As the major labels continue to shrink in size, in numbers, in relevance, the number of independent businesses that help musicians will continue to grow this year as the economy returns to stability. I expect a surge.
NPR had an interested article last month addressing the growing number of industry for indie music:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2011/01/27/133274068/fractured-industry-companies-that-serve-musicians-without-deals
The interviews offered interesting numbers, especially Eric Garland’s thoughts
Most of the 500,000 artists using TuneCore’s services are not making a living, according to Garland. “Every sound being created in every dorm room or every shower or every basement is now just a couple of clicks away from being out there.”
So the continued question that we hear is “How do I rise above the rest of the noise?” Paraphrasing Seth Godin, technically we are all adding to the noise. The way we rise above this noise isn’t in our hands; it’s in the hands and voices of those willing to talk about our music.
The only thing we control is how often we practice and how satisfied we are with our music before releasing it. The game’s change, but that rule hasn’t.
But I’d like to add another rule that hasn’t changed: The importance of helping each other out. Being an independent musician is like being an independent business owner in a DDA area. A stronger community offers more business for everyone, and this idea applies directly to musicians too.
Artists don’t have to feel like they are competing with each other. We aren’t athetlites performing in a game to win; we are artists that are inspired by the music we listened to as kids, the music we hear today. Let’s be inspired by the musicians closest to our circles.
I believe there is enough room for those willing to work hard and put out authentic, honest music, so don’t be afraid to pass those gigs to your community, to share contacts with dependable musicians, to offer paying studio sessions, to do split releases of a record or EP.
Hey singers of all ages! Sing with a real band and get discovered!
I’ll be a judge at Real ii Reel Studio’s Talent Quest competition this Sunday. Marshall Block has been hosting this annual competition at Bubba O’ Malley’s for many years, and I was a judge for the event back in 2006.
All $5 donations to sing in the competition go to the Hurley Children’s Miracle Network. First place prize wins $1000!
Sunday, Feb. 13 – Talent Quest @ Bubba O’ Malley’s
1076 Belsey RD (Exit 161 off I-69), Burton, MI.
810-715-9900
5-8 PM
More info: http://www.realiireel.com/news/10/talent.html
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.
Exciting news! I’ll be releasing my song “I Just Want to Be Your Last” as an acoustic single on Valentine’s Day, and I just hired Jake Smith to design the artwork for the iTunes single!
Jake is a Holly High School grad (one who took my Honors Language Arts class many years ago) who has a design company that can be found here:http://cargocollective.com/jakesmithdesign
Production credits go to Marshall Block from Real ii Reel Studios in Fenton, Michigan. Marshall recorded, mixed, and mastered the acoustic song in under two hours one cold, January evening.
My good friend, Aaron, a talented musician who I’ve shared
quite a bit of road time with, lost his father Tom suddenly last
week. The funeral is today
at 1 PM, and I find myself this morning trying to
comprehend grief that isn’t comprehendible until we feel it
ourselves, the death of a parent. There are many stories that are
shared at these difficult celebrations of our lost friends and
family; my Uncle Joe told me one of the important things he does at
memorials and funerals is seek out the small
stories of our lost loved ones. At my grandfather’s
funeral years ago, my Uncle Joe said, “I like to ask people what
they remember most about the person, a story that only they might
have shared or noted as important…” Last night at Tom’s memorial,
there were many stories being shared, and I wanted to pass this one
to you on MLK Day before I leave for the funeral, for its resonant
theme is brilliant: Tom had an amazing sense of humor coupled with
a love for learning and fearlessness. He also had the gift of
bringing people together. After 35 years of working at the same
company, Tom went back to college in 2008. He was probably the
oldest student in the class, well into his 50s, and the younger
students quickly looked up to him as a mentor. They not only shared
time with him in class and on group assignments, but Tom’s house
became a spot for BBQs, class parties, etc. His house became the
place to find hospitality, friendship, and music, to find relief
from a stressful assignment. He brought people of different ages,
different cultures, different experiences together: With ironic
humor and powerful love, the black students nicknamed him “Uncle
Tom.” We will indeed be missing Tom on this day coupled with
remembering Martin Luther King Jr.’s presence; but like MLK
expressed, the power of our coming together will be found in the
simplest of moments, welcoming friendship and love into our homes.
Those small stories live on. God Bless You All, Mike Vial
- Tom, Aaron, Drew & Charlene
