85% jaded

I remember clearly the first question I was asked while sitting in front of my first real music industry exec. He said to me, "So have you been jaded by the industry yet?" I had to answer honestly. (Partly because he hadn't done anything to earn a famously crafted Jared lie, but mostly because I had no reason to lie...mostly)

"No sir, I'm not jaded yet. But I'm looking forward to it." (Good one, I thought. Way to throw in some humor) We talked for a while about the more boring points of the business. You know the ones. They have absolutely nothing to do with music.

Finally it was time to show him what I could do. He had heard the mp3's I had sent him, now it was time to prove I was just as good live as I am recorded. I pulled out Miss Taylor (I named my guitar. I know its lame but so what) and began playing through what I considered my top 6 songs. I could tell he was impressed. But this is where things began decelerate the "I'm going to get a record deal right now" train. He started telling me how talented I was...

(quick side note to all aspiring artists, every industry exec tells you how talented you are. Its part of the game.)

...but that the major record labels now days aren't so concerned with talent. They worry much more about how many units you can move.

I thought to myself, "Fair enough, they are after all in the business of making money, are they not?."

"In fact," He continued. "Many labels now days don't offer artist development anymore. Basically, you need to prove you are successful on your own before major labels will even look at you."

This was not good news to me at all. You see, I had recently moved from Michigan to California and hadn't really established a west coast following yet. To put it plainly, I was smack dab in the middle of square one.

Right then I was hit with an epiphany. "Once I get myself to a point where the labels will look at me, why wouldn't I just take myself to market instead of giving away so much to a record label that did nothing to help me get to this point?" I said just thinking out loud.

He squirmed uneasily and I felt like perhaps I had hit a nerve. "Well," He said. "That is the state of the industry right now and that is why major labels are dying out."

We talked a little while longer, he wished me the best, gave me his card, and we parted ways.

As I pondered and poured over how the meeting went I began to realize how truly alone I was. If I was going to pursue my dream of playing music I would have to go about it as an 'Indie Artist'.

To date, I have been through several management companies and agents. I have tangoed with the sharks and the shysters and if I could have that first conversation over again and he asked me, "So have you been jaded by the industry yet?" I would answer proudly (and with gumption) "I am approximately 85% jaded."

I still reserve some room for optimism. Not everyone in the business is out to get you, just most of them. But that's what makes this journey so sweet. Its you vs the world. David vs Goliath. You're music vs the industry. Talent vs. Trendy. (That last one was for you, American Idol)

The fans know there is a difference between good music and that other shit that's out there. The industry is changing quickly and though the road is not getting any easier, the playing field is becoming a lot more even these days.