What is "making it" anyway?

[Poker99]

It isn't clear.

 

Is it decided by the media, or the population? Is it when you are known within your city, state, country, or world? Do you have to ask the average kid that leaves comments on youtube as to know if you "made it" or not? Is it when your music plays on the radio, or when we get to see your face on TV?

 

Who made it? People who are rich? Nickelback?

 

This line between "making it" and being a total unknown is now a lot more blurry thanks to the internet, youtube, and social media.

 

One thing I know, people are never satisfied.

[Dancebass]

It's a complete total manufacturing. Had some guys around here recently get signed to a major at their third gig. They were buddies with a guy that new a guy kind of thing. It had absolutely nothing to do with anything you ever hear about when it comes to everyone's "advice" on how to buil your band yadda yadda.

 

They were playing Johnny Joe's Sports Shack then 6 months later they were on lollapalooza. No "hit" or anything like that. They were on the lollapalooza bill before the record even came out.

 

It's all a scam.

[AudioArtist]

In my opinion, 'making it' is being able to live comfortably doing something you enjoy. You could be in a wedding band, or you could be a famous rock star. Either way if the bills are paid, you've got food to eat and a home to return to you're 'making it'.

 

There are alot of musicians who have been on the road, had a career etc. that have retired into obscurity and are happy people. There are others who still tour and release albums 10-20 years after they were 'famous'.

 

The thing not to do is be some labels poster child and get totally screwed on recoupable advance money. Most bigger groups make the most off of touring/shows, alot of the money made by album sales the artists see very little of.

 

But being happy is the ultimate goal right?

-Gabriel-

[daddymack]

Making it is subjective...and I think the traditional 'gold record' thing is out the window these days.

For some making it means being able to live on what they are earning as a musician, without compromising their material. For others, it is simply some level of recognition.

[Poker99]

 

Making it is subjective...and I think the traditional 'gold record' thing is out the window these days.

 

 

I don't believe some of the CD sales numbers I hear these days... Yes they are way down but imo its much worse than what we hear...

[Kramerguy]

"making it" is how I lost my virginity :poke:

[Poker99]

It's a complete total manufacturing. Had some guys around here recently get signed to a major at their third gig. They were buddies with a guy that new a guy kind of thing. It had absolutely nothing to do with anything you ever hear about when it comes to everyone's "advice" on how to buil your band yadda yadda. They were playing Johnny Joe's Sports Shack then 6 months later they were on lollapalooza. No "hit" or anything like that. They were on the lollapalooza bill before the record even came out. It's all a scam.

 

 

What is the name of that band?

 

EDIT : I'd say that in 2010, one measure of success could be to LAST. A band that lasts more than 3 years is doing something right

[PermaNoobie]

"making it" is how I lost my virginity :poke:

 

 

I was thinking on that and I think it kind of fits too

 

 

thing is, "making it" / "made it"-- has a pronoun that isn't defined in the expression.

 

he's "making it" with a girl

He's running a marathon and he's "making it" (through)

I "made it" to the party despite the snow.

 

and sort of like Daddymack says about subjectivity...it's left to be defined by the individual situation and, yeah, can even be used manipulatively - like people trying to sell you something

 

I guess if we break it down, "making it" could be something like

 

"making" - something like to produce through effort or work

"it" - a goal or objective

[sventvkg]

 

It isn't clear. Is it decided by the media, or the population? Is it when you are known within your city, state, country, or world? Do you have to ask the average kid that leaves comments on youtube as to know if you "made it" or not? Is it when your music plays on the radio, or when we get to see your face on TV? Who made it? People who are rich? Nickelback? This line between "making it" and being a total unknown is now a lot more blurry thanks to the internet, youtube, and social media. One thing I know, people are never satisfied.

 

 

Being able to support a life and a home through your art.

[ggm1960]

I'd break it right down into numbers.

 

I'd have to be getting a minumum of $3k a month in royalty income in order to guarantee that basic expenses will be paid for and then continue to increase that amount as well as collect everyday money through performances, publishing, appearances and whatever else I have time for.

 

In other words, at this point I won't be quitting my day job!

[Kramerguy]

 

Being able to support a life and a home through your art.

 

 

I generally have to agree here. Whether your living standard is a mansion on 50 acres, or a rented 1BR efficiency apartment above a roach infested burger joint... If you can live your life off the money you make with music, then you have made it. Although, in the latter.. best not to get appendicitis or anything..

