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Be Honest: Would You Ever Sell-Out?
- Thread starter bogey_j
- Start date
THERE'S JUST ONE PROBLEM EVERYONE IS MISSING WITH THIS LITTLE SCENARIO.
Too many musicians think that being more commercial means compromising musical integrity. Well, being commercially viable isn't so easy. It's actually quite a skill.
The Beatles had it.
The Wreaking Crew had it.
The Funk Brothers had it.
The Crucifix of Death don't have it.
Never heard of them? I rest my case.
Too many musicians think that being more commercial means compromising musical integrity. Well, being commercially viable isn't so easy. It's actually quite a skill.
The Beatles had it.
The Wreaking Crew had it.
The Funk Brothers had it.
The Crucifix of Death don't have it.
Never heard of them? I rest my case.
The OP said specifically changing your sound at the request of of a label. Not getting signed for already having it.
Art has value in society. You can't/shouldn't put a price tag on the sound that you've taken years to perfect. You put your soul on display when you play, that's why the record sharks are interested in you. They see your soul and want it!
They don't say it out loud, but when I hand a shopping cart to the customers as they walk in the store, and their eyes pass over my little blue vest and yellow smileyface pin, they're thinking "there's a man with artistic integrety that never sold out!"
They don't say it out loud, but when I hand a shopping cart to the customers as they walk in the store, and their eyes pass over my little blue vest and yellow smileyface pin, they're thinking "there's a man with artistic integrety that never sold out!"
*inserts pistol in mouth*
There's a lot going on with this question. A lot of ego as to what constitutes "selling out", as opposed to improving one's act.
A performing artist needs an audience to complete the circuit, and yet is ultimately beholden to no one where the direction of their art is concerned. Making a choice to write for a broader, or narrower audience, is an artistic choice to make, with corresponding consequences.
I *think* the poll results are skewed because bassists, being the generally solid down to earth folk they are, love their audiences and want them dancing and happy, not struggling to understand what the hell they're doing. (that said, I for one can bop my head to free jazz and enjoy it)
Bassists reject the duality of "selling out" question. Do what you love, do it well, always be open to learning more, and you'll never sell out, unless, as Metallica put it, "yes, we sell out. we sell out every show on the tour..."
It's a yin/yang kind of thang. Clinging to a idiosyncratic style and stagnating can be selling yourself SHORT, which is far worse than having someone else think you sold out.
Knowing what I know now, you bet your arse I would sell out. I would also live responsibly and save every penny I touched. Where a lot of those guys lose themselves is in thinking that it will last forever and behaving as though tomorrow's success is guaranteed.
That's why youth is wasted on the young.
That's why youth is wasted on the young.
- Aug 25, 2007
- 835
- 6
- Disclosures
- I manufacture for several companies including but not limited to: Bridge City Sound, Catalinbread, more.
Would I ever make music for money? Hell yes. However.......this is probably a must read for everyone in music.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] - Steve Albini - the problem with music
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] - Steve Albini - the problem with music
I'm content doing what I'm doing right now. Its not paying a mortgage, but thats not what I want out of music. Music is my hobby, a sideline to distract me from the normal life. I'm lucky to have what I consider the best of both worlds. I've enough success in music to tour worldwide and have major distribution of our work, all without compromising what we see as our, "artistic vision". I also have my education under my belt. I intend on making a living working in Chemistry. I can live very comfortably like that, and never have to change the music I enjoy playing.
Will I try to hone our music, stage show and stagecraft to make us more interesting to an audience? You bet, I don't want to stagnate. Will I play music I don't enjoy, just for the money? No chance. I can make my money elsewhere without destroying the enjoyment I get from one of my favourite things to do.
Will I try to hone our music, stage show and stagecraft to make us more interesting to an audience? You bet, I don't want to stagnate. Will I play music I don't enjoy, just for the money? No chance. I can make my money elsewhere without destroying the enjoyment I get from one of my favourite things to do.
Some "artists" need to change their sound.
One example: Last night I was at my company's corporate Christmas Party. A band that does both originals and covers was playing covers. The bass player is the frontman and lead singer. They are very talented, but they sounded like they were playing the same song over and over--each song with heavy overdriven bass and pounding drums. Vocals and guitar were an afterthought. In spite of their obvious high musicianship, not one person got up to dance and 2/3 of the crowd left the dance area during the second set to enjoy other activities. We've had other parties where the band drove them wild and the floor was packed--so it wasn't the audience.
