Of the many questions that you shall have thrown at you as a musician the question of who you are stands the most important. This holds true for indies even more than major artists. It’s through this question and your answer to it that people decide whether you are worth their listening in the first place. Generally speaking the first thing that shoots out of most novices mouth is that they are an original, someone with great creativity that bares comparisons to no one else, and of course that their style is very versatile. On the surface this seems like the right
answer, the most engaging answer that leaves open a lot of room not to offend anyone persons musical taste. However, that is exactly why this is such a bad choice of explaining who you are.
Think about it, how many new artists on the major scene have you heard use these statements and still, even with a major label push and dough, fell short of making the lasting impression needed for future success. Simply put, this answer is too wide. You need to narrow your answer in hopes of finding your true core fans, the people that will ultimately lead you to the worldwide scene. I know baby steps aren’t fun for anyone, however, the snowball effect created from this method tends to lead to a more fulfilling and longer lasting career. Many big time acts have used
the power of offending towards their own use, Kiss, Cher, Madonna, Green Day, and countless others have clearly defined not only who they are, but who they are not.
This of course led them to finding that core group of devoted fans that truly felt connected to them and wanted to see them succeed. And from there they then were able to target their market song-wise, promotion-wise, and as a whole musically. Everyone feels the need to connect and one of the greatest ways for this to happen is through defining who you really are. Let it all hang out, everyone won’t take to you, but in those that do you may of found a profound union, pushing you to succeed in your goals.

Get Out There And Manifest Your Career’s Success!

As an indie you are left to formulate and strategically plan for many things. Of the many things you will have to do, without a question, formulating your inner circle of support for your career is the most important. The team you form will be just as important to your success as the music you make, if not more. Today’s industry is driven by lawyers, publicist, managers, and agents more than ever before. If you cannot put these key elements together right, your chances of
making it to the Big Time are slim.
The first key person in your team should be the manager. Naturally, unless you have incredible skills and are already somewhat known you shouldn’t expect to reach the top managers of the industry. This is due to the fact that managers are actually hired by you. You are the one that pays them. If you aren’t proven to be profitable or able to show that you’re an amazing talent, there is no reason for them to pay you any attention early on. However, it is still key to have a
manager. A manager is the person that will lay out your course of actions, keep you focused, and go the extra mile to get you out there, again due to the fact that its through your success that they reach their own. In your early days a manager could simply be a relative or friend that you absolutely TRUST to handle all business and financial happenings. They should preferably have at least a little industry knowledge, but most of all believe in you without fail. Many top acts
today and many legends have been led by family members and friends into top level success, most recently Usher, who’s managed by his mother.

After establishing a manager the next step is to find an agent. This is usually handled by the manager as well as the formation of the rest of your teams key members. The agent is super important to your being known because they are responsible for getting you gigs. Without them or a hard working manager you can find yourself splitting your time between arranging gigs yourself, remembering the gigs you set, handling payment issues with promoters (there will likely be some along the way), along with all the many other tasks you have in the studio and writing and most likely your 9-5. A percentage of your shows’ income will also go their way so it is also in their best interest to work hard on your behave, however, the manager should do just that, manager them, to make sure this is happening so that you are not shelved by the agent and also that your money is distributed properly.

After you have gained some local clout and clout in surrounding areas. You should be ready to seek out an entertainment lawyer. Your manager again will play a key role in this. Again, finding someone that you can trust is vital. The lawyers more and more are becoming the key person that A&R persons turn to looking for new artist. Why is this? They more than anyone one your team are mostly all about business. There is seldom a case of lawyers putting their name out on the line without there being strong numbers and thus a higher calculated chance that
you’ll be profitable. Or in other cases some lawyers that feel they have a ear for music and have contacts in the industry, if they deem you to be a true creative talent, will go ahead and take you on as client. Lawyers are responsible for many of the transactions that leads to someone becoming a household name now-a-days. They are the ones introducing the branding plans and seeking out opportunities for their clients to be seen beyond the music scene. Which also makes them that much more important if that’s your goal. It is worth really taking your time to find
your right match, the person that shares your vision the most, because the right lawyer can get you to your desired destination.

Finally, the last person you need in your inner circle is a publicist. They are responsible for making known to the worlds population that you exist. They like all the other members are very choosey of who they’ll take on. Simply because they too get paid from your success. The person that meets your needs, has the best roster of artist, networking and experience is the one you’ll want to choose. They have contacts all over the media scene and will press those contacts to give
you exposure. They along with you and mostly your manager will decide target markets and the course of action over your media blitz. Everything from autograph-signings to magazine covers are up to them so they are vital for you once you reach a certain level of success. Also due to their many contacts it has been known for publicists to actually be the key player in getting an
artist signed. So they can be important in that way as well.

