Bob-Dubery ...but other stuff plays a role too. http://www.npr.org/2014/02/27/282939233/good-art-is-popular-because-its-good-right
singemonkey I've been reading a lot about how to achieve your goals with a band (and I hope everyone who plays in bands or solo is doing the same thing). The unanimous word from old industry hands supports these findings. Essentially, your music has to be good. If you can't make decent music (at least by the definition of some listeners) you can do whatever you like and you'll get nowhere. But it's only a precondition. It's like having a good car-repair company. It's not enough to do a good job. You have to convince people of why they should bring their car to you, rather than someone else who's probably also good. In this regard, chance plays an important role, of course. But in practise you need to make everything as much in your favour as possible - through performance, fan relations, image, merchandising, social media, mailing lists, press kits, keeping an informative bio, making contacts, etc.. To use another anology: You can't control the wind. But given that, the person who's built a sleek boat with yards of sail hanging from the masts is in a much better position if it comes up than the person sitting on a floating log holding up their shirt. And, of course, it may be your local harbour doesn't get much wind and you'd be better off building your boat elsewhere.
eyesuc singemonkey wrote <snip> The whole thing </snip> Beautiful comment. And interesting article! Singemonkey, do you perhaps have links for some of the stuff you've been reading (about goals, etc)?
[deleted] yup, I read a book on creativity and it said the same thing. After reading Bill Bryson's "Short History on Nearly everything", I also have to consider that a degree of ruthlessness and lack of morals is often what gets people their recognition. Very often the poor sod who did all the work (in scientific accomplishments, and in art oddly enough) is sidelined. The criteria for success can definitely be reexamined. To me the ability to create means success.
Sean Warren, after the first 4 frames I thought this oke was ripping Bill Watterson off... ? Where did you find this strip?
Warren Sean wrote Warren, after the first 4 frames I thought this oke was ripping Bill Watterson off... ? Where did you find this strip? I saw it somewhere a while ago. It's a tribute strip that took some quotes out of a 1990 Watterson speech and sets a comic around it, done in a homage to his style.
21Fretter Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers" is in the same vein. Opportunity and timing is often the make or break but additionally, you need to BE READY when those chances arrive.
