Don't understand why I don't seem to matter
I have to admit, I've been on a high (natural) for months. I released an album in November and I got it published. But interest in it has been underwhelming. I can't get anyone on-line to take the slightest bit of interest in it. I plan to release another album this month, but that'll probably go nowhere too. To top it off, when I express my dissappointment, I get ignored. No-one's got a thing to say. Just ignore the Aspy basketcase seems to be the policy regarding me.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to be conceited or say that I deserve the limelight. Not at all. I just want to know that someone out there gives half a damn, but I'm not feeling it at all.
@RedNightDragon40
Congratulations on the new album!
The music industry is a difficult place sometimes -- for anybody -- and it's marketing is a rapidly changing one. A lot of the young artist are being forced to push themselves independently of the label (for some reason) using social media campaigns, pushing via the listening services (cross-platforming to the social media again), and putting themselves out there through a variety of means without a lot of guidance or support of the label - signings, mini-tours visiting schools, building their brand through interviews, and/or hiring their own publicist.
You probably have listeners out there pushing you- you just may not know it.
Don't give up hope. Reach out to your label - inquire about help getting plays, reaching audiences, setting up interviews. Ask for guidance from your record producer about how to get plays - who he might suggest sending a copy to. Reach out to your supporters - ask for help setting up a fan page, creating social media buzz, calling and requesting your songs at station.
I'll share a story with you...
Many years ago, I used to travel with my Aunt and Uncle to flea markets. It was always a blast with them, they knew so many people and found such good deals. On one such trip, we bumped into a man wearing a jeans, tee shirt, cowboy boots and a hat - with an outstanding accent - who was selling 45s, cds and cassettes. He spoke highly of the artist and had a little portable radio playing the cassette. It was country music and the voice was unique - and the chit-chat ensued (meaning we stood there for probably over an hour). The man said during this exchange, "This is my son-in-law. It's his dream to be a country music star and we want to help him. So my family are loading up our cars and driving all over the nation, setting up at flea markets and selling his music and sharing information, dropping into radio stations to leave copies, and trying to build a name for him. He's out playing bars, county fairs, stopping at radio stations and introducing himself, and putting the leg work into it." Turned out this nobody who's family was working hard for him was some guy named George Strait -- now known as the "King of Country" and a multi-platinum artist.
You matter - sometimes you may not the fruits of your efforts for a while. Keep going - reach out to friends and family and build your army of promoters and supporters.
Keep living your dream. :D
@diplomaticconfucious
That's a helluva story, Diplomatic. Thank you for that.
I know it rubs off as childish to say, "Why is no-one listening to my music?" I think that this album would eventually cause me grief as it provided an excuse to fuel my propensity for self-loathing. Won't be posting anymore clips of rehearsals and stuff to Twitter as the entertainment value is obviously lacking.
I am going to approach indie folk rock radio stations and ask them to try out one of the songs. And, if that gets a good response, then I have two more cuts for them to play, if they wish. Wish me luck with that!
I know they like my stuff at the studio; my producer even compared my style to Lou Reed's. And, by the end of this month, no matter what, I'll have two albums, both studio-recorded and published. No-one can ever take that away from me. I'll try to get some live gigs under my belt as the studio at which I record also hosts open mic events. That could only help.
Thanks for reading and responding to me, Diplomatic.
@RedNightDragon40
You're quite welcome. You never know how someone starts out unless you are there at the beginning. I don't normally drop names like that but I figured you could use the meeting to see not everyone starts out with fans out the whazoo. That's how I was raised -- celebrities are just regular folks that are (unfortuantely) claimed as part of the public domain and lose some of what we little people take for advantage.
I think you're getting a game plan together - which is cool and might help beat those "where's my music?" blues. If your sounds is unique (and greatly appreciated by the recording studio folks) you have something to be proud of and something that will catch the ear of the public. Check out local venues for opportunities - if you think you're ready for bigger crowds - check out the festival scenes locally too. They often don't have big budgets to pay a lot ... but they usually are a great way to reach a crowd and if you do go - always bring your merch with you. Nothing worse than winning a fan and not having a CD to sale them. (Don't forget the business cards either... their a cheap tool and great for networking.)
I'm following several small artist who are putting things out there. They're using FB video to just take a moment to share something out of the day - like a backstory to a song, just goofing off at the piano or guitar, or just taking a moment to thank everyone who is making the journey possible. Fans love stuff like that -- I think that's because of the make/take investment (emotional before financial) in the artist and like to know what's going on or what's being thought by the artist. They're also posting quirky pictures - examples: pet pictures, filtered photos of themselves including those wierd snapchat bubbles and ears styled-ones. One of them has his music on reverbnation and cross-post the links frequently - especially if he's debuting a new single or made a special new cut of an existing one. The other reached out to his county school system and arranged to come in and talk to students interested in pursuing a music career and did a mini-concert for them. (That has led to a ton of good footage for him too.)
