Everything changed

It is now clear to everyone that record companies no longer invest in new talents (except in those coming from talent shows and TV programmes).

This is because records no longer sell and the fees earned from streaming services can no longer compensate.
However, this is not why ‘music is in crisis’, on the contrary… I am convinced that it is increasingly in the hands of artists.

The changes due to the advent of digital formats (Spotify, Mp3, Youtube) and the consequent collapse of the traditional CD (-92% in the last ten years), have led first of all to a radical change in the sector.

There are many more tools today to start a professional career without necessarily having to wait for “someone” to notice us and decide to produce us.
But the first thing to do is to change attitude, no longer remain anchored to old patterns.
Let’s see how…

 

First of all we should review the concept of “success”.
As?
Giving it a more realistic value.
It must be transformed into a desire to be heard, known and respected by the public.
And make sure that your passion, music, becomes a real job.

Secondly, we should review the figure of the artist, considering it no more and no less a profession like all the others.

Years ago the record company selected talents, cultivated them, contracted them and took care of every expense.
This is because in exchange he received all the proceeds from record sales.

 

This has led over time to the expectation that there is “someone” to whom we can entrust our artistic life. “Someone” who, if he accepted our work, would be ready to make us a contract and make us famous...

The consequence? A mentality of guaranteed welfare has been created, with the sole objective of arriving at the famous ‘contract’.

The record crisis brought everyone back down to earth.

Today making music is still possible.
There are realities, that is, soloists and bands, who, even if they are not played on the radio a thousand times, have their own audience, and manage to live from it. Because, I repeat, music has become their job.
I’m talking about artists who live from live performances and from the records sold at their concerts, for example.

So what is the right attitude to do this?

That of considering it a job to be tackled with commitment, like any other:

An ordinary person works 8 to 10 hours a day.

The same thing a singer should do.
In my experience I can say that many well-known artists work a lot, study and perfect themselves obsessively.
Those who want to make themselves known should do even more.

And I believe that there are initially two steps to follow:

1- focus on the music
try to improve, listen to yourself as objectively as possible, study, and create your own style, possibly different from all the others. Look around, therefore, but without copying anyone.

2- make yourself known.
In Italy there are more than 1000 venues where you can perform live. And there is no better gym to get feedback on yourself.
Only in this link (Live Local Database) can you download a list with the telephone numbers to contact and certainly online you can also find others (see for example this site http://www.italymedia.it/italymusik/locali/).
Call them, propose yourself through a CD. And bring some copies to your live evenings too.

You will say: ‘Yes, of course…and what do I eat in the meantime?’
I know perfectly well that many of these places pay little and that there is no predisposition to listen to unreleased music. But the famous ‘fish in the face’ are part of your project package.
There is no point in complaining, find alternative occupations and move forward with perseverance. Plan a show that combines covers (which prepare the audience well) with some of your unreleased songs.

Make yourself known to as many people as possible. And above all, don’t be afraid to invest at the beginning.
After all, any profession requires an initial investment, years of training and expenses to face.
Even to be a doctor, a lawyer or a pharmacist requires years of study and financial sacrifice.
It is a choice you make for your goal.

Then present yourself on the radio, sending your songs.
In this link you can download a list of 200 broadcasters to contact. (200 Radio Database)
It’s clear that it’s difficult to get you listened to without a record company behind you. But a promoter, for example, could help you.
This is a professional figure who offers your music to the radio for you.
In this link you can find a list of some professionals. (Promoters and press offices), you will also find others on the web, but choose carefully…
Finally, a good video clip can also help you a lot. Today music is mostly listened to on YouTube, and then shared on social networks.
Even an official page on Facebook can make you more known and help you find collaborations.
Then sign up for music festivals. Some of these are very important, such as the Musicultura Award, the Tenco Award, and the PIMI Award organized by the MEI (Meeting Etichette Indipendenti) which has consecrated artists such as Afterhours, Baustelle, Negramaro, Casinò Royale.
And what about spotify/apple music? In complete autonomy you can advertise and even sell your music online.

So…
there is a lot to do, but the profession of music is something possible.

For clarifications, questions and information do not hesitate to contact me.

I wait for you!

Lorenzo Sebastiani