Getting More Into Music...

[TylerOnTheGo]

Lately, I have been drifting from music quite a bit and getting more into cars for whatever reason. I want to focus more on my music but I need some tips on doing so. How can I stop liking cars so much? I've been working on my album for a few months and I'm hoping to have it all completed and packaged before the end of the year so I can start performing. Any advice?

[TapperMike]

There is no rule that says you can't do both.

Either your heart is into something or it's not. If your hearts there the rest will find a way.

[TylerOnTheGo]

True, true. I am worried if my heart isn't there. I think it is though because I'm always thinking and daydreaming about music and performing my songs in front of audiences and sharing my songs with others and stuff, and then I have an interest in cars too. You're right. I could certainly do both, but financially, I can't afford it. I'm not making enough money. I'm trying to get a 2nd job to support both hobbies, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. Everytime I think about it, I get very discouraged and feel like there's no future. It's a very depressing feeling.

Edited June 11, 2012 by TylerOnTheGo

[john]

We all have to live within our means, ie we can only afford what we can afford and have to set priorities according to what is important for us. Like Mike I would say if your heart isn't in it...

One thing I would point out is that an album is a large undertaking, eating up a lot of money and time..... why not release an EP (4 or 5 tracks) with a plan to release a single first? Bands don't release albums into nothing.... they create and release 1, 2, or 3 singles before the album comes out, Sometimes an EP too.

If you release your tracks onto the mainstream market (iTunes etc) then you have a chance to make money from your music, hopefully some if not all you invested and some profit besides? Far better that than a vanity release where you might as well dig a hole and shovel in your cash.

Of course the benefit of doing releases in this fashion allow you to spread cost and maximize the benefit to you and your music career with each release.

I would ask if you mind is on cars because of your passion for cars or if it is due to practical reasons (getting A to B etc). Equally I would look at the other side of the equation regarding music... ie are you disheartened for some reason?

[TylerOnTheGo]

Originally, I was going to do an EP. That was the plan I thought of like...2-3 years ago. Now, I'd rather do an album because I have written so much,and an EP wouldn't be enough to perform with... Plus, I'd rather have an album because there's more on it and wouldn't feel as pressured to have "good songs" unlike an EP. If that makes any sense. As for cars...I'm far more than just 'point A to point B'. I'm definitely not that type of driver. I like to ride in style. Some people just don't care about what they drive, but I do. :-P

I really want to perform my songs someday, but an EP just wouldn't do it. I'd like to play at least 12 original songs of mine.

[john]

It's completely up to you (stating the obvious) I want to simply point out options to you so you make as informed a choice as possible. I don't know what you already know or anywhere close to what your opinions and desires and understanding are, so I'm sorry if I go through stuff you already know and you have already considered all that I mentioned or will mention below.

You seem to be looking at things in black and white, when there are many many shades of grey. I might be wrong but I'm just going by your original post and your replies so far.

What you put on your EP and what you perform are two different things. Of course you perform the singles as part of your live show, but you can perform songs you have not yet released (just make sure to register them with the American government, even if outside the US).

The idea is to release singles, EPs and albums where:

you start to warm the market and grow your fan list with a single

then release another single

then an EP or another single

then release an album that contains your previously released songs (perhaps with different arrangements, changed ending, remixed)

At each stage, marketing wise, you try and grow your prospect list and fan list so that when you eventually release the album hopefully you will have some fans that will buy it or download it.

It gives you a few bites at the cherry and means when you release your album you have some instant buyers which might help you chart and therefor hopefully grow your fan list some more.

By going straight for an album you risk putting all your eggs in one basket, and when you do release your album it is into a void so an otherwise good album falls completely flat.

I am only concerned that you go to the huge effort of recording an album (which is not a small undertaking or expense) and then it goes nowhere. The plan I suggest above would allow you to spread the cost... even if you give tracks away as free downloads doing your release process in this way really helps you make the most of your songs when it comes to attracting fans.

I have seen soooo many independent artists record albums and release them without a release plan other than "record/Master/release album" and then their otherwise excellent albums disappear into nothing. It can be hugely depressing and taints something that you may otherwise be proud of. Weirdly I see them do this repeatedly and wonder why they are going nowhere.

Try not to view it as a simple single or EP release... those are just part of the album release. Even if your single and EP are only released online it is still a worthwhile process.

Last thing I would say is about your concern over being under pressure to produce the goods.... surely you want to do your songs as well as you can? To be as good as they can be. The fact is you wil want to be proud of your album too. Why not do drafts of all the songs and pick what you thing are the best singles from what you have and then simply polish those up to finished recordings first? the emphasis being that you simply deliver what you consider to be the best singles, rather than setting out to write a fantastic, ideal song. It certainly allows you to get passed the hurdle and some of the pressure. While not ideal many find it an effective method. Things are rarely black and white because at the end of the day we have to be realistic about what fits with our lives.

I hope you decide what to do soon,.

[Just1L]

So you want to sell the public some good songs, some bad songs but the main thing is, you want to look good when driving your car?? <--- Read that a few times.

I do agree with John about the EP. I had a similar plan as yours with an Album. I've concluded that even though I have enough songs for an album, it may be smarter to do a 4-5 song EP to get the exposure first. Of course you can play all the other songs while you perform and that may get the people that like your stuff excited for the next EP or the Full Length Album.

Edited June 12, 2012 by just1l