Listen to my music, and let me know what I should do
2009-07-14
I answered 847 emails in 12 hours today. That's an average of 51 seconds each. But the single most common request I got was, “Take a listen to my music and let me know what I should do.”
Those emails took the longest. I never know what to do with that request.
Most of the time, the music is good. Not the best or worst thing you've ever heard, but good.
So I could critique someone's songwriting, vocals, or production, but then what? Would they actually go change their music just to meet my tastes? That'd be unwise. I'm just a musician that listens mostly to traditional Persian music and trip-hop. I built a website that musicians use, but I was never known for my taste in music.
The music itself usually doesn't make it clear what someone should do.
What if I was in a different industry and people said:
“I'm trying to find a spouse. Look at my photo and tell me what I should do.”
or:
“I want to be a millionaire. Look at my bank account and tell me what I should do.”
The real answer is “it depends...”
- What are your goals? Why are you making music?
- What have you done so far? What's worked? What hasn't?
- What is your reaction to criticism or setbacks?
- Are you future-focused or present-focused?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What are your habits? Are you growing or coasting?
- How do you measure success? Fame? Money? Emotional response?
- What's your timeline? 1 year? 3 years? 30 years?
- ... and 50 other questions that would make this article too long.
It'd take many hours of conversation to get enough information to responsibly tell someone what to do. But since I only have a few minutes, I point people to the advice I've already written and the books that have inspired me, then hope they know how it will apply to their unique situation.
I always feel a little disappointed that I can't be more helpful, but that's what coaching is about, so I better get that going soon.
P.S. If this interests you, see a related article: “Let me know what you think”.
so i read your blog post...what shld i write DS? LMAO!
very little has inspired me as much as...other music. but it has been books like "zen guitar" and thoughtful people like Derek who have given me the courage to be myself. do that. thats what you should do.
Haha, I love the fact that there's only one reply so far for this. Derek, I think you've struck a nerve =)
Derek - This could be a Twitter trend topic. something like #WhatShouldIDo? LOL.
Thanks for answering my email Derek!
Perhaps we should talk about the future of the music business once the record label & radio duopoly have ended.
Now, I already know what to do with my music Thanks Derek
Derek,
For one, I think answering that many emails in that little time is incredible. heh! Wish I could do that.
For 2... thanks for being so blunt and SPOT ON. "It depends"... there are so many different factors to take into account when trying to launch or build a career, it is mind boggling. As someone starting out in the industry, it is reassuring for me to know there is no 'set method' of approaching things, and that it is OK to try things differently. It makes me feel better to know that even the 'experts' don't always have ready answers
Many thanks for your bluntness, your insight, and that list of very thought-provoking questions!
Listen to my music, and let me know what I should do, this is like asking how high is the sky?
ONe of the first things, Does it move you? But as we all know anyones or group of people it will always have the human personal taste involved and no way around it. If your music can move people in a crowd or businesses want to have and play your music over the office, you might not be doing to bad.
Write what you know and play what you know, if you switch genre's - let people know. If the answer is NO, don't take it personal, it is all business. NO is simply a growth opportunity and learning experince.
Good article, Derek
rof lmao good point. Congrats for answering all those emails.
Haha - you really hit the nail on the head. Marvelous, as usual - when you improvise variations on the theme from your own experience.
Why would someone ask what you think if there is no further action behind it? It is irrelivent! If they want someone to critique their music prior to a final recording that may be ok, but otherwise I would not do it.
Oooh, oooh. Derek, can I ask that question?
Dear Derek,
How goes it Its your friend JL with the she so smoove demo.hey how come your not doing cdbaby anymore i VISITED cdbaby in 04 but u werent there and its so inspiring man to take things to the next level. um i wanted too ask u this see i am in mlm and several different programs and everytime i get check i send my cd to a new person now I came up with an idea to get my music heard this way and I do cash gifting so when I get 5 or 10 dollars do u think that could be a good way too get my music heard. and then give that person the ok too duplicate my cd and pass it around because I would like too work up giving out up to 100000 thousand copies everytime I get a check or cash and over time i can put messages on the cd giving people to go to my site. because like u I would too change things up also. and deversify myself buy selling on cdbaby. I just want my music to spread like wild fire and I upgraded she so smoove also the name of it is called wanna show u sum luv. so what u think.
thank u
Justin lee
Iknow one thing I should do, Derek...I'd never ask you to listen to my music...Diane Linscott
we all need a little acknowledgement every once in a while. in this A.D.D. world of ours, we musicians get a few seconds to wow somebody enough to get a spot on their iPod. my advice: do it because you love it. do it because it brings passion and joy into your life and the lives of everyone who hears you doing it. put it out there expecting nothing in return, and that question of "what should i do?" will answer itself. when you need more specific advice, there are many of us out here willing to give it. peace.
this article is so true derek. & i was once one of thosae idiots that said...lemme know what ya think? now im like "take a listen, if u wanna collab, holla" & thats where it stops! i know my music is good so...im not asking that anymore...all im asking now is..where can i go 2show my skills off, im ready to rock the world!!!! haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Djonez
That's some real shit D
like i said before ..why so many
musicians will not be famous or
their say i make it ...in the music business making it is the law of relativity...should he or
she be so honest to the art ..oh my God dont do music for money
compare not your art to anyone, be
original...
I hear what you are saying!
I think people just need encouragement! Your articles and information keep me up on those days when I would otherwise feel disappointed or overwhelmed being just me "indie". I think if people are asking you, then, just tell them to GO! LIVE IT OUT! The sky is the limit!! If it's really there passion what you say won't really matter. Not that you should be disingenuious just POSITIVE! A little encouragement goes along way
By the way you are doing a great job!
So Derek, do these tiger-stripe tights make me look fat??
You and Mr. Voxius have it right: Be Yourself.
Follow your own Muse.
If one needs to learn more about playing their instrument, or about their computer software, or about songwriting or lyric writing, or arranging & orchestrating, or composing, well, there are lots of courses and teachers and books about all of these things.
But, only YOU are YOU.
No one else will play exactly as you do. No one else will write exactly as you do. No one else will mix or engineer exactly as you do.
Marketing and promotion -- these are things that can be learned too. And as one learns about them, one can apply the data to one's own particular music and goals.
I have a friend who is a successful chamber music composer. She says that she spends only 20% of her time actually writing music, and spends 80% of her time running her publishing company, which means, marketing and promoting her music, keeping her website up-to-date, etc.
Musicians need to know this: that the "business" side is usually much greater than the "artistic" side, as far as time devoted to it and as far as activities related to it.
This is especially true if one is one's own manager, publisher, label, producer, label, etc.
So, what should one do? Learn, really really well, the business side -- and keep improving and doing one's music too.
My answer to those that ask "what should I do"?? has always been - record it and package it the best you can and run it up the flag pole and see who salutes it. If you like it and you think it has a shot then pull the handle on that giant slot machine of life baby!!
I could be wrong, but I think that many times when people ask that question, they aren't as concerned about the answer as they are about getting some validation from someone they respect...such as you.
TRY TO SELL THEM!!!
Absolutely agree Derek! I'll share your blog up in Canada on my facebook
... if that's cool!
I'm thinking the real question one could ask oneself is not "What should I do?" but rather "What will I do?" or "What can I REALLY commit to doing and follow through with?" In my experience these types of questions tend to take care of themselves if you have a burning hunger in your gut and you pay attention to it. Motivation is the key. We already have pretty much all the information available to figure out the detailed answers to these questions... right?
I am old. Very few people want to 'see' an old person perform unless he or she's had lots of plastic work and a fabulous wardrobe. But I play pretty good music. People like it. They like my twisted sense of humor too. So I find outlets, any outlet at all to get my music listened to. Then I show them where to buy it. Simple, painless, and sometimes it works well....
Derek,
You are a serious business man. Your willingness to help is great. I think "some" people would be thankful to answer any # of e-mails
if it helps their personal goals.
ONLY 84 IN ONE DAY? YOUR SLOWING DOWN!!!WHAT YOU GOT ANOTHER GIG?
As usual and thanks,
Dana Axelrod
I used to host an open mic. My policy was, if you're serious about being a great performer, talk to me for constructive criticism. Sometimes, a performer would come up and ask me face to face for my opinion. But every week I'd receive CDs. It's not easy to give individual attention to everyone's music. I only listened to a fraction of the CDs I received. Though if someone was earnest enough, I'd certainly listen and give an honest opinion. From the musicians' end, the request for feedback is a hopeful search for that constructive feedback. On the other end (Derek's), it's time--work, really--to give energy to listen to peoples' creations. It's sad that not a lot of people give the constructive feedback artists want or need. No matter who is seeking the feedback, one thing is certain: everyone who seeks it needs a clear objective for his or her work. Plan, set goals, and pay attention to the way people respond to the music. I, as a songwriter, wouldn't want to ask someone as busy as Derek for feedback. I do pay attention to my listeners, noting how they respond. Aside from fans, there are plenty of other people who have time to listen and will give it. That's the great thing about networking. By networking, it's easy to find people who will be honest with you. It takes having an outward focus to find those kind of connections, and an openness to listen to what people say, even if they are not music professionals. In fact, I'm more inclined to listen to amateurs than to professionals, anyway. Be open. Be objective. If you want a career in music, listen to your fans.
on my website
there are various selections
scroll down when you get thre and give a listen to GiverTaker & Promises
all parts by DbD
your's truly
thanks for listening
We can get so caught up in DOING what we think we should be doing, that we forget to regularly asks ourselves WHY we're doing it. I'm realizing more and more that setting clear goals makes a huge difference in the outcome of any project, music or otherwise.
Thanks Derek!
I'd recommend to those asking what they should do -- read a good book, "Be Decisive!" by Lou Smith. "The most important change you can make in your life for a better future is to become more decisive!"
Derek, you are a very thoughtful, caring person who has helped so many! Thanks for all your book recommendations & posts!
I already posted - but a friend just sent me this quote and I just HAD to post this:
This is from Martha Graham to Agnes DeMille:
"There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it.
"It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly; to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate YOU. Keep the channel open...
"No artist is pleased... There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others."
Wow.
I admire your art works you are doing and will do more and more,(Nice Work)
Most people ask those who they believe are qualified to give them an evaluation of their music or song because they want to know if it's worth investing more time and money in. Or their looking for you to tell them what they should do to make this song commercial. Some may just ask because their wanting you to see what they have created and are expecting a wow, great song. Now look at the pictures of my grandkids.
Yeah, we ask too much of you. A lot of things we all have to figure out ourselves. I think though, that for me personally, I don't want moral support as such or for someone to promote me. It's more like trying to find a specific market, and if untapped even better. Once you get there, a fan base is sure to follow. It's not that I want someone to tell me what to change or keep, it's who to find. You know, like that one demo/psycho graphic group that wants to listen. That's the trick I guess.
If an artist wants critiques on his music he can go to school. There is also www.garageband.com, where people vote on and critique music. Keep practicing, keep revising, keep writing. Once you're moved by your own work, you won't need someone to tell you what to do.
Here's what you can do, Derek.
You can answer this way:
"Find out how your music stacks up compared to hit songs of the past. Go to http://www.uplaya.com create an account and upload 2 songs free. Upload your best.
Then you know whether you should keep working on your songwriting and production and performance or whether you're ready to try to get a deal or convince someone to back you."
--
I've always been interested in the Hit Song Science algorithms. So when this new deal opened up I jumped on it and found that my megalomaniacal opinion of the title track to my new album was accurate.
I was awarded a Platinum Auddy.
That's like hitting the ball into the parking lot. Song-wise, it's comparable to Stairway to Heaven of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.
Their highest award.
Fun stuff.
Makes for a good PR tool, too.
And this is on the heels of winning Orchestral Composer of the Year and a nomination for Male Singer-Songwriter of the Year from the Los Angeles Music Awards.
So the answer to "what should I do?" is do whatever the heck you want. If you're good, then you'll get something in return for what you do. If you're not so good yet and music is your passion - just continue to improve.
(But one should always do THAT anyway)
Rock on!
All the best,
Jon
PS. Changing your name is a good thing to do, too. You'll get more attention.
