Musicians often find themselves entwined in the intricate dance between their creative endeavors and family life. The delicate balance between a relentless career in music production and the joys of fatherhood demands finesse, dedication, and a symphony of passion for both beats and family bonds.
Nate VanDeusen, an adept chill- and tropical house music producer, offers invaluable tips on managing the intricate juggle of work and family life.
Mastering the Balance: Tips from a Musician Father
Nate, a devoted father and seasoned musician, recognizes the challenge but firmly believes that with determination, one can carve out the time needed for both:
“Having a job with music means a lot of late nights writing music after everyone has gone to sleep. It means trading-off other fun things like video games or watching a movie in order to take advantage of the little free time I have to work on my next project.”
When asked if the effort is worth it, Nate’s response is unequivocal:
“At the moment it can seem like a lot of work, but whenever I look back on all the music I have made, I really have no other thoughts other than I wish I had made even more.”
Much like the intricate dance between melodies and family, Nate emphasizes the importance of seamlessly weaving family into the fabric of his musical journey. Even at the tender age of two, Nate has introduced his son to the world of music production, sharing adorable videos on his Instagram that suggest the little one might be the secret behind VanDeusen’s Spotify-streamed tracks.
“I love spending time with my son and making music. Combining those two things just made sense to me. I want to introduce music to my son at a young age gently. Younger than when I picked up music. So, he is able to make music even better than I can. If he should decide he wants to, of course!”
Another challenge in managing work and life balance in music is the perpetual pursuit of fun. For many, what begins as a musical hobby evolves into a profound passion. Nate, who started his songwriting journey at 15, acknowledges that life transforms along with the musical journey. Is it possible to continue loving music-making, even when it means foregoing the simple pleasures of unwinding after a demanding day?
“Making music is always enjoyable for me but I do think many musicians struggle between creating music that is 100% for themselves and making music that “sells well”. What I have realised is that music that “sells well” is just another metric showing that a large audience resonates with what you are creating. So, in order to stay relevant and continue growing your music career you have to create what performs well.
The same goes for when you make your music. If you only make music when you want to, it is easy to fall behind on releasing consistently and easy to lose any kind of fan base that you have worked up to. I love making music and want to keep making it for as long as I can, so sometimes I have to push myself to continue growing as an artist.”
So, we’ve established that it’s no easy feat, but the rewards make it worthwhile. The next question is: How do you achieve this delicate balance? Mastering the art of effective time management is the linchpin in this intricate dance. Nate generously shares his practical tips and tricks for being the father, employee, and musician he is today.
“The best advice I have to balance music with a job is to keep making music any chance you get. If you are anything like me, you love making music, that’s all that really matters. Organise your goals and prioritise your time on the projects that you can actually fully complete. For a tangible piece of advice- create some lists, I’ve been using a lot of bulleted lists to organise which of the many projects I will work on next and then I check them off when I finish one and move onto the next.”
The Harmony of Family and Music
Balancing the roles of a music producer and a father is undeniably challenging yet deeply enriching in the grand symphony of life. By skillfully conducting the orchestra of effective time management, prioritizing responsibilities, and seamlessly integrating family into the musical narrative, musician-fathers can create a rhapsody of life that harmoniously blends the demands of their passion with the joys of fatherhood. In this delicate dance, fathers find fulfillment in the crescendos of their musical achievements and the sweet harmonies of love and connection shared with their families.
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