Does working fully remote in the music industry help or hinder you career? What are the pros & cons?

Whether you’re a performer, producer, or composer, hundreds of remote work opportunities are at your fingertips. In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of working in remote music jobs - have you thought through all of these points? Most importantly are you the type of person suited to remote work? Let's dive in.

Pros

Flexibility

Having a fixed work schedule can be nice, but life has a habit of disrupting routines, and we all work at different paces (night owls vs early birds for example). Working in a remote job gives you the flexibility to set your own hours and take breaks as you see fit. For many artists, this degree of freedom can produce an immense boost in both creativity and productivity.

Also, working regular office hours forces you to neglect personal projects and opportunities in your music career - such as touring or part-time gigs. With a remote job you're more likely able to explore these options, try new things, and diversify your income streams.

Global Exposure

The great thing about freelancing and the gig economy is that it has created a global marketplace without borders. While previously you would have been lucky to meet a client outside your state, you can now connect with brands, companies ,and team-mates anywhere in the world.

In addition to expanding your income opportunities, global exposure can also contribute to your growth. You'll come across various musical styles and have the chance to work on a more diverse range of projects than with a regular job. Negotiating and collaborating with clients from diverse backgrounds will teach you more about your service than any training can.

Creative freedom

Working with producers, managers, supervisors, and all the other levels of the corporate hierarchy can be suffocating at times. A remote job helps you avoid micromanagement and office politics. You’ll have the freedom to do your best work with minimal guidance.

Working as a freelancer is even more liberating as you get to choose what you want to work on. Your only point of contact is the client, giving you far more control over the project’s creative direction. Some people thrive under this situation, others not so much.

Work from anywhere

For many years, traveling has been one of the greatest challenges of working in the music industry. It’s great when you’re in your 20s, but relocating to where the record labels are or traveling to another city for a recording session is not very practical when you’re married with kids.

Most remote music jobs can be done from the comfort of your own home, meaning you will not have to spend time away from your family. With a decent home setup, you can avoid the hassle of renting studios and wasting time on the road.

Cons

Unstable income

The greatest benefit of having a regular job is the stability. You get a guaranteed paycheck every month, there are benefits such as health insurance, and you cannot be fired overnight. However, remote jobs typically classify you as a freelancer or independent contractor as opposed to an employee. This can bring all sorts of additional work on your end, such as filing your taxes, sorting our health insurance and other requirements as a freelancer.

You'll also likely always be on the lookout for new projects, ensuring you don't keep all your eggs in one basket. This lack of stability also means that you need to invest in maintaining a larger emergency fund to handle unexpected expenses. If you're the type of person who finds this lack of stability stressful, it may be better to look for more in-person jobs that are more stable.

Competitive market

With workers from literally 'anywhere in the world' entering the market, competition for remote music jobs has become very intense in recent years. If you’re just starting out, you might find that you need to settle for a lower fee to stay competitive whilst building a strong portfolio to stand out from the competition.

The process of pitching for work can also be challenging since clients receive hundreds of offers per day. You’ll need to stretch your creativity to its limits just to be noticed. Most musicians quit their remote work journey simply because of the difficulty of landing their first job.

Investing in a workspace and equipment

Escaping the office is great and all, but your clients are still going to expect professional quality work. Performers who work remotely must invest in expensive recording equipment and in some cases, a dedicated home studio.

You need to be able to offer this standard of work from day one, so putting off the purchase until your career takes off is not an option. This initial investment is the primary risk of a remote music career, as your home setup will be useless if you switch back to a regular job.

Isolation and lack of networking opportunities

It's hard to deny the positive effect of being surrounded by other artists while you work on a project. While remote jobs expose you to more diverse clients, you’ll mostly be working alone as opposed to a collaborative environment.

The other drawback of isolation is that you lose the opportunity to network with your peers. We all know that success in the music industry is built on connections, and building those relationships through remote work can be incredibly difficult.

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We also have an in-depth articles that will help you land a job in the music industry! Find out in our blog page.

The number of opportunities may surprise you, and you won’t need to be an expert concert pianist to succeed. If you're considering a path in the music industry, take the first steps and follow your dreams! Read The Beginner's Guide to Working in Music for you to get started!

For years, technology & AI has revolutionized music creation, all the way back to David Bowie's Verbasizer in the 1990s - which combined words to spark new lyrics. Although controversial and hotly debated, today's AI tools are rapidly growing - and they examine extensive data from diverse genres to identify patterns in tempo, chords, and notes - helping music producers in all aspects of music creation.

We'll discuss various AI tools that artists can use to enhance audio mixing, mastering, and sound design, enabling them to create music of professional quality. Will you use them as tools in your career, or shun them? Experiment with any and all the tools you can find in your musical journey!

LALAL.AI

LALAL.AI uses audio extraction to isolate instruments and vocals, making remixing, mastering, and generating new compositions easy. This software enables users to extract vocals or multiple instruments from music files by track, separate them, and export them as isolated MP3 files. The tool is efficient for artists in a time crunch, as it supports various audio & video formats, and offers quick processing times.

The tool can effortlessly generate instrumental or karaoke versions of recordings by separating vocals, which is one of its most significant features. It's also great for precise mixing to isolate various instruments, including percussion, bass, piano, and guitars. The voice modification feature enables adjustments to pitch and tone to achieve desired vocal effects, while the noise reduction capabilities improve audio clarity by eradicating unwanted background noise.

Batch processing increases productivity by handling several files simultaneously, while improved processing capabilities improve audio quality. The API incorporation of LALAL.AI enables developers to integrate its audio processing capabilities into applications, enabling an automated workflow. Usability wise, the interface is user-friendly and intuitive, which we think is a time-saver. As for the pricing, the free plan is limited to processing up to 10 minutes. The negatives? Some users have complained about the lack of transparency on the pricing, and customer support has had some complaints. Try it out and see if it's useful!

LandR

LANDR is an AI-powered mastering tool that helps with control over stereo width, dynamics, and equalization. The Mastering Plugin guarantees high-quality results by enabling a seamless integration with digital audio workstations (DAWs).

The platform has more than 2 million royalty-free sounds for artists to choose from in styles like EDM and hip-hop. The "Selector" feature makes finding the right sounds easy, boosting creativity and productivity. LANDR also has a marketplace for third-party plugins, with some beneficial plugins like LANDR FX.

The site makes signing up, submitting songs, and specifying mastering preferences easy. LANDR is optimal for LPs or EPs because it supports batch processing, which fosters a cohesive sound without additional charges for album mastering. Users can save and repurpose their settings across multiple projects, allowing you to have consistency and efficiency across styes and genres.

AIVA

AIVA is an AI-powered music composition platform that simplifies original music. It supports over 250 musical genres, like Modern Cinematic, Electronic, Jazz, and more, catering to beginners and seasoned professionals. Its user-friendly interface makes creating music quick, you can customize style models, upload audio or MIDI influences, and edit and download tracks in various formats. The Pro Plan allows for monetization of your compositions by providing full copyright ownership.

Independent musicians and producers are using this tool for song drafting, and music educators are now using it to demonstrate composition techniques. AIVA is especially popular among film and game developers for the ability to create  compositions that are customized to specific themes. Marketing professionals and content creators are also using it to generate personalized background music and jingles that are consistent with their brand's identity.

Despite its powerful capabilities, AIVA may not always be able to match the nuanced touch of a human composer in complex compositions. The tool's dependence on pre-existing designs can restrict coming up with actual innovative creations. Even so, the platform's ability to produce copyright-clear music is very useful for users who want to begin creating original content. AIVA provides a free version with restrictions, while paid plans offer greater control and ownership.

Magenta Studio

Magenta Studio is a set of AI-powered plugins that Google made just for Ableton Live. Other digital audio workstations (DAWs) can also use the suite as a stand-alone program. Magenta Studio comes with five core tools that are meant to improve the process of making music.

"Groove" adds small changes to the time and velocity of beats to make them sound more real, and "Drumify" turns MIDI input into moving drum patterns. The "Continue" button helps finish musical ideas by guessing sounds that go with other songs. "Interpolate" combines two clips to make new music, and "Generate 4 Bars" writes four bars of music from scratch, giving artists new ideas. The "Temperature" feature lets users change how predictable the results are, which encourages users to try new things.

Magenta's DDSP-VST tool also lets users change sounds into different instrument tones while keeping the original pitch and dynamics. Magenta Studio lets musicians try out new musical ideas quickly and naturally, which speeds up and improves the composition process.

