Overcome Not Being Interesting By Being Interested

One of the most important things you can do as a musician is connect with your audience. But what happens when you feel like you’re about as interesting as a wet paper bag? It’s a common problem, especially for newer artists who haven’t quite found their voice or their niche.

But here’s the thing – being interesting isn’t some magical quality that you’re born with. It’s a skill that you can develop, just like playing an instrument or writing a song. And the secret to becoming more interesting? It’s simple: become more interested.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “But how the hell do I become more interested? I’m just a boring-ass musician trying to make it in this crazy industry.” Well, listen up. As a certified interesting person, I’m about to drop some knowledge that will help you level up your interesting factor and start connecting with your audience like never before.

Key Takeaways About Being Interesting:

• Being interesting is a skill that can be developed, not an innate quality
• Becoming genuinely interested in more things can make you a more interesting and engaging person
• Curiosity, open-mindedness, and a willingness to learn are key to becoming more interested
• Incorporating your diverse interests into your music and persona can help you stand out and connect with your audience
• Continuously learning and growing as a person is essential for long-term success as an artist

The Power of Curiosity

The first step to becoming more interesting is to cultivate a sense of curiosity about the world around you. And I’m not just talking about music – I’m talking about everything. Art, science, politics, sports, philosophy, you name it.

The more you expose yourself to new ideas and perspectives, the more fodder you have for your own creative pursuits. And the more genuinely interested you are in a wide range of topics, the more interesting you become to others.

Think about it – when you meet someone who’s passionate about something, even if it’s not your particular cup of tea, their enthusiasm is contagious. You can’t help but be drawn in by their energy and their knowledge.

So how do you cultivate curiosity? It’s simple:

1. Read widely. Books, articles, blogs – consume information on a variety of topics, even if they’re outside your comfort zone.
2. Ask questions. When you encounter something you don’t understand, don’t just nod and smile – ask questions and seek to understand.
3. Seek out new experiences. Travel, attend workshops and conferences, take a class in something completely unrelated to music.
4. Surround yourself with curious people. Hang out with folks who are passionate about learning and exploring new ideas. Their energy will rub off on you.

The more you feed your curiosity, the more interesting you’ll become – both to yourself and to others.

Open Your Mind, Change Your Life

Of course, curiosity alone isn’t enough – you also need to approach new ideas and experiences with an open mind. It’s easy to get stuck in your own little bubble, especially as a musician. You have your genre, your scene, your way of doing things.

However, being open to new perspectives and ways of thinking is essential for personal and creative growth. When you approach the world with a sense of openness and a willingness to learn, you start to see things in a whole new light.

And here’s the thing – being open-minded doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything you encounter. It just means being willing to consider new ideas and viewpoints, even if they challenge your own.

Some tips for cultivating open-mindedness:

1. Practice active listening. When someone is sharing their perspective, really listen to what they’re saying without judgment or interruption.
2. Seek out diverse perspectives. Read books and articles by authors from different backgrounds, listen to music from genres you’re not familiar with, attend events and gatherings outside your usual circle.
3. Challenge your own assumptions. When you find yourself making a snap judgment or having a knee-jerk reaction to something, take a step back and examine why you feel that way.
4. Embrace discomfort. Growth often happens outside our comfort zones. Be willing to feel a little uncomfortable in the pursuit of new knowledge and experiences.

By approaching the world with an open mind, you’ll not only become more interesting – you’ll also become a better musician, a better communicator, and a better human being.

Incorporate Your Interests Into Your Art

Alright, so you’ve cultivated curiosity and open-mindedness – now what? How do you actually use your newfound interests to become a more interesting musician and connect with your audience?

The key is to find ways to incorporate your diverse interests into your music and your persona. This doesn’t mean you have to start writing songs about quantum physics or 18th-century French literature (although if that’s your jam, go for it). It just means finding ways to let your personality and your passions shine through in your art.

Some ideas:

1. Write lyrics that reflect your interests and experiences. If you’re passionate about social justice, write songs that tackle those issues. If you’re a science nerd, use scientific concepts as metaphors in your lyrics.
2. Collaborate with artists from different genres or disciplines. If you’re a rapper who’s interested in classical music, team up with a string quartet for a unique performance. If you’re a folk singer who loves visual art, collaborate with a painter on a music video.
3. Use your stage presence and persona to showcase your personality. If you’re a funny, sarcastic person, let that come through in your banter with the audience. If you’re a deep thinker, share some of your philosophical musings between songs.
4. Create content that reflects your interests. If you’re a foodie, start a YouTube series where you cook your favorite dishes and talk about the music that inspires you. If you’re a film buff, create a podcast where you analyze your favorite movies and how they influence your songwriting.

The more you let your true self shine through in your music and your persona, the more interesting and engaging you’ll become to your audience.

The Journey Never Ends

Here’s the thing – becoming more interesting isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s a lifelong journey of learning, growing, and evolving as a person and as an artist.

The world is constantly changing, and so are you. What interests you today may not interest you tomorrow, and that’s okay. The key is to stay curious, stay open-minded, and keep seeking out new experiences and perspectives.

And here’s the beautiful part – the more you grow and evolve as a person, the more your music will grow and evolve as well. You’ll find new sources of inspiration, new ways of expressing yourself, and new ways of connecting with your audience.

So don’t get discouraged if you feel like you’re not the most interesting person in the room. Remember, being interesting isn’t about being the loudest or the most outrageous – it’s about being authentic, curious, and open to the world around you.

FAQs on Being Interesting:

1. What if I’m not naturally curious or open-minded? Curiosity and open-mindedness are skills that can be developed with practice. Start small – read one article on a topic you’re not familiar with, or attend one event outside your comfort zone. Over time, it will become more natural.
2. How do I know if my interests are actually interesting to other people? The truth is, not everyone will be interested in everything you’re interested in – and that’s okay. The key is to find ways to connect your interests to your music in a way that feels authentic and engaging to you. If you’re passionate about something, that passion will shine through and attract others who share your interests.
3. What if I’m afraid of being judged for my interests or perspectives? It’s natural to feel vulnerable when sharing your true self with the world. But remember – the people who matter will appreciate and respect you for being authentic and true to yourself. And the ones who judge you? Fuck ’em. They’re not your audience anyway.

Look, I know it’s easy to feel like you’re not interesting enough, especially in an industry that’s all about image and persona. But the truth is, being interesting isn’t about fitting into some preconceived mold or being the coolest kid on the block.

It’s about being genuinely curious about the world around you, opening your mind to new perspectives and experiences, and letting your true self shine through in your music and your interactions with others.

And the beautiful thing is, the more interested you become, the more interesting you become – not just to your audience, but to yourself. You’ll start to see the world in a whole new way, and that newfound perspective will infuse your music with depth, authenticity, and soul.

So go forth and cultivate your curiosity. Seek out new ideas and experiences, challenge your assumptions, and let your freak flag fly. The world needs more interesting musicians like you.

And who knows – maybe one day, you’ll be the one inspiring others to become more interested, more open-minded, and more authentic in their own lives and art.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some obscure Japanese avant-garde jazz records to go listen to while I ponder the meaning of life.

Source Links:

• https://www.musicindustryhowto.com/how-to-be-an-interesting-music-artist-its-not-about-the-music/
• https://www.musicthinktank.com/blog/the-dos-and-donts-of-being-an-interesting-musician.html
• https://www.musicradar.com/news/7-things-successful-musicians-do-differently

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Rachel Hurley

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