A few months ago an up and coming artist and I reconnected after many months of being out of touch. This artist and I knew each other through common connections and our college association. His entire goal in life was to become a professional musician and land a record deal. Let’s call this artist, John, for simplicity.
John was so excited to talk to me. He told me that he had great news to share. John shared that he was in Europe and had gotten signed to a record label. Even better news, the record label was going to take care of his brand for him.
My heart sank for John. I knew what he didn’t know. While part of me wanted to celebrate with him, part of me was sad for him and feared he would suffer great disappointment.
John, like all other artists I know, are truly wedded to their art. They want to succeed as an artist. But more than that, they want to stay true to who they are and be able to self-express and move their audiences by writing and publishing music that they find worthy.
This goal does not always align with that of the record studios that sign artists. Understandably so. Stop and think about it: the record labels are responsible for making sure their investment in you, as the artist, pays off or else they have to close their doors. They are running a business and thinking like business people about you and your art and music. They have to do so.
You, on the other hand, don’t have much (if any) actual money of your own invested in this process once a record label signs you up. So your entire focus is on staying true to yourself and creating the music that aligns with the real you. That makes sense, too.
So how do we get the two sides to align and respect and satiate each other’s’ interests?
This is where I enter the scene. I get that both sides have a goal to accomplish and it is not always, if ever, the same. I respect both sides and work with both parties to get “it” done and leave both sides happy and both brands flourishing and growing.
What do you as the artist have to do to become a professional musician and not sell out?
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