Clarity in Music Industry

Like all of you, I'm a musician. I posted earlier in the "How Artists Make Money Now" and pretty much everyone didn't agree with what I said. I respect that, but I want to clarify what I was trying to say.

I've found that I can't do it all. I'll fully admit that I don't know how to promote, I don't know how to book, I don't know how to schmooze or do any of that stuff. I don't know how to get on youtube and tape myself playing a song. I don't know how to master or make a good sounding recording. I just don't know how to do any of that stuff.

All I really know how to do is play and write music. I'm kind of shy, I play open mics and I've gotten compliments on my originals and the covers I do, but I don't know what else to do. I mean I play because I love to play. Even if no one were to hear my songs, I'd still write them. I have tablets and tablets of songs recorded on paper but I don't know how to go about getting them out to a larger audience without help.

I just don't get the whole public music industry anymore. I know they all say that you can do it all yourself without help, but what about people like me who can't do that?

I guess I'm just confused. There is no doubt in my mind why I do what I do, I have to do it. I have lots of original manuscript which is how I record my songs, and I simply can't stop writing and playing.

The whole business just confuses me. I mean it seems like fans want intimate connections with the artists, but I just don't seem to fit that mentality. I'm not one that wants to make a public display of myself, but I still know these songs need to be heard, but I don't know how to get people to hear them without help. I read that fans expect so much from the artists these days, blogs, youtube, records, merchandise, concerts. How does an artist find the time for all these things and still be able to focus on writing the tunes?

I can sort of see why record labels are important in helping artists, but today it seems like they just look for what sells, they don't take any chances, they don't "scout" for talent, or help the artist develop their skills.

Maybe if labels helped develop the artists and allow them the time and space to concentrate on the music while they took care of all the other business side stuff then the music industry would correct itself, do you think?

I'm just at a weird point. These songs need to be heard, but at the same time I don't want the spot-light, I really don't want to be known or be famous I just wish to find peace in the music. Can anyone relate?

Let me tell you something. Bob Dylan wouldn't mess around wasting time with youtube, facebook bull{censored}. He would be writing and performing and playing to his muse for him. I suggest you do the same and get out in front of as many people as you can.

Also, if you want your songs heard, I would go to a big town and start playing as much as possible. If you are good and the music resonates with the people you'll develop a following and it will all grow from there. Have fun with it though.

All of the Internet skills that you said you lack, you can learn them in a week. (promised, if you're serious I can help)

Mastering is a professional occupation and a musician isn't expected to have pro-mastering/recording skills, although a little is easy to learn (type mastering on google and you'll come up with lots of tutorials and free software/at least trial software) and very useful.

Promoting/booking - I sincerely don't know for these, these are more like social skills I guess. I'm not good with people at all, so I really have no idea for this.

This has been one of the biggest lies to come out of the 'internet revolution": that because the means exists for everyone to be a DIY guy, that somehow everyone can and should.

The fact is, recording engineers, mastering engineers, producers, distributors, marketers, agents, etc all exist for a reason. Most artists just aren't very good at turning their art into a marketable product. I'm not talking about producing stuff solely with making money in mind (though even that requires a team of production and marketing guys to get it into the right places). I'm talking about writing and recording your heart and soul and getting it from your mind to an audience's ear.

Most of us who focus on art suck at business. Few artists suffer the anal raping that musicians do. I'm sure psychologists and sociologists could write books about why, but it just seems to be the way it is.

Now, the internet has made it possible for everyone to make a record and market it, and not surprisingly, everyone is. The problem is, too many guys think they're not just writers and musicians (and a good many of them should rethink even that notion-or at least put in a few more years before they make a record). No, they think they're producers and engineers and graphic artists and publicists and agents and the wearer of every other hat that exists in the industry. Meanwhile, they have no idea how royalties are collected, how copyrights work, what a mechanical license is, what a PRO does, what points are....

These guys make records that far more often than not sound like they were done by amateurs. Every day, literally thousands of bands are turning out recording for which no one is waiting for and no demand exists. I can't think of another product in any market that is created first and then a way is sought to try to sell it, usualy by folks who haven't an inkling of how the business works. How many threads have you seen here where the poster says "Just finished my CD. Now what?"

