Before you think OH NOE ANOTHER INDIE DO-IT-YOURSELF-ER-MUSICIAN, I am not spamming nor plugging any sort of completed record. Because well, it's not complete. That's the problem!

I've been sitting on a batch of songs, fourteen to be precise, that would comprise my debut record. Nothing fancy, just one voice and one guitar. I've been deeply influenced by the likes of John, early Zimmerman, Mangum, and other such acousticy type singer-songwriters. Haven't we all?

Simply stated, these songs are for the most part all in my head. I've yet to record any. I CAN record them, don't ask why I haven't, because it just hasn't happened yet. But...once I do record them, where do I go from there?

That's my biggest worry. I'm not expecting my songs, recordings, or lyrics to change the world, for thinking such would be rather ignorant and quite foolish, no? I just...don't know what to do with it, the record, once I do have it completed. I want my music to be heard...but with todays technological advancements and so many outlets availible for musicians, I have no idea where to go from here and most likely due to such, I have hesitated in recording my music. I don't want it to fall flat on its face. I'm a patient guy, I really am. I'm not greedy, nor do I expect riches or legions of women to throw their drenched panties in my direction once it is released.

I'm also not rich, in fact rather poverty stricken, so many options and opportunities are closed to me. I'm guessing the best option would be a personal webpage, such as the old school fan TMG site, but alas I am not technically savvy enough to make one for myself, and cannot afford hosting nor bandwith. All of the free website domains/hosts are rather cheap looking, and unappealing to me.

In a world filled with pirating, Youtube, physical CDs, iTunes, websites, iPods and iPhones, radio, record labels, cassettes, Facebook, Myspace, Google+, P2P networks, and so, so much more it seems everybody is competing with each other. We've all cast our lines out into the large lake of the world, but because of such, all of our lines have become tangled and interwoven with each other. I wish it were the early nineties, or a time before the internet, when the dream of becoming a musician was a little less daunting and confusing. It's no longer "record a record, have five hundred copies printed and dispersed, go on tour, and hope for the best".

So, where do you recommend I start? How should I begin to unveal my children, my songs, out into this very large and confusing world? Send it to a bunch of indie record labels and hope to work out a deal? Try and work out venues, start a small tour, and hope word of mouth spreads? Go the more modern route and release such on CDbaby or iTunes? Say screw all, start my own website, and spam the hell out of it?

I'm not asking for much. I just want to be successful enough to feed myself and sit on my ass all day, playing guitar and writing songs. Is that really so much to ask? Isn't that the epitome of the American dream? But I am so very, very confused and somewhat frightened of all of the possible routes that a musician can take nowadays. I just want to be a minstrel. I ask you all in quiet desperation. I fear I may not have much more time, before this silly but powerful dream of mine slips away by age, peer pressure, and lack of finances and/or determination. The candle is burning, but the wax and wick are burning ever lower and lower.


tl:dr - First things first, I must record my record! But after that, then what? How should I release my record, once it is completed? I am so very lost and confused, in this physical and metaphyiscal world that we now all are trapped in.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/2012 06:17AM by Redlandsman87.

Here's my suggestion: record, write, record, write, record, write. Before you even think about all that other stuff you need to record yourself and hear what you sound like. If you've never done it before you might be surprised, then keep writing and honing your own sound. Once you feel comfortable sharing with others try putting songs up on www.soundcloud.com or (my favourite one) www.bandcamp.com. As for playing live try doing an open mic and see how that goes.

---

[kidsteel.bandcamp.com]

Thank you for the sound advice! Taken straight to the heart and head. I cannot help but feel though, that perhaps my post was a bit misinterpreted, for I already do record and write on a rather regular basis, and am (somewhat) comfortable with sharing my music. Though I will always consider myself an amateur (we all have so very much room in which we could improve, no?) this is not a case of not knowing how to play, record, or perform. I guess it's a case of perfectionism...I am comfortable with my songs, and have performed them for a variety of people (all of whom have been very kind and supportive insofar) but as of yet I haven't QUITE recorded them "perfectly" in my own eyes and ears, which is why I have yet to release them. Are you aware of Lee Mavers, The La's, and his damning perfectionism? I seem to have the same problem...I want to songs to sound exactly on record as I hear them in my head.

I.e., a musician is his own harshest critic...with live performance, though I have honestly never played an open mic night (there is one in my town, on the third Thursday of every month, but life, nerves, and other such things have prevented me from participating) so I do not know what I sound like "live" in the traditional sense. But when it comes to just playing "naturally" (in someone's living room, in my bedroom, or say on a front porch or during a party) I have become quite comfortable. I have come to accept that every note sung will not always soar as high as we wish, and some chord changes may be a bit flubbed and screwed up in the heat of the moment. Alas, I am comfortable as a "performer", just not as an "open mic" or a "recorded" performer. I should have clarified further, for this I duly apologize! I mean not to sound cocky, or a master of the trade, for I am very easily not.

