the industry

[skaltpunk]

why is it that musicians can't play the music they love, make a decent living, and not be re-formed by the industry. there is so much competition in the music industry that one cannot play the music they love without alterior motives.

[Gidge]

i think one CAN.....you have to want it really bad and make sacrifices and work really hard.......i just think people just believe these days that people want MP3.COM to make them a start and underestimate that the key to making it is establishing a following by playing live shows.....

[Eurythmic]

What makes you assume that popular musicians are only in it for the money, other than the fact that they're making money and you aren't?

[Gidge]

most are in it for the drugs and sex.....thats pretty common knowledge......those who do it because they love it without any regard to the money will probably be more sucessful....there will be compromises, but that comes with the territory.....

wanna have it your way, start your own label, pay for the whole recording and finance your own tour......wanna talk about poor then?....

[mikeh]

If the music is good and sincere and the musician(s) are willing to pay dues (tour for little money, build a following, market themselve, etc.) it is possible to "be succesful" (what ever that may mean) and it may even be possible to "support yourself".

However, the chances of consistantly making a decent living (say $30,000 per year) are remote for all but a fortunate few.

When I was a full time musician "playing the music I wanted to play (originals, etc.) I lived at a poverty level. I was "artistically satisfied" but unhappy with my standard of living. When I later decided to "sell out" I made very good money (Vegas, etc.) but did not feel musically "fulfilled".

So what is "sucess"? Happiness or financial comfort?

I have now played "part time" for 23 years (after 7 years "full time"). My day job supports me and I can choose to play or record what ever music I want and if it doesn't pay well, I don't mind. I enjoy playing as much (if not more) than when I was young. For me, that is success.

I still play 3 gigs a week (in three different bands). Wednesday is a blues band ($50 per gig), Friday is a jazz band ($70 per gig) and Saturday is a "country club" band - the gigs aren't much fun but it pays $250 per gig. All the gig money I make goes into recording gear. (That explains the country club gig)

The point is, you need to find the right balance of musical satisfaction and "income". Life ain't always fair - but you need to create your own opportuities.

Gidge, I don't agree that most are in it for the sex and drugs, those things are simply in absence of a pension plan!!!!

[ifpo238]

There ya go. Write commercial jingles during the day, and record industrial surf hick hop at night and on weekends. ;-)

-j

[laj35]

mikeh,

you've got it right man. I'm just starting out but I know that I never can sell out. I want to always be making the music I feel not what others want. That's the best part though. I can be happy working a shit job for the rest of my life just as long as it pays my bills because I'm makin my music for me. I'm fulfilled in miriads of ways besides just artistically. I feel as though I'm living, not just killing time and as long as I'm eating and sleeping in a warm bed all the while my life has been lived fully. Man isn't music the shit!



Laj

[David Hooper]

Originally posted by skaltpunk
why is it that musicians can't play the music they love, make a decent living, and not be re-formed by the industry. there is so much competition in the music industry that one cannot play the music they love without alterior motives.

You can. See www.indiebiz.com as well as the link below

dave @ kathode ray

--
$100,000/year in the Music Business (Without a Record Label)

Only $19 from www.musicbizbooks.com and Kathode Ray Music!

[Gidge]

my old buddy Dave Hopper! ...long time,no spam

[Chris Shaeffer]

I read a book that I felt pretty good about. Its called "Making and selling your own CD's" by Jana Stanfield. She does a really good job of making it feasible to go your own way with your music and make a decent living with it. Not easy, but at least in your own hands.

I liked it, at any rate, though I don't have any real music world experience to judge it by.

[David Hooper]

That is a pretty well known book and definitely a good one.

No, it's not easy, but neither is working a job you hate.

--
$100,000/year in the Music Business (Without a Record Label)

Only $19 from www.musicbizbooks.com and Kathode Ray Music!