If you want to make music for a living you have to make money.
So how does an artist make money with music? Make a list. Do those things.
If you don't do those things you won't be able to make music for a living.
»» The ‘make music’ and ‘for a living’ have different requirements and skill sets for achievement.
If you knew the audience was on your side you’d probably push the envelope a bit more…because after all, they’re on your side.
But it turns out the best way to get people to pick a side in the first place is to push the envelope a bit more.
So the answer to the question of…’What would you do differently if you knew the audience was on your side’ is very similar to what you should start doing regardless of whether or not the audience is on your side…and will help to get the right people on your side.
New Hum Love playlist on Spotify and Apple.
The modern release schedule seems to be firmly in place. Multiple releases per year. New songs, remixes, stripped versions, collaborations, features, albums.
If there’s a two or three year gap it’s easy to wonder if the act isn’t doing music anymore.
There’s an expectation that you will release new music, and soon too. And if this song doesn’t hit, fear not, you’ll have another chance. You’re expected to take another chance.
Glad these artists keep taking chances. It’s good stuff.
One more on magic…
If you don’t have the magic within the group, how do you get it?
First let me say, it’s absolutely possible to have a career as a band or with a team of people while not having magical chemistry. Magic is extra special but not essential to achievement.
So how does magic come about? In a word: Personnel.
If you’ve been with the same group for five years and magical connection and inspiration and magnetism isn’t happening, it’s unlikely to come. It’s time to change up the personnel.
Add someone to the group. Remove someone from the group. Replace someone in the group. Get a different group. Each one of those methods has the power to redefine the chemistry of the entire group.
We each bring a vibe and energy to the group. When certain people cross each others’ paths, something extra special happens. Something clicks. Synergy. The spirit. A collective force. Excitement and possibility and adventure. A deep sense of With.
If you don’t have it, it doesn’t mean you need to leave everyone you know. But keep your eyes open. Keep making little new connections and opportunities. When you find it, you’ll know.
An addendum to the post yesterday about magic.
Magic and energy don’t necessarily go hand in hand forever.
The magic and power and force and specialness that happens when that group of people get together…that can last forever.
The energy…there’s probably a time limit.
It’s why bands break up, TV shows end, sports teams don’t stay together and summer camp ends.
Like my long lost complainy uncle Jerry Seinfeld says, ‘every storm blows itself out’.
The very energy that makes the amazing event or season of life possible is the same energy that finally exhausts the whole thing.
It’s not to say the energy must go away when difficulty arises or disputes happen. Difficulty and disputes are part of the magical, energy filled journey. They can actually be fuel. Don’t confuse mere difficulty with ‘this thing is over’.
The energy is gone when it’s run its course. When the elements needed to move forward aren’t the ones you want anymore. Not because it’s hard or easy, but because it’s just time.
The whole thing is a gift. And when it’s over some of it stays, some of it goes.
And then onto the next.
Hum Love on Spotify and Apple. Ten new tracks every month.
It’s really hard to have the magic with a group of people…a band, a team, a group vacation.
Or better said, the magic is elusive.
It’s rare. It doesn’t have an equation. It has everything to do with chemistry and yet makes absolutely no sense.
BUT, when you have it, the next hard thing is to admit that you have it. That you have something extra special. Something that many others want but you have. It’s hard to admit it because making that concession to yourself sounds arrogant and self-important.
It’s only when you admit it to yourself that you can take the next step…which is to take care of it.
And by ‘taking care of it’ I don’t mean being careful with it. You take care of magic by sharing it and growing it.
You share it by letting others experience the power and magic and rarity of it.
You grow it by growing as individuals, all the while bringing that growth into the special group and then growing together as a group.
Inevitably there is an arc to how the magic is perceived in the public eye and varied levels of success over the years. But those people, that magic, that force, that extra special thing that happens when those people get together…that stays.
It is a gift.
If you have it, embrace it. Take care of it, share it.