“Making Your Own Name In The Music Industry” plus 9 more


Making Your Own Name In The Music Industry

Posted: 03 Feb 2020 01:00 AM PST

Making your name in the music industry can be something that is difficult to do. In the music industry, there is always a lot of competition going on. Here are some tips and tricks that you can use to help you reach success in the music industry.

 

Steps to Make Your Own Name in the Music Industry:

 

1.) The first tip to help you make your own name in the music industry is to make sure that all of your performances are creative and unique. Being a good musician is not easy, and coming up with your performances is not easy either, but with hard work and a lot of thinking you can make it work. One of the best times that you can express and connect with your audience is through your live performances because this is when you will be able to show your audience what your music is all about. 

 

As someone in the music industry, your job is to entertain your audience and to maintain them engaged through the entire performance. You do not want them to get bored and to leave halfway through your performance. This is why making sure that you are being creative with your music and your dance is so important. It is advised that you practice on stage before your actual performance so that you can make sure that you know the steps and the right beats to your performance.

2.) Another important thing to keep in mind when you’re trying to make your own name in the music industry is to make sure that everything that comes from you is coming from your heart. It is very important that your audience gets to know you for who you are. Your music and your performances need to let the audience know what type of person you are and this is what is going to differentiate you from the other musicians. 

 

It is also very important for you to have your own logo so that people can know who you are what represents you. A good logo design is something that is very much necessary if you are trying to make it in the music industry. Once you design your logo, it is important for you to start getting it out there so that more and more people can see it. The more that people see it, the more people will get to know you and your music.

 

3.) Collaborating with other musicians and asking them for help will be another great way for you to be able to get out there and succeed, Do not be afraid or intimidated to ask for help. Asking for help will open many doors for you, and will be able to help shape you into the musician that you wish to be. Collaborating with other artists is the perfect way to get known by more pole as well.Telling your story to others or through your songs will help the audience connect to you in a stronger way. This is what the audience likes the most from music artists.

 

Conclusion

 

Overall, it is very important to make sure that you are being authentic and that you are giving it your best. Making your own name in the music industry will not be easy and nothing will be handed to you, but asking for help when needed and making friends with other artists will help you reach success in the music industry that much faster and efficiently.    

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MusicThinkTank Weekly Recap: Get A Fuller Sound From Your Speakers & More

Posted: 01 Feb 2020 01:00 AM PST

How To Get A Fuller Sound Out Of Your Home Speaker System Without Breaking The Bank

Posted: 31 Jan 2020 12:02 PM PST

Trying to improve the audio from your home speaker system can seem like a never-ending pursuit. When you add in the subjectivity of audio quality, it can be even more difficult, as what sounds good to you may not sound that great to someone else. Despite these challenges, there are small changes you can make to your home speaker system that will help you achieve a fuller, richer sound. The best part is that these changes don’t require a major investment, meaning your wallet can breathe easy.

 

Speaker Arrangement

Sometimes, to achieve a fuller sound, all that is needed is some slight tweaking with the arrangement of the speakers. Since every speaker has a “sweet spot” where the sound waves provide the most pleasing sound, it’s important to align your speakers so that their “sweet spots” come together in one location. Try moving one speaker at a time and then testing the quality of the audio to hear the changes you can make.

 

Equalization

When it comes to equalization, there are nearly endless options that can change the sound you hear. One tip to achieve a fuller sound, then, is to invest in an equalizer that provides more control over the different bands. A 31-band graphic EQ will provide ample control over the bass, mid-range, and treble that is then sent to your receiver for amplification. By boosting certain low-end frequencies and finding the right balance in the “muddy middle,” you can achieve a fuller sound for all types of audio.

 

Extra Power

Typically, the amps available in audio receivers are more than adequate to produce an exceptional and rich sound. If you need more power for some reason, though, an external amplifier may help boost the fullness of your sound, especially in the low end. One idea would be to have a dedicated amplifier for your subwoofer to provide the richest-possible low and low-mid frequencies. This frees up the amplifier in your receiver to push the mid and high-end frequencies with greater clarity and crispness. All in all, more power is almost always a good thing.