I guess it is a case of not knowing how to properly distribute said songs, once I finally do overcome my desire for perfectionism. I am well aware of what I sound like, and am rather comfortable (and on the opposing side, slightly trapped) within my own style. But I have a specific sound in my head I cannot help but chase, that I cannot help but try and capture. Once again, I should have an actual record to release, before I worry about the petty details of distribution!

I have recorded many home demos, but as of yet have not made a final "product" that I am comfortable with. I am asking, once I do have a record I am comfortable with, where should I go from there? Bandcamp and Soundcloud have been duly noted, and for these suggestions I am truly thankful. Hell yeah, my man.

I'd suggest the same thing, Bandcamp and Soundcloud. Otherwise than that, I have absolutely no idea. I wish I could release (and even record) my own songs in a more proper way, too, but am totally stuck with my DIY attitude and a certain shyness.

Do I get you right, you're basically asking how to get a professional songwriter who gets his albums released in a way that brings in some money, in other words, get a record company and be a "proper" artist?
I think the only way is to record stuff, make a demo CD, send it to a thousand labels and most important go play live wherever you can, sell your CDs there. And, says the cynicist in my head, let go of all hope.

I myself don't believe in being a pro musician meaning being able to make my living with music.

And when it gets to the sound you hear in your head - I consider it a lot of fun to fool around with my recording devices until I have that sound or something else that's as good or even better. That's what I love the most when recording - playing with that stuff like a kid plays with toy blocks and being astonished by the results.

I hope you get that sorted out, and when you find a solution, let me know! And let me hear those songs anyway, I'd love to hear them!

Cheers, Doc

I agree with Doc & Zop... Bandcamp and Soundcloud are the way to go for free online streaming. You should also play as many live gigs as possible and sell your CDs there, maybe even try to upload videos to YouTube. Try to get a fanclub going through facebook and start networking. Once you gain a small following (I heard the head of one indie label guy on the radio saying that they only consider people with 50+ fans) send out your demos to every indie label you can think of. If you find money to be a problem you can also look into Kickstarter to raise some extra funds.

---

I've got big plans. ◊ Talking Blanket ◊ Yay, Butts! LOL!

Get a Cowon D2 or U2, record using its integrated microphone, make CD-Rs containing said recordings, sell them to people.

---

Why's everyone in this thread a f***ing Mountain Goats fan?!

Kirkeby Kritikk • Kvitter

i say, record the whole album in one take, don't even turn the microphone off, don't split the tracks up, leave in all hiccups, false starts, bum notes and flubs. have 1000 pressed into vinyl. mail a copy anonymously to hundreds of record stores across america. then, when the news story hits about your mystery album, you can ebay signed mint copies for hundreds of dollars each.

if it's a double album, people will pay more and people will pay attention to it more.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/20/2012 10:39AM by mike10k.

Mike, your first suggestion there (the one take thing) borders on some sort of Eno-esque Oblique Strategy type thing. I like it.

Redlandsman, (btw, are you from Redlands, CA? I have a few decent-ish memories of driving through their in my Southern California days) I agree with those who say Bandcamp and Soundcloud are the ways to go with online streaming/releasing. As far as getting signed to a label goes, I'd suggest playing live shows. As many as you can. A band getting signed from a demo tape (especially an unsolicited one) is quite a rare occurance; much more of them are signed from the strength of their songs and their live show. If you are sending out demos to labels, though, be sure you're looking at the right ones. You want to find a label whose roster fits with what you're doing. But you also have to be careful about fitting too well, because no label wants to find itself pigeonholed into a certain type of album. Good luck!

Sadly, I'm from a far less interesting state than California, though many of the one-time inhabitants of my home state have fled to California over the years, due to various circumstances. I hope to someday visit. California seems to have taken the place as a modern Eden, no?

My name is derived from two sources; being surrounded by the red, fertile soil that coats much of the barren wasteland known as my homestate, and a strange fascination with the life and style of Keith Richards and other such self-destructive yet fascinatingly lucky musicians. Keith Richards once, and probably still does, own an estate called "Redlands". He managed to burn down the same home he lived in...twice. Who the hell burns down a house twice, I ask you?!? 87 (eighty-seven) is just a random, lucky number I happen to like, no real significance whatsoever.

The one-take suggestion is rather brilliant I must say! Though I may not perhaps take it as far as having it printed to Vinyl and mailing to record stores country-wide, I definitely will have to fall into the practice of making one-take sessions!

Again, I must profess a deep and unorthodox respect and admiration for Lee Mavers, the man behind the suculently sweet, perfect pop-gem known as "There She Goes". You're "one-take" idea reminds me of a curious legend surrounding this reclusive man... Rumour has it that Lee, in a fit of brilliance and/or mania, hit "record" and played for twelve hours straight one time, relentlessly and with all hiccups and false starts, screw ups, playing to nobody in particular but himself. Just one man and one guitar, pouring himself and his soul into the woodwork of his instrument, the metallic scraping of his strings, and the burning passion of his hands and fingertips.

