Are you hoping and wishing and wanting something to come true, or come through for you right now? Stop.

Care enough to care less about the end result, and start to care more about the steps of the journey necessary to get there. Not obsessing about outcomes is not the same as not wanting, or not working toward them. Emotionally detaching from the outcome of your endeavors ironically enhances the likelihood that they’ll be realized.

Care less about what you think others think about you. They’re not thinking about you nearly as much as you think they are. Most of them are nobodies from nowhere and are much more worried about themselves than you.

Few ever thought the no-name drummer from the prog-rock band Genesis could successfully replace Peter Gabriel as the lead singer of the band. Even fewer would have bet on the balding and bearded time-keeper would go on to a mega-successful career as a singer/songwriter, solo artist. Phil Collins beat the odds by having the balls and the talent to move into his new role despite the plethora of naysayers.

“I don’t care what you say | I don’t play the same games you play” ~ Phil Collins

When free from the worry and wonder if you’re doing the right things at the right times, the right answers and necessary actions begin to come naturally. Appropriate reactions and effective responses to what happens to you are the key elements that actually foster future success.

So regardless of where you’re at right now… the message is: “It ‘aint over.” There’s going to be another day with opportunities and challenges just on the horizon.

The question is:

Are you ready?

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a writer, speaker, photographer, and musician from Rockford, IL. The RockStarWay™ brand delivers success psychology and Lifestyle Initiative Training resources to rock your business, brand, or band!

©2012 Tom Leu

We are continuing with Part 2 of our very in-depth RockStarWay interview with Michael Corin from Anavox. In Part 1, we were introduced to Anavox’s history, got some insights about lessons learned from the music business, and talked about the ‘thick-skin’ required when pursuing your passions. I mentioned that Michael and I go back many, many years. We’ve spent a lot of time together on the road, in hotel rooms, and at gigs and things over the years in various states. When approaching Michael to do this interview, I knew we’d be able to really connect and get at the heart of what the concept of RockStarWay actually is. I’m talking about it as a philosophy. It’s a way of life. It’s a way of looking at things. We can talk about music in this context. We can talk about business. We can also talk about life in general, lifestyles, and ideas like that within this framework. That’s what these RSW interviews are designed to address, and there’s nobody that I would consider to be more of a “rock star” in a literal sense and in a figurative sense, than Michael Corin. Here in Part 2, Michael and I get into discussions about songwriting, music genres, the lost art of effective communication, and listening skills among other things. Read on…

PART 2

Tom Leu:                Michael, in Part 1 we were talking about Anavox and the history of Anavox up until this point. Anavox has been a Christian/Pop/Rock band since its inception. And this is interesting as it pertains to putting music into genres and categories. People need to label things. It’s human psychology. We have to put things into categories, but those do not always serve us best. So, Anavox is a Christian band, but recently, you’ve also ventured off into the country music market. Talk about that a little bit. What prompted this? How did that come about? And what’s appealing to you about country music?

Michael:                I lived in Nashville for quite a few years, and I couldn’t help it. I got the bug. I think that country music is a songwriter’s music. There are so many tremendous songwriters in Nashville and so many writers get together and work and collaborate and that kind of a thing. There’s a real sense of family. There’s a real sense of unity in that respect. You can’t be around it for very long without getting addicted to that kind of concept. And being able to go to writers rounds and hear other people expressing themselves, and then sharing their music and be inspired by that. For me, as a writer you’re always looking for that next piece of inspiration that’s going to put it over the top. There were so many times that I would go hear artists or songwriters, and then I couldn’t wait to get home and pick up my guitar.

Tom:                Would you say that living in Nashville has been a big influence on you from the country music perspective? And that’s a cliche by-the-way… that Nashville is just country music. Of course, anyone who knows anything about music knows Nashville has a wide variety of musical styles present in that town. Is that right?

Michael:           Absolutely, because as a songwriter, regardless of the genre that you’re in, a good song is a good song. There are people that are there trying to get deals just to be able to write songs for other artists from all different kinds of genres. I loved it. I loved the idea of it. I’ve been writing songs since I was 15 years old and working on trying to be better at that in every way possible. Being in that atmosphere really challenges you to step it up a notch because some of the best writers in the world are there.

Tom:                Do you have to have a different mindset as a songwriter? When you’re sitting down to write a song, do you think, “Okay, I’m going to write an Anavox song, or maybe a song for the Christian market,” or, “Today I’m going to write a country song for that market.” Is there a separation there or doesn’t it matter to you and you just write whatever comes out? How does that process work for Michael Corin?

Michael:           It’s interesting because from the standpoint of faith, there are elements of faith that are laced throughout all country music. That’s very much a part of it. So for me it wasn’t that far of a stretch. There are obviously different things that you do musically, different kinds of instruments and things that you use, but ultimately, it’s about telling good stories. Everyone wants to hear a good story. When you can do something like that inside of the country world, that’s a great thing. For me, stepping from the Christian side into the country side is a fine line. I guess maybe it’s blurred a little bit. It’s not as different as you might think.

Tom:                Is there a Country-Christian version of Anavox in the future perhaps?

Michael:           That’s interesting. I’m not sure. At this point, I would say no. Anavox is a rock band. What we do inside of the Anavox concerts is more straight-ahead rock. But I definitely like to dabble on the country side.

