The Joy of Being Around Sane Artists In These Crazy Times

When anxiety and despair come knocking, don't open the door, channel creativity instead.

A few weeks ago, I succumbed to the predictable effects of doom-scrolling to the power of life challenge overload. I couldn’t get out of that state for a couple of days. Luckily a wise friend reminded me of the solution:

“If we can be creative in this time when there is a full war on our consciousness, we win. They — (the predator class) — feed on fear and when you are being creative, you are not in a state of fear.”

With her words as soft encouragement in mind, I went back to working on a music video for a song I recently released. After the initial rush of excited editing, I’d stopped working on the video when I couldn’t figure out what images needed to go in the song’s bridge (where the same lyric repeats multiple times). I opened up the project the day of her suggestion and reviewed what I had put together so far. Despite the huge gaps I needed to fill, it was still so much fun to watch that I started giggling to myself. And then, in my mirth-filled state, I realized what could actually work in that section… suddenly the obvious solution came to me!

Tap into that divine source; God knows it feels good…

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One of the highlights for me of having founded a Sane community these last two years has been to encounter all the excellent artists and musicians in our midst.

Quite a few of us art-making types were delighted to learn that we were not completely alone, and we subsequently become fans of each other’s work, and some of us, even collaborators. We have written together, danced, sung and/or performed together on the street, at City Hall, at Sane — and other freedom — events. And I know several of us quiet ones are working diligently by ourselves, or within small groups, to produce oeuvres that I am sure will be beautiful and truth-filled.

Having a community of Sane artists (by the way, in case you didn’t know, every human being is an artist, if only they would realize it) has been quite valuable to all of us. It has diminished the fear of being “out there” by yourself. (Honestly I am disappointed in the number of artists who are either not speaking out, or behaving as if everything is fine and dandy. Ironically, so many of them would applaud the quote in the image below).

So yes, I have quite a few stories to share about collaborations that have sprung up between artistic individuals (and not just musicians), and I intend to get to them all eventually. To kick of the series, let me tell you about a person I started working with this year:

Introducing Sane Artist: Rob MyJob

One Saturday afternoon in the last quarter of the year, RMJ sauntered a few blocks down the street. He was actually on his way to set up and perform for the San Francisco International Jam for Freedom which we were also hosting (and will be hosting again soon). He had no idea who would be there for the concert and was chuffed to see many like-minded folk keen to hear the music. Up until then, he told me a few months later, he had felt pretty isolated and alone. We’re an ever-welcoming bunch and more new friendships sprouted that day. RMJ then became a regular at our weekly gatherings, always appearing guitar in hand and inviting us all to sing along (as if we knew it).

A few months later he hired me to make a music video for his brilliantly catchy song, Be Nice San Francisco (Mask Pollution is Not the Solution). Here is the final result… enjoy and please du du du to your heart’s content:

One condition for me to agree to create a music video is that I must love the song, (because I have to listen to that piece of music a crazy number of times whilst editing). Fortunately, I am mad for this ditty for many reasons, not least lyrically. It’s clever and says what we Sane Franciscans are all thinking. I can’t decide whether my favourite lyrics are this verse:

When I see a child with a mask on her face
It makes me unsure about the whole human race
Who makes these rules?
Who paid for the science?
Who are these fools who are forcing our defiance?

Or this refrain:

Oh, oh I can't comply
And I can't stand masks floating in the bay
Oh, oh 'cause to comply is to imply it's okaaaaaaay

(It’s not okaaaaaaay, by the way…)

And as RMJ says, “Who can argue with the song’s message?” He’s right: no matter which side of the mask debate you’re on, who doesn’t see the cumulative toll of all these disposable masks being scattered everywhere? Even if most people have not yet woken up to the fact that masks are the opposite of being good for our health, they surely can see how they are harming the health of our planet?

So take off that mask and throw it away… in the trashcan!

I absolutely love singing this song plus I had tons of fun shooting and editing the video. I hope you share it far and wide and also support Rob MyJob — btw, did you know he lost his job? — by purchasing his song here:

Rob MyJob’s album, To Our World, is being released next week, July 26th! And because he asked me to lend him my detail-noticing ears to check for any audio flaws he might have missed, I’ve had it on a loop this week. After repeated listens (and a few fixes), I hereby pronounce his record an Instant Freedom Classic! Very soon, I am sure all of you will be singing along (as if you know it) too.

According to yours truly, every human being is an artist. How is your creativity countering the negative mind states we are being pushed towards on the daily? Let me know in the comments…