6 Issues To Love About Being an Indie Artist

Right here’s a humorous factor to wrap your head round: in virtually each interview I’ve executed with a nationally recognized label-signed artist, after I ask them what they miss most about their pre-label or fame days, the reply is all the time some type of the identical: they miss being an indie artist. 

Shocked? 

I used to be too– at first. However then we began to dig deeper into what it was they missed and the issues that being a significant doesn’t permit for in the identical approach that being indie does. The extra we talked, and the extra interviews I did round this, the extra evident it grew to become that for all of the issues we would wish to change about being an indie artist, there’s a particular one thing about being on this stage of your profession. One which, all too typically, artists don’t respect till it’s lengthy gone and changed with new and arduous duties that they will’t escape.

Interested by what it’s about being an indie artist that main label bands miss most?

Artistic management

It’s no secret that if you signal to a label, you’re typically signing onto an settlement that claims that whereas sure, you keep some management within the music you create, the label does have an even bigger say than many artists would really like. It’s to be anticipated after all—it’s no totally different than a start-up gaining traders and people traders having a say in what the corporate does or the way it operates.

Nonetheless, going from being able to create the music, picture, or branding you need and really feel most snug with to at least one {that a} label dictates is acceptable, is a continuing supply of nostalgia for signed bands.

The power to create their very own launch schedule

If you’re signed to a label, it’s important to adhere to their guidelines, and that features when issues get launched. I keep in mind watching the Taylor Swift documentary and listening to her discuss how all the pieces was deliberate a yr or extra upfront–if she wished to take a trip or heck even an extended weekend, it needed to be cleared with an enormous staff of individuals tremendous far upfront. There isn’t a simply taking off on a weekend since you really feel prefer it or dropping a brand new single you simply can’t wait to get on the market, and even releasing a foolish music video you’re excited to share from the tour—all of that (normally) needs to be cleared by a staff of individuals earlier than it will get anyplace near launch. And even then, there’s a chance it will get rejected and also you don’t get to launch it in any respect. 

Being an indie means when you have one thing you’re excited to create, you get to create it. In the event you’re thrilled to share it together with your followers, you get to do this. No approval wanted.

When it’s time to unfold the phrase about your music, it’s time to take a look at Promote It

The liberty to take dangers

When another person has invested a boatload of money and time into ensuring you’re profitable, you don’t get to take dangers. At the very least, not in the identical approach you used to. Which means you’ll be able to’t simply check out a tour in a brand new metropolis for the heck of it or see if a sure piece of merch resonates or leap on TikTok to spout off your emotions. Just like the above, that normally needs to be cleared by a staff previous to doing it. There isn’t that very same degree of spontaneous aptitude.

The great thing about being an indie is that you simply get to take these dangers, you get to easily strive new issues, have enjoyable, and get scrappy. You get to only be within the second and luxuriate in it, with out all of the overthinking of the way it performs out. If it doesn’t work, no huge deal, you progress on. 

The scrappiness of all of it

I do know, typically the scrappiness of being an impartial artist can really feel daunting. In any case, you simply need somebody that will help you out or let you know what the subsequent transfer is. However right here’s the factor that stunned me most about what main label artists miss, it’s being scrappy. It’s the entire chaos of the on a regular basis that we will so typically take as a right. It’s why motion pictures and TV exhibits are made concerning the upstart of recent entrepreneurs. As a result of that messiness, as robust as it may be, IS the piece that makes us, that we thrive off, that we will develop from.

Signing to a label… it typically comes with extra polished assist but it surely additionally takes away that scrappiness that you simply as soon as thrived off of to create your artwork and reside life in your phrases–the way in which you dreamed it if you first began.

The power to easily reside their life the way in which they wish to….

You don’t understand how good you might have it till it’s gone. Typically, it feels such as you’re doing all the pieces you’ll be able to simply to get observed however on the flip facet, take into consideration the life you’re creating for your self. You get to play music. You get to play reside in entrance of people that consider in you. You get to attach with followers who genuinely love this factor you’ve created out of nothing–your artwork. Positive it could be good to have an even bigger finances, slightly assist, a roadmap, and also you’ll get there. However for now, take the time to get pleasure from that you simply get to reside your life precisely the way in which you need. 

And create the music they need

On the finish of the day, it’s concerning the music. If something is taking away from the creation of the music you actually wish to put into the world, it’s important to ask your self: is it value it? Is that this what I would like? And, what sort of life offers me the power to actually create a chunk of artwork I’m excited to share with the world?

As an indie artist, you get to do this. Each. Single. Day. And that’s fairly superb.

What do you’re keen on about being an indie artist?

Angela Mastrogiacomo is the founder and CEO of Muddy Paw PR the place artists have seen placements on Spotify, Different Press, American Songwriter, PopWrapped, & extra. She loves ice cream, actuality TV, and hanging together with her canine Sawyer.