Tom:                I had a friend who exposed me to country music many years ago. I used to give him a hard time about it. I’ll admit that back then I was, like, “No, no, no. I’m not into this country thing. Come on… rock and roll, man, rock and roll!” That was my whole gig back then, and it still is to an extent, but I can appreciate country music today. Some critics of the newer country music say, “Well, it’s not really country. It’s country-pop. It’s country-rock.” That’s another whole conversation. I can appreciate country music and the cleverness of the lyrical content. Some country artists and writers come up with some amazing stuff. They really hit people where they live. It puts me in a place and a mindset that some other genres of music just don’t do, or at least not in the same way.

Michael:           It’s funny, but sometimes I feel like pop music and rock music isn’t exactly sure who she is right now. You go in and out of different times where different bands will be popular because of their sound, or how they create it in the studio, but I think ultimately a good song is a good song. I find that in the country world, you’ve got to have those strong hooks. You’ve got to have those good melodies. Melody is king there. It’s not about just turning on the mixer and that kind of thing where so much can happen and be created inside of a sound. Though there’s a little bit of that in country music, you’ve got to have a strong song. I think that’s where it was so appealing to me. I love that. I love being able to sit down and communicate through songs.

Tom:                I loved how you put that ”pop and rock music doesn’t know who she is, necessarily.” Going back 10, 12 years ago, around the time you started Anavox, the ”music business” was quite a bit different. What’s your take on the landscape of the music business today, the state of the industry? How are you as an artist going to be adapting, and how have these changes affected how you move forward in your career?

Michael:           I had signed to a record label and was pursuing making an album and that kind of a thing. One of the things that I found when I did that was that the label was afraid to take a risk. I think that with everything being so different now, with people buying online and digital downloads and that kind of thing, it’s changed the business pretty drastically because people aren’t going out and buying CDs like they were. This has been a common thing for years. Labels have been trying to figure out how to get their sales up and do things differently than what they had before, and so they are tending now to get their fingers in every area of the pie for an artist.

Tom:                Yes, the so-called ”360 deals,” right? 

Michael:           That’s right. A 360 deal is where they’re going to be involved in every area, from the merchandise to what you do in music sales. It takes away from the artists a little bit. As a result of this, the industry has struggled because they’re just not making the money that they were so they are having to get involved in other areas. What that does for an artist is it kind of takes away from the desire for the record label to take a risk. They want to have an artist that’s going to hit it overnight. It’s going to happen with one song and it’s going to sell millions and millions of albums. Whereas my heroes, the U2′s, the Bruce Springsteen’s and guys like that, those artists were developed over time. It wasn’t until two and three records were released that they were really beginning to build that fan base and becoming known. Now, if you’re not the flavor of the moment that’s going to sell millions and millions of albums right out of the box…

Tom:                Then you’re all done…! You’ve got a single or so to prove it.

Michael:           You got it! I’ve been fortunate enough to play with artists who have had one, two, or even three singles that have been released and have done pretty well. But, you’re just not going to hear from those artists again. It’s an interesting world, and for a guy who got into it because he wanted to be one of those artists who was going to sell 100 million albums, it just doesn’t happen that much anymore. You have to be more innovative, that’s all.

Tom:                Absolutely. Good word… innovative. So what’s on the horizon? What’s next for Michael Corin, Anavox and your music career?

Michael:           As far as Anavox is concerned, I’m going to be continuing to pursue playing out and connecting with people and doing what we’ve always done. It’s very much a part of my heart, to be able to travel and play and release music and that kind of thing. I’m going to be starting a new project within the next couple of months or so. I’m probably going to release a five-song EP and put it out there of just some new songs that I’ve written, more from the Anavox-Rock sound side of things. As a writer, I’m going back to Nashville and network with some friends of mine and see if we can further a writing deal in that world where I might be able to get involved more in the country side of things, too. I’ve had the writing deal with the Christian side of things, but I want to get involved more from the country side. I think it’s important to know what you want and just put that out there. There’s going to be a whole mess of new songs and stuff as far as Anavox is concerned that I’m excited to do. So basically, a little bit of both.

Tom:                 You mentioned networking and really knowing what it is that you want. Knowing what you want…? It sounds so simple, right? But I think it’s something that’s really complicated for a lot of people, maybe even more so for creative people. If you have a hard time telling somebody else what it is that you want or what you do, how much harder is it for them to understand how they can help you? Talk about how important it is to have clarity around your vision, your goals, your pursuits.

Michael:           It’s extremely important, and honestly, I’ve learned that the hard way. Years ago I had a relationship with a very successful businessman who wanted to invest in what I was doing. At the time, as an artist I was just expressing myself. I was young and just writing whatever I could write and doing what I could do. I was excited and we had a good relationship. He looked me in the eye at one point and said, “Michael, who are you? What do you want to do?” I was so busy just doing everything that when he asked that question, it took me by surprise. And I couldn’t answer. As a result, I lost the opportunity to work with this guy who probably would have invested a lot of money to help me do what I wanted to.

Tom:                So he walked away because you really couldn’t answer that question?

Michael:           Yes. I’ve found over time that people want to follow something that is clear-cut. You know, the Scriptures say you can’t serve two masters. I think it’s good to be diverse in what you do, but I also think and I’ve learned that it’s very important to have a laser-like focus on what it is that you want. When you have that and you’re bold in that, I think people will follow that.

Tom:                Good stuff. I would agree. And again, as I’ve said before, this stuff is easy to say, but hard to do, especially earlier in a career or when we’re younger. I don’t necessarily mean earlier or younger as in chronological age. I’ve talked to people who are in their 40′s, 50′s, or 60′s even, who are finally just figuring out who they want to be, and what they want to do. I’ve use ask the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” in my writings and talks frequently. We’re all asked that as kids. It’s a little question with big implications.

