vxvi records

Dear Artists and Bands

2011-09-03T17:26:00.000-07:00

Please stop using those "wallet" cardboard CD cases. I am tired of having to clean CDs or leave scratches on them. Thanks

Realistic End Goal

2011-08-24T21:28:00.001-07:00

When we start our journey in making music, I don't think we tend to think too heavily on the Realistic End Goal. Yeah, everyone wants to be a rock star and get jumbo jet like Led Zepplin, but soon the reality hits that it is harder than it appears. The idea that you created a song that had not previously been in the world, and that it is yours, can be quite the sense of accomplishment. You might begin to ask yourself, "What is the one milestone that would make me feel like this has been a success." The time usually does come when there is a goal or business aspect to our music career. I have been trying to figure out what Realistic End Goals there might be. Here is my list so far:

1) To feel you have left an impression in the music scene (local, national, and/or international)
2) To feel you have touched someones life or a group of peoples lives with you music
3) For the band to be a self sustainable force, not financed by your day job or parents.

Yes, there are many small accomplishments along the way. I might be thrilled I got selected to play the local ice cream social, but after all is said and done,is that enough. When do you consider your music career a success?

Talent and Diminishing Returns?

2011-08-24T21:27:00.001-07:00

In a discussion about live performances, an interesting topic came up. It was this.....At what point, if ever, does talent begin to have diminishing returns? By this I mean effecting other aspects of your music business. It seems many people I would consider "musicians" keep great concern over, what I call, the "mechanical" aspect of their music. They are almost obsessively concerned with level of difficulty of the songs in their library/show and the execution of the songs on stage. I understand the need for knowing how to play your instrument and execute your songs in a live performance, that is not really my point. When is it enough for you to allow yourself to focus your efforts elsewhere.

Is the "mechanical" aspect ever taken care of? Do some artists obsess over that aspect because the don't like, don't understand, or are scared of the other sides of their career in music? Do they think they will eventually be rewarded because they are talented and it's just a matter of time before some realizes it. It reminds of a gambler. Just one more show and they will see, they have to.

How is your behavior on stage, how is your interaction with the audience? Are the messages in your songs resonating emotionally with the audience. (I just don't see many people these days enjoying music based on how good a guitar player can "shred.")

I guess this has always been an issue with me. Not that this is the same thing, but it reminds me when people would ask me about a band. I might say something like "Yeah, they are great, but I don't like them." I would hear, "you contradict yourself" and "that doesn't make any sense, " and "How could you say they are great, but you don't like them?"

I would say it makes perfect sense. I am objective enough to recognize a band I really don't enjoy listening to has talent. I think talent is less of an opinion than what people enjoy. Just because I don't enjoy listening to a particular band doesn't mean they are not talented, but just because a band is obviously talented, doesn't mean their music connects with me.

Then they would start the "talent is an opinion too" argument." They would question how I knew Rush had any talent and what was I basing it on, just silly stuff.

Anyway, back to my original point. I just think very few people are in the audience with talent meters deciding whether an artist "moved" them based on what it registering on the meter.

Thoughts?

Charlie275