Now, I'm not saying musicians ought not do their own record projects. I've done one vinyl record way back when, and four CDs since 1999. I'm considering a 5th (though in this current climate, God only knows why). But if I've learned anything out of my experience, it's this: 1) Not only can I NOT do it all, I SHOULDN'T. Yes, it's important to know how things work, but that doesn't mean I should do it all. I write, play, co-produce and often do the graphic art, but that's about it. 2) Making a decent sounding record is not as easy as it looks. 3) Don't make 1000 CDs unless you have a huge fan base or a huge storage area in your garage.

Anyway, sorry this is so long, but I just want to advise you to stick with it, and don't put pressure on yourself to do everything. Play out, build a fan base, make a record in a studio if you can, get a couple hundered copis made and see if you can sell them at gigs, and hold about 40 or 50 back for promo copies to send to local specialty radio programming (college, public radio, and even some commercial stations often feature local artists.) Get some writeups in the paper and weekend magazines. You'll be fine.

Do you think it would be a good idea to move to a larger city where there are more gigging opportunities? I'm not really concerned with making an album or anything like that, I still got a long ways to go and plus I'd need a lot of help doing stuff like that. I don't see the point of making an album unless I can see a demand for it.

I just feel awkward around others unless I'm singing and playing. Like I was saying before, do people want artists that are personal and easily accessible? I do open mics and I just introduce myself and the songs and I play and thank them for the applause after wards. I can't really give a story behind the songs or why they were written because honestly I have no idea they just come out of no where.

Also, I know a lot of singer/songwriters use a harmonica. I prefer to whistle, I feel so free when I whistle! But whistling into a microphone usually gives that windy sound and it doesn't come out right. My acoustic guitar also doesn't have a pick up built in, it just doesn't sound as good through amplification.

Maybe I could try busking? Would busking be a good way to reach an audience without having to talk or feel awkward?

The other being that "...all you have to do is put up a web site, & the world will beat a path to your door!"

& yet, whenever somebody does use a businesslike approach, they're branded as "sellouts" & their music is "crap", no matter how many "regular people" vote otherwise by actually buying it...

JM

I'm just going to tell ya straight my friend.

If you're shy, you're in the wrong business.

Better get un-shy or call it quits. As far as all the tech stuff that you're concerned about, you don't have to do all of that stuff. I HATE doing all that stuff for my band. I just want to play in front of people, that's all I want. The thing is, the more of that "crap" that I suffer through, the more people are standing out there watching when I finally do get to the good stuff.

Start with one subject and research. Literally buy books. Start there. One step at a time. Nothing happens overnight.

This sentence actually taps into something that has been weighing heavily on my thoughts lately.

We're literally bombarded every day now, with new albums, songs, artists, etc..

And 99% of them suck. Well, no, they don't suck, they are decent players, although when it comes to KEY traits that famous musicians have, most people sincerely lack those traits.

First, is the ability to write STRONG hooks. Not just decent songs, but truly great song with hooks so strong that the listener has the damn chorus stuck in their heads all day and needs to hear the song again. In the last two years, I could maybe dig up a handful of "Check out my new CD online for free" where there was a single song on the entire CD that was worth the time it took to listen to it.

In short, there's no filter.

Second, Is the inability to hear the lack of tone, sound, vision, and that before mentioned hook. Many of us have a great ear for key and tones, we can hear when the vocals are ever-so-slightly off key or strained, but we fail in the interim to realize that even with perfect vocals and the best engineering possible, if the song is a turd, well.. no amount of perfume makes a turd not a turd...

Third, people believe so much in themselves (thanks to parents and schools that reward mediocrity...) that they just don't understand that they aren't appealing, on any massive level. I go to open mics, I see the truth, and that is that everyone is talented, but who stands out? Who's hitting greatness with their originals? Who is doing something unique and original? Nobody. (although, there ARE those with some potential.. )

Fourth, those 11 songs they wrote shouldn't have just been laid down at the studio and CD'ized and released en mass...

Most successful bands write in excess of 40-50 songs for a CD, cut and float demos (cheaper studio, inperfect) past peers, producers, etc.. and revise, re-record demos, rinse, repeat, and in the end, they whittle the 11-12 best songs down to perfection and then, they finally go to the big-boys studio and cut a real CD.