Michael:           For sure.

Tom:                Now, you’ve had the good fortune to have met some really key people over the years, not only in Nashville, but in other places. These are some music industry high-rollers; people who are in a position to help you, and have helped you. You said you’re planning to “reconnect.” Talk to me about communication skills. I know that might sound rather academic, but it’s a big theme of the RockStarWay and what I talk about and write about frequently. I argue that one of the most important, if not the most important skill-set that any of us can possess is to be a great communicator. To maximize that chance meeting at the coffee shop, or at the grocery store, or at the party with the person who is in a position to help you… How important has it been to you to have a grasp of, and a level of communication that transcends the average? How truly important is communication to get to where you want to get in your life and your career?

Michael:           That’s a great question. Personally, I think it’s the single most important thing. I’ve found that you obviously want to be good at what you do, and you want to perfect that craft to the best of your ability. But there comes a point in time, that moment of truth (to use your phrase), where you’re face-to-face with an opportunity. You’re face-to-face with a person that could really help to take you to the next level. Your ability to connect with that person and to communicate who you are and what you want with passion is vital. I think that’s what separates the men from the boys. It’s those moments where you take advantage of an opportunity and can really come through with what it is that you want to do and then of course deliver from there. I think for me, those moments have been vital in all that I’ve done.

Tom:                Knowing you for so long and seeing you in action, so to speak, I would attest to that. You have one of those “gifts-of-gab” as they say. I’m not necessarily just talking about the kinds of communication skills that allow you to be able to speak in front of a group of people or sing on a stage. I’m talking about the subjective types of skills where you’re having a conversation with a person one-on-one, and you’re able to notice and use what’s going on in that moment, in that environment, in that situation. You’re picking-up on the nonverbal cues and the body language that others might miss and you know when to go in, and when to pull it back. You know when to press, and when to pause, if you will. It’s those kinds of communication skills that are most important. Being a college instructor, I’ve had the good fortune of being able to frequently study this stuff in real-time within my classes and with my students. This has personally helped me improve in this area over the years. I think it’s a journey that hopefully we’re all progressing on together. But to be honest, what I’ve found frustrating is that a lot of people think they’re really good communicators, when in reality, most are not. If you ask ten people if they’re good communicators, and I’ve done this repeatedly in my classes, most will say “Yes, I am.” But I always press them for what it really means to be a good communicator. Michael, do you think most people are good communicators?

Michael:           No. In fact, I was going to say exactly what you just said. I think that most people think that they’re great at it, but they’re not. The reality is that there is a need to be able to read where people are at, an ability to sit down and communicate, and like you said, notice the nonverbal communication as well. And really, I’ll tell you what, so many people are so busy in life thinking of the next thing that they’re going to say, that they don’t stop to listen.

Tom:                That’s an interesting point. But often, those are the exact people who think they’re great at this communication thing and don’t require any additional training. Yet, in my opinion, these are the folks who need it most.

Michael:           I’ve found that so much of it is really being able to sit down and listen to where someone is really coming from, and be sincere in your communication with them. It doesn’t matter if it’s music. It doesn’t matter what it is. You’re going to do so much better in life and succeed in life to such a greater extent than you ever would, if you can learn to listen and learn to really be aware of where the other person is at.

Tom:                Great words that you mentioned there: ”aware” and “awareness.” Again, a lot of the stuff that I write and speak on is about raising awareness to these kinds of things. These critical communication skills and the psychology behind the ways that all of us interact. We’re on a planet of about 7 billion people or so, and we’re bumping into each other physically and in cyberspace these days. And like never before, we are seeing the importance of having great communication skills and being more aware. I like how you talked about listening. Everybody thinks they’re good listeners too. It’s another one of those things that I challenge people on. I ask: “Do you understand the difference between hearing and listening?” Hearing is an auditory thing. But listening has more to do with comprehension, empathy, and understanding. There’s a big difference. Listening takes a lot more work. For most, it’s a lot harder to really listen than to hear.

Michael:           Yeah, and you know what? In the world that we live in, like you said, with all the media and everybody having their iPhones and texting constantly, people have such a short attention span. It is a conscious decision to be present in a moment with someone. I think that when you do that, it does a couple of things. Not only does it allow you to have the edge in terms of how you communicate, but I think it also communicates the respect from you to that other person, that you really genuinely care about who they are and what they’re saying. And when you do that, it speaks volumes, especially in the world we live in today. I was in a restaurant recently with a friend of mine that I hadn’t seen in a long time. I was so excited to spend time with this friend. This person spent the majority of the conversation on their cell phone texting someone else. They didn’t mean to be rude, but it was incredibly rude. I think it’s just the awareness of going: “Okay. I’m going to just be present in this situation.” When you do that, it’s so rare anymore. I mean, people really, really appreciate that you know?

Tom:                I do know… So to really listen to people and be present is a skill that can really make or break somebody. I’m glad you shared that example. Being very aware of these types of situations, and monitoring how you are coming off to other people is hard work. But worthwhile work IF we put the effort into it…       

→ Stay tuned-in for PART 3 of the RockStarWay™ interview with Michael Corin of Anavox…

→ Links to: Anavox on Facebook | Anavox on CDBaby | Anavox on iTunes

→ Links to: RockStarWay on Facebook | RockStarWay on Twitter

Tom Leu, M.S. is a writer, speaker, photographer, and musician from Rockford, IL. The RockStarWay™ brand delivers success psychology and Lifestyle Initiative Training resources to rock your business, brand, or band!

