Unit 11 - Project 2 Task 1: Identifying progression opportunities
I will soon be completing the final year of my Diploma in Music Production, and it is vital that I have a strong understanding of where I’m heading next.
I’ve been attending ACM for nearly two years now, and I’ve invested a lot of time and effort into becoming more rounded as a musician and ‘industry professional’. I believe it would be highly unlikely at this stage, especially after how far I’ve come, that I’ll end up working for a biscuit company, or something along those lines!
Recently, we’ve been discussing the opportunities and careers that the contemporary music industry can offer. It has become apparent to me that in an ever-changing world, jobs, that had never previously existed, are being created every year. For example, recently, a ‘playlister’ has become an increasingly important profession due to the rising popularity of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.
In lectures, we've identified that there are two potential progression pathways we may consider taking upon completing this final year: 'Higher Education', and the 'Employment' pathway. As a group, we've overlooked the advantages and disadvantages of each route, and have decided for ourselves what our next steps forward will need to be.
Continuing down the academic pathway would help you to refine your theory and knowledge about a specific area of expertise within the music industry. Continuing with academia may also prove to an employer that you can manage your time well, and can cope under pressure. A disadvantage, however, of staying onto Higher Education could be a lack of experience within the employment world. The workload that’s involved with a degree may hinder someone’s opportunity to progress with their career. Additionally, musicians/producers don’t necessarily need qualifications to seek employment in music. A lot of the time, music-related professions require an audition/interview process. Employers, in general, are looking more for evidence of experience, creativity, and talent, rather than a qualification saying you 'understand the theory' behind something!
Upon completing my Diploma, I aim to secure a career in the music industry as an artist/singer. I have therefore identified that I'll be following the 'employment' pathway, as opposed to the 'Higher Education' route.
I have elected that gaining real-world experience and practice would be more beneficial to me than writing dissertations on how EQ and compression effect sound, for example. I am aware that having content and experience behind me is highly regarded in a creative industry like music. After raising and discussing this in detail with my lecturers, I have decided that this is the best way forward.
Initially, I plan to distribute and gig my music independently. This is because I have recognised that I will need to be able to grow a sizable and devoted fanbase before Major Labels will even consider looking at me...
Record companies rarely sign ‘development contracts’ nowadays due to there not being enough money, comparatively, in record sales anymore. Consumers have a new appreciation for accessing music, as opposed to owning it. 'Streaming' and big-budget tours are the way forward, and it looks as if there's no going back!
In today's industry, it is crucial that artists are social-media savvy, have an image behind them, and direction in front! The CEO of Sony Music, himself, said that labels, nowadays, are ONLY looking for finished products. I will have to develop myself as an artist on my own.
The end goal for me is to sign with a major record label like Universal, Sony, or Warner. I recognise that music is one of the most competitive industries out there, and you need a tonne of drive and ambition to succeed. I realise that this will be arduous work, but being as prepared as possible can only be beneficial for my future.
I acknowledge the fact that I will need to be disciplined, charismatic and creative to have the best chances of succeeding with my chosen career path. I believe that the past five years have already enabled me to expand my professional skills and have allowed me to recognise my strengths and weaknesses.
I feel that I am pretty confident with recording and mixing, and I'm conscious that my knowledge of advertising and social media reasonably strong already. I have also found that I have a pretty good sense of chord structure and melody, but where I need to focus on now is improving my lyrics, finding a better workflow, and practising getting out there and performing.
I recognise that having an online press kit/website will positively contribute towards my professionalism as an artist. Being able to showcase my social media presence and fanbase will look attractive to A&R and Record Label Executives. On my EPK/Website, it would be a good idea to include: Live Links, an Artist Bio, Social Media Links, and Music and Merchandise links, so that site-visitors know that I am serious myself and my profession.
I plan release and tour my music regardless of whether I’m signed or not. Part of my career path will be focusing in on how I can increase my online presence as an artist in order to create a greater incentive for labels to sign me. Somethings that will help me to achieve this goal will include using an aggregator / music publisher to distribute my work, yet maintain my the rights to my songs.
After releasing a handful of singles and my first studio album, I plan to get my face out there as much as possible. I’ll have to gig, and I’ll need to consider getting myself a booking agent to help me find exposure.
Alongside performing my music, I’ll be trying to increase my exposure by building my social media presence. I see myself making youtube videos where I’ll be able to build a platform with a goal to promote my music.