Some movie quote "A mans' gotta know his limitations" comes to mind.. seems like most musicians think they are the next beatle or beethoven, or whatever, when the reality of it is that we all pretty much suck, and I'd be amazed if 1 in 10,000 of us ever makes a "substantial" living off it.

Not saying I don't think anyone can, just saying I got the ear, and I don't even hear it in my own music (yet). Most people I meet DO hear it in theirs, when all I hear is that it's not there. I should have been a producer... but I like playing too much

No, unless you have literally exhausted all the local gig potential and have expanded outwards to the point where you need that kind of aggravation (starting from scratch, etc.)

Open micsare not gigs. If you do that at a gig, you likely won't get re-booked, because yes, people in some way want to connect to you as a person. The bottom line is you are an entertainer first, and an artist second.

I find that hard to fathom unless you are righting sci-fi songs. Something stirred something in you in order for you to feel the need to express it. Find that.

Whistling is tricky, you need to develop the correct technique of bvlowing across the mic, not into it. Also, FYI, you can but pick-ups that mount in the soundhole or under the bridge.

No, busking is like any other gig; you really need to find a connection to convince people to drop some coin on you. It is, however, a great way for a singer-songwriter to hone their skills.

Sure. You're a hobbyist. There's nothing wrong with that. It's pure. Enjoy your music for what it is.

But you simply have to balls up if you want to take it to the next level, playing out and whatnot. It's not as daunting as you think.

But it sounds like you may not have that competitive fire to be a gigging musician. And that's cool if you're doing it for your own enjoyment.

I mean I play and write because I love it and when I do the open mics I get compliments from strangers which feels good, but I know I can really wow them I just have to develop my "show-man" skills. I've been told by numerous strangers that I have the talent I just need to work on the projection of it more. Really emote and dance the song a whole lot more, have fun playing it! I get it now, if you're having fun playing it then people will have fun listening and that's entertainment.

It seems like learning how to perform is the same as learning and instrument and learning how to sing, it doesn't happen over night and it takes time and I'm glad there are open mics to help artists do this and to meet other musicians.

I just had an epiphany with this thread that I have no business recording any of these songs or making a cd unless I could actually see a demand for it. That's how they did it in the old days I see now.

Musicians have to create a demand for an album or product. And they create this demand by stellar performance! I get it now!

Maybe you should get a pop/acoustic type of band? What I mean is that you still do your thing with an acoustic guitar the same way, but with a band behind you that accompanies. I don't know how old you are but in the 20-30 olds group this style is really popular (pop-rock built around a songwriter). With great songs I think it won't be too hard to find good musicians, not pro mind you, but most famous bands didn't start out pro at all, they were just good enough with their instruments, were tight live (->rehearsed a lot), and had good songs.

Example of what I mean:

Song as it is written by the artist: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=2037569919

On the album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXvMJ2UF4RM (it has bass, drums and maybe something else...)

This is the "lightest" arrangement there can be for a song I think... In most cases when there's a "real band", not just bunch of recruited musicians for the album, it sounds more like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAqc54duV6g ... you can always adjust the distortion level of guitars so it sounds less "rock", but I think you get the point.

Oh and by the way, the songs I gave links to are just "technical" examples that I could think of on spot and not necessarily great art that the OP or anybody else in here should compare to. (I already see you guys going "oh again that 19yo {censored} who thinks that Nickelback is a good example... :facepalm:"

Cool! Yeah that might work. I mean I have the songs on paper, and I know a real band could take them further to reach their full potential. Isn't that how a lot of real bands operate, you usually have someone that writes the songs and then get the band together to make the songs full?

I'll just have to get out there more and would it be out of line to announce in the open mics that I'm looking to start a band with these songs?

ding ding ding ding

We have a winner...

Also, someone said something about joining a band.. even if it's not your eventual goal, you can learn a lot from that environment that would greatly benefit you, even if you don't see the rewards right away.

I completely disagree with this.

Every band I went to see live, has caught my attention FIRST on the web, radio, tv, or because a friend sent me a song of theirs that I loved. Not the opposite.

