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A young local rocker recently contacted me asking if I could help him get a record deal. A lofty goal to be sure but still I admired this musician for taking the initiative to find out how the process works. This is how I replied to him:
"Unfortunately, I can not offer you a record deal or direct you to anyone that will.
One reason being that the music industry is currently in a strange state.
The
digital revolution has made creation and distribution of music
available to a HUGE number of talented and creative people, and it's
this FLOOD of artists that makes it harder and harder for relatively
unknown bands to get attention from record labels.
Bands can
make GREAT albums and play hundreds, even thousands of shows without a
guarantee that they will ever get a deal with anyone.
So what can you do?
My
advice is to continue focusing on what really matters: THE MUSIC. Make
the very best music that you can make. And become your #1 fan and
promoter. Play your music live once a week in your local area.
Play house parties, play coffee houses... continue to play anywhere you can.
Here's a great, very achievable goal:
Make a list of every venue in a 100 mile radius, and arrange to play at those venues.
Next do the same with a 200 mile radius and then again with 300 mile radius, and so on, until you can really tour!
This may sound obvious but, find out if people really want to hear your music on CD. If
they do: Make a 3 song demo CD. You can make simple CD-R copies or have them professionally printed. Think of it as an investment.
If people want to hear your music, the studio time will end up paying
for itself when you sell your CDs at shows.
Focus on doing as
much as you can for yourself because record labels are looking for
bands that are already working hard and being successful on their own.
Sell CDs, make fans, play shows, promote yourself, and a deal may eventually come your way."
There is much more to be said about this subject but many of the most important lessons require first hand experience. Remember that there are no guarantees when you choose to pursue your musical dreams, and there are definitely no easy answers. Read as much as you can about recording, writing, and marketing your music. And don't be disappointed when you find an article like this one instead of a pen and a record contract.
It's a long haul, so write down your goals, and expect to work very hard unless you are very rich or extremely lucky.
What else can I say...?
Listen to any music you can get your ears on!
Form friendships before bands!
Push your self to be better person, and a better musician!
Go see bands outside of your favorite genres!
Listen to the old stuff!
If you're naturally a technical musician, work on being a spontaneous and free one!
If you're naturally a free and spontaneous musician, work on being a technical one!
Enjoy the process!
Be humble!
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