©2012 Tom Leu

I’ve long been fascinated by the factors that separate the famously successful from everyone else. I’ve been reading biographies, watching documentaries, and studying successful muscians, actors, entreprenuers, and artists for years to learn about their journey’s and uncover what sets them apart. A main staple of my content here at RockStarWay is to share what I learn…

Rob Lowe, one of the original 1980′s “brat-packers,” has had a long, and storied career in both film and television spanning over three decades. To me, he continues to epitomize the tenets of the RockStarWay as an enduring acting icon. His autobiography, Stories I Only Tell My Friends, includes the riviting details about his career-launching, yet arduous audition process for the Francis Ford Coppola flim, the Outsiders in 1982.

“There were days when I would’ve liked to have faced lower expectations and less pressure than learning at this particular level demanded.” ~ Rob Lowe

This story made clear to me that two things must happen for people to achieve any type of “success” personally or professionally. First, you have to consistently take action and do what most others will not do. And second, you must be able to deliver results in the midst of the inevitable stress, angst, and anxiety that follows.

I’ve heard it said: “Nothing hurts a failure but a try.” 

You must be deliberate about putting yourself into uncomfortable and uncertain situations at times. These are the types of situations that have you shaking in your boots, figuratively and literally. Extraordinary outcomes only come from first making choices that most others will not make. These are the difficult decisions, and ensuing actions that have the great potential to expose you to ridicule; and to place you in very vulnerable positions that make you a target for scrutiny and criticism. You’re thinking: “Am I out of my freaking mind?” The answer is… YES, you are out of your mind, and waaay out of your comfort zone. But, this is the place where most worthwhile happenings, happen…

But, it’s at this point that the majority of people will opt out because it’s easier. Very often, our natural instincts are to go small; to get invisible when faced with challenges or change. Instead, the best go big. They run into, instead of run away. They then deliver the goods.

At some point, we all find ourselves alone on the “stage.” So how do you NOT get so shaken that you cannot perform?

1. Feel the shake. Let it be. Don’t run from it, lean into it. You not only have to be willing to face it, but you must also embrace it. Let it help you by allowing it to push you to higher levels of performance. Turn it into positive energy, not just negative anxiety. It’s a friend, not your foe.

2. Focus on what the shake really is. It’s fear. But fear of what? When you boil it down, it’s simply the fear of looking bad or of being “wrong” in the eyes of others. That’s it. Once you understand how base and universal these fears really are, they are much easier to manage and overcome. Everybody has them… EVERYBODY. Take comfort in knowing that fact, and let it empower and embolden you.

3. Let #1 and #2 fuel your performance. Channel that energy into executing what your hard work and preparation has positioned you to do. You’ve earned the right to deserve it, and to reap the rewards.

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a writer, speaker, photographer, and musician from Rockford, IL. The RockStarWay™ brand delivers success psychology and Lifestyle Initiative Training resources to rock your business, brand, or band!

©2012 Tom Leu

A groove is hard to explain but easy to understand when you’re feeling it. To groove is positive. But to really learn how to “groove” takes practice.

“Music, oh music, such a funky thing | The closer you get, the deeper it means” ~ King’s X

Our thought processes and habits of thinking are made up of grooves as well. We all have well-traveled roads, deep ruts, trenches, and tracks in our minds that guide not only our thinking, but our behavior. These well-worn paths and patterns of thinking affect every aspect of our lives. 

Our minds are like machines and our thoughts are things that have energy.

It’s not superstition, it’s science. It’s not just philosophy, it’s fact.

So monitor your thoughts and manage your emotions to maintain a healthy outlook on your life. Always look for, and get into a groove that gives more than it takes. Remember… what you think about you become.

Welcome to the Groove Machine!

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a writer, speaker, photographer, and musician from Rockford, IL. The RockStarWay™ brand delivers success psychology and Lifestyle Initiative Training resources to rock your business, brand, or band!

©2012 Tom Leu

When referring to stepping up, accomplishing goals and making dreams a reality, people generally fall into one of three categories:

1. Those that DO: 

Doers don’t ask, they just act. They don’t declare, they just do. They are the embodiment of persistence as evidenced through their enthusiasm for what they do. They may be fearful at times; they may have occasional doubts; and they periodically get down; but this is often short-lived as these kinds of people have an inner strength that transcends their circumstances. Quite simply, they become successful because they HAVE to. Not doing what it takes is NOT an option. Not doing what it takes is more painful than the doing.

2. Those that DON’T: 

These are people who are victims, not victors. They constantly make excuses while rarely executing anything. They reject responsibility and routinely place blame. They are usually a part of the problem and unusually a part of the solution. They are quick to tell you why not and slow to tell you why. They may have dreams and passions, but they lack the courage to really pursue them. It’s easy to dream. It’s hard to continually muster the necessary courage, often in the face of opposition, to persevere and see things through… to do what they say can’t be done!

3. Those that THINK they DO:

This is arguably worse than #2 because the illusion exists that real progress is being made when it really isn’t. Most of these folks are convinced that they’re making progress because they are “busy” all the time. Their to-do lists are quite long, but their real output toward high-payoff activities is low, although they don’t see it that way. They frequently confuse busyness with productivity. They ARE NOT the same thing. These are the people that do a lot of talking about what they are going to do, what’s gonna happen, and what their plans are. Planning and preparation are good and necessary to get things underway, but ultimately, talk is cheap. You’re either DOING what you say or you’re not.

