I'm with Mr. Rele and Mr. Frain on the whole "own harshest critics." It's hard for me to feel like I've had good gigs. We may have a fun gig, but that doesn't necessarily mean squat. I will also say that I tend to try to listen a bit more closely to musicians in terms of criticism of music and performance. Some things need to be told to me, because I might not have realized them. I also like to think that I can take what applies and drink the rest.

Anyone who bothers to lug their gear to a venue, set it up, and then play really loud for an hour is clearly not just playing for themselves. You do that at home. Criticism is so helpful, even on the basics. I wish there was some band handout you got at the beginning that said things like:
-Set up as much as you can early so you can hop right on stage and not waste anyone's time
-Don't start your set with a song that changes tempo constantly
-Never start a song over if you've fucked it up
-Taking your crowd home after you play your set so you can party is rude
-Leaving early is bad unless you've got a good reason
-Fliers work
-It only matters if you care
etc.
Criticism has taught us good manners and good form in terms of songwriting. It also forced us to edit our meandering 11 minute songs of unlistenable doom. And it came from friends and enemies alike.
You can't do everything other people say. But if an audience member has an idea for how something should be, it at least points to a flaw in how things are.

quote:

-Never start a song over if you've fucked it up

No way. there's a five second rule here.

I respect anyone who has the balls to give an honest criticism (or opinion) to somone's face. It's the criticisms that you hear behind you back that suck. It's even worse when someone tells you how good you are and how much they liked and you then they criticize you later whe you aren't around. I think honest criticism can help you hone your sound whether you like to hear them or not.

I take it with a grain of salt. You do what you do, and that's it. If you want to write a 11 minute song, write it and be stoked about it. Do what inspires you and that is what is important - not what JoeSchmoe audience member/music critic of the month etc... says. Everyone is a music critic and most dont know shit about it not to mention it's subjective to the individual.

So yeah, I take it with a grain of salt and create what I am inspired to play. The only critism I take seriously is that of my bandmates ... that or critism of a friend who I ask what they thought was good and what could be better about the show. Nothing bugs me more than someone who comes up and openly tells me what they thought could be better ... like you're the authority of all music everywhere. Ppl like that can go fuck themselves. Case in point - I'm up on stage, not you. Im the one who practices 3 times a week with the band/guys to make a good show and good music.

To me, you're some jackoff dipshit with a huge mouth. Hmm, this is coming off as a rant which it is not. This is how I feel, treat, and deal with critism, the people who give it, and the circumstances which it is given.

I like to sell CD's so I listen to what my audience says. If I wanted to play live just for me I'd just play at home. It's hard to listen to criticism from other bandmates because I have none. I write play and produce all of my music so I need that outside opinion. For me there's no point in playing live if you don't have people who are fans of your music. I don't play just to sell CD's, I do enjoy it but I won't play to an empty venue. Also some criticism flatters me because if someone took the time to listen to my music and let me know how it could please them more, that's pretty cool.
http://www.matthewrele.com
http://www.myspace.com/matthewrele

quote:

So yeah, I take it with a grain of salt and create what I am inspired to play. The only critism I take seriously is that of my bandmates ... that or critism of a friend who I ask what they thought was good and what could be better about the show. Nothing bugs me more than someone who comes up and openly tells me what they thought could be better ... like you're the authority of all music everywhere. Ppl like that can go fuck themselves. Case in point - I'm up on stage, not you. Im the one who practices 3 times a week with the band/guys to make a good show and good music.

To me, you're some jackoff dipshit with a huge mouth. Hmm, this is coming off as a rant which it is not. This is how I feel, treat, and deal with critism, the people who give it, and the circumstances which it is given.

Wow. That's perfect. End thread.