When is the Sivers Listen to my music conference? I'm ready to sign up. Even a filmed discussion that was available online would be cool. I really enjoy The Highway Girl, it is a digital traveling music show. The show is hosted by Samantha Murphy, who is a singer and songwriter herself. The purpose of the show is educate other artists on how to take their careers to the next stage. The show also gives the "behind the scene" life of a singer on tour. http://www.thehighwaygirl.com/
http://www.thehighwaygirl.com/blog.php
It's amazing. All you did was provide a website where musicians could have their own little space online to sell their cds. And somehow this has elevated you to music industry expert status where everyone hangs on your every word and puts their career in your hands.
Make your self happy ,and if other people like it Cool, that s what my advice would be to this person , some times you just want some feed back though, The cat with the Zen idea knows what time it is.
I can understand why they would want you to review their music.
But like you said "everyone has their own taste, in what they like.
I would suggest to get on line and talk to everyone you could meet, try to find their nitch to who would buy their music.
Maybe even get in touch with some of their favorite singers to see if they would respond, you never know until you try,
butits important to create that creative support,Some how
Several times I've had folks at shows tell about a teenage kid who is pretty good and wants to be a pro. They ask if they should encourage him. I say No. He should only be in the business if he has no choice. If he needs encouragement then he doesn't belong. If people make good music they should continue to do so. If they have the fire in their belly and won't be happy unless they do it full time for a living, then they should do that.
JD Salinger once got persuaded somehow to address a young writers' group. He got up to the lectern and asked how many there wanted to be writers. Most hands went up. "Then you should be home, writing!" he said, and he sat down.
Yes! Matt, I love it. Thanks for TWO great points. -- Derek
DEPENDS. Sounds like a brand loyalty issue. There are no definitive answers...how music resonates with a broad audience is a matter of the heart. Period.
Connect the dots and figure out the brand loyalty.
what I will say is this. "listen to my music. the music speaks for itself."
Bill Thurman
Derek- Wise words and understandings. Pretty much to be expected from someone like yourself. Thanks for sharing this.
From my corner of the world and how I handle things like this: I coach and mentor (for nearly 25 years) a variety of artists who specialize in the performing arts. My solution was to develop a template that I send as an answer to this type of question and then invite to participate in the many routes to coaching that I have available.
You can't be all things to all people. And, you can't give it all away for free- not because you (the coach) need the money but because the artist must invest in their work and art.
When you get your program gets together (nothing but respect) on the coaching piece, you will feel much better about your place in the universe. As well, the musicians who learn from you and pay the price, will grow in ways they never thought possible.
By the way, the Coach grows, too.
Peace. You are doing the right thing with artists. Thanks for your vision.
Sean
1800buymycd.com
you are a saint. i would get so frustrated with that question. people just want help, so i guess it's flattering in a way that you appear to have all the answers.
People ask me the same thing on
my space and etc. , and often
they aren't in my musical genre,
(which is narrowly defined neo-classical lyrical
minimalistic piano solos , new age style ?)
You only have a few million songs up at CD Baby and several thousand artists Derek , you haven't listened to them all yet ?
You offer something more important than a critique , you offer a lifestyle change , and give
others a chance to enjoy success with their music .
We won't hold it against you if you don't listen to every song and artist in the world.
When you think about music from the start of mankind to into the future you realize that we are at most grains of sand in eternity . Music is an ongoing changing diverse chameleon reflecting the age we live in whether we are aware of it or not.
A lot has changed in the industry in the last two hundred years or so when the best classical musicians were actual servants to the aristocracy and church.
My biggest concern about pop music today is the tasteless lack of originality and cliche writing that is adopted as the standard . Perhaps it's just a reflection of the time , to have pop music mass marketed , saying almost nothing, selling millions, often mad at everyone and perpetuating hate and bad messages , only helping a mass media that has done little good to benefit humanity .
Thanks to you my dear Derek the Great , the dream making guru of the Pacific Northwest, normal people can tell the mass media over-hyped record companies to take a hike . They can refuse to support record labels wanton lust , blondie FOXy bimbos , their yachts ,avarice, exploitation and greed. Not to mention the harm they
do to the kids and minorities with
some of their messages.
At CD Baby real folks can support real art and real musicians with real needs . If some folks want to be mindless zombies and don't have enough class , knowledge or know how to visit YOUR sites and support real art we can't really blame them. Millions of dollars are spent to brainwash them into thinking garbage is good . The
discerning and wise soul will find
CD baby and the right artist for their spiritual development.
SO...when you buy one of the CDs
at CD Baby you elevate humanity and strike a blow for justice in
an unfair market dominated by
selfish hoarding toads that don't even have a dozen artists with decent melodies and lyrics.
thanks Derek !
Funny, I just wrote a blog just like that... 'How much will it cost me to record my CD?'
http://ping.fm/w25gt
Well, it depends...
Great comments. I appreciate you all
I have been told that when an individual asks, "What should I do?", their desire to ask such a question is predicated on a respect for the person receiving the inquiry and the notion that that person can "do something" for them. So much of music and the business that surrounds it stands on the shaky ground of subjectivity. Derek, you are in a unique position of a talented musician who created a business model that contributed to a paradigm shift in how music is marketed. You will, most likely, be asked that question for as long as you remain active. When you have the epiphany that leads to the perfect answer will you share it with us? I guess it depends...
Yes, let's get the coaching started!
Hi Derek!
Thank you for your informative advice and I appreciate the efforts you make to help Musicians and I'm sure many other people.
I have been very pleased with CD Baby, and I look forward to having some new tunes out that perhaps you will hear someday.
Have a lovely Summer Sweet You!
Many thank yous, and I look forward to reading your e-book, Jordi
Well...again interesting topic Mr Sivers. After being an "insider" for 25 years in the major label morass, I'm so fascinated and greatful to come across all these cool people and links on your blog. Sure beats the sh*t out of sitting in an office on the 47th floor having an a and r man "not listen to your music and pretend to care", whilst looking for a mention of himself in hits mag...ugh...this is so much more refreshing, opening up a subject and seeing all the resources that pop up. Yes, we're scattered to the four winds by this massive paridigm shift, and marketing people and songwriters don't know how to get their mixes sounding right, well im a Grammy winning mixer, 2 in fact...send me your stuff...ill happily evaluate it for you, because that's what i love to do...
Do I wish I was mixing hits in the Majors again? Maybe a little , but actually I've enjoyed my little indie projects this year so much more, happier clients, nicer artists, less "hit pressure". Do I know how to market and distribute these records? No, I havn't a clue, but I"m having alot of fun learning.
I'm also posting a blog about mixing issues at http://bassybob.blogspot.com
And started a ning network for producers and artists called
http://elementsofmixing.ning.com
to create a forum specifically for producers and mixers that need answers to common questions...
It's all here, in the net, and Derek, again, thankyou for being such a shining conduit to learning and growth.
I'm going to try to keep my emails to you only 5 a day, you're a busy guy!
Cheers, and keep the ideas coming, very greatful.
Bassy Bob
Excellent. That gets people thinking:
What are my options?
Where can I get ideas from?
Is there someone who I can bounce ideas off of?
What do I really enjoy doing?
And on and on.
Creativity doesn't stop at the piano.
M
Creativity doesn't stop at the piano.
M
Great information and it forces one to move forward faster. However,
one should trust their decisions
prior to producing a music,CDs.however,Your musical knowledge is allways valuable. Thanks
Monica Peterson
Dereck,
Specifically what are the "50 other questions that would make this article too long"? I want to know! It'll help me help myself, and save you an email about 'what I should do with my music'! And it'll reinforce my habit of coming back to your website and supporting your endeavors, so it'll be a "win/win".
As always, many thanks for sharing.
Dean
Broadjam really helped me a lot with feedback written by other people in the business. I was able to rise to the top in jazz and was picked up and sold once through PumpAudio. I would definitely recommend using Broadjam to hear what other people's thoughts are.
It surprises me that you even have to write this post. It also surprises me that that everyone here seems to have this already figured out, too (even though most of your emails seem to say otherwise).
Too me, I would categorize this as just plain common sense. I guess most of the population lacks it. I've never been one for intruding such straight forward invasive demands such as "listen to my music and buy my CD". Yet, probably 90% of the friend requests I get on social sites like myspace are just that. Not even knowing who they're sending too.
I'm old school I guess, but it's always been my philosophy to get to know people and build a relation and try to be equal in the amount of giving and asking as you can be. I've had a long time relationship with my fans because of it.
Thanks for another interesting article. I enjoy them
Kelly
I LOVE DEREK!
Re. "I’m just a musician that listens mostly to traditional Persian music and trip-hop. I built a website that musicians use, but I was never known for my taste in music."
Yea you might have built CD Baby, but some of us actually love the music you've made yourself, some of us LOVE that Persian music! As you say it's all subjective.
The answers you give to the questions re. "What if I was in a different industry," are awesome & very funny! I like the questions you ask to "it depends" too!
This looks like a copy & paste job for my 847 emails dealing with this question! ;)~ Loved the millionaire quote.
The biggest reaction the millions of Indie musicians get is no reaction at all. Remember...things are very saturated. Just be true to your feeling. Express yourself in an totally honest way. It is the only thing that matters at the end of the day. Good one Derek.
First of all it's an unreasonable request. Secondly, if that question needs to be asked then I ask, why bother with music at all? If you don't know the answer,forget music.
Know what you believe in and go for it. Or forget it. Sorry if I seem cruel and sanguine but there are too many musicians who really believe deeply, follow a dream and have a clear vision, and others who haven't a clue yet. It has nothing to do with fame but with your whole being.
My advice is take your time and find out who you are.
best of luck,
Gladys
Quality always wind through, "cream always comes to the top" If your music is exceptional it will eventually be recognised as such
I think that answering a question with 9 questions as you did in this article was perfect in this case. I think any intelligent artist can answer this question for themselves by just answering those 9 you put up. Thanks for your insight, journeys, and frienship. The Karma is awesome.
I think you're doing the right thing by pointing them to the articles! And get that coaching going!
It sounds like there's a question behind the question. "Could you listen to my music AND if you like it match me with a record company or manager you know"
Thanks for providing your thought provoking ideas, Derek.
I think the composer from Finland, Jean Sibelius said it best:
"Pay no attention at what critics say. A statue has never been erected in honor of a critic."
Robert Van Horne
You have a strong premise. Thank you for writing this article and addressing the issues. I relate to what is written because I often send mssg's to people asking them to listen to the music so I can receive some form of feedback from the audience or expect some sort of gratitude for the material. Anywho keep up the good work
I don't really know what to do but I figure if I live long enough and try enough different angles of approach sooner or later something will click and that might not work for long.
Good Luck,
Michael Autry
...the real answer is "it depends...why I'm making music"
Music as a therapy for oneself and perhaps the listeners people too.
Derek, I think you should write an insightful, personal, positive, encouraging, thoughtful, enlightening, and truthful form letter. ~ Sarge ~
so i read your blog post… what should i write. I find your post lacking soul for nothing more than self indulgent satisfactions.
I know what you did, but what do you do now?!
Sivers Coach in Waiting - Devin Theme
As Pres for CDBABY I would never have expected a crtique from you. It would not have been fair to other artists and may have given the impression that there was favouritism (which there was none). The approach that Derek/CDBABY took instead was the correct one ... coach and also post the high selling CDs/Artists. Very objective and based on facts rather than subjectivity. Reviews should come from peers, radio stations, crtitics and even garnered from CD sales and fan mail/email/feedback. But even in my interview with Mr. Gary Wright, Gary said he did not measure success by monetary gains but rather satisfaction. I agree. I made my CD for myself with the hopes that my tastes would appeal to the masses ... (well, as it stands its only a small cult following but not bad for a first CD).
What to do with one's art? There's only ever one sufficient GENERAL answer: Be true to yourself. Its always a mistake as an artist to attempt to please others. Ultimately, if you try to please others you'll lose the essence of art itself because art is the true expression of one's self.
I guess I'm still just a dreamer.
But I was hoping that this music thing,
would be like the ''True'' story of a man who loved fishing since he was a kid.
By the time he had grown up, he was really good at it! So, he decided he wanted to become a professional fishing guide.
He passed out flyers, and tried to inform people that he was one of the best at catching fish, and it would be worth it, to pay him to go fishing! . . . But no one would pay a stranger, or even give him a chance! So, knowing in his heart he was good, he just practiced guiding and fished every one he knew for free!
Then one day he saw his ''hero'', (one of the top guides ever) guiding on the lake.
