Where is your music taking you? - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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infocat

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Topic: Where is your music taking you?
Posted: December 30 2012 at 22:25

Question for all of you musicians out there; particularly the ones that write and release their music.

Why?
Big smile

Seriously, I am wondering what your goals and expectations are with your music. Do you:
- just do it for yourself?
- do it for yourself with the hope that some others might enjoy it as well?
- do it with the hopes of making a little money at it?
- do it as a career?
- do it with the hope of great fame and fortune?

More than one answer is allowed! And they need not be among the answers above.

One specific thing I am curious about is do you lose or make money with your releases and performances? (Obviously you don't have to answer that!)

I have seen posts from a lot of PA artists recently, so I'm hoping a few of you might satisfy my nosiness!

--
Frank Swarbrick
Belief is not Truth.

Ambient Hurricanes View Drop Down

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Posted: December 30 2012 at 22:38

I plan to make a career in music, so for me its definitely very important. There are many purposes which I have for making music, which include:

-to glorify God
-to affect others emotionally
-to make others think
-to challenge people's musical expectations
-to assert my self-identity
-to make myself happy
-to explore new concepts
-to proclaim truth
-to express myself...etc etc etc

Money has never been a big issue for me, although I obviously have to make money with my music if I'm going to make a career out of it. Most likely, I'll be earning money in teaching, music journalism, or something of that sort, since it's well-nigh impossible to make money composing and performing these days. I have daydreams about fame, but it's not one of my goals and I won't compromise my musical principles to gain it.

In total, I've probably spent a lot more money on music than I've earned from it. We'll see how that changes as I 1. procure more gig opportunities for my band and 2. have to purchase even more expensive equipment.

I love dogs, I've always loved dogs

brainstormer View Drop Down

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Posted: December 30 2012 at 23:12

I have had a lot of people tell me they like my music, even

people that are well known in the international avant-garde,

like Amy Denio, Chris Delaurenti, Dale Lloyd, and William

Susman. People have copied my music song titles into

various databases, and put me on last.fm. I've been too busy

writing in the last several years to focus on music, but

it's really gratifying to have others interested in my work.

I used to hear many people tell me they liked it, but I could

not tell if they were just being friends, nice, etc. When

well-known professionals put their names on endorsements, it's a little

different, you know that it has objective value to people.

I have over 8 music products on Amazon.com, but I haven't

had a lot of sales because I have no marketing at all for my music.

Without marketing, nothing sells. Even the greatest music today

might not even sell much, and I always wrote my music to

be futuristic.

I wish I could have more of a prog-appeal, but then I'm seeing

very different aspects between "prog rock" and the kind of people

who are giving me endorsements. I've seen how largely

prog rock has the "rock" side of it, and how my music really

doesn't have much of a rock appeal to it. Where I would like

my music to go would have a more popular appeal, and that

would include the kind of sonic dimensions in engineering

that it seems is necessary for prog to be popular.

--
Robert Pearson
Regenerative Music http://www.regenerativemusic.net
Telical Books http://www.telicalbooks.com
ParaMind Brainstorming Software http://www.paramind.net

Dayvenkirq View Drop Down

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Posted: December 30 2012 at 23:41

infocat wrote:

Question for all of you musicians out there; particularly the ones that write and release their music.

Why?
Big smile

To give purpose to life. To keep music as a way of enjoying my life. To persuade other people (no matter how stupid and pointless it may seem to other people) that there is more to music than pop songs with bland melodies and a mind-boggling lack of creativity.

infocat wrote:

Seriously, I am wondering what your goals and expectations are with your music. Do you:

- just do it for yourself?

Good question. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. After all, music is a means for an artist to express himself to the public.

infocat wrote:

- do it for yourself with the hope that some others might enjoy it as well?

Yes.

infocat wrote:

- do it with the hopes of making a little money at it?

F$%k no.

infocat wrote:

- do it as a career?

"Career", just as the word "job", sounds to me as a commercial term. I wouldn't make music even for a modicum of money. At least not at this time.

infocat wrote:

- do it with the hope of great fame and fortune?

That one just made me laugh. Big smile

... No.

infocat wrote:

One specific thing I am curious about is do you lose or make money with your releases and performances? (Obviously you don't have to answer that!)

I think all I'm losing right now is time and money (to support myself, that is).

Edited by Dayvenkirq - December 30 2012 at 23:42

Quirky Turkey View Drop Down

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Posted: December 30 2012 at 23:47

I record for myself, but with the hope others may like it too. However I don't show off my work often. It's just a hobby and helps give life meaning.

Alitare

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Posted: December 31 2012 at 00:15

Everything I do I do for myself and with my final breath I hope to look upon my fool creations and set them aflame committing their nonsense and drivel to the term sentence of universal non-memory.

A-JCharron View Drop Down

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Posted: December 31 2012 at 00:20

infocat wrote:

Question for all of you musicians out there; particularly the ones that write and release their music.

Why?
Big smile

Do you:
- just do it for yourself?

I make my music because I have no choice. Whether people like it or not, it needs to come out.

infocat wrote:

- do it for yourself with the hope that some others might enjoy it as well?

I do hope others will enjoy it. So far it seems some do. The first review I've got (the only one so far was simply amazing: http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p08405.htm) Hope I'm aloud to post like this; I'm new on this forum...

infocat wrote:

- do it with the hopes of making a little money at it?

Over time I hope so. It takes a lot of time to start selling, but eventually I hope to get there.

infocat wrote:

- do it as a career?

I spend at least 2 hours a day every day on promoting it, so yes, I hope to do it as a career.

infocat wrote:

- do it with the hope of great fame and fortune?