Loudly

Loudly AI Music Generator lets music fans of all ability levels easily create unique compositions. Musicians can customize their music by adjusting the duration, instruments, energy levels, structure, tempo, and key - as well as choose genres such as Electronica, Trip Hop, and Electro Dub. Thanks to an intuitive interface, this generator allows both beginners and experienced composers to experiment and refine their musical compositions effortlessly.

The platform's AI Recommender facilitates the discovery and creation of personalized tracks by providing users with music recommendations tailored to their preferences. After verifying their accounts, users can save and download their compositions, thereby guaranteeing a secure and personalized music creation process. Real-time collaboration and cloud-based access increase flexibility, enabling users to compose and modify music from any device with internet access.

Loudly is not without its constraints. Although the platform provides high-quality audio outputs for commercial purposes, certain users might discover that the sound quality doesn't meet the standards of a professional studio. And due to the algorithm's unpredictability, limited export formats may hinder production or distribution options.

Wrap up

The five AI music tools listed are making music production more accessible and imaginative - but they are by no means the only options out there! The landscape is growing rapidly. As you explore these tools, we hope you can use AI to grow both your curiosity and creativity in the music industry.

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We also have an in-depth articles that will help you land a job in the music industry! Find out in our blog page.

The number of opportunities may surprise you, and you won’t need to be an expert concert pianist to succeed. If you're considering a path in the music industry, take the first steps and follow your dreams! Read The Beginner's Guide to Working in Music for you to get started!

The digital age and remote work after Covid19 has radically transformed the music industry, changing the way music is performed and created. Currently, musicians have more opportunities than ever to work remotely in a variety of roles. In this article, we will explore the top 10 remote music jobs that are reshaping how music professionals build their careers.

Online music lessons

Private lessons have been the go-to way for musicians to make a living since the days of Bach. However, modern video conferencing technologies have eliminated the need for music lessons to be done in-person.

The great thing about online music lessons is that you don’t need to be a virtuoso. If you’ve been playing long enough, there’s surely someone out there who can learn from you.

Music lessons can be a lucrative career, with some teachers charging up to $50 per hour. Guitar and piano lessons are the most popular sectors, but teaching a less common instrument helps you stay niched and have a leg up on the competition.

While this job needs less technical proficiency, you need great teaching skills to keep your students growing and excited.

Session musician

Did you play in a band while you were in high school? Do you have years of experience performing in studio settings? Being a session musician might be the right fit for you. Hiring local talent can be risky for artists and producers, leading to a recent surge in demand for talented remote session musicians.

Typically, you’ll be sent a sample of the song and then asked to record an accompanying track. This job can be tricky for newcomers as it requires you to be extremely versatile with your styles and adapt to the client’s needs. Furthermore, you need to own a personal studio and high-quality recording equipment to land top clients.

Song writing

Writing songs for other artists has been a popular remote job for as long as music has existed. Typically, songwriters create demos and pitch them to artists or labels.

But that only scratches the surface of songwriting. There’s a huge market for writing jingles and intros/outros for corporate use. This field is more newcomer-friendly as well, since the work is clearly defined and you don’t need connections or a reputation to submit a pitch. Also - working on a song is suited well for those working remotely - as it gives you plenty of space and quiet to work on that perfect song.

Mixing and mastering

Mixing and mastering is the art that separates professional music productions from regular recordings. A mixing engineer compiles the various tracks in a song and utilises panning, equalising and a variety of special effects to give it a polished sound, matching the genre and style that's needed.

As a remote audio engineer, you’ll likely receive a set of stems from your client, to edit, mix and master. Mixing engineers typically specialise in genres such as rock, EDM, Hip-Hop, RnB etc. It's best to start building a portfolio from various mixing & mastering projects, and trying many varities of styles and genres in the beginning! Special effects and mixing for other media such as TV, movie, etc is also a great industry to grow in, but it's highly genre and industry specific.

Soundtrack composer

You’re probably thinking this job is best left to folks like Hans Zimmer, but soundtrack composition is not limited to Hollywood. Think about all the other forms of media that use background music: Video games, ads, YouTube videos; the possibilities are endless.

A good soundtrack can set the tone for a piece of media. You need to have a great understanding of conveying emotions through music and orchestral dynamics to excel in this job.

DJ sets and mashups

If you are someone who likes making mixtapes for fun, this is a great little niche to make some money from your skills. Freelancing platforms like Fiverr and Upwork have made it possible for people to order custom mixes and playlists which they can use for their parties, workouts, and everything else in between.

However, you should keep in mind that prices for this service are at the lower end compared to other remote music jobs. As a full time DJ, you will still need to supplement your income with in-person gigs.

A&R Representative

A&R stands for Artists and Repertoire. An A&R professional typically works for a record label to discover new talents, sign them to the label, and guide them through their careers.

Working remotely as an A&R representative means that you will primarily focus on finding up-and-coming talents for the label to reach out to. Working in A&R can be a heavy responsibility as you will be held responsible for the artist’s success or failure.

Music journalism

One way to use your expertise as a musician is to write about it. Blogs, magazines, and other publications are always on the lookout for new contributors. The more experience you have as a musician, the more valuable your insights become.

Typically, music journalists find consistent work by reviewing new albums or concerts. However, instructional articles, top-10s and opinion pieces are also in high demand.

Beatmaker

A beatmaker creates and sells beats for other artists to use on their tracks. Typically, your client will specify a genre or an artist they want to emulate. Beatmakers typically work in the R&B/Hip-Hop/Rap space, so this job is ideal for musicians who enjoy these genres.

Being a remote beatmaker can be a tricky job as communication is key for this type of project. Be prepared to do quite a few revisions and minor edits to perfectly capture your client’s vision.

Music transcription

Music transcription is a remote job that is best suited for classically trained musicians. A client will send you either a song they’ve heard or an original composition. Your job is to convert the recording into sheet music for either a single instrument or a band/orchestra.

In this job, it's important to consider the client’s skill level as well as their creative requirements. you might have to simplify the piece or add ornaments to make it sound better.  

Whether you're a seasoned professional or an amateur trying to make a name for themself, these 10 positions are perfect opportunities to kick off your remote music career!
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We also have an in-depth articles that will help you land a job in the music industry! Find out in our blog page.

The number of opportunities may surprise you, and you won’t need to be an expert concert pianist to succeed. If you're considering a path in the music industry, take the first steps and follow your dreams! Read The Beginner's Guide to Working in Music for you to get started!

If you have a passion for music and an understanding of how the music industry works, you might be suited for a role at a record label or in the music business sector. With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about preparing a resume for a role in the music industry.

The music industry is a volatile beast, with some mega-selling artists flung to the top of the charts in a matter of days and others quietly grinding away for years just trying to make ends meet.

In the background, thousands of workers help keep the industry afloat by doing the jobs required of them - everything from soundcheckers at live shows to album cover artists.

In this article, we’ll offer a guide to help you apply for some of those jobs.

How Do You Get Noticed By a Music Label?

The age-old question: “How do you get your name out there? How do you get seen? How do you get noticed?”

It’s not just an issue facing up-and-coming music acts vying for attention, it also affects those who want to be employed in music industry roles.

One of the significant issues with the music industry is that there really is no criteria for how you can be hired; it’s not like, say, becoming a doctor, where you can go to Med School and come out seven years later with an MD and a residency at a hospital in your local areas. Music industry workers come from all walks of life - from college degrees to people who just decided to organize gigs at their local town music hall and found themselves as a music manager a few years later….

So, if you’re looking for a job at a music label, you’ll have questions about the best way to get noticed. Here's our advice:

• Put your music related experience first: Music labels will get a lot of applicants when they’re hiring, so the first thing they’ll look at is your experience. If you have completed internships, set up music projects yourself, or worked with notable people/teams/companies within the industry, your resume will sit a lot higher than most others. Similarly, if you have a relevant degree (especially one involving work experience within the music industry), that will also help support your application. Showing a portfolio of music projects you've worked on will reassure labels that you're someone who has proactively gone out and built experience.
• Stand out with your Personal Brand: Trust us, the best applicants out there aren’t copying and pasting their resumes off a template they found on Google; they’re showcasing their original personal brand. What makes you different to other candidates? Write a resume highlighting your social media presence, your portfolio, and your work with others in the industry. Make it clear to them that you’re a valuable asset within the industry, and make it clear that if they don’t pick you, then a rival label will…
• Always tailor your resume: This should be standard by now, but it's always important for you to tailor your resume for each job you apply for. The best way to stand out is to speak to the person reading your resume like the company/label they work for is the most important bastion for the entire industry. This will help you go far!
  

How to Get a Job at a Record Label

The music industry is highly competitive, meaning that getting a job at a record label can be tough.