So this is your team. The manager, agent, lawyer, and publicist. There are many variations on the order in which you assemble your team, but I often tend to have artists seek out management first and foremost. They stand as your guiding light, much like that of the producer in the studio.  They keep everyone on task and oversees the actions of the rest of your team. In short, they act as your coach, so make sure you choose the right person for this position. Though assembling your team will take time, money and a lot of effort, once they are all in order you’ll begin to see the fruits of such a team as they work alongside with you to fulfill all of your musical dreams and aspirations.
Now, Get Out There And Manifest Your Career Success!

The young, beautiful and very talented Jacqueline Rose is this week’s listen to artist.  Here’s the track: 07AddictedtoYou.mp3 it is entitled Addicted to You.  To learn about Jacqueline and hear more of her great sounds visit her myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jacquelinerosemusic.

Pyeng Threadgill is a force to be reckoned with.  She debuted in 2004 with a beautiful deisplay of songs.  She is vocally talented and a skilled writer.  Many artists could learn a thing or two from Ms. Threadgill.  Take the time to stop by her website: http://www.myspace.com/pyeng and get to know Pyeng Threadgill.

Musician’s friend is the leading online source for purchasing musical equipment and accessories.  They offer grand service and resonable prices.  The best part of their service is how well their site is laid out.  The searches do take some time to load but the numerous options by which you can sort through the types of instruments and stuff you’re searching for is great.  You can see what’s a hot item, what’s is the least pricey and more.  We highly recommend giving www.musicianfriend.com a look through.

The group Marcella originates from Milwaukee, WI and has four members.  Led by keyboard player Anna Marcella this group has really begun to make a name for themselves.  The group is currently in Chicago trying to stretch their mass appeal there.  Go here to find out more about Marcella: www.myspace.com/marcellamusic.

Get to know Cooper. This duo has been taking the music seen by storm.  They have won several top songwriting competitions and have been featured at Sundance & Tribeca Film Festivals.  Check out there music and learn more about them here: http://www.myspace.com/cooperband.

There are many, many things outside of our own control. This is true for each and every person alive. We seem to have very little control over tasks at work or school and all struggle with the state of mind that we actually do have freedom over a lot of things in our lives, families, jobs, and communities at whole. How is this true then? How are we in many instances held captive by the many factors of our day to day obligations and at the same time totally free from them?

The answer to this riddling question is Perspective. Perspective, simply put is the way an individual looks at a certain thing or issue. We have all heard the question: Is the glass half empty or full? before and depending on who you are, your state of mind, and your current lot in life the answer to that one question can vary. This is why perspective is so very important to a indie musician, because by simply deciding to look deeper, to really force yourself to see things from a different vantage point, you can move from being broken down and defeat to being the
empowered artist you are meant to be. So you haven’t scored that major deal yet, so what. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you are any less talented, or any less successful and driven than those that are.

With this new state of mind comes more opportunity. The person with this more positive perspective is more likely to be motivated to go out and create the successful career they desire rather than fall into depression and lose their steam. One of the biggest tasks as an indie you will ever have early on is pushing CDs. You’ve slaved away for months in the garage or basement studio of a friend and finally saved every ounce of money you could spare to have your masterpiece pressed that you just know is going to fly off of the shelves (or more like your
apartment’s living room floor), but at last they sit there, mocking you. This can be deeply dissatisfying for anyone, but especially to those that have done all that the numerous industry success books told them to as far as marketing and exposing the CD. What are you to do but get depressed and defeated?

Change your perspective! Look at what has worked for you, but more importantly what hasn’t. Look at this object from every possible perspective and start using those creative brain cells to brainstorm new and exciting ways to market your product, reach new fans, and appeal to others that may not usually listen to your type of music. Yes, the industry is a guarded-gated community but the gate has four sides and all of them are not evenly guarded. There are many opportunities for indies to get involved in publishing (Taxi, for example) and other areas that can
help further your successes. But if you continue to look at your career through one vantage point you, like so many, you will find yourself, your CDs, and your dreams and aspirations stuck in your apartment, still forced, controlled, and dictated by the whims of the world.

Change your perspective, get inspired, gain control, and change your world; become the change you want to see in your career! A great book on non-traditional marketing is Bob-Bakers Guerilla Marketing Handbook, he has a second volume ready for release I hear, so if you have the first one be on the look out for Bob’s new volume, it’s sure to be fantastic!

Get Out There Out There And Manifest Your Career Success!

This is a song by an artist name Laura White.  I think we can all agree that Miss White has a bright musical career ahead of her.  Listen to ‘She’ now: 02Track2.mp3

Here is a video of a Milwaukee based group called The Bryan Cherry Band: