The Music Industry Will Make Second Guess Yourself, And Question Why You Ever Decided To Be A Musician

By Cari Cole

 

 

 

It’s pretty much par for the course in any industry, that once you get on the inside and lose the pretty package, it’s not what it once seemed.

But contrary to businesses that start for commerce, ones that begin as a labor of love and passion – like music, have more devastating fallout for hopefuls – and it can be brutal.

Music saves us. It’s about transcending the mundane into the superhuman or effable. It helps us shake our fists without permission, rage honestly, grieve in private, love insanely, dare deeper, play the cosmic meter of our emotions to the hilt. It helps us express ourselves without apology. Life with music, is… more fully lived.

Add to that, that musicians do music because they’re crazy enough to, maybe to hook a girl, get some grub and a place to stay… but mostly because they must. There is no alternative for an artist — it’s a must do – a passion of extreme proportions and really, a labor of love – until it isn’t.

And when dreams go south, it’s crucifying. And because the purpose is passion first – it hurts all the more. It’s like someone knocked the wind out of you – for life. Like cutting off your arm or leg. Crippling. A musician without hope that their music will resonate with people out there or get a chance to be heard is more than devastating, it’s debilitating. Like falling into an infinite black hole of never ending silence, rejection and — lifelessness.

Many artists – even still, still hope to get signed. They hope to find a company that will back them, help them face the insurmountable odds and give them a real shot. But is it as good as it seems? Or is there another story once you are allowed behind the velvet curtain. As many signed artist’s experience, unfortunately signing with a label can be the beginning of — well — a long behind the scenes nightmare. One that you can’t really shout out about. One you have to suffer in silence and keep to yourself. From a plethora of opinions on who you should be or what kind of music you should do (from the marketing or xerox department), to a “hurry-up-and-wait” kind of response, or worse – being put on hold, getting shelved but not let go — a myriad of unpleasantries can abound out of nowhere, with no warning and no soliciting. Countless artists cry out about it like our beloved belated Prince who didn’t hide his discontent and paid for it as a result. No one wants to help a whiny kid, but how can you not whine with such conditions?

Recently I interviewed a Grammy winning songwriter, to join the Songwriting Team at my new music publishing company. During the interview, I shared my company’s perspective on songwriting, and A & R process of helping artists write their signature work. This particular songwriter had written with the likes of Jessie J, our very own Chrisette Michele, John Legend and the list goes on and on. As the interview went on, it was clear that while she shared my point of view that artists need to write from their perspective – that signed artists who’ve been knocked around the block or two, had become afraid of following their instincts for fear of losing their audience. This, my friends, is reality and a sad one at that – but the truth.

 

So, what do you do to avoid this? These 4 things.

 

1. Do as Sara Barielles did

Write a song that calls them out, expresses your real opinion and be ready to say goodbye (ironically it became her biggest hit.) Lesson: passion inspires the best songs.

 

2. Trust your Instincts

Learn to trust your gut. It will always serve you well. Never cave.

 

3. Know yourself before you get signed

Know yourself, develop yourself to the max before you get signed. Or don’t get signed. Your choice.

 

4. Work with companies that respect your artistry

Respect yourself and you’ll get respect. Period. It’s 2016 afterall. You’ve got the power

 

Wish you had a Team that believed in you? Me too. It’s why I started my Artist Success Circle Mastermind. And the best part? Artists are WINNING. Yep. Real stuff.

 

 

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Hi, I’m Cari Cole.

You’ve got talent, but you want to become great at it. You’re in the right place! My mission is to help you refine your unique artist vision to bring to the world.

About Cari Cole

Cari Cole is the CEO / Founder of caricole.com and CCVM: Label Without Walls. She is a Holistic Vocal Coach, Artist Development Expert, A&R Director, and Songwriter based in New York City helping artists for the past 38 years. She is a mentor for Women in Music and The Association of Independent Music Publishers.

Her latest venture, CCVM a label services company, provides artists with a seamless path from creation to completion. After 30+ years of observing the overwhelm and challenges that artists face, Cari pulled together the best top creative professionals and designed a new approach to supporting our artists.

Disclaimer:
The information provided on Cari Cole's website is informational only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on Cari Cole's website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

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