I recently got an email from one of my good friends in the business (shout out to Desiree Williams @ Sound Shop in The West End Mall) telling me how she know's so many artists that are HOT and "should be on" but they're only promoting their music to "The Right People"...so they don't really have a fan base in the streets...Here's what I told her....
These artist are doing some of the leg work by being at the right parties, meeting the right people, and shopping for the right deal...but here's the problem---that's only half of the leg work. Those artist have to understand that even "Record Execs" and "A&R's" are PEOPLE.... meaning if you're really ON YOUR JOB pumping as much music out to as many people as possible...they too will inevitably get caught in your grind's crossfire....feel me. So If I were to give this artist advice...I would tell him to STOP THINKING ABOUT THE SHIT...JUST PUT YOUR HEAD DOWN AND DO IT....stop trying to strategize how you're going to get people to like you...stop trying to be the "IT" artists out there, just be YOU....stop trying to build relationships with the "right" people (whatever that is) just because they can help you...JUST PUT YOUR HEAD DOWN...MAKE MUSIC...AND GET IT OUT THERE....when you truly establish that consistency, you'll start seeing momentum as more and more people know about you and like your music...and guess what....THOSE SAME EXEC'S, "RIGHT PEOPLE", and "A&R'S" will come-a-looking --- for YOU --- like "hey...I like what your're doing out here, when can we sit down and talk?"...
I dO Music!
"Empowering Musicians Worldwide"
Kervins, you are spot on with this advice! Too many artists get caught up in trying to "get to the right people", and forget the real "right people" are THE PEOPLE!
ReplyDeleteIf you make music that connects with people, makes them want to listen, to come see you perform, etc., then "they will come". Most label execs/A&R want to know you can create a buzz, and a following, so they don't have to start from square one, or have to roll the dice.
As Ian Burke pointed out, at a seminar at Clark many years ago, look at how most rock bands hit it big, from the Beatles to Springsteen, to the Police. THEY PLAY PLAY PLAY, and TOUR TOUR TOUR!
If people know you can create a growing following, a solid fan base, well, it really puts you in a far better bargaining position to negotiate a good deal. An artist who's never stepped on a stage is a huge risk of a label's time and money...