In-depth interview with creative visionary Rob Levit/Ableton

[supster]

Even if you think I'm a jerk off wanker at least you know who I am now. I'd rather have you mock me and dislike me than not have you at least wonder what this goofball is up to.

.. I mean, this is not a humble world we live in. You have to take a stand and get something going or there will be less opportunities. ...


Again, I really do apologize for being such an idiot!

points taken.

it's one thing to be talented, and to *recognize* that fact and accept it.

you might even realize that you are more naturally talented than most musicians, or even 99 out of 100 musicians or even more.

there's absolutely nothing wrong with that imo ... contrary to what a lot of people have pounded into thier skulls about being overly humble - or maybe a christian outlook that negates the self and makes people feel guilt for feeling (or knowing) they are gifted in some area beyond the norm.

however it's *totally* different to express that to people outright in any way that appears arrogant. because people instinctively flinch at it ...

... it backfires on you, and no matter how talented you are or what you have to offer they will reject you because either they see that it's in really bad taste, and / or thier own egos are threatened so they will try and cut you down.

this especially applies to musicians, who tend to be an egotistical and / or insecure lot. the history of groups and bands that split up because someone in the group "knew" they were a creative visionary and acted like it or ran off at the mouth about it too often are countless.

one of the best tips for any musician - socially, carreer wise, politically - is to let your best work speak for itself. promote yourself matter of factly

also, recognize that you are not the alpha/omega of the music world, and that everyone you come into contact with has something to add. there are things you can learn from them, and in some areas they are more experienced and talented than you are, even the kid you are teaching

always be on guard against your ego ... it can raise its ugly head at any time and in any situation and screw you over.

anyway thats my take on it





now excuse me while i attend to my adoring fans


.

[smutek]

That was well put supster.

I don't think you really said anything that was all that bad rob.

My advice, pay attention to the advice that seems compasionate and ignore the insults.

[[email protected]]

Supster,

You are a wise one!
Well said.

And yes, the joy of teaching is that they always teach the teacher more with less! Students really put it into perspective for me. They kick my butt!

Faithfully,

Grasshopper

(I'm signing off for the night, a creative visionary must have at least nine hours of booty sleep. Good night and pleasure chatting with you all.
Now, I hope to wake up in the morning and hope that this entire topic was the result of a CPU overload from my VST's and too much grain delay.)

[toneroll]

i dont' think you are a wanker rob..

if people genuinly thought you were, they wouldn't have wrote much more than:

you are a wanker...

[FaX-01]

I think one of my points, which backfired, was -- look, we are all musicians, and many of us want/deserve exposure. Why do we tolerate
Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and Justin Timberlake (sorry if I'm offending anyone's tastes). These are people who have millions of dollars of marketing behind them and make millions yet little guys (such as myself and many thousands of CVIT's creative visionaries in training) can never say anything radical. I KNOW there are other people on this board who feel the seed of greatness in them but don't know where to place it. Well, what's wrong with putting it out there? Are we content just to let the big names get the glory? Some deserve to be on top, but how about the American Idol phenomenon? I mean, do we really think that that can be healthy? Kids should be studying electronic music and improvisation and all that cool shit. Well, we are snuffed out by the big press, so we gotta take it to them. Even if you think I'm a jerk off wanker at least you know who I am now. I'd rather have you mock me and dislike me than not have you at least wonder what this goofball is up to. I'm not just sitting on my buttocks everyday. I'm really out there and trying to help kids with my lessons and performances. I'll drive anywhere any time to make music. It's a one person at a time thing. My method here was misplaced -- I wanted to reach a lot of people at once and I did, the wrong way. I have worked with kids with learning disabilities who GET music for the first time because they can SEE it moving by with Ableton. That's powerful stuff for people who have failed to learn music. I'm not just a self-seeking glory pig (belive me I'm not getting rich doing this LOL). Some great things can and do happen when we take a genuine stand and become genuinally inspired by our own work. I mean, this is not a humble world we live in. You have to take a stand and get something going or there will be less opportunities. How many jazz clubs in your town? Electronic music clubs? How many smoky bars with cover bands? A few too many UNQUALITY creative places where I'm from!!! It's a battle in the sense that I feel, and may this is my own MISTAKEN perception, that creativity and ballsiness in the arts is on the decline. Yes, we can create in our basements but IMHO (ok, maybe not so humble given my prev. posts) but our work MUST stand for something and we must get it out there even if we are flamed for it! Any takers?? I mean GO for it and see what can happen. Don't be sorry at the end of the day that you didn't let folks who would love to hear what you are doing and better yet, that your creations can change people's lives! OK, I'm out of breath, ideas, and decent grammar.


