Podcast Summary
Recognizing the Human Element of Art and Performers: Acknowledge the person behind the art, listen more, and be confident in the conversation.
The key takeaway from the conversation between Zane Lowe and Lewis Howes is that while we hold artists and performers on a high pedestal, it's important to recognize that they are also human beings and to acknowledge the human experience that goes into creating art. It's important to balance the feeling of magic and spirituality of the art with the knowledge that it is created by a person. Additionally, it's valuable to listen more and not just focus on asking the right questions, which can often stem from fear of being caught out or looking unprepared. It's important to be present in the conversation and acknowledge the conversation with the confidence that the preparation is within oneself.
The Art of Effective Interviewing: Listen to your guest, start with what's on their mind, let the conversation flow naturally and be human. Success in professional life comes from acknowledging and simplifying this process.
Effective interviewing is an art that requires the interviewer to be a sponge and a conduit for their guests. The most important questions come from what's on the heart and mind of the guest. The pre-show is just as important as the show, and the interviewer should strive to find a starting point for the conversation that is as immediate as possible. It's important to listen closely and try to feel what the artist is saying in order to be as human about it as possible. The conversation should evolve naturally and not be constrained by pre-prepared questions. Acknowledging and simplifying this process can lead to great success in one's professional life.
The Importance of Appreciation and Emotion in Conducting a Meaningful Interview.: To conduct a successful interview, develop a deep appreciation for the subject, feel the music or art, work hard, be good to people, say no when necessary, express emotions, and strive to become a part of the art process.
To conduct a meaningful interview, it's important to understand and have a deep appreciation of the subject. Feelings and emotions play a vital role in this process. Without feeling the music or art, it's difficult to conduct a two-way conversation and share ideas. True success comes from finding something that you love, being solely focused on it, and taking your opportunities with real gratitude. Working hard and being good to people is also an essential factor, and learning to say no and making sure that the yes is the right one is crucial. Lastly, being a fan of the music and art, expressing emotions, and being a part of the art process may eventually lead you to become a part of it.
Inspiration, Connection, and the Arts: Finding inspiration in others can lead to meaningful connections and creative expression. Trauma can be a catalyst for creating art, but it is not necessary for great works. The desire to create comes from a need to communicate and make sense of the world.
Inspiration breeds attraction and connection. When someone inspires you enough that they alter the course of your life, it is likely that you will come face-to-face with that person eventually. The beauty of connection lies in the reflection of your version of someone upon themselves. Trauma or difficult experiences often act as a catalyst for creating music and the arts. Expressing oneself through the arts is a way of communicating and expressing oneself when conventional methods fail. It is not necessary to have experienced trauma to create great art, but it is a common theme. The desire to create comes from not feeling like you have a natural pathway to explaining things or figuring them out.
Overcoming Fear of Judgement to Express Yourself: Don't be too hard on yourself, focus on learning from others and explore your creativity through music and other natural forms of expression.
Expressing oneself can be scary, especially when we're afraid of being judged or not expressing ourselves in the way we meant to. We need to be kinder to ourselves and not be too results-oriented, but rather focus on learning from each other. When the inner and outer voices meet, it allows for a beautiful harmony and the creation of true art. Music is a powerful channel for expressing oneself and feeling things that are often intangible. We need to give ourselves the freedom to explore and be creative, just like when we were young. Finding our place in the world is important, and it's okay to go back to our roots and find that inner joy through natural forms of expression like dancing and music.
Zane Lowe's Revelation of Self-Belief and its Profound Impact on his Career: Believing in oneself can unlock potential, success, and even unexpected opportunities. Overcoming self-doubt can lead to greater confidence and growth, allowing individuals to achieve their goals and aspirations.
Believing in oneself is important to succeed in any capacity. Sometimes people focus too much on what if they fail and forget their own potential to be of value. Zane Lowe's interview with Jay-Z changed everything for him and gave him the confidence to believe in himself and his abilities. He felt that beyond the label needs, BBC needs, and audience's expectations, that experience of him and Jay-Z was enough to make him feel like he could be of value in that environment. It was a big moment of realization for him that he can do it. This boosted his confidence, and he went on to interview more famous personalities like Kanye, Eminem, and got positioned at Apple and moved to Los Angeles.
Putting Content Where the Audience Is for Credibility and Visibility.: Share impactful knowledge through conversations that touch lives. Don't just promote projects, but aim to get inside the human experience. Building relationships takes effort and time, and timing is crucial. Persistence in pursuit is key.
Putting content where the audience is can provide credibility and visibility. Jay-Z's encouragement to put hour-long interviews on YouTube was key to the success of Zane Lowe's conversations. The point of impactful conversations is not necessarily to promote a project but to get inside the human experience and share knowledge. It takes time and effort to book the right guests, but the fun is in the pursuit. Timing is often key, and relationships can be built over years without getting the desired result. The most valuable conversation is the one that touches people's lives and leaves a lasting impact.