 

Better Cables

While you don’t need to spend a fortune on high-end audio cables, that doesn’t mean you should settle for the least expensive cables you can find. One important feature of better cables is the shielding present in these cables. If you have to do a cable run near a source of potential interference, the protection that these cables provide can help restore richness and fullness to your speaker system.

 

While you can do a lot to make your system sound better, at some point, you have to accept that there are limits to what the human ear can appreciate. Find a stopping point that sounds as good as possible and then spend your time immersing yourself in your high-quality audio. After all, that’s the whole point of improving your speaker system.

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The Importance Of Lizzo And Body Positive Artists

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 09:30 PM PST

Lizzo just took a DNA test. Turns out, she’s 100% Time Magazine’s Entertainer of the Year. It’s been hard to go anywhere in the last year and not hear Lizzo’s music, or hear news stories about her breaking the mold of the music industry with her body-positive attitude. Although her campaign to feel “good as hell” has sometimes come with criticism, the “Lizzo effect” is just the latest chapter in a new breed of artists turning the music industry on its head. 

 

Though most people would label Lizzo as overweight, she has made it very clear she’s living her best life now, without needing to drop a few pounds. In an entertainment industry that has always been known for thin, “perfect” women and muscular men, it’s a refreshing change of pace that people can relate to. That undoubtedly contributes to Lizzo’s overall popularity. 

 

So, why is Lizzo’s impact on the industry so important? What does it mean for the future of music, or the entertainment industry in general? 

What Is Body Positivity and Why Is It Important? 

Do you always like what you see when you look in the mirror? Chances are, the answer is no. The truth is, almost everyone experiences body image issues at some point. It can be especially hard if you were once in extremely good shape, like an athlete, and your body has changed over time after retirement or after you had to transition to a different lifestyle. Even people who have lost a lot of weight often have body image issues due to excess skin or not feeling like “themselves.” 

 

While it’s normal to not always be thrilled with your body, it can go to extremes for some people. That extreme can even lead to cases of body dysmorphia, where you see something that isn’t there when you look in the mirror. You might think you’re overweight when you’re not, or your nose is crooked when it isn’t, etc. Negative body image issues often arise when you don’t think your body measures up to societal standards. 

 

Body positivity is the complete opposite. It’s a movement that focuses on loving your body no matter what, even if it doesn’t fit into society’s definitions of “perfect.” People who promote the body positivity movement, including Lizzo, focus on showing that all bodies should be loved, no matter how much you weigh. 

 

Lizzo advocates doing whatever makes you feel beautiful. For her, that includes things like playing the flute and dressing provocatively. Doing whatever makes you feel good about yourself is obviously very personal — for some people, it might be dressing a certain way, exercising every day, trying a new makeup routine, or even getting natural-looking plastic surgery to change or adjust certain physical features. As long as you’re doing something for yourself and not for someone else or for society as a whole, you can embrace the body positivity movement. 

Why Has Lizzo Faced Criticism? 

Unfortunately, not everyone is on board with Lizzo taking charge of this movement. Again, she’s been known for wearing provocative clothing to show off her body, and recently, she caught some flak for wearing a thong and backless pants to a Los Angeles Lakers’ game. Some people suggest she’s taking things too far or trying too hard. 

 

Others criticize the body positive movement because they think it encourages people to live unhealthy lifestyles or promotes obesity. Being overweight can often come with a variety of different health issues, including Type II Diabetes, which either needs to be treated with diet and exercise or medication like Invokana

 

Another criticism about the body positivity movement and Lizzo’s connection to it is that it’s putting too much focus on body image. One aspect of the movement is that it’s supposed to encourage people to focus on other things rather than obsessing over body image, but some people have argued that Lizzo is taking things to extremes by putting too much focus on her body and how it looks. 

A New Era for Bodies in Music

Lizzo isn’t the first artist to face criticism for her promotion of body positivity. Grammy-winning artist Meghan Trainor faced similar issues in 2014 with the release of her song “All About That Bass,” a song that encourages women to love their bigger bodies, and even goes so far as to criticize “stick figure Barbie dolls,” which many took as a dig on thinner women. Whether you loved it or hated it, it was undeniable at the time that Trainor was paving the way for other artists (especially women) to come forward and share their talents no matter what they look like. 

