Home
Creators
Search Recent Missing Random
Posts
Search DMs Popular Hash Lookup Tags Random
Importer
Import FAQ
Register Favorites Keys Review DMs Logout
Community
Telegram ThePornDude
Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

Weeklies: The Song Is Never Done (Until It Is) + Jordan Con Weekend (Patreon)

Published:
2026-04-14 15:00:07
Imported:
2026-09
Tags:

Content

Greetings Gunn Runners

First, a quick note. I'm so excited that this video is BLOWING up on TikTok and Instagram. Tens of thousands of views! Woot!

I released a new song this week. But I'm gonna re-record it.

My voice was rough. So it wasn't the final version. I put it out anyway.

There are two kinds of "not ready."

The first is real: the song doesn't know what it wants to be yet, the lyric isn’t right, something is broken.

The second is not perfect. That one will eat you alive if you let it.

"The First Rule of Flying" was done. The bones were right. The feeling was there. My voice just didn't cooperate.

Here's the thing about waiting for perfect: the moment passes. I wrote that song for Serenity. I wanted it done for the In the ‘Verse podcast now. The Firefly animated series conversation is happening now. A flawless recording released six weeks late is worth less than an honest one released today. I can’t sit on it and wait for perfect.

But I'd be lying if I said it didn't cost me something to hit publish.

I want every release to be the definitive one. Whether I record it live or record individual tracks. I want it to be the one people point to. Putting out a rough vocal feels like showing up to a first impression wearing yesterday's clothes.

Except audiences are smarter than that. My people don't need the polished version to feel the song. Sometimes the rough one lands harder. There's something in an imperfect take that says I needed you to hear this right now in a way a pristine studio recording can't fake.

So I'll re-record it. And it'll be better for having already lived in the world. I'll know if it connects. I'll know what line hit. I'll know what to protect.

Get it out. Then get it right. In that order.

The song is never done. But sometimes it's done enough.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

POLL: Do you prefer the rough early version of a song or the polished final cut? Is there one where you actually liked the demo better?

My projects and upcoming events:

JORDAN CON — Atlanta, April 17 Jordan Con is almost here! This is the convention inspired by Wheel of Time author Robert Jordan, and I'll be in Atlanta for it. Friday night, April 17, I'm playing "The Yearly Brawl" — come find me and let's throw down. If you're going to be there, hit me up! Get tickets to Jordan Con.

NEW SONG ON PATREON — "The First Rule of Flying" Gunn Runners, a new song just dropped on Patreon! "The First Rule of Flying" is my song inspired by the Big Damn Movie, Serenity. It's a celebration of Browncoat culture told from inside the 'Verse. The crew of Serenity just did something brave, and the rest of us are still picking up the pieces. Fair warning: my voice is still recovering, so a polished version is coming. But I wanted it out in time for the podcast. Go listen!

NEW IN THE 'VERSE PODCAST EPISODE Speaking of Serenity… Mikey Mason and I just dropped a new In the 'Verse episode. We watched the Big Damn Movie together and wrote our new songs. We also talked all about the upcoming Firefly animated series. If you've got feelings about Firefly (and I know you do), this one's for you. Link in the usual place!

Side note. I have a new album pin! I just need to get into the store.

PATRONAGE HAS ITS PERKS

Gunn Runners got something this week nobody else did. "The First Rule of Flying" dropped exclusively on Patreon before anywhere else. Rough voice and all. That's the deal with being a patron: you get in early, you get the real version, and you get the story behind it.

If you've been thinking about joining, this is a good week to do it. The song is up. The podcast context is fresh. And more is coming.

Become a Gunn Runner!

Patreon Subscribers: 146 paid, 517 total members

If you can’t financially support me right now, no worries. You can still follow my Patreon for free and get updates. Please follow me now!

Files

One daughter. One father. Singing Irish songs at Sherwood Forest Faire.

So much fun at Sherwood Forest Faire! #sherwoodforestfaire #sherwood #irishsongs #fatherdaughter #renaissancefestival

Comments

Bert Bronaugh

So, I'm of two minds on your question.  On one hand, the phrase/proverb of "Perfect is the enemy of good" comes to mind, which pushes you to release before you're ready, publish before it's perfectly polished, and get it out there before it languishes too long on the drawing board. If you're working on something that you feel is really impactful and should be shown to others, make it known and shown. It's never going to be "perfectly ready" and if you wait until it is, you might not ever publish it (or if you do, it won't be nearly as impactful as you feel it should be). Like you said, you “can’t sit on it and wait for perfect”.  And also during that process, I feel you shouldn't be "beta testing" on your audience at large. There should be some thought, preparation, and work that goes into each work before you pronounce it "ready for release". Based on your years and countless hours of effort that you've put into your podcasts and recordings, we expect a "finished" song to feel, well…finished, and I recognize that can probably feel like a pretty high bar.  Now, that’s not to say that you can’t re-record something. I’d love to hear both versions of “The First Rule of Flying”, because twice the Shiny. You demonstrating your willingness to re-record, reconsider, re-release shows us that we can do the same on our own creative journeys. Maybe an avenue to explore for some of these ideas might be a livestream, where you invite others to watch you test out song pieces and melodies you’ve been hatching. Solo or with others, livestream chat or completely on your own, that’s entirely up to you. There’d be basically zero expectations for “studio-level polish” there, and we’d get another glimpse at the creative process at work.  I think it depends on how you present it. If I’m hearing a song sung from the heart, one that was released when the artist felt it was the right time, I’ll be happy. Your voice may not always cooperate, and that’s okay; I subscribed to The Celtfather not for the perfect vocals, but for the spirit that moves them, and that’ll come through even if the voice doesn’t. Ultimately, I think I’m landing on “Keep doing what you’re doing. I love it.”. Keep up the great work on your studio recordings, and don’t worry about a “Rough Cut” here and there; we’re here for it all.  Thank you again for the heartfelt effort and songs. Sláinte!

Tracy O'Shea

I honestly love rough versions. I grew up around musical people, most of what they played was rough, just playing to practice or test the tuning of new strings. Rough music feels more personal than the perfect, finished product.