I’m so proud of being an independent artist. To be able to say I did all of this by myself and with the support of some great people around me is a salute to the hard work that has been put in. But some days it is far from glitz and glamour. Today is one.
It’s hardly sustainable being an independent musician – so like most, we juggle it with many other commitments. For me, that’s university and for others its a part time/full time job. And although there are many independent artists out there, there’s a somewhat expectation of keeping on a face and never admitting to feats to each other and to our fans.
I’m currently in the process of finishing up recording and shopping around for the team for my second album. I didn’t really plan for my first album to go beyond my house so I pretty much recorded it and let it sit around – I was just lucky enough to have such loyal listeners around me to somehow find it, buy it and keep me moving. This time, I want to plan things a little better and allow for the album to have its much deserved hype. But you know, when you go shopping around sometimes the clothes don’t suit – or the clothes don’t want to fit and it is disappointing. Usually, I’d have to cop rejection on my own but today I thought, you know, people follow my journey not because I’m a creation of some rich ass producers in Hollywood but because I am my own human being with my own imperfect stories.
When some industry professionals turn me down, its really difficult to think that my music is worth listening to. Then I think of the people who I have never met but are endlessly there for me through my music, or those who come to my gigs relentlessly and listen with their hearts or the family and friends who remind me that I knew this path was never going to be easy – and then things immediately become easier. I never even tell my band the downs of what’s happening. We’re just expected to provide the goods.
And so today, in my epiphany of being able to admit to downfalls, I’m saying thank you to all of you. I’m not doing this for the industry, I’m not doing this for the money, yes, I’m doing it for me but I could do that privately too – so, I’m doing this for you. And if there were no you, there would be no means.
As long as there are listeners, I’ll take rejection from whoever.
p.s We, as indie creatives, should start lowering our pretentious brick walls and really come together to form a proud and exclusive group, where we don’t need the industry to make or break us, but have each other to get there. We’re only this way because the industry structures a competitive environment for us to survive in. We should be able to share the triumphs, the toils and the tips. If you’re an independent artist (no matter what type!!) I am always open to helping, collaborating and learning.
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