After he got off the lake, the legendary guide came up to him and said, ''Kid your good! You ever thought about guiding?'' . . . Having too many clients of his own, he gave the kid one of his clients to let him try it. He VOUCHED for the newcomer, and since they believed his word, he started getting clients! 20 years later that kid is still one of the top guides in California! It worked once, so I thought that philosophy might work again!
P.S., . . . that kid is me.
LAMMY aka Mr. True
I have worked with many musicians over the years and some have gone on the become very successful and some even quite famous. I have led bands as a frontman and organizer. I have always told any musician that I had the conversation with or worked with that they should do the music for themselves. It is my belief that if you are not doing it to please yourself than the work would hardly be considered honest and even if it was to become successful the music would most likely suck. In the end as a musician I feel that all we really have is the music and our creativity. If that is not success enough for you I doubt that you will ever be content, because then one would lack substance. Sorry if I rambled I understand that you read way too much of this stuff.
As Bill Cosby once said "I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody. "
Thank you, Mr Derec
for the advices you send to me.
I try to read them and choose my best for use.
My kind regards
Nikos Piperis
I guess a lot of musicians think of
you as a GURU ,but I feel that everybodys taste are different, just
as we are all unique people, we may
follow a trend in music or like
a style but when it boils down to it
we are all different in one way or
another, take it as a compliment that so many musicians would like
your opinion, I agree would they change anything if you said so...
no I dont think so, its all ego
and should be only taken complimentarily
Wow. You're into Traditional Persian Music? Cool. I shoulda asked you to listen to my music. Ha!
Keep it coming Derek. Every thing you write is useful. Even when it's something I already know, it's good to be reminded.
...remember all those inspirational ( or not ) stories of struggling artists who met with no sucess until after death?
I'm not suggesting 'shuffling off this mortal coil' as a way of achieving sucess.... no .... the point is that the artist who made it AFTER death had much the same life experience as the artist who didn't meet with any sucess in life OR death.
So both the sucessful and non- sucessful artist persevered and did so because their passion - which isn't of a everlastingly consistent nature - to simply express themselves.
We've had thousands of generations of humanity and it's only within the last few generations that we've moved from a village stage to a world stage.
You still needed a 'proper' job to survive and the luxury of being paid for 'art' in the form of music is very recent.
What you have to offer the world as a twenty year old song writer will be 'richer' by age of fifty but you still have to have something bubbling away beneath the surface in order to keep a flow of material happening. .... that's where the intervening thirty years comes in. You have to keep 'the channel' open and write anyway. Easier said than done I know - particularly if you've nothing to say. This explains my generating two or three songs a year for decades.
It's not that you don't have anything to say at twenty - most of us do and it can be pithy and well expressed - BUT it may have little appeal for an older age group.
Age and experience don't automatically equate to wisdom so don't give up if you're twenty ... just be prepared to pay some dues.
You must be superman. It takes me nearly all day to answer 200 e-mails.
Thanks for all the fantastic work you do and a fantastic service.
My next email to you would ask, "How do you successfully keep in touch with so many people at once via email?!" That's the problem I have, as far as the music career is concerned!
aol shut me down once, because they said I emailed out 1,000 emails, turns out some crook stole my password and did just that while I was at work, even still I never knew there was a limit on emails.
I manage talent here in LA Actors and Musicians. So I get asked that question a lot also. I tell them it all depends on what you're shooting for. What's your audience and how do you feel it compares other Musicians doing similar music quality wise. If it's poorly recorded I'll never get a producer to listen to it.
I remember reading the advice of a columnist in Inc. magazine years ago that said "Try not to get discouraged. If building a business were easy then everyone would do it." The music business is a lot like that.
Make your music available on the web (via your website & PayPal, via TuneCore.com, and via CD Baby and then show it to as many people as possible.
And as Ted Turner says "Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell, and advertise."
I THINK THE QUESTION COULD BE TRANSLATED AS "WILL YOU PLEASE SAY SOMETHING NICE TO BOOST MY EGO" OR "WILL YOU PLEASE HELP ME TO PUBLICISE MY NEW SONG".
SIMPLE AS THAT.
What should they (we, you) do?
Put one foot in front of the other in whatever direction the path way seems open. The journey of discovering where you fit can be frustrating but is also part of the fun!
My book recommendation for ALL ARTISTS/MUSOS is "The Artist's way" by Julia Cameron.
Maybe that question arises from folks seeking a leg-up or acknowledgement from a trusted accessible insider. We'd all love a cut/pasteable comment from Derek on our web sites.
The other side of the coin reveals a sense of insecurity & lack of confidence in one's music. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, we've all been there & some of us visit often. But if we're good enough to make our music, record it, push it & dream even reasonably big we shouldn't require reassurance for it.
Its ok to get a second opinion, but unless you are fired by a suggestion from someone else, I don't think it really matters when you know what you want, and have achieved it in line with your desire and ability. Of course not all the sonds you hear in your head can be readily accessed, unless you have the time, money and patience to take the long road to where you want to get to, so there are gong to be a few shortcomings sometimes, but there wil be times when a lone voice with just a guitar or piano will say more than what an array of sounds can do.A lot depends on if you have been gifted with an idea that can only command attention. There is no way to will inspration.
If you have DONE the music and it is professionally recorded, mixed, mastered (ideally not slammed unless you are doing super-mainstream pop!), etc... you are pretty much done. Until the next album. 8-)
Nobody asked you to do it. Nobody said, please do an album of songs just for me. You did it anyway and you did it largely for yourself/selves. If the CD is done, there is no next step except put it somewhere people can hear and/or buy it. I suggest bandcamp.com (various format downloads, including FLAC and option to let fan name his/her price for a song/album).
If you're concerned people don't know who the f**k you are, do some live shows. If you kick ass, it's not too hard to get gigs at small, cruddy venues. Once you have done successful gigs at small, cruddy venues it is easier to get gigs at medium-small venues (who are legendarily fussy about the numbers you will attract). Then it is just about word-of-mouth.
So, it's a pointless question, really. Or, at least, it is directed at the wrong person. Derek may be an icon to the independent music world for CDBaby, his articles and his other projects, but he is not an executive record producer. So, "what should I do next?" is a question best put to Pete Waterman or Quincy Jones and the like. That is, assuming such levels of "mainstreamness" don't "offend" you as an artist. 8-)
hi Derek,
you should have beeb around forty years ago when i first started in the music business but yor are here now thanks for all the good work you and your team have given us you have given us the tool, the rest is up to us to keep giving you quality creative music to share with the world/ noah howard
Paul Saunders said: "Perhaps we should talk about the future of the music business once the record label & radio duopoly have ended."
Mmm, I don't think talking about it will help all that much. Action is what is needed and it is already happening (much thanks to Derek). Go create stuff and let others talk about it =)
As for asking for feedback I can see the challenge that Derek is facing. Feedback is best when it is spontaneous regardless if it is criticism or praise. One person may not like it, while five others do.
As for your emails Derek, maybe it is time to create a discussion forum?
I was going to ask you "something like" this type of question, Derek - really. Thanks for saving both of us the time. Meanwhile, getting the answer(s) requires some homework, doesn't it?!!
Kind regards,
Sam McNally. Australia.
The question is vague and unformed. Fishing for direction, rather than focusing on action.
I had the pleasure of co-producing a record for a wonderful singer/songwriter in Stockholm. She has one of the most genuine voices I've heard in a long time. With a deep interest in language and a curious sonic sense.
But after we completed all the tracks and posted her MySpace site, she refused to play live. Confronted with the next step, her stage fright became debilitating.
So, "what do to" depended on her own set of challenges and opportunities.
I also have a student who is charming and engaging on stage. Happy to share his positive energy and fine songs with a crowd.
But his recordings have been, thus far, underdeveloped and technically poor. And he has yet to capture the vibrancy of own his voice on "tape."
His next step depends on his own different set of challenges and opportunities.
The main "what should I do?" question tends to bring up a lot more questions.
I found many links to articles about dealing with stage fright. From both therapeutical and practical angles. Here is one:
http://christinekane.com/blog/overcoming-stage-fright-heres-what-to-do/
And a home recording studio production community:
http://www.homestudiotips.com/topic/music-production
You must be one of the kindest persons in this business, Derek. You actually answered all those e-mails? You share your honest thoughts and real life experience with us, and we better listen! At one point, however, you will have to charge a small fee for your service, right? As your member list grows, you will end up with thousands of requests in your mailbox when you return from a short trip ;o)
About asking for opinions about my music, I stopped doing that many years ago. What happened was that if i got a very positive response, I started to believe (or feel) that "wow, I'm really good, I can earn my living from my music!". When the next, honest response arrived, which wasn't positive at all, it made me feel: "Yes, my music sucks, I should start spending my time doing something else..." Both conclusions revealed that I wasn't sure about my own identity, and I didn't really believe in my own music. A true artist will create his work like he creates it for himself, to fulfill his own dreams, and he will "forget" about the rest of the world around him. This is not a good business model, of course - and the big dilemma of an artist who has created his art and need to share it with the world, is "how much time and money should I spend on promotion?" Personally, I have no answer to that question. All I know, is that I have spent way too much time trying to reach new people with my music, and too little time composing new music. We have a limited amount of creative energy, and the best advice I can give (to myself and other artists) is to use this energy wisely.
I have been using Garageband for many years, and I both hate and love that place. Out of the hundreds of reviews I have got of my music there, I would say that only a handful have been helpful. The rest are people who either don't like my type of music (a few don't like music at all...), or who are there just to fulfill their duty in order to be able to submit their own tracks for review, or people who condemns me because I was stupid enough to place my track in the wrong musical genre! :(
Derek,
Let us not forget you, who had the drive to get great exposure to be heard,and that the Artist would be poor, if they had to do it on there own.My hat of for you Derek, to have it made possible for those who were, or who still are in limbo what to do with there own music.Derek, you hit the nail right on the head (It Depends)many factors play a role what you want to do next with your music.Encouragement;Listen to a wide range of music,and see if you dare to go maybe in a different direction.
What is your heart telling you?
Hope I can
help to encourage who might catch a light at the end of the tunnel,and there is such a thing!
Sonja
A wise friend said to me the other day "putting out your songs as you want them is mastery enough Loz. Dont judge past or present masters by your own work....bring something personal, which you do. Just master how YOU want them to be.....♤"
I think you need to be happy with your music first and if you're looking for approval from others then you're not gonna have as much passion in your music as you might necessarily have if you were just doing it for yourself.
Many should remember that asking people to give their opinions on music does depend on the genre of music enjoyed by the person who ask.
Experience has taught me that everyone are individuals and even within genres the likes and dislikes of people are different.
The goal is to write and record from the heart and keep in mind that not everyone will instantly love what you do, as much as yourself.
Put it out there and see what happens with it, that is the real judge.
Derrick is very knowledgeable and a wonderful person but asking him to listen to thousands of songs is reidculous.
As a music supervisor, it is so difficult to explain to musicians what the difference is between good and signable or licensable. You are right, it totally depends on what the goal is. I, much like Derek, spend a great deal of my day answering emails and giving advice, and it is an honor to be asked. However, I often "coach" musicians or managers to specify their questions toward their goal.
Such as: "Would this work on Country radio?" "What would be the lead single?" or "Are my bridges effective? how about the chorus, does it come in soon enough"
With these questions a quick response is easy and valuable.
My own opinion is that from YOUR perspective this has to be frequently a "no win" question. I've done a lot of writing, production, and arranging myself, not to mention that I performed professionally in clubs, lounges, and hotels for about 33 years. What really makes a good answer to the question in the subject of this article is if the artist is on the same page or at least the artist respects and is willing to take guidance from another artist.
...
Two of the best "collaborators" I've ever worked with were fabulous artists. An amazing "chemistry" would evolve when we'd work together where I'd get an idea, bounce it off another collaborator, he'd have some ideas, I'd either like or totally accept his ideas...before we know it the song is better than if just I or my friend had worked on the song solo...and we're BOTH excited about the finished product. These kinds of collaborations in my view are good as gold.
On one hand so much of this revolves around the two artists, if there is a "chemistry" while working together or not. It could be crazy for example to have a Country artist take suggestions from a punk artist...then again sometimes you never know...on the other hand, as a performer, it would often be wonderfully exciting to hear a totally different perspective of a song I'd performed seemingly a zillion times...
I guess the answer to the question is that it would depend if there's a "artistic chemistry" that works well between the person asking the question and the one giving advice and if both parties are open minded about it...
If Derek has to answer these questions, I think it's somewhat unfair at least for both parties partially due to some of the things I mentioned about (and for other reasons as well).
