Our most entertaining music industry analyst, Bob Lefsetz, recently made a post on his infamous blog regarding sacrifice and entitlement.
He is a bit harsh, but that’s Lefsetz’ personality. He tells it how he sees it regardless of what anyone thinks.
His point is resonating clear. Just because you play an instrument and can put a song together, doesn’t mean you’re entitled to music success. His main beef is about artists complaining about the internet, when they could be really taking advantage of it to market their music. He’s also very clear about having the song and music first.
I know that sounds discouraging if you’re struggling right now. However, spin it and take the positive out of it. If you know that the songs have to be there, the live show has to be there, the look has to be there (I don’t say good looks, because you can be a success in a niche that isn’t mainstream without having good looks), you know what you to need to work on.
Work on those songs, work on that vocal performance, be genuine, be unique and different, be open to constructive feedback, Be willing to really work on your craft.
If this is what you really want to do, you will figure out a way to make it happen. However, you aren’t entitled to success. If you can remember that, your ego will slowly remove itself from the party, and you can get to work.
To give Bob Kudos’, I leave you with Led Zeppelin’s “The Ocean”. Man, this song is so golden.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaMzgA2V7Gk]Make Great Music,
Hoover
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I think I would agree with Bob in relation to the fact many artists do spend way to much time complaining instead of embracing and moving forward to monetising the digital realm.
I have managed a number of artists and have found most reluctant to give music away even one song of music for promotional purposes. That is the way the fan wants to interact with music so we need to provide it to them in that manner or they will go and use P2P and totally disregard the artists. You cannot fight the fan. You need to work out how to monetise their interaction, otherwise face losing the fan forever!
Anyway enough of my thoughts…I like your posts and will be adding your blog to my blog roll.
I think you might find this article/post on my bog interesting? Would be great to get your thoughts.
http://themusicvoid.wordpress.com/2007/12/05/black-box-income-the-digital-black-hole-so-what-incentive-is-there-to-be-an-artist-anymore/
Cheers,
Jakomi