How good does it look for an independent artist in a suffering economy, and a controlled industry?
Question by Melonie G: How good does it look for an independent artist in a suffering economy, and a controlled industry?
Even though I agree that performance is something I need to capitalize on, performing for an audience who don’t recognize your music can also be very difficult and ineffective. So I try myspace, which hasn’t been that bad, but when it comes to gaining traffic to my site, that’s the tricky part. 1. “Set up various digital properties: Artist site, MySpace, Facebook, iLike profiles etc” (check), 2. “PR your best songs & story to tastemakers in the music press, radio and TV” (check), and 3. “Do lots of live shows and get mixes to DJs, clubs & bars” (check). Of course in the life of an artist those things never get scratched off the checklist.
So my intention is to be recognized worldwide. I’ve opened for a few artists before and so far I still don’t even have video footage of my performances. If I want to put on an excellent performance I’ve got to come out of my pocket for everything! And half the time they’re either not paying or paying very little. I’m one of those not in a rush to sign any record deals or manager contracts type of artist. So what are your thoughts on distribution deals?
Thing is, a manager is vitally important at this stage in my career, however; finding the right one is so difficult. The music business seems to be so sticky an artist can’t know who to trust. Everyone wants to help, but at the end of the day, they’ve got to get something out of it. The life of a striving artist is definitely not an easy one. But then again, what is? I love writing music, recording music, and even though it’s not necessarily easy to get up on a stage and perform, once I’ve perfected the performance aspect I might be able to love performing as well (I’m getting butterflies just thinking about it). How good does it look for an independent artist in a suffering economy, a controlled industry and people seemingly waiting for you to slip? Maybe in another 6 years I’ll have enough money to pay my way into the lime light, or maybe someday I’ll just be lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Until then I’ll just keep on keeping on for as long as I can.
myspace.com/meloniegillett
Best answer:
Answer by Basquiat Case
Mmmmmmmmmmm, let me get my binoculars
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