Thank you for such an honest and, dare I say, raw insight.
I am sure that there are very few of us gathered in this arena who would know what that pressure to complete those works to your high standards is like.
We, of course, benefit from your craft and it brings so much joy to us.
That’s not to say that this stage of life, and career, isn’t something we didn’t expect to barrel towards all of us.
Maybe it’s because the music helps us relive our youth in ways we know you can’t replicate from your position. It’s that unique bond between musician and fan, I suppose.
None of us are getting younger and the work you put into helping us hold onto any modicum of youth is always greatly appreciated, I hope you realise that, too.
This is so authentic and beautiful just like your music. Thank you for sharing with everyone where you are and what you're doing and what you're thinking about. Maybe you don't have to define it...
Surely somewhere, somehow, sometime this will be a verse,
“I want to be fearless, musically, like Scott Walker seemed to be. Did he have nightmares? I want to dare to be really minimalist, like Sylvan Esso. Do they worry?”
Thank you for sharing. I'm 57 and want to slow down in my career, so I completely understand where you are coming from. I like to go on holidays but I know I couldn't cope with all the travel involved for you and people in the industry. Perhaps time to peruse other options? Tour locally, master classes, song writing workshops, mentoring other bands, production etc.? Know that your work has great value, whatever you do 🙏
Thanks for the pointer to Pessoa. Sounds fascinating…
Hope the advance of the modular piece is a good sign. The progression of your work during and since the early 2000s has been a source of pleasure and inspiration these many years. Interested to know what any next step might sound like.
I was struggling to leave some incisive comment about the manic-depressive nature of being a “creative.” Sometimes what you really need is a cheering section. As a late friend used to tell me, “Bash on regardless!”
Your post really touched me and inspired me to write you a few personal words: I've been listening to your songs since I was 18, and now, at 60, they are still with me. You could say that your music has been the soundtrack of my life. I'm sure many others feel the same way. And I'm simply grateful that you chose music—and not some other profession.
For whatever comes next, I wish you strength, confidence, and continued inspiration, Claudius
Have you thought about doing shows based specifically on past album, I know its a bit of a cliché these days to tour an album with 'other stuff' in the other set. but some of us would love to hear a album in full be it with a band, or with a Martin. Obviously the 1990 self titled album would be my first choice. :)
Thank you for all you have given to this point, my adult life is that much richer for having received it from the beginning of your career. "Art for art's sake" is a nice thought and easy to say, but shatters quickly against the reality of providing for a family. I wish you all the best in whatever you do and will continue following your work/art in whatever form it takes. And should it take no form at all, I wish you and your family every happiness in retirement.
I can understand why the prospect of failing is something you struggle with because as far as I'm concerned you've never failed in the past. And that's not something I think I can say about and other musician in my sizeable collection of records. Nothing you have ever done musically has ever disappointed me....quite the opposite in fact. But if you need to change tack I totally accept that and I will be waiting gladly to receive whatever it is you are able to give. Your music has given me so much joy Lloyd.
What a goddamn delightful and crushing world it is. And what a gift it is to have a glimpse into the mind and perspectives of one of the best songwriters of all time. Smiles and sighs, indeed.
I saw your show at Forest Fest last week in Ireland. Despite the initial technical problems, I thought the show was great, and apparently so did many others, because the Village Stage tent was packed. I’ve been following your music since late 1985 and have probably attended around 30 of your concerts by now - from my hometown of Bochum, Germany, in February 1986, to Hultsfred, Sweden, in 1994; Oslo in 1995; Dundee in 2017; the band show at the Barbican in London in January 2025; and finally, the Forest Fest in Ireland last week. Ultimately, the distances to your concerts have almost never been too far for me, and that will continue to be the case. In that regard, you’ll have my support in the future as well.
As someone who doesn’t have your creative gift, I think I understand what you are going through and that must be difficult. Just know that there is an eager audience for your work (I know it is in my family anyway). We sometimes argue amongst ourselves about which is our favorite etc… but ALL of it is loved and appreciated. We hope you keep going.
I was worried for a moment that you were going to churn out any old shit. But after reading your Bowie posts, I realise that this is most definitely not the case. You really want to experience the fevered creativity of Prince and Bowie at their peaks. Will the music flow out of you? Who knows, but I think once you hit the seam it could well happen. Damon Albarn seems to constantly create (or gives that impression) and don't forget one of Blur's biggest hits (Song 2) was considered throwaway and a B-side because it came together so fast. Sometimes the feel is as important as the creation and execution
Thank you for such an honest and, dare I say, raw insight.
I am sure that there are very few of us gathered in this arena who would know what that pressure to complete those works to your high standards is like.
