer to 10 years, now that I think about it. The Winter Jam tour stopped in Kansas City and I took the family. The music had meaning and the musicians were accomplished. It drew me in immediately; I started writing again, playing bass, then drums in church, then festivals. I have suffered burnout again in recent years when playing with a Classic Rock cover band for a year plus - same sets, same arrangements 😕 and trying to keep originals bands together. I walked away from that. So now at 55-years-young and with my youngest child approaching adulthood, I’m solo and will start releasing singles June 2019; essentially where I left off in 2000. 🤔 Thank God, literally, for home studios.