Against the grain.

Written by Phatriff on Mon, 26/03/2007 - 5:03pm in Articles business uk

Why do musicians fight the establishment?

I see this a lot and especially in the underground urban market. Acts will write tracks and rant on the stage about their hate for the music establishment. Phrases like 'not giving us the recognition' 'ignoring the underground market'. To me it doesn't make sense. Why put down the one thing that can help you more than anything else?

The music industry has the tools to promote your music world wide. It can make it possible for every single person in the world to hear what you have to say. Isn't that the greatest thing that a songwriter or composer desires? Music is after all an expression of sound, cutting yourself off from the industry will only limit the amount you can express yourself.

I think the problem lies from the fact that the industry is seen as evil or is seen as unhelpful. What people need to know is that to make yourself heard it will require a lot of effort on your part. The more people they want to hear it the more effort it will require. You can't expect a record label to sign you because you think you are great. You need to prove it to them, you need to build a following. You have to gig and gig and gig. The reason they don't sign you is not because your music isn't good enough it's because you don't have the right attitude.

Ok, let's say you are lucky and talented and the industry thinks that it can market you. If you don't do your research and HARD WORK then they will most probably take more control of you then desired. They will shrink wrap you, gloss you over and sell you to the masses to make money or maybe they will just put you on the shelf for a rainy day. Again, I reiterate, if you do the hard work then you will have the power to control the label more and you will be able to deliver your message as you see fit.

Phatriff