epictring
I've always felt that, getting into the SA music industry as a fairly successful band is all about being extremely lucky and hard working, or about who you know. Not naming any names, I've seen so many "up-there" artists lending hands for slots at shows here and there for their friends, and ironically after a while - the friends band starts picking up some exposure on Studio 1/etc. and larger festivals. This is especially visible in artists who already belong to a successful act and then start a side-project following with almost instant success.
Is it really so much about who you know?
Please understand, I'm not hating on anyone here, a lot of the musos are very talented and I respect them. I was just wondering about this topic.
Keira-WitherKay
Well it's not just sa music scene but worldwide, who you know opens doors and then when that door opens one needs to produce the goods or you will be dropped from favour , so yes that break onto the scene is often knowing the right people or lucky chance meeting , or takes a few lets just say favours .... But if it comes your way grab it and milk it cos opportunity seldom knocks twice ,
Manfred-Klose
its called networking ?
if you dont take it, someone else will.
one thing leads to another.
sharonzaz
not only, but it is very much about who you know, yes.
it is like that in everything, everywhere.
AlanRatcliffe
Network, network, network. And while you are waiting for your chance, keep on working hard so that when you get your chance you are ready for it.
I find it easy to identify the future successes these days - they are the ones: working their asses off; taking every gig they can lay their hands on; constantly working on every aspect of their knowledge and skill; and playing with anyone who will have them. Some talent is needed obviously, but funnily enough, the most talented are often not the most successful -especially in the long term (I think those for whom it comes easily often never learn to put the effort in).
I can't remember who said it or the precise wording, but there is a very good quote; something along the lines of "it took me 10 years of hard work to become an overnight success". ?
Norman86
sharonzaz wrote
not only, but it is very much about who you know, yes.
it is like that in everything, everywhere.
This...
Everywhere you go, everything you do is about networking and knowing people. its the only way to get things done!
DonovanB
Read a book called Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell.
Then read Freakonomics.
Then read "how to win friends and influence people" by dale carnegie.
Your eyes will be opened...
Wizard
As said already, it's not limited to the music industry.
A product of yours has to ultimately get into a consumer's hands by the efforts of other people.
And there needs to be a value proposition for everyone along the way.
There's also a big difference between effective networking and "buddies".
No-one gets to the top with a crap product because they have buddies.
It's about making sure that if you've got the goods, you've managed to show someone else how your stuff will be good for them.
majestikc
It's not what you know, it's what you have to offer and who you're offering it to.
epictring
All said is so true. But I feel like there is a formula some people know about (which obviously differs from nation, genre etc.) since so many successful artists start other projects which almost instantly hit the top, I recently witnessed an act like this accomplish this in less than a year.
AlanRatcliffe
Success breeds success in any business. Once you've been successful, it's much easier to get the right people onboard for a new project.
Averatu
Its like that in every industry. If you are golf buddies with a director of Murry and Roberts, you're bound to get some nice sub contracts.
Alex-B-Broadway
Averatu wrote
Its like that in every industry. If you are golf buddies with a director of Murry and Roberts, you're bound to get some nice sub contracts.
Agreed. It's always about who you know. Not necessarily in a bad way either. Hang around at gigs, meet people who share your interests and you're bound to benefit from it eventually, even if it's just about people getting to know you.