Hope that helps
Funny how [some] people want to defend their songs like they just gave birth, but when put in context, you'd never hear anyone ask "Here's my child, what should I do with it?"
This was GREAT to read! As I am my own primary manager for myself as an artist, I am overdue for my regular monthly "artistic check in".
I'm so grateful I read your list of questions. I'm going to use them for my meeting with myself!
Thanks!
Kate
The tortured frame of passion,it has it's ebbs and flows,
But more perfect than art itself, natural talent just grows and grows.
Which leads me to reflect upon my own philosophy about life.
There are three kinds of people in this world: those who know something, those who think they know, and those who will never know.
I often get requests like this from friends (many less requests then you get, obviously) and I generally take the time to listen and find something positive to say.
I seldom say anything negative because one thing I have learned through the years is that I have absolutely no idea whatsoever why one song becomes a world wide hit and another dies in obscurity.
Some of my favorite music is that which virtually no one has ever heard while some of my least favorite music has sold millions.
Needless to say, I may not be the best person to ask for advice when it comes to songs.
For example, I love listening to independent blues bands and blues podcasts where I hear music by bands that no one has ever heard of and probably never will. But the music is amazing.
I think love of music is subjective and the only thing we as songwriters can do is put the best product we can out there and hope for the best.
If we try to taylor our music to what we believe people will want to hear we are going to produce an inferior product.
Best advice I give people is be yourself, do your own thing. If someone likes it, then it will sell, if not then it won't. But at least you have been true to yourself.
the truth is you don't know,Derek. nobody knows. nobody can coach us. you can tell us cool stories that may or may not inspire...
Hey! Check out our music on http://www.myspace.com/donkeyboxrocks
Peace
The wonderful thing is Derek that this is the very area that Simply Vocals is all about and was all about when I spoke to you last year.
Simply vocals is about putting your musical material safely onto a site that encourages people to collaborate and allows them to commercialise that collaboration on whatever level they take part.ie to share your IP in a safe environment where it is so well protected that new income from any exploitation of that work by anybody else, is guaranteed to come (in the legitimate part) back to the artist.
There will be a number of options (as you say in order to accomodate the needs or requirements of the individuals in question and their unique priorities.)
The initial task of our site is to legally pre-apporve the use of an acapella vocal for use in new creative product/work. Some people will contribute that vocal where others will want to seek out that vocal. You are either an end user, a contributor and most often you can be both.
This facility is free to contributors and can come as a simple page where work is showcased and bought or sold or it can be a whole TV channel through which one can take part in real time collaborations and mash ups- all this while downloading any part of the library to use in the work and /or affordable software to individualise your take on the production.
My point is that "Go to simplyvocals.com". is the answer to this question and find out there what a whole community of independent artists,producers. voclaist, song writers and film makers would do with your work....Make your work a seed from which new works and creative relationships can grow...
Simply Vocals will be in your beautiful faces, present and collecting in the Autumn....It would be great if people were directed there to a recording and publishing safe house and facility that belongs to each individual that takes part.
We need more major artists like McCartney and Madonna, Missie Elliot and Peter Gabrial to start putting their songs in the pot (for our monthly remix competitions)
Put your mouth where your money is ..Put back into developing and supporting musicians and embrace the music industry of the future. We all have to ge4t our hands dirty, challenging the old models and collaborating just by sitting on their bums and giving away a vocal to play with..
The site is in stealth mode but is an awesome creature to behold..It will be unvieled in the Autumn of this year so look out for the signs and get your material prepared
Please please...The next time anybody gets asked that question just send them to .
julie@simplyvocals.com
We'll sort it!
DS:
THANKS for being so HONEST about the question! I think there's one more answer also ...
In the spirit of Socrates, I think I'd always answer that question with a question.
Q. Listen to my music and tell me what I should do.
A. Are YOU completely satisfied with it?
If you're completely satisfied with it, then DO NOTHING. If not, KEEP WORKING on it until you ARE!
Funny, that's what I just did---sent a new mix to some friends for critique. I don't want to know about performance or structure, just mix issues. Too high-end? Too much bass? Put that guitar in the middle? Vocal too loud?
Being 55 and a life-long rocker, I have high-end hearing loss, and because I've always liked the bright sound, I think I may mix too bright, so much so that others (with better hearing) find it annoyingly jangly or tinny or something.
So, Derek, wanna listen to my song and tell me? It's not Persian or Trip-hop!
I don't see whats so hard about it.
People here in Nashville have been telling me what to do with my music for twenty years, but I keep making it anyway.
Randy Handley
Try SongU.com where coaching and pitching is part of the service.
Yo,
DEREK U R A FUNNY CAT !!!
That's what I like about your site so truthful it's funny, I wonder is any one pick'n this U.P. besides ME !!!
When you teach music at a college or university or if you own a record company or if you are a performer or if you own cdbaby, the question of "what do you think of my music?" comes up all the time. Its a relevant question if you are not receiving any response to your music and I think it deserves an honest answer. If you like the person's music or you it moves you etc... then responding to this question is easier. However if you listen to someone's music and you find it unpleasant and your immediate response is to turn I off , then the entire question honesty versus being mannerly comes into play. I personal choose the mannerly approach with a response like " thanks for sending your music and keep up the good work' or knock em dead tiger!
I test all my new music by playing it for my mini dapple Dachshund. If her tail wags, I then go into a studio and record it. If she gnaws on my ankle, I know it needs work. If she barfs on my new designer Nikes...into the circular file with it. And thass a big---WOOF!
Boy, can I appreciate the theme of this article! Most of us have struggled through the whole creation process of getting the music recorded, packaged, and all that, and it IS knowing the next steps to take that's hard. Last year we produced my husband's first CD of solo flute music (Squarely in the Holiday Spirit!), and even with my having book publishing experience, it was hard to know just what to do after we sent out the first few for review. It's hard to have much in your electronic press kit beyond the initial press release and a few reproducible photos before any "serious" reviews come out. So CDbaby allowed a few friends the opportunity to show off their erudition, and that helped. We didn't get any serious reviews until (duh!) December and by that time the possible selling season was over.
But they were good reviews, so we've used the best snippets as part of the cover art for our second cd, Squarely Baroque, and the electronic press kit for this second cd includes info about the first cd as well.
Long-term investment; we have to keep reminding ourselves that these are long-term investments.
But, along the way, it certainly would help if there were some place online where we could find a list of library acquisition department addresses. I'd like to send out mailers about these two cd's, but it's hard to know where to even start. I really appreciated the advice the other day from someone on this forum who recommended that you find out who the publicist/marketer is that being used by someone you'd like to emulate, and hire them to represent you, too. THAT made a lot of sense.
I've mostly come to realize that cd's--particularly the first one by any artist--is a strange combination of resume, business card, promotional tool and gas money. Give them away for free where necessary, but mostly recognize that they're an adjunct to your performance. You (hopefully) get paid for a gig, and the cd is a way to boost the revenue from that gig. Not necessarily a lot, but it all helps.
Or, as I tell my husband and any other professional caliber musican I may talk with, what you do--your music--is magic, and the cd is a way to let other people carry home some of the magic.
But it sure would be nice to have a step-by-step business plan as to how to market each type of cd. Your e-book, Derek, is the closest thing I've seen to such, and I really appreciate the effort you put into it.
847 emails in a twelve-hour period, eh? Isn't THAT the power of caring and sharing?
Jackie
Is anything more subjective than music? Comparing your music to others is a dead end, imho. Technical aspects of home recording are another matter. Different sides of the brain needed. As usual Derek, you offer up wonderful food for thought.
Pinedog
Interesting things happen when our heart and soul are open to another person's music. We listen with our hearts and we hear what was experienced in the creation. That is the fun part because they take you where they go, which might be no where for a very long time. It is an experience, and like Andy Warhol films, they are there for the experience of art. We judge art often, and that is sad, because art isn't meant to be judged, it is meant to be experienced. It is one soul's creation to another soul. It is life breathing itself, and we enter. A friend of mine once said, "Art is about the making of it." He felt that the process was the art. I love to see people, really see them, really hear them, and this takes time quietly listening, and hearing. I don't know that I ever reach the REAL listening and hearing, but it is wonderful trying. When I listen to myself watching or listening, I know if I am listening, because I am quiet, or very roused up. When I'm roused up, I am tapping my own soul's hope for connection here.
I personally think that a musician should write and record what he/she feels...if you're true to that...everything else will flow.
I love Persian traditional music. Although my favourite for some time is Rumanian music from 60's and 70's e.g. Faramita Lambru, Dona Dumitra Siminicu, Romica Puceanu. When you have time look them up, you might enjoy them.
Oh, the theme of your post, well I think people just want to hear that their music is great and you will promote them or something.
Man this is a real issue for me on myspace. Every other add request is "hey, I think you'd like our music. Come check it out and tell us what you think." Why the hell should I? Is it so I can stroke your pathetic ego? Is it because you want me to "discover" you? Is it so I can buy your CD which I will never do, nor bother to go to your page with a request like that. The quickest way to get the delete button from me is this inane and lazy ass request. Musicians and bands, If you wish to reach out to people in the industry at least make an effort to personalise your messages. A form letter/spam reading 'Hey check out our tunes and tell us what you think' Is both lazy, unprofessional and non creative. Derek is a much better man than I to even read one. I have no interest invested in you nor your immature request based on the fact that you have none invested in me. Your spam request is selfish and non motivated. Here's a tip. If you wish to garner a response, first take some effort to learn a little about me, perhaps hear and read about what I have done in the music business. Write a little something to me based on that. This way I see you have taken a little time, if even a couple minutes to learn about me, and the selfeshness factor dissapears and I more than likely will go to your myspace site and listen and maybe even leave a post..and who knows, become real friends, as I have with a few other atrists who have learned the ropes of true marketing, and reaching out in a human way and not just a lazy click of a mouse with the same lame message you send to everyone else. This method of "check me out and tell me what you think" is called "shotgunning." It is the modern day version of shotgunning, which before the internet was when you would send your tape to as many industry people as you could afford to mail in hopes that one would listen. The problem with so many bands and musicians is they have never learned business or marketing skills. I don't know how other people view this, but when I get these "check me out and tell me what you think" requests I only view these artists as wanna-be hacks who's only motivation is driven by selfish and self centered needs. I have done the most to help other artists in the indutry who have gone out of their way to help me first. Think about that before you send those childish and desperate little notes. Either that or just get the hell out of the way, this business is way too crowded and there's a burger that needs flipping somewhere.
I get requests to critique for people all the time, music, screenplays, video... I try to remove myself from viewing it as an artist because artists are either blown away by something or else think about how they would have done it different.
-- Derek
I didn't know you like traditional Persian music. Are you familiar with ney/oud/flute and violin player Bassam Saba? A phenomenal player I have the great pleasure to meet and work with who also runs The New York Arabic Orchestra. Maybe his upcoming CD will be on CD Baby.
Cool. Sorry I don't know Bassam Saba. I just listen to Radio Darvish.
Just get out and do what you do the best.Get out and play that music. It is the people in the clubs and other venues that opinions matter. If you are good there will be a demand for your music and you will grow from it. If it isn't good you'll find a hard time getting booked back in places. It is the fan that matters.Like anything in life you have to work your way up.
Hey Derek,
I'm always on the look out for some new music (new for me that is). Really enjoying Radio Darvish.
I saw Bassekou Kouyate perform here in Barbados in March and was totally blown away. He's a ngoni player from Mali. Truly inspiring sounds.
So I've been on the look out for old(new for me)songs.
Thanks,
Andre
as you point out with your questions, Derek, that sort of enquiry and its answers are about context: of life, of music, of personality, beliefs, and career.
You are the wise-man on the mountain. People Journey to you for answers. Your post is heavy with true wisdom. As I make my way back down, I have my answer. Your enlightenment is priceless! Thanks!
Thanks Derek,
I think it's so subjective anyway, I love Sinatra but others love Tony Bennett y'dig.
Stravinsky was banned !! but millions love his music.
I create because I must and a lot of people like my music, but not everybody does.
I try to do five things everyday to make sure I'm moving forward, answer e-mail, contact sonicbids, film music magazine, BMI and compose at least 2 minutes of music, Sometimes I just read or walk or lie still and listen.
Peace,
Eric
I met a very talented folk artist
in 1987 in a tap room in Arizona and I'll never forget his words of wisdom to me. He said "No two relationships are ever the same".