 

Another hot name in the industry recently is Billie Eilish. At just 18 years old, Eilish burst onto the scene a few years ago and has continued to increase in popularity. While her unique and inventive music speaks for itself, her style is something that’s often a topic of conversation, too. She often performs in baggy t-shirts and sweatpants, specifically so attention isn’t drawn to her body and crowds can focus on her music. 

 

Whether you’re for or against the body positivity movement, it’s hard to deny the impact that Lizzo and other artists on the scene have had on how we see ourselves, and how future generations might change the course of societal norms when it comes to body image. 


 

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Ways To Raise Money For A Music Tour

Posted: 27 Jan 2020 08:42 AM PST

Every musician dreams of going on tour. Not only is it a lot of fun, but it’s the best way to gain exposure and get noticed. Playing in front of a live audience puts your music directly in front of people, so they’re more likely to tell their friends about you and purchase your songs. 

 

Unfortunately, the touring process is a bit of a vicious cycle, especially for musicians who are just starting out or looking for more exposure. Touring is a good way to make some money, but it also costs a lot of money to go on tour. 

 

So, how can you raise the funds to put yourself out there and travel the country (or world!) playing your music? With a little bit of hard work, determination, and patience, you can make it happen. 

Work a Second Job or Get a Side Hustle

Working 9-5 might not sound very “rock n’ roll,” but until you have enough money to support yourself on tour, working more hours is one of your best options. It’ll provide you with enough money for daily living expenses, and any extra money you have can be saved for the tour. 

 

If you’re trying to get hired by a company, be sure to update your resume as well as your LinkedIn profile. A good profile should have a professional picture, updated content, and am employer-focused summary of what you can offer a company. 

 

A part-time job is also a good option that allows you to time to work on your music career while still bringing in income. It’s a good idea to find a part-time job that’s flexible, so you can continue to do what you love. Some great examples of well-paying part-time jobs include: 

 

  • Tutoring online

  • Running social media for different businesses

  • Freelance writing/proofreading

  • Web development

  • Resume writing

 

Most of these jobs can be done remotely, and on your own time, so you can find a solid balance between music and work. 

 

If you’re trying to put all of your focus into your music career, you might not think a full-time job or second job is right for you. But, making money is still crucial. So, why not start a side hustle? Do you have any skills or talents that you could put to use on your own time to make money? You can boost your existing income by doing what you already love. 

 

Offer music lessons to kids, or start marketing your music online to make more money. You can even play more local gigs like coffee shops and bars to make extra cash. In some cases, you might be able to hop on tour with other musicians as an accompanist or background singer. Not only will it help to pay the bills, but any exposure is good exposure. 

Crowdfunding or Donations

Crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and IndieGoGo can be great ways to raise funds for a specific cause. At the end of 2019, over 4.6 billion dollars had been donated to Kickstarter projects. 

 

Crowdfunding can be a risk because there are so many people out there trying to get their projects backed. But, if you put together a creative campaign and get people to believe in you, you can get your goal completely funded and you’ll have everything you need to head on tour. 

 

One way to sweeten the deal when it comes to crowdfunding is to offer incentives or rewards for people who donate money. For example, if someone pledges $20, you can reward them with a t-shirt or a CD. If someone donates $1,000, you can give them backstage passes to one of your shows when you’re on tour. Get creative with the donation process and be passionate about what you’re doing. The more you believe in your own goal, the more likely it is that people will donate.

Become a Penny Pincher

Again, making a budget and trying to figure out where you can save money probably doesn’t seem like something a rockstar would do. But, every musician starts somewhere! 

 

There are countless ways you can save money by making a few simple life changes. For starters, you can significantly lower your energy bills by turning off lights when you leave a room, using energy-efficient appliances, and even optimizing the landscaping in your yard to boost energy efficiency. 

 

You can also save money by planning out your meals for the week. That will prevent you from impulse-buying at the grocery store, and from going out to eat multiple nights a week. 

 

Finally, cut out things that you’re not using or that you don’t need. Is there a streaming service you’re paying for that you don’t use? That could save you several dollars a month. Go through the things you pay for each month, and cut out what isn’t needed. You might be surprised at how much you can save with small changes. 

