Why No-one Is Listening To Your Music - And How To Change That
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ก.ค. 2024
- I get many emails and messages from musicians asking for advice on how to get their music heard by a wider audience in today's changed music industry. Local radio, street teams and half-empty gigs no longer work... So what does?
Join the inner circle to get access to perks:
/ @jameshargreavesguitar
Many images and videos in my TH-cam content have been found online without any attribution or credit available. In many cases I have therefore not been able to add a credit in the videos themselves due to lack of information. If your image or video has been used and a credit is required, please email me with your details and evidence of authorship and a credit will be added into the video description.
Many thanks, JH.
James you’re an absolute credit to yourself and should be proud of how much you’ve achieved. Your content resonates with me as Oasis and The Stone Roses are my favourite bands along with The Beatles. Your content is mega. Thanks
Absolutely spot on. I don’t think anyone ever discovered new music by just stumbling on it, unless it was a live gig, or maybe John Peel. I did exactly what you said. I wrote 9 songs, uploaded them using Distrokid to Spotify et al, and a few people listened, I got a great sense of achievement, and that was it. I got a couple of tracks played on the radio, which was great, but I realised I didn’t want to do all the promo stuff. So I just keep making music, for me, and I’m happy. The “ like me” brigade, got on my pip. It seemed like, everyone followed everyone else, so you were never reaching an audience outside other musicians.
And that’s exactly why I have bought your EP’s: you’ve been giving me hours of entertaining and insightful videos on music (and Oasis), it was a pleasure for me to give something back to you. Pleasure also because your songs are very good. Keep up the great work!
Fair play to you James. I didn’t know what to make of you when I first started watching your videos. Now I watch your content as you release it.
James, this video is so helpful! I want to make it in music with my band and I have a TH-cam channel already and now I’m gonna use it to try and get into a position like yours, so thank you!!!
A very timely video reminder that making music is a job with some perks attached, after a lot of time and effort! keep up the good work James, cheers, Simon.
Very insightful, and makes a lot of sense.
Many albums and tracks I've lost in that void you speak of.
James - recently discovered your channel and your music! Wonderful! Sitting On A Rooftop is a great tune BTW. Bravo!
Perfectly described. We fell into every pot hole you described and only now getting the snowball to roll! Your videos never fail to entertain and surprise!
Sound advice James, great to see your YT Channel growing. It’s inspired me to make a go of mine. I love Instagram and have found some
amazing musical talent on there but getting a bit sick of random people like Beats Ltd following me then asking to collaborate, checking their page out and it’s full of mumble rappers!! Like WTF??!! (By the way I love ‘Ol Skool hip hop 😂) All the best 👍🏻
Some great wisdoms here James. I am doing all my promotion online at present, mainly growing my TH-cam channel. This is also partially because I don't have a band at present after releasing a solo album, which I recorded all by myself. Having said that, when I was in bands in the past, we gigged a lot both in the UK and overseas and we built a lot of connections through that too. It all depends but I think that online presence and promotion is definitely a must these days. I personally don't find the promotional activities to be a chore though. I think they are fun too. I actually think that they are part and parcel of being a musician. Especially if you want to do it full time. Whatever you do though, as you say, having a strategy is key.
Absolutely agree. I watched an interview with Noel Gallagher and he said that basically, in this day and age, if you have talent you will be famous. Everything is right at our fingertips. We can do it all ourselves.
So, the big question was/is, where are all the great guitar rock bands today? That part was probably answered by Noel, with his usual astute observation and quick wit. But I only watched 2 or 3 minutes of what seemed like a much longer interview.
He did mention that if you have a good chorus, you’re good to go (something like that).
But I’ll look for the rest of that interview. He was fielding questions from the crowd.
But anyway, yeah, it’s all up to us musicians and songwriters to keep putting our music out there and try our best to keep rock music alive.
On a side note, I’d like to hear your songs. And if you would like to play with a seasoned bass player, I’ve been playing for a very very long time and I’m looking for a gig. 😉
Obviously we both love Oasis if we’re on James’s channel here. I’m in America and trying to find musicians who love Britpop/British rock is next to impossible.
I’m still mad for it! Cheers!
