Barriers to entry - comparison over the decades

pichi

@Zen210507 said:

@u0421793 said:
Oh I'd say it is definitely a raised barrier now. Not just to music making people, either. Anyone creating a thing. How do you capture attention? Anyone can publish an ebook now. How do you get noticed? There's all these other idiots that have inconsiderately cluttered up the market with their stupid ebooks, because, anyone can publish an ebook now.

>

Yes, this is a HUGE problem. Under another ID (I like to keep things separate) I have a novel on Amazon and App Store. I'd been paid for writing shorter works and reviews for years, and so count myself as a semi-pro. This work took the best part of a decade to research and write. Some of it due to life getting in the way. It was then edited and proof read by a former internationally best-selling author, a friend and client. So you understand, this is a 'proper' work that passed muster. The few reviews garnered after publication, in PoD and e-book formats, were also very good. Yet today the book sits there, largely unnoticed, because there is only so much that an individual can do to get noticed.

Meanwhile, purveyors of total shit band together, create their own social media, and tell each other what wonderful writers they are. The very last thing these people want, is an actual writer among them. Oh, and as for my best-selling friend, he got the rights back to all his works, and now publishes them independently, just to stay in print. This is a guy who has literally sold millions on both sides of the Atlantic, but now can't get a bite from large publishing houses.

As my friend once told me, "Publishing is run by farts and hooligans in pin-stripe suits." Accountants, with no imagination whatsoever. But back in the day, when he was having his major success, the industry was run by editors. People who wanted to find new talent, and build up names. Nowadays, even if you get the big breakthrough, you are only as good as you last book. One relative failure, and you are dropped.

Then there is the cut-throat nature of the game. As a reviewer, I helped several writers to achieve momentum, and received thank you notes from them, and freebies from agents. Because, I hasten to add, these were scrupulously HONEST reviews on websites and in publications know to be trustworthy. I only ever promoted works I believed in. Yet, when it came time to return the favour - again, honestly - I found these same authors to be selfish, unhelpful and suddenly deaf. As for the agents, they were even worse, not even returning e-mails when I was no longer of direct use.

This is depressing news, but pretty much what I expected. I've written short stories and a novel and had them looked at and edited but never published and I guess never will now.

[Deleted User]

@pichi said:
This is depressing news, but pretty much what I expected. I've written short stories and a novel and had them looked at and edited but never published and I guess never will now.

No. Never surrender. The author I posted about has a few dozen of his old titles, and some new ones, published via Amazon's CreateSpace wing. These titles make him some cash, and keep his name alive. Look up W.A. Harbinson, on Amazon, if you are curious.

Okay, so these titles once backed by big publishing houses are republished by the man himself, but at least it allows him - or you and I - to roll the dice. All you need is the know how of how to create a professional looking product, and someone to make your cover. Good luck.

pichi

@Zen210507 said:

@pichi said:
This is depressing news, but pretty much what I expected. I've written short stories and a novel and had them looked at and edited but never published and I guess never will now.

No. Never surrender. The author I posted about has a few dozen of his old tit,es, and some new ones, published via Amazon's CreateSpace wing. These titles make him some cash, and keep his name alive. Look up W.A. Harbinson, on Amazon, if you are curious.

Okay, so these titles once backed by big publishing houses are republished by the man himself, but at least it allows him - or you and I - to roll the dice. All you need is the know how if how to create a professional looking product, and someone to make your cover. Good luck.

Cheers!

[Deleted User]

@Cib said:

@Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr said:

@Cib said:
If you were the only human on the world and still have the tools but no one beside yourself listen....would you still create music?

Yes, of course. I like audiences and feedback as much as anyone, but I don't need them. The creation process is the primary reward. For me it is a meditative act--calming, soothing, and immensely pleasurable. I haven't been a performing musician for about two decades now, and I miss the musical interaction with the other players far more than I miss having an audience.

