I really relate to those last few paragraphs. I used to think Kurt Cobains story was the biggest inspiration back when Nirvana was my favorite band and I used to think about suicide every day. Somebody who got their art out into the world and then took their life when they didn’t feel like living anymore. That was about 10 years ago. Nowadays the smashing pumpkins are more like my favorite band and I find a lot more inspiration Billy’s story and the fact that he stayed alive to continue struggling and has grown both musically and as an individual. It’s funny that I stumbled across this article because I discovered methusela recently and have been listening to it a lot lately. As billy says in here is no why, “if you’re giving in then youre giving up.” Thank you for writing this.
It's interesting that you brought this up—I hadn't considered it while writing, but I also used to find empowerment in an artist choosing for themselves when their life should end (for example, I admired Hunter S. Thompson for following through on his lifelong promise to die by his own hand.) But isn't this just the refusal to grow and change taken to its absolute extreme? I'm so happy to hear that you didn't get trapped in this type of thinking. Billy's music really is the perfect guide whenever life tests you. Thank you for reading and for your comment.
What a wonderfully, achingly touching piece.
I really relate to those last few paragraphs. I used to think Kurt Cobains story was the biggest inspiration back when Nirvana was my favorite band and I used to think about suicide every day. Somebody who got their art out into the world and then took their life when they didn’t feel like living anymore. That was about 10 years ago. Nowadays the smashing pumpkins are more like my favorite band and I find a lot more inspiration Billy’s story and the fact that he stayed alive to continue struggling and has grown both musically and as an individual. It’s funny that I stumbled across this article because I discovered methusela recently and have been listening to it a lot lately. As billy says in here is no why, “if you’re giving in then youre giving up.” Thank you for writing this.
It's interesting that you brought this up—I hadn't considered it while writing, but I also used to find empowerment in an artist choosing for themselves when their life should end (for example, I admired Hunter S. Thompson for following through on his lifelong promise to die by his own hand.) But isn't this just the refusal to grow and change taken to its absolute extreme? I'm so happy to hear that you didn't get trapped in this type of thinking. Billy's music really is the perfect guide whenever life tests you. Thank you for reading and for your comment.