To paraphrase Tony Robbins: ‘When you’re constantly saying you should be doing this and should have done that… pretty soon you’re shoulding all over yourself.’

Make up your mind; talking and taking action are most often mutually exclusive.

So which kind of person are you? Which category do you find yourself in most often?

And is that OK with you?

Tom Leu, M.S. is a writer, speaker, photographer, and musician from Rockford, IL. The RockStarWay™ brand delivers success psychology and Lifestyle Initiative Training resources to rock your business, brand, or band!

©2012 Tom Leu

Many of us could benefit from being reminded that we can be our greatest ally and our own worst enemy simultaneously.

There are endeavors, ventures, undertakings, projects, and situations that demand a new perspective and approach if we hope to affect different outcomes.

Many folks long to live more fully, feel more fulfilled, and contribute more profoundly. Many have shyed away from opportunities, and recoiled from challenges and wonder why they feel like they’re in an infinite funk more often than not.

So many are always shooting themselves in foot becoming perpetual victims of self-inflicted wounds.

“But that’s just how I am.” I’ve always been this way.”

Exactly…

Human behavior is largely influenced by learned mental scripts and activity patterns that have been instilled in us from an early age. Some serve us; some don’t. It’s your job to honestly assess which ones are which.

Let me be clear:

I am not advocating becoming someone or something you are not.

I am not encouraging people to be articificial, superficial, or fake.

I am not urging people to be actors or inauthentic versions of themselves.

Instead…

I am endorsing that people embrace those parts of their personalities that are already there, but may be lying dormant.

I am asking people to move out of their comfort zones and take action in areas that they have historically side-stepped or overlooked.

I am prompting people to get honest and objectively decide to make changes for the best interest of themselves and others around them.

Anything less is fear-based and the ultimate selfishness. To do less is to deny others the ultimate greatness and uniqueness of you.

I dare you to move.

“Tension is here | Between who you are and who you could be | Between how it is and how it should be | I dare you to move | I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor” ~ Switchfoot

If the fear of moving into the unknown is the illness, then action is the antidote.

This stuff is live-giving IF embraced.

The call to action begins by making a decision to answer the call; to finally decide to begin doing things differently than you’ve ever done before to the benefit all around you.

You’re staring down the barrel of a new beginning.

But nothing changes until you change.

Will you answer the call?

This is the ‘easier-said-than-done’ stuff that most won’t do.

How about you?

Tom Leu, M.S. is a writer, speaker, photographer, and musician from Rockford, IL. The RockStarWay™ brand delivers success psychology and Lifestyle Initiative Training resources to rock your business, brand, or band!

©2012 Tom Leu

It’s happening more and more…

Recently, I found myself turning up (just a little) a Wham song playing on the “we play everything” radio station. That’s right, Wham… (there goes all my ”street cred”…!)

I know what you’re thinking… freaking Wham?? Believe me, that’s exactly what I was thinking while humming along with the “wake me up before you go-go…” chorus.

Pathetic you say? Perhaps, but there’s always something to learn when something happens that gets my attention…

Now, pay attention: It’s not really about the artist or the song… it’s about the nostalgia. It’s the memories of the past places and times that the artist and the song bring you back to in the present.

“Distance not only gives nostalgia, but perspective, and maybe objectivity.” ~ Robert Morgan

Tom Leu, M.S. is a writer, speaker, photographer, and musician from Rockford, IL. The RockStarWay™ brand delivers success psychology and Lifestyle Initiative Training resources to rock your business, brand, or band!

©2012 Tom Leu

Michael Corin has been committed to carving out and creating an impactful and meaningful music career for well over a decade now. At this point, he’s already achieved way more than most with similar aspirations. As the lead singer and chief songwriter of the band Anavox originally from Rockford, IL, Michael has sold over ten thousand albums (both as a member of Anavox and as a solo artist), won numerous awards, and has earned multitudes of faithful fans throughout the United States. The only thing more compelling than Michael’s passionate performances and infectious songs is his compassionate heart and purposeful outlook on life. Michael is a rare individual who possesses both a keen mind and warm spirit. This combination makes conversations with him effortless, thought-provoking, and inspiring. Below is the first of three part interview I did with Michael in December of 2011. I always come away with much more than I bargained for when speaking with Michael Corin. I’m optimistic you will too…

PART 1 

Tom Leu:                People best know you as the lead singer and the main songwriter for the band Anavox. For those who don’t know you, tell us about Anavox… what is Anavox, what has Anavox been, and what’s the state of Anavox today?

Michael Corin:           I started the band Anavox years ago in Rockford, IL with some friends of mine. A really good friend of mine and my best friend, we started playing music together and we played in Rockford for a few years. We played around the local places, connecting with people and trying to really get our name out. Anavox means a new voice. The concept of what we wanted to do was to be able to go out and inspire people, to connect with people and really give people a place where not only could they have a good time and come and listen to some music, but also we could create an atmosphere where people would be able to really experience something different. A lot of things took place in a process of a concert, whether it be talking about our faith or talking about our lives, the things that we have been through and experiences that we have had and writing songs that could connect with people on a level right where they were at. We had done that for a few years and had some radio play locally in the area, and have done really well.

Tom:                You guys did do really well. Anavox is originally from Rockford, IL, but where are you located these days?