I couldn't care less about fame and fortune. If I can make enough to live on it, that's fine by me. As for fame, if my music can make some people happy, then that's great; I honestly don't ask for more.

N-sz

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Posted: December 31 2012 at 01:21

I make music because I need to exercise creativity in some way. I've found music to be the best for me, but before I got into music, I drew a lot. I figure if I never got into music, I would need to do visual art or film or something. I feel this way because even if I suck at just about everything else (which I sometimes think), I at least know that I like the music that I make and I enjoy making it, and that alone makes me happy.

So for the most part, I'm doing it for myself. I love to share my music, but I don't do it often other than with my brother, who I make music with too. Only I would like a good deal of what I make, I figure, but I think people would like some of the things that I do too.

I couldn't complain about making money, so I don't see why not, as long as that doesn't prevent me from making music the way I want. Same goes for a career in music, if by that you just mean making enough money to live of by performing. It would be really nice, but I don't see it happening. I've yet to ever make money doing music though. If anything, I've lost money from buying instruments and recording equipment. I am about to release a physical EP though which might make a modest profit. Oh actually starting last year, from live performances, I started making maybe $30 a month on average with a group I'm in too. Basically, there's no money in it, and that's okay.

I would be lying if I said I don't care about recognition for my work. I don't care about being famous, but I would feel great if I knew that I had an influence on just a small number of people or made something that even a small amount of people deeply appreciated.

Making and listening to music is really comforting and can really be an escape from things. I also use it to challenge myself. Sometimes making good, new music is frustrating because you're making something that requires a lot of focus and requires you to do things apart from your usual habits.

Edited by N-sz - December 31 2012 at 01:24

Blank Space Records

Slartibartfast View Drop Down

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Posted: December 31 2012 at 01:33

I make music because I have instruments and I can. I don't perform for people, so it is not egotistical. Sometimes I just feel inspired and the easiest thing to play is the guitar you can see in my current avvy...

It isn't taking me anywhere in particular. I don't write or release music but there's my two cents and I only get a penny for my thoughts. A penny for my thoughts??? LOL

Edited by Slartibartfast - December 31 2012 at 01:35

Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...

Sumdeus

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Posted: December 31 2012 at 02:48

It's the thing that gives real meaning to my life and I know that it is my reason for existence. I'm planning to make as much music as I can in my life, not sure as to where it might take me as I'm still young and starting out

Edited by Sumdeus - December 31 2012 at 02:51

Sumdeus - surreal space/psych/prog journeys

HolyMoly

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Posted: December 31 2012 at 05:36

I always wanted to play in a band, record music, and play in front of people. I never got to realize this goal until I was in my mid thirties. It makes me feel like I'm "plugged in" to some unknown power source, a spiritual electricity that makes for a really great feeling.

As a secondary goal, I want to have as much "stuff to remember it by" as I can -- pictures, videos, and recordings (both studio and live) -- so that when this dream finally ends (and it will), I'll have lots of tangible stuff to keep as memories. Currently, I want to finally flesh out some songs I wrote in my twenties, and hear them played and recorded by a full band.

One thing I don't want is "fame", though. And I don't want to ever do it for a living, never did. I don't even really want to do it for money at all, except to cover expenses. I'm happy to earn my living doing other things -- if music became my job, I think I'd hate it. And as for "fame", I really don't think I need to worry about that LOL

, but still, I think that would really irritate me because I value my privacy, and I can't pretend to be "on" all the time.

Edited by HolyMoly - December 31 2012 at 05:59

My other avatar is a Porsche

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased.

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tamijo

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Posted: January 03 2013 at 07:58

First of all because its a great hobby, good times, a lot of fun !!

But it is very nice if someone likes what you have done too.

Prog is whatevey you want it to be. So dont diss other peoples prog, and they wont diss yours

HackettFan View Drop Down

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Posted: January 03 2013 at 17:14

I'm getting back into playing guitar as part of my mid-life crisis. There was a particular sound experiment I wanted to do with ring modulators back in the 80s/90s, but couldn't because I wasn't able to procure or build one. Now, with the help of the internet, I've gotten a few ring modulators (allowing external carrier signals) and I've been able to try something quite unique with them, and it sounds great. This has gotten me interested in picking up where I left off. I'm getting a lot of my skills back. My job takes up a lot of time, but I'd like to record a few solo albums if all works out well. I'm still preparing the way, though. I play for myself, though I'm happy if others happen to hear me and enjoy it too. I already have a career, so I'm not regarding it as a money making venture. I've spent a bundle on instruments and effects already, and I'm not done yet unfortunately. I'm not interested in fame. The tabloids would probably ruin my life.

TODDLER

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Posted: January 04 2013 at 11:51

infocat wrote:

Question for all of you musicians out there; particularly the ones that write and release their music.

Why?
Big smile

I spent 2 thousand and made 6 hundred. Most of the people who bought my cd's lived in Hungary. I don't know why I released it? I was out there..seriously, traveling on the road and between shows finding a lighthouse and sitting there for hours composing. This collection of lighthouse instrumentals was reviewed in Progression magazine. I believe they compared it to Anthony Phillips , Pat Metheny, and Mike Oldfield on the ECM label. On Amazon it is stated that I am a virtually unknown guitarist. Thanks to internet sources artists have contacted me to express support of my music and a shifty rock journalist as well. Most people who like my music have their heads in the same gloom and doom position that mine was once in. Fantasy is all well and good until you lose touch of reality and those who care about you. That's what my music is a reflection of and I could never go back to that world. I am currently composing a Chamber Rock style piece that isa bit involved and have escaped the past efforts completely.