@@beyondthehorizon75 Thanks for your reply. I'm always on a lookout for good musicians, especially that the formula I run these days is slightly different. What I mean by that is that I am open to collaboration with various musicians and not necessarily calling it a band. Say, for example, when I come to play in the States (I am UK based), I may need a bass player who could jump on a tour with me. I also invite various musicians to record with me. Now when it comes to my music taste you may be surprised that, even though I am based in Manchester, I have never been an actual Oasis fan as such. I watch James's videos because I like his delivery and how much time and energy he puts into researching his topics. In the 90's I was aware of the whole Britpop scene but at the time I developed a taste for heavier styles, for example hardcore, metal and punk. Having said that, I have also been listening to other genres from rock to reggae to funk and so on. My solo work is an amalgamation of genres on the first record but on the second album (being written now), it is going to be much more rock orientated. And yes, I like a good chorus too. Something that people can join in. Here are a couple of examples of what I do: th-cam.com/video/Yr13jyqCE9I/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/FUFmZqpmfpA/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/vDf_j2e1XsU/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/hNUQH1ohI9k/w-d-xo.html Let me know what you think. Cheers.
What I like about you James, you like to help and give back. We got our music played on loads of underground stations thanks to your list a while back. So, thank you.
I've got an EP that's nearly done, so this advice is gold! Trying to build a YT channel as well, but quite small atm. Thanks again James, always look forward to your videos.
Another stellar video, mate. Obviously, this reminds me of my email to you - thank you for your reply. AND, I'm now a member of the Inner Circle. Take my money, sir. Take it!
Cheers Lee and welcome aboard!
Come join us in the members-only facebook group too if you fancy
facebook.com/groups/jameshargreaves
Yes James. Great video. I agree completely.
This was a great video, I can’t believe it doesn’t have more views!
Loved this video - again another gem! X 😎🙌🎶
I'll take this to the heart, Mr Hargreaves. I'll release my first EP this month and I'm struggling with the promotion on social media, but after this video I'll try harder to engage my public. Thank you for this video!
Legend mate. Top advice that I shall implement immediately in the DRL Band! 🍻
Just make your best music. Don't expect anything. End.
I personally love the promo side of things, would love to get into that industry
Thanks James!
I spent 20 years playing toilets up and down the country, It's only when I managed to get a decent recording and plugged it all over social media relentlessly that I started to get a bit of recognition. You get bands that sit on their arses thinking it will all come to them but you really have to put the effort in.
What an insightful piece, James. No words to describe how phenomenal this advice is. This is now gospel to me 🙏🏼
Great video again man
Cracking video as always!
Really great points mate! You have done some really amazing work. Lottery Ticket is class :)
Always great videos James
This is literally how I discovered your music. As I’m sure you’re aware. You’re not silly James, the tunes are good and the Oasis content is always top notch.
Clever strategy, like it
Class video again! Can’t believe I didn’t realise what vampires was about! I love that tune
Nailed it James 👏🏼👏🏼
You are Right, as small label i find this very helpfull. Muchas gracias
If you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything, persistence pays of!
Please keep making these top stuff James, and HArgreaves records is going to get many demos!
Great video. I think you should run promo clips for your songs/gigs at the end of your videos.
I've been watching for a while and only vaguely aware of how active you are in releasing new stuff/gigging.
It's never been an easier period in time to make your own music, and it all can be done from the comfort of your own home where you can share your creation to the whole world. SoundCloud has been responsible for countless artists getting exposure and eventually getting signed to labels, something that would be totally absurd just twenty years ago. We are truly blessed in that regard that with streaming platforms we have access to music that we never would have never discovered otherwise.
Interesting stuff. However, some people do just want to make and perform music, not make endless videos about other things. It's certainly important to build a personal connection with their followers on (the essential) social media, but you don't necessarily need to side-line the music production. At current the main factor is still gigging. An audience is more invested in a live act.
Meh…as with everything, it’s all nuance.
It’s true that giving is most important, along with growing trust, in almost anything. When I was starting out as an industry consultant, I did small pieces of work, pro Bono, over & again, before I was regularly asked to take on larger assignments & join scientific advisory boards. There’s no worse strategy than calling people up, giving them a spiel, and pitching for projects , to get ignored.
thanks for great advice james, you’re really like our wise rock n roll dad 😂
Hahahahahahahahaha thanks JS I'll take that! lol
As an American Blur fan, TH-cam recommended me your channel for some reason. I'm really not an Oasis fan at all (huge surprise) though I recognize the catchiness of their hit songs. I really enjoy your channel though because of your personality and how you tell stories. So cheers to you from a Blur fan who thinks those Gallagher boys are silly.
blur fan here too...i didn't like oasis at all, even if they had some good songs!!!
Everything you said I honestly knew deep down anyway but the fear of just becoming another number and nothing special haunts me.
