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Are you in a rut? Do you feel stuck with your band or music? Don’t know what to do next or are simply lacking the enthusiasm you once had? The solution is easy: Get your ass to a music conference, namely South by Southwest (SXSW).
Personally, I was feeling a little burnt out and I knew I was missing some of the passion that I had for music and the music business. Major labels are slumping, music seems cookie cutter and the sheer amount of choices for artists can be daunting. I got a boost from the music, the networking and just plain hanging out. Your career depends on getting to SXSW. Why? You have the opportunity to discover music in a new way with people that really love music too. With over 1,000 bands to choose from in every imaginable genre, you are bound to find something you like and discover something you didn’t think you did. This is inspiration for your music. While sharing that passion for music, you have the chance to network with others in all areas of the business. You’ll find artists, managers, labels, publicists, agents, music supervisors, attorneys and more. Many conversations will be planned and some of the best will just happen. This is an investment in your career. A pass for SXSW Music can run around $425 depending on when you register. You can expect to pay for a plane ticket, hotel, transportation and some food. There are many parties and events that will hook you up as far as food and beverage are concerned. You just have to do a little homework. If you work it right, SXSW can pay for itself many times over. Sure, you can contact people all day online and send emails and instant messages, but a connection is complete when sharing a drink or discussing a band in person. SXSW gives you tools you can use. SXSW have gone out of their way to make it easy for you to plan and navigate the conference. You can view all of the showcases and panels in advance and add them to your very own calendar. Also, they provide a contact database of registrants that you can use to setup appointments and meetings. Add in the torrents of showcasing bands (to help you make your choices), iPod clickguides and SMS alerts and you are connected. Planning is good, but be ready to go with the flow and experience the unexpected. Your plans will change for any number of reasons: something cool comes up, you just heard about a party or a special guest is performing somewhere not previously listed. Be ready for anything because you never know what it can lead to. Magic is never forced. Don’t pass up an opportunity to make connections of a lifetime. Everyone needs to get out of their house, city, state or normal state of mind to grow and see things with more perspective. These are exciting times in the music business for independent artists. Find out what is happening, make some new friends and gain increased passion for your life, music and career. You will leave SXSW saying “I can’t wait until next year”. SXSW
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