I don't believe in creating a demand with gigs. At all. I know most guys here will disagree but that's what I think. People don't care for live music as much as they did back then. There are too much options now.

Most people won't care for unknown original acts when they go out. Most people can't realize a song is that good when they hear it live for the first time. People like to hear something THEY ALREADY KNOW. Most songs, even those with great hooks, need more than one listen until people get it and love it. That's why major labels pay for high rotation on radios...

I truly believe you need a great EP/ALBUM with awesome songs FIRST. Or you'll end up playing gigs in front of 5 people who don't care for you all your carreer.

Here is my take. Use your first gigs to test the songs live, keep only the best ones, then work on them again and again until they are GREAT. Then record them with someone else (NOT a member of the band) who has a great track record in your style. Put the best of them on a CD (4-5 songs), promote the hell out of it... THEN, maybe you'll get a fanbase and you will be able to make gigs that are worth it...

Poker, I think that demand he's talking about is what you said about playing them live, adjusting, changing, dropping what doesn't work, etc..

I think he was saying that there's no sense creating an album without properly vetting the material... which is what I really agreed with.

Far too many bands just write 10+ songs a dump them on a CD and call it an album, when rarely, if ever, ONE song is strong enough to even generate minimal interest.

But, hey.. that works for me.. I'm working on a lot of new material that is focused on strong and catchy hooks. The more crap music people force out there, the better mine will sound

Ok then we can agree on that!

I learned by CD #3 that I needed to play my new songs out live, a lot, before recording them. They change when you perform them live, you can see what works and what doesn't, and crowd reaction will tell you if you hit or miss.

And I'm with Kramerguy - I don't care how many people put out their own CD's - I don't see that affecting me. If a guy in his basement who never gigs wants to put out a CD and put it online to be ignored, that's fine - as long as he's having fun. We could debate the damage that all of those people are doing as a group but since it won't stop it's rather silly to debate. I like it when people make music, basically, and have fun doing it. Live and let live.

I think that it is a nice sentiment , and I appreciate your being Magnanimous, But some folks have made the analogy to a recording noise floor. A serious masking effect when people have to wade through a stack of needles .

One songwriting point that is related to the above ... loose the long intros folks!!! They are going to click away if you make them wait too long ....

I agree completely! :thu:

And OP, yes, it's very often just 1-2 guys writing songs in bands. Even better example is Breaking Benjamin - he basically writes everything with a standard approach of "chords, melody, lyrics" at home, then a couple of riffs to make it "rock" and takes it to the band who after might write another riff or something.

That's a great analogy, actually. I'm still OK with it, though. I'm a former elementary (5th grade) teacher, so that probably explains why I want everyone to succeed to whatever capacity he/she is capable of. You know, the other thing is that as a teenager, I was obnoxious. I was always trying to compare myself to other musicians - "Oh, I'm better than THAT guy" or "My songs are WAY better than THOSE guys." Once I got older and learned to at least partially appreciate all styles of music and musicians, once I stopped trying to compete with everyone, I got a whole lot happier.

So I like seeing so many people interested in making music. My big problem is that so many young folks go in with the wrong attitude. They take themselves way too seriously and they read all this advice about how they have to go 100% all in and get a record contract. Music has never been like that. In the past, people played music because they enjoyed it. That's what I'd like to see people get back to. Play because you love it. Because you're not going to get a record contract, you're not going to do it for a living (probably,) and all that's available to you is the chance to have a whole lot of fun. So have fun with it!

Would I be making a little more money if all the total rookies who don't know reverb from reverbnation were gone? Yeah, but we're not talking much money anyway.

I think we're going to see the number of rank amateurs die down in the future, anyway. Lots of folks will put out their one CD and then quit.

But there will be another one to take their place...as long as the myth persists that you can become famous by doing only that...this will never end.

But there will be another one to take their place...as long as the myth persists that you can become famous by doing only that...this will never end.

Actually, that's why I think it will end - I think the myth will die away eventually. As CD sales continue to shrink, as the tales of someone "hitting it big" on myspace become fewer and eventually disappear, as more people give their music away for free, the myth will shrink and maybe one day vanish. And with it will go all of those folks...