The Importance of Independent Artists
 

Artists and bands are gaining more exposure than ever before. Independent artists are springing up everywhere, and they are enjoying success. Many times when we hear the words "independent artist or band" we assume that their music will be no good, the quality of their recordings will be crap, and we just won't like them. How many of us have corrected ourselves after listening to a really great independent artist or band though?

This brings us to the topic of this post. How important are these independent bands and artists to the music industry?

Independent artists are the true "artists" of the bunch. They dedicate themselves to their music. Spending hours practicing, writing lines, writing songs, searching for a break. Independent artists and bands work hard to ensure that even a single person hears their work. I have a friend that writes hip hop and rap songs, and he works hard to write the best lyrics that he possibly can. Then he spends hours perfecting his beats to match these lyrics. Follow this up with recording the rap, re recording, checking, listening, and re recording. The most important thing comes next though. After he does all of this work, he promotes his own music. No, not many people are going to hear it. But he is ecstatic when only a few hear it and say "Hey, that is pretty good. Keep it up." Do you notice something here. Independent artists are involved and working in every aspect of their music career. Many of them do not have people working for them that will handle a specific part;instead, they handle it themselves. This is what makes independent artists special.

My point is that independent artists realize that they have to do it on their own. They realize that their music needs to be top notch; then they realize that they are going to need to promote and market hard in order for people to hear their music. They are engrossed in every facet of the music, from thought to marketing.

Independent artists are the most educated people in the music industry. No, they might not be working for a big time label. No, they may not be considered experts, but they are still the most educated and most versed people in the music industry. They are experienced with writing the songs, perfecting them, analyzing both the lyrics and the music. They then understand how to go about recording the music. They know what software to use, how to edit it, and what sounds good. Then, they are experienced with the promotion and marketing process. The most successful of the independent artists then are involved in negotiations, and this is where the independent artists become a form of businessmen.

This is healthy for the music industry. This value of hard work is something that often disappears whenever someone has multiple agents and secretaries taking care of a hundred different things for him. But when an independent artist understands that he is only going to go as far as his own work takes him, then this is beautiful.

The music industry would survive without the presence of independent artists and bands. Platinum records would still be sold, the same people would still be on top of the charts, but the spice would be lost. The independent artists supply this spice. No, they may never be as successful as the artists signed by major labels, but they will know that they have worked hard in the production of their music; it is something that they can take pride in. This pride needs to be present in the Music Industry, and independents artists provide this, along with many other things.

I can honestly say I have never assumed that.

Many people here probably won't. People that are deeply involved with music understand that sometimes independent artists have the best music. However, the general population prefers the mainstream artists because of the big record labels.

I think you're making a lot of inaccurate generalizations.

What would you say my generalizations are.

That independent artists are the most knowledgeable people in the industry, that they work any harder than mainstream artists, that they're the salt of the earth, etc.

I was just making the point that independent artists are involved in every step of the music making process. From songwriting, to marketing, to sales. Mainstream artists do not do this.

There are plenty of mainstream artists who are just as deeply involved. Not all artists on the radio sit around and buff their nails while someone else writes their music. As for marketing and promotion, there are just as many independent artists who lean on their labels for promotion as there are mainstream artists.

False in a lot of cases.

What if I changed independent artists to unsigned artists? Would it be different then?

BTW..thanks for the feedback

I think where this fails is you seem to be talking about just two things here. "Independent artists" and pop stars. I'm not claiming this was your intent but this how I read it. You seem to be suggesting that an unsigned artist works so much harder and is so much more involved in the writing, recording, production and promotion of their music than signed artists. Surely you cant actually believe this? You arent referring to a certain percentage of signed artists, it really does seem that you are referring to every signed musician. This is why I just went ahead and assumed you were talking about pop stars and those who don't play instruments, sing live, write their own material etc.

Also, I don't know your background. You may have worked in the recording industry but the way you wrote doesn't offer an opinion, to me. It seems to offer fact and where you refer to the inner workings of the recording industry, I find myself doubting that you could actually know these things first hand. It also offers fact, rather than opinion, on quite a few debetable points.

