Jamie Randolph

     A lot has changed in the past few months.  I’ve had a chance to take a step back and reassess the goings on in my life and although it’s been a little rough here and there, I think I’ve finally managed to begin again.  Might not seem like that much of a feet to some, but then again this isn’t your blog is it?  I’ve found great comfort in the idea of making music now that I want to make, that I need to make.  Not music that I think will do well in the commercial sense, because apparently it’s just not in the cards.  I have theories on why or why not, but all those did was take me to the verge of insanity and back.  So, here I am.  My name is Jamie Randolph, and I’m an addict.  I have no plans of stopping or letting it become a secondary thing in my life.  It is a part of me.  And not in a bullshit hot-topic sort of way, but in a legit, “if I don’t do this, I feel weird” sort of way.  I’d like to take this moment to acknowledge the fact that everything about “blogging” is completely egocentric, and I get that.  But then again, so is being an artist, or calling yourself an artist, or claiming to be an artist of any sort.  Because art is expression and taking what is inside and using whatever medium we choose and bringing to life….something.  and then being absolutely obsessed with that something and hanging on every word of everyone that says anything about it, but appearing on the outside as if nothing could break your cool, calm confidence.   SOME THING!  weird.  I just read what I’ve written so far, and it made me nauseous.  I think there’s a lot to be said for making art, but I also think there’s a lot to be said for getting up every morning at 5 am and going to a factory every day or a construction site.  These are the things that make the world go round.  The jobs that are a respectable thing to talk about when the holidays come around and you meet some friend of some cousin and they unconsciously ask the question that they feel obligated to ask, or want to be in control of the conversation that’s dragging on and a little too much silence has gone by and made them uncomfortable.  “So, Jeremy…” “That’s Jamie” “Oh, right…Jamie.  So, what do you do Jamie?”.  Even though they have already seen the tattoos and have a wager going on in their head with their top 3 picks of what it is I could possibly do well with such trash scribbled on my arms.  Usually it’s 1. service industry 2. still in school 3. non-profit go green enthusiast…They pray for number 2, because they can identify with it and there will be an easy conversation to be had after.  They enjoy number 1 because they get to be superior anytime you are in their presence again.  They hate answer 3, because you become the focal point and it makes them feel guilty that they don’t like to recycle because it’s inconvenient.  But, when you utter the words…” I’m a musician.”  People just don’t know what to do with it.  My favorite reaction is the complete “deer in headlights” confusion, because they’re desperately searching their brain to find the answer to the great question that haunts all things, “So, is that all you do….or….”.  Let me stop you right there, Chet.  Yes, it’s all I do.  I also live in a house and eat food and have health insurance.  My wife supports what I do and our financial situation is none of your business.  Whew.  All better.  So, to all the lads and lassies out there that have to have these awesome conversations with people that are never going to understand, I raise my glass.  We shall soldier on and create, even when it feels like no one is aware of the existence of our creation.  Why can’t we be pleased with just creating it and admiring it for a brief moment and then moving on?  Because we live in the age of constant comparison.  Facebook has made feeling like shit about yourself just a click away!  Comparison. Comparison. Comparison.  I’m so sick of it and just as guilty as the next guy for completely indulging in it.  Is the website as good as band x?  Is this song at the same level as band x?  Is band member x as committed as me?  Why am I not where band x is?  Nonsense!  What happened to being original and confident?!  Make stuff.  Make it accessible.  Move on to next project.  I’m gonna make that my mantra. 

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a mall in the 80s at christmas