One of the most widely asserted things about the music industry is that “it’s all politics.” While success in music industry is certainly based on who you know (for the most part), people often neglect to realize that not only does the rest of the world function this way, but they also don’t see that it’s actually quite easy to meet the right people if you play the game correctly.
Oftentimes, music is an emotional industry, and an industry filled with impatient people. People will often blame their surroundings for their lack of progress instead of viewing their situation critically, and this tends to create a general vibe of negativity with a lot of new artists, or artists that haven’t reached their full potential yet.
The most valuable thing you can have in this business (and in any business) are your connections, and the trust that you’ve built with them over the years. This doesn’t happen overnight - it takes years of consistent dedication and work, proving your value to those around you.
Generally, when artists get slots because of “connections”, there is a lot more to it than just knowing people. They know those people for a reason, and they are trusted to provide what they said they can provide. This is a critical understanding a lot of artists seem to miss.
That doesn’t mean that people don’t give their close friends or family members opportunities that others don’t get. Of course, that isn’t fair, and it’s certainly demotivating. However, it’s also important to understand that the majority of the music industry doesn’t work like this - if someone is in charge of something’s success, odds are that that success is more important to them than making their friends happy.
So, what can you do to meet the right people and get into the right circles? The answer is simple - you have to be consistent and you have to work hard at networking, on top of being at your best at whatever you do, whether you’re an artist, promoter, booking agent, or fill any other role in this industry.
The best way to make sure you keep yourself in check is to avoid making your self feel bad about not knowing the right people, and instead focusing on becoming the person that belongs in those circles. It’s not easy, but that’s also why this is one of the hardest industries to break into. Most people have known each other for years, trust goes a long way, and it takes time to build that up.
Most importantly, remember to never give up, and to know your worth without being arrogant. By hanging out with the right people, you’ll pick up exactly what you need in order to achieve music industry success. Now, it’s up to you to pave your own path, go forth and conquer!