You can get ahead of the competition by being proactive. If you have never previously worked at a record label, the best way to get a job at one is to intern in some capacity. Many record labels will offer internships so that individuals can build up their experience; they will also frequently hire in-house when a job pops up, meaning that your internship can become a trial run for you getting your long-desired full-time job.

Elsewhere, you’re strongly advised to look for job opportunities on various hiring websites, online forums, and social media platforms like MusicCareers. Consult these platforms daily and apply to record labels where you believe your talents would be best suited.

Finally, in the music industry, it’s always worth trying some non-standard approaches. These can involve emailing record label execs and showing your interest; they can also involve pointing out areas where you can assist a record label in terms of their growth and development within the industry (many of the best music industry employees have literally talked themselves into a job by pointing out areas for improvement…).

Remember, since there is no clear criteria for being a great employee in the music industry, there are no clearly defined hiring processes either. Sometimes, record labels won’t know they need a new staff member until someone reaches out to them and expresses enthusiasm, insight, and a desire to help them grow. If you want the job, it doesn’t harm to be that person!

Record Label Positions  

Ok, we’ve covered how you can get ready to send your resume off to a record label. Now, let’s look at the descriptions of some positions within record label companies.

A&R (Artists and Repertoire)

A&R Professionals play a big role in growing a record label’s roster of artists. They’ll hunt for emerging talent, sign up artists, and then develop them and shape their artistry so that their careers skyrocket.

Marketing Team Roles

Music Marketing plays an important role in the music world since it helps fans find the artists they love, even in a highly saturated industry. Record labels need marketing coordinators to promote artists; digital strategists to help market artists online; and publicists to liaise with the media, write press releases, and help with artist campaigns.

Legal

The music industry requires a lot of legal work, so record labels are always on the lookout for those from a legal background. Music licensing, artist negotiation, and payment contracts will all involve legal work.

Other Members of the Production Team

A record label will take an artist’s ideas and help bring them to life - so their staff will be composed of numerous other members who will do various jobs. Production Teams will do everything from booking studios, hiring music producers, handling distribution, and offering artistic/business advice.

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We also have an in-depth articles that will help you land a job in the music industry! Find out in our blog page.

The number of opportunities may surprise you, and you won’t need to be an expert concert pianist to succeed. If you're considering a path in the music industry, take the first steps and follow your dreams! Read The Beginner's Guide to Working in Music for you to get started!

An A&R department is essential to keeping the music industry fresh - it’s also pivotal for discovering music artists that fans adore. In this article, we’ll offer a guide to how an A&R role can help launch your career in the ever-evolving music industry

A&R Job Description: What is an A&R?

The job description of an A&R professional (sometimes simply called ‘an A&R’) can be incredibly varied, depending on the label you’re working with, the type of music you’re involved with, and your own abilities.

However, at its heart, A&R is about scouting for new music talent; signing artists to a label that can help them grow; and overseeing an artist’s wider career development.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these means:

• Scouting For Talent: A great A&R professional will always have their nose to the ground in terms of the music industry. They’ll be going to concerts, listening to the radio/playlists, and be keeping abreast of which artists are creating an underground buzz amongst music lovers. The best A&Rs genuinely love what they do - and they get a kick out of helping excellent artists break into the mainstream.
  
• Signing new artists: A&R Departments typically work within a music label, which means that A&R professionals will try to sign talented acts. Signing an artist involves understanding how they can benefit the label and offering incentives to the artist themselves (such as career development). The best A&Rs will go beyond simply looking for the most talented emerging artists out there; they’ll look for artists whose sound and style complement the label they want to sign them to - this ensures a good marriage of talents.
  
• Artist Development: Once artists sign with a label, the A&R Department will work with them to hone their sound, image, style, and aspirations. This work can also be varied; it can involve collaborating with producers, making informed decisions about an artist’s look, or deciding what singles should be released in what order. There is no fixed job description, but it should be stressed again that the best A&Rs out there are incredibly knowledgeable about the music industry, passionate about discovering artists, and intelligent in terms of what they offer.
  

How to Become an A&R

Since the A&R jobs is so varied, there are no set criteria for becoming an A&R, and the people in these roles come from all walks of life.  

However, there are several routes you can take to help you kickstart your A&R career. Suppose you are considering going to College or University and starting a career as an A&R. In that case, we recommend pursuing a degree in music business, communications, marketing, or a related field (such as music technology, Business, or even Law). These will all look very good on your CV and give you the foundations you’ll need to be a great A&R.

Similarly, perhaps the best way to become an A&R is to apply for internships at record labels, where you’ll be able to gain the necessary experience. Internships at music labels tend to be very hands-on, meaning applicants learn a lot in a short space of time.

Finally, attending music seminars, networking events, or industry-related festivals is strongly encouraged, as is reading everything you can about the industry in the music press and online. Doing this will help you absorb all the insights you need to be a great A&R with sharp instincts.

What Does an A&R Actually Do?

As mentioned above, the duties of an A&R are very diverse.

Typically, an A&R will divide their time between: 1) scouting for artists, and 2) developing the artists they’ve already signed.

A&Rs will scout for new artists by listening to demos, attending concerts, tracking down independent artists and deciding if they’re a good prospect, or simply switching on their favorite radio/streaming playlist and trying to find a great emerging artist they can work with.

In terms of working on the artists they’ve signed, an A&R will try to nurture development by helping artists find that niche between being successful (ie. profitable) and being creative. A&R might not always get the credit for it, but they actually play a big part in helping to bridge the difficult industry gap between music being about originality and it being about cold, hard profit.

What is the Difference Between an Artist Manager and an A&R?

While the work of an A&R representative and an artist manager might seem to overlap (they both want to help music artists grow, they both deal with the business side of the industry, etc.), they are different in a number of ways.

The clearest difference is that an artist manager will always act on behalf of their artist, while an A&R will act on behalf of the label they’re employed by. If there is ever a conflict in terms of the direction of an artist’s development, this difference will become more apparent. Say, for example, an artist wants to pursue an unusual music style that might alienate some fans in the pursuit of more lofty ambitions; in this example, you’re likely to find that the artist manager will defend their artist’s decision as being part of their broader artistic ambitions, while the A&R will likely be reticent of a move like this, as they’ll be more focused on the needs of the label.

A&Rs Help Launch artists into the Limelight

A&Rs play an underrated role in helping great artists find their voice and secure their success. They’re integral to the business-side industry, sure, but they’re also invaluable for helping to guide artists and getting them the spotlight they deserve.

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We also have an in-depth articles that will help you land a job in the music industry! Find out in our blog page.

The number of opportunities may surprise you, and you won’t need to be an expert concert pianist to succeed. If you're considering a path in the music industry, take the first steps and follow your dreams! Read The Beginner's Guide to Working in Music for you to get started!

Music Touring Assistants help keep the show on the road - literally. The job of a Music Touring Assistant is integral when it comes to making live music happen. Here, we’ll guide you through everything involved in a Music Touring Assistant job

Music Touring Assistant Job Description

A Music Touring Assistant will work to support artists, crew, venue owners, and other relevant parties when it comes to putting on live performances throughout the duration of a music artist’s tour.

Typically, the Music Touring Assistant will play an assisting role in helping with the logistics side of things. They’ll help with everything from ensuring an artist arrives at a venue on time, to liaising with the sound crew so that the performance is a success, to help with booking hotel rooms for the other members of the touring crew.

Basically, they’ll make sure that everything runs smoothly, so that the artist can deliver a great performance, an audience is able to be wowed by the power of live music - and all parties involved in the tour are able to benefit.

What is an Entry-Level Touring Assistant, and How Can I Start in This Role?

A touring assistant is often an entry-level role within the live music sector. Typically, a touring assistant will work with artists, crew, managers, venue owners, and other parties to ensure that each gig in the tour is a success.

Live music tours are surprisingly technical affairs, and each gig requires many assistants for problem-solving and communication.

If you’re starting from scratch, the best way to eventually become a Touring Assistant is to gain some applied experience; this means going and talking to a local band in your area and seeing if they need help setting up for their live shows - watch what they do, learn from the crew you're working with, and put in the effort to understand the ropes.

Then, when you find a place hiring a Music Touring Assistant, you’ll be able to leverage your experience and get the job.

Music Touring Assistant Salary

A Music Touring Assistant's salary will vary depending on experience, location, and whether you’re part of a well-known organization or not (or whether you’re a freelancer or not). Music Touring Assistants can make between $30,000 to $50,000 a year, according to online aggregators.

However, there is a lot of career development within this role, meaning that Assistants often go on to Lead Touring Managers, netting themselves a lot more money.