 

Going on tour is truly an experience you’ll never forget. Though it can be hard work to make the money to go, the payoff can be sweet, especially when it comes to the exposure you’ll get from potential fans.


 

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How Music Can Help Veterans

Posted: 27 Jan 2020 02:00 AM PST

It’s no secret that music brings us pleasure and can improve our mood. Scientifically speaking, music has a profound effect on the limbic system, which helps control our drives, moods, and basic emotions. The therapeutic effects of music are so well known, in fact, that music has been used as a therapy tool for hundreds of years.

 

And for individuals who have experienced significant trauma in their lives, such as veterans, music can be the key to healing and overall wellness. Music also allows veterans to give back and support their communities — the hard rock veteran quintet Silence & Light is a notable example. Founded in 2017, Silence & Light brings a sense of fulfillment to each band member, and playing their songs together produces a therapeutic effect. 

 

What’s more, Silence & Light provides a means of offering support to other veterans who may be struggling to adjust to civilian life. In October 2019, bandleader Brad Thomas, a former Army Ranger, told reporter Christopher Hart, “Not everything else we do in life gives us the same fulfillment as this. We want our fellow veterans to know we have all been there, that we have lived through the dark days.”

 

The good news is that veterans of all ages, no matter the branch or duration of service time, can find benefits in music. Exposure to music can happen via lessons, music therapy/counseling, or veteran-led bands that put on shows for their fellow servicemen and women. Veterans can even just sit back and enjoy the music of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, or Tool’s Maynard James Keenan, each of whom is a household name as well as a veteran.

Notable Musicians who Served in the Military

Some of America’s most iconic musicians proudly served their country before pursuing a career in music. These famous veteran entertainers span a number of genres, from country to metal to reggae. Despite the commercial success of many veteran musicians, however, their forays into music following military service weren’t always well-received. 

 

Kris Kristofferson, for example, was disowned by his military family after he left the Army in 1965. But the singer/songwriter had already kicked off his music career while in the service, even forming a band while he was stationed in West Germany. Yet while his family was disappointed in his career choice, the five-time Grammy recipient was bestowed with the Veteran of the Year Award in 2003.

 

Fortunately, music isn’t as divisive in modern times; rather, it’s widely considered an art form that’s being increasingly used in rehabilitation and therapy settings. In fact, music therapy can help veterans process trauma more effectively, promoting healing. Music therapy is a tool that’s been in use among veteran populations for decades: As early as 1945, the U.S. War Department included music in a variety of therapeutic programs, such as occupational therapy and physical reconditioning.

Improving Veteran Healthcare and Wellbeing

Civilians can never truly understand what veterans went through during their time in service. Veterans may have engaged in active combat or worked as a translator in a war zone. They may have been exposed to toxic environments or situations that negatively impacted their physical health over the long term. 

 

For example, before asbestos became heavily restricted in the 1970s, military members in all branches were exposed to what we now understand to be a toxic material. Our veterans may have come in direct contact with asbestos if they worked in vehicle production facilities or were involved in the demolition of old buildings. The repercussions of asbestos exposure are severe and can take years to manifest, often in the form of aggressive cancers such as mesothelioma.

 

Of course, many veterans don’t like to discuss their time of service, which can make it difficult to pinpoint effective mental health treatment options.

Understanding the Needs of Veterans

There are about 18.8 million veterans living in the U.S., which equals 7.6% of the total population. The number included veterans who served in World War II, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, and other conflicts. Of those veterans, 7.74 million receive some type of VA disability compensation. PTSD is extremely common among the U.S. veteran population, and big data analytics may help us to better understand the efficacy of music in treating the condition, which is often debilitating.  

 

It’s also important to note that, as their ages vary considerably, veterans with different backgrounds may also have personally distinct healthcare needs. Therein lies one of the strongest benefits of music therapy for veterans: Music is universally appealing. No matter if a veteran served in the Army in Korea or as a Marine in the Gulf War, music may provide the key to long-lasting healing, both physical and mental. 

 

What’s more, music can even help bring military families together after a lengthy separation. Familial strength is integral to every veteran healthcare plan, and the whole family can benefit from creating music together, or even just listening to favorite songs. 

