As everyone across the world knows, I do a lot of song writing and recording. As a result, I spend A LOT of time sitting around listening to works in progress and trying to figure out what needs to be changed, what’s working, what’s not etc. What can be surprising is the disparity of reactions I can have to my own work. Sometimes I’ll listen to a rough mix and think it’s pure genius, other times I’ll think it’s pure dreck. The same can be said for a piece of writing or other artistic pursuits. But this seems strange. It’s the same piece of music or text. Shouldn’t my reaction be the same every time?

Of course, music does not exist by itself; it requires an audience. So, if the music isn’t changing, I have to conclude that I am changing between listens. By this, I mean my general emotional state is changing. And it’s true that if I’m riding a coffee or alcohol high (or even heroin, OxyContin or lighter fluid high) I tend to think my work is genius. And when I’m in a more sedate mode, my opinion is more critical (this isn’t always the case; sometimes I have the inverse reaction.) So the question becomes, which is the correct interpretation? One would think that being sober would apply to more “sober” appraisal. But I could argue that when I’m in an elevated emotional state, I’m more responsive to the emotional aspects of the music, and willing to overlook rather meaningless flaws.

Ultimately, when I’m doing these critiques, I’m trying to listen to the music from the point of view of the likely listener. I’m trying to listen with “their” ears. But how can I predict their state of mind? For all I know, they don’t even like me, and their view is colored by their jealousy of my massive accomplishments compared to their utterly meaningless existence. And the opposite could be true: everyone knows that their grandmother’s opinion of their work is not as meaningful as an art critic or writing agent.

I believe there are some eclectic artists who have even commanded their audience to ingest drugs or meditate before observing a piece of art. This is, of course, rather kooky, but it at least recognizes that the emotional state of the audience will color their view of the work.

And, this doesn’t even get into the topic of your emotional state while CREATING art.