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If you're making music to get signed, you're doing it wrong.

My 2 cents.

Why is everyone such a downer about someone wanting to go somewhere with music? No I am not "making music to get signed," but I would love to be signed. It's not wrong to be ambitious. If I was signed, it would be signing MY music, not music I made to be signed, but I do really want to eventually get my music on a label, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Sonika wrote:Why is everyone such a downer about someone wanting to go somewhere with music? No I am not "making music to get signed," but I would love to be signed. It's not wrong to be ambitious. If I was signed, it would be signing MY music, not music I made to be signed, but I do really want to eventually get my music on a label, and there's nothing wrong with that.

This haha. As long as your intentions are right.

However, it's cool and underground to say that, even though a lot of the people saying it would probably jump at the chance to be signed.

i never want to get signed



















until someone wants to sign me

I never said there was anything wrong with wanting to get signed. But if someone - not necessarily you - makes a tune with the idea of getting it out rather than making it just to make, in order to express themselves, they're doing it wrong.

Okay I understand what you're saying - don't make "music to be signed" don't make music because you want it to be signed, make it because you love it. If course I identify with that, but that that doesn't mean I don't want my music to eventually make it to be released...

garethom wrote:

Sonika wrote:Why is everyone such a downer about someone wanting to go somewhere with music? No I am not "making music to get signed," but I would love to be signed. It's not wrong to be ambitious. If I was signed, it would be signing MY music, not music I made to be signed, but I do really want to eventually get my music on a label, and there's nothing wrong with that.

This haha. As long as your intentions are right.

However, it's cool and underground to say that, even though a lot of the people saying it would probably jump at the chance to be signed.

Yeah Ive come across it before, doesn't make sense that a music community wouldn't support success, and I understand the great thing about the underground is people's values aren't getting signed, rather making music music because they love it, but I'm sure there are ambitious people in the underground too, the difference is their music is original, rather than a labels take on their music.

It's because your mindset/goals at the time of making the music define it and something that is made with aspirations of cashing in is always going to cater to the lowest common denominator.

You're either present while making the tune or you're half daydreaming about all the coked up bitches the tune is going to get you..either one comes through in the music.

Sonika wrote:Okay I understand what you're saying - don't make "music to be signed" don't make music because you want it to be signed, make it because you love it. If course I identify with that, but that that doesn't mean I don't want my music to eventually make it to be released...

Why are you even thinking about it now though? You could be making tunes and learning shit instead of posting about how you want to get signed one day. Obviously it's not going to happen tomorrow, just just forget about it until it's actually a possibility.

hudson wrote:

Sonika wrote:Okay I understand what you're saying - don't make "music to be signed" don't make music because you want it to be signed, make it because you love it. If course I identify with that, but that that doesn't mean I don't want my music to eventually make it to be released...

Why are you even thinking about it now though? You could be making tunes and learning shit instead of posting about how you want to get signed one day. Obviously it's not going to happen tomorrow, just just forget about it until it's actually a possibility.

Because this entire week and last week ive been holed up in a place without even a computer let alone my production stuff, so pretty much in my free time I text friends and go on this forum on my ipod touch.....thats why I'm asking this now

Sonika wrote:

hudson wrote:

Sonika wrote:Okay I understand what you're saying - don't make "music to be signed" don't make music because you want it to be signed, make it because you love it. If course I identify with that, but that that doesn't mean I don't want my music to eventually make it to be released...

Why are you even thinking about it now though? You could be making tunes and learning shit instead of posting about how you want to get signed one day. Obviously it's not going to happen tomorrow, just just forget about it until it's actually a possibility.

Because this entire week and last week ive been holed up in a place without even a computer let alone my production stuff, so pretty much in my free time I text friends and go on this forum on my ipod touch.....thats why I'm asking this now

oooh nice twist, did not see that one coming

The Tornado wrote:I never said there was anything wrong with wanting to get signed. But if someone - not necessarily you - makes a tune with the idea of getting it out rather than making it just to make, in order to express themselves, they're doing it wrong.

when you're writing music seriously, you're always writing music with the intention of some it getting signed, theres no way around it. If they're writing good music and people love listening and dancing to it then i dont see why you should care whether or not they were doin it to 'express themselves'.

I've written music to get signed to specific labels because they were my favorite labels and i really wanted to be involved with them, it doesnt make the music superficial and completely impersonal.

^makes sense

Killawatt wrote:

The Tornado wrote:I never said there was anything wrong with wanting to get signed. But if someone - not necessarily you - makes a tune with the idea of getting it out rather than making it just to make, in order to express themselves, they're doing it wrong.

when you're writing music seriously, you're always writing music with the intention of some it getting signed, theres no way around it. If they're writing good music and people love listening and dancing to it then i dont see why you should care whether or not they were doin it to 'express themselves'.

I've written music to get signed to specific labels because they were my favorite labels and i really wanted to be involved with them, it doesnt make the music superficial and completely impersonal.

.

Fair play to that as obviously you know what you're doing. I understand writing tunes for certain labels, or in a certain style. But for me, as someone who is just getting started - and it sounds like Sonika is just getting started as well - I don't think it's beneficial to think about 'how can I get this signed' - for me, anyway - I'd rather hone my skill first, give it to a select few whose opinions and skills as producers/engineers I respect, then see if there's any interest in the tune. But, that's just me, and I could be going about it all wrong as I know fuck all about the business side of music.

But yes, I agree that writing a tune in a Chestplate style, for example, because you like the label does not necessarily mean you 'sold out' or that the tune has no feeling or soul. It's just taking influences at that point.

I shouldn't have spoken in such an explicit way. But yeah, big up KW, love your stuff

Its a lot harder to make quality tunes than to get quality tunes signed mate. Your 13 mate just concentrate on improving for the next 5 years and youll be killing it, then start thinking about getting yourself out there a bit.

@The Tornado - true all valid points but I think kilawatt is advanced enough that he can start making tunes tailored for a certain label

@Benjaminc - yeah man for sure, obviously that's the most importan part, but nothing wrong with gathering information now

I made music for 18 years before ever sending any to a label, but i realize thats a little unusual.

Do you mind if I ask how old you are now?

And btw I saw you're from Amsterdam. I'm moving there for two years next year cuz of my dads job

I'm 31 now, started getting into the rave scene in 92 when i was about your age. I haven't been doing it this whole time though, actually i just got back into it about a year ago after being away for like 5 years.

In the meantime i owned an ice cream shop in Baltimore

You will like amsterdam, though i am moving to Leeds in a month (I'm from England originally). Don't get caught up smoking weed all the time (like i did). I really like that 85% of people get around on bikes here, though all the people hurtling around on bikes can take some getting used to lol