{"id":385,"date":"2006-04-11T22:04:43","date_gmt":"2006-04-12T06:04:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/archives\/2006\/04\/11\/new-act-primer\/"},"modified":"2006-04-11T22:04:43","modified_gmt":"2006-04-12T06:04:43","slug":"new-act-primer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/2006\/04\/11\/new-act-primer\/","title":{"rendered":"New Act Primer"},"content":{"rendered":"

1. Songs<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is one thing Clive Davis has right.\u00c2\u00a0 How you play, how you sing, how you look…they’re all secondary to the TUNES!<\/p>\n

If you want to reinvent the form, you’d better be REALLY talented.\u00c2\u00a0 Like Freddy Mercury with "Bohemian Rhapsody".\u00c2\u00a0 Or realize that the odds of breaking big via radio\/video airplay are almost nil.\u00c2\u00a0 And that you’re going to have to slug it out via alternative marketing methods, i.e. word of mouth\/playing live, etc.<\/p>\n

For those of you not reinventing the form, STUDY the great songs of yore.\u00c2\u00a0 Listen to those early Beatle albums.\u00c2\u00a0 Don’t take too long to get to the chorus.\u00c2\u00a0 Insert a bridge.\u00c2\u00a0 Have more than one chord in the verse.\u00c2\u00a0 And write memorable words, those that convey a mental image and EMOTION!\u00c2\u00a0 The key isn’t to test the limits, but to work within the form and make it your own.<\/p>\n

That’s what you do if you want a hit.\u00c2\u00a0 But, hits are harder to come by and mean less than they have in decades.\u00c2\u00a0 So, if you’re breaking the mold, inventing your own format, before you go too deep into yourself, play your songs for a bunch of people.\u00c2\u00a0 Friends, other musicians.\u00c2\u00a0 And tell them to tell you the truth.\u00c2\u00a0 If their eyes bug out and they start foaming at the mouth, you’ll know you’ve got something.\u00c2\u00a0 If not…\u00c2\u00a0 Well, it’s never too early to get on the harsh rejection pathway.\u00c2\u00a0 But PLEASE, realize that there’s a chance you’re on the wrong tack, and your music is just too out there, or you suck.\u00c2\u00a0 Don’t blame it on the audience.\u00c2\u00a0 That’s the bane of the MySpace wannabe.\u00c2\u00a0 The people whose music is just not "understood".\u00c2\u00a0 It takes talent to make it.\u00c2\u00a0 And most people don’t have it.\u00c2\u00a0 If you don’t, GIVE UP!\u00c2\u00a0 There are other ways to direct your passion about music.\u00c2\u00a0 You can help OTHERS with talent.\u00c2\u00a0 By marketing their music and maybe promoting their concerts.\u00c2\u00a0 As for saying your mother likes it, and your girlfriend…\u00c2\u00a0 People are afraid to tell you the truth.\u00c2\u00a0 Many people on "American Idol" truly don’t know they suck.\u00c2\u00a0 So, enter a talent show early, find someone who you know to be honest.\u00c2\u00a0 DO NOT LABOR IN OBSCURITY BELIEVING YOU’RE GOD’S GIFT TO MUSIC UNLESS YOU TRULY DO NOT CARE IF ANYBODY EVER LISTENS TO YOU!\u00c2\u00a0 And, if this is true, you’re not really an artist.\u00c2\u00a0 There isn’t an artist who’s ever lived who hasn’t wanted more people to be exposed to his music.<\/p>\n

2. Production<\/strong><\/p>\n

Okay, you’ve got the tunes.\u00c2\u00a0 Now you’ve got to make demos.\u00c2\u00a0 This comes LONG BEFORE the time to make an album.\u00c2\u00a0 If you don’t own a computer and know how to record your own songs then you’re not serious.\u00c2\u00a0 You’re another Lindsay Lohan.\u00c2\u00a0 Artistry and recording are now intertwined.\u00c2\u00a0 The computer\/Pro Tools\/Logic are all part of the process.\u00c2\u00a0 Even if you end up hiring a big name producer, familiarity with the means of production will serve you well in the studio.\u00c2\u00a0 Your chance of getting what you truly want will be improved.\u00c2\u00a0 And, you’ll be aware of the POSSIBILITIES!<\/p>\n

The song is the star.\u00c2\u00a0 So, as long as the instruments are in tune and the vocalist is too, that should be enough for anybody with ears to recognize your talent.\u00c2\u00a0 DON’T spend eons getting the sound right.\u00c2\u00a0 Don’t spend time and money getting famous players to perform.\u00c2\u00a0 These are DEMOS!\u00c2\u00a0 As in DEMONSTRATIONS!\u00c2\u00a0 Write more songs, don’t polish to perfection what you’ve already got.<\/p>\n

3. Label<\/strong><\/p>\n

Don’t sign with a major label unless you write the kind of music that’s played on Top Forty radio.<\/p>\n