How can you be so sure of this? I just think it would be much better if this was worded more carefully as your take on things and your opinion.

What hit me the most about your post is the fact that you seem to be saying a lot, but not at any point stopping to say why. You said in the very first paragraph that Independent Artists are enjoying success, and then go on to list their every virtue. Sure, that's great, but where exactly are you going with this? Is there a reason for this that you've forgotten to include?

I read the entire thing, and then got to the end feeling like the entire thing was a pointless read, and the only thing that came to mind was "that's nice".

Maybe his blog is a resource for highschool essays.

Lol, that would certainly explain it, though it wouldn't do much for the sincerity of the article :P

Alright, got lots of criticism on this post.

But hey, that's what I need. Bad writing leads to good writing through learning from your mistakes.

I understand what all of you are saying about it seeming not to go anywhere. I have tons of ideas, and I am learning how to communicate these ideas on to paper. I am just beginning my writing career, and I expect my writing to be pretty much crap right now, but there is no other way to learn. More posts will come, and I expect them to get better as they go.

Thanks for all the input guys.

:rofl: I'm sorry it just had to be pointed out.

dude, she's supposed to do the riding

HAHAHAHA that is funny

Thanks for pointing it out

So, what is the point here? if you let us know what you're aiming for here we might be able to help you get to where you want to be with it.

I was wanting to get across the point that independent artists are important to the music industry because they are actively involved in their music, but often have to resort to other means of income as well to support their music. Instead of being big time artists and having every CD and single heard by millions, they take every opportunity to get their name out there. Basically, they are not playing to packed out stadiums, instead, they are working on their music alongside working other jobs sometimes. They are working hard, and they are all about the music.

This still does not get across the clear message that I want. But it might help you better understand. I know that there are still some generalizations in that though.

I think you should practice writing about things that really mean something and put your own emotion into it. People respond to that kind of thing a lot better than they do a writeup about the state of a particular thing.

I understand what you're trying to do, but I think you should, as a writer, be more focused on what you're saying rather than how you're saying it.

Great advice. Thanks

No. They listen to what they're exposed to.

Why am I posting in this? Huh? What? What am I doing here again? I hear voices. There are fucking ghosts in this thread or something.

Ok, they are exposed to the mainstream artists. You are right. They are not exposed to the independent artists; therefore, the indie artists work to get to that level of exposure. But they do so while they are doing other things, such as holding a job and providing for their family.

But they shouldn't have to. The art they put out and the way they make a living should not be connected. In order to get exposure, you often need to compromise your art to make it more palettable or consumable. Different from how you intended.
I'm trying to find a Steve Albini interview where he talks about this. Give me a moment.

Ahkay. Starts being relevant around four minutes in.

OH NO!!!! not another job :yikes:

for making some homegrown piece of sounds-like-that-other-band-that's-almost-big-but-not-really-so-it's-still-ok-to-sound-like-them band? it's great on a local level. it's what gives a spot culture and a bit of a sense of identity but there's usually a good reason why it doesn't go past that level and it's not because of the big bad 'man'. sorry. life isn't fair.

I can agree with the opinion that independent artists are definately important to the music industry as a whole, but your are cutting mainstream artists short(or it seems that way). Just because there are those few that really don't do anything in the musical process and reap the benefits doesn't mean its all that way. Thats my thought.

Sorry for the late reply, I have been out of town the past two days. Let me clarify.

This was a post that was not well thought out at all. I agree that I should ave spent way more time preparing and writing it. I am not trying to sale mainstream artists short. I was just wanting to discuss what makes independent artists special to the music industry. When I have time to rework the article, then I will and I will definitely post it here for you guys.

I think if you boil down what he said - Its from the heart and I have to agree - Its the way he said it that's causing the issues - I get what your saying and I agree - I'm an Independent musician - Id rather have a backing I thing :( Do we take the money and battle or change and live the nice life or stay poor and love our music and do what we want with it - constant argument there - with myself lol

I am sorry that you do not like my post or my comments. I cannot please anyone and certainly am not going to try to please you specifically.


Thank you for your input. You are right, it is from the heart, but I agree, my words do not convey what I was trying to say.