The Importance of Authenticity and Building on Success: Genuine conversations and personal experiences can create impactful moments, even with lifelong idols. Keep striving for success while valuing authenticity.
No matter how much success you achieve, it's important to keep building and not rest on your laurels. Every artist is amazing and talented in their own way, but some moments in interviews can be more impactful than others, connecting with personal experiences or emotions. It's important to be genuine and have genuine conversations, even if it means sharing vulnerable moments. Sometimes, it's about waiting for the right moment, like having a pure conversation with a lifelong idol, which can be emotional and meaningful. The key takeaway is to keep building and striving for success, while also valuing authentic conversations and finding moments that resonate with you on a personal level.
Nurturing Emotion in Art and Life: Cherish every moment, invest time and energy into difficult situations, and use personal experiences to inform and enrich our understanding of the human experience.
It's important to allow and encourage artists to be emotional in their work, and not to try to steer them away from it. When dealing with difficult family situations such as a parent with dementia, it's important to cherish every moment and invest time and energy into making the most of it. Personal experiences, such as Lewis Howes' loss of his father, can inform and enrich our understanding of the human experience, and can help us relate to others who are going through similar situations. Investing time and energy into difficult situations can help us gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, and can help us find meaning and purpose in challenging times.
Transforming Pain into Growth and Appreciation for Life: Embrace life's challenges and seek growth, find appreciation in the present moment, and value the importance of connecting with loved ones.
Even in moments of extreme sadness and loss, there can be beauty and growth. Lewis Howes experienced deep pain and agony watching his father suffer, but his father's accident pushed him to become a greater version of himself and care more deeply about the human condition. Life is fragile and can change in an instant, but it's up to us to learn, grow, and apply those moments of change. It's important to appreciate what we have while we have it and to find reasons to come together and process life's challenges with those we love.
Investing Time and Effort in Personal Connections: Going beyond convenience and comfort to connect with loved ones can create lasting memories and a sense of gratitude. Personal connections can also challenge misconceptions about others and prepare us for the unknown.
Investing time with loved ones, even if it involves pain and inconvenience, is ultimately worth it. Taking the effort to connect, ask questions, and create memories can be a source of gratitude in the future. Breaking through the 'pain barrier' can be difficult, but facing these things down and being invested in our reality, no matter what it is, is important for preparing for the unknown. It's never too late to make the effort to connect, even if it's during inconvenient times like a pandemic. Additionally, misconceptions about individuals, especially in the music industry, can be challenged by taking the time to interview and connect with them personally.
The Rise of Openness and Vulnerability in Pop Music: Being genuine, curious, and open-minded allows for honest conversations and the freedom to reveal vulnerabilities, inspiring other artists to break free from the pressure of presenting a perfect image and embrace their true selves.
Pop music artists have become more open and transparent in recent times, revealing their vulnerabilities and opening up about their personal struggles. The new age music industry is breaking away from the traditional approach of presenting a perfect image and focusing more on the true humanity of the artists. Zane Lowe, a well-known music person, discovered that the key to unlocking these stories and having honest conversations with pop artists is through genuine curiosity, listening, and naivety. This openness and vulnerability are inspiring for other artists who have felt the pressure to present their best image and protect the rest. It's okay to let go, be vulnerable, and reveal your honest truths, even if it means being lesser than yes.
The Power of Authenticity and Self-Love in Today's Music Industry: Loving oneself is crucial for personal growth, fostering positive relationships, and overall well-being. Today's musicians prioritize authenticity and vulnerability, paving the way for increased connection with fans. Memories should be cherished as invaluable currency.
Pop stars who grew up in the public eye and developed careers in the industry have paved the way for artists to be able to walk the line with more knowledge, a better understanding of themselves, and a stronger sense of self. The current generation of public musicians appreciate the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in their music, making it easier for fans to relate and connect with them. Memories are the most valuable currency and should be prioritized in life. Loving oneself is just as important as loving others, and it can positively impact personal relationships and overall well-being. It is important to value oneself and prioritize personal growth and therapy if necessary.
The Magic of Art in Enhancing Life's Experience: Art connects us to life's intangible experiences, helping us understand and express ourselves. Balancing our goals and well-being, we should appreciate art and love ourselves to fully live with art's magic always within reach.
Art is the true experience of life. It is magical and comes from an intangible space, inspiring us to understand and express ourselves. Zane Lowe defines greatness as achieving a sense of understanding what you're trying to achieve in the moment while maintaining balance between achieving goals and living a rewarding life. We should allow ourselves to appreciate art and love ourselves to fully live. The more we understand the magic of art, the more we realize that it finds us when we need it, and it stays with us. Art is the true nature of life as it expresses every aspect of life, including conversation, music, film, and the written word.