I understand. I play myself often for hours with some of my favorite tools without even recording something and knowing no one will ever hear it. But it makes me feel good and let me escape from reality for a moment.
That is one of the major things for me since i don´t do music for a living. I just want to escape and feel "free" and sometimes i got those rare moments when you get goosebumps while playing a melody or creating a soundscape etc.
Most people i know would think i´m crazy to spend so much money for apps and plug-ins without being a pro.
Indeed i bought some things which are for pro use for writing scores/soundtrack and FX which costs a fortune.
In reality i have not really someone in my family or friends who is interested or even understand in what i´m doing.
So it´s my very own world (which started with iOS some years ago....but i could have saved a lot money if i had never explored it lol)

Most of the blokes my age around here have more expensive hobbies - motorbikes, following football/rugby teams etc. so the amount I spend on music stuff, which brings me tons of pleasure, is pocket money in comparison.

No-ones going to buy my music, or book me for a gig, so I'm free to carry on enjoying making whatever racket I fancy.

JeffChasteen

@u0421793 said:
Is it harder to get gigs now, or easier, or about the same as it was several decades ago? Small gigs - unpaid, even.

It is still incredibly easy to get gigs here. I live in Athens, GA, and the place has promoted itself as a music center ever since the days of B52s, Pylon, Love Tractor, REM, etc...
As far as receiving any significant $ for playing those gigs...that is a completely different story.

AudioGus

@u0421793 said:
Is it harder to get gigs now, or easier, or about the same as it was several decades ago? Small gigs - unpaid, even.

Several decades ago I was younger, had more energy, was better looking and more hip. Now I am older, more tired, balder, fatter and completely out of touch. I imagine it would be harder.

Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr

@Zen210507 said:
But how did you become the world's second best GeoShred exponent. Was there a competition?

Obviously it's a joke login name, but inspired by the fact that I'm not seeing the creative use of this instrument that it deserves. The YT vids fall into two categories: people with limited musical training having fun tinkering, and really good musicians making covers of guitar anthems. Geoshred has amazing possibilities, and using it simply as a guitar substitute does not do it justice. Jordan is the only guy I've who is really taking it beyond that, but even he is still working mainly in the kinda-guitarish sound paradigm. If there are people out there using this instrument in a more experimental fashion, please let me know!

[Deleted User]

@AudioGus said:
Several decades ago I was younger, had more energy, was better looking and more hip. Now I am older, more tired, balder, fatter and completely out of touch. I imagine it would be harder.

Doesn't stop so many acts.

The Stones look like a Wonga commercial crossed with the Walking Dead!

AudioGus

@Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr said:

@Zen210507 said:
But how did you become the world's second best GeoShred exponent. Was there a competition?

Obviously it's a joke login name,

Aww, perfectly good setup..

AudioGus

@Zen210507 said:

@AudioGus said:
Several decades ago I was younger, had more energy, was better looking and more hip. Now I am older, more tired, balder, fatter and completely out of touch. I imagine it would be harder.

Doesn't stop so many acts.

The Stones look like a Wonga commercial crossed with the Walking Dead!

Right, but they got famous before the apocalypse. Know any up-and-comers that look like that and are hustling to get gigs? No one cares if I can get up on stage and not shit my pants.

[Deleted User]

@AudioGus said:

@Zen210507 said:

@AudioGus said:
Several decades ago I was younger, had more energy, was better looking and more hip. Now I am older, more tired, balder, fatter and completely out of touch. I imagine it would be harder.

Doesn't stop so many acts.

The Stones look like a Wonga commercial crossed with the Walking Dead!

Right, but they got famous before the apocalypse. Know any up-and-comers that look like that and are hustling to get gigs? No one cares if I can get up on stage and not shit my pants.

Stick a rubber mask on and stand behind a load of synths, make it a thing.

AudioGus

@MonzoPro said:

@AudioGus said:

@Zen210507 said:

@AudioGus said:
Several decades ago I was younger, had more energy, was better looking and more hip. Now I am older, more tired, balder, fatter and completely out of touch. I imagine it would be harder.

