The second single from Miss Jupiter's upcoming sophomore album.

I wrote “Fear & Fame” on July 27, 2016 – during the last election cycle. While creative things that we feel are important can take a long time to gestate, smooth out, and release, I’d been performing this song at every show before quarantine. And though the twists & turns of 2020 have slowed progress on just about everything, and I surely lagged in a brooding stew of my own confusion, it suddenly became desperately important for me to release “Fear & Fame” before this next election – more important than perfection (no one ever reaches that anyway/it’s already there).

Most likely every artist wants to push their ideas out into the world as quickly as possible, while they’re still relevant, but also in an appealing or sensational way that encourages their reach. The most upsetting part is that issues like these have been relevant for as long as most of us have been alive, and won’t go away gracefully. Ever since the invention of media, from print, then film and television, propaganda and advertising have had people in their pockets. Not surprisingly, the inception of the internet and social media have followed suit.

“Fear & Fame” is an identification of two of the most widely-used tools to keep people in the grip of a megalomaniacal system, to our detriment and to the benefit of a select few. I hesitate to use the words “in power” or “elite” because those terms suggest that none of *us* have power or that none of *us* are special enough to live freely and comfortably.

Once helmed by tv and film, social media is now the critical method by which we are sold Fear, and Fame. We’re shown an ugly, uncaring, unbelievable world of the most catastrophic events and despicable actions – with little offering of solace, resolution, healing, or concrete solutions for counterbalance. Next we’re offered a shimmering gilded platter of celebrities and influencers, showing and telling us how we should look and how we should feel, what we should think and what we should do. The promise of a better life if we just get through – or ignore – the Fear. Algorithms insidiously and treacherously amplify both of these things, yet at a more moderate level, both are psychologically natural parts of life.

We need some Fear to keep us safe, but a chronic state of panic and worry deteriorates us from the inside. So we reach for Fame – and what more is that than popularity, attention, approval... Love? Comfort? The cycle perpetuates endlessly because we require these things, but each seems to lead into the other.

So what do we do about “Fear & Fame”? Can we escape it? Should we destroy it? As I noted earlier, these are natural elements of life. They won’t go away completely, but we can minimize & boil them down alchemically to more elemental matters. Personally, I have found that outdoor activities like hiking and rollerskating help me with Fear and stress. By exercising, I actually *exorcise* the demons that have taken hold in my psyche, and send them outwards. And by engaging in activity with some risk of physical injury, I’m more able to zoom in on immediate danger, rather than paranoiacally focusing on the looming existential threats of society. Besides this, being outdoors reminds me that I am held by the Earth, and simultaneously one with the planet I currently inhabit.

Confluently, when I set personal goals for myself, I am the only one I need to impress. As for Fame, I have placed limits on my social media usage, and made it a point to prioritize deep personal relationships with a handful of people to whom I am the most closely bonded; around whom I feel at home and natural – never judged or rated for external attributes. People whose love and support I know will always be there and that I reciprocate. That, in turn, makes me feel more safe.

I’d like to close by saying that I really appreciate those who support and encourage me, and that although sometimes my ego wants to take over, and I have to often remind myself of the mission, and though even I roll my eyes at myself when I say this – I do feel that what I write and the ideas that come through my brain are universal messages that I am destined to spread. But I’m not special; anyone can do this. So while sometimes I struggle in frustrated attempts to reach a wider audience, which conflict with my deeper understanding of the world, my aim is intact and I am here to serve this planet the best way I can.

Love & Life to all! 💜🧡