Independent singer-songwriter Scott A. Flaxman’s new single "The Love of Strangers" explores the emotional distance between artistic ambition and the doubt that often comes from an artist’s inner circle. It comes down to the difference between being rejected by people who know you and getting real validation from people who don't.
“The Love of Strangers” creative work is so personal that criticism from our closest friends can be particularly hard to take. The song explores that emotional divide and instead points us to an unlikely source of encouragement.
Distance doesn't keep one from realizing the importance of what an artist does, just as personal closeness doesn't always guarantee understanding. That contrast is what gives “The Love of Strangers” its emotional identity. The music seems less about dealing with criticism and more about what validation can mean when it comes from outside the comfort zone. While strangers may not be personally related to the artist, their reaction can sometimes feel more objective and significant because it is based on the work itself. That outlook lends Scott A. Flaxman’s new song a contemplative quality. It mirrors the delicate interaction between an artist and the opinions that surround him and his vision.
“The Love of Strangers” suggests that the creative process is not always understood by those who surround it. Recognition sometimes comes from unexpected sources, and sometimes the people who know the least about the artist are the ones best able to perceive the work clearly.