Ryan Adams. Interview with The Guardian (15 Nov. 2008) (via dirdy)
I agree with most of this, except “those who go in search of it are the least likely to find it.” Those who go in search of it more often than not do find it, in this day and age - see Britney Spears, any reality show contestant, or for that matter, any serial killer with a televised manifesto. I think the spirit of what RA is saying here, though, is: those who feel the need to actively go in search of fame are usually those who deserve the least amount of recognition for the art they’re trying to make. Most of the time it’s the case that the people making the best art are the ones who are satisfied with changing the life of one person at a time (including - and sometimes only - their own).
Also, I don’t know that I buy that fame is an unnatural construct; recognition of superior skill amongst one’s peers goes back to caveman days. I’m sure Darwin could have argued for natural selection of the hottest Lascaux cave painters on the scene at the time. Recognition of non-existent skill definitely is unnatural though, and such widespread recognition that’s now possible through TV and People Magazine is totally fucking weird and wrong. Unfortunately, that kind of fame is so loud and instantly gratifying that there’s no more room for the “Have you heard this band? They’re really fucking good, I’ll burn you a CD” kind of fame anymore, the slow-burning kind, the good kind, the kind that lasts. The smart artists are hungry but patient, and usually make the best shit you’ve ever heard.
And Monster had a couple of killer songs. :)
