Will I actually PERFORM at the conference?

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Well, yesterday we submitted my application to actually perform in France.  It was a complex process, actually -- we uploaded multiple songs, lyrics, photos, and a 'bio' in order to create what's called an "electronic press kit," or EPK.

If you want to see what the folks at MIDEM will see, by the way, click here.

As with every other aspect of this trip, I have no idea how this will play out.  At a conference like this, the emphasis is frequently on "pop" music -- and my EPK is definitely outside the mainstream.  I mean, words like "vision" and "message" and "moved to tears" aren't your typical pitches for a musical act.  It's actually been an ongoing puzzle in my career:  audiences understand, listeners to the CDs understand, but when I try to describe it, it's hard.  There's no "niche" in the music business for it, there's no radio station that plays it, there's no category in the Grammy's for it.  So what I'm hoping for is:  someone reads my EPK and thinks -- "Hmmm.  Interesting.  Music for humanity?  We've got 25 rock bands booked; I wonder if this might be a great change of pace for our showcase stage."

Some things I know (and will be reminding myself many times in the next 2 1/2 months :-)

1. What's meant to be will happen.  

2. I didn't have this idea for nought; I didn't pick this year to go for no reason.  I am guided to go, so I go.

3. It will be an amazing trip, and whomever I meet will be perfect.  Whatever happens will be perfect.  And whatever doesn't happen will be perfect.  It's an adventure.

4. It's also a marathon, not a sprint; maybe it'll take three years at MIDEM before something happens.  Or maybe it'll take 5 minutes.

5.  If I do perform this coming January, it'll attract attention :-)

We'll see... I think I'll hear from them within just a couple of weeks if I'm selected to sing.

Thanks for reading -

Daniel

PS  Interestingly, they actually CHARGE -- a LOT -- to perform!  I mean, it would add thousands of additional dollars to the cost of the trip, just to sing a 40-minute set.  Weird, right?  Doesn't feel great, but oh well.  Yet another investment in a 10-years-and-counting career of investments and 'chances' taken.  (Is there really such a thing as "risk?" Perhaps no --the line in "I Don't Need To Know" comes to mind, "as if I could damage my soul" -- but it sure feels like it sometimes, doesn't it.)  It's all for fun, and it's all exciting, and it always turns out aright.  I am always taken care of.  Or, as "Here Goes Nothing" says, "I'm OK, I've always been, and I'll always be that way."  You too.

If you'd like to sponsor Daniel on his journey to MIDEM in January 2009, click here to send your gift of any amount.  Thank you!