Don’t know what Top Forty radio is?\u00c2\u00a0 Start reading hitsdailydouble.com.\u00c2\u00a0 Look at the "Billboard" charts.\u00c2\u00a0 If you’re a sensitive singer\/songwriter, your odds of making it on KIIS in L.A. are just about nil.\u00c2\u00a0 Oh, it can HAPPEN, but at WHAT COST?\u00c2\u00a0 Isn’t James Blunt on the verge of becoming a joke?\u00c2\u00a0 He’s got no cred. He’s someone the girls like today and will forget tomorrow.\u00c2\u00a0 Unless he releases another album JUST AS GOOD!\u00c2\u00a0 Which sounds JUST LIKE THE FIRST ONE!\u00c2\u00a0 Which is artistic death.\u00c2\u00a0 So, are you into the money or the artistry?\u00c2\u00a0 If the latter, beware of signing with a major label.\u00c2\u00a0 Their paradigm ONLY works if they can get you on Top Forty radio and television.\u00c2\u00a0 If you don’t listen to these stations or watch those channels do you want to appear on them?\u00c2\u00a0 And, signing to a major is like being a member of a Mafia family.\u00c2\u00a0 You can’t say no.\u00c2\u00a0 You’ve got to play ball, do what they say, or you’re dead.<\/p>\n

If you’re pretty, if you have a good voice (although with auto-tune this is hardly necessary anymore), if you want to party at discos with Paris Hilton and you’re NOT signed to a major label, you’re missing the boat.\u00c2\u00a0 This is what the majors do.\u00c2\u00a0 Massage you into a product, fodder for the machine.\u00c2\u00a0 They like it best when THEY’RE the artist and you just play along.<\/p>\n

If you’re a rapper…\u00c2\u00a0 Well, live business is shit.\u00c2\u00a0 And the majors pay hefty advances.\u00c2\u00a0 And, Top Forty is urban.\u00c2\u00a0 So, you BELONG on the major label.\u00c2\u00a0 Hopefully with someone who’ll put other rappers on your tracks to help break you.<\/p>\n

But, if you’re an artist who doesn’t fit the Top Forty radio paradigm ABSOLUTELY DO NOT SIGN WITH A MAJOR!\u00c2\u00a0 You won’t have success and you’ll soon be at a day job.\u00c2\u00a0 I know, I know, you can’t pay the rent.\u00c2\u00a0 You want the advance.\u00c2\u00a0 Sorry, if you can’t find a way to make it all work now, you’re never going to succeed big time.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s a HARD LIFE for a musical artist.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s ALL ABOUT THE STRUGGLE!\u00c2\u00a0 Work that day job.\u00c2\u00a0 Make that music.\u00c2\u00a0 And play live EVERYWHERE!<\/p>\n

That’s the indie label paradigm.\u00c2\u00a0 Free music on the Web and live performance.<\/p>\n

As for the indie label…<\/p>\n

Sure, for discs make a deal.\u00c2\u00a0 But get a good lawyer.\u00c2\u00a0 Own your masters.\u00c2\u00a0 Have a brief license period.\u00c2\u00a0 DON’T GIVE SOME PRICK CONTROL FOR ALMOST NO MONEY!\u00c2\u00a0 If they want all the rights for no bread you don’t want to be in business with them.\u00c2\u00a0 You’re just gonna get fucked.\u00c2\u00a0 Believe me, if they want you badly enough, they’ll make a deal on your terms.<\/p>\n

But better yet…\u00c2\u00a0 Don’t sign with ANYBODY!\u00c2\u00a0 Don’t even worry about making a deal with iTunes.\u00c2\u00a0 Just give the music away on your Website and build community.<\/p>\n

4. Selling<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you’re on the major, good luck.\u00c2\u00a0 You’re on a magic carpet ride.\u00c2\u00a0 Either they’re going to hate the record you make and bury it or hype you to high heaven.<\/p>\n

But if you’re an indie.\u00c2\u00a0 If you’re doing it alone.\u00c2\u00a0 Your music has to sell you.\u00c2\u00a0 Plain and simple.<\/p>\n

A street team doesn’t sell you.\u00c2\u00a0 Pushiness doesn’t sell you.\u00c2\u00a0 Great music sells you.<\/p>\n

Once again, just about everybody sucks.\u00c2\u00a0 We’re all looking for good things.\u00c2\u00a0 When we find them, we tell EVERYBODY!\u00c2\u00a0 It’s human nature.\u00c2\u00a0 THIS is the game.\u00c2\u00a0 Read "The Tipping Point" for instruction (and buy Don Passman’s "All You Need To Know About The Music Business" too, if you haven’t read it, you’re operating with one hand behind your back).\u00c2\u00a0 You’ve got to get your music to connectors, TASTEMAKERS!\u00c2\u00a0 But now, on the Web, EVERYBODY’S A TASTEMAKER!\u00c2\u00a0 Give away MP3s on your Website and TELL people they’re free to e-mail\/IM\/burn\/exchange them.\u00c2\u00a0 Say they’ve got PERMISSION!<\/p>\n

