Significant Shifts in the Music Industry
Since I started, the music industry has seen significant transformations. One of the most notable shifts has been the rise of the Spotify business model, which has revolutionized music consumption. Artists no longer rely solely on physical sales or radio play to reach their audience. With a Spotify artist profile, musicians can directly engage with listeners, track their performance analytics, and tailor their marketing strategies.
The Spotify business model offers artists tools to understand their audience better. Through data and analytics available on their Spotify artist profile, artists can see which songs are performing well, where their listeners are located, and demographic information. This data-driven approach allows artists to make informed decisions about their marketing and promotional efforts.
Additionally, the democratization of music production has been a game-changer. Affordable recording equipment and software have empowered independent artists to produce high-quality music from home studios. This shift has leveled the playing field, allowing more artists to enter the industry without the backing of major labels.
Another notable change is the role of social media in music promotion. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have become essential tools for artists to build their brand and connect with fans. Viral trends and challenges can propel a song to international fame overnight, something unimaginable in the pre-digital era.
Major Obstacles
One of the major obstacles I faced early in my music career was dealing with an unreliable studio. The first studio I went to caused significant setbacks. Despite making all necessary edits and highlighting fixes, they managed to mess things up. Ten days after dropping my album, I discovered a beat tag that was supposed to be removed was still present in the song. This issue likely arose due to file corruption, which caused me to overlook the beat tag while focusing on my vocals. Frustrated by their incompetence and driven by a need to deliver quality, I left that studio.
I moved to a new studio where we undertook extensive work on the track. It took almost a year to fix due to my busy schedule and ongoing projects. Finally, I got a fixed and final audio version of the track. I re-uploaded the album without anyone noticing the change. Now, it sounds even better than the original, and the album remains permanently available on all streaming services.
Creative Process
My creative process varies greatly and is influenced by the type of music I am into at a given moment and the emotions I am feeling when writing. Sometimes a beat plays, and it feels right to start writing to it. Other times, finding the first bar is challenging, but once I have it, the rest of the song flows naturally.
Technical Aspects
Regarding technical aspects, certain equipment and technology are indispensable for my music creation. I rely heavily on tools like Filmora and ClipChamp for video editing. Filmora is essential for adding finishing touches to videos, while ClipChamp is useful for video resizing and other adjustments.
This year, I began using the Neumann U 87 condenser microphone for new projects. This microphone is renowned for its accurate sound reproduction, craftsmanship, and advanced technology. The Neumann U 87 has significantly enhanced the quality of my recordings, contributing to the polished sound of my tracks.