Tips, Tools, and Info 1
Useful ideas, insights, and interesting items for your success in music
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Since music and tech are forever connected…
- 12 Things Everyone Should Understand About Tech from Anil Dash
- Facebook-quitting advice from a professional internet quitter by Paul Miller at The Verge
And a story about the power of music:
- Beyonce and the End of Respectability Politics (May require a subscription)
How to accomplish more in 30 days than most people do in 365
What are you getting approval for that is not serving you? Who is giving you approval that does not serve you? Why are you seeking this approval? What is this costing you?
If you’re saying “YES” to the wrong things, it’s because you’re seeking approval from the wrong people. If you’re trying please everyone, you’ll end up pleasing no one. Without question, you’ll not end up pleasing yourself and those closest to you.
Read the full article here.
The Enduring Power of Otis Redding’s ‘Dock of the Bay’
Did you know that only a handful of performers have reached No. 1 with a single after their deaths, including John Lennon, Janis Joplin and the Notorious B.I.G.? The first person to do it was the soul singer Otis Redding, who died in a plane crash in late 1967 at 26 and topped the charts for four weeks the following March and April with a beautifully melancholy song, “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay.”
Back in January the New York Times had an in-depth, behind the scenes story about this special song and the amazing artist who died way too young. “Dock of the Bay” emerged from a period of Redding’s life when he was going through dramatic transitions; had he lived, it might well have been remembered as the beginning of the second half of his career. In early 1967, Redding had made a name as the biggest star on the Stax label and the author of “Respect,” a song commandeered by Aretha Franklin. He was also famed for his electrifying performances, which were expanding beyond the R&B circuit.
It’s a long read full of insights into the working of the music industry and the people involved. Read the full article here. Subscription may be required.
Why the Most Productive People Don’t Always Make the Best Managers
Stick with me here…this has a LOT to do with being a successful musician.
This Harvard Business Review article is worth the read if you’d like to ever make music with other people. It’s full of insights about the difference between being a great singer/player/songwrtier – what it calls an “individual contributor” – and a band member or band leader or gigging/collaborating musician of any kind – the “manager”.
Even if you NEVER want to lead a band it’s well worth the time to check this out. Everything in music requires working with people and the points about collaboration, communication, and supporting other’s development are so important to know. Translate the “business speak” into musician speak and you’ll learn a ton.
Read the full article here.
And by the way, developing the ability to translate “business speak” into musician speak is a skill I highly recommend. There is very little written to musicians about building and maintaining careers, building and maintaining business relationships, working together, communication, etc. etc. However, there is an endless supply of this material in the business world. Look it up and learn, learn, learn.
I hope you've found this collection of tips, tools, and ideas useful for your success in music.
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