How to Succeed as an International Pop Star
Here at Think Like a Label, we don’t discriminate when it comes to creed, taste, career level, or genre. Everyone has a dream, and everyone has a gift and talent. When it comes to Japanese pop musician, Takao, we’re introducing you to an artist who has experienced unprecedented success in a short amount of time while living in Los Angeles, CA. Pop is the hardest genre to succeed in because there is a formula to it. It is important to be unique, but there has to be a style and sensibility that is pleasing to mainstream listeners.
Takao has found a way to fit right in in Hollywood, but he also has sponsors from his home country like Rizumu Clothing, where he wore their pieces in his music video, “Give Me Tonight”, and Lubra Car Designs where is featured in one of their car commercials. Have you ever thought about gaining sponsorship for your band? Maybe you should. It is a brilliant way to gain funding and touch mass audiences.
Frank Zappa Explains the Decline of the Music Business…and Sex
This is an amazing perspective from the late, great Mr. Frank Zappa. Mainstream music is almost completely electronic these days. We want our bands back!
This is an amazing perspective from the late, great Mr. Frank Zappa. Mainstream music is almost completely electronic these days. We want our bands back! I’ll be honest, I still believe in some of the forms and structure of the old record business, why? Because there were bands and artists like Ray Charles, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, Etta James, who were thriving in the past. Even bands like Nirvana, Radiohead, and Bjork are long gone.
The industry must have been doing something right if we were able to be exposed to artists like this.
More Creative Ways to Make a Career from Your Musical Talent
In my last article, Three Intelligent Ways to Make a Living as a Musician, I highlighted a love for music and the ability to network as two great tools to incorporate while pursuing opportunities to make money as a musician. But let’s say you want to go a step further and develop a career through your musical endeavors. I say “develop” because it is certainly a process to work your way up the ladder, but it can be very rewarding the whole way up! A great first step may find yourself filling a small position to start out; most likely an apprenticeship or internship. All the while, you should keep your tools from before– a “love for music” and networking– in the forefront of your work. It could also be suggested that you withhold a certain degree of patience, because taking steps up this ladder doesn’t always happen overnight, and be willing to self-sacrifice your time and energy for the good of the people around you.
“Evolution is encouraged; just don’t forget who you are.” Interview with Lady Zombie
One of the things I really love about Think Like a Label is that we get to learn straight from the minds of our industry’s most talented professionals. Not all industry professionals are on the cover of magazines or working on International platforms, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t affect and work to inspire their communities and cities.
Lady Zombie is a wonderful performance artist and event promoter in New York City. She allows subculture artists to share their talents and highlights the positive aspects of goth culture. She has also recently been a great help and comforter for me when I was struggling with the responsibilities of coordinating an event in New York City. We choose to learn from artists and pros who are humble enough to help other pros without even considering the threat of competition. Lady Zombie is a great example of a promoter who is generous and has vision. Check out what she has to say about her career and experiences. Continue reading »
Three Intelligent Ways to Make a Living as a Musician
We here at Think Like a Label are firm believers in education and encouraging artists like you to use your musical talents to create useful careers that will support you for most of your lives. There is a difference between being a musician and being in a band. Here are some practical and intelligent ways to get you started on a path to creating a healthy and financially supportive music career for yourself. This article is written by our amazing new assistant editor, Chris Parsons. If you have any questions for him, his contact info is on the staff page of this site. We’re here for you!
By today’s standards, it is easy to be a struggling musician; unfortunately selling music isn’t where the money can be made nowadays, but rather performing live, and for large audiences, is found to emphasize success (especially monetarily). But there are definitely ways for you to exploit your talents and hardworking ethic so that you can get by, by doing exactly what you love. Big ingredients for catching these opportunities will be exactly that: a love for music and the ability to network. Consider the abilities accumulated over the years as a musician and three opportunities to explore come to mind almost right away; becoming a session player (whether it’s gigging or in the studio), offering music lessons (instrument and/or theory), and maybe even looking into instrument repair. Did we think of the same ones? These certainly aren’t the only three ways, but let’s see what it takes for each of these possibilities to become reality. Continue reading »
“Do Your Thing & Read the Contracts” – Interview with Abby Travis
Abby Travis is an accomplished bass player who played with bands like The Meat Puppets, Beck, and The Bangles. She’s enjoyed a 25 year music career and was kind enough to do two part interview with Think Like a Label. She traveled from Los Angeles to promote her new album, IV, and we caught up with each other in her dressing room at The Mercury Lounge in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Abby shed some light on what it’s like to have such a long standing career, and it was an honor to spend time with her! Continue reading »
“I’m still learning. The process never ends” – Interview with DJ Asia Lakay
I knew Asia Lakay almost 10 years ago in the very beginnings of my career in Denver, CO. We instantly bonded when we met and found ways to keep in touch over the years. She now resides in Boston and I live in Manhattan. We will be reuniting this year in New York City, as she DJ’s Think Like a Label’s one year anniversary at Brooklyn Fireproof on April 21st.
This is a very insightful, and enlightening interview. Asia shares great advice and is probably the only musician that has shared specifics of her musical taste (in regards to sharing her favorite band’s names) and how she came across them. Everyone has a story and Asia’s is rich and full of knowledge and nostalgia.
How long have you been a DJ?
I’ve been DJing off and on for about two years. I’ve mainly spun live at parties for friends, after hours get togethers, and a couple random art gallery and club gigs.
What drew you to electronic music? Continue reading »
“I’ve been lucky enough to travel and DJ in many places” – Interview with DJ Short Shorts
Because of my 2 year stint of living in Los Angeles, Short Shorts and I have several mutual friends. I believe we only met a couple of times in L.A. but we’ve always kept in touch and supported each other. I admire her very much for her staying power, and how savvy and nonchalant she is about her career. I am a general fan of her DJing (she still spins vinyl) and she’s an all around wise, and amazing professional (whether she considers herself a professional is another story!) Her connections with L.A. RECORD, Little Radio, and her residency at the Standard Hotel have made her a respected staple in Los Angeles. Let’s learn about what she has to say about her career!
(This is part one of a back to back female DJ Q&A series. Check back next week for an interview with Boston’s DJ Asia Lakay!)
What’s it like to be a DJ in Los Angeles, CA? Continue reading »
We’re Hiring
Hey guys,
I (Jordannah Elizabeth) will be taking over for the amazing Jeremy Belcher as editor of Think Like a Label.com! Therefore, we’re looking for a new assistant editor and a couple of contributing writers to work with us!
Jeremy will become the Senior Adviser for this site, so he’s not going anywhere. We just think it’s a great idea to bring some new and creative minds to this site.
Please email:
jordannahe@ymail.com with a resume and samples.
Sincerely,
Think Like a Label Staff
“Dream on, experiment & have fun” – Interview with Lilies on Mars
I learned of Lilies on Mars through their manager, Ryan L. Albato who is a talented indie rock entrepreneur and an internet radio pioneer. His enthusiasm about this band is fervent, and I really trust his taste. Lilies on Mars is an amazing female indie rock duo from the United Kingdom who enjoy a healthy following. I wanted to speak with them about their experiences, and get them to open up about their success as a popular indie band.
What was your first experience performing music? Continue reading »