Let me add that I talked with their soundman (offering my two cents) and picked up one of their CDs. Their CD had a similar mix, although it was even heavier on the bass.
One example: Last night I was at my company's corporate Christmas Party. A band that does both originals and covers was playing covers. The bass player is the frontman and lead singer. They are very talented, but they sounded like they were playing the same song over and over--each song with heavy overdriven bass and pounding drums. Vocals and guitar were an afterthought. In spite of their obvious high musicianship, not one person got up to dance and 2/3 of the crowd left the dance area during the second set to enjoy other activities. We've had other parties where the band drove them wild and the floor was packed--so it wasn't the audience.
Let me add that I talked with their soundman (offering my two cents) and picked up one of their CDs. Their CD had a similar mix, although it was even heavier on the bass.
Like Lars of Metallica once said.. "Yes, we sell out...every single ticket on EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!"
So, what does sell-out mean precisely? Something different to each person I imagine. Does it mean customizing your act and music to reach a broader audience? Or being less "fringe?" Did The Beatles sell-out by starting to wear suits? Did Dylan sell-out by going electric? Did Fleetwood Mac sell-out by morphing from a blues band to a more pop band? Did James Jamerson sell-out by doing pop sessions with Motown when he was really jazz-oriented? Hardly. It's all about doing what it takes to succeed. And having the courage to try something new. To get out of the "box" we all construct around ourselves. How do you define success. Is success selling tons of records? Making a ton of money? Or just making a living doing what you love - music or something else? Or is it just doing something you didn't expect to do?
We all sell-out is some way folks. But, don't mistake selling-out for adapting to changing times or tastes. Ultimately, life (and music) is all about evolving and trying new things and personal growth - not staying static. It's how you rationalize and cope with it that's the difference.......
So, what does sell-out mean precisely? Something different to each person I imagine. Does it mean customizing your act and music to reach a broader audience? Or being less "fringe?" Did The Beatles sell-out by starting to wear suits? Did Dylan sell-out by going electric? Did Fleetwood Mac sell-out by morphing from a blues band to a more pop band? Did James Jamerson sell-out by doing pop sessions with Motown when he was really jazz-oriented? Hardly. It's all about doing what it takes to succeed. And having the courage to try something new. To get out of the "box" we all construct around ourselves. How do you define success. Is success selling tons of records? Making a ton of money? Or just making a living doing what you love - music or something else? Or is it just doing something you didn't expect to do?
We all sell-out is some way folks. But, don't mistake selling-out for adapting to changing times or tastes. Ultimately, life (and music) is all about evolving and trying new things and personal growth - not staying static. It's how you rationalize and cope with it that's the difference.......
+1
Most money I've earn't gigging was playing in a professional wedding covers band, and learning to play the bass line for lady gaga etc is hardly the height of bass playing, but I had fun and who cares that you're not sticking to your roots
Would I like to be rich? Yeah, of course...who wouldn't. And if I could become rich by playing that 4-string thingie on my waist...why not? But rich seldom happens overnight...or that easily. Unless you're young, & in the right place at the right time, you have to rely on talent, & paying your dues. Happens to a lucky few...kinda like winning the lottery.
Now (that I'm not rich, rely on my day job for my living) comes to doing this for a hobby, & perhaps supplemental income: I can choose to play the music I enjoy, & take the lower $$$ that comes to playing something I love, or grab a gig with a dance band or wedding band, playing music other people like: I'll take the music I enjoy playing, every time...
Now (that I'm not rich, rely on my day job for my living) comes to doing this for a hobby, & perhaps supplemental income: I can choose to play the music I enjoy, & take the lower $$$ that comes to playing something I love, or grab a gig with a dance band or wedding band, playing music other people like: I'll take the music I enjoy playing, every time...
That was the way I was looking at things.However after playing with 2 start ups with music that is not my cup of tea for the last couple of weeks, it didn't work for me.
You have to play stuff you like, I guess if I was making $$$$ I would look at it differently.
