---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Usually I'm trying to get away from my…"
description: "\"Usually I'm trying to get away from my discography. I don't think I could tear down everything I've done, the structures I've created - you know, like ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d5/john-vanderslice-27175_cheating_usually-i-m-trying-to-get-away-from-my-d_2478363.jpg"
---

#  Usually I'm trying to get away from my discography. I…

![“Usually I'm trying to get away from my discography. I don't think I could tear down everything I've done, the structures I've created - you know, like what Miles Davis did eight times in a row, which was destroy every kind of crutch or system he had for making music. That's very, very difficult…” quote by John Vanderslice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d5/john-vanderslice-27175_cheating_usually-i-m-trying-to-get-away-from-my-d_2478363.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d5/john-vanderslice-27175_cheating_usually-i-m-trying-to-get-away-from-my-d_2478363.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d5/john-vanderslice-27175_cheating_usually-i-m-trying-to-get-away-from-my-d_2478363.jpg)

> “Usually I'm trying to get away from my discography. I don't think I could tear down everything I've done, the structures I've created - you know, like what Miles Davis did eight times in a row, which was destroy every kind of crutch or system he had for making music. That's very, very difficult. When I reflect on my catalog, I'm very proud of it, and I love it, but what I want to do now is completely different. When I don't do something different, I feel like I'm cheating - consciously or unconsciously stealing from myself.”

[John Vanderslice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-vanderslice/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Artists must break from past patterns to stay authentic, even if it feels like betraying earlier work.

**In simple terms:** Changing style is essential for artistic honesty.

Key Takeaway

Embrace creative evolution.

Themes

art creativity growth authenticity change

Mood

reflective determined

Type

artistic personal

When to use this quote

- album production
- songwriting
- genre experimentation
- career transitions

Key Concepts

self‑reflection artistic integrity innovation

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance honoring past work with new directions?
- What fears arise when redefining your art?

A Different Perspective

Risk of alienating existing fans.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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## More by John Vanderslice

> [Analog was perfected over 70 years, though. Digital will one day be fantastic. I'm sure of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-vanderslice/analog-was-perfected-over-70-years-though-digital-will-one-day-be/)

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[Explore all 21 John Vanderslice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-vanderslice/)

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> [“For me, it´s sloth," I say. "Hedonistic sloth and escapism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-finnamore/for-me-it-s-sloth-i-say-hedonistic-sloth-and-escapism/)

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