Even The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix have less Spotify streams than random pop artists that people will probably forget in a few years. There are just so many people in the world, everyone is "just a number" in the grand scheme of things if you look at it that way. But if you make songs you love and that sound great to you, you'll find people who find it resonates with them and they'll love it too! And that will bring a lot of meaning to your life. You will be special to your fans, no matter how big or small your fanbase is. And you'll leave behind a musical legacy for more to discover even years after you're gone.
Hi James, I really love your channel and think it has amazing content. This video is gonna help me and my friend a lot with our music. Could you maybe do a video on Beady Eye please? I'd really like to hear your opinion on them.....
If you keep doing something you get better at it. People should remember that too 😁
Here to figure this out.
Went to an art careers talk recently and the absolute #1 piece of advice they gave was to fully utilise social media; doesn't matter if you find it superficial, if you don't use it you're working against yourself.
Its saturated
Another problem is 90% of stuff is not good enough. You can get all the promotional stuff right and so on but if the music isn’t good enough and if the songs aren’t good enough then it doesn’t matter if your Logan Paul or some other famous person, you will flop (atleast musically)
That secret chord was one of the first videos that I discovered.
Speaking of promotion, theres a cracking scottish band that have come out of west lothian recently (same area as the snuts) called the katuns. I havent heard anything as good as their debut single "Friend like you" in ages - amazing hendrix style rhythms, great lyrics and super strong melodies - huge potential. I bet theyd be happy to have an interview with you if you approached them on instagram!
While i am scottish i assure you i am not one of them doing undercover promo... as much as id like to be
James can you do a video on the great Britpop band The Long Pigs
How do I send you demos pal?
The original script for "Yesterday" he wasn't successful and the movie was a critique of the fact that so much more goes into it. Marketing, time and place etc. Should have kept it that way.
Wow never knew that! Much better script.
Listen to AC/DC’s it’s a long way to the top, the lyrics are exactly what you’re saying
It’s often a fight and a struggle but some nights you get that gig or that review that makes it all worthwhile 👍
I’d get sacked from my day job if they knew how much time I spent doing stuff on social media to promote our band 🤣🤣
There's a band called The Mysterines. They just released their first album. Fantastic music but they have don't have a following. Their TH-cam channel has only 4k followers. Would love to see them blow up.
They have 300,000 monthly listeners on spotify
Thank you for introducing me to the mysterines - looked them up after seeing your comment and instant fan. Need to catch them live
@@gg2950 I love them. I bought their CD to be shipped to the States. I don't even have a CD player in my house. But I wanted to support them instead of streaming. I'll blast it in my Car.
@@CasperLD good idea. I will order CD
I think the stadium rock days, especially when the last of the 90s bands, the bands I grew up on & that inspired me BTW, are gone, it'll be theatres, maybe the smaller, 5,000 seat venues being the thing. Could be wrong though.
I guess the question is, when established: Do you keep the releases to 1 platform too? You only did Spotify, right?
Bands also die in the claws of the music industry.
It must be a graveyards of good ones, lost to history.
Great advice in this video, I guess if people don't set the bar too high they can just do music for fun, being famous would be too much drama
3:47 "Since the time of the Arctic Monkeys" Man I remember at the time how there was all this noise that they were like this internet band. Seems strange now, but they just got HYPED soooo much just from the internet before they'd even released a song you KNEW about them. First time I'd ever known anything like it tbh and clearly pretty much everyone else too. That's why they came on the first ever single they released like "We're Arctic Monkeys DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!" Like as if to say "Woah calm down people, don't hype us up TOO much or people will expect too much" lol I think Arctic Monkeys is a GREAT name for a band. The guitarist came up with it, but bellend Turner says it's a shite name for a band (he IS a bellend nowadays btw, loved him when he was a down to earth Sheffield lad not a Teddy Boy in leathers with an Elvis hairdo ffs).
Why do I have the nagging feeling that we've met James? Have you spent any time in Lancashire? Or the Algarve? Gran Canaria? Castilla y León?
God, you couldn't be any more right. I thought people would appreciate it more, and appreciate being around each other more coming out of COVID. But what we're dealing with here is a very cynical and impossible group of civilians. This frustrates me more and more every day.
Bring back john peel
I.remember when he played teen spirit loads of huge bands as indie darlings
Early james singles are fab
So I need to start filming rehearsals? Put clips on tiktok and that
Anyone got any content ideas?
Taking back the charts is an interesting idea for sure. I’m definitely intrigued and will be watching your progress, James.
But can it really be done? Hmm, I’m not so sure about that.
