I think the listener's standpoint is a lot more important than the artist's standpoint. Music is unique oral tradition. As a musician/writer/composer, you digest experiences and other musical ideas, and then you synthesize something new. I think when you set out to say something specific , or sound like a specific thing, it limits the potency of the art. The important thing I've learned is to be open and not put any kind of label on it, but just try to make a statement that is pure of heart.
