B-Side Guys

Self-sufficiency takes many forms, but Jimmy Stanfield’s approach involves rejecting the premise that money determines lifestyle quality. His “Maybe I’m Doing Something Right by Me” operates as manifesto and celebration simultaneously, documenting someone who has discovered that contentment doesn’t require financial prosperity. The Melbourne-based artist’s decision to self-produce while collaborating with established musicians like Joe Auckland reflects this same independence—taking control where possible while accepting help when it enhances the work.

The instrumental arrangement creates space for optimism without ignoring underlying tensions. Auckland’s trumpet and flugel horn work provides celebratory flourishes that feel earned rather than forced, while Noah Bond’s drumming maintains steady forward momentum that supports rather than overwhelms Stanfield’s multi-instrumental approach. Vicki Thorpe’s flute adds textural variety that prevents the arrangement from becoming too assertive or self-congratulatory.

Stanfield’s lyrical perspective challenges conventional success metrics through direct confrontation rather than philosophical abstraction. When he observes “You do anything to get it / But feel nothing when you have it,” he’s documenting the hollow achievement that comes from pursuing external validation. The repeated affirmation “Maybe I’m doing something right by me” functions as both question and answer—uncertainty transformed into confidence through repetition and lived experience.

His vocal delivery carries the conviction of someone who has tested these ideas against reality rather than simply adopting them as intellectual position. The performance suggests genuine relief at having discovered sustainable happiness rather than manufactured enthusiasm for trendy minimalism. When he declares “No money won’t stop me this time,” the phrasing indicates past struggles with financial limitations that have been resolved through perspective shift rather than income increase.

“Maybe I’m Doing Something Right by Me” works because it documents genuine contentment rather than performing it. Stanfield has created something that serves as both personal confirmation and invitation to others who might benefit from similar recalibration. The track suggests that certain forms of wealth can’t be measured financially, and that recognizing this distinction might be the first step toward actually achieving them.