Final Thoughts

Serving in the military is a notable endeavor that typically involves a heavy dose of personal sacrifice. Being away from one’s family in a stressful and dangerous setting can have a lasting impact even years after the fact. But music is a powerful mechanism for healing, strengthening bonds, and regaining confidence, and it may be the best tool in every veteran’s arsenal.

 

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MusicThinkTank Weekly Recap: Find The Right PR Firm & More

Posted: 25 Jan 2020 01:00 AM PST

How To Find The Right PR Firm As A Musician

Posted: 24 Jan 2020 12:15 PM PST

Odds are you’ve just released a new album or single and you’re thinking about the best way to get it out there, engage your fans, and make the largest impact possible. If that’s the case, it’s time to consider finding a PR firm to help you out.

Good thinking—you’re already a step ahead of the rest by knowing that simply releasing and hoping your fans notice is not a good strategy.

How to Find the Right PR Firm for Your Band


It’s easy to invest in the things you can see the results of right away like high-quality recording or a new amp, but something like PR, which is more of a long game, is just as important. The music can be the most incredible, high-quality audio that anyone has ever heard, but if you don’t have a strategy or the contacts to actually get the word out then…how will anyone know?
So, how do you know what to actually look for? There are a lot of publicists out there, many of whom would be a great fit—but how do you find the one that’s a perfect fit for you specifically? Here’s how to get started…

Find a publicist you vibe with

First and foremost, you have to get along with this person. Even better if you feel like there’s an actual connection and understanding there. Trust me when I say this will make the campaign (and quite honestly, the results of the campaign) so much stronger. Plus, this is someone that’s going to be in your life daily for at least a few months at a time—you want to get along.

Check their client list

This is primarily to see who they’ve worked with and if those artists are similar to you in experience and genre. Now, if you’re exploring a company that works with emerging artists, that’s who you should expect to see on their roster. Some companies will work with indie artists and more established ones, but the bulk will work with one or the other. So if you’re looking at a company and their roster is only emerging artists, but they’ve also had pretty good success with them in terms of placements, don’t discount them.
Quick side note—it is REALLY tough to get emerging artists major placements like Billboard, Alternative Press, and Spotify Official playlists. If a firm has those accolades to tote, consider it a good sign of their connections, but don’t expect it’s a given for you to end up there as well. Likewise, if a firm is pretty new and doesn’t have those placements, it doesn’t mean they suck—it might just mean they’re still growing—and if you are too, that might be a good fit.

Request case studies

Most PR companies will have case studies of past campaigns either on their website or in a PDF you can request. These will show you what the objective of the campaign was (promote a new single, etc), what they were working with at the time, and what the results of the campaign were. This is a really good way to see what a PR company was able to do for the artist during a campaign—it gives you a quick snapshot into it all. 
The reason I prefer this method to just looking up what the band is doing now is because the PR company can only control what goes on within the campaign, on their end. If they got a bunch of great placements for the band and then the band slacked off on socials and didn’t release anything for a year so they stagnated, that’s not really the PR company’s fault.

Choose a company in the same life stage as you.

Just because a PR company is working with major label artists, doesn’t mean they can get you the same placements as those artists. In fact, even if they choose to take you on as a client, you can’t go into it expecting because they got that band 5 playlist features and a spot in Billboard that your destiny is the same. It’s simply not how it works. If you’re not there yet, you’re not there yet, and no matter how much you pay a publicist, they can’t change it. We aren’t magical.

So when you’re looking for your perfect PR fit, consider a company that’s in a similar life stage. If you’re an emerging artist just starting out, you might want a smaller company that’s still building their contacts but is going to be a lot cheaper as a result, and you can grow together. Some of my first PR campaigns were with bands just getting their footing who entrusted me with their music and the results were fantastic. Don’t underestimate how hungry young PR firms are, and how hard they’ll work for you.

If you’re a few years in, maybe you want a medium size PR company that works with emerging bands, but has had higher tier placements and has a bit more experience and stronger connections within the industry.

It just depends—but don’t discount the smaller companies thinking they’re not a fit. Odds are, the smaller the team (IE: 1-5 people) the more hands-on they’ll be with your campaign.

