I'm starting the new year by resurrecting my Newgrounds... mmmmhehehetehehe

Back in 2022, I started to use Newgrounds frequently as my skills making music picked up and I felt like I was ready to publish stuff. Not only that, but I also knew this site had an excellent community of creatives, so I published music and commented often as a means of interacting with people. In 2023, I had about a good two months of posting and collaborating... then dropped off the site. Why did this happen? Truthfully, something didn't feel right with my content. I couldn't tell you why it took ten months to unstick myself and use this website again, but all throughout that time, I had creative expression on my mind. Well, my strange episode is over, and now, I'm ready to do all kinds of fun things!

So, as I return to Newgrounds, I'll write this post so I can do some reflection, some appreciation, and some goal setting. I can speak about the community I've found here on Newgrounds, as well as to my shifting relationship with art.

I started the Junesdale "project" (project, as in "creating and publishing single songs whenever I felt like it") without plans for any big, long-term cornerstone creations. I just wanted an unorganized publishing ground for some experiments in electronic music - and right now, I think I still want that. At some point, however, I realized that I had nothing substantive to share, no meaningful designs, no ideas to communicate through creativity... where's the fun in doing this if there's only a sensationalist dimension to the stuff you make!?!?

I don't mind making weird music for the fun of it, not at all - but it didn't feel right knowing that I had nothing to say in my creative work.

How did I imagine a fix for this? I thought an album would do it... a collection of songs with some real thought put into them.... yesss. I started to make an album in March. I made half a song, then gave up. I'll be honest: I learned I don't give a shit about the format of an album - and, at least for what I was thinking, loud instrumental electronic music felt like a pretty weak medium to convey anything substantive. Therefore, after stopping production on the album, I figured music is only one part of a good creation that could communicate something compelling. I still retained my love for making weird music, but at this time, I set my creative sights elsewhere. I started to think about what thing I could make that would be inspired, fun, and at least somewhat intelligent.

I had this stark change of mind because I forgot just how benevolent or inspired art can be. What reminded me of this? Several things. One of them was Newgrounds. You can see awesome stuff happening every day on this website. I'll say this clearly: there are so many talented composers, producers, visual artists, programmers, and makers on this website. I'm so grateful that I've had the chance to talk and collaborate with people on Newgrounds. I use this website because there's no place I'd rather put my creative work, no place I'd rather be.

Anyways... all that to say I will continue publishing weird music whenever I feel like it. As I envision a bigger creative project, I can only develop it slowly, carefully, and quietly. The only thing left for me to publish is music, as usual. (and any COLLABS!!!!) You might hear more palatable music now, and less intolerable experimentation. As I put together new melodies and harmonies every day, I believe the music I publish will reflect this work... maybe. We'll see...

As for a "bigger creative project," I can only talk concepts. I will become an authentic member of Gen Z and try out game development. I've added the habit of learning Godot to my daily routine right next to my music routines. I'll try this and see if I take a liking to it.

I will also be appreciating all of the great stuff people are making on this website. If I comment on your creations or reach out to you, it's because I believe you're making something with some real quality.

Anyways, that is all I have to say. I value the creative dimension of my life greatly, and even as the creative projects I have are still mostly daydreams, the process of writing and revising is greatly satisfying in and of itself. Still, I can't wait to see what the process leads to. On top of this, the community on this website is spectacular, and I'm going to make a point of viewing, listening, and playing the content people make.

My biggest thanks go out to my closest friends on the platform: @AlesBrewery, @gooberthed, @IcyMire32, @jOnline, @moldbun, @MorrowManners, @pollyanoid, and @splenduhdoy. You are all the best.

Anywayyssss.... let's all create some fucking cool shit.