I have recently found myself permanently signing off of Facebook & Instagram for a variety of reasons. The Number #1 reason is that it I find myself being dragged into the “Pits Of Hell” mentality which is so prevalent. I really don’t enjoy dealing with that dirty diaper toss. Add in the fact that the nature of JCA Circuits is centered on dealing with members of the general public who are musicians; adding in all the complexities which surround that. This is no trivial task. If I can offer one piece of advice to other builders and/or business owners, keep your clients as far from your personal life as possible. Try not to make the same mistakes I have if you can avoid it. I have utterly failed at times by allowing people to becoming too familiar with me on a personal level. I’m definitely more of the creative & open art type and less of the guarded business type. This has proven difficult with a few particular individuals who only revealed their true character and motives very late in the game as opposed to being up front about who and what they are.
One of the things which I find most difficult about occupying this position is that in order to showcase the work, I have to be willing to allow the general public access to my home & personal space. This creates a peculiar type of vulnerability. I am very confident in the work as well as who/what I am. I feel the added nature of this vulnerability has proven to be too much of a sacrifice to make in a few unforgettable cases.
There have been several of these types of “SURPRISE, MOFKA! THIS IS THE REAL ME!” interactions which took place inside my house that I call Delayed-Truth Experiences which piqued the exponential growth of my cynicism. Historically, I have been friendly, hospitable, and accommodating towards the people I meet. Until they go nuclear. Since 2020, it seems that a disproportionate amount of self-serving men are out to go there after they get what they want. Or if they can’t get what they want. It appears that the World has socially devolved at a faster rate since we all got Fauci-Fried. I find that my social nature has been evolving into a different direction (less social) for the past few years from all this. I am choosing to halt that particular evolution so that I may preserve the good things I am able to offer by implementing some new policies.
There comes a point where it’s no longer possible to give any more in order to fulfill the extreme and unreasonable demands of selfish men. I continue to do my best of screening people before I allow them into my space, but it’s impossible to predict the outcomes with every single person.
I’ve recently posted about asking people to sign an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) when when requesting access to my home for demos & projects. In addition, I want to be able to ask for press kits, media, references, etc. when I am unfamiliar with a person or their work. I only want to deal with those who know how to conduct themselves both personally & professionally. This seems perfectly reasonable.
I don’t honestly believe that most members of the general public are willing to do either of these things. I’m sure many would be offended that I am so brazen as to ask for such a thing. Others would probably accuse me of worse things. Those are precisely the people this is designed to screen out. For the truly enlightened folks who place themselves into my shoes and understand that I’m allowing complete strangers who are members of the general public (musicians!) into my home where they are receiving privileged access to aspects of my life, it should become abundantly clear.
I am highly selective about the people & projects which I choose to become involved with. I am positive there are many good folks who understand & appreciate what I’m saying here. It’s these people that I wish to work with. I crave encountering these types of people. It’s mind over matter. Those who don’t mind, matter.
I’ve met several extraordinary personalities over the past 33 years of doing JCA Circuits. I have also encountered those who combust disproportionate amounts of time and oxygen. I believe that the NDAs/Press Kits/etc. seem like a good idea and protect ALL parties from disseminating Mis, Dis, and Mal information. I am protecting my privacy & personal space as well as the proprietary intellectual property that I work hard to create. A mutual NDA also serves to protect the privacy of my clients. It works both ways.
Almost none of this went over well with a few local music industry “gatekeeper” types whom I’ve encountered in recent years. I’ve experienced a falling out with each of them over it. I am no longer willing to accommodate the demands their egos place onto the World. So sad. C’est la vie…
I believe there are several professional artists who would greatly appreciate for once NOT being asked for star-struck selfie requests plastering likenesses all over the internet by KICK type “gurus” hocking their wares (Keep It Complicated, Know-It-All). I’m not going to chase any artists down to “check my shit out” right before they are about to perform the difficult job of hitting a stage. Especially when this person is actually really good and mentally preparing to give themselves away. The last thing they need is somebody begging for their attention in the “Green Room”. I love a Green Room to hang out/socialize in. I have one in my own home for this very reason. I’m a Green Room Socializing type of guy. But I am not interested in “selling” myself there. I’m there to eat the food, drink the booze, be merry, and talk some shit. The work I produce sells itself some other time. It’s at that time that I want their attention focused on the work. My work. I’m perfectly content providing artists with services once they recognize that what’s being offered assists them in producing unique, identifiable, high quality musical performance.
IDGAF if I ever “sell” anything. That’s not what I’m doing here. I detest the idea of pretending to be a professional bullshit dispenser. I’ll continue to create amplifiers regardless of who ultimately winds up with them.
Above all, I simply love music.
I don’t plan to dump any more of my dirty laundry onto the community trash heap. This was sufficient.
JCA
11/18/2024
