Networking

Networking is hard when you’re in the business of finding people who can help you rather than finding people you can help.

Networking is hard when you believe you only have so much to give so you have to be veeeeeeery skeptical of people, making sure to give it to the right ones, not the wrong ones.

Networking is hard when it’s been since 2nd grade that you’ve said hello to an absolute stranger for no other reason than human connection.

Networking is hard when you’re afraid you’ll come off as a…

Networking is hard when you don’t actually care about the other people in the room.

Networking is hard when you’re not willing to initiate.

Networking is hard when “you’ll just see what happens”.

Networking is hard when you’re not willing to express a need.

Networking is hard when you’re not willing to meet a need.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

A Little More VMA

I was trying to figure out on Sunday night what part of culture the VMA’s was trying to represent.

I couldn’t figure it out.  I gave up trying.

I thought maybe I’m just out of touch with popular music.

But….there are lots of new bands and artists who have hundreds of millions of streams and views and were not mentioned even once on Sunday night.  Some artists you have heard of and some you haven’t.  Artists selling out clubs, theaters and arenas.  Artists that I listen to and you listen to.

I’m in touch. And you probably are too.  Even if Miley and the shock brigade make us feel otherwise.

But even as I’m writing this I can’t help but feel something pretty distinct…

I feel like talking about the VMA’s a mere two days after they’ve aired, that I’m talking about old news.

All that flash, all those stars, all the money and bravado and possibilities and it already feels like old news.  Soulless old news.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

MTV :: VMA

I’ll go ahead and bypass most of my razor sharp hatred and critique for what went on at the VMA’s last night and tell you this about the music industry…

There’s room for you.

There’s room to be great.  Spots are available.

There’s room for artists who take the time to become leaders.  We have not reached capacity on that.

There’s room for great songs. No one is complaining there are too many.

There’s room for giving a great speech.  We have had a shortage the last 50 years.

There’s room for genuine gratitude.  For most of the VMA winners, that was the first time they’d said “thank you” all year.

There’s room for your voice.  Rapping, singing, scatting, in-tune, off pitch…it’s all on the radio and the VMA’s, and making careers.

The music business has plenty of room for the things that are scarce…the things that can’t be bought or faked.

There was a lot of buying and faking last night.  Lot’s of smoke, hype and under delivery.

It was pretty depressing.

But the hope gleaned from it all is simple…

There’s room for you.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

If You Only Have $100

You always want more money and a bigger budget.

And it’s true, more money provides you more options.   Doesn’t mean you know how to choose the right options and succeed, but at least you have more options.

But what if you have an incredibly tight budget.  Really tight.  $100 tight and it’s not getting any bigger.  

With $100, your options are limited but I want to give you a good one.

I want to build you a $100 plan.

(I will assume three things. 1. You have a car  2. You have a cell phone  3. You have a guitar)

A.  Write songs

B.  Write more songs with other people

C.  Continue steps A & B indefinitely

D.  When it dawns on you that you have one GREAT song, ask your trusted writer friends if they think it’s worth your precious $100.

(If it is, continue.  If it’s not, go back to step A)

E.  Make a demo of the song by singing and playing into your phone.

F.  Find an engineer/producer you want to work with, meet with them and play them your song.  Tell them you have a total of $100 but that you are willing to come record any hour of any day they have available.  One text or call from them, and you’ll be there.  

(If they’re the type of person who was willing to meet with you in the first place, then they’re the type of person who will accept this pitch.)

G.  Get the final mix and utilize every single free tool on the internet (because now you’re out of money): YouTube, Facebook, SoundCloud, Twitter, Instagram, etc.

If I only had $100, that is exactly what I would do.

If you have more than $100, that means you will have more options and are able to take more risks.

But even if you have substantially more than $100, this is still a pretty good plan.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Friday Not-So FAQ

Why do you get your Grammy sent to you 3 months after you win it?  Not able to inscribe the name plate at the venue?

Why does Apple make you wait in a huge long line when the new iPhone comes out?  Very 1992 of them.

Once and for all, who’s job is it to get artists on opening slots?  Been in this business a long time, never heard anybody put themselves on the hook for that one.

If there continues to be an upward trend in the popularity of re-mixes, would they eventually just be called the “regular mixes that everyone listens to”  and therefore lose some of the cool factor?  “Hey DUDE! Check out this regular mix I just heard!!!”

Throughout 99.9999999999999999% of history, all entertainment has been consumed through a live setting. Do you really think live show business is going away?

Why do you NEED that new guitar?  The guitar you have sitting in the corner plays the same chords as Paul McCartney’s.

Why doesn’t everyone have gear insurance?  Is $15 a month just way too much?  You can’t afford not to. HERE.  Thank me later.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Just A Little More Experience

As soon as you look back on an experience, whether it was 5 years ago or 5 minutes ago, it becomes clearer.

However the reality you’re currently facing…foggy.

But once time passes and you’re a little bit older, whether it’s 5 years or 5 minutes older, it becomes clearer.

You’re always just a little too young to understand the situation you’re currently in.

So you must get older to understand.

One day for a brief moment you will be the most experienced person on earth. Until then, surround yourself with more experienced people.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com