Though the tape, being twelve hours long, must have been quite a chore to listen to and analyze, to study and listen to, he definitely did so. And supposably in those twelve hours of playing, his most famous song, There She Goes, snuck itself into his playing and just couldn't help but be written. That is Lee Mavers philosophy, and mine as well...music is the soul speaking, you cannot censor nor dilute it! Even if you think something is shit to begin with, such as a twelve hour fuck-all practice session, it can definitely transform or grow into something quite beautiful and mysterious indeed! And so, what could be considered the sweetest, and possibly best pop song written in quite a few decades, was born from a pisstake session he probably didn't think would bear much fruit.

Alas, all of your suggestions, advice, skepticism have all helped inspire me. Today, I go out and buy a fresh pair of guitar strings, I tune up...and I hit record. I'll see where it goes from there...I'll see what happens. I'll make something, dammit, and I'm going to make sure SOMEBODY hears it. Screw all, I say! I have nothing left to lose. I'll upload to Soundcloud, to Bandcamp. I'll upload to Youtube, I'll mail out copies, I'll give copies away on the street, I'll try and secure live performance dates, I'll do everything in my power that I possibly can. I'll get over my petty fear and insecurities, and I'll chase this silly dream of mine. Even if I don't catch it, I'll have a hell of a good time trying. I'm pretty much stuck at square one as it is already, so even if I fail, there is nowhere else but up from here.

Once my record is complete, which it very soon shall be (especially with this sudden burst of inspiration) I will share it dilegently with you all. It may not be perfect, it may not even be beautiful, and it may not be distrubited in quite the way we all dream...but it SHALL be made. And you all, for being so very supportive, will be the first people I share with. I hope that counts for something! I've been putting this off for way too long...it's about time I bucked up and got this fucker done.

I'm sure, after the first time, it will just become all the easier. Wish me luck, for I do so for all of you! Keep the mind and music soaring!

Quote
mike10k
i say, record the whole album in one take, don't even turn the microphone off, don't split the tracks up, leave in all hiccups, false starts, bum notes and flubs. have 1000 pressed into vinyl. mail a copy anonymously to hundreds of record stores across america. then, when the news story hits about your mystery album, you can ebay signed mint copies for hundreds of dollars each.

if it's a double album, people will pay more and people will pay attention to it more.

also, i'm dumb.

eta, and i stink!

also, draw a penis on one of the covers.

---

let's get dressed up in costumes and dance by the bar.

harsh, beta!

Sex appeal is what sells the most records, nowadays. His suggestion might be a better one than you give him credit for.

Until I walk into a record store and see a large, veiny penis staring at me when I turn the corner into the Hot and Popular Records for Young People section, I'll know freedom of speech and expression is still a largely made up and limited right.

Also, bitches and hoes. That is all.

damn, you write big paragraphs!
i'd love to help, but this is my day off and i'm not gonna read a paragraph that big.

Yeah, about that. It's a habit of mine, either good or bad. Depends on how you look at it.

ts;dr

Indeed. Medium length paragraphs/posts for the win.

Alas, I have opted against the recording a full LP at the moment, as the proposed project still needs some fine tuning and sanding down at the sharp edges. In other words, it ain't ready yet.

I instead have chosen to record and release a five track EP, which shall stand on its own. Very lo-fi, very "indie", very rough. It's still getting made, dammit, so fuck off if you don't like it. 'Cos I do.

But, I need some help! I am not a visual artist, no no, I can't paint or design or hell, even draw a straight line.

I could photograph a cover (who can't?) but I feel this EP would need a non-realistic/within the bounds fantasy/sketchy Do-It-Yourself touch. Get what I'm saying?

So, if any self proclaimed artists feels like they could assist me in designing a cover, a back cover, y'know, all of the bells and whistles that usually come with any sort of musical project, please PM me for further details. Please send a piece of your original art work, and whoever I think would fit the bill the most will get the opportunity to design this EP.

I'll be sharing the title and lyrics with the proposed artist, so they can be used as a sort of jumping point. But not the music itself quite yet. I want the EP to be "complete" in it's entirety before I release it.

Serious inquiries only, I'm not going to use a sketch of a penis, anything blatantly stupid, or that I know you sent in jest or sent simply to mock me. You don't have to be an "amazing" artist or a prodigy. I just want something creative, eye-popping, and original. I'm not the most "amazing" musician, so it'll all go hand in hand, I guess.

Full credit shall be given if so desired, or you may remain anonymous. I cannot offer any sort of monetary compensation at the moment, though in the future that might not always be the case. I would need to full co-operation of the artist...i.e., I can use, freely distribute, and release the piece of art in anyway I see fit, to anybody, and anywhere.

The same would go with the music...once it's complete, I'm throwing it out to anybody who would care to listen, and they can do whatever they hell they want to it or do whatever they feel like with it. Fuck all of that "copy write" bullshit, freedom of expression should be intertwined with freedom of distribution and freedom of availability.

I'd say it'll be complete in about a week or so, the recordings, and it's very "unprofessional", I'm warning everybody in advance.

Thanks for taking the time to read! Cheers, and keep the music and mind soaring.

No trolls plz