Many groups are faced with the problem of “why isn’t it working? what are we doing wrong??”. I was once that guy. I’m sure few of the people reading this will contest to that statement. It’s almost something all musicians are trying to figure out, “How can I expand? How can we grow our following?”.
As many of you know, I am currently taking an online program through Berklee College of Music. I’ve had some great professors who are working professionals that have really made a difference in the music business. A while back I came across a quote from one of the guys who developed the entire program and one of my previous courses. Let’s take a look…
First, and almost instantly
dismissed by today’s artists, is the
need to focus on fundamentals –
namely, the ability to play and write
great songs. The tsunami of social
media and music advice is a
relentless force pushing musicians
away from their instruments. Before
the recording, radio and tour
budgets get out of hand, let’s go
back to the woodshed – the one with
no internet, the one that provides
the solitude needed for a true
artist to discover and develop their
gifts. There is no substitute for
great art.
- David Kusek
A lot of times the artist forgets that in the end it is all about music. I was once that guy. People in the business (managers, labels, agents, etc.) would always tell me that and I never fully understood what they meant…I thought, “We have a good CD!! It’s catchy. It was recorded w/ _____. They’re just using that as some b.s. excuse”. In my last year of high school and first year of college I lived one hell of a schedule. Sleeping 5 hours a night spending as much time as I could to exploit my band’s records to my best ability possible. But at the same time, there was work to be done internally. All of us could have improved at what we were doing. We were not truly giving fans something worth coming back to….just something worth checking out. Music is over-saturated and the are more artists than ever before. I’m all about marketing and promoting, but don’t be afraid to step away from the keyboard and get GREAT at what you do. Make them people’s jaws drop. You must blow people away. In the end, it’s all about being great.
The video above is of the band Memphis High from Memphis, TN. 18 years old. I feel this group is GREAT at what they do, hence why I posted the vid. They have taken the time to almost master and perfect their craft. I’m sure that includes guitar lessons, vocal lessons, etc. They DO, what they do. Developing artists should take notes.
- Wes