Boy is he right! I learned never compare one person with another. Everybody is unique. And so this applies to music as well. No two songs are ever the same. Even when the same song is played by two different musicians it sounds different.
Sounds like everyone needs some therapy.
Isnt the first question "what do I want".
Some days for me its the first breath of the day.The rest is a bonus and a joy.
Smile,these are the days of your life.
Ask a vegan what goes best with fish.(sea water).
true enough* When we truly discover why we are doing what we are doing the next step presents itself.
peace
awesome article.
You are right about it all depends.
It's taken me oh...8 years to finally identify my sound, strengths and style as a vocalist/indi recording artist.
It really is a journey.
It really is a commitment to know what I want to do with my gift too!
Mykel
This issue has had me thinking all day now. At face value, the premise "let me know what I should do" as you stated in your original piece at the top here, feels wiggly. Is it a cry for help? A venting of frustration? Simple inexperience?
When I was starting out in New York many moons ago, I was lucky to have friends, colleagues, and mentors who would speak up and suggest ways that I could improve my craft, my abilities in the recording studio, and on stage. Real life, specific actions I could take to heart, to the practice room, and back out in public.
So, even though my ego would get poked, I received useful guidance from musicians who had much, much more experience and insight than I had. They told me what they thought I should do based on how I expressed my own goals, desires, and future vision. And I was grateful to be coached. I still am.
And the bands I played in were coached by the audiences, too. If the people in the club went back to order more drinks at the bar while we were playing, they certainly told us what they thought we should do.
I like to think of the whole creative process as a universe of collaborations. I might be alone with my thoughts. But my work is ultimately a social activity. With friends, family, colleagues, teachers, mentors. Critics, journalists. Labels, managers, lawyers. Therapists, preachers, gurus.
My dad joined the Navy to see the world. I started joining bands and am still traveling.
Thanks for your generosity and obsession.
First you must establish your musical purpose (pleasure or business)and go from there. If its business, you need to learn business or align yourself with someone who already has this experience, not necessarily the music business either because that model is already extinct and you could end up in "backwards mode" where alot of industry related members are stuck right now, once you have a business plan, you will be able to answer those questions yourself as your business plan, which includes a marketing plan, will force you to analyze and realize your musical strengths and weaknesses...if your music is not intended for business purposes and it's soley for pleasure, then do it, part time,sometime all the time, ENJOY !
I read the title of the article on the link you sent to my inbox, and though, "What the hell am I going to be able to tell him to do?" Lovely parallel. That said, maybe the supplicants are seeking some non-creative guidance, in, say, marketing. What venues would be good? Are there any high-profile competitions that would be appropriate, Will You Be My Agent, Derek? Sort of questions. Good answer, regardless. Maybe a better (but still knida presumptuous) question would be, " How about you check out my music, and let me know if you enjoy it." Cheers - Mad Whiskey Grin
I got one reply to my blog-post-email that just said, “Your music is good but needs more real instruments.” I thanked them for their feedback. -- Derek
"It depends" is the only honest and most valuable answer you *can* give. The singular path each artist must take is as individual as the music they create.
They need to own their own process. The artist has the biggest stake of all in this yet the very statement "what should I do?" is begging for *someone else* to do it for them.
You cannot write their business plan for them for every reason you detailed above.
If you tell them exactly what to do and they "succeed" by your standards, not theirs, *they* have failed and I'd contend that *you* have failed them as a coach.
The quandary is that you still need to keep incessantly asking questions and seeking new vantage points in order to grow as a musician, as an artist and, more importantly, a functioning human being. NEVER stop asking questions or seeking wisdom especially from those you truly respect.
The things that are needed in this equation are:
1) The artist's OWNERSHIP of his/her own path
2) The RESPONSIBILITY to themselves to honestly, truthfully, and critically answer the questions you posed
3) Their own VISION of their Utopian outcome
4) The inexhaustible ENGERGY and COMMITMENT to see their own plan through to fruition, and
5) The COURAGE to take first and each subsequent steps.
CREDENTIAL TIME: Derek, like you I am a Berklee grad (class of '78 to show my age). Like you I offer coaching and mentoring on line (I teach business and management classes on line). Like you I continue to seek and learn (in addition to teaching I am pursuing a PhD in Organizational Management on-line). Like you I am desperately passionate about music and continue to make it a priority in my life.
I say those things because while we share many attributes I am not you nor you me. Just as you and I share the drive and desire of everyone reading this and everyone who has ever asked that question "what should I do" we are not them nor they us. The choices we make are not theirs nor their choices ours.
And that's the beauty of music.
Stan
One must follow their instincts and just keep truckin'.
Yes,
I get those on myspace and find it hard to respond to. This article nailed how I feel when I get them and what I'd like to say to the artist vague and blanket approach. I do respond "NICE TUNES or NICE VOICE if time allows and it is true sometimes. I do not respond badly for, I believe, it's bad karma to be negative on another artist bands efforts. Though constructive thoughts are fine, like MASTER THIS STUFF, something on the sonic end or even more detail if they really want to know my opinion. Thats dangerous for it's ONLY MY/ONE OPINION...
I've had dozens of songs in FILM/TV. Artist ask me how I did it on my own--When I receive the emails asking me how I do it-it many times, not all, but many feels like the same short cut vibe I get from artists when I receive the "listen to my music, let me know what you think"...I'm always happy to give out the LONG, TEDIOUS, BORING "LOTS OF WORK and PRAYER answer of how I actually do it--Some respond back, thankyou, the ones who don't know the biz quite yet or perhaps, don't want it bad enough, I never hear from again. I might tell them in person, where sometimes I get a long blank stare of REALLY, all that work?
Sorry, I'm rambling (Maybe that's why I get the blank stare, ha)--it's A GREAT article which might help many artist choose a stronger more focused approach to getting their music heard...
find a label that has a narrow scope of what they want to promote, and WAH LAH! There's your answer...?
Maybe you'll come to a gig?
OR
Be a cottage industry and do your own thing to the best of your ability, bite off no more than you can chew, and enjoy being an independent musician, making/mapping your own tours when and where you want, and with whom you want. ...and I like Persian and trip hop! I might incorporate a bit of it into the show
What should I do with my music?
It's almost as deep as "What makes us breath?"
I have always felt this about anyones music -genre - color etc.
Did it inspire - induce a smile - cause a reaction. if it did -then you are on the right track.
When I have played or written --whether it's been 2 - 20 or 20,000
If someone said to me - on there own and not prodded to say something nice -
"wow I love this " or "Wow your lyric touched me"
I don't measure success by being in the mainstream. It would be too cliche -
Not that making a living selling and playing music all the time would be great...
This was a great question to ask...
everyones taste is different...
Yet did it do those things I said..
There are thousands of artist that have loyal fans...so the answer is yes...yes it did.
Being in oblivion is better. I mean look at the media circus --Do I really want that? probably not.
But do I want my songs to Heal - tug at someones heart - inspire - and help them thru what ever pain -
yes I do. - music heals and soothes the soul- regardless of the type - even Tri world - India - or third world beats - They inspire you and touch you...
That's the true beauty and secret
to it all....just keep making your music..shakespeare said it best " be true to thyne self."
Martin Braldey /The Hawthorns
I think the biggest problem with asking someone for feedback and direction is thinking they will be able to get you noticed and heard. I used to review CD's and I was astounded at how many times people got upset when I gave an honest opinion. I stopped reviewing because it was too hard to find a balance between positive and honest. What is the old saying? One man's trash is another man's treasure? My advice? Find the people who celebrate what you're doing right now and go there...you will be successful no matter what because they already love you....
My four cents worth early in the morning..jane eamon
Great article. Most people that ask that question are looking for validation than anything. A lot of artists know what they want, but don't know how to get there or what they're goals are; if they do know and are clear, focus is the one thing they run into time and time again.
That was all totally my thinking! It's good to hear someone else with the same questions, fears. I know what I want to do with my music but I keep hitting brick walls. So I go around them, keep on writing, keep on staying on people's minds. However I'm a little afraid of the music industry which I think is my biggest downfall; I shouldn't be afraid but I'm afraid of people I don't know, don't trust yet, etc. That's my biggest brick wall. Thanks for writing the article, I don't feel so alone in that anymore.
Agreed 100%. Running a studio for over 43 years, we get this question constantly. We do provide paid consultation and have people come in with a prepared list of questions. We had to start charging for it a long time ago as it was eating up all of our time. However, when the subject has answered your above questions as to their own goals, timeline, etc., we usually can provide some coaching and/or direction for them. There is no one correct answer or quick fix, and the meetings are all subjective.
We get a little frustrated - of course we want to help everyone. Our business was built out of dreams of the aspiring, original musician and songwriter.
Keep up with the interesting fodder, Derek!
Be careful fishing for compliments. Sometimes you catch the truth instead.
Derek I just had a birthday and was talking to some friends and the question came up, what if I could have whatever I wanted for my birthday? That was a few days ago and I'm still trying to formulate the wish. I guess first one has to know what it is that one wants, before one can begin to know what to do to get it.
Yea spot on there Derek I used to be a Dj once and can relate to all you say.
i believe that if you want to get hit by a train, you need to be standing on the railroad tracks.
create as much opportunity as you can and see what happens.
once you have positioned yourself in the middle of the railroad tracks, and the train comes, you can always leap out of the way at the last second if it's the wrong train.
"listen to me, listen to me, listen to me"
I swear, since the internet has been used by musicians, it's almost as if it's upped their lack of self-confidence.......how do I use the web to get my stuff out? What do I do? How do I do it? I think I'm hot but will everyone else? But the most important one, the one question they're really asking is "will you compliment me? Encourage me?"
Well, that's a hot topic. There're so many genres and some being invented daily. It takes a certain drive to separate the kids from the grownups and it can't depend entirely on compliments and encouragement. There's something inside that has to drive you too, that has to be willing to see failure as feedback (as a friend told me once) and obstacles as challenges. A million compliments might make you a believer in your music but then again, it might only make you a slave to getting compliments. Not so good. :(
I think the key, as someone up top said already, is to listen to other's music for inspiration but also, be educated about the kind of music you want to do....know your history. So many 'musicians' now have no idea, nor do they appear to want to know, who came before them, what they did, how that could be translated into 'now', thus saving us from writing redundant music. They think they're being original when really, only a small percent of us are truly brilliant enough to create something brand new without knowing what happened to music before we came along.
I get asked too, to listen to people's music. Most of the time it's good...I can see how their friends and family would encourage them. But there's a certain false security in that, because once you start shopping your music out there, it doesn't take long to realize that there's literally tons and tons of people who may or may not like what you're doing, may not need it, etc. Harsh reality. That's where having some inner drive comes in pretty handy. Having a network of musician friends in the same boat helps too. They're encouraging, helpful (as long as you pay back) and inspirational.
I AM 14 YEARS OLD,YOUNG IN THE RECORDING INDUSTRY.MUSIC IS YOUR ART,FIND SOMETHING YOU LIKE AND FOLLOW YOUR HEART.ITS NOT ABOUT MONEY,FAME,RECORD DEALS.FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS THE REST WILL COME!!!
Years ago when I was starting out, I asked Kenny G what he thought of my music. He said, "I won't judge your music because I don't want people judging mine." Words of wisdom. Just do the kind of music you want to do - period.
Key point - what do you want to do with your music? Before I give advice, I want to know the composer's end-goal. Best answer? Sing it! Now! To anyone who will listen! Polish this one and start working on your next inspiration! Vigorously practice your talent so it can grow.
Thats like saying listen to my music and tell me to beleive in myself
For your trip-hop/ambient/what-is-it listening pleasure, go to:
http://www.myspace.com/punktsongs
The great folks in southern Norway. A family of composers/remixers/producers. And with a wonderful yearly music festival in Kristiansand.
I attended the last event, which included a lovely concert with Jon Hassell and his Maarifa Street band. And a remix performance directly afterwards using the live Hassell concert recording as source/sampling material. Fascinating. And the audiences loved it (me, too).
Brian Eno also installed a new version of his "77 Million Paintings" piece. Slowly evolving patterns, with multiple visual screens, surround sound. Magical.
The Punkt gang are on to something.
dude i don't know what to say. you're amazing. every time dude. keep it up, i love what you do.
Thanks for this. It is a great response. I am going to refer artists to this page when they contact me.
Derek!