Music Touring Assistant Responsibilities

Let’s take a quick look at some of the main responsibilities of a Music Touring Assistant:

• Logistics: A MTA will oversee much of the logistics involved in getting an artist on stage and in front of an audience. They might, in some way, deal with things like transportation, accommodation, scheduling, tour itineraries, rehearsals, sound checks, and ensuring that all crew members and management teams are happy.
• On-Site Assistance: Music Touring Assistants will be there on the day of a live performance itself, to deal with any issues or extenuating circumstances. They’ll be front-and-center when it comes to setting up merch stands, dealing with artist riders, and ensuring that all equipment is present so the show goes off without a hitch.
• Communication: This is one of the biggest responsibilities of a Touring Assistant (and one that is frequently overlooked!) Touring Assistants will often form part of the team that liaises between the artists themselves and the people on the ground at the venue/town/city where the artist is playing. Every gig you’ve ever been to has been made possible by the background works that have communicated with everyone involved (and dealt with some of the big egos out there in the music industry!).
  

Conclusion: What Happens On Tour…Can Help Excel In Your Career

The job of a Tour Assistant isn’t for everyone. It can be incredibly demanding, time-consuming, and involve a lot of problem-solving, ego-salving, and deadline-meeting.

That being said, this is one of the most important jobs in the live music industry, and the industry itself simply wouldn’t exist without the thousands of assistants out there putting in the leg work.

Touring Assistants might start at an entry level, but the experience they earn by being at the frontline of the industry will stand them in good stead as they advance further in their careers. Becoming a Touring Assistant is the first step to becoming a Tour Manager, a gig booker, an artist manager, or any other executive role within the music industry.

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We also have an in-depth articles that will help you land a job in the music industry! Find out in our blog page.

The number of opportunities may surprise you, and you won’t need to be an expert concert pianist to succeed. If you're considering a path in the music industry, take the first steps and follow your dreams! Read The Beginner's Guide to Working in Music for you to get started!

Audio Engineers are essential in all aspects of the media world, as they enhance sound in everything from your favorite song, TV commercials, to the music in the films you watch in the cinema. In this article, we’ll take a look at what an Audio Engineer does, the type of salary you can expect, and the differences between an Audio Engineer and a Sound Engineer

Audio Engineer Job Description

Audio Engineers deal with the technical aspects of music.

As an Audio Engineer, you might find yourself tasked with sound recording, mixing, editing, and re-producing audio, all to enhance a piece of music or media so that listeners can experience it at its best.

Audio Engineers will normally be found in certain settings, ranging from music studios, to film studios, to concert venues. They’ll normally be seated in front of an arsenal of audio equipment and software, which they’ll use to make the audio they're working with sound its best. Their work will involve adjusting sound levels, solving technical issues, being part of artist discussions on how to improve an element of the audio, and being in charge of audio equipment.

If an Audio Engineer is working primarily on music, they’ll normally be present in the studio - with music producers, music artists, and music artist management teams. There, they’ll form part of the wider goal of achieving an artist’s vision by handling the technical and mechanical aspects of their music.

Audio Engineer Salary

Since Audio Engineers have highly technical roles, they can earn quite a lot within the music industry (not to mention that there is a lot of room for career development).

According to industry sources, entry-level Audio Engineers can earn between $30,000 to $45,000 at the very start of their career, with that salary increasing as they progress within the industry.

On top of this, audio engineers can become highly specialized within the industry, which creates a lot of demand for their services. Experienced Audio Engineers have been known to earn up to $100,000 per annum, especially for high-profile artists. Audio Engineers can either work for a music company, or they can freelance and find work for themselves. The benefit of this job type is that both choices can be very lucrative.

How to Become an Audio Engineer

Audio Engineering is much more technical and specialized than other jobs within the music industry, meaning there are clearer paths to becoming a readily employable Audio Engineer. If you want the job, here are some steps you’ll need to follow:

• Education: Most Audio Engineers will have degrees in audio engineering or sound production. There are colleges and universities across the world that specialize in audio engineering.
• Personal Experience: While most audio engineers have some form of qualification nowadays, there are still plenty out there who have learned from hard graft and hands-on experience. Many people will intern at a music studio or shadow a fellow audio engineer and gain skills from them.
• Learn About the Equipment and Software: The best Audio Engineers will always keep up-to-date with the latest equipment and software. The music world is constantly evolving, and artists/producers will want to collaborate with engineers who know the kit, know the latest capabilities, and who can work efficiently.
  

Is an Audio Engineer a DJ?

Perhaps some Audio Engineers moonlight as DJs to make extra money - but the short answer is: no, Audio Engineers are not DJs.

The main difference is that DJs perform live, mixing songs/sounds in front of crowds. Audio Engineers typically work in studios, either alone or with other people involved in the music-making process. Their job is also a lot more technical (as highlighted above).

Sound Engineer vs. Audio Engineer

Many will ask if there is a difference between the role of ‘Sound Engineer’ and ‘Audio Engineer.’

The truth is that most people within the music industry will use these two terms interchangeably (indeed, it is even common to hear audio engineers refer to themselves as ‘sound engineers’ sometimes).

There is a small distinction, although it has largely to do with semantics. The role of audio engineers’ tends to refer to engineers who tend to focus specifically on the mechanical aspects of recording and production (typically in the studio). In contrast, a ‘sound engineer’ might take on different responsibilities, including managing the sound at live events.

However, since the difference has largely to do with semantics, many audio engineers would dismiss this view and use the terms interchangeably.

Conclusion: Want to Become an Audio Engineer? Sounds good…

Audio Engineers don’t always get the credit for it - but their work has helped turn recorded music into something so professional that it has caused the industry to become a global, cultural behemoth.

Audio Engineers are why Springsteen sounds so good coming out of your surround sound, why Taylor’s voice comes through cleanly on your headphones, and why you can hear every bar Kendrick drops when he’s laying down lyrics in the booth.

That’s not all: the job of an audio engineer is highly specialized, meaning those who enter this field can earn a lot of money. If you’re thinking of becoming one, there’s no better time to do your research on this highly lucrative job.

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We also have an in-depth articles that will help you land a job in the music industry! Find out in our blog page.

The number of opportunities may surprise you, and you won’t need to be an expert concert pianist to succeed. If you're considering a path in the music industry, take the first steps and follow your dreams! Read The Beginner's Guide to Working in Music for you to get started!

If you haven’t already realized - music is everywhere in our society. More and more of us are constantly consuming media - scrolling on our phones, streaming on our laptops, watching on our Smart TVs - and most of the content we consume includes a musical accompaniment. But how does a specific song or piece of music end up in a film, TV, commercial, or short video? And who oversees the licensing and royalties arrangements to ensure that artists get their fair share when their music is used? All of this falls under the job description of a Synch Licensing Assistant. In this article, we’ll walk through exactly what this job entails

Synch licensing (short for synchronization licensing) involves securing permission to use music in various visual media such as films, TV shows, advertisements, video games, and more. Those who work within these roles help promote artists, ensure they get paid fairly, and ensure that visual media creators find the right music for their needs.

The music industry is dynamic, with a lot of evolving trends that mean it can be difficult to keep track of where a song might end up once it’s released into the world. Within that dynamism, the role of a Synch Licensing Assistant is important, as these are the experts who work to help link music artists with filmmakers, advertisers, and other media content creators.

A Guide to Synch Licensing

Synch licensing plays a vital role in sound and visual media. Not only does synch licensing help link up music with visual media, but it also provides artists with an important source of income. In the cases of an artist such as, say, Canadian singer-songwriter Feist, a synch licensing placement in an Apple commercial was literally the cornerstone of her entire career.

Synch licensing is synchronization, meaning that - in the best cases - it works for both the musician and the person or groups they’re collaborating with.

As a Synch Licensing Assistant, your primary responsibility will be to secure the rights to use music in synchronization with visual content. This involves several different things, but one of the main tasks you’ll be undertaking is negotiating licensing agreements, ensuring compliance with copyright laws, and coordinating with artists, labels, production companies, and other involved parties.

As well as this, Synch Licensing Assistants will often work as part of a legal team to make sure that a licensing agreement is legally sound. They’ll navigate the legal aspects of synchronization to avoid copyright infringement and legal disputes.

Synch Licensing has Long-Term Impacts on Brand Identity and Music Industry Trends

While much of synch licensing involves a lot of quiet paperwork, back-and-forth negotiations, and dense legalese, synching impacts the music world in many ways.

Synching provides an important source of revenue for artists and rights holders. It can enhance the impact of visual media, it can create a memorable and immersive experience for an audience, and in some cases it becomes an entire brand identity for a business (hello Cadbury’s, hello gorilla, hello Phil Collins).