Get some friends together... go through the footage again and see what they think people would like to. It's hard to judge ourselves in that respect - we usually have an uber harsh filter for our behaviors and appearances - that our friends say "NO, people would love this!"
Keep it going... stay positive... rally your support and take on the world with them beside you.
@diplomaticconfucious
Well, the folks at the studio have become good friends and they've done what they could, but they're all busy with their own projects, which is absolutely understandable. I'm lucky to have that place and the people there in my life, and I know it.
I just submitted one of the album's songs to an indie radio station, so here's hoping I'll get some plays!
I am also in the habit of providing one or two demo cuts on my albums, so people can hear where a certain song was before it was finalized. I know that whenever I listened to an album, way back in the day, I was always curious to know more about how the songs were crafted. It's a real point-of-interest thing that I hope listeners will or can appreciate.
@RedNightDragon40
Sounds like you're getting things rolling -- getting some plans and setting them in motion.
Check out some of the stations on Shoutcast... they might be willing to play your music too. Wouldn't hurt to reach out to them and offer a track or two.
Keep it moving... you'll build your audience
@RedNightDragon40
Stay strong. Girl
@brightStrawberries4733
Uhhh, thanks. But I'm a man.
The music industry is definitely a difficult one to get into initially. Takes a lot of personal effort and motivation, especially when it seems like no one else is. You've really got to be your own cheerleader pretty much. Networking and being a little pushy is a bit of a requirement. Like the story ^ there, drop them off at studios etc. If you've got friends and family that can distribute. Think of distributing kind of like girl scout cookies maybe. If someone works in a cubicle office, ask then to play your album at their desk and see if their coworkers ask about it. They could sign up for a copy and pre-order it if you don't have the quantities right now. Around here we have an art market that runs all summer. It's people like you and me setting upo a vendor stall every weekend to sell their art. Sculptures, food, music, carvings, fashion, everything. Does your area have something like that that you can setup a stall with your music, you could be playing live there as well?
Personally, I would love to hear your album or even just a song!
@Amor90200
I know you're right. I just submitted a song to an all-genres indie radio station, so we'll see if I'll get played. If not, it's time to soldier on, and maybe the sound on my 2nd album will be more to people's tastes.
I really appreciate you being willing to listen to the album. I'll send you the best song and if you like that and want more, I'll provide the whole album. How shall I get the audio file to you? Are you able to personally message me on this site?
@RedNightDragon40 That is a very good question. I can't seem to find a private message section on here that isn't related to Listeners only.
If Forum Mod/OP is okay with it, you probably could post the download link here? Or if someone else on here knows how to connect two members privately for exchanges like this! lol
@Amor90200
@Amor90200
That's OK. You can go to https://fitzdragon.bandcamp.com/ and listen for free there. Start off with the featured track "What Can You Do? (Rats)". If you like that song, then you can check out the entire album. I will definitely appreciate the listen and the feedback.
@RedNightDragon40
I actually really like that rats one! When I have a little more time to listen to more I will. I can see that one being a theme song to an animated show about rats. Like an animated show about Ratatouille's life and family or something haha.
Maybe trying to get onto some shows for theme song creations might be a path to consider. And theme songs can be huge successes. My partner, Jack, can blurt out theme songs from commercials that are 20 years old and it still gets him jonesing for that product. There are people out there who will follow those theme song artists to find their own personal work and whatnot too. So might not be the same path to success you were looking for, but could still get you there!
@Amor90200
Yeah, I'd have to think very carefully about how I would want that song to be used, but I certainly wouldn't mind it being featured in an animated film! I think, for now, that I'm content to let it stand as the album's best cut. 
Thank you for listening. I would love your feedback on the rest of the record when you get around to it -- there's no rush. You can e-mail me at rednight_dragon@yahoo.com, if you prefer.
@RedNightDragon40
Well first of all, I'd just like to congratulate you on releasing an album! That's su per impressive and you definitely deserve credit for it. From what you've said, it sounds like it hasn't been as popular as you would've have liked. Don't give up! Remember that when J.K Rowling first wanted to publish the Harry Potter series, she was turned down several times from a few different publishers. This first one may just be a stepping stone to many more amazing albums!
@butterflyPessimist I believe Dr. Suess was turned down many times too right?
@Amor90200
Yep, I think so. It just shows that it takes time and hard work for anything to start becoming popular :P
@butterflyPessimist
Thank you, butterfly. I'm hoping the second album, as it will be more textured, will catch people's ears, and they'll then turn to the first album out of curiosity. Can only hope, eh?
@RedNightDragon40
Sounds like a good plan, good luck!
@butterflyPessimist
Thanks. I will do my best that I am capable of.