Well, at Mitch's urging I thought I'd share an update on my journey through the maze of publishing, writing, and performing from this chic's point of view. Here's a bit about the good, the bad, and what I've learned over the last few months of pursuing a music career. The Good: Despite my battle with performance anxiety, I did manage to get together with some very cool local talent and have two of my songs recorded demo-style . . .
. . . . It came off very well. Not only did I benefit from these musicians input, but I've made some very good friends. The MichiganBands crowd has been very supportive, and thank'you to those special guys who set aside their time to help me out. I have had very positive feedback from other local entities on the content of my music and my vocal ability!
Marla Swartz of Eldar Entertainment has also been a value source of support and know- how in this industry. I'm finding it pays to listen to those seasoned in the biz; you might not always like what you hear, but if you listen you learn.....
Hippiechic tip #1: Educate yourself!!! Border's Books must love me! There's a wealth of information on publishing and "How-To's" for musicians. I highly recommend the 2003 Songwriter's Market . If I get a publishing deal, at least I'll know the terminology and basics of how it all works.
The Bad: Song critiqueing services can be a headache. I have sent one particular song in 5 times and get 5 different critiques back - all very different. I'm not ready to write this service off completely, but I have to take it in stride. The focus of negative feedback all surrounds the titles of my songs, and Im seeing that at least Taxi puts great weight on a country tune's title.
Publishers that want to publish you....you'd better check them out! Check out their current catalog, did they publish a hit a decade ago? Do they push the material in thier catalog? Are their so called contacts weak at best? At first I was so geeked to get my songs published I wouldnt have cared who did it, I just wanted to say "I'm published" Now a few months into this, I'm being careful who I let listen to my music; after all, what's some cigar smoking dinosaur with a Nashville P.O box gonna do with my song?
The high points:
I have made one great contact with a well known producer in country music, as I tiptoe carefully, he has taken my unsolicited submission. Now I can only hope...
Do you write country? Join NSAI!
I've been invited to perform a few of my originals to open up for some local well know acts here, and have had musicians I greatly admire offer help.....have I performed yet? well a few open mikes here and there, I am scared I have to say. I think its a bar phobia..I never have problems at weddings...But the bar scene scares the pants off me..Standing up there singing my songs-that have meaning only I could ever know, releasing them out to an audience who at any given time good start a resounding boo-fest....I'm leaning towards taking up an offer to do a few at a very small bar in pontiac, atleast untill I get into that comfort zone.
Thankyou all ( and you know who you are) for helping me along this creative journey-this chic still believes!!!!!
- hippiechic