It also sets trend: consider how a timely synch placement of Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’ in a 2022 episode of Stranger Things encouraged a massive resurgence of interest in ‘80s alternative pop.

Synch Licensing Assistant Job Description

So, synch licensing is important for the music industry. Got it.

But what’s actually in the job?

A typical Synch Licensing Assistant job description might ask candidates if they can perform the following tasks:

• Research and identify potential tracks and music pieces for appropriate synchronization opportunities
• Contacting rights holders and artists to negotiate licensing agreements
• Create agreements and ensure compliance from all involved parties
• Communicate with artists, labels, lawyers, production teams, etc - to make sure the licensing of a work of music is seamless and beneficial to everyone involved.

It’s a job that requires someone who is highly motivated, has an eye for the details, and is also creative enough to recognize a useful music/media partnership when they see one.

These aren’t the only tasks involved, of course. As a Synch Licensing Assistant, your role can vary depending on what your organization requires. For example, some Synch Licensing Assistants deal almost exclusively with the specifics of licensing agreements, whereas others are tasked with identifying and capitalizing on wider music industry trends. It can all depend on the job you apply for.

Tips for Those Wanting to Be Successful Synch Licensing Assistants

You might already be thinking you have what it takes to be involved in Synch Licensing. Maybe you’ve already got a song in mind that you believe could be marketed to a wider media base.

If you think you might have what it takes to become a successful Synch Licensing Assistant, here are a few industry tips to help you as you prepare to seek out jobs:

1. Constantly keep updated on music licensing laws and regulations:

Laws and regulations change all the time, and your employer will expect you to be constantly in the loop. If you want a job as a Synch Licensing Assistant, be prepared to always be aware.

2. Cultivate strong relationships with artists, labels, and industry contacts:

When you’re applying for a job, it’s always useful to be able to drop in that you have a network of contacts who can help you do business. Licensing agreements often start off as casual conversations - so get to know people in your industry.

3. Stay detail-oriented and be aware that each licensing agreement you encounter will be unique:

Licensing agreements can be incredible when they’re a success, but behind every agreement is a lot of meticulous work. Before you apply for jobs, be prepared to put the work in.

4. Continuously expand your knowledge of music (and media) trends:

It probably doesn’t need to be stressed, but if you want to enter the world of music licensing, you should already be living and breathing music. As with knowing the latest laws and regulations, make sure you know all the latest music and media trends as well!

Career outlook

It should be clear by now that synch licensing assistants have a pretty big role to play within the industry. The average synch licensing assistant salary falls at roughly $45,000 a year, according to recent reports. However, this can vary depending on the company you work with and level of experience. It’s also worth noting that, since we’re only highlighting a Synch Licensing Assistant role, that salary can rise considerably as a person moves up the career ladder. We hope this article has given you a good overview of a Sync Licensing Assistant!

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We also have an in-depth articles that will help you land a job in the music industry! Find out in our blog page.

The number of opportunities may surprise you, and you won’t need to be an expert concert pianist to succeed. If you're considering a path in the music industry, take the first steps and follow your dreams! Read The Beginner's Guide to Working in Music for you to get started!

Music booking agents connect artists with venues - allowing live audiences to experience that IRL connection with the stars they adore. But getting artists to the right venues in the right locations requires business savvy, coordination, and networking skills. Here’s a look at what music booking agents do and how to become a booking agent if you feel it’s the right job for you

Behind every live music performance you’ve ever witnessed, a music booking agent has been in the background - scheduling tour dates, making arrangements with music venues, and negotiating performance fees and contracts.

Music booking agents - from their quiet positions backstage - often play centerstage roles in developing the live music industry as a whole. What would the world have been without Frank Barsalona - perhaps the most legendary booking agent in history - playing his part in getting the likes of Springsteen, U2, and Hendrix onto the stage? What would modern hip-hop have been if booking agent Cara Lewis hadn’t convinced venue owners to capitalize on the popularity of artists like Eminem and Kanye West, giving them the gigs that live music fans were begging for?

In this article, we’ll take a look at a music booking agent's job description, the unique tasks they perform, how they connect artists and venues, the average music booking agent salary, and the qualifications and skills required to become a successful music booking agent.

The Role of a Music Booking Agent

A music booking agent acts as the first point of contact between artists and venues, helping to secure live performance opportunities for musicians and coordinating live gigs with venue owners.

The job requires booking agents to work closely with a wide range of other professionals within the industry - from music managers and promoters, to venue owners and sometimes technical crew. Music booking agents will negotiate contracts, schedule performances, and they can also oversee logistics for live shows.

In a wider sense, then, booking agents play a vital role in building the careers of artists by connecting them with their live audiences and ensuring they get appropriate financial remuneration for their performances.

The Tasks of a Music Booking Agent

Music booking agents perform several key tasks to help artists secure live performance opportunities.

Some of these tasks include:

1.   Networking

A music booking agent will build and maintain strong relationships with artists, managers, promoters, and venue owners.

2.   Handling fees and contracts

They’ll negotiate contracts and deal with the fees for any live performances.

3.   Scheduling and logistics

A booking agent will ensure the performances fit within the scheduling for both artists and venues. They may also oversee logistics for the shows themselves. (For example, ensuring that the right crew/kit is present at the venue so that the show can take place).

4.   Promoting artists to venues and helping them secure bookings

Music booking agents often play a key role in reaching out to venues in the first place, so as to promote their clients and secure bookings. They will often use their extensive knowledge of the industry to ensure that the right artist is booked for the right venue.

5.   Handling travel arrangements, accommodation, budgets, and other financial concerns for artists

For major tours (and even for smaller tours), this is a key task. Booking agents will ensure that live gigs are seamless, workable, and financially viable for the artists they’re working with. They’ll juggle budgetary concerns and secure the best deals for their clients.

Music Booking Agent Average Salary

Music booking agents typically work for talent agencies or management companies, or they work independently. The job description and the tasks involved may vary depending on the size and scope of the company that the booking agent works for.

In terms of salary, the average salary for a music booking agent can vary depending on experience, location, and the size of the company (or, if they’re an individual, the fees they charge will depend on the length of time they’ve spent as an independent booking agent).

Based on the data estimates that music booking agents can make between $36,000 and $65,000 per annum. However, due to the dynamic nature of the live music industry - and depending on the type of artists a booking agent might work with - earnings can fluctuate wildly and can often be much higher.

Qualifications and Skills Required for Music Booking Agents

To become a successful music booking agent, here are some of the skills you should have:

- A passion for music and a deep knowledge of the music industry

- Communication and negotiation skills

- The ability to build relationships and to network on  behalf of artists

- Strong organizational skills

- The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

- Knowledge of contracts, legal agreements, and industry regulations

- Experience in event planning and marketing

In terms of qualifications or educational background, it is not essential to have a university degree or any specific qualifications. In fact, most successful booking agents gain essential experience through internships, networking, and on-the-job training.

However, having a degree or a qualification in a field like business, finance, events planning, or marketing can go a long way to showing potential employers that you have what it takes to become a music booking agent.

Music Booking Agents Get Artists in Front of Their Audiences

While the music business can make people hardened, it’s important to remember that much of the music biz exists so that the best musicians out there can share their art with audiences and create an emotional connection with them.

Without getting too sentimental about it, this is exactly what music booking agents do. They connect artists with venues, they help secure live performances, and they work to develop and understand the live music industry. Ultimately, they bring killer music to grateful audiences.

If you want to become a music booking agent, it’s worth remembering that it's about passion and love, as much as it’s about business!

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We also have an in-depth articles that will help you land a job in the music industry! Find out in our blog page.

The number of opportunities may surprise you, and you won’t need to be an expert concert pianist to succeed. If you're considering a path in the music industry, take the first steps and follow your dreams! Read The Beginner's Guide to Working in Music for you to get started!

With billions of dollars every year generated from the collective success of our favorite artists (streaming, touring, synch, etc) - it’s safe to say that music is a lucrative industry - over $28 billion in 2023 alone, according to statistics.

Music publishers play a major role in ensuring songwriters and composers get the compensation they deserve for their works, while also keeping an eye on potential commercial opportunities. At its heart, music publishing involves the management of musical compositions, copyrights, licensing, and royalties.

In this article, we offer a comprehensive music publishing guide. We’ll look at what a music publisher does, how they do it, and what the future landscapes of music publishing may look like.

What is Music Publishing and What Does a Music Publisher Do?

The broadest definition of a music publisher is that it is an individual who acquires, administers, and promotes musical compositions on behalf of songwriters, composers, and other music creators. (Often, this individual works for a larger music publisher company.)

