1.8 Million Subscribers (and no one cares)

I watched a video from the Corridor Cast podcast interviewing Freddie Wong 4 years ago, and it pretty radically changed my perspective on what I should be focusing on and why with regards to social media, and my goals as a musician/video essayist. I know he was at a transitional part in his career, and so his take is a bit cynical, but it did help me contextualize what the hell I should be aiming for with these videos and my musical goals.

Basically, there are two industries - the “Creator Economy,” and the “Music Industry,” and they do not play nice with one another. Success in one means nothing for the other, and I have always saw myself as a musician, bass player, and composer, not a YouTuber, so why would success on YouTube mean anything for me? I find great joy in playing bass with other people, I don’t find great joy in chasing algorithmic success. I find great joy in teaching and thinking, I don’t find great joy in numbers.

And while I deeply love making video essays, the format and the alienation from the audience is rough.

So, I’ve been quietly scaling back on YouTube for the better part of 2 years now, and it’s been one of the most freeing experiences. Now I only make YouTube videos when I have things I need to say, and I let other YouTubers say the things that I don’t need to say. Purposeful art and purposeful connections. I’ve been focused more on Sungazer and performing, and trying to share those performance experiences on YouTube when I can. I hope you guys enjoy what I do have to say when I make the videos that I do.

Thanks guys for the continued support over the years. This Patreon has supported me, and let me make what I want to make for the past 8 years, and has been a rock solid pillar in my life. I would have left a long time ago without you, and I

Adam