Entertainment: It's a Business
Becoming a Professional Recording Artist
As a recording artist and record company owner, I feel it is necessary to share some of my knowledge with up and coming musicians and fellow artists looking to break in to the entertainment industry. The entertainment industry has many barriers to entry and is full of many people and companies ready and willing to take advantage of others trying to achieve a dream. I hope this series gives people some needed info. I will not only focus on the music industry, but other facets of the entertainment business as well. Being a recording artist myself, I will of course begin with music. Make use of this info, because not too many will give it to you for free.
Before you embark
First and foremost, know yourself. Regardless of the type of music you want to make, recognizing which aspect of your personality you want to channel will help you determine the type of artist you want to be. After you get yourself together, nurture your creativity by surrounding yourself with creative people. Seek out the community of artists in your area and make organic connections. This is not the time to be in a networking frame of mind where you make connections strictly for business and career purposes. This is the time where you are in a learning frame of mind; making connections that will help you grow as an artist. Be an observer. Go to open mics, and performances from other artists within and outside your genre. The more you interact with other creative people, the bigger network pool you will have-and will be more meaningful and lasting because the connections were born of honesty and not greed. Before you know it, you will have a pool of people to select from for team members. Those team members will be vital in helping and guiding you to become a professional in the music business.
It is my opinion that regardless of being a performer, producer, or songwriter, you should be able to write a song. I believe it will give you an insight to the mechanics of a song, which you would not have if you just focused on being just a performer, producer, or songwriter. During your observation and learning time you should also write everyday. The big misconception here is the thought that it has to be a full song or verse. Writing one line or a concept for a song is sufficient and will be beneficial in the long term. Keep in mind that everyone creates differently. This is why it is important to be in a community of artists. You can glean from them what works, how they deal with writer's block, and possibly some inspiration. Write about something that relates to you directly or indirectly. All your music does not need to be about self reflection and insight, or specifically about events in your life. If you want to write about the circus then write about the circus. Far too many writers over think and get caught up in trying to be witty, or prolific, or appeasing their audience. Writing should be simple, not to the point of nonsense where it seems you don't care, but with integrity and will. In the next segment I will discuss performances and recording a demo.
Ellison a.k.a Edmund Starbanks
