With the Ascent of Independent Artists, Established Musicians Share Insights on Music Industry Victories
Independent musicians are dominating the music scene, capturing over half of the global recorded music market in 2023, as per MIDiA Research. Yet, this phenomenon isn't without its challenges. Although artists can effortlessly establish a fanbase and launch music on streaming platforms without major label deals, managing and sustaining their careers calls for more savvyness.
Aspiring and seasoned musicians, along with those who work with them, can draw valuable insights from the latest publication, "Sound Advice: The Ultimate Guide To A Healthy And Successful Career in Music," authored by music journalist Rhian Jones and performance scientist Lucy Heyman (Shoreditch Press).
This comprehensive career, wellness, and performance handbook for musicians reveals unseen aspects of the music business. It covers topics such as enhancing performance skills, financial management, personal branding, and content creation, distribution, and rollout. The guide even delves into the mental and physical health woes that many musicians battle throughout their careers.
Musicians are infamous for battling musculoskeletal disorders and hearing and vocal problems. Now, they also grapple with stress in touring and social media spaces. The handbook presents strategies, advice, and resources to help musicians cope with stress, manage their health, and create successful, enduring careers. Heyman and Jones have expertise in music tour cancellations and mental health and addictive issues in the music industry.
As Heyman explains, health issues can hinder musicians from doing what they love, but with the right guidance and advice, many of these problems can be prevented. Thus, the publication aims to provide musicians with all the necessary information to avoid issues, perform at their best, and enjoy long and healthy careers.
According to the Musicians' Union, financial worries and unstable work patterns are the primary causes of musicians' depression. A 2019 study by Swedish digital platform Record Union revealed that 73% of independent musicians deal with mental illness, with the percentage rising to 80% among independent artists aged 18-25.
Touring musician and clinician Adam Ficek states that the book's section on social media's negative impact is particularly relevant in the current situation. Given the growing evidence supporting the harmful effects of social media addiction, the book provides unique solutions to tackle this modern conundrum.
Streaming has made music more accessible, but it also intensifies competition with over 120,000 new songs added to streaming services daily. Even hit tracks grapple with low streaming royalty rates. Furthermore, the surge in social media platforms necessitates unpaid time for profile management. As a result, touring is now mostly unaffordable for artists in the post-pandemic era. Additionally, new technologies like AI and VR offer potential collaborations but carry copyright and creative risks.
Heyman observes that achieving success is becoming increasingly challenging, with Grammy-nominated artists taking an average of 8.6 years between their debut single release and the nomination, and 5 years between the release of their debut album (or mixtape). In contrast, the average was 3.4 years for the debut single and 1.6 years for the debut album in 2015.
The publication features exclusive interviews with leading researchers, health experts, business executives, and artists, such as Laura Mvula, Imogen Heap, and Wayne Hector. Additionally, artists like MNEK, Nina Nesbitt, Lauren Aquilina, Ella Eyre, Will Young, Jonathan Higgs, and Lady Leshurr offer their insights. Furthermore, global music stars like Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys, Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato, Ed Sheeran, JoJo, Lily Allen, Amanda Palmer, Matty Healy, Gary Numan, James Blake, George Ezra, Shirley Manson, and Loyle Carner share their advice.
Major record labels like Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Music Group have shown support for the book. Notably, the original UK edition in 2021 gained endorsements from Live Nation, Universal Music UK, Sony Music UK, Warner Music UK, IFPI, Spotify, Hipgnosis Songs, Vevo, PRS for Music, Polydor Records, and PPL.
Heyman and Jones launched the international book release and speaking engagements with music industry coach Marni Wandner in New York City and Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) president Michelle Ballantyne in Washington, D.C.
This guide, "Sound Advice," provides essential tips for both 'indie artists' and 'music stars', offering insights on topics like financial management, performance skills, and mental health (Referring to the comprehensive handbook for musicians).
The book's section on social media's impact is of significant importance to 'music stars' and 'indie artists' alike, as they navigate the challenges posed by social media addiction in the contemporary music scene (Referring to the handbook's unique solutions to combat social media addiction).
