Vulnerability in the Recording Studio w/ Corey Congilio

This is an outtake from my conversation with Nashville-based Guitarist and Educator Corey Congilio. This discussion revolves around the challenge of approaching art from a vulnerable and open space and how that can feel like being naked in a war zone.

Corey shares some useful thoughts on self-love and fostering positivity in a collaborative environment that works for him when in the studio.

T.L.: I have a question: At the risk of using a buzzword...'vulnerability'..and the manner in which that voice is getting louder in the world of arts?

Corey: Right.

T.L.: One of the struggles I face now is...I know that this is my path, wherein I want to approach the arts from a space.

But there are colleagues I cannot engage with it from that space.

And I don't know if this is a strange topic to address. But sometimes it feels like being out in a war zone, trying to be vulnerable.

I'm probably doing a crap job of trying to getting my point across, but is that a struggle you've ever faced?

Corey: I think I know what you mean.

If someone like you is very comfortable with their own vulnerability, for one, that can make other people uncomfortable.

You have to put on a little bit of a suit of armor when you're around other people or, I'll say musicians, (because that's who I'm around a lot more). People who don't maybe have that sense of vulnerability, that aren't as comfortable like you might be with vulnerability.

I experienced that a lot in recording sessions in the studio.

I would care so much about the session and say things like ''I really think I could do a better job, let's do it again'', or ''this is not right for the track'', when everybody else is like, ''...yeah, it's good, whatever.....

I just played the hell out of that!'', you know?

Whereas I'm over there going ''yeah, I know I played it well, but....I think I could improve it a bit more''.

You don't do that here. You don't want to show that vulnerability.

Because that would mean everybody else would need to be questioning themselves....if you're questioning yourself, that means everybody else should probably do that too, you know?

But I'm always questioning!

Could this be better?

Could this be more refined?

Is this doing something better for the track or the situation?

So I understand what that's like to be around some folks who maybe don't want to be as vulnerable.

Eventually, you kind of learn how to read the room.

''...I love them''.

T.L.: And what do you do once you've read the room?

Corey: I love them.

And I say OK. I want to love this time I have with these people.

We're going to get to the finish line And everybody's going to be feeling good about it.

And I love myself in that moment.

T.L.: Mad respect.

Corey: I'm not always perfect at it.

Summary

Some individuals are more comfortable with their own vulnerability than others. And this can make others uncomfortable. Caring deeply about your work as an artist and striving for improvement during collaboration while being vulnerable and open may not land well with some of your co-artists. Usually because others may not share the same level of vulnerability.

The key is in learning to read the room and adapt. And accept the situation for what it is, and aim for a positive atmosphere at the end of which everyone feels like a winner.