Commentary
The Key to Success
Several weeks back, the New York Times published an article titled, “Is This the Time to Chase a Career Dream?” As you can probably determine from the title, it is one of the seemingly-endless economic crisis articles that basically says that the lemonade to be made from this (large) financial lemon comes in the form of being able to pursue dreams that one could not previously pursue while holding down a full-time job.
Like many of you, my eyes tend to glaze over whenever another one of these articles appear, but this particular piece has stayed with me for two particular reasons…
Smackdown: Music Is My Day Job vs. Digital Music News
In “The DIY Utopia,” Digital Music News editor Paul Resnikoff takes on the idea that independent artists can earn a living from being a full-time musician. I do not mind that he is asking questions about the economic viability of the do-it-yourself model, nor do I take specific issue with his reluctance to make predictions on what the evolution from the major-label machine to DIY will have on the industry and music marketplace in general. However, what irritates me about this particular commentary (and prompted this response) is his obliviousness to the existence today of so many successful independent musicians who were not signed at one time or another to a major label…
Smackdown: Music Is My Day Job vs. The Huffington Post
Mike McCready’s essay for the Huffington Post on the future of the music industry demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the opportunities and possibilities that artists now have access to: you don’t need mass exposure, and you don’t need the support of a major label. Build your tribe and create your own success.
