Everything is a Remix Part 3 from Kirby Ferguson on Vimeo.

Yes, it’s already 11 days into the year but I’m going to keep saying “Happy New Year” until I stop accidentally writing 2009 on everything.

I’ve already had a busy year with “Live from Lestat’s” CD release, a few BIG shows later on in the year and the big media push for the last few weeks (not to mention a very successful show in San Francisco at the Hotel Utah at the beginning of the year). Oh, did I mention that I’m finally assembling a backing band? We’ll probably start performing in late February. Keep those ears open!

As always, my whole perspective on my music career is shifting and I’m on the verge of what may be my most important self-discovery to date. I think I’ve finally found a way to reconcile my love of music, my desire to succeed as a performing singer/songwriter and my disdain for promotion and the music industry. It’s really no big secret or grand, inventive scheme. But it is a revelation to me.

I know what you’re thinking… at least I think I do. It could be, “tell us this new idea” or “who cares”. Either way, I think I’ll hold onto this thought for a bit longer. Besides, when was the last time people were thrilled to hear a marketing plan for someone else?

What I will share is that in order for this to work, I’ll need your support. You don’t have to send your friends mass text messages about shows or RT anything that I say. In fact, you don’t have to do anything! I just need to be sent good vibes! Come hang out once in a while at a show. Or drop me a line on any of the social media sites I’m on. If you feel inclined to share my music, that would make my day! Just help me feel like what I’m doing is appreciated and I’ll keep returning the favor.

On a different note, “Live from Lestat’s” is going to be here this Friday! I’m really excited to show you where I’ve gone in the last year and a half.

Hope to hear from you soon!
Kenny Eng (BETA)

I went to LA to play a show a few weeks before and I came to the realization that there are thousands of people just like me wandering around the country, trying to be the next Jeff Buckley or Jimi Hendrix. That thought made me feel incredibly small and insignificant. Being in the San Diego bubble for the last year and a half has given me a good deal of confidence and a potentially undue sense that I deserve success. I started writing this song about how the illusion of LA was alluring and dangerous to our personal idea of self-worth and honesty (which is far more important than any amount of success).

As an independent artist, the concept of self-marketing is something I have yet to come to terms with. I don’t have a manager or a publicist who’s dedicated job is to make me look bigger and better than I am. I don’t have a scheme to achieve fame or success, nor do I think I need to. But as I delve deeper into the dream, I find myself realizing that my long term career means a measure of self-promotion that cannot be avoided.

To my own chagrin, I’ve been adamant about avoiding that type of marketing in the past. I’ve been very vocal about not wanting to travel down that road. And unfortunately, I’ve always been more of the self-effacing, shy type so talking myself up does not come as second nature. But this is a time of development and I find myself more and more open to the idea. Maybe it’s because all the youthful idealism has left me or I’m just more desparate than before (I hope not).

I think I believe in myself. I know that I can accomplish great things if I work a little harder at what I do but the thought that I’m somehow deserving of any kind of success always makes me feel sleezy. Mal left me with two ideas that have stuck with me so far. The first is if I don’t believe in myself, then no one else will either. The second is that where there is potential to fail, there is also potential for great success. To avoid those situations will only make success more elusive.

I don’t know what iterations these new ideas will take. I’m still conflicted about how far to market myself and how I will feel about becoming that guy who is always reminding people to come to my shows. But necessity breeds innovation (or in my case, creativity) so hopefully I can turn this into something entirely new!

Consider yourselves warned.

-Kenny