The problem with music.

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tjohnston

tjohnston

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I think makeing money from your music is a daunting task. Here is some probable causes:

Some people just dont have any money. After the cost of food, water, shelter, insurance, taxes and loans your left with enough for four chicken nuggets.

The people in bars and clubs where you play are just a bunch of drunks and druggies who are 10 months behind of their child support.

Who really cares anyway? The average person cares little about you or your cd. If your not on the radio then you are labeled as not the real thing.

People are scared that your CD is going to be a waste of money.. There is so many horrible, Sh*tty sounding bands out there. Who to say that your not one of them.
 
That's why I play at church! They're used to bland music, poorly played. In fact, they expect it!

So if you don't completely suck, they are very grateful. And if you DO, they still try to be charitable about it.

Of course, you still have the drunks and the druggies, but they at least pretend not to be...:D
 
tjohnston said:


Who really cares anyway? The average person cares little about you or your cd. If your not on the radio then you are labeled as not the real thing.
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Ouch.. I am glad you said that and not me.. I agree with what you have said.. But OUCH... I keep on truckin though...
 
I agree... very depressing. We just had a 12 song cdr mastered and are contemplating how many duplicates to have made and how much to put into packaging, etc. Shit, I don't even think I'll listen to it more than once, so what the hell's the point...
 
dafduk is right christian music is a good hustle if your just trying to make money indi style if u suck or not they will still buy ur music since they are in such a giving mood
talk about hustle in it's truist forms what better way to manipulate people into buying ur stuff than the wrath of god
better that radio play
 
Hell I already got out of it what I wanted... the process of making/recording is what I like. I could really care less if anyone hears it.
 
tjohnson,
The way you sell cd's at your performances is to play good enough for people to say "damn, I wonder if these guys have a cd I can buy". If you're having a hard time with that, perhaps you and the guys need to re-evaluate. Take a step back and listen to what's goin on. Ask yourself "would I buy this?". Sounds like you're really down on the way things are goin. I wish you luck.


bd
 
your attitude

If you come off depressed, pesimistic and down that's the vibe you're giving out. People don't feel like getting dragged into the dumps. Be positive have a good outlook and good shit will happen. It's all attitude baby.

But hey what do I know I'm just an optimistic fool.
 
Some people for instance only write deep serious or sad songs. For instance pink floyd or johnny cash. Those people write good music but its all so sad. I wonder what their concerts sound like. Does everyone just sit quitely and listen? Does everyone walk out depressed? Depressing music is good sometimes but in the live situation I think one has to throw in some lively feet tapping stuff. That way the audience doesnt say, "damn this is depressing."
 
mario b,
I was thinking of joining the optimists club but they probably won't let me :-(

tjohnston
Those people write good music but it’s all so sad.

Unfortunately life seems to be endlessly riddled with bad things.
Bad shit is something everyone is able to relate to
Relate to the people and you’re popular?

It's a sad vicious circle.

Joe
 
I write melancholy self-absorbed songs and I hate it
I just want to write fun songs that make people dance like crazy

I know someone who writes these simple songs, he describes events, and they very simple, but they are a metaphor for larger things in society, and he makes them funny and witty at the same time. So he's a social critic, but he does it with such charm .. its never heavy or preachy

I am feeling really down after spending time with this guy ..
like, you know -- yeah, people *have* had enuf of silly love songs ...
 
Yea hard life songs are filled with emotion. Happy songs can be stupid for instance.....

Im so happy
Everything is good
yea baby
were so happy
I love this country
oh baby, baby, baby

See what I mean
 
Vurt said:
Hell I already got out of it what I wanted... the process of making/recording is what I like. I could really care less if anyone hears it.
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Ok, we don't have to be naive, but isn't getting your music out in the open a part of the pleasure. Even it's only 1 person, but if someone comes to me to tell me they liked my music, I am flattered.
 
well i disagree here..

The process of creativity is what im in it for, it's its own reward. To learn a new skill, to advance and conquer..

The public perfomance part to me is nothing more than just to feel good about going out into the "scene" and getting some sort of recognition..

BUT

it does add a sense of validity to your work. That you went out and got fans.. that you did right ect. This is a back up feeling that suports the original creativity and not the main reason for doing music.

