Author: Egbert

Whether you’re a signed artist already wondering what else is out there, or an up-and-coming musician speculating about how to secure your big break, it’s worth learning about how independent record labels are not only a viable option, but a vital part of the music industry. Whoever you are and whatever your circumstances right now, signing with an indie label could be the right move for you. Even some of the biggest names in the business, like Rough Trade, Sub Pop, XL and Creation, are actually independent labels with successful artists and lots of clout on the music scene. A Special Relationship Immediately one of the plus points of going...

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Kickstarter has said that only half of the projects in the site get fully or overfunded. The other half completely fails or thoroughly underperforms. Some will say it’s a matter of popularity, that the more famous you are, the more likely you’ll get completely funded, but in reality, as we saw in Part 1, fame isn’t the end-all-be-all of crowdfunding. Finding backers has a lot to do with planning ahead, being smart about your resources, and understanding that it’s not asking people for money in exchange for nothing, but about giving them value. Here are the things you have to keep in mind: Have a Community Your community is what...

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Singers have the most delicate instruments out there, with improper technique and bad practices, they can lose it forever or create serious health problems that can permanently affect their abilities. Vocal cords can’t be replaced, and a loss voice can’t be immediately fixed during a live performance. Scare tactics aside, singers -amateurs and pros alike- need to develop safety habits to avoid as much damage as possible. When you’re in a band, it’s easy to get caught up in all taking care of absolutely everything except for your voice. There are instruments to plug, songs to promote, and gigs to get to, so your cords get nothing besides a warmup....

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The internet has changed a lot of things in the music industry. It’s easier than ever for indie acts to get their music out into the world, there’s money to be made through streaming, bands can be closer than ever to their target audience, and artists can make and distribute their own material without having to wait for a label. One thing that hasn’t changed though is that recording and distributing an entire album still requires a lot of time and money, even if it’s being done in a home studio and costs are kept at a minimum. Having the tools to record is just the first step. Recording sessions...

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At this point in the history of humanity, it’s easy to think everything has been pretty much said and done. That’s a disheartening thought, especially when you’re searching for your own sound. It’s exactly the kind of motto that will lead anyone down a path of copying favourites and not daring to go beyond what they already know. And yeah, sometimes being the copycat works, but more often than not, success and recognition requires finding a unique sonic language that makes you connect with others and stand out. It’s easier said than done. Finding your own sound takes a lot of time and effort. There really isn’t a shortcut or...

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There are four words that everyone in the world has said at least once in their lifetime: “let’s start a band”. Bands look like a lot of fun from the outside, there are the live gigs, and being adored by fans, and making a living with your closest friends through sheer talent. While all of that can be true, there’s also a lot of hard work involved. Fame and recognition don’t just happen, there are a lot of elements that have to work in perfect harmony for things to work out, and the first step is actually getting serious about it. So if you really want to start a band...

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Being a musician is, more often than not, a thankless job. You put out amazing music for the world to hear and enjoy, but you hardly ever get more than an enthusiastic thanks. And sure, the recognition is great, and nothing beats the feeling of creating a song that you’re proud of. The thing is that recognition and pride don’t exactly pay the bills. Every musician needs to figure out how to make a profit. Some might say that it’s just too hard to do so in the music industry unless you’re signed by a label. The reality is that yes, it’s really hard and it takes a lot of...

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What do improv and jamming have in common? Really a lot more than one might originally assume. Improv is kind of the jamming of the acting world, there’s a lot of players involved playing off of each other’s skills rather than following a set script. That’s why during your next jamming sessions you might want to incorporate some lessons from improv even if you’ve never done it before. Don’t Say No Even if you’ve never ever done anything even remotely related to improv, chances are you’ve heard is all about saying yes. That is, when an actor gets some information, they aren’t supposed to reject it, they have to say...

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A session musician backs other musicians, either while recording on a studio or during a live performance. They don’t have to be part of the official band and they don’t have to be exclusive with a specific performance (unless, of course, all parties want exclusivity).  Session musicians are the freelancers of the music world. If your dream is to become a full-time musician, this is a career path you should consider carefully. Becoming a session musician can offer a lot more stability than being part of a band and also lets you play very different styles and settings. Here’s what you should do to get started. Have Samples Ready You’ll...

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Congratulations on landing that audition! It’s time to get to work! Getting your foot through the door is just the first step. You need to be ready to dazzle once you enter that room. This is what you need to now to make sure you give an awesome impression during your audition. Be Honest About Your Skills Are you really at the level of the band? Sometimes it’s hard to accept that you need a little more practice and experience, but it can save you from making a fool of yourself or leaving a bad impression. This is when you have to be really objective and assess the level of...

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