Lately I've been feeling drawn toward the path of the 'outsider artist.' It certainly appeals to my curmudgeonly side. Screw networking! Screw sucking up to industry types! Damn the man, and all that.

Plus, I've always been a cheapskate, so I'm considering going zero-budget-lo-fi for my next album.

But there are a few problems with this idea. First off, I'm not sure if I can be a self-proclaimed outsider artist. You probably have to be considered an outsider by your peers. The label also seems a bit pretentious, as in, "You may not like me, but that's because you don't understand me."

The main problem though, is that I think most outsider artists are... just plain bad. I like singing in tune. I like songs with more than three chords. Daniel Johnston is interesting and it's great that he writes songs. But I don't actually want to listen to his music.

Somehow the whole idea of the Outsider Artist is snobby and guileless at the same time. That's what bothers me. If an artist pretends to be bad in order to have the outsider 'sound,' that's deceitful. But if an artist is authentically bad, that's commendable? I think not.

In short, I'm confused and would love your input.