This is Part 2 of our 'Getting Started in 2021' blog. This is from a great conversation we had with Lewis Evans of 'Black Country, New Road' last year, discussing his and the bands entry into the music industry.
If you want to check out the first part of this chat, click here.
If you want to check out the first part of this chat, click here.
Video - Interview with Lewis Evans and Phil Larsen
Phil Larsen
Music ProductionLewis Evans
Composer & PerformerIs there a danger in chasing commercial success? Do you end up sounding like everyone else?
People want to hear something new, and that's where some of the most known artist's find their success. At the same time, there is a market for the a certain type of pop sound that's already made a bunch of times before, so you need to combine both.
Some of the most successful bands play the game of the music industry, and end up incorporating the core elements of their own music that inspire and drives their creative spirit with what is selling in the current market.
If your goal is to chase commercial success, you run the risk of focusing too hard on the 'what's selling?' part of it, and not on your own creative ideas. This is a mistake both for your own fulfilment, and also because if you're simply copying what's selling, then you're not offering anything new.
The music industry is unpredictable, so keep an eye on what's happening and where you fit into those trends.
Some of the most successful bands play the game of the music industry, and end up incorporating the core elements of their own music that inspire and drives their creative spirit with what is selling in the current market.
If your goal is to chase commercial success, you run the risk of focusing too hard on the 'what's selling?' part of it, and not on your own creative ideas. This is a mistake both for your own fulfilment, and also because if you're simply copying what's selling, then you're not offering anything new.
The music industry is unpredictable, so keep an eye on what's happening and where you fit into those trends.
When it comes to getting started, is chasing 'perfection' and procrastinating the release a real issue?
It's common for musicians and composers to pursue a project until it's reached the best possible state it can be. Often this is the downfall of a lot of projects.
Your project will never be perfect. If you've spent months recording and rerecording parts then there's a good chance that either:
1. You already have a take that's as good as it's going to get.
2. You're simply not happy with the direction of the project as whole - and that won't change by recording the same parts over and over!
Your ear for your own mistakes is often misguided and, as long as you're not making drastic errors, if people like what you do they will easily overlook a few minor mistakes.
Your project will never be perfect. If you've spent months recording and rerecording parts then there's a good chance that either:
1. You already have a take that's as good as it's going to get.
2. You're simply not happy with the direction of the project as whole - and that won't change by recording the same parts over and over!
Your ear for your own mistakes is often misguided and, as long as you're not making drastic errors, if people like what you do they will easily overlook a few minor mistakes.
Is age a contributing factor to a musician's success?
Here's the thing about becoming success in the music industry - those who have long careers are those who are able to continually reinvent their sound to meet the modern standard. Knowing what the modern standard is requires you to keep up to date with what's happening in the industry today, and younger people have a tendency to be more in-touch with modern developments (*mumbles something about 'back in my day...'*).
Now, this is actually good news, as it means that long careers are not limited to those who start young. It's just about simply keeping up to date. As long as you make an effort to stay in-touch with what upcoming talent is doing in the industry and find a place for yourself in that community, your age will not get in the way.
Reinventing yourself every few years can be exhausting and it take a lot of work, but it is required to stay relevant.
Now, this is actually good news, as it means that long careers are not limited to those who start young. It's just about simply keeping up to date. As long as you make an effort to stay in-touch with what upcoming talent is doing in the industry and find a place for yourself in that community, your age will not get in the way.
Reinventing yourself every few years can be exhausting and it take a lot of work, but it is required to stay relevant.
If you want to "make it" on streaming platforms like BandCamp, SoundCloud, and TikTok, does the quality need to compete with mainstream music?
The short answer is not really. Mainstream radio and chart music is highly competitive, and a lot of good music fall by the wayside. If you are trying to make a name for yourself on social media, you will find a lot more niche genres and artists who have a following.
More options; more listeners; more opportunities!
More options; more listeners; more opportunities!
Do you need lots of expensive gear to be a pro?
No. Expensive gear can help, but the best music is written by those who simply know how to use the basic tools of music production. We have already talked about Billie Eilish's first album in these blogs before, but that entire album was actually written using just using the free Logic Pro X plugins and home recorded audio.
Some things you will want to spend a bit of money on, like a decent microphone and some acoustic treatment if you see yourself recording a lot of audio. However, you don't need to spend lots of money on loads of EQ, reverb, and compression units. Likewise you don't need 50 different drum sample banks and bass VSTs.
Learn the core tools of your trade, and how to apply them creatively, before splashing out on really expensive kit.
Some things you will want to spend a bit of money on, like a decent microphone and some acoustic treatment if you see yourself recording a lot of audio. However, you don't need to spend lots of money on loads of EQ, reverb, and compression units. Likewise you don't need 50 different drum sample banks and bass VSTs.
Learn the core tools of your trade, and how to apply them creatively, before splashing out on really expensive kit.
MA International Music Business
MA International Music Business is a master’s degree that combines the twin worlds of the music industry and management theory. The goal is to produce the entrepreneurs and industry visionaries of the future. If you are looking for a Master’s in Music Business that will truly equip you for a lifelong career in the music industry. It follows the same approach as an MBA in Music Business but with a sharper focus and more practical insights into music industry itself.
- Mentored by current top music industry execs and practitioners.
- Cutting edge management and business theory focussed on the creative industries.
- Strategy, analysis, copyright and contracts, negotiation, income streams and more.
- Perfect for the start up entrepreneur or industry career builder.
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