Again, I really do apologize for being such an idiot!

Now that my man is pretty much bang on the money ...........

[Chris Cowie]

Again, I really do apologize for being such an idiot!

Dont apologise. I liked it the other way.

[rikhyray]

Creative visionaries ? Coltrane, Miles, Hendrix, Mahler, McCoy Tyner, Stravinsky ... Rob your music is slick but do you belong to that "league". What is "visionary" in your creations, they are well done but what is visionary, what was not heard before, what leaves me speachless, makes hair stand.
Your propaganda have contrary effect, raising the expectations that I doubt you can deliver. You may be good musician, but I wasnt able to hear the touch of genius. It all just backfired, I feel sorry. If I was you, I would request Ableton to take it off this thread, it makes you look like....you know by now I am affraid, I am sure you are nice person, good musician who out of frustration . became a bit despter your desperate.
Be patient, once you become true "creative visionary" the world will recognise it, well ...........maybe after your death. The point is the real creative visionary does not bother, since the vision is gratifying enough in itself, the rest is just sizzle.

[ikeaboy]

Respect to Rob for countering all criticism with resoned arguments thou

[Benshik]

If, like a mantra, you need to repeat yourself “I am a creative visionary” in order to believe in your dream and stay motivated, well, I think on the contrary that it shows your lack of the “little extra” the real creative people have.

Time to be crushed and realise how miserable you are. Actually, it might help: the most creative people I met in my lifebelieved in their talent, of course, but they were at the same time very insecure and plagued by self doubt. Self doubt can be very helpful, as it forces someone to always put his work into perspective and, well, remain humble. The “genius” we see in other’s people work is often achieved through a long and painful process in which the creator made loads of awful mistakes. The real creators know how indeed inperfect they are. They would never pretend they are creative visionaries because such a thing exists only in the eyes of the viewer - the critic - not the one actually creating.
These people are just doin their thing. For them it is natural, usual. To pretend being genius would be like cheating on others...


Ben

[Benshik]

Respect to Rob for countering all criticism with resoned arguments thou

ikeaboy,
don't be naive, please. Our friend Rob is a VERY manipulative person.

[rikhyray]

. They would never pretend they are creative visionaries because such a thing exists only in the eyes of the viewer - the critic - not the one actually creating.

Ben

Exactly, this is the main point
True genius has no time neither purpose to play genius, too busy in his creating process.
Application of Goebels formula" lie repeated many times enough turns into truth" never worked for long
Comparing yourself , getting frustrated because Paris Hilton or Spears? Rob, you need holiday. Then get back to what you do so well, your kid students, your playing.
People come on, dont get your heads get fucked by MTV and all the rubbish. look Paris have it all- money, non ugly body, fame, exposure and she is still just frustrated ho ! You Rob, and so many of you people here have talent, heart for art those TV pseudo stars have no idea about.
Be happy, enjoy your life, your passion for art.
If your creations will become "visionary" to some people , fine, if you sell lots of copies, wonderful. But unless that very creative process is not the most fulfilling experience known too you, the outer success will never come. If you cannot "begeister" impress yourself first how can your music impress anyone else?
These rich-poor indeed stars are themselves vicitims of the media machine, how many of them didnt end up miserable, one? I havent heard of any.
So why bother, do what you do your best and enjoy this universe.

[drush]

damn, look where this thread has gotten since the last time i looked at it (pg 1).

come to think of it, that's probably the whole point isn't it. congratulations rob, you've managed to inspire 4 long pages of stuff ALL ABOUT YOU. hope this fits neatly in your Visionary portfolio.

[ikeaboy]

Paris have it all- money, non ugly body, fame, exposure and she is still just frustrated ho !

"Your royalties may bring you luxuries,

but ohh! the squalor of the mind!" -Morrisey (not a Live user admittedly)

Anyone who is interested by the stuff that came up in this thread may be interested in reading an interview with Andy Weatherall published on line by Overload media at

http://www.overloadmedia.co.uk/archives ... herall.php

Some is relevant (second half), all is interesting

[adhmzaiusz]

wow seems like alot of people on this thread are pessimist and out to break such a positive well spoken person. Rob has been nothing but positive to all the criticism. critical people are so bent on putting the 'doers' to shame, and after all, what satisfaction is there in that? if rob was criticizing you guys how would you guys react...would you fight back with a sword in defense of your own self dignity or offer a positive non-threatening response that glorifies your true nature

Why should you be the one that is negative, when it is positivity that succeeds? I think it was very brave of you rob to enter this forum and stand up to the negative force, you have my support, and good luck

those who live by the sword die by the sword