Music publishers act as intermediaries between artists, and those who might want to use an artist’s music for commercial purposes - such as record labels, film and TV producers, advertisers, and digital streaming platforms. Music publishers are responsible for securing licensing deals for the use of musical compositions in various media, while at the same time ensuring that creators receive fair compensation for their work.

The day-to-day work of a music publisher might involve jobs such as:

• handling the registration of copyrights;
• collection of royalties on behalf of an artist;
• enforcement of intellectual property rights on behalf of clients

Additionally, music publishers often provide creative and administrative support to songwriters and composers, helping them negotiate the tricky landscape of the music business world.

What Skills and Qualifications Are Required for Music Publishing Jobs?

Music publishers need to have a blend of creative, business, and legal skills within their skillset.

There is no set list of requirements for how to get into music publishing, but here are some of the things you might want to have if you’re hoping to find employment as a music publisher:

1. Strong Musical Background

It should go without saying, but music publishers must have a good understanding of the music world and music industry trends if they want to effectively promote music works and ensure that their clients get fair value for their creations.

2. Business and Legal Acumen

Music publishers should have a solid grasp of music industry economics, copyright law, licensing agreements, and royalty structures. This is the bare minimum required for music publishers so that they’re able to negotiate favorable deals for their clients.

3. Networking Skills

While having the requisite legal and industry knowledge is important, it’s also important to cultivate relationships with artists, industry professionals, and licensing partners. Business is often about communication and who you know - and the music industry is no different.

4. Digital Awareness

In today’s world, modern music publishers face an added demand that the music publishers of previous generations didn’t have - they must always be aware of the latest digital trends and how this can affect the rights of their clients. A perfect example of this is the evolution of platforms like TikTok; six years ago, only a small percentage of people in the music industry were even aware of it - whereas now, it’s a major player in the music royalties world, with music publishers scrambling to make sure their clients get fair compensation for their works being used.

Understanding the Role of Music Publishers

So what is the exact role of the music publisher? Collecting royalties? Negotiating deals? A good music publisher does all of these things:

1. Copyright Administration

A music publisher will register musical compositions with performing rights organizations, securing copyright protection, and monitoring unauthorized use of music.

2. Licensing and Sync Deals

Negotiating licensing agreements for the use of music in films, TV shows, commercials, video games, and other commercial media.

3. Royalty Collection

Tracking and collecting royalties from various sources, such as streaming services, radio stations, and live performances.

4. Creative Support

The best music publishers are able to provide feedback, guidance, and opportunities for collaboration to songwriters and composers, to help them develop their craft.

5. Market Research

Stay on top of identifying emerging trends in the music industry, analyzing consumer preferences, and exploring potential new revenue streams for artists.

The Future of Music Publishing

Music publishers are expected to remain essential in the future of the industry. Looking ahead, music publishers will continue representing artists, connecting them with audiences, and helping them stay rewarded financially so that they survive as artists and thrive.

Due to the rise of digital streaming platforms, social media, and online content creation, music publishers might have to work harder than ever - but they also have new opportunities to promote and new avenues to monetize music on behalf of their clients.

The future of music publishing is likely to be shaped by digitization trends such as data-driven decision-making, personalized marketing strategies via social media platforms, and the increased globalization of the music markets.

If you’re interested in becoming a music publisher, it’s important to remember that success in this field is not just about making deals and collecting royalties (although that’s obviously an integral part), it's also about fostering creativity, building relationships, and championing the power of music creators to connect with audiences.

If you think you can work hard for artists and help them get what they deserve from the works they create, then a music publisher role might be perfect for you!

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We also have an in-depth articles that will help you land a job in the music industry! Find out in our blog page.

The number of opportunities may surprise you, and you won’t need to be an expert concert pianist to succeed. If you're considering a path in the music industry, take the first steps and follow your dreams! Read The Beginner's Guide to Working in Music for you to get started!

Today, TikTok is reshaping the music industry, serving as a crucial platform for artist exposure and music discovery. Recent studies by TikTok reveal its impact in how someone discovers an artist, and how artists can engage with their fanbase. We’ll review facts from the studies to better understand how we can use TikTok as a key tool in our music career.

Driving Discovery and Streaming

TikTok introduces a refreshed model of music consumption habits. The platform has the capacity to elevate songs to the top of the Billboard 100 and Spotify 50 charts through viral snippets or dance videos. Data suggests that 67% of TikTok users are likely to explore songs on other streaming platforms after encountering them on TikTok, with 75% of these users discovering new artists via tiktok. This effectiveness in promoting music careers by linking artists with a broad audience is significant, and something artists should prioritize in their release and marketing efforts!

Redefining Music Careers

The trajectory of music careers has been notably altered by TikTok. Artists like Lil Nas X and Olivia Rodrigo, who utilized the platform to share their music, have gained global recognition, illustrating how TikTok can raise unknown artists to fame. This development enables musicians to bypass traditional industry barriers, with direct audience engagement and community building without the need for record label support. The "For You" page on TikTok further democratizes music discovery, allowing songs to achieve international popularity, whether or not the artist is famous or unknown.

Insights from TikTok-Published Studies

The platform's studies highlight TikTok's crucial role in enhancing music streaming and engagement. They reveal that active engagement on TikTok is linked with increased streaming volumes, encouraging labels and artists to prioritize posting.

U.S. TikTok users are notably more inclined to discover music on short-form video platforms, emphasizing TikTok's extensive influence on shaping music consumption trends. The "Add to Music App" feature addresses potential concerns about the platform's format limiting deeper music engagement, creating a seamless transition from discovery on TikTok to streaming on music services.

The Complexity of ‘Going Viral’

Who doesn’t want to ‘go viral’? The fact is, on TikTok it’s complex, uncertain, and at times random. The challenge lies in the unpredictability of viral success, complicating artists' and labels' strategies to utilize the platform effectively. While some viral tracks on TikTok do not necessarily translate into streaming hits, users on tiktok are more proactive, attending more concerts and buying more merch— this demonstrates higher engagement compared to the average music listener.

Key Takeaways from TikTok’s latest studies:

• TikTok's Impact on Discovery: 67% of TikTok users stream songs after discovering them on the platform, showcasing its vital role in linking artists with audiences.
  
• Fame Through Virality: Platforms like TikTok have propelled artists such as Lil Nas X and Olivia Rodrigo to fame, bypassing traditional music industry paths.
  
• Boosting Streaming Engagement: High engagement on TikTok correlates with increased streaming, with U.S. users twice as likely to find new music through the app.
  
• Going Viral is unpredictable: Despite its potential, going viral on TikTok can’t be manufactured..but the flip side of that is better fans: 38% of U.S. users attend concerts and 45% buy merchandise, reflecting deep engagement.
  
• Seamless Discovery to Streaming: The "Add to Music App" feature on TikTok creates  deeper engagement with fans, by linking music discovery directly to streaming services.
  

TikTok's impact on the music industry is multifaceted, and constantly changing. It not only creates new opportunities for discovery and engagement but also poses challenges to the traditional models of music career development.

As the industry continues to navigate the tiktok transformation, artists and professionals should constantly stay updated on these trends, whilst staying authentic with their fans through social media.

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We also have an in-depth articles that will help you land a job in the music industry! Find our in our blog page.

The number of opportunities may surprise you, and you won’t need to be an expert concert pianist to succeed. If you're considering a path in the music industry, take the first steps and follow your dreams! Read The Beginner's Guide to Working in Music for you to get started!

The music industry is a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape that has shaped cultures, defined eras, and given us some of the most iconic moments in history. In this article, we'll explore 10 quick but fascinating music industry facts you probably didn't know about - We hope these spark some googling and more reading for our readers!

The First Music Streaming Service

Long before Spotify and Apple Music dominated the music streaming scene, there was a service called "Internet Underground Music Archive" (IUMA). Launched in 1993, IUMA allowed users to download music tracks for free and is considered the pioneer of music streaming.

The World's Shortest Song

The shortest recorded song is "You Suffer" by the British grindcore band Napalm Death. Clocking in at just 1.316 seconds, this track is officially recognized by the Guinness World Records as the shortest song ever recorded. Is it worth listening to on YouTube? Well yes, it only takes a second!

The MP3 Revolution

The advent of the MP3 format revolutionized the music industry in the late 20th century. German engineer Karlheinz Brandenburg played a pivotal role in developing the MP3 compression algorithm, forever changing how we consume and share music.

The Secret Ingredient in Vinyl Records

Vinyl records are made using a plastic compound known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). What many people don't know is that one of the key ingredients in PVC is salt. Yes, the same salt you use in your kitchen is a crucial component in the production of vinyl records.