Michael:           Right now I am in Texas visiting my in-laws, but I have been living in Denver, Colorado and spending time with family and stuff there after moving from Nashville, Tennessee. I have been all over the place with music and traveling and playing, for sure.

Tom:                Anavox has recorded two full albums to date, A New Voice, the very first record, and the second release, Realms. I personally love both records, but the two are very different stylistically. Give us a quick overview of the difference between the first Anavox record, A New Voice and the second Anavox record, Realms.

Michael:           Well, the first album that we had done, those were some of the first songs that I ever wrote starting out as a new musician and a new artist. So those songs, I think, I’m just younger. It’s a new experience for me. I had never done any recordings before. The difference in that particular recording is that as a band, we really sat down and hashed out all those songs and really worked through them. The songs sort of became what they wanted to be in the process of the band, and everybody brought what they were to the table. And that was what it was. Whereas Realms was a different experience for me. I had moved to Nashville and was now doing things on my own. I had stepped away from the band that we had and was pursuing the concept of Anavox by writing songs and then bringing in some hired musicians from Nashville to come in and record the stuff. I don’t think that we worked through those songs as much. I think it was just more that I brought it as a songwriter and the guys came in and played it. It was more focused on the strength of the song versus the sound of the band. It is a very different sound. It’s definitely more mature. I was a better songwriter, a better singer. It’s definitely a different flavor for sure.

Tom:                Both records are definitely different, but they’re so good, and for different reasons. When I listen to them today, it’s hard to explain, but I get a different takeaway from them today than I did before. I think that maybe talks a little bit to the timeless nature of those records. Going back for a minute, you said something really interesting when you first started describing Anavox. You said one of your goals, and one of your plans was to inspire people. Not all music does that, nor I would argue that not all artists have that as an intention… to do something that deliberate. They play music because they like the music. They play music because they enjoy playing. Explain to me a little bit more why the inspirational part of Anavox was so important to you and the members in your band.

Michael:           I can tell you that for me, when I first started playing when I was 15 years old, not only was it that I felt like I found my voice in it, but I also felt like I experienced something more. As an artist, when you’re writing or you’re playing, I think artists tap into something that is even deeper than something typical. I guess I don’t even know how to explain it. I guess I felt God in it. For me, when I communicated and I played, I felt like there was something greater than me involved. I felt like it was a way to express myself in a way that words couldn’t even necessarily do. One of my favorite bands in the world is U2 and when I first started playing they were such an influence on me. For anyone that has ever seen a U2 concert, it goes far beyond just playing music and having great songs. There is truly a spiritual experience there. For me, it was so much more about communicating with people, even more so than just playing music. It was always about the people and seeing their faces, connecting with people and giving them hope in the process of playing and communicating. That, I think, was really the basis of what gave us the success when we were playing locally and doing that sort of thing. Even still today, in everything I do, I think that is underlying in it all.

Tom:                My history with you goes back many, many years. I’ve been apart of Anavox in several different capacities over the years (reviewer, manager, drummer), so I’m going to admit it right here, right now, that I’m biased. I think you are an amazing singer/songwriter and performer. Anyone that knows me knows that I don’t just say those kinds of things. I don’t just dole out compliments for no reason. I’m a musician and composer as well. I’ve got a pretty good critical ear for music and it’s subtleties. I listen… carefully. And from the first time I heard your music by way of Anavox, over 10 years ago now, I knew there was something different there. What you’re talking about, this connection, this feeling, this atmosphere, this inspiration that transcends even the music or the songs that you’re playing, was absolutely evident on record and at concerts. Not only Anavox concerts, but Michael Corin solo shows as well. Do you feel that this element, this transcending – you’ve referenced U2 and their concerts, and I have seen them as well and agree with you that that’s there – do you feel that it’s rare? Is that missing in a lot of music these days, whatever the genre?

Michael:           I think so. From what I have experienced and what I have seen, I think there are moments. I think that bands hit on it on occasion. I think so many times people are in the process of just trying to create and express their heart, which is good. But so much about what makes people legends or what makes people a success is the connection with people that goes deeper than that. I’ve always tried to have that, and I’ve always wanted to connect with people that way. My heroes in music, or really my heroes in anything, whether it be in business or whatever, are people that desire to have a connection that goes deeper than just what it is that they’re doing. When you come into contact with people like that you walk away from it feeling like there was an experience that you really can’t necessarily explain. That was something I always wanted to do and I try to do still. I won’t say that I’m perfect at it but I definitely am aware of it.

Tom:                You mentioned people or artists that become legends and are successes. One of the things that I write about and talk about here at RockStarWay™ is this concept of success and the psychology behind it. That word can mean so many different things to so many different people no matter what they do as far as their occupations, or their careers, or their passions, or whatever. What does it mean to you? If I put that word “success” to you in quotation marks, what does it look like to you?

Michael:           I think it has changed for me over time. I think when I first started, you know, you want to play in stadiums and you want to have all this success. You want to have people knowing your name and buying your albums and stuff. But I think the truth is that for me, it’s being able to make a difference and connect and touch someone’s life through what it is that I’m experiencing. Whatever music I’ve written or who I am, if that touches someone and moves them to a place where they begin to activate something different in them, to make a change for the better in their life, whatever that is, I think that is success. You still desire to be able to sell out your venues and do well and that stuff, but isn’t it really who you love and who loves you, and those relationships that get created along the journey?

