What to do and expect as a solo artist?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eurythmic
  • Start date Start date
the problem is, you wish you could write the next "yesterday" but you can't. it's already been done and the world doesn't need another guy at open mics trying to sound like the beatles or dylan or even james taylor.
another thing is that you have to create your own world where you're happy. surely you've heard bands whose music you could never do but inspire you to think of music differently (for me, that would be chuck berry (who could match his charisma?), my bloody valentine (who could do that period?)... i've taken lately to seeking out bands that are making music i haven't heard before. radiohead is a good start, but from there go to everything from noise bands to synth (i got a friend here in chicago that moved from detroit, alder and elius, on skam records. good stuff). i love hasil adkins, turbonegro, evolution control committee, and others because it's a breath of fresh air. it reminds me that music is more than chorus verse chorus solo chorus.
i believe any sound can be a song. don't be frustrated if you don't sound like the george harrison when you pick up the guitar. discover the ramones, and realize you CAN play songs.
as for record labels, most of the time it can be the worst thing to happen to a band. why do you want to be on a label? so you have a CD that people buy? burn one on your cdr and sell it at shows. if you are wholeheartedly trying to get signed, you won't get it unless you do have a totally unique sound and prove yourself in the minor labels first.
i have a great time booking shows every month or so, selling my own cds and making music that i think is original and, most of all, i have a blast playing my songs. the audience is secondary.
my girlfriend's from detroit and i might be moving back there with her before long... plus i've got a lot of friends up there and play there every so often.
hope this wasn't too heavy handed, and stay in touch. good luck!
 
A solo artist who has it all together is very
entertaining to listen to in concert. Have
you ever heard of Phil Keaggy ? I could listen
for many hours. I think that is key in being
a success at soloing. You must simply be
good at what you do and have a great
stage presence. - I am a soloist in
contemporary Christian music, and have
one album release "Narrow Road".
I don't have what Keaggy has in talent,
so it is the slow road to China for me, and
for most of us soloists. But consider this before
you think that is the treasure at the end of
the rainbow - if you love your music, playing
guitar, and feel it in the heart - it won't matter
if we are a Phil Keaggy. Appreciate the fact that
one person will sit and listens to you play. Why,
because you love doing it, and that is satisfaction's
real home. - Yes, gigs with thousands of people
is great too, but you still must first love it.

By the way - use a producer on your recording.
It is the industry standard for project success.

Chuck
 
i disagree with using a producer because it's "industry standard"
standards and common practice are being re-written and rules are being broken everyday, with absolutely creative results.
there are countless examples of home recordings i've heard - independant and "industry" releases - that have not obeyed many "industry standards". just go with what works for you.
 
Hi Billy Catfish,

You make a good point. There is no rule book
when it comes to recording I suppose. My
choice of words should have been "the odds
of having industry success". - The producer
does however make a great difference in
ones project. I know many don't like to hear
this because it means allowing somebody else
to have dibs on their songs. It always draws
bad press. If you want an eye opener, ask
a national artist who made the success of
their project - 90% of the time they say the
Producer. Songs getting national air play have
producers with a track record. So the industry
standard simply means giving your project
a better chance to succeed. - I know when I
get my bed tracks down, it is hard to know
sometimes where or what to do next. How
do you know where the lead or dobro should
go? What is the best reverb ? What harmony
would work well. What to do in the mix for
the best results. The producer does all those
things for you. In fact a good producer hears
that stuff immediately upon hearing a song.
He is talented at bringing the best out of you.
I really believe in this step for the independent,
even if he doesn't use anybody else. - Here
is a fact to make my point - Do you know
that two producers are producing most of
the big artists in contemporary Christian music?
Yes, Monroe Jones and Brown Banister.
Steven Curtis Chapman always uses these names.
Chapman is considered one of the largest
contemporary talents in Christian music today.

I tried to get Bill Szymczyk to produce my present
album - He produced "Hotel California" for the
eagles. He lives about 20 minutes up the
road here in western N. Carolina. He said "NO
I'm retired" - ha . I'm just a small fish in the
bowl, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask him
anyway -ha. I figured he would give me the
boot. Anyhow, I will keep trying till I
get somebody who has a track record of
good songs.
 
I think a college education is very important, but there is something to be said for not having a "Plan B" in place.

I often find that people who have a dayjob to fall back on don't work as hard because they don't have to. There is something to be said for being thrown out of the nest.

Regarding "original music," it's all about sales... There is nothing happening on the radio that hasn't been done before. Just make the music that you like and can get behind to get other people behind it.

dave @ kathode ray
www.indiebiz.com
 
phil keagy can play better missing fingers than most guitar gods out there. i like it when someone gives him credit for it.

its always good to go with a producer their knowlege can save you from falling on your face.

good luck
 
Live out your dream!

Do what you enjoy MOST and success will surely follow. If music is your TURE passion then nothing can stop you in this business because music is not just something you do....it is WHO YOU ARE! Keep learning about what you need to do. It doesen't have to be learned in a class room. Then keep doing it and doing it and you will surely have your dreams fullfilled.
May Gods Blessings be with you!
 
Well said harmonyxo.....I certianly agree with
you.

Chuck


:)
 
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