In order not to go bankrupt, I plan to find casual work wherever possible. I may use some of my skills find freelance work, and I may consider trying to find myself work in a supermarket or cafe.
I’ve been attending ACM for nearly two years now, and I’ve invested a lot of time and effort into becoming more rounded as a musician and ‘industry professional’. I believe it would be highly unlikely at this stage, especially after how far I’ve come, that I’ll end up working for a biscuit company, or something along those lines!
Recently, we’ve been discussing the opportunities and careers that the contemporary music industry can offer. It has become apparent to me that in an ever-changing world, jobs, that had never previously existed, are being created every year. For example, recently, a ‘playlister’ has become an increasingly important profession due to the rising popularity of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.
In lectures, we've identified that there are two potential progression pathways we may consider taking upon completing this final year: 'Higher Education', and the 'Employment' pathway. As a group, we've overlooked the advantages and disadvantages of each route, and have decided for ourselves what our next steps forward will need to be.
Continuing down the academic pathway would help you to refine your theory and knowledge about a specific area of expertise within the music industry. Continuing with academia may also prove to an employer that you can manage your time well, and can cope under pressure. A disadvantage, however, of staying onto Higher Education could be a lack of experience within the employment world. The workload that’s involved with a degree may hinder someone’s opportunity to progress with their career. Additionally, musicians/producers don’t necessarily need qualifications to seek employment in music. A lot of the time, music-related professions require an audition/interview process. Employers, in general, are looking more for evidence of experience, creativity, and talent, rather than a qualification saying you 'understand the theory' behind something!
Upon completing my Diploma, I aim to secure a career in the music industry as an artist/singer. I have therefore identified that I'll be following the 'employment' pathway, as opposed to the 'Higher Education' route.
I have elected that gaining real-world experience and practice would be more beneficial to me than writing dissertations on how EQ and compression effect sound, for example. I am aware that having content and experience behind me is highly regarded in a creative industry like music. After raising and discussing this in detail with my lecturers, I have decided that this is the best way forward.
Initially, I plan to distribute and gig my music independently. This is because I have recognised that I will need to be able to grow a sizable and devoted fanbase before Major Labels will even consider looking at me...
Record companies rarely sign ‘development contracts’ nowadays due to there not being enough money, comparatively, in record sales anymore. Consumers have a new appreciation for accessing music, as opposed to owning it. 'Streaming' and big-budget tours are the way forward, and it looks as if there's no going back!
In today's industry, it is crucial that artists are social-media savvy, have an image behind them, and direction in front! The CEO of Sony Music, himself, said that labels, nowadays, are ONLY looking for finished products. I will have to develop myself as an artist on my own.
The end goal for me is to sign with a major record label like Universal, Sony, or Warner. I recognise that music is one of the most competitive industries out there, and you need a tonne of drive and ambition to succeed. I realise that this will be arduous work, but being as prepared as possible can only be beneficial for my future.
I acknowledge the fact that I will need to be disciplined, charismatic and creative to have the best chances of succeeding with my chosen career path. I believe that the past five years have already enabled me to expand my professional skills and have allowed me to recognise my strengths and weaknesses.
I feel that I am pretty confident with recording and mixing, and I'm conscious that my knowledge of advertising and social media reasonably strong already. I have also found that I have a pretty good sense of chord structure and melody, but where I need to focus on now is improving my lyrics, finding a better workflow, and practising getting out there and performing.
I recognise that having an online press kit/website will positively contribute towards my professionalism as an artist. Being able to showcase my social media presence and fanbase will look attractive to A&R and Record Label Executives. On my EPK/Website, it would be a good idea to include: Live Links, an Artist Bio, Social Media Links, and Music and Merchandise links, so that site-visitors know that I am serious myself and my profession.
I plan release and tour my music regardless of whether I’m signed or not. Part of my career path will be focusing in on how I can increase my online presence as an artist in order to create a greater incentive for labels to sign me. Somethings that will help me to achieve this goal will include using an aggregator / music publisher to distribute my work, yet maintain my the rights to my songs.
After releasing a handful of singles and my first studio album, I plan to get my face out there as much as possible. I’ll have to gig, and I’ll need to consider getting myself a booking agent to help me find exposure.
Alongside performing my music, I’ll be trying to increase my exposure by building my social media presence. I see myself making youtube videos where I’ll be able to build a platform with a goal to promote my music.
In order not to go bankrupt, I plan to find casual work wherever possible. I may use some of my skills find freelance work, and I may consider trying to find myself work in a supermarket or cafe.