Arya Stark

For an assignment in school, I understand that we're supposed to find out how people feel about their occupations.

Since I'm so interested in Music, I chose this forum.

I was wondering:

As a music artist, how do you feel about your success in the industry?

Do you mind whether or not you make a lot of money?

Does the money aspect have a big part in deciding whether or not to perform or write somewhere?

If you could answer these questions, and just tell me a bit about what you do and where you career is leading, I'd be eternally grateful.

I will be checking as much as possible to see the results.

Thank you so much.

Amandria.xx

GuitarBizarre

1 - Its very much a case of making your own success and working for it. The chances of being 'discovered' are astronomically low. Building up a touring and online fanbase is a much better way to go about it.

2 - Money is a big part of being a professional musician, so I'd be lying if I said I didn't mind. Despite that, its never been my primary motivation behind musicmaking.

3 - Yes. If a place is paying you a pittence to play there, but making a ton off the bar, then you're being stiffed. Especially if you already have something of a following locally. All exposure is good exposure to an extent, but its important to put across a professional impression to owners because then you get booked by more upmarket places eventually. Letting yourself get stiffed doesn't inspire confidence in other things like reliability and consistency of show.

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Arya Stark

Heh. >.> I meant you specifically.

I know how I feel.

^_^

GuitarBizarre

Those are my views on it anyway. There are people who would disagree with point 3 out there. 2 is entirely my opinion, and 1 is just a fact.

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Arya Stark

Are you a musician?

GuitarBizarre

Yes.

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Arya Stark

Thanks. ^_^

One down.

Any other takers? =D

mr dave

i never tried to make an impact on the commercial music industry so having been offered a handful of shows in the past through friends has just been a bonus. i think success really depends on the individual's perspective on what music is and how it relates to them.

if someone offers me money after hearing me play music i'll smile and say thanks. good gear is not cheap.

money isn't a factor in what i create but it would be a factor for out of town performances. it would really depend on whether or not there's another reason for me to make the trip. if i have friends or it's a place i've always wanted to visit then the show (and its payment) become secondary, but if the performance is the only reason i'm in the town then i'd expect to at least break even.

from a local perspective i see no reason to get shafted. if a club owner isn't offering worthwhile compensation for their entertainment then don't sign up for a gig there. word of mouth goes a long way and most people know what places to play and which ones to avoid. bars and their management rely on their underground reputation just as much as an up and coming band relies on theirs.

my music 'career' has never amounted to much. then again it all comes down to personal perspectives. i'm a 3rd generation musician (if not longer), i've seen the toll that life on the road can have on people directly and indirectly. i'm not really that interested in being the star of the show. personally i feel i'm successful at creating music every time my friends and i play together, and that's really all i want from it.

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i am the universe

Arya Stark

That was quite enlightening.

Thank you so much. ^_^

Astronomer

1 - I wouldn't consider myself successful at all in the industry, but in terms of personal growth I would consider myself successful. That's because I don't make music for money or to be successful, but rather for enjoyment. I am successful in my local community and circle of acquaintances but definitely not within the music industry in general. I only play in little dingy pubs and bars about once a week and don't get paid much.

2 - I don't mind at all that I don't get paid much for my musical career, but only because I have another job - as a music teacher! Which allows me to pay the rent each week I realise that as a tiny, independent artist it is impossible to make money in the music industry and have come to accept this. Which is why I decided not to centre my musical endeavours around money, but instead around enjoyment.

3 - As I've already discussed, the money doesn't really have a huge influence on where I play. But, if a venue offers me an extremely small amount and it is very far away, I probably won't take it - because I'd probably spend more money on petrol than I'd get paid!

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