All i can say is keep on doing
what You're doing.All of your articles are positive and helpful.
Hank
People are looking for hope. Encouragement and if you are online, working in the field, let alone have a book, CD, or you put yourself out there as an expert. . .here come the "Am I good enough?"
In any field. . .this one has to be one of the most sought because it can lead to fame, and yet it allows expression.
Your advice is sound. . .but I think it always goes back to. . .why are you doing this?
If you do not love it, go do something you love. . .because it may be good enough, it may not be, but if you love it. . .that is the whole difference.
This has become apart of my daily devotion, thanks for all the valuable insight, and PLEASE get that coaching up and running, you have alot of people like myself that are anxious to share!
Practice! That's always a good thing to do!
I find that gradually working my original material into performance sets gives me a chance to gauge audience response. Imagine my delight when I started getting more compliments on my original material than on standard favorites!
Play it! That's always good to do! The response might give you some hints as to what to do!
One of my 1st jobs in the music industry was listening to all of the demos people sent in to the label. I wrote a letter to every single person (I do believe I was the only person at a label even listening to demos anymore let alone writing responses!). It's not easy to tell someone what they really need to do is something OTHER than make music... I commend you for even listening, because, like I said, most people can't even get heard these days.
I know what to do as long as CD baby is there for me.
Dear Derek
Yes I know, it is very common. I think part of it that everyone wants to become successful in music and it is very hard. And people are trying to analyze and because you are successful they think you might help them with money, advice, connections, anything... Sometime it is hard to say help me. So they ask what should I do to become successful? This is of course my opinion. I had met many successful people and every person has a different opinion
about my music. Some think it is great and I will be the next huge star, some think it sucks and I will never make it. Some think I should change and become more like Regina Spector, because I am russian
Some think I should have a band, or be solo. The list can go on and on?
LOL
How do we break through to the other side?
I had one PR company tell me I will never be successful
I think musicians want for their music to matter, because it comes from a very special place in their heart. And they want to share it with the world...
So how we become from little known to huge success?
I am so grateful to have a connection with you! You really don't need to write another word, you've said everything so well already. But don't stop! I enjoy your calm encouragement.
Thank you very much for helping so many artists crystalize our visions!
Hi Derek,
As the host of a few FM radio shows, I get lots of mail; requests to listen to this, download that, critique music, etc.
There are a LOT of musicians and only one of me. I am very clear up front about what I can and cannot do. After all, I have family, friends, work, play, music, house work, yard work, car maintenance, music to write, arrange, record... The list is endless.
There are a lot of us and only one of you. Time management is something I think you understand. I hope that people realize that you cannot answer every question from every musician who uses CD Baby. Just because you started a great service, doesn't make you an authority on all music related subjects. You're only human.
Cheers,
Bill
Hopefully, this blog post is a good way to discourage more emails like this that clog your inbox ;-)
Awesome (and funny) insight.
BTW... Could you look at my diary, and tell me what I should do?
That opener was a cut-n-paste from myspace for sure.
I'm gonna have to check back later, 'cuz the comments are coming in like raindrops in a delta hurricane!
Great topic!
Derek after 25 years working with writers,publishers, artists and producers in Nahsville I totally understand these requests. The marketplace is a fickle misstress. Depending on your location, ambition and view of where you see yourself in your dream, the steps you take in a direction will determine your worth. Young,new and unusual seem to be the key words in the commercial music market but thats not to say that mature, familiar and established sounds aren't desired or in demand if you seek out the best place to present them. Of course degrees of talent are obvious to the professional and should dictate the course of action you recommend no matter what style of music they are sending. Plus you can always fall back on, "That might sound good in a movie sound track".
Question is...what do they think? Are they happy with it? Does it express what they want to express? Does the recording sound compliment the music - to their ears - If they don't like something about it they should change it to something they would like...if it is they way they want it, why change it?
God bless,
Jamie
Derek,
Listening to the link, "Radio Darvish" is perhaps the best answer we can all give ourselves to the question, "...what should i do?".
The immensity of our "new (old) world" makes communication, including music, too easy and yet too difficult. in the "old days", when the major labels were in control of the product, our appetites were sated, if only temporarily, by the latest "top 40 hit", or, for the connosieur, the 3rd cut on Moby Grape's latest...
Wittgenstein, one of my favorite philosophers, distinguishes between "what can be said and what can, or rather must, be shown". our music shows who we are, but like life that the song is analogous to, it is the length of a note.
"What should i do?" Play on, in whatever medium that arrives to address the requirement of the desire to complete the next part of the big and small project.
Holy S&^$ now I REALLY dont know what to do! (Awsome joke) YO from across the Hudson! hey now
Ah The dreaded question.
I get that constantly on myspace and have to skirt around it.
Even if I had time to listen to all the music I am requested to, like you, I only appreciate a couple of genres except in rare cases of the extremely talented individual, and in no way consider myself a music critic.
I still can't understand Beatlemania, so what do I know?
I never thought that band rocked. Gimme the Stones
I need to now copy and paste this URL in "their" comments box.
Thanks Derek
I remember being in those shoes asking that same question when I first started writing music. I saw you as this kind of CDBaby guru who could help me figure out how to be successful. The most logical thing seemed to be asking you to listen and advise; but,in reality, success is defined in so many ways and popularity is fleeting. My best example is that almost every number one song in the past is now no longer even on the pop charts. So even Elvis, The Rolling Stones, Whitney Houston, Britney, etc., all had their short run of polularity and are now reduced in popularity. So to chase praise and acceptance by others is a losing proposition; however, making music true to who you are and what you feel needs to be expressed is a more fulfilling way to enjoy the creative process.
Thanks, Derek for being such a motivating force behind the creativity of so many.
Hi Derek,
Thank you for your passion in wanting to keep the music business real and honest. There are lots of well thought out, knowledgeable responses posted here. Thanks to all who took the time to respond. All I have to say on the matter is that the answers are within all of us. It all begins with our mindset. The difference between those that are 'successful' and those who are 'struggling' is that the struggling ones are stopping to ask 'what do you think?'. Dig deep. Find out who you are as an artist and decide where you want to be. Believe! Create a plan, put the rubber to the road don't look back and enjoy the ride.
There is enough room in 'music dreamland' for every one of us.
Many blessing to all.
D
Reading your comments is like reading Hugh Prathers' "Notes To Myself" Keep it up I enjoy your topics.
Good topic.
I too receive requests to listen and critique music. As an older professional I definitely give honest feedback. Everyone has to realize it is an opinion, of course, but I think that far too many artists are not receiving any guidance and critiques from others and consequently the music begins to dumb down as do the ears of the listeners. There is a reason why there are great music producers and music teachers - they have a special gift for helping others begin to hear music in a different way. Comments from the experienced can be extremely helpful - ranging all the way from I think you need some voice lessons, to that was an awesome drum riff would you be available to record on my next track? The biggest quest is to find the good ones! So don't stop asking for feedback from the people at the top of their game. You just might get some great and useful feedback.
Derek, I think I would be tempted to tell them what Robert Blake used to say a lot, "Put it where the sun don't shine". Do they really think all you have to do is listen to their music and critique it for them. Odds are, most of them are so egocentric that they wouldn't follow your advice anyway. Of course, at my age, I'm a little jaded; especially after years of critiquing for publishing companies; listening to thousands of songs and finding only a number that you could easily count one one hand. But, I did as you are doing. I burned up a lot of time as I politely told them what was wrong with their songs and I'm sure they all thought I was just trying to get rid of the competition.
I'm really the worst one to ask for a comment on your situation. I should have not said anything, but you struck the nerve
I thought was dead. Good luck.
Hey Derek......We have never had the problem with knowing what to do. We are doing it. However, still looking for the right promoter to make it happen. Best to you and thank for starting CD Baby. That has definately been a big part of the success so far. Now keep going!
Best,
ThreePeace
Actually, I could use www.wifebaby.org
One perspective is that we (musicians) are no different than any other artist. You paint, sculpt, write or whatever your passion is because you enjoy the medium, expressing yourself and get something out of it that money can’t buy (usually happiness). I find that the more I think about the financial and business side of things, the less enjoyable it all is. I don’t ignore the business side, but I don’t think about it when it comes to composing. Web sites, booking, promotion, sales, etc. don’t feed my creative juices like a bike ride, a good book, meeting people, etc. You need to stay connected to what makes you honestly happy and constantly remind yourself of why you are making music in the first place.
As a result I have more fun with music, and my compositions are better, people see this and they like it. When I focus on the business aspect, I get stressed, and we all know what that does. Plus I feel like a salesperson all the time (icky!).
I sometimes compare long-time artists like Billy Joel, Elton John, the Stones, Sonic Youth, etc. from past to present. I almost always enjoy the early career recordings better than the newer releases. I think it's because, the artist was still somewhat grounded, and in touch with their creative side, not so much with “how do I write top-selling records?”
Just my own personal take. Thanks.
Everything is great. Good music
How can you help me get my music on the site?
I like the Persian music. I wouldn't know how to answer the question.
Wow, what a powerful network you're weaving Derek! Love the topic and responses. My thought: ultimately, the artist knows. Reflecting back their own inquiry lets them answer their own questions.
I get "Listen to my music" emails a lot, too, and I dread opening them. Some people think that if I am fairly successful, I'm going to be able to help them.
And when I do make a few suggestions, I usually get a litany of excuses "well, we made that demo in a hurry...I've never had voice lessons...it was my brother playing guitar...nobody will sign me..."
But years ago, I remember wanting validation, hoping someone would just jump in and help me for no reason. So when asked, I encourage, and I suggest, and then send them out to do it for themselves.
And myspace "Hey! Check out my music!" messages? they get deleted.
Take a break dude.
Great Article!!!!!
My favorite Songwriting coach in NYC, Lorraine Ferro, used to ask us what we were looking for before she gave her critique. Sometimes artists are needing or looking for something unexpected- like just plain old validation OR- looking for a total overhaul of change.
Thanks again for who you are and what you do!
Michelle Gold
www.youtube.com/migoldmusic
www.michellegold.com
www.myspace.com/migoldmusic
:-O that must be the most difficult question to answer ever, no comment!
oh brother, i like you Derek but man these people need to get a life. they need to cultivate their own audience. anybody can make music. but can you make melodic original art? not a bunch of crap to a hopping loud beat. thats freeking noise man....get real! sorry Derek, just had to rant. spend a few years with a solid musical background (starving for your art) and then you'll know, "What to do with your music"! now get busy and quit asking Derek stupid lazy questions.....
Love your answers here Derek. Usually the "what should I do" question is to remove their own accountability. You have given so much, and so many guideposts to the arts industry. I appreciate your leadership and generosity.
And, damn, 847 emails.... sounds like the template for another business to me
Kudos again,
I get that on MySpace multiple times a day. "Hey man. Add me(us) as a friend and listen to my(our) music. Leave a comment and tell me(us) what you think!"
Truly...I find about 80 % of the music on MySpace to be unlistenable...for one reason or another. The lack of time spent in production is probably the most intolerable reason for my ears. But if it's just a matter of style...I would rather not comment...because it is (as you say) personal taste. And...I have a way of being 'straight to the point' honest...which gets me in wrong with people sometimes. (Don't ask if you don't REALLY want to know what I think...right?) So I rarely comment any more about anyone's music unless I really really like it.
Derek, I must say, you are one of the true geniuses of the evolving music business in our era. Thanks man.
To me that's a sign of competition and yearning for success. Great attributes. I hope you get more emails!!!
I try to listen to music when I can, but with so much content out there, it's impossible to hear everybody. I think most of the time, the artist asking is trying to see what a random response is. Instead, like you said in the article, the artist(s) should find out what their sound is, who their market is, and then go about doing market research and audience response. Good piece, though. Thanks for the heads up. Peace.
People want their decisions made for them,becouse they are afraid to take responcibility for their actions..sad.
Derek:
Thanks for all you do anyway man ...
As to this topic/question ... in addition to sending folks a link to this article, and your book (which has some great marketing tips), you could also put together a list of organizations in the music industry that you know, trust, find reliable and actually helpful to up & coming musicians ... for example, your list might include organizations like NSAI or TAXI which offer helpful critiques to songwriters or other organizations that offer helpful resources like Indie Bible or countless others. You decide Derek - they want the ones you have worked with & trust Derek.
