As we celebrate the month dedicated to the power of learning, we’re excited to bring you the key highlights from the recent All About Music conference held in Mumbai. We have put together key learnings from the event to help you excel in your musical career. Join us on a journey through the defining moments of this conference, and let the celebration of learning continue!
DAY 1
The Reality of Live Music, Festival & Touring in India
- Global Expansion: The Handshake concert, which originated in Kohima, has successfully expanded to seven countries, showcasing the global reach of Indian music.
- Theja Meru, Chairman TaFMA the 3 Principles that mark the success of the Handshake Concert –
- Government Support: Consistent support from the government has played a significant role in the success of the concert.
- Nurturing Relationships: Building strong relationships with both artists and audiences has been a deliberate and intentional approach contributing to the concert’s success.
- Stakeholder Engagement: The involvement of a diverse group of stakeholders, including those who contribute to participating, funding, and advocating the event has been crucial.
- Risk Management: Arjun Sharma (mention company and designation) emphasizes that festivals and artists should view risks as a natural part of events and recommend getting insurance.
- Transparency and Accountability: Meghana Bhogle (mention company and designation) emphasized the importance of transparency in financial matters and collaboration. Artists should be prepared to take responsibility for their tours and schedules so they can provide a successful experience to their fans (this is not very clear)
- Streaming Data: The panel highlighted while streaming data can guide event programming, it should be complemented by a broader understanding of the market, including multi-city Promoter Intel and the addressable base.
- Future of Festivals: The panel envisions a future with more concerts, bands, and a bright future for music festivals powered by the sizeable base of a younger audience. India is poised to become a significant player in the global music industry.
Electrifying the Nation: The Rise of Electronic Music in India
- Uniqueness is essential for survival in the electronic music industry.
- Nurturing talent and patience are crucial steps in an artist’s journey.
- Small cities hold untapped potential for artist tours and provide a huge platform for creators.
- Prioritize creating music over excessive social media posting.
- Emotional stability is vital for artists’ creativity and performance.
- Authenticity matters more than followers count on social media when building your music career.
Tunning into Mental Health
- Nurturing your Mental Health
- Digital Detox
- Manage your triggers
- Self-care activities
- Build Connections
- Watch your self-talk
- Practice Gratitude
- Purpose and Meaning
- Talk to a Therapist
- Healthy Mind in a healthy Body
Dino James’ advice for all musicians: As an artist, it’s essential to acknowledge and embrace your challenges and limitations. Work hard, but don’t fall victim to the grind. Self-discipline is key. Remember, your fans adore your music, not just you, so prioritize self-care and self-love and that’s how you’ll make amazing music.
A & R advice for all Musicians
“Be authentic, Be unique, and stay true to your own musical identity.” – Sajid Maklai, A&R Head, Universal Music, India and South Asia
“Rather than chasing trends and viral numbers, discover your sonic signature music. Your storytelling depth and individuality are what set you apart. Continue that and you will get noticed” – Faizan Khan, Director at the MVMNT, A & R at Outdustry
DAY 2
- Use your music to raise awareness about social and environmental issues. Your lyrics can inspire change and engage your audience in meaningful conversations.
- Music Creators have a unique platform to drive change and inspire others, so embracing sustainability and social impact can make a meaningful difference in the music industry and beyond.
- Musicians must proactively learn about their rights, both in terms of master rights (sound recordings) and publishing rights (compositions). Knowing who owns these rights and how they are divided among collaborators is essential for royalty collection.
- Lyricists, Composers and Publishers must take the responsibility of accurately submitting their metadata to organizations like IPRS. This step ensures precise revenue collection and fair distribution of royalties, making it vital for artists to receive their rightful earnings.
- Success in the modern music industry isn’t one-size-fits-all. It varies greatly from artist to artist and may include factors like creative fulfillment, financial stability, artistic recognition, or social impact.
- Collaborate with fellow musicians, producers, and songwriters to gain experience and expand your network within the industry.
- Keep up with industry trends and emerging technologies. Be open to adapting your approach to align with changes in the music landscape.
Experiment with your sound, take risks and make music that resonates with you. - Artists and songwriters should explore multiple income streams, including streaming royalties, sync licensing, merchandise sales, and live performances, to adapt to the evolving music industry landscape.
DAY 3
Where do hits come from in 2023?
- Hits can be influenced by the genre of music. Some factors are under the control of music creators and labels, while others are not.
- Building a strong fandom is essential for musicians. When these artists have a dedicated fan base, releasing a song becomes easier, as fans eagerly embrace it.
- A hit song comes from the studio, where the artist, producer, and engineer need to be true to their hearts during the creative process. Conviction in the music-making process is key.
- The audience is the ultimate decision-maker in making a song a hit. They connect with songs on an emotional level, especially in India.
- While not every trending song becomes a hit, many hit songs have trended at some point.
- Music creators create songs from their perspective, but the audience interprets them in their own unique ways. This connection through diverse perspectives is powerful.
- Granting musicians the freedom to create is essential for producing a hit song. Restricting creativity can hinder the organic and authentic process.
Music Distribution
- To maximise royalties, ensure that authors, composers, and publishers register with IPRS to receive their share of publishing royalties.
- Verify that your publisher or label is registered with a performing rights organization (PRO) like IPRS.
- When choosing a distributor, look for one that educates you about best practices, assists with content marketing, and helps with promotion. Carefully review distribution contracts.
- Each digital streaming platform (DSP) offers unique tools. Make the most of these tools on the different platforms to increase the visibility and engagement of your song.
- Follow the content ingestion guidelines provided by major DSPs to ensure that your music is accepted and properly presented on these platforms.
- Create music playlists based on consumer behavior, such as “Best of Indian Metal Music” or “Mood While Driving.” This approach increases the exposure of your songs to a wider audience and improves the algorithms’ reach.
In conversation with Lucky Ali
- Rejection is not the end of the journey for artists. It’s important to persevere and keep believing in your work.
- Success in music comes when you trust your creative instincts and emotions that your song evokes.
- Music is a powerful tool for artists to communicate not only with people but also with nature.
- The journey of an artist is filled with life lessons, and patience is key to learning and growing. Acknowledge that everything in life has a purpose and is part of a larger plan.
