compiled info for people who are thinking about getting into the music industry
The lovely @louisisalarrie 💖 has written up a lot of great info on how to get started:
"I wanted to ask you if you could give me any advice on how to start working in the music industry?" - the thorough reply is here
"Is it necessary to have a degree to start working in the field? Or can I start even without it?" - the thorough reply is here
And an anon my dear Gina @twopoppies got gave great insight, too:
"For the student interested in Artist Management" - the reply is here
I'd also recommend going through my Music Industry tag to really get a feel for what kind of world you'll/you'd be entering.
Also, for bad examples for managing an artist, my In This House WE HATE MODEST! tag.
I also recommend darling Daisie's @daisiesonafield-blog tags:
• Music Industry
• Homophobic Industry
• The Business Of Music
• Entertainment Industry
personal thoughts:
I personally started in 2010 by interning for zero money and no insurance for almost a year (aka. being exploited for free labour) and working the jobs of 3 people at once for the biggest local concert promoter of the (big) city i lived in and ended that internship with my first Burn Out, so i would NOT recommend doing that lmao, but also times were different then. i would always do it again, but differently!
Advocate for fair pay and insurance; advocate for limited hours and at least try and get regular sleep and don't only eat fast food. Doing the most will only get you so far before it becomes expected of you, so do what you can, but also draw a few boundaries early on. Take your vacation days! I know, but DO IT. If you're fem-presenting, don't stay in rooms alone with men who your gut keeps warning you about; not even if they're in/attached to a famous band. Look out for vulnerable, fem-presenting fans. Stand up to creepy men, as much as you can. I know the battle between what's right and what will save your career, so protect yourself first, but protect others, too if you can. Stay close to people who show up for you when they have nothing to gain.
Remember that you always meet twice in life. Be kind! Be reliable! Be punctual! Compliment people on their achievements. (i also mean if the catering is delicious, tell the catering crew and cook(s)). Try and learn a 2nd and 3rd language. Remember that 'never meet your heroes' is a sad truth for 95% of artists. Remember if people in the industry are awful to you, it says way more about them than you. Crew love is true love, that is not just an empty phrase. Stay loyal to your artists, not blindly so, though. Be honest with them and don't be afraid to be the wall between someone else and them. Don't be afraid to be the one who delivers bad news, that's part of your job. You will be part of the solution, too. Befriend your artists, that part is integral for trust. Learn the names of their family and close personal friends. But also don't forget yourself over it - especially when it comes to monetary compensation. It's okay to be great friends and still expect pay to keep your own lights on. There's a difference between 'i can only pay you next week' and 'can you do this tour for half?'.
Let your artists bloom, even if they want to do something that's not your taste or want to campaign for a single release of a song you personally don't vibe with - it's their artistry and their vision. Try to only give constructive feedback and only when asked. They might call you on a Sunday while you're on another tour and just want to talk - take that time, but also don't let your artist turn you into their personal therapist. Gently nudge them towards therapy, if needed. Obviously it's okay to draw boundaries about being told or asked things that are too personal (sex life with their wife, etc.). Stay on top of the finances every single day on tour. If you've got ADHD, do what you need to do - write stuff down, take photos of receipts, etc.
Don't feel bad if you need extra accommodation for disabilities or chronic illnesses, we are all only human. Be kind to security personnel, drivers, air crew, local concert crew, etc. always. You are entering/staying at their 'house' and/or using their stuff. You will make mistakes and feel terrible about them, but it's truly about how you deal with them that makes you grow.
Sadly you'll also have to be prepared for a lot of homophobic and transphobic 'jokes' on tour, especially from older men. misogynistic 'jokes', too (we all know they are not jokes). on tour you might have to work with people (mostly men) who are being sexist and misogynistic. the bigger the production, the less control you have over who you work with; who you share a tour bus with. that is a hard truth. i am only saying this, because it's definitely something one has to be mentally prepared for. things are moving forward in terms or anti-discrimination and it certainly depends on the production how much that will happen, but we still have a long way to go. call them out only if you feel safe to do so. and remember that everyone's lived experiences are different - but these are mine (and my work friends' I've spent days and weeks talking to about this issue).
there are a lot of amazing crew people (and people who work in the industry in general) out there, try and focus on the work friends who make you feel safe and welcome.
out of everything i've done and do, tour life is truly where i've always felt and always feel happiest and freest, for countless reasons. and the rush of an artist finally releasing an album you've accompanied them on the journey to is one of the most beautiful feelings ever. and i wish those kinds of experiences for everyone who decides to enter that field. 🥰
I could go on endlessly here, but I also have to stay vague, so not sure how much useful advice this really is. maybe i will end on this, because it's also something i've experienced time and time again: when something that a label, agency, publisher, etc. says to your artist sounds too good to be true, trust that it is. good luck! 💖
