Bryan Adams: ‘I Feel Sad For Young Musicians.’
Cake's John McCrea of and Bryan Adams must be friends. Earlier this month, McCrea said that music will be a hobby for most in 5 or 10 years. Adams is now echoing similar thoughts.
"I feel quite sad for the young musicians coming up because they may never get to pay their rent properly…
It doesn't matter what the genre; nowadays, it's so much harder than it ever was. You want to get paid for your work and be able to take something home to your family or yourself. I tip my hat to anybody today that can make music and move forward."
In a recent feature, musician Jason Parker addressed this point:
"Many folks who decry the state of the music industry these days point to some mythical 'golden age' when they think it was easier for a working musician to make a living. I don’t believe such an age ever existed. All working artists have had to struggle, hustle, be creative, roll with the punches and piece together a living doing multiple jobs.
In Parker's view, making a living from music has always involved a bit of struggle, i.e. not quite being able to pay the rent, but he says "that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Rather, all evidence supports the fact that it is entirely possible."
Emphasis on “creative.” There are certainly ways to make money playing music in today’s Internet & Web 2.0-littered economy, albeit often not very much at a time. The trick to the long haul is always being frugal, *especially* when you’re doing well.
It’s OK. We feel sad for Bryan Adams. He had to get ‘discovered’ and then make cheese to please a label for pennies on the dollar… haha. Seriously though, all this talk about whether it was better now or then is irrelevant if you’re trying to do something. The time is NOW and it could not be more exciting! All people are doing when people like Bryan Adams says something like this is dating themselves and telling us they haven’t updated their model b/c they are nostalgic.
Some things changed positively, some not. I’m pretty sure he didn’t own a Macbook with preinstalled version of GarageBand nor he happend to use Facebook to promote his first gigs.
I think the issue here is that there are so many more people making music and it has become so easy to do so. Because of this we’re seeing more hobbyists who are recording albums/singles, gigging, etc. When you can make quality music at home for cheap, music loses its value to the public eye and those who want to do music as a career are downplayed.
It requires an ever-changing model to how you are going to get by as an artist and it’s hard to keep up with. Unless you’re some youtube hit, it seems like the way to make it is through fan relations, which, unfortunately, take more and more effort as social media begins to consume us.
I like Jason’s comment about being in the NOW! Imagine if.. ok not really but dream of.. now that’s the idea. I wonder if Bryan would tell Justin Bieber, yes I went there.. that he feels sad for kids in music!?!?! Or how about Pomplamoose.. They are living the music creator’s dream, without any of the nightmares, such as people over their shoulders, touring life, always being home, instead of never, etc. etc.. I think NOW is as exciting a time as ever in music and it’s getting even better. I’ll end on that imagine if. Imagine if all our heroes back in the days of old could have recorded anywhere they were, any time an idea happened, and uploaded it to their clouds minutes later.. how much more incredible material would be out there for all to learn from and enjoy!
As a kid growing up in Canada, Bryan Adams was a real inspiration, like so many other “successful” musicians before us. I can’t help make music. It makes me feel great. It makes some others feel great too. I have a day job but I can’t escape the music. Regardless of how the millions of musicians and entertainers make their way, they do; either in the limelight or in obscurity. For people who create music what else is there?
I just think some of these industry veterans are completely intimated of all the changes.
I would disagree that it has become easier to make music. It’s become easier to record and distribute music, but making great music still takes years of practice. A hobbyist recording something at home and posting it online doesn’t detract from great music (because you can’t necessarily assume that what a hobbyist is doing can compete in quality).
I think the perceived value of musical recordings has decreased. So artists need to let go of the notion that they can make a career from selling recordings alone. It’s tough now, but it’s always been that way. And the changes that are happening are only going to help those with talent, creativity, and initiative.
My take is that, you can’t sell people a whole album with only one good song. Quality is very important and, giving helps too.
People want value for their money, no matter how much they are spending on it.
By the way, I’m promoting my music using Reverbnation so, check it out.
Go here http://www.reverbnation.com/contactcrisis
Making music has certainly become easier. Making original music of high quality still requires a developed skill. And while the cream will always rise to the top, the market has definitely developed a higher tolerance mediocre content.
I’ve been checking out the music of some well known “success stories” of late, and to be honest, a lot of their content doesn’t inspire me whatsoever. That hasn’t stopped them though from developing enviable fanbases and make a decent living from their craft. Their success lies in their marketing. They believe in what they do, and that in turn inspires others to go along with them for the ride. And that’s definitely not a new concept. Do I agree with the distribution of mediocre content? Not really. Do I watch it? Of course, we all do. Does my perfectionism prevent me from doing likewise? Absolutely (although I do allow things to slip through more than I used to)
One thing everyone seems to agree on though, is that there is more noise than ever before, it’s just a matter of rising above it.
Hasn’t it always been a hobby for 99% of those participating? I’ve heard the statistics about how many bands are started, how many albums are recorded and how many tickets are sold for my entire career, and the news has always been bad for almost everyone but the very few. We’ve all heard that “only 1% of all musicians get a record deal and only 1% of those have any real success,” right?
Right?
Fewer people still may make a million dollars in the future, but it has ALWAYS been primarily a hobby, if not a passionate dream, for almost everyone who has ever tried.
Today, it’s all about marketing monies. You can create the greatest record to compete in the market; but if no one hears it…it won’t sell. Radio is locked out to most Artist (unless your signed to a major label). Then and only then will you have a chance at breaking into the clear channel hold on the airwaves. I’m part of an indie label out of Seattle/Tacoma Washington; http://www.lynxrecords.com. The artist is Tap Tap..check it out, Here or itunes, cdbaby..etc. he has want it takes.
Ankhtress says” when “Justin Beiber”, Gaga ( who is already showing signs of age) as they get older what are they going to do? What will they do when they can’t dance or wake up one morning and be an older, willful and obstinate, Charlie Sheen or be a dumpy looking adult, what will we do, will we want to look, to admire to praise, or will we want the next piece of good looking………
I agree with T Bradley. It has always been about marketing. The best marketer won before and the best marketer will win now. Good music or crap music. Without solid marketing, you’re not going to make a living. And for some, solid marketing comes accidentally, but the same principles apply.
I think what Bryan and those of the “old music era” are trying to say is that, EVEN IF YOU WANTED TO, you’re not gonna make the same amount of money they made as major label artists…they’re speaking within the major label frame. (I’m trying not to hate on any of them. Everybody’s had to pay their dues one way or another.)