Why Wait?

I just realized today: There is nothing stopping an independent musician, except lack of patience and perseverance .

I used to wait two years to figure out how to release music. Now, four years after releasing my first EP, I’ve realized getting the music out there can be as simple as posting this blog.

Seriously. Here’s a timeline outlining how quickly I was able to get my new acoustic song “I Just Want to Be Your Last” released to the public in digital content:

1. Jan. 5 – 9 PM- I got an email from Taxi requesting a song for a film placement. I thought one of my songs fit the request, but I didn’t have any professional recordings of it. I called Marshall Block at Real ii Reel Studio and left a message about an inquiry to book the studio.

2. Jan 6 – 7:38 AM – Marshall called me back before school began and said, “Yes! I have studio time available. Come in this evening!”

3. Jan 6 – 5-6:30 PM – Recording Session – Marshall and I recorded three takes of vocals and three takes of the acoustic guitar.  I did a double tracked guitar in one take. Within another 45 minutes the track was mixed and mastered.  I was out the door by 7 PM, playing a CD burn of the song in my car.

4. Jan 6 – 9 PM – Submitted the song to Taxi. (It didn’t get placed, but that’s how it goes! My fingers are crossed for next time.)

5. Jan 23 – 3 PM – Decided I should still release the song digitally. Asked Jake, a designer, if he’d be interested in contract work to make the digital artwork. He said yes by 5:30 PM!

6. Jan 28 – Jake emailed me concepts of the artwork. I asked for some other font options, and he was done with the final draft by Jan 30!

7. Jan 31 – I spent an hour sending the information, uploading the artwork, and uploading the .wav file to CDBaby.com, who then distributed the track to iTunes (and other online sellers) behind the scenes for my official release on Valentine’s Day . Confirmation of approval was received by the next day!

8. Feb. 1 – I spent 20 minutes making a simple video (just audio and the artwork) in iMovie to post to Youtube. Hit upload, went to the bathroom, and the video was already online by the time I got back to my computer. This video got about 100 hits this week.

9. Feb 8 – 8 PM- On a whim, I thought I’d try Bandcamp. It took less than 20 minutes to make a Bandcamp page and upload the song, artworks, lyrics, and info. Bandcamp’s uploading was seemless–took seconds!–and the song was instantly available for release if I wanted it to be! I was shocked at how easy Bandcamp was to use.

10. Feb 8 – 9 PM – I posted two Facebook updates about the free download for the first 200 people. 20 people had downloaded before I was done writing this blog.

As a musician who is just getting started, these online tools are not only exciting, but encouraging creativity! In less than five to six hours of work time, my acoustic track could be available to the public. I’m in control of everything: who I hire, how the song will be done, how much it will cost to download, etc.

I’ll be realistic, as an unknown musician playing locally in Michigan, I’ll probably only sell a few hundred tracks, break even on the investment. But that’s how things grow, and I’m doing this on my terms. I get to work with other independent professionals who also work for themselves.

I recognize, the work is just beginning; and while these tools don’t replace the need for practice and forethought, they have replaced something: the fear of “how to…” Now, all I need is the patience and perseverance to continue.