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Computers.......yes folks those nifty little machines that bring us everything from shopping, music, games & porno to news, sports & travel info. But it's so much more than a machine.....always ready at the click of a button to aid in our visual and audio gratification. Yup, that's right we can actually use this unique tool to research anything....EVEN THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC!!!!!!!!!
Computers.......yes folks those nifty little machines that bring us everything from shopping, music, games & porno to news,
sports & travel info. But it's so much more than a machine.....always ready at the click of a button to aid in our visual and audio
gratification. Yup, that's right we can actually use this unique tool to research anything....EVEN THE BUSINESS OF
MUSIC!!!!!!!!! Amazing isn't it? No more trips to the library, no more spending tons of cash on books just to get the answers
to all those intriguing questions that have plagued our minds for so many years. Best of all no more will you look like the novice
as you did BEFORE you actually researched to find the answers.
Now, far be it from me to tell anyone how to spend their time but either many of us have gotten really lazy or we simply love to
irritate the hell out of people who DO NOT have the extra time to teach something it took them years to
(not to mention money) learn. Especially considering most of that info has been so neatly placed on line for all to see. So before you
go running headlong into a career in this business take the time necessary to learn all you can about it.
This business is like any other, you learn it in school or you're self taught. Research is the key!!!! You must learn every aspect of
a business before attempting to compete in that business, right? I mean you would not attempt to apply for a position as a pilot
without the proper education & training? OK so maybe some of you would and you might get off the ground but when you hit a
little turbulence you spiral downwards resulting in a firey crash. Expect the same results in the music business!!!!!
If you want to be in this business in any aspect DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!! Don't expect anyone to teach you, no one has that
kind of time, (unless you're apprenticing) but even then you have to know the basics. With all the free info available on-line it really
amazes me when I get a phone call from some musician who saw a kick ass band and decides he/she wants to be a rock star.
Instead of researching they call or e-mail and want me to explain everything in 50 words or less. Goals are great but making wise career
choices based on personal skills, education and experience is the way to go. Without the skills, there is no where to go but down, just
like the wanna be pilot you spiral down, crash and burn.
It also amazes the hell out of me when a seemingly intelligent human looses all brain function and actually expects we should
teach the rules and supply the tools of the trade, fund the project, do all the work ect....out of the goodness of our
hearts....Give me a break, life doesn't work like that. We get out what we put in and that goes for anything, not just this
business. Everything in life costs either in time or in money and most often both. We invested heavily in ourselves so that we
can do the best job for those we work with or for and to establish a solid reputation within the business. Musicians must do the
same and more because the artist is the one facing the public.
Here's a few things I think musicians should think about before contacting anyone.
What is it about you that would make the powers that be take an interest in you?
** first target your market know who you are sending your materials to, know their primary genre', and for god sakes know if they accept
unsolicited materials!!!!!!!
- initial contact; simple polite phone call or e-mail (short description of the artist & inquire if submitting materials is
approved, note date & time, who gave permission & who you submit to)
- presentation; neat, eye-catching, SHORT, labeled with contact info, neatly labeled 3 song demo, tape is
preferred & don't hand write anything
- originality; new, exciting, different
- dedication; to your music and the business of the music
- self promotion; nuff said...........
- live performances; more than 4 gigs a week everywhere!!!!
- air play; viable college & main line air
- the buzz; radio listeners requesting your tunes, consumers ordering your CD's
- marketability; see live performances, air time, sales, fans ect.....
- talent; YUP IT PLAYS A ROLE TOO
- industry knowledge; the more informed the easier to work with
- support team; publicist, manager, radio promoter, accountant, lawyer
- patience; accept that time frames are theirs not yours to set
What would turn them off....sometimes for good;
- initial contact: sending countless e-mails about checking out this site or downloading this tune or countless phone
calls wondering if they listened to your stuff yet. Don't be an annoying pain in the ass!!!!!!
- presentation; something your 3 year old brother put together, shitty photocopies, info not related to your
CURRENT music, no contact info, hand written labels
- originality; clones- nuff said.........
- dedication; those who sit and wait for success to find them, (you know who you are)
- no self promotion
- live performances; once a month at a venue no one goes to
- no air play
- no the buzz
- underdeveloped or no talent
- no industry knowledge
- no support team
- impatience
- EGO, I didn't put that in the first list cause it really has no place in this business
It is really refreshing to talk to someone who is about the business, who has invested the necessary time and money to learn
how to break into the business and who is dedicated to creating an original sound and image that is first rate. Proving your
product is marketable could make the labels
come knocking on your door. Remember this is your career, it's not up to anyone else to spoon feed you or make your dreams
come true.........thats your responsibility.
You have to prove that investing in your project is a good financial decision and if you can't invest in you, why should anyone
else? Put your money where your mouth is. If your not about the business then your just pissing in your cornflakes. Music is an art
but don't ever forget about the business side. Get Cracking!
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