The "Million Dollar Homepage" and Music Promotion

In 2005, a British student named Alex Tew created the "Million Dollar Homepage" to fund his education. Musicians and bands quickly caught on to the idea, using the pixel grid to promote their music. Each pixel on the homepage was sold for $1, and the concept became a unique way for independent artists to gain exposure.

The Beatles' Record-Breaking Achievements

The Beatles, the most successful act in the history of the US Billboard charts, achieved numerous record-breaking feats. Their album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" won four Grammy Awards in 1968, including Album of the Year, marking the first time a rock band received this prestigious accolade.

The 27 Club

The "27 Club" refers to a group of iconic musicians who tragically passed away at the age of 27. Notable members include Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, and Amy Winehouse. This phenomenon has fueled speculation and fascination with the supposed "curse" surrounding this age.

World's Most Expensive Vinyl Records Ever Sold

In 2015, the Wu-Tang Clan created a unique piece of musical history by releasing the world's most expensive vinyl album, titled "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin." Only one copy was produced, and it was sold at auction for a staggering $2 million to the controversial pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli.

Metallica's Legal Battle Against Napster

In 2000, Metallica, along with Dr. Dre, filed a lawsuit against Napster, accusing the platform of facilitating copyright infringement by allowing users to share and download music without proper authorization. Napster faced legal challenges from various music artists and record labels, and in 2001, the company filed for bankruptcy as a result of the legal expenses and settlements.

First Winner of Grammy Award for Record of the Year

The first Grammy Awards ceremony took place on May 4, 1959, and the first Grammy Award winner was the American musician and composer, Domenico Modugno. He won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year for his song "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)."

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We also have an in-depth articles that will help you land a job in the music industry! Find out in our blog page.

The number of opportunities may surprise you, and you won’t need to be an expert concert pianist to succeed. If you're considering a path in the music industry, take the first steps and follow your dreams! Read The Beginner's Guide to Working in Music for you to get started!

The music industry is one of the most alluring and lucrative industries in the world, carrying a gargantuan volume of sales from decades past, and ever-expanding with new technologies and artistic ideas. It's capable of giving somebody the level of explosive business growth that can take someone from poverty to riches, and give them the freedom to do so by focusing on their own art. If that doesn't sound like a fantastic career, I don't know what does.

However, it's important to highlight the fact that it's not all sunshine and rainbows... Many fail in the music industry and become even more disenfranchised as a result. Stand on the backs of giants and learn from the mistakes of many who came before you. That is to say, learn from common mistakes before actually making them.

This article will teach you six of the biggest mistakes you can make when getting into the music industry, what can happen when you commit them, and how to actually avoid doing so!

Don't Burn Bridges: Cultivate Positive Relationships

A lot of times artists who are new to the music industry are taken advantage of by practically everybody they encounter. It's an industry with a lot of greed and nepotism, and a lot of the 'big-wigs' will take you for what you're worth before you even realize what exactly that is.

It's important to avoid this, but even more important is to build a distanced, yet professional relationship with those you elect not to work with in the beginning. Sometimes all it takes is a bit of experience before one of these people will treat you with respect.

It's sort of like hazing, the new guys always catch a ton of flak, but as soon as you're a 'Sophomore' you're much more widely accepted. It doesn't make this kind of behavior acceptable, but it's important to remember that these people have the influence to ruin your reputation.

It's important to maintain a level of professionalism even if you believe someone is trying to take advantage of you. Decline offers kindly, and move on. Of course, if the image you're attempting to build is that of a hard gangster or metalhead, it may be significantly less damaging to your reputation if you're rude to these people. But keep in mind that one day these people may be holding the door open or closed for a more important deal or relationship for you.

Conversely, if somebody in the industry collaborates with you or helps you, it's important to show them that you appreciate it. These people should be held in high regard, and considered when new opportunities arise wherein you can assist them with their careers. Kindness can be rare in this industry, as with many others, and it's important to foster relationships with respect and kindness early and often.

Embrace Musical Diversity: Don't Get Stuck in a Single Genre or Style

A lot of total beginners enter the music industry thinking they're entering a totally different industry such as the 'rap game'. While there's nothing wrong with setting your sights on a particular style or genre early on, make sure to branch out and create your own unique music. This often includes mixing and matching aspects of different groups, musicians, and genres to make music that truly resonates with you.

When something resonates so deeply with you, it's much more likely to find a spot in the market, and even more so if it's totally unique. Many rappers incorporate R&B into their style, and some metal and rock groups embody the punk attitude. Find your mix to stand out against the crowd. It's also important to note that your style is likely to evolve over time and grow with you as an artist.

In cover albums, most artists have significant style changes, sometimes changing genres entirely. Look at Machine Gun Kelly; in 2012 he was just a rapper, but somewhere in the late 2010s his style evolved to be more of a pop-punk.

Focus on Your Strengths: Avoid Being a Total Newbie

Everybody has their skills and strengths, and it's a good idea to emphasize that when getting your career off the ground. For instance, if you have experience making beats, you could use that skill to reach out to other artists and collaborate with them. Then, once you've got a couple of smaller names in close contact, you could try to invite them to collaborate with you on your music. Even another smaller artist being included will help you gain traction, as opposed to posting records to nobody.

This is especially true if you aren't working with a large and reputable record label. You could also leverage these early relationships to open at shows, where you may be seen by many fans of similar artists, giving you a jumping-off point.

Note that it's not a great idea to become a jack-of-all-trades early on in a music career, instead reaching out for collaborators to help in areas where you lack skills. For instance, if you're a strong songwriter, but you don't know the first thing about producing a beat, reach out to rookie beatmakers, to try and make a track together. This gives everyone opportunities to hone their skills and build relationships and creates stronger pieces before you've had the experience to become a fully independent musician.

Master the Art of Self-Promotion: Building a Personal Brand

As mentioned in our article discussing the future of music, many new musicians are rejecting predatory contracts and record deals, instead focusing on self-promotion. However, without the know-how to create a personal brand, it's going to be difficult - if possible to have a fruitful music career without experienced record label personnel on your side. Some will say, "If you build it, they will come". However, that couldn't be further from the truth in the music industry.

There are dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of artists more talented than you who have yet to be discovered on a broader scale. But that's okay, it doesn't mean you can't be discovered. It just means that they aren't putting in the work to make their bodies of work visible to the broader world. You just need to make music that resonates with a group of people and then reach them.

If you're quite young, you've got the upper hand. You're likely familiar with video-sharing platforms like YouTube and TikTok, which are some of the best ways to reach broad audiences. It's a good idea to capitalize on trends within your industry, as well as more generic trends like the ones you'll see on TikTok. Many of these can be adapted to your industry/niche to gather wide-scale attention. However, don't forget to pay attention to your fans and engage. It's not enough to just post your music videos to YouTube and go silent. Start conversations with your fans and facilitate them amongst each other.

Conclusion

To sum up the main bits of advice given here: don't burn bridges, embrace musical diversity, focus on your strengths, and build a personal brand. Of course, there are many more mistakes you can make and multiple ways of dealing with these potential pitfalls. Just keep in mind that you need to be careful and intentional to make it in the music business, especially as an independent artist. Making any one of these mistakes can cause you to take a huge hit to your music career, and make it that much harder for you to repair your brand going forward. Take these practical tips on building a music career in stride, never stop learning, and follow your dreams!

If you're considering this path in the music industry, take the first steps and follow your dreams! Read The Beginner's Guide to Working in Music for you to get started!

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We also have in-depth articles that will help you land a job in the music industry! Find us on our blog page.

The number of opportunities may surprise you, and you won’t need to be an expert concert pianist to succeed. For a look over the latest recruitment opportunities, check out our jobs page today and check out our beginner’s guide to working in music.

Studio managers are music industry professionals who specialize in maintaining and overseeing a recording studio or music production facility. Their role is critical in the creation of music, as they usually schedule recording sessions, allocate studio resources, and work closely with many of the other professionals involved in the creation of music such as musicians, producers, and engineers.

Studio Manager: Job Description and Responsibilities

A studio manager is in charge of a music recording studio, or music production facility. Sometimes, they may manage multiple studios, but this entails such a vast amount of administrative responsibilities, it's often delegated to multiple studio managers at that point, who are overseen by the studio operations director. While the definition of studio manager varies between different types of production facilities, below are some of the most common duties and tasks a studio manager might be responsible for.

Key responsibilities and duties of a studio manager

Managing Daily Operations and Scheduling

One of the most obvious duties of a studio manager is to schedule recording sessions and communicate with the various artists and groups that utilize the facility. This can be a difficult task at times, especially when bands and music groups have conflicting schedules and find difficulty in showing up together.

