How early is TOO early? (Patreon)

Hey folks! 

After sharing a very early version of Neon Red this week & seeing some responses to the changes, it got me thinking 'How early in a song's creative process is too early to share it?'

Please bear in mind this is very much not a big deal or anything, just kind of thinking out loud & sharing those thoughts with ye :) 

As I don't usually share stuff when it's so early in the process, a few of ye were somewhat disappointed when the vocals & structure were completely changed. 

I totally get that - music is completely subjective of course & regardless of whether either version is 'better', peoples' ears always get used to hearing something one way and prefer it. This is a known psychological effect - the more we hear something, the more we like it and any changes can then feel jarring or out of place.  

This is why I usually don't share songs with ye until they are almost finished - what ye don't ever hear or know existed, ye can't ever miss the absence of! I think going forward little snippets and pieces are still fine, but regarding entire songs it's probably a better idea to hold off until I have a somewhat finalized arrangement & structure in place like I usually do - that way I won't disappoint anyone with all the changes I tend to make. 

This also lead to some people offering creative advice which, as a blanket rule, I never accept for various reasons, the main one being that my number one priority while creating has always been to make something that I want to listen to myself & that pleases my ears and I try not to let other peoples' opinions alter or compromise that. 

Audio mixing & sonic clarity are a different story - I am always open to constructive feedback regarding mixing & mastering or a sloppy performance etc, just never on writing or arranging as that is a very personal aspect of my work.

For the record, my decisions in changing from the smooth low vocals to the more raw, gritty vocal style in this one was simply that  I felt it was more fitting to the 'punk' influenced nature & high tech/low life aesthetic of the Cyberpunk genre. And the new chorus, to my ears, is a lot catchier & more memorable. 

Anyway, I hope you're all having a lovely summer & can't wait to share the videos with ye for these two songs. Keep rockin'!! <3

Gav