Doesn't stop so many acts.

The Stones look like a Wonga commercial crossed with the Walking Dead!

Right, but they got famous before the apocalypse. Know any up-and-comers that look like that and are hustling to get gigs? No one cares if I can get up on stage and not shit my pants.

Stick a rubber mask on and stand behind a load of synths, make it a thing.

AudioGus

@AudioGus said:

@MonzoPro said:

@AudioGus said:

@Zen210507 said:

@AudioGus said:
Several decades ago I was younger, had more energy, was better looking and more hip. Now I am older, more tired, balder, fatter and completely out of touch. I imagine it would be harder.

Doesn't stop so many acts.

The Stones look like a Wonga commercial crossed with the Walking Dead!

Right, but they got famous before the apocalypse. Know any up-and-comers that look like that and are hustling to get gigs? No one cares if I can get up on stage and not shit my pants.

Stick a rubber mask on and stand behind a load of synths, make it a thing.

I'm in, we could be 'The Presidents of the United States of America'.

[Deleted User]

@AudioGus said:

@MonzoPro said:

@AudioGus said:

@Zen210507 said:

@AudioGus said:
Several decades ago I was younger, had more energy, was better looking and more hip. Now I am older, more tired, balder, fatter and completely out of touch. I imagine it would be harder.

Doesn't stop so many acts.

The Stones look like a Wonga commercial crossed with the Walking Dead!

Right, but they got famous before the apocalypse. Know any up-and-comers that look like that and are hustling to get gigs? No one cares if I can get up on stage and not shit my pants.

Stick a rubber mask on and stand behind a load of synths, make it a thing.

I'd come to your gigs Gus (in disguise, obviously).

u0421793

@MonzoPro said:

@AudioGus said:

@MonzoPro said:

@AudioGus said:

@Zen210507 said:

@AudioGus said:
Several decades ago I was younger, had more energy, was better looking and more hip. Now I am older, more tired, balder, fatter and completely out of touch. I imagine it would be harder.

Doesn't stop so many acts.

The Stones look like a Wonga commercial crossed with the Walking Dead!

Right, but they got famous before the apocalypse. Know any up-and-comers that look like that and are hustling to get gigs? No one cares if I can get up on stage and not shit my pants.

Stick a rubber mask on and stand behind a load of synths, make it a thing.

I'd come to your gigs Gus (in disguise, obviously).

With diamonds?

[Deleted User]

@u0421793 said:

@MonzoPro said:

@AudioGus said:

@MonzoPro said:

@AudioGus said:

@Zen210507 said:

@AudioGus said:
Several decades ago I was younger, had more energy, was better looking and more hip. Now I am older, more tired, balder, fatter and completely out of touch. I imagine it would be harder.

Doesn't stop so many acts.

The Stones look like a Wonga commercial crossed with the Walking Dead!

Right, but they got famous before the apocalypse. Know any up-and-comers that look like that and are hustling to get gigs? No one cares if I can get up on stage and not shit my pants.

Stick a rubber mask on and stand behind a load of synths, make it a thing.

I'd come to your gigs Gus (in disguise, obviously).

With diamonds?

Loosely

[Deleted User]

@AudioGus said:
I'm in, we could be 'The Presidents of the United States of America'.

Only if you are backed by shady billionaires and lawless mega corporations.

Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr

@AudioGus said:

@Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr said:

@Zen210507 said:
But how did you become the world's second best GeoShred exponent. Was there a competition?

Obviously it's a joke login name,

Aww, perfectly good setup..

Okay, I chopped the head off the World's 3rd Best Geoshredr. Jordan better look out, because There Can Be Only One.

AudioGus

@Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr said:

@AudioGus said:

@Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr said:

@Zen210507 said:
But how did you become the world's second best GeoShred exponent. Was there a competition?

Obviously it's a joke login name,

Aww, perfectly good setup..

Okay, I chopped the head off the World's 3rd Best Geoshredr. Jordan better look out, because There Can Be Only One.

Moohoohaha!!