Prostituting your work.

  • Thread starter Thread starter tsg2003
  • Start date Start date
The other man's grass...?

As a UK resident, I got the impression there were more opportunities to play original material live to a decent crowd in the USA than there are here. As far as getting to a record label goes, I wouldn't know, but I don't think it's particularly easy here too. Either side of the pond, it's all about contacts i think we all agree about that.

The strategy outlined of networking is great for outgoing gregarious types, but if the artist is introverted and doesn't make small talk too easily with strangers it's a hard lesson.

Oh, and before anyone says 'if you are that type you shouldn't be in the music business', there are many examples of successfull artists who are 'shy' in personal contacts with others but dynamite on stage entertaining a crowd. What people like that need is a dynamic manager to handle that kind of stuff for them. How do you get a manager, er...networking...d'oh!
 
Isn't the scene in the UK mainly built around small pubs? From what I understand, for every 600 person venue in the US there are six small clubs/pubs in the UK that hold a quater of those numbers. Is that true?
 
This is mostly why I started lovelabormusic.com. I'm trying to start a place to promote people recording music who aren't really cut out for the music biz.

sorry for the plug, but I think it's relevent.

In my own case, I pursued a music career for 5-7 years, the last two I did a lot of music library tracks and programming work. The first five were with my band. We did 2 independent albums and released 1 on a label which flopped thanks to no label support. I'm 29 now and in no shape to be the next american idol, but the music doesn't stop.

And as you might note I live in nashville. I gotta say, the market is flooded here. There are opportunities but for every opportunity there are 200 30-something guys who have read every "how to write a hit song" book in the world and know at least two celebrities trying to get a foot in the door.

My music is a fun hobby and a tidy side income. Stick with it and look for opportunities to "support your habit".
 
Samll pubs

I can only speak from my experience playing in a covers band in the NW of England. We play mainly small pubs yes for a few £'s.

For the original music scene there are less venues, mainly clubs. From what I understand they often work on a 3 or four bands sharing the evening basis and you sell tickets to get paid (similar to the US). As in the US, they want to know that your band will bring in the drinkers before you get a gig. But, I don't have much experience of that indie live scene, like I say we get lots of paid gigs but only because we do covers.

I'm working on my own CD album, like many people here, but it won't really tie in with the live covers band and will be a separate project.
 
There are indeed many artists who never "get their feet on the ground", but that is the consumate struggle of the artist, who is in constant pursuit of the intangible. Its is a struggle wherever it be. I create because I can, and because I continually make myself do so. To call an artist one because of a 1040, a W-2 or 500, is foolish. "New Byzantine" society is at odds with our committment to creativity if it doesnt bare a receipt. I say fuck the idea of bling bling to authenticate my contribution to the artistic community.
I needn't a business card, written lyrics or these LABELS. My contribution is my struggle, this recorded medium is my soul's receipt. I am an artist who pushes buttons because they are necessary to tweak to optimize my performance. I say, continue your part in making these labels fall. They are only banks. Use your knowledge of Home Recording to flood the industry with new talent and the MP3 as your distribution component. The only difference between you and them is demand! Create demand through brand marketing and rogue promotion. The time is now for the new voices of music to be heard. Many investors are leaving the music game. Have faith in yourself family.


Losian


P.S. don't sleep on BG though
 
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