As an independent artist, your career in music is one where you take others alongside you and sometimes, many times, you walk alone. You must walk alone many times because your career is your own responsibility. If you don’t invest in yourself, take necessary risks, and make bold moves, you’ll just be stuck. Your fans will be stuck and your entire team will be stuck. A music career will go as far as you’re willing to take it. I was thinking about the experience I’ve had pursuing music so far and for some reason I ended up thinking about my younger self. There are so many things I wish I had known back then. I wish I could go back in time and whisper a few truths to her. We can’t go back in time and save ourselves from wasting time and making mistakes, but I can share some conscious truths with you. In fact I reached out to some of my artist friends and they all have some breathtaking truths to share as well. The question I asked was simple…
What advice would you give to your younger artist self?
Here’s what they had to say…
Tod Pronto (@todpronto)
Advice to my younger self would be…don’t be afraid to take chances. The older you get the harder taking a leap of faith becomes. Also, study where the music comes from. A blueprint is a great thing to have when creating something new.
Silviya Damyanova (@LoveHipHop_96)
Show up, as early as possible. Don’t wait for perfection. Showcase your work no matter if it’s just a simple idea or a racorded song. You need to start networking ASAP
Astra Doudney (@astradoudney)
I’d say, do the music you really enjoy – don’t sell yourself out to try and please more people. It’s impossible for any artist to please every type of audience but there’ll always be a segment who’ll like your music. (Of course there’s the whole field of composing to order but that’s a different ballgame.) That doesn’t mean don’t be open to constructive criticism however (‘constructive’ being the operative word!). You have to learn to recognize ungenuine remarks from, for example, a folk fan who doesn’t appreciate rock music. These differ greatly from genuine enthusiastic, complimentary comments from people who really enjoy what you do.
Jayna Jennings (@JaynaSongs)
You don’t have to wait until you have a record deal to make an album and connect with fans. The whole concept of being an indie artist did not seem doable to me when I was younger. I would explain to myself that I don’t have to wait on someone else to make my dreams a reality.
Carlos Castillo (@CaptainSchwilly)
Take ownership of your career. Don’t leave it up to someone else. They’re not as invested in it as you.
Clara Charron (@claracharron)
You can have the greatest technical music skills in the world, but if you don’t know anything about business… You’re either not going to make a career from them, or some smooth-talker in a suit will offer to make you a star if you sign this contract you can’t understand.
Todd Murray (@sincerelyiris)
You don’t get to decide who likes your music. It might be the crowd that you least expect and that’s ok. And also, you don’t need a backup plan. Oh, and don’t just face your fears, lean into them.
Bri Murphy (@brimurphymusic)
There’s no such thing as 100% ready. Just make music + make mistakes and then make better music + more informed mistakes! Rinse lather repeat.
“Find someone who has a life that you want and figure out how they got it. Read books, pick your role models wisely. Find out what they did and do it.” -Lana Del Rey
— The Crafty Musician (@IndieArtistsDIY) April 5, 2018
Jasmine Turner (@ImJasmineTurner)
You are YOU, and that will forever be your power. Society, good competition, and even bad advice will try to change that. DON’T GIVE IN TO IT!!!……but if you do, you’re allowed to forgive yourself and start over.
Nigel Parry (@NigelParryFolkMusic)
You are an entertainer. Make your music so amazing that people remember it and want more.
Audra McLaughlin (@AudraLynn21)
Be yourself. Don’t let the industry change you. Lots of artists forgot where they come from! Remember to always stay humble & kind no mater how much success you reach in any career.
And here’s what I would say to my younger self…
[bctt tweet=”Tackle one thing at a time. You don’t have to take on the whole world at once.” username=”@indieartistsdiy”]
Take your neighborhood, then take your part of town, then take the city, then the region, and so on. The same goes for various social media platforms. Don’t try to master them all at once. You can be a lot more effective when you learn how to take on goals one step at a time.
If anyone has any more advice please share in the comments section. Let’s support one another. I’d like to thank all the brilliant artists who took the time to share their advice in this article. I’ve included links to their profiles, please follow and like them too!
—————
If you enjoyed reading this post, would you join my mailing list? I’ll send weekly tips and tricks you can use to advance your music career without the help of a label. Click here to subscribe.
Some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission (with no additional cost to you). Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.
Anitra Jay Gods blessing be all upon you for the blessing you are given the up an coming young Ind. Artist or the old head rocker trying one last run at the big stage just for amends to himself if for no other reason.
My biggest piece of advice to my younger self or anyone smart enough to listen. You know those chemicals that just seem to make your sense of hearing, that makes you seem to touch a higher Spiritual realm of music never thought possible that drink in your hand that just boosts your confidence to just the perfect level it’s all a lie in a very very short time it will begin to have the opposite effect and you will lose so much more than you ever even knew you had to begin with please I beg walk away
Hi Barefoot Colby! I’m glad you stopped by and thank you for such a sobering piece of advice and a much needed reminder. What people don’t realize is that using drugs and drinking as a muse opens a door to destructive forces and that door is very hard to close. Thank you for the blessings! I’m wishing you well in your endeavors as well.