Figure out your budget

I touched on this above, but a big part of finding the right PR firm is knowing what your budget is, and being able to save for it. Most medium-sized companies will likely charge around $1,000-$1500 USD per month for an album campaign and require a 3-month campaign. Some smaller firms just starting out might fall closer to $500/month, while the much larger firms will be $3,000/month and up.

Get in touch with each PR company directly to find out their rates (single rates are generally different than album rates) and then use all of this to make a decision.

Be realistic

This is an important one. No matter what, you want to be realistic in your ideals. The right publicist should be someone who believes wholeheartedly in your music and your message, has worked within your genre and seen success (whatever that is for their experience level) and will work hard to push this music into the world.

But don’t forget to stay humble—if you’re a fairly new band with a modest social media following, it’s not realistic to expect to get in Billboard or on a Spotify Official playlist with 3 million followers. And that’s not the publicist’s fault.

At its best, PR should be a vehicle to tell your story, engage your fanbase, and find new fans and opportunities. Finding the right publicist is the first step in that journey, and a crucial one.

Take your time, do your research, and then, find your perfect fit. 

——————

Written by: Angela Mastrogiacomo

Angela Mastrogiacomo is the founder and CEO of Muddy Paw PR, where her artists have seen placement on Alternative Press, Noisey, Substream, and more. She’s also the owner of music blog Infectious Magazine.. She loves baked goods, a good book, and hanging with her dog Sawyer.

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Music For The Old-Soul In You

Posted: 24 Jan 2020 12:07 PM PST

As terrible stories come on the news every day documenting horrific crimes and things that break your heart, your sense that you don’t belong to this world strengthens more and more. You are an old soul, one that believes that there’s more to life than this existing plane we live on. You feel it in everything you do, from the way you interact with others to the music you listen to — which in itself is a magical thing. How can the music you listen to help you feel more in touch with the spirit living inside of you?

1. Native Chants 

The Starchild in you finds these haunting hymns the very soundtrack of your soul. The chants and songs of the Old People are some of the most ancient forms of music that still exist today, piercing into humanity’s very fiber and opening the heart to the whispering wisdom of our ancestors. Some beautiful, spine-tingling varieties include cultures like:

  • Native American tribes

  • Religious choirs

  • Monks or priests from any religion

2. Celtic Hymnals

The lilt of Gaeilge, or the native Irish language, can reach pitches and harmonies that most others could only hope to achieve. Between the sweet, steady voices of an Irish women’s choir or background instrumental from the Emerald Isle, Celtic music speaks to the wild, rugged part of you that feels at home in open meadows and misty mountainsides.

If you’re unsure where to begin looking for this genre, YouTube is a fantastic resource. There are hundreds of playlists that play quiet, peaceful music like this on a loop to help you build your library of favorites.

3. Sounds of Nature

Sometimes nature is the best background music of all. Even if you don’t live in the middle of a serene lake setting, at least you can feel like you do by finding soundscapes of natural sounds that you love. Some common ones that most people enjoy might be:

  • Falling rain and splashing water

  • The beach tide rolling in

  • A babbling brook or stream

4. Postwar Pleasures

It would seem like one of these things is not like the other, but as humanity evolves so does its art. After the massive body count that World War II left behind, it’s plausible to consider that your spirit might still live on from that era. The 50s were an exciting, prosperous time in America that was built on such a sad and deadly prelude. Let your soul soak in the joy and starry eyes of the decade. Some of the music that you probably find yourself humming include 50’s musicians such as:

  • The Rat Pack (Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra)

  • Swingin’ jazz music like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

  • Power couple Johnny and June Carter Cash

5. Hard Rock and Heavy Metal

If you think that heavy metal is nothing but noise, don’t be deceived. Artists producing music that sounds like screaming are often broken and hurting, struggling to put themselves back together. All humans can identify with this concept. Pain-filled lyrics paired with a voice that is trying so hard to convey those feelings — it is definitely more than “just noise” when you listen to hard rock and heavy metal. If you find yourself drawn to music that makes you feel as though you’re putting the pieces of your life in order, your soul has a reason for it. 

