Can EVERYBODY Stand Out From The Crowd?

After a more technical question about mixing and such, I thought i'd ask something more opinion based and creative.

People like to follow trends. When I first started to listen to Electronic Music the trend was Brostop/Electro House; we've seen a Chilled Deep-House phase recently as well as Big Room and Trap coming to the fore-front of Electronic Music.

However one of the more appealing (to me at least) and more successful (again in my opinion) trends is not following a trend at all. As artists seem to challenge their image and push boundaries, it seems fans are happy to step onboard.

The greatest example - in my opinion - is Skrillex. Love him or hate him, he's very influential, and he is one step ahead of Electronic Music in my opinion.

Other examples who I like personally would include Porter with his album Worlds, and Flume. All three artists are successful and their style of music has been widely accepted.

(I would also point out, it seems as these artists tend to step away from the norm, although MOST fans accept this, it does leave them with some people being very disappointed or hating their music. However I believe the people who do not follow trends are most successful.)

My question/topic for debate is; can everyone stand out from the crowd? Can this creativity be taught? Or are these few people just destined to be different and ahead of the game?

I sometimes struggle for inspiration whilst looking for "my own sound." Do you believe certain people just have a knack at being ahead of everybody else?

I'd like to hear what everyone has to say about this :)

Man, tough question. If I understand it right, you're asking if creativity can be taught, and if this creativity can lead someone to create their own unique sound, which will eventually lead to a following... is that right?

IMHO, creativity can be taught to a certain extent. I think some people just have more of it - whether coming from an artistic family, being exposed to the arts from a very young age, or some other unexplainable reasons... who knows. Maybe Skrillex and Porter Robinson are part of that camp.

I think if people struggle with creativity and finding their own sound, they just need to work harder at it. Typically success - however you define it - comes to those who want it more. I know nothing about Flume, but imagine he was some young kid who pictured a world where he was a music producer, yet had struggles with creativity. And imagine that he told himself he was gonna stop at nothing until he found his own sound, and broke out of his creative rut. How would he do this? Maybe he stepped away from electronic music and listened to jazz, movie scores, hip hop. Maybe he made 100 terrible tracks, but every one taught him something new, and his 101st track was brilliant, unique, and creative. Who knows? (I don't!)

There are countless aspiring musicians who try to look for their own unique sound and end up giving up because it's too hard, or they don't think they were born with it. In my opinion, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. This makes room for people like my imaginary Flume story, where maybe he didn't have what it took from the start, but worked hard enough to find it.

Man that was deep... haha!

Yeah i'm asking if you think creativity can be taught, or whether some people were "born" to be greater?

In terms of sport for example, the simple fact is some people are born to be better runners, swimmers, fighters etc. than others. You can still train and become great, but some people have the edge at birth.

Do you think this applies to a creative mind?

That's interesting; sometimes I find forcing creativity creates great frustration. You believe you can push through that? I certainly agree that success is MOSTLY down to hard work, and I don't want to have an excuse that i'm not "naturally" creative either.

Perhaps I need some new techniques, exercises or strategies to be more creative and push myself. I think having a creative idea which you love and you know just "feels right" is the most fulfilling feeling, and that is what drives me on. At such a young age too, i'm still learning.

It's interesting to hear what you think though. I'd love articles or reading material on creativity in music if anyone has anything they'd like to share :)

Nice discussion here. In terms of reading material, try the last book from this list called The Artist's Way. I've heard good things, and it's very highly rated on Amazon. 😄

Thanks; i'll certainly consider buying it. It sounds perfect for me I hit mental blocks all the time :)

I think anybody can hit on a good idea once in a while, but for the most part some people are just born more creative. I myself am more technical than creative and i sometimes feel as if ''all the good ideas are taken'':) But there are ways to stimulate creativity; i watched a great video by graham cochrane on the idea that if you change some thing from your routine it can stimulate creativity. I've seen it myself; i just downloaded the update for FL Studio and i just found myself making more and better music. (it might just be the better GUI.)

See I would agree; I think some people are more creative. Although I don't think it should be used as an excuse; I just need to find more creative stimulus I think.

I have that exact same feeling! And I sometimes find it hard not to just try and copy ideas I love too.

Great points. Your second point was exactly what the guy in the video i mentioned was saying.

Haha I guess I just have a tendency to overthink in terms of music and ideas; I struggle to let it come naturally.

But thanks yes two excellent points :)

My Monitors are going to be up soon hopefully so that might spark something, and i'm trying to make more time just to focus on music so I don't have any distractions which will allow me to relax.

Everyone can stand out, but not at the same time. A good band will work in times for each member to stand out. THEN there's always those bands that have uninspired players that just stand there and play quarter notes.

Excellent point; perhaps some people are simply more "in tune" with their creative side, or some people choose to express it in different ways. I think people can be inspired or have a surge of creativity, but certainly; perhaps we all have equal amounts and some people are just more aware and more open to expressing themselves.

3 word answer:

I hope not.