I have to admit I’m sceptical. Sorry, mate, but I am. I really would love it to happen. I’d love to see great bands aplenty in popular culture again. But I just don’t think it’s as simple as manipulating the charts.
I think culture is much more complicated than that. It results from socio-economic developments and has a life of its own. It can’t be triggered by any individual, or even a small group of individuals.
Even the Beatles were a product of something much bigger than themselves. They didn’t create the cultural movement that threw them to the dizzy heights of fame. They were a product of it. They were the result of everything else that was going on in society.
And it wasn’t sudden either. It took time to develop. Its roots were in previous periods of development. The Beatles era sprang from what had gone before.
Take Oasis as another example. Oasis could only exist as a cultural phenomenon because of specific conditions and previous developments.
Take away the Stone Roses and Oasis never exist. Take away the low level of political awareness of the nineties and Oasis never exist. Take away the music press of the time and Oasis never exist. Take away the high social focus on escapism during that period and Oasis never exist.
There are so many variables involved. It’s a complex picture. But it’s much more objective than subjective.
It wouldn’t matter how much Noel wanted it if none of the other factors were in place. Oasis still wouldn’t exist.
So, although I support what you’re doing and want you to succeed, I really don’t think the time is right.
Things have shifted a great deal since the 90’s. Something else is occurring in popular culture. We are not going to see a repeat of Oasis or anything similar.
This isn’t good news for those of us who were part of the 90’s and have a nostalgic outlook.
But it’s a fact nevertheless.
Then stay on the sidelines while those of us with a set on us make moves
@@theelement6255 it’s a fantasy - but it’s one I’m definitely interested in. Good luck.
I couldn't agree more with this. I just subbed. I think you've hit the nail on the head on all points. I was told about 15/20 years ago by. Local producer that ifaband or artist doesn't have the songs, they won't get anywhere. Songs songs songs. It's bollocks. There has to be something extra and what I sometimes call "plus alpha"about a band. I recently left a partnership that we were making as a band with a story, "media group" but the other guy (ironically who was the "creator" of said project) couldn't put in the work or drive to get the stuff he'd talk with me about for ever into reality. I couldn't do everything on my own and it was just a bad vibe as far as feeling creative for me. We'd make a video, he'd out it up on social media and leave it whilst I was trying to promote it as best I can. Thanks for this video, real food for thought. You're a gent
The entire 1st half I already knew...but did it anyway. WHY? Because the impression is out there you almost have to have tunes on Spotify. I also followed all the other advice of Do every social media possible. That became a mental strain and broke me down. I have been targeting just TH-cam with a little Facebook to share videos to....but avoid this mistake. Do not pay to spread your TH-cam videos. You will get clicks and they will watch 15 seconds it will bury you in the algorithm and all the TH-cam recommends will disappear overnight
I make music for me. If someone likes it, that’s a bonus. I can’t make music for other people. I also don’t like self-promotion.
I actually turned down a slot on ‘The Last Leg’ because I felt uncomfortable with the nature of the show. I thought they might distort the message in my song.
I did do an interview with Radio 2, however, and they were true to their word and didn’t turn my song or spoken words into something else.
My song, which I wrote in ten minutes and have never properly recorded, got thousands of views on You Tube in a short space of time.
Then nothing.
Nothing ever again.
And I don’t really care.
same with me...even if i had no promotion at all, i don't care about money or audience...i am satisfied that i made something when i wanted to do it, expressing myself.
Lewis Capaldi is a great example of the fan engagement and releasing music balance. His music is pretty average but because he’s funny as fuck and ‘one of the lads’ we’ve bought into him.
Arctic monkeys
Smiths and the brilliant covers
Word of mouth
Klf how to make a number one record
Stop playing call of duty...(computer games) great advice.. so is give instead of beg... if you started talking about your music i wouldnt have listened.. i just enjoyed ur channel... and you seemed genuinly interested in music... anyway.. im sure we've met. Have you ever lived in Kignston or Kent?
EVERYONE WHO HAS LIKED THIS VIDEO: Buy an album of James's and we could make him 10s of thousands of dollars in one day. Lets do it. It's 10 dollars or less for each of us.
:)
The problem with this advice though is by just being active on social media the image generally is not cool and all the mystic around you fades …. Gig, get some good supporting shows if possible and if you’re any good word of mouth will slowly possibly put you on the map
Social media is as hit as miss as anything ..
I wish you hadn't trusted youtube. They better pay you your due
Was that the arcric monkeys? Absolutely terrible.