Tom:                Yeah, I think so. I would agree. And it’s interesting, the entire time you explained your view on that, not once did you mention the word money or income. You say “sell out stadiums” and things like that, and as a musician, of course, that’s part of it, but you didn’t mention money directly. A lot of times when I talk to people, or our society or culture for that matter, success is often closely associated with and tied to money. How much money you have, how much stuff you have, and all that kind of thing. I find it refreshing when someone doesn’t necessarily reference that. You gotta have money, you gotta pay the bills, you gotta put food on the table, and keep the lights on and all of that. But I found many years ago that for me personally, if that was my main motivator, I was unhappy. I’ve had careers in the past, different things I have done where money was the first thing’ the first priority. I even had times when, in all honesty, I did really, really well financially. I thought that was going to make me happy. What I found, like I’ve heard a lot of people say before, was that it didn’t make me happy. In fact, I could argue the opposite.

Michael:           Right. You’ve got to be able to lay your head down at the end of your day on your pillow and have peace with who you are and how you are and what you’ve accomplished. Of course, money is important. You have to have it to live. But for me, like I’ve said, it’s changed. I suppose there was a time in my life where that was a focus and that was something that I wanted. But truly, I think you can have all the riches in the world and not necessarily have peace in your heart. I think it’s really important to be able to find a balance between doing what you love and, of course, being able to make a living at that too.

Tom:                Back in the day, Anavox was very successful not only in the Midwest, but beyond. The band actually had some near misses with regards to record deals and things like that, and then you too, as a solo artist. Can you talk about that for a minute? What happened with some of that? More importantly, how do you handle, as an artist and as a person, the disappointments that come with this rollercoaster ride? How do you handle the ups and downs of striving to reach a goal or not reaching a goal, thinking you’re on your way there and then not quite getting there, or at least not yet?

Michael:           It’s funny. The process of it as an artist, every piece of music that you write, everything that you do, is just your baby. You throw your whole self into it and it’s your whole life. What’s amazing is that when you work with a label or you work with someone else, they can come in and in a matter of a minute of listening to your song, they decide whether or not it’s going to be a hit or whether they can sell it or not. The business of music is so different than the art. In my experiences with labels and stuff like that, I’ve had moments in my life where I sat down and I’ve had labels that were all about it and I signed as a solo artist to a label. But I’ve also had moments where we sat down and literally scrutinized every song, whether or not they’d be able to sell it and if it would be a hit, supposedly.

Tom:                How does that feel? You said they’re your baby. They’re giving you 10 or maybe 20 seconds to decide if this is good, or this isn’t good. Seriously, what does that do to you on the inside?

Michael:           Oh, it’s brutal. It’s brutal because you’re talking about people that step into it and, again, the focus is the business of music.

Tom:                More specifically, the money…

Michael:           Yeah, that’s what we talked about earlier, the money and that whole focus. My heart is to be able to connect with people. They obviously have to have something that’s commercial. You have to have something that is going to fit into the right box and be what it is that they need, and I’ve had those. I think you’re dealing with people who are coming into it not nearly as invested in it as you are.

Tom:                Good word… invested.

Michael:           It’s difficult. I think you have to be thick-skinned in this business because one person who may be a professional doesn’t like the song and disagrees with another professional that does like the song.

Tom:                Sure. And that happens a lot, right?

Michael:           It does. I’ve been there. I was in a situation with a record label where the two guys that were the high-ups in the label completely disagreed with how to take my music and go with it. The truth is that you have to have a core belief in who you are and what God has created you to be so that you can step forward and boldly be who you are. Some people will like it, some people won’t. That’s the nature of art.

Tom:                You said something interesting a moment ago, that you’ve got to be “thick-skinned” in this business. We could argue that a person has got to be thick-skinned in any business. That’s a great thing to say, but how hard is that to do in reality? Is Michael Corin thick-skinned?

Michael:           I’d like to say that I am. I think maybe calloused.

Tom:                Calloused…?

Michael:           Calluses over time just from the experiences.

Tom:                So you’ve gotten more thick-skinned over time…? But isn’t it true that as an artist, as a person who does what you do: a singer/songwriter… you bare your soul, you try to connect with people at a higher level, you aspire to inspire and encourage, to create an atmosphere… aren’t you by nature, by design, a very sensitive and not-so-thick-skinned person?

Michael:           Well, maybe by nature, just because I’m so tapped into my emotions or my feelings. That’s what creates music, that’s what creates the song. However, in any area of life, any career, I don’t think that you can succeed and be able to move forward without being able to have a healthy sense of humor about who you are and what it is that you’re doing.

Tom:                Good point.

Michael:           And I think that you also have to be realistic enough to know that (for most people), they will turn on their radio to get from point A to point B in their car, or listen to a CD or whatever. And it’s your whole life.  You know what I mean? That’s who you are. So I think there’s a healthy understanding of that. I would like to say that I am thick-skinned, but sure, that stuff bothers me. Fortunately, I’ve had enough success, I’ve had enough albums sold and experiences for the good, that I can say, “Okay. It’s not necessarily everyone’s favorite, but I’ve done okay.”

Tom:                Absolutely. I wrote an article for the RockStarWay™ website called Lovers & Haters. The premise is basically this: if you’re a person who has a talent, a skill, a business, a product or whatever, and you put it out there… and it’s fascinating enough and the quality is high enough to attract the “lovers” (the real strong fans of what you’re doing), you’re also going to equally attract the “haters.” If you can invoke a strong enough reaction in a person to have someone love what you do and be a huge fan, the equal and opposite reaction is not only possible but certain. That’s going to happen as well. You’re going to have the lovers and you’re going to have the haters. To some people, the recognition of that, the revelation of that, is a good one because you know you’re doing something right at that point. Because nobody can be everything to everybody.

