by Cari Cole
There’s been a question in the air for a while now about whether the record is really dying out – if you need one at all anymore? But regardless of whether that thinking is coming from declining record sales or from artists releasing more singles into the marketplace, the fact is you still need one.
Here’s what happens when you don’t (have a record that is)…
Nothing.
Not really.
You can’t make a career out of a few singles strung together…
No matter how great your music is, how many fans you have, or how many singles or You Tube videos you release, we are still a “record” centric culture. We like to listen to a “body of work” from our favorite artists. And regardless of a decline in record sales, a record still fuels your tour and merch and brand – all of it.
But you also need it for your artistic “process.” Putting together a record is a gelling of a “period” in your life, a collection of material that helps you create a cohesive sound. It helps you tell your story and solidify your brand. It guides your marketing. Marketing campaigns still run around releases and thankfully so, because they give you the opportunity to tell your story, deliver a chapter in your life as an artist, connect with your fans and create real substance for your brand.
For some artists – especially newbies, records are getting shorter. An EP (Extended Play) of 5-6 songs gets you out of the gate today. Plus, with an EP you can tour for up to 18 months and get people ready for the next thing, while building your fanbase and followers at half the cost of a full record.
And let’s not forget, you want an “exceptional” record that “goes the distance” for you. What does that mean? It means a super well recorded, crafted, tweaked, mixed and mastered, broadcast quality record of your best ever ever ever songs. Not a “I-recorded-produced-mixed-and-mastered-it-all-myself-in-2-days” kind of record. And that doesn’t mean a “live” record, but a studio record.
I think this conversation and process is so important, and too many artists don’t have the critical feedback they need to push them to greater heights. My team and I have been working hard behind the scenes to help artists solve this dilemma through our Your Exceptional Record Program.
Share your stories about your concerns or dilemmas and challenges of recording your record in the comments below!