@Dredd:

I am reassured that you do in fact exist On occasion I fear we are just playthings of a higher power with a sick sense of humour.

I think in the context of what we’re doing here, an artist “needs” an audience that supports his efforts. I’m sure it’s the financial reliance that was being referred to.

In the same light, the audience “needs” to have artists as well.

Happy New Year!

Sentence should read ..

( one that earned me a scholarship at the
Chicago Conservatory of Music, I turned it down .. me=idiot )

Hmm, I have to disagree with the previous consensus.
A musician is a musician, whether or not an audience exists or
appreciates his work. Very few have ever heard any of my classical
piano compositions ( one that earned me a scholarship and the
Chicago Conservatory of Music, turned it down .. me=idiot ) and
that doesn’t mean I am any less musician or artist and I can say
that I do, in fact exist.

You can’t make a living without an audience, however. That’s the difference.

As for how one defines ‘making a living’, that’s each individuals own idea.

Thanks for sounding off. It’s nice to here from a FAC artists that is not inured in the system.

@Inky:

Certainly not!

And, hopefully the reverse won’t happen here, either!

“I genuinely hope the debate continues productively as I think we will make it workable in the end. Can musicians without an audience truly be said to exist?!”

It will, and they can’t.

Cheers, mate, and all the best to you in the new year as well …

… and to everyone else, of course …

I posted back in October about how ultimately I make music because I love to but that if I want to attempt to ‘earn a living’ from it, I accept that it is my responsibility to do so. What’s this got to do with anything? Well, I’m on that list. Karl Harrison. That’s me

I went to the FAC meetings so my disclaimer is also that I speak solely for myself here. Primarily I don’t want to be shot (metaphorically speaking) for saying anything either attributable to the FAC or not representative of whoever else and so on.

A little background might be useful. I’m not a major label artist, my manager and I set up our own little thing just to get my stuff out there. First 5 track EP just out as a download and I’m aiming for a double album download thingy in March 2010. Ooooh, get me. I *think* there are quite a few people on the list in the same boat, just trying to do their thing and as Indianna says, get your attention.

At the very first meeting back in Feb 2009, Billy said something that really caught my ear, something like “We don’t want to be in a situation in 10 years time when artists are not able to earn a living from doing what they love.” At the time, I thought, “I fear we already are.” There were a lot of murmurs about how illegal downloading was killing music, what was the future of music, other creative endeavours and ultimately what would that mean for our cultural heritage etc.

At subsequent meetings, including the Air Studios one, Billy’s emphasis (as he has re-iterated here) was on the desire to not criminalize file sharing but to establish a workable means whereby ‘artists’ are still able to ‘earn a living’.

I don’t think it’s right of me to postulate on what the major label or government points of view are because, quite simply, I don’t know enough to do so. Better to be silent and thought an idiot than to open my mouth and prove it, right? Or whatever the quote is. Maybe I’m too late already

For me, as an indie musician (the term ‘artist’ I’m still coming to terms with) this whole shebang has been a massive learning curve. I’ve chatted with Steve Lawson via his blog and he’s a fine example of someone doing his own thing and making it work for him. He’s dismissive of the FAC but that didn’t stop him from giving me a ton of advice to try and help me find my own way. Lovely bloke (and a great bass player!)

As I said in my October post, I absolutely accept it is my responsibility if I want to ‘earn a living’ as a musician. As I learn more, yep, I realise there’s more than one way to skin a cat, session work, co-writing and ultimately, releasing my own stuff. That’s what floats my boat, that’s what keeps me up until 2 in the morning and that’s why I’ve just quit my day job. Life’s too short not to However, somewhere along the line on a purely practical level, I will need to earn *something* from what I do to be able to continue doing it. A simple (if painful heh, heh, heh) economic truth.

Now if it transpires that actually I suck and everyone thinks my work is worthless, I’ll take that on the chin. “So it goes,” as Kurt Vonnegut used to say. If, on the other hand some nutcase is actually willing to pay to hear me sing and play my guitar, then great. I should be able to take advantage of that (in the altruistic sense). As I go on, I’m sure I’ll learn exactly how.

My perception on leaving the FAC meetings was that ultimately, that’s what we were collectively, in the simplest way, trying to achieve. I fully appreciate how that may not come across (and feel free to question my naivete), given the presence of major label artists who have (in some people’s eyes) ‘made their millions’ but, as another guy at the Air meeting said, “Most people have no idea of how much it actually costs to keep a band going.” That is an unavoidable reality and, speaking personally, I absolutely do not think I’m owed a living just because I’m one of those awkward and pretentious creative types

*Perhaps* the perception at the FAC that came across was one of fear that the creation of music (and any other artistic endeavour) was soon to be considered worthless and that the reactionary ‘old guard’ was keen to just keep counting their royalties? Consequently, the FAC sought punitive measures to support the status quo?

Apologies as I tend to waffle. I’m still learning. Be gentle

Aside from all that, I genuinely hope the debate continues productively as I think we will make it workable in the end. Can musicians without an audience truly be said to exist?!

Wishing you all the best for 2010 and keep up the good work.