Michael:           Absolutely. Even the greatest, most successful people in the world have people that don’t like them or don’t appreciate what it is that they do. You asked me earlier about being me thick-skinned and how I handle some of those things. Being a writer yourself and the things that you’ve experienced, what about you? I’ve read your stuff and I think it’s great, but I’m sure that there are people that disagree with what you say.

Tom:                It’s an excellent question, and yes, some folks do disagree. And that’s OK. As a college teacher, I’ve always been more about encouraging critical thinking rather than acheiveing consensus. I write from the heart. I write what I really feel. I write what I really believe. I would hope that everybody does works from this place… anybody that writes, sings, plays, or does anything artistic or creative. Certainly, people don’t always ”see things” the way you see it. Some people like what you do, some people don’t. It’s tough, and (for me), criticism is always difficult. But, like you, I think I’ve gotten a bit more calloused, as well. Like I said, I’ve gotten better at understanding that nothing is for everyone. But for me it’s all about a person’s motives. When someone’s in that place where they’re pushing through, they’re following their heart, they’re writing, recording, producing, creating who they really are, what they really believe in and it’s for a good purpose (meaning to inspire and to put something good in the world), that’s the best place to be… That’s something I constantly strive for within the context of my stuff; “is what I’m doing putting good in the world?” Is something better being contributed? That’s really the litmus test for me. But even with all of that understanding… when a person has been at this for a long period of time – you’ve been a musician and at this for many years, I’ve been doing what I’ve been doing for many years - in those darkest hours when perhaps it seems like the lovers are scarce and the haters are everywhere, how do you push through? How do you keep going despite those feelings and maybe doubts?

Michael:           I used to have this concept in my mind, that “you fake it until you make it” kind of thing, where you just put on the brave face. But I have to be honest. What I’ve experienced is that in the moments that are the darkest, if I will just push past my own ego and create from that place, it is the most honest and real music that I create. What’s amazing is that that’s the stuff that people respond to because everybody experiences ups and downs. I think that what I’ve found with what I do is that the moments where I’m the most honest with myself, and I take off the filter, I “fire the editor”, so to speak…

Tom:                Yes… I love that!

Michael:          …and I’m just honest about where I’m coming from and where I’m really at, I think those are the moments that people respond to the most.

Tom:                Sure, because they can relate themselves. We get so caught up in putting on these shows and putting on these facades and things. It’s another one of those things that I write about often… the things that are easy to theorize about, but hard to put into practice. Easy to say, but hard to do…

→ Be sure to check out PART 2 of the RockStarWay™ interview with Michael Corin of Anavox…

→ Links to: Anavox on Facebook | Anavox on CDBaby | Anavox on iTunes

→ Links to: RockStarWay on Facebook | RockStarWay on Twitter

Tom Leu, M.S. is a writer, speaker, photographer, and musician from Rockford, IL. The RockStarWay™ brand delivers success psychology and Lifestyle Initiative Training resources to rock your business, brand, or band!

©2012 Tom Leu

This moody tune has a great arrangement, great musicianship, and a great overall feel that’s haunting and inspiring at the same time. It’s a brilliant piece with exceptional guitar work by the vastly underrated Mick Taylor. I’ve heard it called ‘the best Stones song nobody ever talks about.’

Arguably better than the music is the tune’s bittersweet message. Time’s a vapor; it moves quickly. We have to move with it because it won’t wait. It’s called change. Time is everyone’s most valuable commodity that cannot be recovered once spent.

“Time can tear down a building or destroy a woman’s face | Hours are like diamonds, don’t let them waste” ~ Rolling Stones

The hours are ours individually. Spend them wisely.

If you’re a creator of content, keep moving forward, keep planning, and keep producing your passions. You never know who or when someone will find you. Take comfort in knowing that being ahead of your time is better than being behind the times… even if your “success” comes some 40 years later.

“I couldn’t wait for success, so I went ahead without it.” ~ Jonathan Winters

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a writer, speaker, photographer, and musician from Rockford, IL. The RockStarWay™ brand delivers success psychology and Lifestyle Initiative Training resources to rock your business, brand, or band!

©2012 Tom Leu

The willingness to wait is worth a lot. To wait through the uncertaintly of wondering if you’ll ever ”make it.” Enduring the inevitable doubt and despair that plagues anyone who has designs on achieving something significant. 

Your single greatest asset is your willingness and ability to wait through the lean times, the unpredictable times, the uncertain times and not quit.

If you want what most others don’t have, you have to do what most others won’t do. This includes the actions you take as well as the times you wait.

RE: ‘The Waiting’… ”That song took a long time to write. It’s about waiting for your dreams and not knowing if they will come true. I’ve always felt it was an optimistic song.” – Tom Petty

But even when opportunities do present themselves, it’s still wise to wait, or at least pause sometimes. Don’t let earnestness eclipse good sense. Waiting today can pay big dividends tomorrow.

As procrastination prepares you for nothing; haste can propel you into something you’re unprepared for.

I’ve heard it said that the key is to wait actively. Always be planning, preparing, and producing while waiting actively to take the best next steps at the best times.

Stay tuned-in…

Tom Leu, M.S. is a writer, speaker, photographer, and musician from Rockford, IL. The RockStarWay™ brand delivers success psychology and Lifestyle Initiative Training resources to rock your business, brand, or band! 

©2011 Tom Leu