Indie Artist Wake Up and Get with it!
Ok, so it's 2:27 AM and I was already in bed and had to get up because this rested heavily on my mind. It dawned on me how radio has succeeded in making a lot of indie artists feel as if they do not belong. some of these artists are told everything from "you sang one note off-key" to "your production is lacking"..., but have you really taken time out to listen to some of the JUNK that Gospel radio have been playing lately?
I could start calling names but i will not as my job here is to state some facts without bashing anyone. Gospel radio have continuously dissed many good indie artists, and one of the reasons why they do it, is because these artists are not financially viable to them...these artists do not have the dollars to pay them to get their music out played and as such; instead of telling the truth that "they will not play your music because you cannot pay them", they instead resort to telling them things like, "the background vocals is weak", "you should have put more into the song", " the bass could have been up a little more" etc.
This is where I'm going to step on some toes without an apology though...indie artists, you need to stop chasing after major radio because quite simple it will not and is NOT going to happen where you are at right now, meaning without the BIG DOLLARS to do what "they" want you to do (PAYOLA)! and if your sole reason for making an album is to get major radio to play your music, then you should have save that money to bail you out of this recession!
You have to break away from thinking that if your music is not being heard on a terrestrial (local AM or FM) station, it not good enough. Your only hope is College and Internet radio stations; and yes, you may not be paid royalties when played on a college station but you do get mass exposure especially if you build a good relationship with the DJs and they love your music and puts you in regular rotation.
Some indie artist chose to hold their music hostage from getting into the hands of Internet broadcasters and radio mainly, thinking that someone is going to give them the break they're so desperately in need of from a corporate owned AM/FM (terrestrial) station.
Know who you are as an artist and if you know you are good enough, then whether you get played on a AM/FM or Internet station, you will eventually get the respect from the listening audience and build up a huge following irregardless...Enough said, I'm going back to bed, it's (3:02AM) and my brain is hurting LOL!
I could start calling names but i will not as my job here is to state some facts without bashing anyone. Gospel radio have continuously dissed many good indie artists, and one of the reasons why they do it, is because these artists are not financially viable to them...these artists do not have the dollars to pay them to get their music out played and as such; instead of telling the truth that "they will not play your music because you cannot pay them", they instead resort to telling them things like, "the background vocals is weak", "you should have put more into the song", " the bass could have been up a little more" etc.
This is where I'm going to step on some toes without an apology though...indie artists, you need to stop chasing after major radio because quite simple it will not and is NOT going to happen where you are at right now, meaning without the BIG DOLLARS to do what "they" want you to do (PAYOLA)! and if your sole reason for making an album is to get major radio to play your music, then you should have save that money to bail you out of this recession!
You have to break away from thinking that if your music is not being heard on a terrestrial (local AM or FM) station, it not good enough. Your only hope is College and Internet radio stations; and yes, you may not be paid royalties when played on a college station but you do get mass exposure especially if you build a good relationship with the DJs and they love your music and puts you in regular rotation.
Some indie artist chose to hold their music hostage from getting into the hands of Internet broadcasters and radio mainly, thinking that someone is going to give them the break they're so desperately in need of from a corporate owned AM/FM (terrestrial) station.
Know who you are as an artist and if you know you are good enough, then whether you get played on a AM/FM or Internet station, you will eventually get the respect from the listening audience and build up a huge following irregardless...Enough said, I'm going back to bed, it's (3:02AM) and my brain is hurting LOL!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Cee Josephs on -
Very well said DJ Deli.
I have been recording music now for the last 12 years. Before I put out my first album, I read everything I needed to know about the music business. The one outstanding message I got (thank God!) is that you must not shop to a label! All that hard earned money will go down the drain! I toured long and wide and managed to sell several thousand copies.
To anyone reading this: If you have resources (access to churches, convention, celebrations), use them up. Get to know people. Perform for free, where it is unlikely you will get paid. Because at the least you may make money from your album, and merchandise sale.
Yes, it is not very likely you will get air play (at first). But if you create enough buzz, they will be coming to you, not the other way around! So continue recording and performing without thinking of money, or getting signed. You will be so surprised.
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