[3shiftgtr]

"Making It" is personal, because whatever "IT" is, us up to the artist.

 

I've said it before; a life in art takes many forms.

[Next Direct]

“Making it” is too subjective.

 

It used to be that signing a record deal that would flick the switch inside a musician’s head: “holy {censored}, we’ve made it!”

 

But I also think that “making it” can be about setting yourself apart from people who have not “made it”. It’s another form of distinction-seeking, hence why people will consider just about anything they do, being in a band that they enjoy, “making it”, which, if you think about it, is a bit silly. Obviously, if you are in a band you love but not making any money or have no recognition and someone else is in a band they love, that are very popular, on TV, playing shows around the world, one of you has made it and the other doesn’t fit the same definition of “making it”.

 

There’s a big debate in the photography community about what makes one a professional; is it the quality of the work, or whether you are well-known and do it for a living?

 

I know it’s subjective, but IMHO, “making it” entails being able to support yourself from your artistic endeavour. You are “making” a living, so to speak.

 

Of course, some will be able to support themselves on a few hundred bucks a week through music, and others will earn millions playing music too, but both have “made it” in my eyes.

[Poker99]

Nice post. I think that we even have to make a distinction between the money part and the recognition part these days! I'm sure a lot of artists are well-known but piss poor!

[Cobain.David]

These days? With the music economy what it is?

 

"Making it" is using your band to get laid despite your long hair.

 

*after a night of gigging and morning sex*

"Wow. I got laid. I'm a rock star now. ugh what itches?"

 

Congrats you made it.

[richardmac]

 

“Making it” is too subjective. It used to be that signing a record deal that would flick the switch inside a musician’s head: “holy {censored}, we’ve made it!” But I also think that “making it” can be about setting yourself apart from people who have not “made it”. It’s another form of distinction-seeking, hence why people will consider just about anything they do, being in a band that they enjoy , “making it”, which, if you think about it, is a bit silly. Obviously, if you are in a band you love but not making any money or have no recognition and someone else is in a band they love, that are very popular, on TV, playing shows around the world, one of you has made it and the other doesn’t fit the same definition of “making it”. There’s a big debate in the photography community about what makes one a professional; is it the quality of the work, or whether you are well-known and do it for a living? I know it’s subjective, but IMHO, “making it” entails being able to support yourself from your artistic endeavour. You are “making” a living, so to speak. Of course, some will be able to support themselves on a few hundred bucks a week through music, and others will earn millions playing music too, but both have “made it” in my eyes.

 

 

This post is spot on accurate, and I agree. Really well put. I am pretty much agreeing with every one of your posts, Next Direct. Good stuff.

[Nijyo]

 

These days? With the music economy what it is? "Making it" is using your band to get laid despite your long hair. *after a night of gigging and morning sex* "Wow. I got laid. I'm a rock star now. ugh what itches?" Congrats you made it.

 

 

Is that not what is best in life?

[Next Direct]

 

This post is spot on accurate, and I agree. Really well put. I am pretty much agreeing with every one of your posts, Next Direct. Good stuff.

 

 

Give it time. Sooner or later I'll put my foot in my mouth and come out with some baseless opinion masquerading as fact. It always happens. But that's why I come to forums like these, so you can learn form your mistakes and misconceptions and replace them with new information.

[BlueStrat]

This post is spot on accurate, and I agree. Really well put. I am pretty much agreeing with every one of your posts, Next Direct. Good stuff.

 

 

Yep, I agree. The boy's a keeper!

[sventvkg]

“Making it” is too subjective. It used to be that signing a record deal that would flick the switch inside a musician’s head: “holy {censored}, we’ve made it!” But I also think that “making it” can be about setting yourself apart from people who have not “made it”. It’s another form of distinction-seeking, hence why people will consider just about anything they do, being in a band that they enjoy , “making it”, which, if you think about it, is a bit silly. Obviously, if you are in a band you love but not making any money or have no recognition and someone else is in a band they love, that are very popular, on TV, playing shows around the world, one of you has made it and the other doesn’t fit the same definition of “making it”. There’s a big debate in the photography community about what makes one a professional; is it the quality of the work, or whether you are well-known and do it for a living? I know it’s subjective, but IMHO, “making it” entails being able to support yourself from your artistic endeavour. You are “making” a living, so to speak. Of course, some will be able to support themselves on a few hundred bucks a week through music, and others will earn millions playing music too, but both have “made it” in my eyes.

 

Right.