Recording Artist Advocate: Pendulum Still Swings...

I wanted to go over the timeline of music through the pendulum cycles. I found a link to a video that explains this better than I was able.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrAm1Q871U8   

The next video that came up was this one.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04c8e_W8jmg

(Pay attention at 15:30, it applies directly to you!) 

It explains the cycle without as much music, but continues the theme.

Watch both if you can and you'll start to pay attention differently. 

It may help you find your place in the hearts of your audience. 

They need someone to connect to. Is it you?

Recording Artist Advocate: The Ponies...

A long time ago a wise man said something... I don't remember exactly, but it went something like, "Pay attention to which way the horses are running. At least you'll be facing the right direction in the saddle." 

I think he meant that you could do your own thing, but be aware of the rest of the world so you don't get trampled. If you are at least in the saddle your doing better, but to really be in the race you need to face the right direction.

I would add to be enough a student of history to see the trends and try to get in ahead of them. There really is a predictable 40 year cycle... or 80 year cycle that keeps repeating. We're swinging back and forth repeating the same cycle. So pay attention. You can swing on that pendulum or get whacked by it.

I've recommended Roy Williams book; Pendulum, and I'm sure I will again. He uses a lot of examples that have to do with music and how a nations self image is reflected in the music they decide will be popular.

You thought that was just good music? Well, it is, but it's good music that resonates with the listener... at that time... in that mood . If they are in a different mood, they'll choose someone else's music.  

So pay attention. Read the news and watch whats going on around you. Look past the manufactured news stories and see what gets attention and why. Read Roy's book. If you see what was going on 80 or so years ago repeating itself, at least you have a roadmap for what's coming next.

One of the things that comes up a lot is how an innovator stands up to the status quo and makes a name for himself (...or herself) and soon everyone is imitating their style. It gets so bad that the people piling on don't even know what they are imitating. The audience gets tired of all the sameness. Then someone else is standing in the road saying, "This is crap! Lets do something else!" and when they get successful it starts ovar again.  

This post is getting long. I'm trying to be more concise. I'll give the timeline as I remember it next week. 

Recording Artist Advocate: The Scariest Thing...

So for Halloween, lets talk about scary things.

The scariest thing I can think of is not recording bands. Or not being exited about recording bands, or becoming a hack that does the same recording every time. 

I've met those guys. They had some success and now they record a lot of bands and make them all sound the same. Producer Zombies.

Bring me "Baby" is a funny story I heard about a producer who thought he was holding court, telling bands his stories, amazing them with his wisdom... when actually they couldn't wait to get away from him. He said, "Bring me Baby" when he thought it was time for him to play his instrument. (I won't say what that was. It's too funny and might reveal his identity.) But my point is that I never want to be like that guy.  Scary!

You probably know artist who destroy their relationships or damage their careers with stupid, self destructive behavior. That's scary too. 

Pay attention long enough and you'll see artist get drunk and fall off the stage or throw a tantrum or get political, or any number of things that kill their chances to connect with their audience. 

That is what people seek, and what you need to seek too; a connection. When your audience feels that, you are part of them and they will follow you wherever you gently lead them.

The world is scary. You can make it a little less scary. A little more understandable.

They need you. 

Recording Artist Advocate: A Symphony?

When the Beatles were discovered, record labels were still in the business of "developing" artist. That meant they might teach them how to act in an interview or how to dress... or how to make better music.

I'm sure this still happens at the highest levels. But it's more likely you will need to seek these things out for yourself. Fortunately you have a great resource right at your fingertips. If there isn't a YouTube video about some question you want answered, wait a minute and there will be. 

One of the things George Martin taught the Beatles was how to make a good song into a great song. One technique was borrowing from symphonic music and introducing separate parts, or movements, into their songs.  Think about their music and there is a lot of that going on. Some of their music was actually different song parts slammed together. Brilliant!

Try to remove yourself from your own favorite songs and try to hear them like your audience does. If it's getting too long or if you could be loosing their attention; try a big change. You'll come back for the finish, but a symphonic like change in character, or a back and forth in perspective could be just the thing to keep their interest. 

If your doing the same things the other bands in your music genre are doing, you'll just blend in. Shake things up and stand apart.  

Recording Artist Advocate: Pay to Play?

How often are you asked to pay to play at a venue?

Artist would say, "never!" but when you have to supply the audience it's really the same thing. Most bands will use their social media to get an audience to their shows and to some extent that is a good thing. But, if a place doesn't have enough regulars to stay in business, and their looking for you to do all the heavy lifting... find another place to play.

The venue is locked in one place. they have a lot invested and a lot is on the line. On the other hand you can move around freely and play wherever you want. If you have a great show or a bad one you can take it in stride. Don't let anyone make you think you need them more than they need you. Promoters, bookers, and venues can treat artists like commodities. Some let themselves be treated that way.

This applies to asking for a fair price too. I'm not saying you should be walking around with a swelled head, but you do offer a service these businesses need. Treat yourself right and they will too.