The Car Test
#big-ideas #craftsmanship
You need to have the discipline to hit pause and understand if your work meets the standards we set for ourselves and consumers. We need to have tests for our work to pass. ==Max Martin subjects every finished song to what he calls "the LA Car Test." In it, he blares the song as he drives the PCH to see how it sounds, feels, and if it enhances the experience he's having.==
When working on Watch the Throne, he recounted his time working with Kanye West. As they sat down to co-produce a song, Kanye said: "I'm bringing Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen over because they're like my thermometer for what white girls listen to, I guess." You need to have ways to beta test your work with others to get to the best possible result. The test will be different depending on the product, but they're critical to get feedback so you can tweak the product as a whole.
When you find yourself hesitating to share your work, listen to that hesitation—it's telling you something important. Our reluctance to promote our creations often stems not from modesty but from an inner knowing that we haven't yet produced our best. The fear of external judgment is merely a reflection of our own internal critique. As creators, we instinctively recognize when we're holding back our full potential. The litmus test is simple: when sharing your work feels natural and authentic rather than forced or uncomfortable, you'll know you've created something that truly represents your capabilities. Your willingness to promote becomes the mirror that reflects your genuine pride in what you've made.