Is it wrong to look at music as a career choice?

Question

I'm a musician, and I have been jamming with a band for a while. I have recently done some research on how to be a musician as a career. I won't go into detail about it, but the way I want to go about it isn't by getting a record deal and becoming famous. That was never my intention, because you might as well sell your soul to the devil. I was more interested in the new emergence of independent artists making plenty of income through selling their music independently of corporations through online markets, shows, and local record stores. I've tried to convey my views with my band mates and friends, and they took it as I wanted to be a sell out rock star. They couldn't be any more wrong. In any art form, artists will have to deal with the business aspect at some point in their career. Am I a sell out, because I look at the big picture?

Answer 1

there are no guaranteed paycheck jobs as a musician - you're basically self employed, and there are no guarantees you'll find enough people who like your music and will pay for it to support you without having another backup job - I imagine most "emerging new independent musicians" are barely making any money and it's not easy getting your music into record stores - they have limited space and if you're an unknown, they probably don;t want to take the risk

Answer 2

Your career is your choice.  Just be aware of the consequences.

Musicians, as a general rule, don't get rich.  Some hit it big, but for most, it's a hand-to-mouth life.

It's hard on family life - you're on the road a lot.

If you want to hedge your bets, get a regular job and do the music on the side - if your career takes off, you can always go into it full-time, but it's really handy to have that weekly check coming in.

Answer 3

it depends on what you do to make it as a star... if you are changing the MUSIC to fit what the company wants .. then yes you are a sell out..

if your music stays the same.. then no you are not..

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but be aware almost no one gets rich off of album income.. most musicians make enough on an album to pay for the creation of the album and nothing else... where musicians usually make money is touring to promote the album.... it is changing but the record industry is CAREFULLY manged to keep most of the cash OUT of the artists hands.