Put a feedback e-mail address on your site.\u00c2\u00a0 And answer EACH AND EVERY LETTER!\u00c2\u00a0 If you don’t have time to do this, you’re not gonna make it!\u00c2\u00a0 You never know who’s rich and will buy you gear, who’s gonna play your music at the high school dance, who’s gonna get you a gig.\u00c2\u00a0 DON’T TURN PEOPLE AWAY!\u00c2\u00a0 Indie music is now cottage industry.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s not us versus them, it’s WE!\u00c2\u00a0 As in WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!\u00c2\u00a0 You’re establishing a family.\u00c2\u00a0 You won’t have to ASK people to help you out, they’ll OFFER!\u00c2\u00a0 If they’re not, you’re just not good enough.<\/p>\n

It’s all about the slow build now.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s about coolness.\u00c2\u00a0 You can be famous in a day with today’s marketing tools, but be nobody tomorrow.\u00c2\u00a0 So GO SLOW!\u00c2\u00a0 Don’t take every hype opportunity available.\u00c2\u00a0 If it’s not about the MUSIC, say NO!<\/p>\n

5. Play Live<\/strong><\/p>\n

Music without live performance is like a relationship without sex.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s missing a core element.<\/p>\n

Be good from the very first gig.\u00c2\u00a0 That doesn’t mean you’ve got to have choreographed dance steps, it means you’ve got to emit PASSION!\u00c2\u00a0 That’s the number one thing that translates on stage.\u00c2\u00a0 Fuck the clothes.\u00c2\u00a0 In most small venues the sound sucks.\u00c2\u00a0 But people can tell when you play like you mean it.<\/p>\n

Play wherever and whenever you can.\u00c2\u00a0 If you make just one convert opening for somebody else, that person could be the link to your success.<\/p>\n

After you start getting some traction, focus on the sound.\u00c2\u00a0 Buy better equipment.\u00c2\u00a0 Get rid of the clams.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s not about perfection, otherwise nobody would have ever liked the Replacements.\u00c2\u00a0 But it is about professionalism.\u00c2\u00a0 Practice.\u00c2\u00a0 Rehearse.\u00c2\u00a0 Your act should be like a well-oiled machine.\u00c2\u00a0 Stiffness, stage fright should be no part of it.<\/p>\n

Give away and sell stuff at EVERY GIG!\u00c2\u00a0 Even the most minor one.<\/p>\n

Whether it be just a postcard, with your Web address.\u00c2\u00a0 Give a way for interested people to get MORE!<\/p>\n

And merch.\u00c2\u00a0 Sell t-shirts.\u00c2\u00a0 But they can’t look HANDMADE!\u00c2\u00a0 They’ve got to be every bit as professional as the ones the Stones sell.\u00c2\u00a0 Or INTENTIONALLY unprofessional.\u00c2\u00a0 And at first they must be CHEAP!\u00c2\u00a0 Ten bucks.\u00c2\u00a0 You want people WEARING THEM!<\/p>\n

6. Money<\/strong><\/p>\n

The major labels have it all fucked up.\u00c2\u00a0 They’re charging up front.<\/p>\n

You’ve got to charge at the end, where there’s REAL MONEY!\u00c2\u00a0 Build your community, build your fanbase.\u00c2\u00a0 Get people involved.\u00c2\u00a0 Accumulate BELIEVERS!\u00c2\u00a0 Once you’ve got this group, they’ll give you ALL THEIR MONEY!\u00c2\u00a0 They’ll buy the CD even if they’ve already downloaded the tunes P2P, as a badge of honor, as an emblem of BELONGING!\u00c2\u00a0 They’ll pay for every gig, they’ll buy merch, because we ALL WANT TO BELONG AND EVIDENCE OUR MEMBERSHIP!<\/p>\n

7. Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll.\u00c2\u00a0 If you’re looking at shortcuts, you’re doing it wrong.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s about slow and steady.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s not about taking a few years off before law school.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s about dedication, it’s about no fallback position.<\/p>\n

And you’ll know if you’re on the road.\u00c2\u00a0 Because you’ll have a coterie of people who won’t LET you quit.\u00c2\u00a0 Their lives will be ruined if they don’t have you around anymore.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s NATURAL to want to give up along the way, but you shouldn’t unless EVERYBODY who knows your music tells you to.<\/p>\n

Music is not a diversion.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s life itself.<\/p>\n

You know if you’ve got it.\u00c2\u00a0 If you do, that’s half the battle.\u00c2\u00a0 The other half is dedication.\u00c2\u00a0 You’ve got to want it more than anything.\u00c2\u00a0 You’ve got to be willing to sacrifice relationships, real estate, remuneration, all in the desire to be part of the circus and MAKE IT!<\/p>\n

Most people give up.<\/p>\n

Then again, as stated above, most people just don’t have it.<\/p>\n

But some do.\u00c2\u00a0 And believe me, for those talented folk there’s a whole world of listeners out there just DYING to hear their material.<\/p>\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1. Songs This is one thing Clive Davis has right.\u00c2\u00a0 How you play, how you sing, how you look…they’re all secondary to the TUNES! If you want to reinvent the form, you’d better be REALLY talented.\u00c2\u00a0 Like Freddy Mercury with "Bohemian Rhapsody".\u00c2\u00a0 Or realize that the odds of breaking big via radio\/video airplay are almost […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-music-business"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p96vPs-6d","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=385"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/385\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lefsetz.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}