We, of course, benefit from your craft and it brings so much joy to us.
That’s not to say that this stage of life, and career, isn’t something we didn’t expect to barrel towards all of us.
Maybe it’s because the music helps us relive our youth in ways we know you can’t replicate from your position. It’s that unique bond between musician and fan, I suppose.
None of us are getting younger and the work you put into helping us hold onto any modicum of youth is always greatly appreciated, I hope you realise that, too.
This is so authentic and beautiful just like your music. Thank you for sharing with everyone where you are and what you're doing and what you're thinking about. Maybe you don't have to define it...
Surely somewhere, somehow, sometime this will be a verse,
“I want to be fearless, musically, like Scott Walker seemed to be. Did he have nightmares? I want to dare to be really minimalist, like Sylvan Esso. Do they worry?”
Keep going.
Thank you for sharing. I'm 57 and want to slow down in my career, so I completely understand where you are coming from. I like to go on holidays but I know I couldn't cope with all the travel involved for you and people in the industry. Perhaps time to peruse other options? Tour locally, master classes, song writing workshops, mentoring other bands, production etc.? Know that your work has great value, whatever you do 🙏
Thanks for the pointer to Pessoa. Sounds fascinating…
Hope the advance of the modular piece is a good sign. The progression of your work during and since the early 2000s has been a source of pleasure and inspiration these many years. Interested to know what any next step might sound like.
I was struggling to leave some incisive comment about the manic-depressive nature of being a “creative.” Sometimes what you really need is a cheering section. As a late friend used to tell me, “Bash on regardless!”
More accurately the “manic-depressive” nature of the creative process. I’m not diagnosing anyone here.
I’m refraining from chiming in with ideas/advice that would only show my ignorance. But please keep writing, both songs and words.
Dear Lloyd,
Your post really touched me and inspired me to write you a few personal words: I've been listening to your songs since I was 18, and now, at 60, they are still with me. You could say that your music has been the soundtrack of my life. I'm sure many others feel the same way. And I'm simply grateful that you chose music—and not some other profession.
For whatever comes next, I wish you strength, confidence, and continued inspiration, Claudius
Have you thought about doing shows based specifically on past album, I know its a bit of a cliché these days to tour an album with 'other stuff' in the other set. but some of us would love to hear a album in full be it with a band, or with a Martin. Obviously the 1990 self titled album would be my first choice. :)
Thank you for all you have given to this point, my adult life is that much richer for having received it from the beginning of your career. "Art for art's sake" is a nice thought and easy to say, but shatters quickly against the reality of providing for a family. I wish you all the best in whatever you do and will continue following your work/art in whatever form it takes. And should it take no form at all, I wish you and your family every happiness in retirement.
I can understand why the prospect of failing is something you struggle with because as far as I'm concerned you've never failed in the past. And that's not something I think I can say about and other musician in my sizeable collection of records. Nothing you have ever done musically has ever disappointed me....quite the opposite in fact. But if you need to change tack I totally accept that and I will be waiting gladly to receive whatever it is you are able to give. Your music has given me so much joy Lloyd.
What a goddamn delightful and crushing world it is. And what a gift it is to have a glimpse into the mind and perspectives of one of the best songwriters of all time. Smiles and sighs, indeed.
I saw your show at Forest Fest last week in Ireland. Despite the initial technical problems, I thought the show was great, and apparently so did many others, because the Village Stage tent was packed. I’ve been following your music since late 1985 and have probably attended around 30 of your concerts by now - from my hometown of Bochum, Germany, in February 1986, to Hultsfred, Sweden, in 1994; Oslo in 1995; Dundee in 2017; the band show at the Barbican in London in January 2025; and finally, the Forest Fest in Ireland last week. Ultimately, the distances to your concerts have almost never been too far for me, and that will continue to be the case. In that regard, you’ll have my support in the future as well.
As someone who doesn’t have your creative gift, I think I understand what you are going through and that must be difficult. Just know that there is an eager audience for your work (I know it is in my family anyway). We sometimes argue amongst ourselves about which is our favorite etc… but ALL of it is loved and appreciated. We hope you keep going.
I was worried for a moment that you were going to churn out any old shit. But after reading your Bowie posts, I realise that this is most definitely not the case. You really want to experience the fevered creativity of Prince and Bowie at their peaks. Will the music flow out of you? Who knows, but I think once you hit the seam it could well happen. Damon Albarn seems to constantly create (or gives that impression) and don't forget one of Blur's biggest hits (Song 2) was considered throwaway and a B-side because it came together so fast. Sometimes the feel is as important as the creation and execution