Peace,
Beth
It really is about why you make music. I think most of us would at least like our art to pay for itself, but that isn't always possible. Mixing business and art is a very difficult tight rope to walk. I once asked Robert Fripp about reconciling making a living as a professional musician, and making art. Robert said "It's death!"
I think that you should know what your trying to do then apply the best that you can ,then from there await your feedback and gather information,from there you should know what you want to do....if not at least you have a realistic outlook on what it is you actually have...sounds hard but its not...oh oh...thats a whole nother suject...lol
This comment actually applies to those individuals who are seeking feedback.not those looking to break music and grow from their feedback...
Don't put the cart before the horse. Let people know that you are willing and able to contribute funds. Be honest with yourself, the internet is like the interstate. Whether it be a mac(computer) or a Mac(truck)invest in good equipment and seek good responsible advice from people in the industry. Capital spending opens doors.
Scenario #1.. Dear Sir, I am a good solid performer with a recently completed CD project that I think is top-notch.
Scenario #2.. Dear Sir, I am a
solid performer with a recently completed CD project that I think is top-notch and I am willing to make a capital investment of $50,000.
It doesnt take a rocket scientist.
Hey there Derek. I don't ask anyone to listen to my songs and tell me what should I do. My goals are long term. I generally write music because I enjoy writing it. I used to have huge dreams and there is nothing wrong with dreaming but I have also stepped into reality. There is so many people trying to "make it big" rather than just being an artist. Music for me is a hobby, I wish it was my job but unfortunately I have to work a regular full time job to pay my bills.
If I was Garth Brooks then that would be another story...
Appearantly Im not Garth Brooks,
I'm Will Stenner
Hey Derek
As usual very thoughtful advice but heres a question. Is there a list of people who do internet marketing and or promotion for independent artist? A group that has a track record of some success that could help someone at least gauge some re-actions to their material and arrangments via net marketing.
In other words to reach that mysterious 'wider' audience.
thanks
What an amazing book list. Zimbardo is brilliant, but I didn't even know he was still at it. Do you think Derek reads the books as quickly as the emails? Nice. Really nice. Notes and all. Respect, and what Hank said.
Gen
There are so many different music fields that I do not believe that any one person could be of much help by listening to the music unless that is the type of music the person was interested in and liked.I do country roots and folk9I cannot believe that a rock person or a blues person could or should judge my music. Keep up the good work ,Randy
Derek,
After reading "Listen to my Music"
the thought crossed my mind that you've already done a great service to musicians and songwriters by creating CD Baby, but it's nice that you still empathize.
If I were to ask you how to do something it would be 'how do you run a blog' or 'how do you set up a distribution network'. You are absolutely incredible at what you do but, frankly, I never heard of you as a musician.
That is It! You create yourself!
Thanks Derek for being SO REAL, and making people contemplate deeply for themselves : WHAT IS REALLY ALL ABOUT IN THE END OF THE DAY?
May All beings in the Universe simply Be themselves and enjoy the ride!
'Desires tie us down, Inspiration reveals our flow!
Best wishes
I get that very question from people who are in the wrong business for the wrong reason. If you are in the music business for the money you already know what, how, when, to do anything with your music. You do that by watching the trends and reading everything.....business sections, WallStreet Journal, film, videogame, and Rave trends, and learn everything about creating electronica,EuroFunk, Baroque Fugues, and High Italian Renaissance Arias.
If you are in it for the art, creativity, and emotional expression than you would also not have a reason to ask someone to critique your work.
My theory is just do it. Stop reading this.....and do it!
Derek,you are just one of the crowd.If anyone wants to know what to do.Do this---Go play your song to the crowd.They will tell you what to do.Don't take offence if they don't.Play them another and another.
Pete Colorado
I know exactly what a person who wants an honest opinion of their songs should do.
Join a writers group.There will be
many writers in all stages of writing.. from beginners to professionals. In our group first
We discussed ideas, melodies and lyrics. After the we studied
lead sheets and demos. Then everybody had to write a song. We had only
30 minutes to write.(words & Music). Then we all would sing or
sing and play our songs. We also
critiqued those song and all learned from each other. Our
instructor was great. There is just one thing I need to warn you about... IF YOU CAN'T TAKE THE TRUTH..... DON'T GO.
Don't ask questions, just stick it out there and watch what happens, people will buy anything...
I should have figured it was someone asking you what to do. I was thinking--"This is Kinda cool, Derek Sivers asking everyone what he should do with his Music"-- then I thought that doesn't seem like something you'd do-- where can I find your music? You play bass right? Do you know Berk McKelby?--he teaches, or used to teach at Berkeley.
I am a member on Broadjam right now and it's the coolest site. I get to critique others music worldwide and everyone worldwide gets to critique mine. If I get critiques from different people saying the same thing, chances are, I need to step back, really listen and decide whether I need to change it or not. The great thing about this is once you place your music on the site, you can set it up for critique...it may cost you a little if you want more of the advantages, but it's a wonderful site. It's not about making your music conform to someone elses specifications, it's about sharing what we've learned and helping each other make it to the top. Broadjam has changed their policy, so if a negative critique is given, a reason for the critique has to be given as well. An answer of "I don't like the music" is not allowed. The site is for everyone to help each other move forward in their music. I love being able to help someone else and encourage them as much as I love someone else encouraging me!
Derek, I'm posting a link here to my music so you can tell me what to do...
Carla Hall wrote on July 14th, 2009
"Hopefully, this blog post is a good way to discourage more emails like this that clog your inbox"
Or at least give you a really easy link to send them! ;)
Seriously, though, part of what makes you the man to contact when you ARE a do-it-yourselfer is that you DO treat others the way you'd like to be treated...with dignity and respect. The guys who get upset at people who constantly try to "use" them tend to forget that until a blog/discussion group like this gets going, the people clamboring for advice/direction/opinions don't realize quite how many people had the same idea..."Let's ask Derek!"
Ha, just a few days after we drop our newest download code on ya! Timely Derek, should we 'take the hint!'
Seriously though, not on the same scale, but I also have friends/contacts who want me to check out their newest song/cd/dvd/youtube vid, etc - I try to but never get to checking out all of them it seems - and more keep coming.
In your situation, well, considering your history, it should come as no surprise that everyone would like to get your help - - but sorry, can't exactly tell what to say to them, but - I can tell you why we wanted you to hear OURS, and also why not:
Not to help us figure anything out, not to tell us our next step, not to comment or critique the idea or execution (unless so inclined), not even so you'll leave comments about us or promote us in anyway - a simple 'got it, thanks' email means we didn't waste a download code...
- really, the only reasons we WOULD like you to spin it once are:
1. so you can put a 'band' with the name you see so often - a reference point to our other encounters, here and elsewhere.
2. to be lifted up, edified, encouraged, inspired, confirmed, maybe even given more hope than you already have for the state of indie music today
3. your post about the creative process? Our CD is the 'answer' -
4. Your starting CDBaby and your doing point 2 (above) for us? Our CD is the 'thank you' -
No strings, no waiting for your comments or feedback or help or guidance...nope...we're quite stubborn progladites anyway -
- But -
Every once in a while, you've got to admit it Derek, out of all the things you hear daily, sometimes, one of them will do what you've done for us (see point 2 above) and when that happens and it is YOU who is encouraged or inspired, then every other CD you've trudged thru is worth it - whether it's ours or not that does that sacred ritual on your beanie - -
I believe that everyone else who's sent you their work would be happy if just one of us was able to give back to you what you do for us -
So, get used to it or start a 'no-send' policy - and if you do the latter, are you then saying that you've been 'edified' as much as you're ever going to need?
If the answer to that is 'yes' - then I doubt this is really Derek Sivers' blog in the first place - -
We love you Sir Robin Hood,
Rejyna
Citadel ®
Don't ever Stop. I have played with some great Entertainers doing my life time, And they have come and gone. What I am saying is that the people that I help on their way up I s History. And here I am at 71 is still going Strong Holding on. I can say maybe I have not made a hit. But I am Successful. Thanks: Mr. C.B. SUGGS--SAXMAN
Please yourself. Because the World will let you DOWN. AND TRUST IN JESUS
I always wondered if you personally answered all those emails or if you had your girlfriend helping you! lol - You're an angel...I said that before, eh? Wait til you hear my new music! I'm not even gonna ask that 'burning' question. I have enough volumes from you to know what to do...what I need is a crowbar to pry my butt from this chair. LMAO...tx, Derek
Derek ..
You absolutely hit on the perfect question with no right or wrong answers.
Take a listen to my music, which is Real Garbage. What should I do?
http://TheSoleProprietor.com/RealGarbage.html
Thank you ... SP
I don't know how you did it. It was exhausting to me just reading the comments. So, thats it.
Derek,
You know me,I just keep
writing and recording and
releasing cd's on cdbaby
so everyone can hear my music.
I don't know what I should do, much less what anybody else should do. What I do, is let my Website work for me. W. T.
You are right I guess that is a very tough position to be in. Music is a very complex market and not an easy one.
And indeed it is all about the why. Thus why I quit the music business years ago. I write my music for myself mostly, and at times share it with a certain audience. Other times I write and record and share with no one. Why indeed would anyone ask Derek what he thought of their music? What is to be gained by that?
In the past I would battle whether to listen to others about my music. That only caused me to be fickle about what I wanted my music to say and feel. A fellow musician told me do what you want with your music and don't let anyone change you. I do learn from others, but when I co-write with some then it's what we both want. When I have the ball to select the finish product, because I am paying the cost I make the final say.
WELL I HEARD ITS VERY GOOD, I COULD LISTEN ALL DAY!! PETRILLIO
Because musical tastes vary so much these days,the big trap here is that you run the risk of listening to the wrong advice and therefore you may end up going backwards instead of forwards.
With this in mind it's probably best to trust your own feelings and believe in your own abilities.
great to read that you like persain music and trip hop. That fits my actual needs in life
great for you to ask so many questions, better to you to stop asking..... maybe? That's what they always say....
I'm so gullible that I clicked thinking I was going to listen to some original Derek Sivers tracks, LOL. The "listen to me and give me millions because I exist" attitude frustrates the hell out of me. It's mental laziness. Those who cannot seduce will not reap the rewards of seduction.
Oh, plus there is NO WAY that Derek should even try to read, let alone answer, all the emails that ask such a STUPID QUESTION!! Derek: there is such a thing as being too nice, capiche?
From experience I have decided that If I want someone to take notice of my work, I must be able to sit across their desk, arms crossed with the utmost confidence that my presentation is flawless. In that, even if for that moment it is rejected, I can perservere in promoting my work because I believe it its quality. The little voice inside expects our best, thats why it critiques until our work is perfect. Then, we need not know "what do you think?"
How about a "what do you think", link so that we can listen to the samples that come through to you. I like to use other writers works as a point of reference and study material. I don't know if that's possible, but it would be cool.
To post number 6. More as, "does this work fit any of your current projects?"
I think the most important lesson one should take from Derek's message is that, if you believe in your music, then it is "good" and "worthy" of your time, and that finding your own creative solutions for getting your work out there, while making it a virtue to do things for yourself since your message IS, in fact, needed "somewhere," serves you far better in the long run than an unrealistic hope that one person could possibly provide one other person with a lasting validation that (should be) coming from you to begin with. Derek, thank you for writing this article.
Hey Derek,
First, I would never send you music without your permission. As far as what "I should do?". How about I just PLAY IT to everyone I can and not give a sh*t what you think. (with all due respect)
I agree with you Derrick. The real answer is that it depends. I think that music is freedom of speech. It comes from the writer's heart or to make a point. Writing music is the same as creating a profile. Your profile consist of what you want others to call you, your style, likes and dislikes, what ever your story is and how ever much you wanna let people know about you.
All of this is based on the individual. your profile is your music, you don't ask for suggestions on how you should be as a person unless its your wife.
"In order for something to be special, you just have to believe it's special."
If music is your passion then the rest will follow.
You have made me reevaluate why I write
music. I had hoped to make some money
writing music for church services. (I have a choir and it seemed appropriate to write for them) But publishers are not interested. I wonder if you could start a CD Sheet Music
entity in the vane of CDBaby for independent
songwriters to sell compositions in print on CDs? All the best,
Ray Moore
Derek you need to get some sleep.
Sounds like this could be discussed on twitter & Facebook too.You'll get some refreshing answers I bet.Lol.
This forum always cheers me up. I am not wildly financially successful at music and so am under constant pressure from my family of non-musicians to "play normal stuff, like that song from Titanic." The towering musical passion of my life is late medieval/early Renaissance and I just refuse to put even 10 seconds of life energy into learning "My Heart Will Go On."!!!
