I know this blog won't be popular ~ but someone has to step up to the plate and state what I see as the obvious. The consensus today is we're faced with a new and ever changing music industry. Otherwise known as the haves (mainstream) and the have-nots (indies). Now, more than ever, there's a dividing line. You're up ...or you're down. Seems to me the joke has been on us indie artists. Why?Because we don't support each other the way the mainstream artists do, collaborate in the studio and pull together a terrific tour.
We're now in the Internet era. We've got people telling us there's a market for everything online! Put it in the iTunes Store, it'll move. Truth is most material barely moves or not at all. At this rate its best you keep your day job, unless you're one of the lucky ones gigging 3 or 4 nights a week - at a local club. We seem to be fighting what is commercially accepted. In other words, “mainstream” is trying to tell us there's no place for original independent music. Let’s face it mainstream is "gaming" the system. Major labels buy YouTube views, they "pay to play" be it through DJ payouts, Ad Agency payouts, movie and TV music director payouts. The game is so stacked against us that if we knew the truth we wouldn't even start. We love making and playing music, its our breath and soul. If we can sell some CDs or MP3 downloads, book a few gigs, or go on tour, great!
As I see it, the key to our success is not mainstream. We must, in the new year, develop a one for all and all for one attitude way of doing things. We've got to support one another in our endeavors, support other indie’s new release and ALL their efforts to promote that release. Heck, we must go beyond support, help that brother or sister, post their video on your Facebook pages, twitter your followers, tell them about your brother/sister's musical endeavors. Next we've to band together to not only collaborate in the studio, and develop tours. I say "tours" because there are enough of us indies to blanket the U.S. with Indie tours and festivals. Shake those tours and festivals up and move them around one group is on the East coast touring; a second group on the West coast touring; while a third group is working the Midwest. Mix that up - keep it hot, keep it fresh. Did I mention that our music is fresh, new and has all that swagger - its every bit as good, if not better than the "mainstream" music ! We've the talent, we've the combined resources, but we haven't gotten to a point where its truly a One for all and All for one mentality. We're all still viewing this as a competition. I've said for the longest and truly believe - if one makes it we all make it, that is if we truly come together as brothers and sisters in music and make it happen !! Keep in mind ~ we're not getting any younger ! If you think this is a joke - keep doing what you're doing and see where you are this time next year !! Sitting back watching yet another award show filled with the Justin Biebers, Adeles, and Katy Perrys raking in the titles of "best in the industry." Now you tell me - how many years have we been making music and can you truly say they're the "best in the industry" - I think not ! As for me - I hear hits everyday from indie artists.
The bottom-line and as they say "at the end of the day"… its time for us to make a change !! I would like to personally thank all the radio stations that support and play indie music - giving us a voice each and every day !!
God will take you places you never ever dreamed !!!!
We're now in the Internet era. We've got people telling us there's a market for everything online! Put it in the iTunes Store, it'll move. Truth is most material barely moves or not at all. At this rate its best you keep your day job, unless you're one of the lucky ones gigging 3 or 4 nights a week - at a local club. We seem to be fighting what is commercially accepted. In other words, “mainstream” is trying to tell us there's no place for original independent music. Let’s face it mainstream is "gaming" the system. Major labels buy YouTube views, they "pay to play" be it through DJ payouts, Ad Agency payouts, movie and TV music director payouts. The game is so stacked against us that if we knew the truth we wouldn't even start. We love making and playing music, its our breath and soul. If we can sell some CDs or MP3 downloads, book a few gigs, or go on tour, great!
As I see it, the key to our success is not mainstream. We must, in the new year, develop a one for all and all for one attitude way of doing things. We've got to support one another in our endeavors, support other indie’s new release and ALL their efforts to promote that release. Heck, we must go beyond support, help that brother or sister, post their video on your Facebook pages, twitter your followers, tell them about your brother/sister's musical endeavors. Next we've to band together to not only collaborate in the studio, and develop tours. I say "tours" because there are enough of us indies to blanket the U.S. with Indie tours and festivals. Shake those tours and festivals up and move them around one group is on the East coast touring; a second group on the West coast touring; while a third group is working the Midwest. Mix that up - keep it hot, keep it fresh. Did I mention that our music is fresh, new and has all that swagger - its every bit as good, if not better than the "mainstream" music ! We've the talent, we've the combined resources, but we haven't gotten to a point where its truly a One for all and All for one mentality. We're all still viewing this as a competition. I've said for the longest and truly believe - if one makes it we all make it, that is if we truly come together as brothers and sisters in music and make it happen !! Keep in mind ~ we're not getting any younger ! If you think this is a joke - keep doing what you're doing and see where you are this time next year !! Sitting back watching yet another award show filled with the Justin Biebers, Adeles, and Katy Perrys raking in the titles of "best in the industry." Now you tell me - how many years have we been making music and can you truly say they're the "best in the industry" - I think not ! As for me - I hear hits everyday from indie artists.
The bottom-line and as they say "at the end of the day"… its time for us to make a change !! I would like to personally thank all the radio stations that support and play indie music - giving us a voice each and every day !!
God will take you places you never ever dreamed !!!!
