The New Model...Ain't she a beauty!
I had yet another conversation regarding the old vs the new way of doing things ..in regards to approach, attitude and lets face it ...the reality of the music biz as we know it today. I was at a social engagement at a colleagues office this past weekend...and I got into a conversation with a couple of people who were discussing collaborating on a song writing session. What was interesting is the two completely different points of view that were evident as they spoke on making a plan. First off this was a suggestion made by a friend of mine who is a JUNO Award winning musician / producer for many years and he's definitely been through a few of the trials and tribulations the music industry has endured. But non the less he's a guy who's still out there creating..and he's always open to what or who might make up a vibe musically ...that could just maybe be worth developing into something special.
Now the other person in this dialogue...was a young girl..who had some experience..but was clearly still trying to find her own. Now to her benefit she's worked hard to establish herself as no BS type or lady who handles the business...and on the other side of the coin she's a very sweet girl with a sultry sounding singing voice ...and she has really cute face I should mention. She's instantly wanting to talk business ...and wanted to know..the percentages and what her cut would be of units sold..??...how would she get paid...and from who dam it..she had to know.!!? My friend and I looked at each other...and well we smiled...but then we both tried .. ( I say tried because i was at a party)... to explain this approach as the old model! This approach is stemming from a time ...when a record companies would sign bands... and sell albums. Artists would create music because there was a budget to do so...! And..just because it was recorded and scheduled for a release..it was officially "happening" ...sent down the tube..rotated to radio etc. And all consequent business attached to it the writers the musicians....were just looking to gain any traction of the attention it might pick up..and to get paid..!
This was a time when we delivered music to the people who were eager to receive what was given to them..! Choices ..and access were much more limited then..and we bought music. And even if you didn't like to dig through your favorite record shop to find obscurities which seem to mean so much more then...Music was commercially advertised and they made the choices for you..and whatever...people bought music..!
That idea and model is now gone...! We are in a entirely new playing field ...and it was just great hearing that point of view from a seasoned musician out there in it..! He was only interested in discussing creating the music at this point... Lets work together to figure out how to make something worth talking about first off...and having that vibe create it's own buzz...and for that buzz to build it self up through people sharing the feeling and saying...wow this is good..!! ...then ...and only then..do you actually have some business to discuss..and if you're lucky...you'll have your website designed properly and cash in on your creativity..! Isn't that the way it should be...?? As I do applaud this girl on one hand...anyone with a savvy spirit looking after there own best interest...is a lot better than being ignorant to any sort of business arrangement.! It just seemed clear at that moment the old ways of thinking about the music industry in terms of the recording of music and how it was distributed..and what that dynamic used to mean to people and what it means now...are definitely still out there. However i do think this will skew more toward a norm... where artists understand people are making up there own minds these days...and as artists they just need to make good music (tastes aside) that connects with people...create access to it and the people who love what you do... will do the rest! The fact is though...you need to be good first...then get paid..! Pow!!
SPM