Back in the day, when we all weren’t driftwood in the flood. When technology and internet basically shut the door of opportunity and exposure on so many. Times were good.
Now exists a polluted cyberspace of ego, greed and self opinion. This little piece is a ‘no shit Sherlock!’ Record of what you and I are up against. Embrace, indulge, be pretty, be ugly, be yourself, be someone else, be cool, be different. As the clones get forgotten. Be talented, don’t produce drivel that even the pissed up old bloke and his dog down the pub would write a ‘this is magnolia’ critique to. If that sound you produce, stimulates your very soul. Vibrates your vertebrae & Vag. Tantalises your tail. Then for God’s sake. Fight like Rocky to share it with the world. This will involve ‘talking to people.’ ‘Being interested in them.’ Not crossing the stalker line… Build relationships x 1000. Nurture.
Get your music on as many good platforms such as SoundCloud and Bandcamp as you can. SoundCloud is a popular one that promoters and industry professionals look at. Make videos. Even in 2017. The amount of tech and apps at your disposal is phenomenal. It just takes some imagination and commitment. You can also throw money at everything. It’s doesn’t necessarily mean success though. Being poncy… how far does that take you?????
The trick? There is no trick. Your challenge is to capture potential fans attention. God’s speed. Break a leg and all of that. You need to find innovative ways to gain people’s attention. Here comes that word… NETWORK like your future depended upon it. Gig! GIG, GIIIIIIG. I love watching the other bands we share the bill with. Bar having another gig to rush off to. Etiquette states ‘you don’t just rudely fcuk off after your set!’ Become a mystery. Tragedy sells apparently . With a society that is fascinated by scandals, drama and the morbid. Maybe become the positive role model you always knew you could be. There is nothing worse for a super-fan meeting you any you are rude and a dick.
Many years ago. Our Manager Ange (Ange my wifey…Nepotism at its best…) did security for concerts. A very lovely David Bowie. Asked if she was hungry. He then proceeded to go get her a plate of food from the artist buffet. Manners my readers. Cost nothing! Never mind how unknow or how big you are. Always remember that. It will serve your obituary well.
What floats people’s boats? Everyone has their own opinion. One influence is established or mass hysteria generated. Or marketing. The little lambs will follow. Then you may stumble upon the real music fans. That if you interact, engage and commit to them. They will return with dedication. We all like to think our music is amazing. Your music is amazing. You made it. When you get the knock backs, ignored, criticism, patronized. Take that pinch of salt . (Unlike me that has diva fits, followed by a really bad mood 😉
Once you pick your ego out of the gutter. Get a good bollocking from said ‘wifey’ and Manager. You learn to channel, move on. Concentrate on what is important. The older you get and if you don’t allow them. The tossers are irrelevant. The good people who genuinely see your talent will either find you or by networking, you will find them and make a positive impact.
Go watch who inspires you if you can live. If they are dead or split up of course. That’s unfortunate tough titty. Just listen to their records and dream. What makes them tick? What make you tock. What sets of your tummy and you then need to drop your kids of at the whirlpool?
I’m pretty easy to engage. Only the other day the Lady Gaga story about her seeing Prince Charles shape shift in front of her. Reptilians are so intriguing! This lead on to a ‘before bedtime’ sidetrack to a Justin Bieber exposure to his fans. This shit sells! Except seriously Justin, you ain’t on my playlists.
I can sit there and search for a particular playlist, genre, new music. Make my own mind up. Enjoy it. I don’t need to buy it as can stream it? Then Vinyl and its nostalgia came back for the connoisseurs. Then I joined PRS & Tune-core. The End…well the beginning….
I could have also spent the best part of the last 20 years. Creating it too.
After I crawled out of my cave, having experienced musical bliss, creative satisfaction. In order for my music to be in with any chance. As a musician. I now need to get my 5 meditation albums. Heard and ‘out there.’
Having conducted research. Found the prescribed ‘rule book.’
I conducted some experiments these last couple of weeks, to test the water… These are just a few recent examples. Of this shit sandwich. There is some sweet ‘Nutella’ disguised as plopsy here I promise..
By no means am I unaware of the rules, the scams, the self opinionated ego manic ‘Keyboard Warriors’ / promoters who ‘appear’ to tick all boxes and are ‘on your side baby!’ ..that is until you do a gig with one of the we encounter recently. ;-0 When uttering a hello and basic manners are beyond their capability once their Facebook account off and the ‘I’m only human after all’ comes out after dark. Disappointed is a word. Such a shame.
