Found Around: The Key to Collaborating in the Music Biz
Written by Lynsey Grey Posted in: Found Around on April 20, 2011
Many music professionals seem to think that their big break will come by working with those who are already well known in the music world. But in a recent article on Music Think Tank, author Minh Chau suggests this may not be the case. There's what he calls a "silver bullet" - a key to success that everyone seems to be overlooking. At the ASCAP NY Sessions, famed panelists were asked how they got where they are now. Time and time again, they answered that success was found via collaboration with emerging industry folks. Have a look at the article below. Maybe it will make you think twice about tracking down contact info for all those big names in a likely unsuccessful attempt at being heard. Give us any and all trials and tribulations in the comments!
-Lynsey
(MTT) The Silver Bullet For Music Business Success?
Credit: Minh Chau
I know what you’re thinking. “There’s no such thing.” That’s what I thought too. Until I started to piece together the stories and advice I heard after going to several music industry events. It all came together for me when I attended the recent ASCAP NY Sessions. The light came on. I saw a common denominator - an overarching theme in all of their stories and thoughts. There it was. Could it be? The silver bullet for music business success? Except it wasn’t the shiny silver bullet I expected to see. If you’ve watched Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, you know about the ending when Indy had to pick which cup was actually the one with the power of life (the cup that Jesus drank out of at the Last Supper). The bad guy drank out of the gilded cup encrusted with jewels and died immediately. Indiana Jones got a worn, undesirable looking cup that would’ve belonged to a humble carpenter. That cup was the cup that miraculously healed and saved his dad’s life, who had been shot.
So, I’m sitting on the balcony because the main floor was too crowded. I’m listening to the panelists, who had great things to say. These are accomplished film/tv music people, hit producers and songwriters, and execs. And as usual, the audience members get the opportunity to ask questions at the end. And one by one, the questions were asked. And the gist of just about all of them was “how do I get to be where you are?”
I’m thinking to myself, “Did they listen to anything those guys just rattled off over the course of the event?” I could understand if the questions were about the technicalities of the business, but they weren’t (besides, you can learn technicalities from books). They were looking for the finite steps to success. “Tell me exactly how. Who do I call? What do I say? Where do I go? What time should I go there? What are the exact sound patches and software you’re using to make that hit sound?” It was as though everyone was looking to be “rescued” from obscurity by some certain means/formula or a mighty industry big shot (if only they could be told how to get to that person, whoever it is). Needless to say, they all missed it. And I did too for a while.
So, what is that silver bullet I think I spotted? I gotta warn you again. It doesn’t shine or sparkle. In fact, it’s worn, but still effective. It wont excite you. But, it’s the real deal. Are you ready? Here’s what I saw. The silver bullet: Collaboration with emerging/aspiring industry people. “Emerging” being the key word. Stop lusting after the “somebodies” and pay some attention to the “nobodies” around you.
