Friendless writes to his 14-year-old self

Sydney-based producer Friendless has recently dropped his new single, Intoxicating ft. Jade Alice. To coincide with the release, he wrote a letter to his 14-year-old self:

Dear 14-year-old me. 

Well well well. 

First off, those frosted tips don’t age well. But you do you.

The good news is that 20 years later you’re still here. Neither of us saw that coming, especially with your teenage infatuation with every single member of the ’27 Club’.

Of course, that club has grown considerably during the intervening years. Most of whom weren’t that same iconic age but tragic, nonetheless. But I’m not writing to the past to merely address your already burgeoning mental health issues specifically, this letter is more to give you some advice and insight into navigating this shit fight of a career path. 

Hunter S Thompson famously said “The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.”  We love that quote, but the quote that we shall base todays correspondence on is a much simply one from your brother James, ‘You really haven’t made it easy for yourself have you’ 

And how true that is. 

Only the craziest lovers of music stay in this game hit after hit after hit. You are one of those fools. A global pandemic could’ve given you a perfect opportunity to re skill and fuck off, but you didn’t. 

You’ll never learn, will you?

If memory serves me correctly, you are just beginning in your first band. So much promise, so much potential. Like many of the bands after this one it will end after moderate success, due to another member essentially letting you and your other bandmates down; either losing their minds or throwing in the towel for greener pastures. Or both. 

This isn’t their fault, and this can be your first real slice of wisdom from older you. Collaborate fearlessly. Trust dangerously. BUT FFS KID DON’T RELY TOO HEAVILY ON OTHER PEOPLE FOR YOUR OWN SUCCESSES. 

This is true in every industry, nigh in every kind of human relationship of course. People will let you down. You will let people down. However, if you establish strong lines of communication and boundaries rooted in trust so many troubles stemming from these unfortunate events can be mitigated or avoided entirely. 

Having said this however it is your failures that are always your greatest teachers. You kept reinventing yourself every time you hit a wall, but it is always music. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you what kind of music I am making now, I mean to be fair, it doesn’t even exist yet. 

But forgive me I digress. I’m meant to be giving you tips. Let’s have a think. 

Practice more.  

You are one of those annoying people that are naturally talented but that at times has made you lazy. You’ve made up for it recently but in your earlier years when the bands were doing well you thought you could get away with the bare minimum. Please don’t do that. 

Stay humble, stay kind. 

You’ve been lucky in the way that you haven’t hit those staggering heights that turns many a friend into someone who doesn’t seem to know their day ones anymore. But still you’ve had your moments. We are all in this game together and success is fleeting. Don’t EVER think you’re better than anyone. 

Be openminded. 

You’re not discerning, you’re being a flog. You’ll go on to make your best music in electronica. I remember when you fancied yourself some sort of ‘purist’ that though dance music was beneath you. It’s not. Its freeing and progressive and fun and full of extremely forward-thinking wonderful people who you’ll love. 

Look after your health. 

You’ll never be able to avoid your struggles with depression, but you can make them more manageable by maintaining some semblance of balance in your lifestyle. Go on a bender, but then go for a walk. And don’t smoke as much weed. It just doesn’t work with your head. You don’t miss it. You wish you could get baked with some of your friends every now and then but meh. 

Invest in yourself. 

You spend a long time in a supporting role. Don’t avoid this but have a bit more faith in your own abilities. Everyone else sees it so fkn own it. Start writing songs. Now. They don’t all have to be good. Get your head around the studio earlier. What you can do yourself saves immeasurable amounts of money. Money that isn’t always with you. Read more. Expand you mind and try and experience the world through lenses that aren’t simply your own. 

Collaborate Collaborate Collaborate. 

Look I know I told you to rely on yourself but that’s because your bad experiences with unreliable people put you off collaborating for years. Like the heart broken single who is too afraid to fall again. Be strong on your own but be stronger in collaborations. And collaborate with all kinds of artists all the time. Don’t feel like there are lanes that can’t be crossed. It’s all just rhythm and melody. Don’t limit yourself there’s so much weird and wonderful. 

Purchase Synths. 

ALL OF THE SYNTHS.

You’ll thank yourself later. You only need a few guitars so start collecting synths as well. Believe me you’ll use them. And the good analogue ones keep getting more expensive. What I wouldn’t give to have a good collection now. 

I hope this short note helps. It’s not rocket science, but it does make sense. Would I change a few decisions? Sure. Do I have any regrets? Maybe. But at least we try, and we keep on trying. Just enjoy it all. The good and the bad. It’s all part of it. 

Oh, and there’s going to be something called Bitcoin. The second you hear of it buy as much of it as you can and hold onto it. You’ll thank me. 

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Check out Friendless’ new single, Intoxicating, featuring Jade Alice….

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