Understanding your place in the universe is a neverending goal, and the world can be a frightening and ugly place sometimes. If you feel like your soul is bleeding in a world that you simply don’t understand, finding the right music to put it at ease is one of the best and easiest forms of medicine you can try. Whatever kind of music speaks to your soul is the kind that you should be listening to, whether it’s clanging drums and screaming or quiet, contemplative soundscapes. 


 

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Cybersecurity For Musicians

Posted: 21 Jan 2020 09:52 PM PST

   

As a musician, you have many things to worry about. After all, you’re focused on writing songs, marketing, branding yourself, and preparing for that upcoming performance. You’re probably often on your phone or your laptop, and chances are you haven’t given much thought to cybersecurity. 

 

But that’s a crucial mistake that many musicians make, and it can be a costly one. While strengthening your cybersecurity might not be at the top of your to-do list, it’s an important item that you really can’t afford to overlook, especially as your career begins to take off. 

Why Cybersecurity Matters for Musicians

Cybersecurity is important for many reasons. As technology has advanced, thieves have become smarter, and they’ve developed new and creative ways to gain your trust or access your personal and financial information. A cybersecurity attack can be expensive, with a thief stealing banking or credit card information and quickly running up charges. An attack can also jeopardize your music, your brand, and your reputation. 

 

As you gain popularity as a musician, more hackers may become aware that you exist, so you can become more of a target than your average citizen who could be targeted more by chance.  Just like you take action to protect your stage name and other elements of your business, you also need to focus on your cybersecurity to protect yourself, your business, and your career. 

The Importance of Awareness

With increased public attention, hackers may target you, so it’s important to be aware of common social engineering attacks. Social engineering attacks use various strategies to manipulate you into falling for the attack. For instance, a social engineer might email you a message from an authority, like the IRS, to get you to immediately agree to the request without questioning the validity of the sender or the information. Further, a social engineer might play on the power that’s created when you like a person and might friend request you on Facebook while posing as a celebrity or attractive individual. 

 

When you’re aware of the most common attacks, you’ll be better prepared to spot them and avoid them. Some common techniques include phishing, where an engineer sends you a fraudulent email, or impersonation, where an engineer pretends to be someone you know to manipulate you. As you gain notoriety as a musician, keep these attacks in mind and be extra careful when navigating the internet. 

Protecting Your Music

Hackers may target your music, so you’ll need to focus on ways to protect the pieces that are in progress as well as the pieces that you’ve released online. To protect and secure your songs, start by creating a backup of everything so that, even if a hacker gets to one source, you’ll still have those songs in a second secure location. Password protect all of your work to add another level of protection and to keep your songs secure. 

 

You may also want to consult with a legal professional who can help you to take appropriate steps if your music is ever compromised. A lawyer can help you to protect your published songs so that you’re legally prepared just in case something ever does happen and someone steals, copies, or otherwise takes your material. 

 

Speaking of published music, if your music is available for streaming, then you’ll need to take additional measures to protect it. Cybersecurity is vital to streaming services, since hacks are common and frequent, and they often target small businesses that are just starting to become profitable. To protect yourself, use a reputable streaming service and complete all of the security updates that the service requests. It’s also a good idea to choose a paid streaming service, which may offer more security and protection than you’ll find in a free service. 

Protecting Your Brand 

Hackers won’t only target your music — they’ll also target your brand and even your reputation. If a hacker is able to get ahold of your social media accounts or even your website, they can lock you out of these accounts, post off-brand or offensive content, and generally harm your reputation. In fact, major celebrities including Taylor Swift and Mark Zuckerberg have had their Instagram and Facebook accounts hacked, respectively, with the hackers posting strange content on their walls. And, if hackers gain access to your financial information, they can potentially gain access to your bank account and credit card information. 

 

To protect yourself, use randomly generated passwords that are difficult for a hacker to crack. Store these passwords in a secure location and never use the same password for multiple sites. Keeping track of dozens of passwords is tough, which is why a credible password manager can help to make having all these passwords more practical. 

 

As a musician, you’ll need to take multiple steps to protect yourself from cyber attacks and the trouble that can come with them. Remember that as you become more of a public figure and gain more attention, the chance of your being targeted in cyber attacks increases, so take the time to increase your cybersecurity early on in your career.


 

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