The dirty little secret

The dirty little secret is that it’s not even really a secret any more. There is a reason that companies like LIVE NATION and AEG LIVE are the largest companies in the music industry today. For years, the entertainment industry has been built on live performances. Through the  Evolution of technology, the one thing that has remained constant is that live performance is at the core of the majority artists revenue. From LPs, CDs, MP3s and now streaming, live performance usually plays a big part in generating revenue for an artist.

So with that said, you know where the money is, how do you plan to get to it?

How are you building a team to focus on mining this potential gold mine for the business of “YOU” as a performing artist? 

There is no need to reinvent the wheel, it has all been done before. Where you can be different is in your performance, where you are putting your talents on display.  

But a part of your talent needs to be in how you win the business in the first place. How you network, negotiate and strategize on what gig to take and not take. How much money you will charge and how much you will choose to leave on the table.  

All of this is part of the process too and each step can have your unique personality and flavour added to it. 

Lecrae & Andy Mineo - Coming in Hot

This dope track has been on repeat in my headphones 🎧  

Build it and they will come (Maybe/Maybe Not)

 Build it and they will come

This is the first myth that I believe is also a trap. We as artists and creatives can easily get sucked into the vortex of creating that we forget about everything else. Like food, water and the reason why we are creating this thing in the first place.

Most times if we are looking closely at the heart and motive of what we are creating it is often birthed out of a desire to share. To help someone else who feels, needs or wants something that we can give them. That is also why I believe it is so painful for a creative if no one buys or shows up to appreciate what we have labored on for so many hours. It feels like a rejection.

Often nobody knew that you were working so hard on your project to begin with and that they were invited to witness the journey and enjoy the fruits of your labor with you.

Build it and they will come - No they won’t.

Invite them. Remind them. Show them. Tell them then remind them again and then they might come. And when you are finished, learn from it and do it again.

Essentially this is what is at the heart of marketing. If people don’t know what you are doing, if what you are creating is not in the public’s eye how can they ever support you?

How can they share your story?

We all love sharing stories, so create your art and give people a reason to come.

Music And... (How Different Paths Lead to Greatness)

Recently I’ve been working on numerous projects, here is one that I am excited to share with you.

  

I am SUPER excited to be a part of this SXSW Panel.

There's still time to vote for this panel. If it gets enough votes, it has a stronger chance of being selected at the SXSW Music Festival 2019 in Texas USA. So if you are or know any artists or talented musicians that are doing music part time and would love to learn how to make a living from their art, this panel is for you. Share it!

Voting closes on the 30th August 2018.

How to Vote: 

1. Click the link and sign in, then create an account.

2. Verify your email

3. Use the same link to log in, hit the Vote Up button. When it turns green, YOUR JOB IS DONE and you can logout.

Click the below link to vote.

http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/82152 

GOOD THINGS ~ Benji Kruz ft E-man

#NewMusicFriday

#Benji Kruz  

#Eman

#GoodThings

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾  🔥🔥🔥

Thinking Chair

It doesn't really have to be fancy in order for you to get the job done.  

"If you want to be a writer and you don't know how or when; Find a quiet tree and use a humble pen" - Paul Simon

Or in our case... A highly connected, fully charged, picture taking, Super Computer that can fit into your pocket.  

Times may change, Technology may change, But the key principles of discipline, consistency and focus are fundamental laws that are timeless.  

Use what you have. Don’t always think you need more, because generations before you have achieved a lot more with a lot less so we have little excuse. 

Operate using the Bare Maximum.  

One Hit Wonder

One Hit Wonder

It is easier to consume than it is to create. It is easy to say that that show is terrible, or that song just isn’t good enough. That that coach needs to be fired or that player should be substituted.

Easy, from this side of the fence.

But when you are the player, the coach, the producer, the singer, the artist. The creator. Your job is to create. You’re not looking to be a shooting star a passing fad or a one hit wonder.

You create. You do it again and again and again. Not for them, not for you, but because it’s what you were created to do.

Stripped Bare

When you strip it down to its essence, what is it really?

Some major and minor chords put together, a couple of words on a page. A few ideas here and there.

But over time and done consistently those few items add up to create something marvelous.

It is then that you realize that in the hands of a skilled artist who has spent hours perfecting their craft those chords are made up of scales and a guitar becomes a beautiful instrument that can actually weep.

Words are able to bounce off a page to create poetry. A voice is able to reach through your speakers to give emotions and feelings to those words.

Stories can be told that interconnect to create a whole universe, like the Marvel Universe or the Star Wars Universe.

But they all started from small kernels in somebody’s mind.

And you are a somebody too.

So start with the bare necessities and go build something great.

Fork in the Road

The proverbial Fork in the Road 

It happens often, if we are wise enough to recognize it. Choosing a path leading down one road, means that you must forego the opportunities that are on another.

From the start of the year already I’ve had to make some tough choices for what I’ve felt would be for the greater good on my quest to doing this musi business thing full time. 

One of those tough choices, was choosing not to apply to go to South by Southwest, in order to focus on plans to build my business. That was a tough one for me as I have absolutely loved the experience of SXSW and all the energy, ideas and people that come with it.

But sacrifices must be made for long term gains. And nothing worthwhile comes without a cost. So while I juggle a full time project management job and keep my Side-Hustle running it’s inevitable that choices will have to be made that I may not always like but will be rewarding done the line.

Its like going to the gym, saving or eating healthy, Continually choosing the right path even if it doesn’t feel good in the moment can lead to big payoffs.

Question:

What are some tough choices you have had to make recently? 

Leave a comment below or hit me up on Twitter. I’d love to hear from you 

Wardrobe Malfunction

Zipper Action gets me every time 😂