The Music Industry, is it really worth it?

[boingo]

Looking at the question from the perspective of a band or solo musician, it is worth it to strive and get involved in the industry as a career? I ask the question as an outside observer for a general discussion.

Having read articles and interviews about some artists that I admire, it really sounds like it isn't worth the pain to get signed to a label. With the continued progress in home recording, online marketing and distribution, wouldn't it be a better solution for more artists to pursue this avenue? Although; this route is still new and rough around the edges, I would think the artist would prefer more control and as much profit to make a living at the art of music. Would it be better to let a label handle all that work in hopes that it pays off in a creative and financial way?

I could go on and on, but let's start it here.

[Ribbs]

In general, boingo, this is a helluva time to get involved in the music industry. The tried and once true methods of distribution are straining, labels are cutting back, recording studios going under, concert revenues dropping. On the other hand opportunities abound for those who can find inventive ways to peddle their musical wares, as you have enumerated to some degree. If I were to start from scratch today I'm not sure where I would start. Then again, my career path has not been a straight one anyway. To answer your question directly, I would take a shotgun approach - hustle the labels while simultaneously marketing directly via myspace, selling home printed cds at shows, etc. Any success in the latter approach only makes you more attractive to the labels.

And be sure to kiss the blarney stone.

[boingo]

Thanks for your input Richard. As much as I feel bad for the many artist's that I greatly admire and have read stories about the grief they have worked through with their record labels, it would seem the labels will continue to play the major part in music production and distribution. Thank goodness for technology and how it has placed more control on the side of the artist. Recording, production, and self marketing has been made available, at a reasonable cost, for emerging and currently known recording artist. Technology has certainly shifted complete control from the business side and into the hands of those to wish to take advantage of it.

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