I write techno and hence no lyrics.. If you want to make money, write lyrics.. why? cause people are looking to identify and want to spend money on some artist being their spokesperson. Talk about pink.. shes fulla Sh*& did anyone see that MTV thing where her parents were so pissed cause they kept saying nothing in any of her songs happend?
 
the problem with music is the industry and alot of it sucks!

We all know how press consensus to the impressionable, gullible, musically ignorant little 14 yr olds can convince them of what to buy and who to like and so, since 1976, or around that time that the money took over, and MTV coming in a little later with the stage show video props, the whole thing no longer became about the song or the music. It became a marketing tool to line the pockets of execs and others who were in it just to make money and be famous.
I think someone should become famous if they're in it for the love of music and their music sounds great. I think that if people are in it for fame or money or women, they're in it for the wrong reasons and THOSE PEOPLE SHOULDN'T EVEN BE HEARD NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY IS BEHIND THEM.
Back to reality, the industry is starting to implode on itself as we independant artists get out there and show them that our bands are better than theirs and they are. Go to BONNAROO.COM. This was voted vestival of the year and look at this yrs line up and last yrs'. Almost every band on that list is no part of the major labels and most of em are with indy labels or are self promoted and their fans are way more dedicated than an N'Sync fan. N'sync fan base grows up and goes on with life, not caring about music much by the time they're 25 or 27, They're off and in a married life. The kids that go on to become the real dedicated fans of music are way into indy bands and will travel to see their band(s) play, if the band is good live.
Alot of today's hard music is a hybrid of punk and metal. Kids grow up into adults and want music that doesn't reflect a crazy life style, that punk and metal emulates. it seems to me that, just the very nature of that music does'nt hold people throughout their thirties.
However, when a kids gets into folk or blues or closer to the roots music, it keeps him a fan for life. There's something about when music was at its more purer form, before 1976, that keeps fans longer and more dedicated. Look at the grateful dead. They sold out more concerts than any band in history and their fans would travel around the world to hear them. Brittney Sprears doesn't even come close.
 
Amen Amen Amen

Yes I agree. There are some solo muscians and local bands that absolutley smoke anything in the mainstream. I know some women with amazing angellic voices. Unfortunetly they will never make it very far... probably because they weigh 300 pounds. Any way the point needs to be made that there are some indie bands that absolutley suck. I mean freaking horrible. It kind of pisses me off a little bit when you have to play after someone who sounds miserable. The audience is turned off or gone. Some times its funny. I hear bands who are obviously trying to look and sound like someone famous. Some times a band will be seriously out of tune, off key, have shitty timing, poor equipment and will be all around horrible. I hear someone say, "wow they were really good." What? "over reactive suprised voice" oh my god? no way, I cant believe you liked them. Well we are all in the same boat . I guess its all in good fun. I think its important not to get too serious about this music biz shit.
 
Music is like anything else in a capitalist society. Marketing will always trump quality. We don't buy Nike shoes, or Tommy Hilfigger clothing because they are of impeccable quality. The masses are convinced that they need it because of whatever socio-psychological marketing happens to be at work at any given time.

Moreover, just because a product (music or otherwise) may be made of outstanding components does not necesarily mean that the end result will be terribly appealing. You could make a breakfast cereal out of the finest wheat and grain products the world has to offer, but I'll probably still buy my Golden Grahams - just because I happen to like it.

Dream Theatre are absolutely amazing musicians, but the general public is so musically illiterate and ignorant that they just don't get it. As a result, Justin Timberlake probably sells more records. Continuing with this same analogy, I own more Bon Jovi records than Dream Theatre - not because Bon Jovi are better musicians, but because I happen to prefer the memorable melodic content of their material.

Given all that, one must consider what they want to do with their music in order to fulfil their own definition of "successful." If being a good musician, getting good performances captured in a recording, and having it well produced will lead one to simple personal "pride of accomplishment," then that's as valid as anything else. If your goal is to sell CD's and make money, you have to realize that your competition is NOT the other original bands that haven't made it in your town. Your competition is Shakira, Disturbed, Queens of the Stoneage, Shania Twain, or whatever other artist is out there ALSO trying to sell CD's and make money. If somebody is going to buy ONE CD, then you are competing with the big guns for that consumer's money.

Chris
 
If you honestly feel that ddepressed about things... write it down and put it to a goth tune... it'll sell :p

:D :D :D :D :D :cool: :p

- Tanlith -
 
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