Is the music business really as bad as they say?

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by Jameshow, Apr 19, 2021.

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Would you advise anyone to become a professional artist?

  1. Yes

    13 vote(s)
    37.1%
  2. No

    22 vote(s)
    62.9%
  1. Jameshow

    Jameshow Ultrasonic

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    :dj:

    Someone please explain to me exactly what Zappa meant with the hand gestures. Seems esoteric as fck.

     
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  3. phumb-reh

    phumb-reh Guest

    I don't think he meant anything specific as it's pretty in line with he's said about the biz in general, and FZ was not known for his indulgence in esoterica.

    I mean the first one could be taken as the generic rock'n'roll "devil horns" gesture, but I highly doubt that was the intention.

    In any case, "two things" -> two fingers (index and little fingers), then "not stop" using index finger and "keep going" using the little finger.

    *edit*

    I'll quote "The Real Frank Zappa Book" as it seems to be apt for this topic:

     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 19, 2021
  4. Obineg

    Obineg Platinum Record

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    "professional" and "artist" exclude each other.
     
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  5. Obineg

    Obineg Platinum Record

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    i didnt know that quote but i think it is great, and it is about what i explain to students all the time: self-empowerment, define yourself, begin with the work, continue the work, fishish the work.
     
  6. Donut Nyamer

    Donut Nyamer Audiosexual

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    Well you have to get one of these for you and your dog if you want to participate without really participating.
    :wink:
    [​IMG]
     
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  7. Jeff Maneville

    Jeff Maneville Ultrasonic

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    I think it's Frank just being Frank. The first gesture could be the BS sign from 40-50 years ago :)
     
  8. mr.personality

    mr.personality Producer

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    even worse
     
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  9. WillTheWeirdo

    WillTheWeirdo Audiosexual

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    I worked at the highest level in NYC, LA, and Atlanta... it is absolutely much WORSE than they describe.

    Today I would advise people to stay independent and just make music, release and promote it yourself via the net... build a small loyal fan base and stay away from the music business if possible.
     
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  10. mild pump milk

    mild pump milk Russian Milk Drunkard

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    If you want to sell your music, just sell instrumental beats for musicians/singers, for ads, games, maybe for films. More chances to sell EDM, pop, trap/modern hiphop, anything charts-like, electronic/club/dance, reggaeton pop, maybe hybrid dubsteppy trap still alive a bit. For ads, maybe a la indie, a mixture of electronic, pop, rock, but simple and funny. IMHO. Lease, sell, exclusive rights.
    Our Russian music, as I think, mostly done by kids and sold thru tiktok or so. Even old top singers collaborate with kids today for new hype, fun. New trends, new ways.
     
  11. phumb-reh

    phumb-reh Guest

    Well, there are plenty of musicians who also work in other roles, say an engineer so no, they're not mutually exclusive.

    No one would say for example that Steven Wilson is not a musician or a shit-hot producer/mastering engineer.
     
  12. Ŧยχøя

    Ŧยχøя Audiosexual

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    [​IMG]
     
  13. garfinkle

    garfinkle Platinum Record

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    Im over 50. Ive played in bands and worked in this industry my entire life. All the money Ive made has been via advertising, tv and film work. The eighties were amazing for money. The nineties etc, less so. 2021 is a fucking desert. Im glad to have made the money when it was there. These days, it's about something - but it aint about music.
     
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  14. BEAT16

    BEAT16 Audiosexual

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    Digital Dealer - 2021- Sales increase (The rich get richer...)
    Amazon - Aplle Music - Media Markt - Saturn - Spotify

    /// DIGITAL World and ANALOG World ///

    Support your local artist
    You wanna help? Here are some tips:

    Go to the live performances!
    Musicians make a living performing live. Buy tickets in advance so that the organizer doesn't cancel the concerts.

    Invite friends to the live performances!
    Take friends with you or give tickets away to friends and make them happy.Christoph Theußl

    Forward artist invitations on social media.
    Advertising is time-consuming. Pass the events on to interested people or post them to other groups. Advertising supports indie musicians so that the show is well attended.

    Put a fair donation in the hat!
    Some concerts are donated. Be fair and make an appropriate donation for good music. Quiet money makes more sense than climate money. Unless you have a lot of 2 EUR coins. :) Remember, what costs you have on a tour and that there are also days without a performance.

    Host a living room concert.
    Are you one of the lucky ones with a large living room and nice neighbors? Then book a living room concert. Sometimes this is very useful as a bridging day for a tour and a great opportunity for a party. wink

    Offer overnight accommodation.

    KAlice Hills: Can you host an artist on tour and have good contacts? Then offer a free night. Agree on the general conditions beforehand. Don't expect the artist to have a lot of time. Show preparations and visitor support are time-consuming and exhausting. But mostly you have a good time!

    Buy sound carriers directly from the musician.
    Buy CD, vinyl or downloads from the artist's website or at the concert. Otherwise, all sales platforms and dealers in between skim off the money and the musician gets almost nothing.

    If you like the music via streaming services, buy the album from the musician.
    Streaming services usually only pay musicians 1000th of a cent per stream! Streaming services don't guarantee you the music. The pieces can also be gone tomorrow. Get it as a download on your device and support the artist with it.

    Cool merchandising items? Take it.
    Don't hesitate to get hold of useful merchandising items. Many artists put a lot of effort into the design and are happy when it is well received and bought.

    Recommend indie artists to organizers.
    If you have regular contact with locations and organizers, then recommend good talents. Maybe they will be booked!

    Like / follow musicians on social media.
    There are organizers who only book artists if they have a lot of followers. That is sick, but unfortunately a reality. Help ‘your favorite musicians and like / follow them.

    Name the copyright information (credits)!
    If you used a free song, always include the copyright information. Most of the time, that's a must anyway. Always give a link on how to find the artist or musician.

    Support with crowdfunding campaigns.
    If a musician starts a crowdfunding campaign, recommend them to specific friends who might be interested. Dull forwarding usually doesn't do much good.
     
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  15. phloopy

    phloopy Audiosexual

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  16. Donut Nyamer

    Donut Nyamer Audiosexual

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    It's about these 2 things, exactly in this order:

    You probably wouldn't like it much, unless you throw punches like a limp wrist heffer.

    In that case, you're probably telling that rear gear merchandise stickers to get lost as you sing "get the cool shoe shine" by Gorillaz then jump into the deep end of the music biz.

    That's why face tattoos happen. It's post anus haikus on the face they're wearing. :wink:
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2021
  17. Obineg

    Obineg Platinum Record

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    of course you are right, but i was talking about "artists" and i am a total fundamentalist when it comes to that. :D
     
  18. Moogerfooger

    Moogerfooger Audiosexual

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    Nailed it!!
     
  19. Music business always been a shitshow. Artists ripped off forever. All you need to know about it today is artist gets about 1/2 U.S. penny for a Spotify stream. That's all. No point to it when it comes down to that kind of insult. You can spend your time enjoying music for yourself or you can spend your time hustling for that 1/2 penny.
     
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  20. Valnar

    Valnar Rock Star

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    musicians of the world unite! we have nothing to lose but 1/2 penny per stream! :rofl:
     
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