Such a shame that they had their back to us throughout our performance.. engrossed being a keyboard warrior. So dedicated to ‘helping musicians’ for a fee for radio plugging of course. That not even a ‘thanks for performing for free’ having failed to attract an audience to ‘said venue.’ That will teach me for forming a lovely opinion of someone that so clearly isn’t. Encouraged but not defeated….
So through that bullshit. The offered promises for £££. I think we will pass. Got to meet a load of lovely other bands, while playing to each other 😉
Then we get the websites that you submit your music to. Bloggers… stations, publications, YouTube channels. The works. Oh and you can pay for the privilege. To get
Thanks for telling us that you can’t actually pigeon hole us. You will basically blow a fuse if you had to process this ‘Jason’
Jason.. what do you do. What qualifies you with authority?
Get on Reddit they said! Expose your music!
So enthusiastic I failed to ‘read the rule’
Oops!
Then after a wonderful Loreena McKennitt concert in Gateshead, at The Sage. I return to the hotel to check some bits. Then a bitch slap. After the high comes the low. Thinking ooh my 2 busy weeks. Sharing my stuff on difference platforms… then …… In all of my enthusiasm and excitement… I failed to read the instructions.. Jesus Wept! Measure twice, cut once. Always encouraging to get blocked by a ‘moderator’ on #Reddit for sharing the #meditation and connection that lead to me to creating & sharing music for others. Why thank you #theturbolemming #perseverance #sharethelove #Reddit #ego #slappedwrist #dulynoted oh and Turbo Lemming person. Please don’t be a future fan, I’m asking you. Not instantly blocking you 😉 I’m only human after all. Don’t put the blame on me… I am unable to contribute to meditation discussion now! But thanks. You inspired me further.. and we’re the inspiration for this blog. Blessings…. oh and Turbo Lemming my little sausage… seeing as you will not promote me. I had to do it myself darling. I’ve sent the link to this blog to you in Reddit. 😉 xxx is this you by the way? https://youtu.be/8xCwNWTVBLM
But out of this. As musicians find out they now need to become promoters, networkers, radio pluggers. All of the advice. Be human. Be the best you can and persevere. Whether you be young, older, ancient. It’s it’s truly good stuff. They will find you.
Tips: Hunt out the good bloggers. Engage. Seek the good music supervisors and build a relationship with them without ramming the typical ‘listen to my tunes’ instant email.
Sometimes it’s not how talented you are. It’s about who you did the ‘favor’ for them to gain exposure.
- Create desire
- Create interest
- Create curiosity.
I’m an advocate of hard work, perseverance, self belief. Talent and good songwriting.
Someone once said….
‘We are termites’ trying to climb to the top of the mud. Some will get crushed. Some tread on others. Some don’t deserve a slice of mud pie as ride on the talent and foundation others created first.’
There is that image stuff as well…. oh my oh my! When people put their 🎧 on. What do they see????? 🖖
I’m lucky. We have and are gaining a great network of really cool folk that are helping get the music heard.
Do your research. Speak to people.
Create something eye catching with your media. ( no photos in front of walls or forests- sound advice from an industry professional 😉
Make it personal, but positive. I’ve not met many of the ‘genuine s’ in this business that don’t rejoice in their passion.
Fit your bullshit detector with brand new batteries. In fact plug it into the mains.
Fill your rejection and perseverance shield with reserve, extra padding and hot, home made chicken soup for the soul. You will need it. Don’t ever, ever, give up if its your passion and true calling. If its a just a hobby to you. Enjoy.
If you tickle ’em with a feather. They will eventually giggle. Hit ’em with Thor’s Hammer. They might just block you instantly.
Set up and email list for email subscribers. Mail Chimp is good. 1000 likes on Facebook is nothing, if no one is listening, or your mates have liked out of sympathy.. Or ex band mates secretly stalk.
Find the super fans. Not the ‘like’ clickers and ‘follow me back’ button sleepwalkers. Engage. You are never too important to send a personal mail.
I’ve found some really handy music advice podcasts. Great to listen to on your travels. So please seek out and do research. Then just do…. define what you are. Define who you are and then tell the world. Define roles in your band. Its about working the people who are good for you. Not the ones that will simply rip you off for no real return of investment. Find out their success stories. Anyone not will into to divulge=Alarm bells!
Once you build a solid foundation. Of genuine ear heaven. Something great follows. It might not be a hit single next week.. but over time…with a positive mindset… the rumble will build into a roar.
Or just maybe, perfect timing gets you to the Zenith…,
Big thanks to the lovely folk we are working with that are helping. You know who you are.
Re write the rule book. Things are a changing. Self belief empowerment and the law of attraction will create untold wonders. On that note. Go plough… Good luck. Be brave. I hope this finds you. Wherever you are
~ Claudine
Claudine West Music 