You're only as good as your last performance.

As I sit here, a little overwhelmed by the idea of writing my first blog post EVER, I reflect back to the idea that these writings are based solely around my inspirations and the things that drive me musically. At the end of the day if these writings can relate to a select few in whatever way possible, than that's a pretty awesome thing in my books! So here goes…

I thought it would be incredibly appropriate to kick things off by going back to a saying that has circled around my musical upbringing for quite some time now. “You’re only as good as your last performance”. So simple, yet filled with so much meaning. A philosophy that has reflected powerfully with me ever since my first drum teacher back in high school spilled those few words from his very lips. The year 2005, a bright-eyed kid dreaming of a life that was filled with nothing but music, performing and becoming a drumming sensation. A kid who had finally found her instrumental calling, after countless years of cringing and many shed tears over the fact that she had to continue to practise her clarinet and go to orchestra rehearsals every damn Saturday. Now a philosophy I have always tried to live by since tattooing it on my arm 6 years ago. As I sit here I think about all the moments it has pushed me to achieve more in so many different musical endeavours. For any musician, if you sit and reflect and honestly think back to your last performance, whatever that may be - gig, exam, jam, practise session? How was it? Did you leave that situation feeling accomplished? Did you walk away feeling like you pushed yourself to your limit? And what if it’s a no? How do we change this?

We can also think about this notion not just in a musical sense. If we humour the idea that whatever we find ourselves doing in our day-to-day grind, that we unlock a 100% passion fuelled element within ourselves that maybe we only tap into a small percentage of the time, what would life look like? Or more importantly what would life feel like? What could my life become if this transcends to my everyday? Maybe sometimes (and for a lot of us, a lot of the time) actions can be much harder than words. And sure, just like everything we do it may not be perfect, but at least we are letting ourselves be open to the thought and the idea of complete creative success. If we think of any one moment in our life where we gave it our complete all, chances are, that moment was nothing short of rewarding, fulfilling and invigorating. Lets think that if our practise sessions, our jams, our performances on stage and off stage all revolved around this idea, we are left with the essence of unlocking new musical heights and the opening of many doors for ourselves as musicians, and more than that, as people seizing all opportunities that come our way.

I have vivid memories of my Dad always reiterating his own take on this philosophy. “Mon, don’t leave anything in the tank”. He was completely right. It really hit hard in times of need, when I needed that extra push or when I knew deep down that maybe I was half assing something. You’re left thinking what’s the point? What am I going to achieve within myself if I go into something with half a mindset? Is it even worth it? At the end of the day I truly believe that life is based on balance, and as mentioned before sometimes actions can be much harder than a few measly little words, but its how you say those words and how you commit yourself to those words and the concept!

“You’re only as good as your last performance”. Just knowing that it can stem to a much deeper level and becoming aware of the possibility of living your life to your utmost creative potential is truly a remarkable realisation. Always try pushing yourself to your boundaries and finding new, exciting and deeper musical platforms, maybe ones you never even knew existed.