On David Hooper’s Twitter account, I was linked to this blog post where DIY Musicians commented with a link to this free e-book. That’s a lot of linking to get to the e-book, but it ain’t called the web for nothing.
I am reading this 140 pg e-book part by part (6 total) and pasting a few key quotes in each post and what my take on that issue is. I want to break down the current status of the music industry, so musicians can figure out what they need to do to construct careers for themselves (with or without a major label).
“We believe that this is the best time in history to be an independent musician” (page 4).
I’ve said it for a while, but this is most certainly an exciting time in music. If anything this recession has taught us, it’s that the creative and frugal (rephrased: not wasteful) that will get through to the other side. The Internet has made it that much easier for you to express your art with the world, so embrace and understand it instead of cringe and point fingers. Musicians ARE making money now, so find out who they are and then analyze and expand on their marketing techniques.
“Take a few minutes, grab a pen and paper, and write down exactly why you are making music your life” (page 11).
As soon as I read this, I closed my computer, and wrote down my top 3 reasons:
- Music is my love and passion
- Thinking about a boring 9-5 desk job makes me sad and uninspired
- I think I’m good at what I do
What are yours???
“Everyone’s version of success is slightly different” (page 15).
Success is one of those words that is immediately aligned with money. I believe if you work at being an expert in whatever it is that you do, success, an equilibrium of money, self-fulfillment, and fans will follow suit. But don’t think for one second that it’s gonna be easy. Your job as a musician is make people give a shit about you, so if you can convert “X” amount of people in believers of your music (note: “X” is a reasonable number that you decide), then you succeeded in the short term. If you focus too much on the long term, you’ll go insane. You simply can’t go from A>Z without B,C,D,E,F…
“If you know what you want to achieve, then it’s time to ask yourself, when are you going to do it?” (page 15).
Knowing and doing are two very different things. I was a serial talker for the longest time. I would realize everything I wanted to change about my life and talk about how certain things would make me a better person, but I never had the courage to do something, which, in my opinion, is worse than not knowing what’s wrong in the first place. Failure is a sharp knife, but your wounds will heal and it will teach you valuable lessons. So I say to you musicians out there, create your music, share it with the world, and let people be the judge because you’re gonna perpetually doubt yourself until you do. After all, along with not doing comes regret, which stings more than failing.
“A team is more focused when they all keep their eyes on the prize” (page 19).
Your band is a team. As a team, you need to determine your goals, constructive ways how to achieve them, what the roles are of each member in fulfilling those goals, and to be focused enough to ensure that they are fulfilled within a reasonable time period. The prize is self-determined goals and it is on your own terms, so don’t forget that.
That’s all for part one. Please feel free to read along in the e-book.
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The New Rockstar Philosophy Book: Part 1
14 05 2009On David Hooper’s Twitter account, I was linked to this blog post where DIY Musicians commented with a link to this free e-book. That’s a lot of linking to get to the e-book, but it ain’t called the web for nothing.
I am reading this 140 pg e-book part by part (6 total) and pasting a few key quotes in each post and what my take on that issue is. I want to break down the current status of the music industry, so musicians can figure out what they need to do to construct careers for themselves (with or without a major label).
“We believe that this is the best time in history to be an independent musician” (page 4).
I’ve said it for a while, but this is most certainly an exciting time in music. If anything this recession has taught us, it’s that the creative and frugal (rephrased: not wasteful) that will get through to the other side. The Internet has made it that much easier for you to express your art with the world, so embrace and understand it instead of cringe and point fingers. Musicians ARE making money now, so find out who they are and then analyze and expand on their marketing techniques.
“Take a few minutes, grab a pen and paper, and write down exactly why you are making music your life” (page 11).
As soon as I read this, I closed my computer, and wrote down my top 3 reasons:
What are yours???
“Everyone’s version of success is slightly different” (page 15).
Success is one of those words that is immediately aligned with money. I believe if you work at being an expert in whatever it is that you do, success, an equilibrium of money, self-fulfillment, and fans will follow suit. But don’t think for one second that it’s gonna be easy. Your job as a musician is make people give a shit about you, so if you can convert “X” amount of people in believers of your music (note: “X” is a reasonable number that you decide), then you succeeded in the short term. If you focus too much on the long term, you’ll go insane. You simply can’t go from A>Z without B,C,D,E,F…
“If you know what you want to achieve, then it’s time to ask yourself, when are you going to do it?” (page 15).
Knowing and doing are two very different things. I was a serial talker for the longest time. I would realize everything I wanted to change about my life and talk about how certain things would make me a better person, but I never had the courage to do something, which, in my opinion, is worse than not knowing what’s wrong in the first place. Failure is a sharp knife, but your wounds will heal and it will teach you valuable lessons. So I say to you musicians out there, create your music, share it with the world, and let people be the judge because you’re gonna perpetually doubt yourself until you do. After all, along with not doing comes regret, which stings more than failing.
“A team is more focused when they all keep their eyes on the prize” (page 19).
Your band is a team. As a team, you need to determine your goals, constructive ways how to achieve them, what the roles are of each member in fulfilling those goals, and to be focused enough to ensure that they are fulfilled within a reasonable time period. The prize is self-determined goals and it is on your own terms, so don’t forget that.
That’s all for part one. Please feel free to read along in the e-book.
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