As a songwriter/musician/producer/engineer, basically someone who lives and breaths music in every way. (As I do.) Do you think it is necessary to live in a city like LA or NY to establish yourself in the industry, or do you think the industry is transparent enough that it no longer matters where you live? I'm struggling w/ wanting to move to NY for the whole "starving artist" experience, but I'm terrified of actually leaving a city that doesn't really connect me w/ music the way I thought.
Well... I think it is a matter of what you want to accomplish. Living in and a town with a population of 100 can only give you so much diversity. Now with that said there is outlets via the web. That is the opening to the whole world. Now if you need more personal connections for what you are trying to achieve then I would suggest you move to a place that has a larger population. If you can reach your goal using the web and only traveling when you need to, and you feel comfortable in your town, then stay. But if your looking for a new experience go. Always understand that with a more diverse population you will receive a very different personal experience. Sometimes it will suck to walk out your door on trash day and it has not been picked up, and it smells like the pearly gates of hell, and then you get in the sub and its packed with people trying to get to work and no one will say a damn word, that's just the lay of the land. Everyplace has its ups and downs. Now if your telling yourself your looking for balance more often than not once you find it...your going to look for something more. (For some, it's even more extreme) but that's life as well. Me personally (at this point) I like the east-coast. There is a huge pull of talent and cultural diversity. Driving from Florida all the way to buffalo, for me, is pure gold. That's not a knock to the rest of the country. I'm from the west coast, love it. (It's nothing like NYC) I don't feel like I can or want to give you a clear cut answer, If I was where you are and I was still me. I would work with what I had until I had enough. Then just move on, travel is a amazing thing. I love talking to people right in front of them, looking at there expressions, hearing the way they talk, picking up the details of the culture. Some people wouldn't give a fuck. I can only show you my perspective. I guess it's up to you to decide how diverse it is. I'm 26, black, live in Philly, and I make music. (Maybe its a joke, maybe not) Live life, you only got one.