Underpromise

and overdeliver

I didn't have a newsletter last week as I was away on a well-deserved break.

First, we flew to Paris to see my favourite male pianist - Sofiane Pamart. Then from Paris, we caught a flight to Berlin, where we celebrated our friend's birthday.

It was fun, freezing and snowing.

If I was to sum up the short holiday - it was physically tiring but mentally relaxing, which is what I'm after.

By now, I understand myself a bit, and I know that 6 weeks of constant work is my breaking point. It was over 6 weeks since my Poland trip, and it was time to recharge.

However, I want to write about something else - inspired by Sofiane's concert.

The gig took place at Accor Arena in Paris; it was promoted as his solo performance. People doubted him, but he sold out, the first time a solo instrumentalist had done that.

Like everyone else, I expected him to play the piano for maybe an hour, which would be enough.

However, from the beginning, I could sense that this would be different, and it started when Kimberose, a french singer, came on stage to perform with Pamart.

Then throughout the evening, we had many French stars: rappers, DJs and singers - with whom he collaborated - come in and perform. Even his sister, a violin player, came on stage to play.

We had levitating piano, visuals, lights and rhythmic beats accompanying the piano player.

And the over 2.5 hours performance culminated with Pamart setting his piano alight with a flamethrower! 

A night to remember.

Not only the french crowd was going crazy each time a new, unexpected star came on the stage, but you could also feel how much work, care and love went into the whole performance.

The next day, after the emotions passed, I was left with some things on my mind.

The first was that it takes a lot of work, dedication and skilled people if you want to deliver something great. There is no way around it. Years of practice in a craft to make it look easy and flawless. But the insiders know that it is anything but easy.

The second thought was about overdelivering. See, it would be easy for Pamart to put on the poster all the guests and stars he featured and no doubt he would have had an easier time selling the tickets. But he didn't. He believed in himself.

Then, he surprised everyone in the arena repeatedly, exceeding everyone's expectations - no one could have predicted what would happen, and the memory will stay with people forever. The memory and the respect for the artist.

Under promise and overdeliver with a hint of mystery - it's the best strategy to be memorable, dazzle the audience, and mesmerise them.

The show was one of a kind, and I don't think it will happen again. Not only I came out with even more respect for the pianist but also with inspiration and awe.

It may have been one of the best deals I ever made.

PODCAST PRODUCER LATEST

Pseudocide Season 2 is still being released; the first four episodes are out, with two more to go!

This time the podcast will feature only one story - the disappearance of Patrick McDermot, the boyfriend of superstar Olivia Newton-John. Poppy and Alice follow the story and try to uncover what really happened and how much the tabloids played on people's emotions.

I'm working on the last Casefile episode of the year! How quickly the time goes!

But I've already started working on the next Casefile Presents podcast with another one in the queue. 

My work will shift slightly for the next 2 months from production and editing to more composing and mixing, and I look forward to it!

YOUTUBE

This week I released a video on the reasons to start a podcast.

LEARNING

On Saturday, we had our kickbox grading for the green belt; it was challenging, but we all passed. Four more to black!

I was also finalising the assignment for my course and booked another 1-2-1 with a tutor to go through the composition. I also have to start writing the commentary…

I've also ordered a few books on orchestration and shall commence the reading in December.

I went fully digital a few years ago and only read on my Kindle. However, the music books require score studies, and it's absolutely rubbish to do that on the device. So for the first time in ages, I ordered a physical book!

BOOKS

The Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson. Finally, the last book in the Second Era of Mistborn series is out! Sanderson is concluding the Wax and Wayne story, and I can't wait to discover how it will end.

#WeAreRent Book 1 by Fred Harrison. I read this book on the plane, and it's a writing by an economist who argues in favour of LTV - land value tax. The first book in the series describes the issues with current taxation, what rent really is and why it is unfair in its current form. As far as I can tell, there will be 3 books in this series, but only the first one is available now.

FUN

The Crown. We watched the latest season, 5. The show changed the actors again (for the 3rd time) and took place in 1991-1997. As with the previous seasons, the production and acting were incredible. However, this season was slower in pacing than the rest. Season 6 is filming, and it will be the last one.

Rock Orchestra. After our kickbox grading, we rushed home, had a shower and drove to see Rock Orchestra at Bristol O2. They played known rock and metal songs arranged for a small orchestra. It was awesome, a great performance from the musicians.

That's it for now. Thanks for reading, and I'll see you (hopefully!) next week!

Mike

https://mikemigas.com/

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