An essay

[jmjbassplayer]

This query comes my way all the time, in assorted permutations. Basically, it's a variation on the theme of "how do I make it?"

This is obviously an endless discussion. The methodology of promoting or selling oneself or one's music changes quickly and violently, right along with the advent of new social networking protocols, this week's flavor of music delivery website, etc. etc. ad nauseam.

Well, there's now a cool treatise on NIN.com from Trent on getting thing going as a new and/or unknown artist these days. Have a read; it's clear, concrete, and hopefully will give you some ideas.

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I hope it's at the very least a validation of something you already know. Ultimately, rely on yourself. As Trent just mentioned to me on the bus after posting: "Nobody ever held my hand and showed me how to make it." Fair enough. Same for every other artist of quality that I know. The context of our conversation being: just do it. It takes fortitude, intelligence, drive, and quality. Have the hunger, put everything on the line, make music that paves its own way and doesn't bite trends.

Potentially most importantly: Make music that, under honest and direct scrutiny, doesn't suck. Seriously!

Best,
JMJ

 

[thudstaff23]

Thanks a lot Justin. Your words (and Trent's) are invaluable.

 

[JimmyM]

Wow, this is good stuff. And with this method Trent outlines, talent still plays a major role, which has really bugged me about the traditional music business model these days...talent now seems to be more of an optional matter of pride than the prerequisite that it should be. If at my advanced age I decide to get back into serious writing and performing of my own stuff (don't laugh, you young folks...I've actually been considering it), it will be the model I use, no doubt.

 

[Sven Olaffson]

I completly agree with the various points of Trent's post. We had similar reflexion with my band when we asked ourselves what to do with our music, how to (self-)release it and (self-)promote it ...

Creative Commons Licenses and mp3 give-away is the way to go, with special packaging and limited editions for the physical releases ...

And of course, creating a buzz. Which is even harder for a band that doesn't play live.
But hey, this is a new century, these are new media and new communication modes, we have to invent how to use them, it wouldn't be fun if we just had to follow the way the elder did

 

[house_of_thuan]

Potentially most importantly: Make music that, under honest and direct scrutiny, doesn't suck. Seriously!

I think this statement is the real key here.

 

[casio]

Trent outlined some similar ideas and points in his interview on Digg. Whoever is interested should go check that out too.
The most important point is the hard work that doing this entails, and the ammount of sacrifice. It's good to see that Trent left the human factor and the factor of making quality music and being a quality person! and it's good to see he stll cares to give out a hand (though noone gave him one when he was coming up )

 

[JimmyM]

Trent outlined some similar ideas and points in his interview on Digg. Whoever is interested should go check that out too.
The most important point is the hard work that doing this entails, and the ammount of sacrifice. It's good to see that Trent left the human factor and the factor of making quality music and being a quality person! and it's good to see he stll cares to give out a hand (though noone gave him one when he was coming up )

C'rick me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that's how Justin meant it. I think it was more like nobody held his hand and taught him how to become a rock star and groomed him for success and all that, the way he did with Marilyn Manson. I imagine Trent got some good advice along the way, but it was up to him to work the program the right way. I can't imagine that someone as talented as Trent never had anyone offer advice or point him in a direction he might not have thought of.