There was an interesting discussion in FB with local musicians around the Capital Region about musicians hating on other musicians. Apparently, this is still a problem even to this day and the best part about all of this is that I’m definitely not alone. As some of you may or may not know, I have a real problem of getting along with a lot of musicians in the music community. Yes, I have quite a lot of musicians as haters of mine and apparently, there are plenty of other musicians that have a lot of other musicians hating on them too. It’s been a problem for decades and still is even to this day.

Not all musicians hate me, though… there are some that have always been very loyal and supportive of me for years and they still are which is awesome but I still have problems with getting along with many of them. There are many musicians who I once got along with who don’t speak to me anymore. A lot of musicians come and go in my life and I’m okay with that. Let ’em go, ya know? Life goes on.

Some of you may ask… why would musicians hate on each other? Well my view on this is that jealousy and ego for sure. Also, some musicians out there are just gonna be assholes. Sorry but not all of the local music community is gonna be lovable and positive, you will deal with a lot of negativity and drama. You will meet musicians who will be an asshole and arrogant most of the time. You will also meet musicians who are whack jobs and attention whores… you will also meet some who can be very “untrustworthy”.

In my experience, the most hated and the most criticized musician will be the one who can’t really play an instrument or can’t sing well. If you’re untalented, then be ready for a lot of criticism and hate. Believe me, I’ve been there and it ain’t fun. Other musicians that I’ve seen have gone through it too. Becoming an easy target in the scene ’cause they can’t play isn’t fair, in my opinion.

Another way that you’ll become most hated and the most criticized musician is if they feel if you haven’t established yourself in the scene much. For example, if you don’t have much successes in your music and if you don’t gig a lot and haven’t done much for yourself musically, other musicians will make you feel less superior than them. If you haven’t done much in the scene and haven’t established yourself much then they’ll make you feel like you don’t deserve to have a say toward local bands. They’re the ones that can talk local music however they want since they are the ones with more successes.

Yes, when you want to be a musician no matter the level of talent you are you gotta be ready to take a lot of criticism and hate ’cause you will go through a lot of that. Getting hatred and criticism isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. When people end up hating you, it can get you new fans and new opportunities in your music ’cause of it. Getting haters can get you more recognition and get you more exposure so don’t feel bad about it. When you get haters especially when your haters are other musicians, that’s a good thing really ’cause it’s gotta be either jealousy or ego or a mix of both. Maybe other musicians are mad at you ’cause you are doing things with your music? Things like that, ya know? Maybe they’re mad is ’cause they know you’re talented and they’ll never admit it? It kills them that you can play music better than they can. That’s why they lash out.

I also have a problem of getting along in the community over political views too ’cause yeah, I’m more conservative than most and most of the music community is pretty liberal. Most musicians refuse to support me ’cause of my so-called “right-wing” views.

I think the reason I have a tough time getting along with other musicians is ’cause I like to call out their bullshit and they think they can get away with it most of the time. There are so many musician that still like to shit talk me and make fun of me online still… I know who they are all are but I’m not gonna names. There are some that are completely obsessed with me and I can’t understand why but I don’t give a shit, though ’cause my life is good and I just keep on keepin’ on and keep moving forward in life.

The truth is you’re just not gonna get along with everybody and you can’t make everybody happy. That’s just the way it is. The only thing that you should be worried about is yourself and your music. The secret to battling against your haters is not caring about what anyone thinks of you. Just ignore all the hate and criticism. Keep moving forward and concentrate on your music. Let all negativity slide by. That’s what I do. You gotta stop responding to the critics and stop defending yourself ’cause that isn’t good. If you have haters bothering ya don’t be afraid to delete and block.

While I would like it that “everybody should just get along”, it’s never gonna happen. Musicians hating on musicians will always be a problem. It’s even a huge problem in the major label industry too ’cause there are too many famous bands that hate each others guts but they continue to play with each other in bands anyways ’cause most are in it for the money.

I don’t care who likes and dislikes me anymore. I don’t give a shit. I make music for myself anyways and there’s nothing wrong with having that attitude. It’s actually the best attitude to have.

Kev