I have been writing songs and or performing for the last 35 years as an
indie artist. I know a little about the music business; maybe more than you,
maybe less. That is not really that important to the theme of my blog. Hope
something I say sparks your interest and gets you going.
Do's and dont's are what I am going to write about. Yes, there will be some
things I will say that others have said already and other comments might
surprise and enlighten you. These are different times you know. Wishful
thinking will get you know where! Be proactive in some way every day in every
way. Remember the 3 R's. Reflect, regroup and relentless pursuit of your dreams
are the key ingredients to your happiness and success.
What is an indie artist? I keep it simple and call it independent; not
signed by any major label. You can add your own definition to mine if you so
desire. Independent is what it is. That can be a good thing. Most people or
bands today want to be independent. I mean, if you could sell 500,000 CD's or
downloads on your own, that might be a beautiful thing because you keep the
profits. Get my point?
We have all heard of horror stories of major labels or big management
"jacking" the artist. Creedence Clearwater Revival in the 1960's was
victimized by bad management and record deals in their career. Collective Soul,
in the modern era, from the great state of Georgia, started their own label
once they were able to get away from their contract. I don't know of any issues
they specifically had, but artistic freedom is everything to us indie folk. The
list goes on. I am not telling you to avoid signing with a major record label.
If you get that opportunity, I recommend getting an entertainment attorney to
help you. Otherwise, the odds are you will get out smarted because you, the
artist, will be up on the ceiling full of yourself if you are in the producers
office. I guarantee it! You will get out foxed; not because you’re stupid, but
because that is not your specific craft. Don't try and play hardball; get the
attorney to do that for you. You concentrate on perfecting your music.
Let me get to the meat of this article. Do find someone to make your
work sound good. It doesn't always have to be Pro Tools HD, (but it sure helps)
that a studio is using. Sound quality is important. With the emergence of
SoundCloud and Reverbnation, JANGO, with some pretty basic software, you can upload
your quality demo. I wouldn't expect miracles from your low budget work, but
there still are objective people in the industry that can see the idea and
potential of your song (s). Have some fun. Post your stuff on the Internet. Tell
your friends and family to listen and build a fan base. Fan bases can come in
very handy down the road.
If you are like that young male pop artist from Canada that made Youtube
videos and got lucky a few years ago; awesome! Do it. J.B. had something
the A & R people were looking for and he had amazing timing for that sort
of avenue to get discovered. Absolutely shoot videos of you performing. Make
sure it's decent though. If you do get a look or a listen, you definitely want
to look and sound your best. Video also will boost the acceptance of your song
if it's good and put you in a whole new ballgame. Most of the people of
the world today are audio visual seekers.
Do everything you can to market your work. Be diversified. Follow vocational
school and college radio stations; ask for people to write a review on your
material. Good or bad, you will learn or should learn what to do better. Enter
song contests that don't cost you a bunch of money. Some might send you back a
"Finalist", "Runner-up" or "Honorable Mention."
Make a sticker that says that and slap it on your web site or CD cover to
attract attention.
Other contests, like Youbloom, http://www.youbloom.com/ is free to
you. They have an Artist and Repertoire (A&R) department that are committed
to listening to every song entered. If your song is "special" as the
industry likes to say, then good things might happen for you. Get your fan
bases to vote for your song and work your way up to the finals. You might just
win 10 GRAND or some other real nice prizes. At the very least people from all
over the world will hear your music. Now that's pretty cool; wouldn't you
agree? I’d be in the ongoing contest for just that alone! Be heard. Have some fun and share your work.
Do it all! Leave no rock unturned, expect silence and rejection. I always
say, "I will be a fool 9 times if on the 10th I am successful, then all the
hard knocks go away." Pay your dues. No instant gratification or overnight
successes happen and if it does, expect a short life artistically. Seek out
people who are better than you to work with or ask for help. Don't think you
are so good that someone couldn't give you a new or better idea.
Lastly, DON'T EVER GIVE UP!" Like a baby at the beginning of life, you
roll over, you learn to crawl, stand up, fall down, walk, and eventually run.
Some days you go nowhere. But be ready when the opportunity presents itself for
you to showcase your craft. RUN!!! Be courteous, grateful and thankful. If you
need to hear someone tell you they believe in you, and it can be very lonely
trying to make it as an indie artist, then come closer to the screen...psst, I
BELIEVE IN YOU! Now get busy and go write and/or play one of your best songs
for the mirror or a million people. The world awaits you my friend. Be heard. Good
luck. MGM