Supervising Studio Personnel and Coordinating with Artists and Engineers

Another responsibility of the studio manager is coordinating with artists and engineers. It's common for the studio manager to facilitate communication between artists and engineers to make sure that everybody is on the same page. The manager also must move music groups out of the studio when possible to allow for the next scheduled sessions. However, as alluded to above, the total level of responsibility for a big-ticket studio is just too high for a single individual to manage. As such, the owners and operators will often hire multiple assistants and personnel who will help with individual tasks. The studio manager will also have to watch over the actions and duties of these helpers, who are often responsible for things like inventory management, budgeting, and safety regulations.

Overseeing Equipment Maintenance and Inventory Management

Equipment often needs replacing or gets lost - Making it important for the Studio Manager to keep track of facility equipment and upkeep/maintenance. Good management of equipment allows for instruments, mixers, and all ranges of equipment to last in good condition for the long term.

Budgeting and Financial Management

A studio manager often manages the facility budget. Sometimes, an accountant or financial professional is onboarded to manage this, but even then they'd be in direct communication with the owners and managers of the facility to ensure the appropriate personnel approves spending.

Ensuring Adherence to Studio Policies and Safety Regulations

Finally, the studio manager must either handle or oversee the proper handling of studio policies and safety regulations. This is important to mitigate any financial and legal responsibility for the facility and its owners, as well as to keep everybody safe and happy.

Skills and Qualifications for a Successful Studio Manager

·         Organizational skills and attention to detail

·         Effective communication and interpersonal skills

·         Technical knowledge of music production equipment and software

·         Problem-solving and decision-making abilities

·         Strong leadership and team management skills

Education and Experience

While it's not a direct requirement for most music production facilities, it's common for studio managers to be degree holders. Many of them have degrees in music or other professional musical qualifications, but it's also likely for someone in the role to hold a degree in business or communications. What's important is that your degree or other experience has carried over to the position in a way that you can express to the owners of the studio or production company.

Many times, hands-on music industry experience is even more valuable than a degree. Even jobs at a record shop or music shop would be helpful.

As mentioned above, many studio managers have assistants who help with various duties around the facility. If it is your wish to become a studio manager, starting by being an assistant may be one of the best paths toward that goal.

Salary and Career Growth

The average salary for a recording studio manager in the United States is approximately $57,000 per year. However, this varies heavily by location, employer, and experience level. A company like Sony may hire you for a total compensation of over $90,000 per year, while a recording studio management position at a college or university might pay less, such as $26 per hour. However, these lesser compensated positions are likely less competitive and would be a great choice for students or interns to gain initial experience.

Recording studio managers can grow into various high-level positions in the music industry such as music producers, record label A&R managers, studio operations directors, and music production company executives. Many of these positions can pay multiple times the average salary of studio managers, and come with completely different sets of responsibilities and skills that build on those of the recording studio manager.

Conclusion

Becoming a recording studio manager might be an intimidating prospect near the beginning of your journey, but it doesn't come without its rewards. Being a studio manager means seeing artists in their element, and creating their art in real-time. You may even witness world-famous recordings being minted right before your eyes. As someone passionate about music, becoming a studio manager is one of the most magical places to be, and you may end up loving it so much that you choose to advance to become an independent studio owner/manager, which can be even more lucrative and flexible.

If you're considering this path in the music industry, take the first steps and follow your dreams! Read The Beginner's Guide to Working in Music for you to get started!

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We also have an in-depth article about being a Marketing Manager in the music industry. Read more here: Job Highlight: Marketing Manager

The number of opportunities may surprise you, and you won’t need to be an expert concert pianist to succeed. For a look over the latest recruitment opportunities, check out our jobs page today and check out our beginner’s guide to working in music.

As part of our Job Highlight series, we’ll be casting our careers microscope over some of the key jobs that you’ll find in the music industry. This way, we’ll help you learn about the skills needed for these jobs, as well as the responsibilities you might have when you begin working.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what is covered under the job title of ‘Marketing Manager.’

What is a Marketing Manager?

Let’s start by trying to get a working definition of what a Marketing Manager is. A Marketing Manager is someone who oversees all the planning and coordination of the marketing activities for an individual, a group, or a business. This means developing campaigns and initiatives to promote awareness of the people or organizations they work with. These marketing campaigns are designed to help with sales, of course, but also to help develop brand/artist reputation - and even shape the message that a business or individual wants to put out of the world.

• Work out which channels are best to promote the said artist, based on industry trends.
• social media platforms that are best to utilize
• radio/TV slots that their audiences might be tuning into
• which streaming sites listeners are using.

What do Marketing Managers do in the music industry?

Marketing Managers have played a vital role in the music industry for at least the last 80 years. The music industry is saturated with content, genres, and ideas - so music marketing managers help labels and artists find their niche and reach audiences. This, in turn, is vital to their success.

Music marketing managers typically work closely with artists, management, and labels to develop marketing campaigns.

• Develop a strategy to promote an artist based on data and knowledge they’ve compiled about an artist’s fanbase.
• Deep dive into the metrics in ways that artists and labels simply don’t have the resources for.

Help artists answer questions such as:

• What album art might reflect who am I as a performer?
• What cities/countries should I book for my live performances to maximize my audience?
• What music videos/singles should I realize to emphasize my strength as an artist?

A good music marketing campaign can make or break an artist and their content, while successful marketing campaigns are considered big achievements in and of themselves. In recent years, marketing managers have adapted to industry changes to think outside the box when promoting artists.

A recent example of a great marketing campaign is the campaign for the rerelease of Taylor Swift’s Red album. While Taylor Swift was already a household name when the album got its rerelease in 2021, her marketing team employed an excellent campaign in the lead-up to Red to make sure that music lovers were worked up to a fever pitch. This involved guerilla marketing, dropping ‘easter eggs’ and teasers to Taylor Swift’s dedicated fanbase, coordinating fresh new album art - as well as vinyl and merch - and partnering with streaming sites like Spotify to ensure that the album would dominate in terms of the numbers game (ie. streaming, sales, and chart positions).

Why do you need a Music Marketing Manager?

While most artists would like to think that their music will speak solely for itself - without anyone having to promote it - it really does take a village to turn a hit song or a masterpiece album into something that will be consumed and enjoyed by thousands (or even millions).

Marketing Managers play a vital role in navigating an ever-changing industry and getting an artist’s work to the right people.

Marketing Manager: Average Salary

Marketing Managers are highly valued in the music industry, meaning that an experienced one can make, on average, $61,000 a year in the US.

This can range even higher if you’re working for a big label or organization. For example, recent articles suggest that a Music Marketing Manager working for a big company like Sony might bring home as much as $122,000 per year, which is 119% above the national average.  

Tips for being a good Marketing Manager

• Know the industry: A good music Marketing Manager should be fully aware of the landscape of the industry. They need to be on top of every trend, every development, every opportunity, and every potential strategy. Knowing the industry - and being able to coordinate a marketing campaign with that knowledge - is vitally important.
• Know the product and the artist: Just as important as knowing the industry is knowing the product itself. A good Marketing Manager won’t just treat an album, an artist, or a single as if it’s some third-party job they’re being tasked to work on. They’ll actively be interested in how the right marketing strategy can correspond with the unique product or the artist. For example, say you’re tasked with developing a marketing strategy for an exciting underground band that has recently been signed by a revered indie label. You might find it better to conduct a guerilla marketing campaign and reach out to acclaimed media publications to generate a bit of buzz about them before people actually hear them. This would be far more preferable than spending your time trying to book them for a performance on a prime-time TV or radio slot, where they likely wouldn’t reach their expected audience anyway. Knowing the product is key.
• Digital savvy: A good marketing manager needs to have an in-depth understanding of the digital landscape. In particular, they need to know how to read trends and developments on social media - and how they can use social media to the benefit of the artists they’re working with

Conclusion

As you’ll no doubt have guessed - marketing managers have incredibly varied jobs. The role can involve any number of day-to-day tasks, as well as work on long-term projects and big marketing campaigns. There’s no set definition for what makes a good marketing manager, but the skill set that we’ve laid out above is normally essential for anyone who wants to excel at their job!

Want to start working in the music industry but not sure Where will the Music Industry be in Five Years? Find out here.

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We also have an in-depth article about What it take to become a successful A&R? Read more here: Job Highlight: A&R Manager

The number of opportunities may surprise you, and you won’t need to be an expert concert pianist to succeed. For a look over the latest recruitment opportunities, check out our jobs page today and check out our beginner’s guide to working in music.