The life of this independent artist
- June 5th, 2009
- Posted in personal blog
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Hello, I am in the process of converting this shared office into a full on A/V recording studio. There is enough space for that type of thing once my girlfriend is placed downstairs in her own new little office. This way we both win. I will have a nice area to record in. I can finish my instructional. She will have her own space and not be forced to listen to the same 5 seconds of audio looping for hours and hours when I am mixing.
I just fixed her computer up with some new parts and I am ready to take the next serious step in the career path of a musician. I already have the text and most of the video finished for the instructional and just need to put it all together in various formats for publication.
Now the sad truth about being independent…
I averaged my last four years of album sales, both physical and digital of all sorts. I was sad to notice that I averaged only a little over $6.00 a month in sales! People are not buying albums like they used to. It is a harsh reality that is very clear to me and the industry. My digital sales (downloads) are far exceeding physical sales. I stopped advertising my album over two years ago so it is nice to still have sales going. But I lack the funding to fully advertise at all. In fact I am losing money on the thing if you figure in the cost of my websites.
This is a warning to artists everywhere. The best bet is to play live shows. My problem is this, who would go to a live show for instrumental guitar? Is there even a decent audience for it in the live arena? I can sing, I have a singer, I have vocal songs that are radio friendly, and I love playing live shows. I am thinking about putting together an album of radio playable music that still highlights guitar in some ways. What would people think of this?
Just a little bit on my personal side.
I say go for it man… Look at Satriani’s recent escapades with Chickenfoot!
& Bring on the instructional! Really looking forward to it!
Take care,
Dave
Ireland.
Honestly I don’t understand how you’re not one of the most famous guitarists in the world. I heard Panic at the Disco needs a guitarist…
Think about Paul Gilbert. The instrumental CD’s are great. And his live shows mix the instrumental songs with some of his older songs that have vocals. Seems to works really well for him.
Also, I just found your instruction vids on youtube. Where can I find your CD’s. I would like to hear more of your playing.