I can't get that Peter Green lyric out of my head...
"Don't ask me what I think of you/I might not give the answer that you want me to."
I never ask people what they think of my music. I just swallow my opium and pretend it's a masterpiece. Works every time.
Hi Derek,
I just emailed you about changes to CDBaby, and now I know why you're had more time to write articles, lately. You passed the ball to someone else with about half your insight. Well, it was yours to do with what you please, you worked very hard on it for many years, and I'm sure every musician with a presence there appreciates your efforts.
After mp3.com went to France, no one made money there, anymore. I had just started to earn a very decent buck there, and saw a real increase to my income I thought just might help in my retirement, since I could no longer perform. *Poof* gone, overnight.
You gave us all hope, although it took more work and money to get a product available on CDBaby. But, that probably made most people pay more attention to what they were presenting to the public.
Well, I've had to find other ways to survive, I grew up on a farm, and spent over 30 years performing professionally, so I had learned to save for the lean years, and become versatile within the music business. I had some great years, and those gave me my home, and most of what I own now. So, when someone asks me what I think of their music, I can't be the least bit dishonest.
If it needs work, I say so. If it's well done, I say so. If it's a style I don't care for, I also say that, but I can still tell whether or not it's done well, and I say so. BUT, what to do next? There's only one answer, "pray for guidance. If you don't pray, be prepared to duck." Seriously, there's no other "good" answer, because everyone's life has to follow the path assigned that person, and I can't possibly know what that is... So, I simply say, "Just keep at it. You'll learn and know what you need to know when the time is right. Meanwhile, try to survive as best you can, and this is important; hurting no one."
God man, I do wish you hadn't sold the site...
Best regards,
Zeek Duff
Longmont, CO
Derek call Tony, I think he may need some help getting back online.. The train is of the tracks!
Derik, i like your this one.
i don't ask others what i should do. i am verys stubbon.
i know money, fame, fan, expert, market, popular etc. can help and support, but real number i count is my self for my music.
i enjoy all the beautiful music in the history that others have made. but it's very important to me to live in my music, to accomplish it as best as i can in my this life time - manjia music.
Lots of good insights in the article and the comments. Thanks to all.
What resonates most with me are these 3, which I paraphrase here:
Play/write music because it satisfies something important in you. "Music is far too important to be left to the professionals."
Seek internal guidance, however you do this. The muse that gives you guidance for the songwriting has a twin that can guide you in the business aspects, if you want.
If you need encouragement, then music should not be your full-time job. As in all the arts, full-time artists are that way because they have to be, or they would be crazy, and the sacrifices (monetary and otherwise) are necessary for sanity.
I would add: play your music as a service to the world, as a gift to it;
and:
stay on a learning curve; keep getting better and learning new aspects of the craft.
And may you all receive and give joyful love through your music.
Got this great comment from David Henzerling:
Good post, Derek and it illustrates the unfortunate plight of many artists: not being either really good or really bad is probably the worst place an artist can be. Smack-dab in the wasteland of common mediocrity that sits waiting anxiously for validation in the middle of the bell curve. That invisible purgatory where nobody really cares...
Take marriage as a metaphor: what is the opposite of love? It's not hate - actually it's apathy. It's "I don't care"! If somebody hates you, then you know exactly where you stand. You probably have a better chance of doing something, almost anything in fact, that can cause a fix for something that is broken. Hate is a very strong motivator. Nobody wants to be hated for very long so they're determined to find the quickest path out of that hole. It's survival.
On the other side of the coin is celebrated love. When you are truly loved, you're constantly being showered with adoration and affection. Being a "celebrity" can put you in a positive feedback loop, constantly reinforcing your convictions, confidence and self-esteem that in turn, makes you even more desirable. Just keep doing whatever it is you're doing if it's working...
But, "I don't care" leaves you neither loved or hated. It makes you invisible - off the radar. When you ask, "Hey, what do think of my music?" and the response is, "It sounds OK (read: it's nothing special)", you're doomed. The good news is that you can go in almost any direction to try to get away from the middle. The bad news is that there are an infinite number of paths you have to choose from. And the many circular ones will lead you right back to where you are now - nowhere! Even worse is when you ask someone else who is also stuck in the middle which direction to go. Now you really have a situation where the blind are leading the blind.
This doesn't mean you can't ask for help. If you're asking a trusted mentor or someone who has demonstrated success in your shared domain, they can sometimes point you in the right direction. This may keep you from making a few wrong turns, but won't provide any shortcuts to success. You're still responsible for earning your Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000 hours.
The key, I think, is conviction (and time) - conviction based on the desire to communicate as an artist. Conviction can (note: not gauranteed) lead to prescience and prescience helps guide us to see the artist within ourselves. Having determination, drive and self-confidence is always a better compass than waiting for around for external validation. Only when we're convinced that we're truly good and only when we really believe we have something important to say will we be on the path away from apathy. Then we can say, "I don't care". Like it or lump it!
The other factor is time. Once we've invested a significant amount of hours necessary to achieve some level of domain expertise, we no longer have to ask others what to do. We KNOW what to do and we just keep doing it. Validation is gained over the course the journey, not just when we've reached the destination. In fact, the best journeys never conclude. They just keep us anticipating what is going to happen next...
Hey Derek !!! I think that when a musician asks "what do you think of my music ???"it really depends on who there speaking to and why they would ask that particular person. If I write a Love Song, and ask a person that is another musican that I consider well accomplished, the response is usually positive with opinions of what to do to make it better. If I ask the same question to a local, up and coming musician that looks up to me, then the response is always very positive and patronizing. So I think that not only the question, but the person that's being asked is also very important to secure a relative answer to the question at hand.
Dr. Otto
Lets face it.....
Artists are emotional and always get butt hurt...
Anyone want to email me... Feel free
stennermusic@hotmail.com
I think that music has to match the turf in a sense in order to not be let down by the crowd. Some of the stuff I'm writing might be great in NYNY or Paris, but make the crowd sick here in Maine, because it's not the same vibe. So just like real estate- location, location, location
If one is true to him/herself and feels the dance in the soul if you will, then it's the way it should be! We can't let anything deter us from our inner song. We shouldn't play or change music so it's not natural or not truly us anymore because someone has an opinion...unless of course it makes playing it feel more right, which is rare. Just my 2 cents worth, ok well, maybe 1.
i write for me. it, the music, is in me. it must, it has to come out. time line? i don't write, perform or record for you. if some one buys one of my songs, i absolutely love it! if some applauds or laughs or crys or sings along... they make my day. but it's not necessary. the music comes out anyway. the writing, the singing, the playing, the colaborating, the recording, the mixing, the music is what is important. no one knows my name and still my music goes out and some people hear it and that is enough. 8-)
OMG, 847 emails in 12 hours?! yiiiiiiiikes. guess i better stop complaining about keeping up with my inbox. how did you get interested in traditional Persian music? i had to check out Radio Darvish, very cool!
Soooooooooo............what should I do?
i love playin my guitar and im 9 but i need somewhere to record it.
Being in the recording business for 35 years, I have heard more great talent along with good songwriters. They do not have the passion, personality or the shameless ego that it sometimes takes to make it in the business.
Yes - you are dead on here. Music is so subjective. From what I've seen, there appears to be a market for just about anything, if you find the right market. Snoop Doggy Dog and James Taylor both seem to be able to make good money at this.... But outside of asking for technical help or lessons of some sort for making something better you want to be better, there's no point asking someone else what they think of your music. You have to be your own reviewer. What do you want to accomplish?
Hey Derek
I think maybe sometimes they are just putting feelers out sometimes for a critique.It's true some people's ego's just can't take a negative critique while other's will grow from it and maybe learn something.While experiencing this question myself the band I work with has gained some very wise feedback from other musicians.So I think it can helpful at times just for feedback
I feel a lot of us get hit with those e mails. I try not to make light of the seemingly desperate intent. I've been doing this since 16. Not many up and comers in this digital jungle have experience, guidance or in a lot of cases talent that stands out. There is no universal response formula. Some get insulted if u don't rave or even respond. Others just want to know someone is listening. With so many hustlers out there willing to take their money for pipe dreams sometimes I just try to keep it simple and remind them that if u love doing it then everything else becomes less urgent. If it's about a career and a contract your shelf life will be about as long as a promise from a politician saying " read my lips". Sometimes the response plants a seed to keep their motivation going a little longer.
This is so far down that I doubt it'll get read, but just in case someone stumbles across it then I'll share this thought. I actually thought the title of the blog was a new stratergy by Derek to encourage artists to ask their fans what they thought about the songs! Not a terribly new idea I know, but frankly a much better one than asking Mr D. Seriously ask your fans what they think! What you should change and what should be put on the record. It's the info you really needs from you fans/ customers, and it makes them feel wanted. I hope this reminder helps.
Been playing music half a lifespan and like yourself know nothing you play is going to be forced or contrived despite provisions made by the fans who listen to your music. You have to be your own man, or in case your a band your own group. On a side note, I do want to hear your music feeling robbed. The title suggests you had some tunes already posted. You cant be warring these thoughts and expect to find peace when the peace you seek out you must already hold true.
I thought you wanted me to tell you something about your music, but I never heard any. Keep writing.
Quite simple...
I want to be a STAR*****
xO
The best that you can do is simply find a way to get your music into someone's ear. After that, it's out of your control. They will judge it as they judge it. But, there is always going to be someone on this planet who likes it and wants it. In today's world, it's easier than ever to do that, as Internet Radio is always searching for new content, as is cable TV. You make your music because that's what you do. Make it the best you can.
Derek,
Of course, Im not going to read 200 plus comments before I respond. I like the way you show your wisdom though. Your rhetorical made me reflect on my own situation. I know that I have to recharge my batteries and reprioritize.
Thank You Derek for providing this service. I find all of what you share to be quite insightful and valuable. Keep it coming Bro.! You are the Man!
hi derek.
i like ur way of thinking and your approach . i like your work and hope that you will do it better day by day . i just want to ask u to ask a simple question that how i will compose music as i dont have any instrument at my home but i am having a huge passion towards it?????????????? i know its a silly question . but please help me out
Sing ? Get an instrument? Real passion can't be stopped. -- Derek
Hi Derek,
I just want to thank you for advice here and there, and afew CDbaby seminars we had sometimes ago. As you know I have tried to do all kinds of things in music business, from recording as a setion musician, collaborations, forming several bands,recording my own music, and now I have a Juno Award, and a Juno Nomination. I have kept my self true and whatever I see it something worth in music I go for it. I also play music in the TTC which is the Toronto Transit Commission subway line under ground, and I find it to be something good for music business, because I meet different kinds of people who buy music either live from me or I send them to CDbaby. My name has gone far that if I were to do it just by depending on festival gigs and clubs I wouldn't have made it this far. I have connections with that give me gigs and more funs! Keep it up, and thank you for being there for us.
I think your advice is Right On Man!
I first meet you thru cdbaby where I have a couple of cd's for sale!
The 1st cd I wrote was a Country Blues CD that I produced for an old Elvis Sound a like "empersonator" Friend of mine that I use to play in a band with in the Army!
The Kat really does sound like Elvis, but writting that kind of music just was not really my style!
I grew up in the Country in Missouri so I almost pulled it off, but the 1st band I ever played in was a Soul and R&B Rock N Roll band in high school with some black friends of mine on the highschool basketball and football team so that is where my real feel for music is I think!
Since then I did my own Rock N Blues cd and even thought the vocals on the cd was not is good with me doing the singing I think the feel of the music is much better!
Don't get me wrong I love to listen to country Music, but playing it live in a band kind of puts me to sleep so from now on I am going to start working on playin live Rock N Blues here in Missouri for like Benifit Shows and Dances for Cancer Research and the help the needy!
I could care less if anybody buys my cds on cdbaby or not because all I want to do any more is Rock and have a good time!
So yes I think your advice is right on time my Man!
I think most people are just looking for a first impression to song.
A Yea or Nay.
Or any other helpful comment you can make on mix, arrangement, lyric, singer, etc.
It doesn't have to be real in depth.
In most cases I don't even listen to whole song, just enough to get a feel.
Only takes a couple of minutes.
It really depends, I agree. Our success will be measured by our ability to accomplish our goals. So, it is important to set goals first and know them, so we'd know the next steps to take for more success in life.